Tuesday, Week 8

Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (BSB)

Prevailing prayer is almost always for the sake of others.
— Wesley L. Duewel

O light of the hearts that trust You, life of the souls that love You, and strength of all who seek Your face — grant us Your grace as we go out this morning. We thank You for the mercies of the night. You have brought us back from the seeming death of sleep. We put our hands in Yours and we ask You to guide us all the day.

Be our good Shepherd. Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Be You our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Teach us to do Your will. Incline our hearts to walk in Your ways. Make us love Your commandments. Renew our hearts more and more, so that we shall love to do the things that are right — and hate whatever is wrong.

We shall need divine wisdom all the day. Enable us to conduct our affairs in a way that will please You. May all our business be the Father's business. May our home work be done without worry. May we be helped to bear the trials and endure the frictions of life, as our blessed Master passed through the hard and uncongenial things in His life on the earth, without fretting, without complaining, victoriously and sweetly. Give us patience, forbearance, meekness, and joyousness — and may all our day be holy and beautiful, as we stay near You, and live by Your help and grace.

Allow no temptation to imperil our souls — but with every temptation make for us a way to escape, that we may not fall away into eternal death. Let us not yield to unholy influences — but may we be in all things more than conquerors through him who loved us. These mercies we ask, humbly confessing our sins, through Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.