God is so great, and I am so small.
Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
Reflect — with gratitude — on God’s attention to our day-to-day lives.
Good morning, Lord. You rule over the universe, and yet You have time for my trivial concerns. You are worthy of my devotion; I am unworthy of Your mercy and grace. Thank You.
Haggai 1:5 (EXB)
This is what the Lord All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts] says: “Think about what you have done [Consider your ways].”
“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.”
An Old Irish Hymn, translated by Mary Byrne, 1905
Written in verse by Eleanor Hull, 1912
Good morning, Lord. More of You, less of me, day by day — this is my Lenten prayer.
I so easily forget. I need reminders.
Lent helps me remember Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf. As does the communion service.
Luke 22:19 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Let’s do Lent in remembrance of Christ.
Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I need a nudge to seek Your help and not try to do it all on my own. I need reminders of Your love and power, Your holiness and perfection, Your grace and mercy. Lent is one of those reminders. May this be a season of reflection, meditation and dedication — all for Your goodness and glory, amen.
Jesus said when, not if.
Matthew 6:16 (NIV)
When you fast …
Is this your time to fast?
Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I give up something for Lent, sometimes I opt to do something extra. My goal is spiritual growth and a closer relationship with You. What would You have me do or not do over the next six weeks? Your will, not mine, be done.
Lent caught me by surprise this year.
Lent is the 40-day period of time between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday, right before Easter Sunday). The 40 days don’t include Sundays — so technically, it’s 46 days (the 40 days symbolize the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness). Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of spring, so it’s not the same date every year.
The timeframe is confusing. The purpose is not.
“Lent is a time of grace … a time to come home to God.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
Good morning, Lord. It’s Lent. Let me reflect on Your Word, repent for my shortcomings and rest in Your presence. Restore my soul, O God, as I soak in Your grace.
It’s Fat Tuesday, a time set aside for over-indulgence.
If I have the time, money and opportunity to over-indulge, I owe God a big fat thank-you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances …
“All circumstances” covers Fat Tuesday.
Good morning, Lord. Thank You, thank You, thank You! I have a cozy home, more than enough food, a reliable car and a job I enjoy. I have friends and family to love and the beauty of nature to enjoy. Forgive me for taking my daily blessings for granted. “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6), and I am grateful.
The long Valentine’s weekend inspired today’s constructive thought.
True love isn’t measured in one day or even one weekend.
Proverbs 31:12 (NIV)
She [the noble wife] brings him [her husband] good,
not harm, all the days of her life.
True love does my loved one no harm — every single day. Love isn’t being a doormat and putting up with hurtful behavior. It involves constructive conversations, problem-solving and healthy boundaries. It changes both partners for the better.
Good morning, Lord. A noble spouse brings good and not harm to their relationship every single day. I miss the mark. I nag, I pout, I say mean things. Teach me to love like You do, with grace and mercy. Grant me the wisdom to know where to draw the line, and when and how to speak. Show me how to forgive as I have been forgiven.
“God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. The lips that uttered them may be closed to death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God’s heart is set on them and prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; they outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.” E. M. Bounds (1835-1913)
Prayer warms our hearts … and God’s.
Good morning, Lord. Warm my heart with Your love, open my eyes to Your words of wisdom, open my arms to those who need a helping hand. Above all, O God, teach me to pray, show me how to live in constant conversation with You. Fill my soul with praise, gratitude, compassion and grace.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
God can use a hot mess to thaw the coldest of hearts.
Good morning, Lord. Hard times have made me a better person — this I know. But when I’m in the middle of a trial, Lord God, it’s hard to count it as joy (James 1:2). Teach me to trust You to bring good out of the worst situations.
