Monday, Week 11

But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
— Matthew 6:6 (BSB)

Prayer thrives in the atmosphere of true devotion.
— E.M. Bounds

Bless to us, our Father, the words we have just read from the holy book. We thank You for the Bible, in which we may learn Your will, where You have told us so clearly what pleases You in conduct and character, and have warned us so plainly against the things which are sinful, which displease You, and which will bring harm and curse to those who do them. We thank You, too, for the promises and comforts of Your word. You have filled the sacred pages with them. They shine like stars in our night. In the time of our darkness, of sorrow or trial, they give us light.

We pray for grace to understand Your word better and better. Incline us to love it. Its holiness makes our hearts disinclined to turn to it. Teach us to love it more, to receive it more cheerfully, to make it the guide of our life. May it become indeed a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. May it be rod and staff to us. We would hide it in our heart, so that it shall transform our life, keeping us from sin, and leading and impelling us to all holiness.

We pray for our home and for all our friends. But we would pray for all men. We pray for all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, wherever they may be. We pray for all sorts and conditions of men — for the evil and the good, for the poor, the sick, the tempted, the sinning. We pray especially for any who are our enemies. If we have done anything to make them enemies, help us to remove the evil, that the enmity may be destroyed. We pray for grace to live peacefully with all men, as far as it depends on us, and to be gentle, meek, unselfish, and patient. Forgive our many sins, and grant to us Your favor. We ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen.