humble thankfulness

November 26, 2021 / Eric Mathews / Leave a comment

We thank you, Lord God and Father, Creator of heaven and earth,

for all your good gifts which we, O Father of lights,

have received from you, and receive daily from your generous hand

you who have clothed our bodies with the needed covering

and satisfied them with the natural bread

through Jesus Christ, your dearly beloved Son, our Lord,

We humbly pray, dear beloved Father, that you would look upon us, your children,

persecuted for the sake of your holy Gospel,

and earnestly desiring in our weakness to live devoutly in this world.

Be pleased to keep us in your Word, in fatherly fashion,

in order that to the end of our days we may remain constant in your Gospel,

revealed by you to the plain and simple

and hidden to the wise ones in this world.

Menno Simons, 1496-1561, Dutch Anabaptist leader & founder of the Mennonites

2000 Years of Prayer freely modified

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James 1:17-18

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

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to celebrate Christ’s victory

January 4, 2021January 3, 2021 / Eric Mathews / Leave a comment

Thanks be to God, the almighty,

the king of the universe, for all his mercies,

and heartfelt thanks to the Savior and Redeemer of our souls,

Jesus Christ, through whom we pray

that his peace may keep us stable and unshaken

from troubles outside and troubles within the heart.

Let me obediently sing aloud the new song,

because after those terrifying dark sights and stories

I was now privileged to see and celebrate such things

that many righteous men and martyrs of God before us

desired to see on earth and did not see,

and to hear and did not hear.

But they attained far better things in heaven; whereas I,

acknowledging that even my present lot is better than I deserve,

have been more than amazed at the bountiful grace of its author,

and am duly filled with wonder,

worshipping him with my soul’s full strength.

Eusebius of Caesarea, c. 260- c.340, Christian historian and bishop

2000 Years of Prayer freely modified

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Revelation 12:10-12

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

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working with excellence

September 17, 2020September 16, 2020 / Eric Mathews / Leave a comment

Work is anchored in your character, and part of being made is your image is sharing the industrious and creative aspects of your nature. You are a God of excellence and commitment, and I long to exhibit those same qualities, especially at work. Some days my job is great, and other days I feel unmotivated or stressed. But I know that whatever task I am called upon to do, I have an opportunity to demonstrate a divine standard of excellence and commitment, both to my assignments and to those around me.

Lord, please teach me to work diligently and with enthusiasm at whatever I do, whether I’m on the job or at home with my family. When I think of my daily tasks as having been assigned by you, I find myself working for your approval, and I am often proud of the work I do. But more important, God, I want you to be proud of me. I’m so thankful that I have an opportunity to show creativity and responsibility in each task of my day. Please help my efforts be an inspiration for others to glorify you in all they do each day.

Ron A. Beers

365 Pocket Prayers

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Colossians 3:22-25

Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.

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