8th. July. 2021. Daily Devotion.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Christians often gloss over this Scripture without considering, fully, what it means. It does sound rather generic. But look at it. While it sounds like a verse of comfort, it is more. It is a command.

God commands us to pray for what we want, and not to be anxious about anything. This seems to imply that if we pray for what we want, it will assuage our anxiety.

But consider: the verb to want in its origin means to lack or need, rather than, secondarily, to desire. That consideration should temper our prayers.

We show faith by praying for what we want, even if we do not get it. We show that we accept what God gives us — for all good things, even the basic fact of our lives — are gifts from God. But the point here is that it is not greedy to ask for what we want, just the opposite. God has commanded us to pray for our wants.

Lord, let me always pray for what I want, even if the answer is “no.” Amen.

For Holiness

All provident Lord, place Your holy fear as a guard before my eyes so they may not look lustfully; before my ears so that they may not delight in hearing evil words; before my mouth so that it may not speak any falsehoods; before my heart so that it may not think evil; before my hands so that they may not do injustice; before my feet, that they may not walk in the paths of injustice; but so direct them, that they may always be according to all Your commandments. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner, I pray in the Name of Christ,  Amen.

~ (St.) Nersess the Gracious, 12th century.

God Guide Me

God guide me with Thy wisdom
God chastise me with Thy justice,
God help me with Thy mercy,
God protect me with Thy strength.

God fill me with Thy fullness,
God shield me with Thy shade,
God fill me with Thy grace,
For the sake of Thine Anointed Son.

Jesu Christ of the seed of David,
Visiting One of the Temple,
Sacrificial Lamb of the Garden,
Who died for me.

~ From the Carmina Gadelica

Prayer for Overcoming Life’s Hardships

O Lord we call upon you in our time of sorrows, That you give us the strength and will to bear our heavy burdens, until we can again feel the warmth and love of Your divine compassion.  Be mindful of us and have mercy on us while we struggle to comprehend life’s hardships

Keep us ever in Your watch, till we can walk again with light hearts and renewed spirits.