May 13, 2021
Progress, Not Perfection
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.—Ecclesiastes 7:20 (ESV)
Don’t be so hard on yourself. When you reflect on your goals and where you are in your life, focus on signs of progress. Every step nearer to your goal is a success—something you should celebrate and feel good about.
Lord, help me to see myself with eyes of compassion and understanding. Guide me to appreciate the progress I am making to becoming my best self.
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See the Good
God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.—Genesis 1:31 (NASB)
The ability to see is a miraculous gift. Do you use it to fully take in your surroundings or do you just glance around? When you look do you truly see? Today really look at your world, your family, your life—and smile at the gifts you have been given.
Lord, today I will look at what You have made and see how good it truly is!
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Follow Your Star
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.—Matthew 2:10 (NIV)
Do you long for an epiphany? Are you ready to make a big change in your life? Look up at the night sky and ask God for guidance. Be willing to follow whatever instructions or journey of discovery that God lays out before you.
Heavenly Father, I long for an aha moment that reveals Your presence. Show me my life’s purpose.
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Walk with Jesus
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”—Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Jesus promises that He will provide light and guidance when your life takes unexpected turns. Though you may not always understand why you must go through a difficult challenge, you can trust that His continuing presence will lead you through.
Lord God, when I feel lost, take my hand and guide me through the darkness.
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Call Forth the Riches of Everyday Life
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.—Psalm 30:11 (NIV)
Poet Rainer Maris Rilke said, “If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it; blame yourself, tell yourself that you are not poet enough to call forth its riches; for to the creator there is no poverty and no poor indifferent place.” Make today the day when you call forth the riches of everyday life. Instead of being overwhelmed by your to-do list, move something that will bring you pleasure to the top of your list.
Heavenly Father, I fall into the rut of believing I am stuck or not living my best life. Help me to recognize that with Your help, I can make the best of every situation.
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Grow Your Spirit in Good Soil
The farmer sows the word.—Mark 4:14 (NIV)
Everlasting Father, I long to grow Your Word in my life. Help me work the soil of my spirit.
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Prayer of Relinquishment
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.—Psalm 138:3 (ESV)
Catherine Marshall said, “When you relinquish everything to God, you stop commanding and demanding God to do things for you. As long as you keep telling God what to do, He will honor your free will and will not violate it even to answer your prayer.”
Lord, I truly and completely surrender my problem to You. I need faith right now to see blessings instead of fears. Thank You for Your promises and provision!
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Tune into God’s Blessings
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.—Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
It’s easy to get caught up in your surroundings—by looking at your cell phone or engaging in social media—and to almost forget about the beautiful world all around you. Today, instead of blurring out the background of your life, tune in and notice God’s awesome gifts, like the blooming flowers and chirping birds.
Lord, You have given me all I need to live a joyful life. I rejoice in the beauty of Your blessings.
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The Wisdom of Not Knowing
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.—Proverbs 1:5 (ESV)
It is okay to not know everything. To not know what you want, or how to make things better. When you say, “I don’t know,” it opens the door to finding out, to thinking and discovering, to praying for an answer. So the next time you feel foolish or confused because you don’t know, step back and wait, be patient. Ask for God’s help.
Heavenly Father, I don’t have all the answers but I know that You do. Teach me to live in Your wisdom.
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Healing for Yourself and Loved Ones
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.—Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale advised that when you need healing, do not think about the illness or condition. Instead, focus on God and His power to heal. Affirm over and over words of life, health, and strength. Steadfast prayer and faith in God are sure to bring results.
Compassionate God, You know exactly what I need when I call on You for help. Heal our hurts and make us whole.
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Know His Promises
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”—Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
God is always true to His word. And in every difficult situation He is present, helping you through fearful times and guiding you to bring victory out of them.
Heavenly Father, I can have joyful expectations about the future, because I know I am safe in Your hands.
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Keep Moving
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly…—1 CORINTHIANS 9:26 (NIV)
I’m Just Fine
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.—PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV
Take Care of Your Whole Self
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship.—Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Free Yourself from Sin
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.—Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Bless the Animals
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.—Genesis 1:21 (NIV)
You Deserve the Best
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.—Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Renew Your Mind
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Romans 12:2 (ESV)
The World Needs Your Light
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.—Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Sing a New Song
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.—Psalm 96:1 (NIV)
Trust His Plan
Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.—Job 6:8 (NIV)
Release Old Hurts
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.—Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Be Kind to the Unkind
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Celebrate Our Freedom
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.—Psalm 119:30–32 (NIV)
Arbor Day Prayer
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
Prayer for Earth Day
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.—Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV)
Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
Accept One Another
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
A Village
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)
Four-Legged Love
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
With a Song in My Heart
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)