Most High God, we come to you this morning with hearts full of gratitude and awe at the wonder of your creation. We thank you for this new day, for the gift of life, and for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. As we gather together to worship you, we pray that you would fill us with your Holy Spirit, guide our thoughts and words, and open our hearts to receive your message.
Lord, we pray for all those who are in need of your healing touch this morning. We ask that you would bring comfort and peace to those who are sick, and that you would surround them with your love and grace. We also pray for those who are struggling with difficult circumstances in their lives, that you would give them strength, wisdom, and courage to face whatever challenges they may be encountering.
As we enter into this time of worship, we ask that you would bless our hearts and minds, that we may be fully present and receptive to your Word. Help us to set aside our distractions and concerns, and to focus on you with reverence and humility.
Lord, we pray for our families, friends, and loved ones, that you would watch over them and protect them from harm. May they be filled with your love, joy, and peace, and may they come to know you more deeply with each passing day.
Finally, Lord, we pray for your Church, both here and around the world. We ask that you would continue to pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will and the power to carry it out. Help us to be a light to the world, to bring hope and healing to those who are hurting, and to be your hands and feet in the world.
We pray all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Today’s Sunday Devotion ”Patience in Doing Good”:
Patience is a virtue that is highly valued in the Christian faith. It is the ability to endure difficult circumstances with calmness and composure, and to persevere in doing good even when we do not see immediate results. As the apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Doing good is not always easy, and it often requires sacrifice, perseverance, and patience. We may encounter resistance, opposition, and even persecution for our efforts to serve others and spread the Gospel. But we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God’s promises and relying on his strength to carry us through.
One of the key aspects of patience in doing good is trusting in God’s timing. We may not always see the fruits of our labors immediately, but we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events and circumstances for our good and his glory. As the prophet Isaiah writes, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Another important aspect of patience in doing good is cultivating a spirit of humility and gratitude. We must recognize that all good things come from God, and that our ability to serve others is a gift from him. We must also acknowledge our own limitations and weaknesses, and rely on God’s strength to sustain us in our efforts.
Finally, we must remain focused on our ultimate goal, which is to glorify God and to share his love and message of salvation with others. We must be willing to put aside our own desires and ambitions, and to be obedient to God’s will for our lives. As Jesus says in Matthew