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Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor, speaker, and author.

9/11 has come to serve as a day of remembrance for the many trials we have endured as a nation over this past decade. The continued threats and anxiety created by ongoing terror threats have become, if not normal, an ever-present stressor.  We wonder if we’ll ever be free of that sense of unease in our daily lives. The Boston bombing served as a reminder of this new reality. Violence continues to tear at our country from within – the mass shootings in Arizona, Colorado, and Sandy Hook. The unthinkable stories of the innocent victims and instant heroes in these situations have seared our consciousness, leaving us reeling with grief and disbelief. Natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Sandy, and other destructive forces have scarred our land and our people. We are weary. We wonder: will we get through these turbulent times? The answer from the pages of the Bible is a resounding YES. The story of Joseph reveals that even when life hits us with multiple blows, with God’s help, we will overcome. That’s why, on a day like September 11, the church should gather and remember that what man intends for evil, God can use for good. Joseph faced a famine in his day, and he focused all his efforts on bringing life and nourishment to all. Today we face a famine of hope. As God’s people, let’s dispense courage and sustenance to our generation, offering a plan and a story of God’s help and goodness… Let’s lead a harvest of hope, together.

Prayer:

Written by Derek Weber, a contemporary pastor and director of Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we honor the lives that were lost in this tragic act.
May we give thanks for those who served and saved, rendered aid and assistance.
May we give comfort to those who live with loss.
May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability,
and rely on you when the ability escapes us.

On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we build what has been torn down.
May we mend what has been broken.
May live your love when hate seems to reign.
May we bear witness to the cause of peace.

Written by A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), an American pastor, author, editor, and spiritual mentor. This is an excerpt from his book “Jesus, Author of Our Faith.”

I have been asked more than once what I gave up when I was converted and became a believing child of God. I was a young man, and I well remember that I gave up the hot and smelly rubber factory. I was making tires for an hourly wage, and I gave that up to follow Christ’s call into Christian ministry and service. As a youth, I was scared of life and I was scared of death—and I gave that up. I was miserable and glum and unfulfilled—and I gave that up. I had selfish earthly and material ambitions that I could never have achieved—and I gave them up. That forms the outline of the worthless things that I gave up. And I soon discovered that in Jesus Christ, God had given me everything that is worthwhile. If God takes away from us the old, wrinkled, beat-up dollar bill we have clutched so desperately, it is only because He wants to exchange it for the whole Federal mint, the entire treasury! He is saying to us, “I have in store for you all the resources of heaven. 

Prayer:

Today’s prayer is an excerpt from the book “Tozer on Christian Leadership,” edited by Ron Eggert.

Why am I so hesitant to share the Gospel, Lord—when this is what I’m asking people to give up? Thank You for all we gain through our new life in Christ—in exchange for all the junk we give up! Amen.

Written by C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), a British writer, literary scholar, and Anglican lay theologian. This is an excerpt from his book “Reflections on the Psalms.”

If there is any thought at which a Christian trembles it is the thought of God’s ‘judgment’. The ‘Day’ of Judgement is ‘that day of wrath, that dreadful day’. We pray for God to deliver us ‘in the hour of death and at the day of judgment’. Christian art and literature for centuries have depicted its terrors. This note in Christianity certainly goes back to the teaching of Our Lord Himself, especially to the terrible parable of the Sheep and the Goats. This can leave no conscience untouched, for in it the ‘Goats’ are condemned entirely for their sins of omission as if to make us fairly sure that the heaviest charge against each of us turns not upon the things he has done but on those he never did—perhaps dreamed of doing. It was therefore with great surprise that I first noticed how the Psalmists talk about the judgment of God. Judgment is apparently an occasion of universal rejoicing. People ask for it: ‘Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness’ (35:24) The reason for this soon becomes very plain. The ancient Jews, like ourselves, think of God’s judgment in terms of an earthly court of justice. The difference is that the Christian pictures the case to be tried as a criminal case with himself in the dock; the Jew pictures it as a civil case with himself as the plaintiff. The one hopes for acquittal, or rather for pardon, the other hopes for a resounding triumph with heavy damages.

Prayer:

Written by Susan Macias, a contemporary author and speaker.

Lord, I thank You for being Judge. Righteous and holy, You perfectly execute justice. I praise You for establishing Your throne on and for justice. I praise Your love of righteousness and Your hate of evil. I confess when I see the injustice that abounds in the world, I fret. I want evil to be dealt with properly, so that perpetrators are punished. Thank You, Judge of everything, that You will handle each problem perfectly. You see and know everything. I am so grateful You love justice…Thank You for Your love of justice and Your provision of a Savior. All I can do is agree with the angels and proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.” Amen.

Written by S.D. Gordon (1859-1936), an American author and evangelical lay minister.

When we learn to wait for our Lord’s lead in everything, we shall know the strength that finds its climax in an even, steady walk. Many of us are lacking in the strength we so covet. But God gives full power for every task He appoints. Waiting, holding oneself true to His lead–this is the secret of strength. And anything that falls out of the line of obedience is a waste of time and strength. Watch for His leading.

Prayer:

Written by Mark Herringshaw, a contemporary writer, speaker, and spiritual coach.

Lord, my part, is to delight in you. I want to learn what this means. Teach me. Teach me the courage to express my gratitude and to celebrate like a lottery winner. As I wait for you, you generate the outcome you promise. I have asked; today I move immediately to thankfulness. Thank you for responding, even before that outcome arrives for me; I am thanking you ahead of my timeline! I speak this routinely, but this principle really is the whole objective of prayer: Relationship alone matters, and all else follows from this, and it will follow when I set my eye on the means and not the end! Give me grace to look in the proper direction today! Amen.

Written by Emma Danzey, a contemporary writer.

Have you ever attempted to grow a plant or a flower? It takes work. It takes time. Some of the most beautiful botanicals or delicious fruits and vegetables do not come as easily as walking into a store and dropping some cash to take them home. We live in a society that often forgets the hard work behind the harvest. This is what discipline is in faith. There is hard work involved, be it patient endurance, the unraveling of addiction, working on our words, or having Jesus break our hearts for what breaks His. However, the fruit of the Spirit, the harvest of what He does within us and outwardly onto others, is yielding great fruit. It is wonderful and worth the effort. It is fully reliant on the Farmer to deliver what we cannot, in yet fully active in obedience to be part of the work.

Prayer:

Written by John Page, a contemporary pastor, teacher, and writer.

Dear God, I believe that you have given me power, and love and self-control.  I want to use all of these wonderful gifts you have given me to grow into the best version of myself.  I want to practice good self-discipline to become more like Jesus.  I pray this in the strong name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Written by William Law (1686-1761), a Church of England priest and author who lost his position at Emmanuel College, Cambridge when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to King George I.

For there is nothing that makes us love a person so much as praying for him or her. When you can once do this sincerely for anyone, you have fitted your soul for the performance of everything that is kind and civil toward that person This will fill your heart with a generosity and tenderness that will give you a better and sweeter behavior than anything that is called fine breeding and good manners.

Prayer:

Written by Victoria Riollano, a contemporary author and speaker.

Lord, I thank you for opportunities to pray for others. I ask that you bring people to my attention who are hurting and are in need. Give me the courage to pray boldly and the words that will resonate in their heart. I pray against fear and insecurity that would cause me to stay silent. Help me to move and speak by your Spirit. I thank you that there is power in prayer and I am believing in you for blessings on behalf of those I pray for. Show up in mighty ways, as you always do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English pastor, and author.

When a shipwright builds a vessel, does he build it to keep it upon the stocks? Nay, he builds it for the sea and the storm. When he was making it, he thought of tempests and hurricanes; if he did not, he was a poor shipbuilder. When God made thee a believer, He meant to try thee; and when He gave thee promises, and bade thee trust them, He gave such promises as are suitable for times of tempest and tossing. Dost thou think that God makes shams like some that have made belts for swimming, which were good to exhibit in a shop, but of no use in the sea? We have all heard of swords which were useless in war; and even of shoes which were made to sell, but were never meant to walk in. God’s shoes are of iron and brass, and you can walk to Heaven in them without their ever wearing out; and His life-belts, you may swim a thousand Atlantics upon them, and there will be no fear of your sinking. His Word of promise is meant to be tried and proved. There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to make a show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us. Covenant blessings are not meant to be looked at only, but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Thou dost not make use of Christ as thou oughtest to do. O man, I beseech you do not treat God’s promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but use them as everyday sources of comfort. Trust the Lord whenever your time of need comes on.

Prayer:

Written by James Lowry, a contemporary retired pastor and author. This is from his book “Prayers for the Lord’s Day.”

Merciful God, forgive us. We live as though you have made no promises: Chasing after monotonous dreams, we busy ourselves with meager plans. Clinging to drab visions, we pursue paltry resolutions. Restore our souls, O God. Inspire within us such imagination that we may address with optimism the needs of this and every day. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Beth Moore, a contemporary speaker and author. This is an excerpt from her book “Get Out of That Pit.”

Every one of us was born for a song. Even the one who can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Even the one who wouldn’t mind church so much if it weren’t for the singing. The one who just doesn’t get it — and doesn’t think she wants to…You were born for a God-song. Your heart beats to its rhythm and your vocal cords were fashioned to give it volume. A God-song in the simplest man’s soul is greater than any symphony. It’s more than emotional intoxication or getting lost in the moment. It’s the unleashed anthem of a freed soul. A song expresses something no amount of spoken words can articulate. No amount of nonverbal affection can demonstrate. Music is its own thing, especially when instruments and voices respond to the tap of the divine Conductor. Nothing can take a song’s place. If the outlet gets clogged, the soul gets heavier and heavier. And nothing on earth clogs the windpipe like the polluted air of a pit.

Prayer:

Written by Debbie McDaniel, a contemporary writer.

Dear God, we praise you today with our hearts and songs, we praise you for your faithfulness, we praise you for your great power and love. We confess our need for you, our lives don’t go so well when we just spin around on our own. We struggle and worry, get weary and worn. Yet you never leave us. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your care over us, thank you that you breathe renewal right into our souls. We ask for your spirit to fill us, to draw us close to yourself, and to work your purposes through us, as we set our eyes on you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Written by Mark D. Roberts, a contemporary author.

If you are a person who prays, you have surely experienced both the pleasure and the puzzle of prayer. In a way we will never fully understand, the Sovereign God allows us to participate in the unfolding of God’s own will. Thus, when we pray, we submit to God’s will and, at the same time, tell God what we’d like God to do. Mysteriously and graciously, God receives our counsel and acts upon our requests. Sometimes God says “Yes” in stunning and delightful ways. Sometimes God says “No” in ways that feel puzzling and disappointing. Often God says, “Wait,” which can give us hope sometimes and discouragement at other times. We will never fully understand why God answers our prayers in the way God does, this side of Heaven, at any rate. Yet we continue to pray, trusting that God knows what is best even if we can’t figure out God’s ways.

Prayer:

Written by Jill Weber, a contemporary spiritual director and the director of Houses of Prayer.

God, I give You my unmet expectations, my frustrations, and my questions. Is there something that You know about me that I don’t Something that You are doing in me that I don’t yet understand or appreciate? I listen now to receive your perspective.

Written by L. B. Cowman (1870-1960), a missionary and author. This is an excerpt from her book “Streams in the Desert.”

Waiting is much more difficult than walking. Waiting requires patience, and patience is a rare virtue. It is fine to know that God builds hedges around His people–when the hedge is looked at from the viewpoint of protection. But when the hedge is kept around one until it grows so high that he cannot see over the top, and wonders whether he is ever to get out of the little sphere of influence and service in which he is pent up, it is hard for him sometimes to understand why he may not have a larger environment–hard for him to “brighten the corner” where he is. But God has a purpose in all HIS holdups.

Prayer:

Written by Lesli White, a contemporary writer.

Teach me dear Lord to know wonder. If You are willing, I am waiting, ready to receive my blessing today. Amen.