Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

My Lord, I trust in your word.  Inspired by this invitation, I approach your throne of grace with boldness to ask for mercy.  I know your mercy is unlimited. It is more than enough to meet all my needs.

God's favor is timely but never late.  If only we  trust Him.  Lord, I surrender to you the What, the How and the When of your grace.  I trust in you.

Strive to enter into that rest

"Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience."  (Hebrews 4: 11)

How do we strive to enter into that rest?  That rest is the Sabbath Rest, which for Christians is Sunday.  We strive to enter into that rest when we honor Sunday and find our delight in it.  Sunday rest is a rehearsal for Eternal rest.  This is the Rest without end from our labors, sickness and all distress associated with life in the world.

Lord, thank you for the gift of Sunday.  Help us to cherish it and grow through it to know your heart intimately.

If you wish, you can make me clean

"A leper* came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”  (Mark 1: 40 - 41)

This leper  teaches us a number of lesson in the art of prayer.
First, great and successful prayer is born of great need.  This man covered with leprosy has little hope of being healed.  Yet he was not fatalistic about his condition. He bides his time, waiting for the opportunity and God's appointment.  He heard about Jesus and made a leap of faith that if he could approach Him, He would heal him.  Then suddenly, the opportunity appeared and Jesus is within an approachable distance.  He could not waste this opportunity for the whole world.  He approaches Jesus.  Jesus moves nearer to him.  He knelt down and made his prayer.  "If you wish, you can make me clean."  The rest is history.

Our needs drive us to Jesus.  Lord, heal me of the leprosy in my heart that prevents me from using fully my gifts to serve you.

I delight to do your will

"I delight to do your will, my God; your law is in my inner being!”  (Psalm 40: 9)
"Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart's desire." (Psalm 37:4) 

I find my delight in you O Lord and I desire to do your will.  Fill me therefore with your Holy Spirit to enable me to do your will always and everywhere.

"Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”  (Matthew 21: 22)

I believe that the Father will grant me my heart's desire because of this promise:

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 13)

It is truly the word of God

"And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe."  (1 Thessalonians 2: 13)

Thank you Lord for feeding me everyday with your word.  Show me how to apply this word everyday.  May your word be a light for my every step.  My your word dwell in me richly.  May it increase my faith and understanding everyday.

Come after me, I will make you fishers of men

"Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him."  (Mark 1: 17 - 18)

Lord, if you call me, here I am.  Although I may have answered your call "you too, go to the vineyard and work"  rather late in the day, I come with everything I have to the field.  All that I need is your sustaining grace.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals

"John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire."  (Luke 3: 16)

Dear Jesus, give me the humility and singleness of purpose of St. John the Baptist.
St. John the Baptist, pray for me.