I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV)
God,
Thank You, Lord, for the gifts You have given us to help us walk through life. Thank You for the guidance and comfort of Your Holy Spirit, and for spiritual disciplines such as reading Your Word, prayer, journaling, praise and worship, and thanksgiving and creating art. We know that when we build our lives on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ, even the storms of life will not overcome us. The waters will not drown us, and the flames will not consume us, because You are our Lord and Savior.
Father, when we walk through seasons of struggle and hardship, help our spiritual senses to remain attentive to Your presence within and around us. Lift our eyes to You so that we may see Your face and trust in Your faithfulness. We pray for healing for those who have been bruised and battered by the storms of this world. We pray for peace and strength for those facing death, divorce, illness, or other painful trials. Lord, move as only You can to meet needs, heal hearts, and lift up the brokenhearted.
May those who are hurting hear the Good News of the freedom You offer. Replace mourning with joy and clothe them with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Strengthen them with Your presence and remind them that they are never alone.
We ask You to work in ways beyond what we can ask or imagine, bringing hope, healing, and restoration. We pray all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… (Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)