Promises for the Battle
Grace
Sustenance #8—Sustained Praise
Put your situation before Yahweh, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 Most mighty God, you established the earth’s foundations through your wisdom and power. The pillars of the earth belong to you, and the world rests on them. You created, shaped, and guided forests and … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Prayer 2023
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 As I thought about this year’s Thanksgiving prayer, I noticed that the Apostle Paul rarely runs out of words to express the power and scope of his delight for all that God did for his people through Christ. But at the close of his … Continue reading
Freedom #4—Fearless Freedom
What then shall we say to these truths of God’s sovereign work? We say, if God is for us, who is against us? Since he did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31–32 The ability to … Continue reading
Freedom #2—Loving Freedom
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. … For you were called to freedom; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:1, 13 Because we are … Continue reading
Speech #6—Self-Preserving Speech
Laying aside falsehood, speak truth, to one another, for we are members of one another. … Let no rotten word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for building up the person in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:25 & 29 God has so constructed the Body … Continue reading
Servants #1—Merciful Servants
God designed us to be stewards of his grace who serve one another in his name. Since we are all difficult to serve, we need to be motivated. Moving beyond ourselves, out of our comfort zones and into the messy details of one another’s lives takes great confidence that we will have the physical and … Continue reading
Advent 2022 #2—Christmas Wildness
This Christmas sonnet/prayer comes from thinking about what Paul writes to the Christians at Ephesus. It also arises from an objection to the typical rhyming pattern found in Christmas carols: child – mild, as in “meek & mild;” meek, yes; but mild? I never perceive Jesus as “mild;” rather he always seems untamed to me, … Continue reading
Comfort #3—Fully Comforted
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 Good works and words should feel comfortable on us, like a favorite old shirt or … Continue reading
Prayer #9— Glorious Answers
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:15 Because of my love for you, O God, I sought your help and you delivered me. Because I rely on your reputation, you set me securely in a place of refuge. As I walked through the … Continue reading
Prayer #1—Appropriate Shamelessness
God delights to answer prayer. But sometimes we hesitate to pray, even though we have access to the throne of grace because the way has been opened for us. Jesus urged us, on the basis of his reputation with the Father, to ask for expressions of grace, “so that your joy will be full.” Nevertheless, … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 