365 Pocket Prayers for Graduates: Guidance and Wisdom for Each New Day
320
365 Pocket Prayers for Graduates: Guidance and Wisdom for Each New Day
320eBook
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781414388021 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Tyndale House Publishers |
| Publication date: | 02/16/2013 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 320 |
| File size: | 1 MB |
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365 Pocket Prayers for Graduates
Guidance and Wisdom for Each New DayBy Ronald A. Beers
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Copyright © 2013 Ronald A. BeersAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4143-7542-7
Chapter One
DAY 1* A prayer about NEW BEGINNINGS When I'm nervous about change
LORD,
I'm at a great time in my life for a new beginning. I want a chance to wipe the slate clean and start over, a chance to do something different, a chance to escape from past patterns or hurts. It's exciting to think about taking on new challenges, yet I'm also nervous. The changes ahead will take me away from what's familiar and comfortable. What if I don't succeed? What if I don't like my new circumstances? Help me, Lord, to realize that I can't avoid change. It's just a part of life. Show me the best way to deal with it when it comes. Help me to see it not as a threat but as an opportunity. May I look at each day as a chance to get to know you better and start over with a new attitude. Teach me to trust you with my future.
I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. PHILIPPIANS 1:6
DAY 2
* A prayer about SEEKING GOD When I am trying to find God
HEAVENLY FATHER,
I talk to my closest friends almost every day. We go out and do things together, we reminisce about fond memories, or we just enjoy being in the same room. I wouldn't expect to stay close to a friend if I never spent time with him or her. So why do I expect to feel close to you when I don't take time for you? Forgive me. Teach me that my relationship with you takes effort. Prompt me to talk to you every day. I want to be open and honest with you, just as I would be with a close friend. I'd like to tell you about my concerns, think about the future, and remember ways you've helped me in the past. Remind me to listen to you as well, and to think about what you're doing in my life and around the world. Help me commit to reading your Word daily so that I'll be better able to hear your voice and follow your guidance. I want to always remember that you are with me all day, every day. Thank you that you are always available and that I can talk to you about anything, anytime! I'm grateful that when I seek you, I will find you.
My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming." PSALM 27:8
DAY 3
* A prayer about SUCCESS When I am jealous of others' success
LORD GOD,
Sometimes I get jealous of people who are successful as the world defines it. Maybe they have more possessions than I do, they receive more scholarships or awards, or they are smarter or better liked. But help me to put this jealousy aside and remember that you don't say this kind of achievement is necessarily wrong—in fact, a lot of it is good. At the same time, you tell me to let you set the ultimate measure of success. Help me to put the most energy into pursuing the things you think are most important: loving you and those around me, having a godly character, serving you. My earthly achievements and material belongings have no eternal value and will stay here when I die, but your kind of success lasts forever. May I choose wisely which goals I will pursue.
Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" MATTHEW 22:37-39
DAY 4
* A prayer about RESPECTING OTHERS When I want to show respect to those in authority
HEAVENLY FATHER,
Many people in my life lead me in some way—my parents, my teachers, my pastor, my boss. I appreciate them, but sometimes I get frustrated with them or think they should do things differently. Even so, I know you want me to treat them with respect. Teach me how to communicate that respect with my words and actions. You call me to encourage them, pray for them, and support them. Keep me from gossiping about them or criticizing them unfairly. If we have a conflict, please give me the courage and wisdom to deal with it privately and graciously. Thank you for the leaders you have put in my life. May I learn from them and please you by the way I treat them.
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-13
DAY 5
* A prayer about THOUGHTS When I wonder if my thoughts really matter
LORD JESUS,
Sometimes I try to convince myself that it doesn't really matter what I think, as long as I do and say the right things. If I'm outwardly kind to someone, how does it hurt that I'm inwardly making fun of her? But I know that doesn't line up with your Word. You tell me that my thoughts show me the condition of my heart. If I don't catch them in time, sinful thoughts will eventually result in sinful actions. That's because if I think about something long enough, my heart will start trying to convince me that what I want to do is really okay. Please help me to guard my heart and my thoughts, Lord. I know I can't always trust my emotions to tell me what is right because they are skewed by my human nature. I need to trust in your Word because it comes from your heart, which is good and perfect and holy. Please control my heart and my mind. May my thoughts honor you—and may those right thoughts lead to right actions.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. PROVERBS 4:23
DAY 6 Prayerful Moment
* A prayer about PEACE When I need more of God's peace
LORD JESUS,
How much I need your peace! Teach me that it comes from knowing that nothing can separate me from your love. No matter what happens in my life, you will be with me, and you promise me eternity in heaven. May my confidence in those promises give me the inner peace that comes from you.
[Jesus said,] "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." JOHN 14:27
DAY 7 Prayerful Moment
* A prayer about CHOICES When I wonder if I've made the right choices
LORD,
When I'm facing a decision, why is it often so difficult to know which is the right choice? Teach me to look to your Word for wisdom and also to seek counsel from wise believers. I know that sometimes there's more than one good answer to a problem. But when there's one choice that's morally right, please confirm it deep in my heart. Give me ears to hear your voice and courage to act on the right choice once I know what it is.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. JAMES 1:5
(Continues...)
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