5 Prayers that Thank God for the Gift of Life

We've been counting Bonus Days for 12 years when a life-changing event made us realize that every day is a gift of life and a reason to rejoice. #BonusDays #GiftofLife #Miracles #CountingMyBlessings #Livewithhope

September 20th, 2019 is Bonus Day 4,383.

How do I know? Because Rev writes the number on his calendar every single morning.

It is sometimes hard to believe it’s been 12 years since the miracle – since Bonus Day #1.

I have so many memories imprinted on my heart and mind … moments from days, weeks, and yes, months all leading up to September 20, 2007.

To name a few. There were:

Symptoms that looked like heart failure which continued to get worse all without a diagnosis or explanation.
Trips to doctors for tests and procedures we hoped would lead to cures and answers.
The times they had to drain liters of fluid off his lungs.
And family and friends who covered us in prayer as we waited for God’s peace and healing.

Finally, after almost a year … we learned that something called a Pericardial Stripping was the only way, short of a miracle, to save Rev’s life. However, it’s a surgery that most cardiac surgeons don’t want to do and one they were doubtful Rev’s body was strong enough to survive at the time. If you would like to read more of the story, you can find it here and here.

Most families celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

In the Bible, God told His children to celebrate festivals. Days they were to rejoice and remember His deliverance and protection. His miraculous grace and mercy.

Days of praise and prayers.

So, today … I’m going to God with a festival of praise and I’d love for you to join me.

You may not have a specific life and death situation where you saw God’s miraculous intervention … but through Jesus, we have God’s divine protection in the greatest life and death situation of all. We have been offered an endless supply of Bonus Days and more reasons to thank and praise God than we can count. We have been forgiven and set free to celebrate forever … one day at a time.

So, let’s pray and thank God for the gift of life … today!

5 Prayers that Thank God for the Gift of Life

You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in Your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.
How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
Psalm 139:16–17

Father, how do I begin to thank you the way I should for the gift of life. Your Word says You knew me before I was born. You knew the plans You had for me and prepared a path for me long ago.

When I think of Your grace and mercy, the people You have brought into my life, the opportunities You’ve placed before me, the ways You pursued me with Your love … it fills me with humble gratitude and overwhelming awe. Thank you!

I am so thankful for the gift of every Bonus Day! There are no promised days in this life … so every one is a gift, a day to celebrate and serve. Please help me. Fill me Your Spirit and help me trust, follow, and obey Your will for me today.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.
This is the Lord’s doing,
    and it is wonderful to see.
This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:1,23–24

Lord, You are so good! Your love is evident in the beauty of the world You created. It is realized in the gift of Jesus. And it is known in our hearts through the power of Your Spirit.

This day, today, is a gift from You! A Bonus Day to thank, praise, and serve You. A festival, a day to celebrate and rejoice in the simple gift of life. Whatever the day brings, may I live for Your glory. Thank you!

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart,
I will praise His holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things
He does for me.
Psalm 103:1–2

Father, I want to praise You with all I am. I love this reminder to never forget all the good things You have done for me … to remember to count my blessings.

It can be so easy to allow everything from little annoyances to big problems distract me from the countless good You pour into my life. Please forgive me.

Thank you for Your grace and mercy, for Your peace and protection, for the gift of family and friends, for hope and happiness, for love and forgiveness. Thank you for Jesus! Thank you for Bonus Days!

But then I recall all You have done, O Lord;
I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about
Your mighty works.
Psalm 77:11–12

Father, thank you for the gift of Your Word. I love reading about all You have done from creation to the promise of Jesus and a future forever in Your presence.

Thank you for the gift of faith and the ways You work in my heart and mind to draw me closer to You and to the knowledge of the Truth.

Thank you for giving us days to celebrate! Days like birthdays and anniversaries … days of deliverance and protection.

Please give me eyes to see Your hand at work around me each day and a heart of thanks and praise for Your loving presence in my life.

Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?
Who can ever praise Him enough?
Psalm 106:1–2

Lord, I thank you! You have been so good to me! You have shown me Your faithful forever love over and over again! Your miracles surround me. Please give me … eyes to see, a heart full of gratitude, and an attitude of praise!

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad! Amen.

Friend, I pray you have many reasons to celebrate God’s gift of life today!

It’s so easy for us to get caught up in the routines and busyness of life that we forget today is not just another day … it’s a blessing to celebrate. It’s a reason to rejoice.

It’s a gift. It’s a miracle.

It’s a Bonus Day!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

5 Ways to Find Quiet in a Noisy World

by and @ Rebecca Hastings

How to Trust God When You Feel Betrayed by Him

by and @ April Knapp

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

I'm finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith 'n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun!

Deb Wolf
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You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
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and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Have you visited the Faith ‘n Friends Link Party Board on Pinterest? It’s a great place to catch up with past posts you may have missed here at the party and/or save them for a future read! If you’d like to become a contributor to my Pinterest Group Boards – email me at deb@debwolf.com with a link to your Pinterest home page.

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5 Prayers that will Strengthen You When You are Anxious and Afraid

8 / 8 / 19

There is a spiritual battle going on around us that can make us anxious and afraid but God is greater than our fear. He is able to give us His peace. #OvercomingFear #InnerPeace #FeelingAnxious #Prayer

Many of us have spent the week praying for hurting families in El Paso and Dayton while at the same time trying to get their heads around the unsettling feeling that the places we’ve always believed we were safe, may not be.

It’s understandable that some of us are feeling anxious and afraid. In the past week, news channels have recapped every terrifying event from recent history.

Friends, there is a spiritual battle going on. The enemy wants us focused on the evil side of the battle … crippled by anxiety and fear.

But the holy angelic warrior side of the battle is powerful and real. God is on the throne and His angel army fights for us.

I have held the following verse close this week…

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!”
2 Kings 6:16–17

I’m fighting my anxious and afraid thoughts with the truth of God’s Word and prayer and I thought maybe you might be blessed by these prayers as well…

5 Prayers that will Strengthen You When You are Anxious and Afraid

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.
Ephesians 6:10–12

Father, I want to be strong in You … in the power You give. Please clothe me with the belt of truth, the shield of faith, and the shoes of peace. Please help me focus on the truth of Your Word when the enemy works to discourage me with anxiety and fear. Help me remember that You are with me; I am not fighting my battles alone.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Isaiah 26:3

Lord, You are my Shepherd … I have everything I need. I trust You to care for me today and eternally. Please keep my heart and mind focused on all You are doing in my life. When I am tempted to fixate on all that is wrong in the world. When I’m anxious and afraid. Please help me by the power of Your Spirit to trust Your sovereign grace and love and rest securely in Your perfect peace.

We can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:6,8

Father, I love these verses! They define faith! With Your Spirit’s help, I can say with confidence that You are always with me helping, guiding, providing, and protecting.

Your love is constant and never-changing. You proved Your love through Jesus life, death, and resurrection. By Your grace, I have nothing to fear.

Yet, sometimes fear still rises up in me. Please help me. When I am anxious and afraid, fill my heart and mind with Your promises and the truth that is unchanging and never fails.

I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
Psalm 16:8

Lord, When I am anxious and afraid, please help me remember the times You have helped me in the past. You lifted me out of the pit of fear and despair, placed me on solid ground, and steadied me as I walked along. (Psalm 40:2) I can trust You are with me today and always. Thank you!

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together.I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:3–4

Father, I will praise You and lift You up. I will tell of the good things You have done for me. I lived afraid and anxious for so many years. I’ve trusted You for my eternal future for as long as I can remember but I struggled to trust You with my days … with my daily decisions, with my loved ones, with unknown circumstances and worldly terrors.

But because of Your grace and mercy, You carried me as I lived through one of my worst fears. You held me close as You met every need. I prayed and You answered me! And I will tell, all who will listen, of Your marvelous works … of Your greatness, Your grace, mercy, and love. Amen.

Friend, I’ve realized God is giving us an amazing opportunity!

When our anxious and afraid friends voice their concern…

We can tell them about God’s love. We can tell them that He is able to make us strong and give us peace.

Yes, there is a spiritual battle going on around us. Both good and evil are present in our fallen world. But God is greater! Jesus has already won the victory. And as God’s children … we are victorious, too.

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

When Feeling Overwhelmed Doesn’t Make Sense

by Maree Dee
@ Embracing the Unexpected

A Prayer for the Disappointed Soul

by Susan Mcilmoil
@ Carry On My Heart

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship!

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update.

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Thank you and God bless!

5 Verses to Pray When You Want to Seek God First

6 / 13 / 196 / 14 / 19

I want to get up each morning and seek God first. I want to live surrendered and free in Jesus! But it takes prayer. So, I'm praying 5 verses asking for the Spirit's help. #Prayer #Faith #SeekGodFirst #Blessings #BlessingBloggers

SEEK was my word for 2018, and I chose Luke 12:31 as my verse…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

At the end of the year, I knew there was no moving on. Seek went from being my word for the year to being my word for life!

I think the reason it’s so important to me is because giving God first place in my life was something I struggled with for much of my life. I believed and trusted in Jesus for my salvation but I also struggled to surrender myself completely.

Satan had planted a seed of doubt … one that told me much was asked of those who surrendered completely. So, I held back just a little because I doubted God’s ability to strengthen me through my “what if” fears.

But I was wrong!

Life is hard whether we’re surrendered or not. Bad things happen to the faith-filled and to those without faith. But by God’s grace, I’ve learned that God is greater than my circumstances, even when they are painful and unwanted!

The Lord provided everything I needed through a season of overwhelming events and proved He is able to give me everything I need whatever my situation. I can now say…

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38

He gave me what I needed when I needed it! Never early. Never late. But right on time.

Now I cling to verses like…

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

And…

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
Psalm 46:1 and 2 Corinthians 12:9

I want to get up each morning and seek God first. I want to live surrendered and free in Jesus!

But it takes prayer. So, today I’m praying 5 verses asking for the Spirit’s help to…

Seek God First

Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him.
1 Chronicles 16:11

Father, Seeking is not a “sit back, wait and see” way of life. It’s spending time in Your Word, coming to You in prayer, and worshipping You in spirit and truth. Seeking is realizing I’m lost without You. It’s recognizing my need for Your mercy and grace. And it’s living a life of gratitude for Your gift of love … Jesus, the One who “came to seek and to save those who are lost” like me. Please help me continually seek You today!

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:6

Father, I want to trust and obey Your will faithfully but I fall short. Please forgive me and help me. Your Word says repentance is more than just saying I’m sorry; it is intentionally wanting to change. It’s trusting Your Word as truth and obeying Your will. It’s being willing to accept Your help in stepping off the path I’m on to take the path You want for me. Please help me apply these truths to my life.

The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25–26

Father, I hear You whisper, “be still and know … cease striving” but it’s hard Lord. My life feels like it’s spinning. Do this. Be there. Check this box. Finish that project. Run this errand. Help. Serve. Accomplish. I’m exhausted! I need You! I am stopping right now … stopping to surrender and breathe in Your goodness.

By Your grace, help me remember, I don’t have to do this alone. Your Spirit is with me to counsel and guide. Make me constantly aware of Your sweet presence as I depend on Your truth to guide me and give me strength.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21

Father, I know when I have You, I have everything I need. But the world shouts at me. My schedule harasses me. Some days … life simply wears me out.

With the help of Your Spirit, turn my focus from the chaos and desires of the world to the treasure I have in You. Fill me with Your peace. Help me replace the noise of life with the simple sounds of worship and praise. Give me a passion for Your Word and prayer. Be my treasure and my heart’s desire. Satisfy me with Your love.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given,
Psalm 105:1,4–5

Father, Thank you! When I remember all You have done in the past, I’m overwhelmed by Your grace and mercy. You have sustained and strengthened, healed and helped, provided and protected. I am overwhelmed. Thank you!

I surrender this day to You. I will follow where You lead and obey Your will as You reveal it to me. I will seek You with all I am and love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please fill me with Your Spirit that I might willingly and faithfully keep this promise … by Your grace and for Your glory.

Seek God First

Jesus promised…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31

Everything! And the next verse…

So don’t be afraid … it gives your Father great happiness to give You the kingdom.
Luke 12:32

Great happiness! Wow! What a blessing it is to know our prayers to “seek God first,” are prayers our Father loves to answer!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

Be Who God Created You to Be

by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
@ Hope Prevails

Feeling Betrayed by a Friend – Be Honest

by Diane Ferreira
@ Worth Beyond Rubies

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship!

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Thank you and God bless!

Verses to Pray that will Help You Focus on the Positive

11 / 1 / 18

On Monday, I invited you to take the Philippians’ Challenge:

Take a fast from the news and from your Twitter feed until after the mid-term elections.
Grab a journal and make a list of things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable each day.
Invite your family to have good news conversations at dinner each night.
Do one small act of kindness every day.
Pray for our nation, our leaders, and for the upcoming election.

The challenge was to do these five things … just to see what happens!

So today, I want to ask you – how’s it going?

I have to be honest with you.

I was super inspired and ready to go! But truthfully, I thought it would be easier.

I’m generally a positive and optimistic person. I love to laugh. I try to see the good in people and to look for the good in most circumstances. But old habits are just that – they’re habits and it often takes time for new good habits to replace the old bad ones.

So, I’m going to the Lord and asking for help, I thought you might want to join me.

Verses to Pray that will Help You Focus on the Positive

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Father, I surrender myself to Your transforming grace and mercy. I want to become more like Jesus. I want to love like Him. I want to trust and follow Your will … Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Your plans for me are good and full of grace. Thank you for Your loving patience and for never giving up on me. I love you, Lord!

2 Corinthians 10:3–4

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

Father, sometimes the battle is hard. The enemy knows my weaknesses and attacks me. He sees where You are transforming me and challenges my change. But God… Oh Father, thank you for those two words! But God … You have won the war for me. You give me all I need to fight my spiritual battles. I have Your Word of Truth and the presence of Your Holy Spirit. Thank you! With You, I can focus on the positive. With You, I am victorious! I am a conqueror! I am Yours!

Isaiah 26:3–4

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Father, when the world around me spins in chaos … with Your Spirit’s help, I will keep my thoughts fixed on You and focus on the positive things You have done for me. Thank you for allowing me to trust You. Thank you for being my Rock. I have a firm foundation. I will not be shaken. Thank you for giving me Your perfect peace. In and with You … it is well with my soul.

John 8:31–32

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus, I want to be Your faithful disciple. I want to trust You completely and faithfully follow Your teachings. Please forgive me when I fail, and make it the desire of my heart to know and love You with all I am. By Your Spirit’s power, may I know Your freedom giving truth. The truth that frees me from guilt, fear, and anxiety … from sin, death, and Satan’s power. Your saving grace has made me free and with Your help, I will focus on the positive as I embrace each day in the joy of Your presence and promise of Your salvation.

And finally, the verse that inspired the challenge…
Philippians 4:8

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Father, help me! I believe Your Word of truth! I trust Your promises. By Your grace, help me focus my heart and mind on all that is excellent and worthy of praise. Help me think about things that please You. Please help me settle myself each day to spend time alone with You in Your Word and prayer. And with the help of Your Holy Spirit, no matter what is going on around me … give me all I need to remain focused on You. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you’ve decided to take the Philippians Challenge and focus on the positive, I’d love to hear how it’s going.

What is on your list of things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable? My list is full of people … of family and friends who lift up and encourage. My list includes God’s Word and prayer. It includes smiles and laughter, strength and courage, faith and hope, grace and truth … and LOVE!

Because when you and I focus on love – sins are covered and hearts are united. And that’s a beautiful truth we can focus on … when the enemy uses his resources to defeat and divide, you and I have all we need to remain united through the power of God’s love.

We have Jesus!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

How to Create a Beautiful and Inspiring Life

by Tiffiney Holmes
@ Welcome Home Ministries

8 Statements to Start Your Day Joyfully

by Gail Burton
@ 1-Minute Bible Love Notes

How to Find Brave in Seasons of Unanswered Prayer

by Betsy DeCruz
@ Cultivating a Life of Intention and a Legacy of Hope
by Crystal Twaddell

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

<div align="center"><a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Counting My Blessings"><img src="https://countingmyblessings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Link-Party-Button-Pic.jpg" alt="Counting My Blessings" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>

I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

Loading InLinkz ...

Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship!

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thank you and God bless!

7 Verses and Prayers that will Bless Your Marriage Adventure

3 / 8 / 173 / 8 / 17

Rev and I will celebrate our 45th Anniversary this weekend.

What?!

I remember thinking people married 25 years were old and those married 50 were ancient. Now that we’re closer to 50 than 25 . . . I’m surprised at how not old we feel.

Sure, on the outside our hair is gray and our skin has a few wrinkles but on the inside . . . we’re still just a couple of kids who fell in love living our adventure.

Adventures are full of joys and challenges and ours has definitely had both. In joys, we celebrated with praise and in challenges, we turned to God in prayer.

What a blessing to have always been able to go to the Lord for help and direction. So often we’ve grabbed hold of each other and poured our hearts out in prayer.

Prayer…

I can’t imagine our marriage without it.

So, I’d like to share some of my favorite marriage verses with prayers God has used to bless us. I pray they will bless you, too.

7 Verses and Prayers that will Bless Your Marriage Adventure

Psalm 63:3

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You! Psalm 63:3

Father, You are love. Love You show us day after day, year after year, and generation after generation. Perfect love . . . in and through Jesus. Thank you for Your countless blessings. Thank you for our marriage. Thank you for our family. Thank you for love! Thank you for Your love. Amen.

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21

Father, forgive me. I can get so caught up with the word “submit” I fail to honor Your will for me. I’m selfish and I want things my way. It’s hard to yield myself to someone else. Honestly, it’s hard for me to surrender myself completely to You. But submission comes from reverence for Christ. It responds to Your love and all You’ve given. You want me to submit to You and to my spouse. Help me, Father. On my own, I can’t but with Your help, I can do all things, even love better than I am able. Thank you, Father. By Your grace and with Your help I will surrender myself today. Amen.

Mark 10:7–9

‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one,let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Mark 10:7–9

Father, It’s hard for parents to let their children go off and make a new family. It’s hard for two independent selfish people to become one. There are so many things in our lives trying to tear our marriages apart. Thank you for this Word that tells us how precious the “oneness of marriage” is to You. With Your help, may it always be precious to us. Help us set safe boundaries around our marriage, to remember we are a team and with Your help, we can stand united and strong. Thank you in Jesus. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Father, I need an outpouring of Your love that covers sins. You are faithful to forgive me, please help me to faithfully and quickly forgive my love. Please help me remember my failures and ask for forgiveness. Keep me from maximizing my dear one’s faults while I minimize my own. Make me generous with mercy that puts problems in the past and grace that fills the present and future with kindness and care. Amen.

Ephesians 4:2–3

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2–3

Oh, Father, humble, gentle, and patient. I want that. I know I want to receive it and yes, I even want to give it but in the daily messiness of life . . . it’s just hard. Unite us by the power of Your Spirit. Help us see the best ways to work together united by love. Make us humble, gentle, and patient. Give our home the peace of Your presence. In Jesus name and with His help. Amen.

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Father, give us strength and courage as we live through problems. It is so easy to become frightened and discouraged. We need You! Help us to stand strong and lift each other up when we are weak. We can get distracted by the things that divide and defeat us. Unite us to each other and draw us close to you. Help us feel Your presence, trust Your wisdom, and follow Your direction. In and through Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6

Father, we want to love and trust You completely. It’s hard to admit how often we rely on our own understanding. The number of times we try to fix things our way then running to You when that way fails. Forgive us. Forgive me. We come to You for help. Father, we surrender this day to You and ask You to show us the path to take. With Your Spirit’s help, we will study Your Word and learn Your commands and by Your grace, we will trust that You will never take us where Your love cannot sustain us. Your grace is sufficient and Your mercy complete. Thank you. In Jesus name. Amen.

God is Faithful!

Like you, we’ve had joys and sorrows, easy fun days to celebrate and hard days when we could only drop to our knees in prayer.

Life’s an adventure. One I can’t imagine taking without God’s faithful love and mercy.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22–24

I’m so very thankful for our 45 years and I’m praying that by God’s grace we will enjoy the adventure for many more.

Finally, a quote from Tim Keller…

“In sharp contrast with our culture, the Bible teaches that the essence of marriage is a sacrificial commitment to the good of the other. That means that love is more fundamentally action than emotion.”

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