A Prayer for Clarity
I’m always looking for helpful prayers and motivational tidbits for my students. I found this prayer today and thought many of my students might find it useful:
Lord Jesus, You have assured us that You are not the author of confusion. With confusion comes a lack of clarity, and with a lack of clarity, there is always a distraction and a feeling of hopelessness. Therefore, I ask You to make me sharp and quick-witted. Help me to focus and tease apart messy situations so that I can be of use to others and help resolve problems. In Your almighty name, I pray. Amen.
Maybe someone else could use some clarity as well.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. '
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:1-4 NIV
‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” '
‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. '
Today I am grateful for all the people in my life who care for me. I am very lucky to have a loving family, excellent parents, and many close friends. I know that this gives me a distinct advantage every day.
‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. '
Today I am grateful for quiet time alone. Some days there is just nothing better than a little quiet time alone to read a good book, listen to some music, and relax.
‘I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. '
Today I am grateful for warm socks. There is just nothing better than a pair of warm socks on a cold and rainy day. Warm feet are essential to success.
‘My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. '
Today I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity I have to teach others. My students are awesome, the course material is interesting and engaging, and I am finding new and exciting ways to bring the material current and make it even better. Teaching is the thing I have been looking for in my life for some time and all I want to do is be great at it.
‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Today I am grateful for homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. My wife makes the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in the world. Seriously, without a doubt the best. Amazing when warm and right out of the oven, but equally awesome with a nice hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. There is just nothing better.
‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” '
Gratitude Journal - November 7, 2021 - My Family
Today I am grateful for my family. This weekend, I got to spend time with all of my family. As my kids get older they are around less and less. I have one off at college, one headed to the military in a few months, and a couple others that are growing up far too quickly. Any weekend that I get to spend time with all of them is a great weekend. For my family, I am grateful.
Scripture of the Day - November 7, 2021 - Romans 12:1-2
' I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. '
https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.12.1-2
Gratitude Journal - November 6, 2021 - Self Discipline
Today, I am grateful for self-discipline. Having self-discipline allows me to have the proper mindset every day to not only do the easy things but also tackle the unpleasant and difficult tasks as well. This mindset ensures that I am always moving forward, checking things off my list, and improving myself daily. While weakness occasionally rears its ugly head, self-discipline helps get me back on track and moving in the right direction again. For having self-discipline, I am grateful.
