Saturday, March 6th

“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.  Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.  Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.  Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and to insight, ‘You are my relative.’”

Lord God, Wake up in my heart and desire to pursue you and a relationship with you.  I’ll be honest.  Sometimes I get tired and don’t want to pursue.  Sometimes I get complacent and even apathetic when it comes to your Word and a relationship with you.  But, Lord, keep me from this and light a fire in my soul that longs to pursue you.  I am not where I want to be in my knowledge of you and in my relationship with you.  Bring me, by your Spirit, into a deeper and more intimate relationship with you, Jesus.  Teach me and spur me on to pursue you in y whole life.  Amen.

Pursue wisdom because it is the most important relationship you will have.  And it is a relationship.  A relationship with wisdom is a relationship with Jesus, who is the embodiment of wisdom. 

Friday, April 2nd, Good Friday

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”  Matthew 26:39

Dear Heavenly Father, I was taught to fold my hands when I pray.  With these folded hands I’m humbly and confidently telling you, “It’s all up to you.  You answer as you think best.”  I don’t know about Jesus’ hands the night he prayed in Gethsemane.  I do, however, know how extreme anguish drove him face down into the dirt.  Before him stood a cup filled to the brim with the poison of the whole world’s sins.  Its every drop would be bitter right down to the dregs.  This horrendous cup was his to drink if he would save mankind’s souls.  And he would have to empty it alone.  No wonder he fell with his face to the ground in prayer that night.  Jesus’ deeply felt sin’s weight but did not refuse to bear it.  He prayed earnestly with tears but did not turn away from your will.  “It’s up to you,” he was humbly telling you.  He also was confidently telling you, “You answer as you think best.”  He trusted a Father who loved him.  How could Jesus do it?  The answer has to be divine love.  Out of love for you he came to this ball of mud where I live.  Out of love for me, a sinner, he stained Calvary’s dirt with his precious blood.  Because of your saving work, I can fold my hands in humble, confident prayer to you.  Even more so, I can live with you forever in your eternal home.  Amen.

Lord, teach me to pray. 

Friday, March 5th

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.  He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”  Proverbs 10:4-5

Dear Lord, I want to be a hard-working, productive saint.  Help me to have two virtues: 1) a desire to accomplish tasks with the limited but useful talents you have given me, and 2) a discerning heart to know what tasks are more worthy of my attention because they produce more results.  I want to work hard and smart so together the hard work and smart choices pay dividends for my family and many other people.  Drive laziness from my heart so I fill the day you have gifted me with accomplishments that I can build on tomorrow.  Amen.

Bees are among the most productive animals on the planet for their small size.  Not a day goes by that they are not making honey for themselves and others.   

Thursday, March 4th

“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.  Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.  When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.  For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.”  Proverbs 6:20-24

Lord God, So much in our lives would distract us and pull us away from you.  Bad pledges.  False promises.  All kinds of things would pull us away from living a life that is centered on you.  We pray, Lord God, keep us from those things.  And help us in all things to let our lives revolve around you.  You have loved us with the love that sees us as if we were the only person in this world.  So Lord, help us to center our lives around you so that everything that we do, everything that we think, everything that we say, even everything that we feel and everything that we believe revolves around you and your word.  You Father are good and you love us.  Your love endures forever.  Help us to live our lives loving you with all our heart with all our soul and with all our strength.  Amen.

Our dear Father, let nothing keep us from him.  He didn’t spare his own Son.  He arranged world history throughout all of time to save you and me and all.  In love for each one of us and because of his great love for us God has centered his world on saving us.  Lord, help us center our hearts and lives in you. 

Wednesday, March 3rd

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.  Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house.”  Proverbs 5:7-8

Lord, Keep my heart pure and guard me against going down paths that lead to adultery and a great many other sins.  Satisfy my heart and my life with your unfailing love that I may be faithful to you and to my spouse all the days of my life.  Amen.

Following Jesus means drinking from him alone as the source of our life and joy (“drink from your own cistern”).  Following Jesus means staying on the right path which his Word lays out for us as a lamp; he is after all “the way” and “the life.” 

Tuesday, March 2nd

“My son, pay attention to what I say: turn your ear to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Proverbs 4:20-23

Lord God, Your Son gives light to my path and life to my heart.  By your gospel, by your Spirit, you have raised my dead heart to life and have set me free to run in the path of your commands.  Yet, so much in my heart is still dead.  My sinful heart is still opposed to you and seeks after other things.  This world I live in would lure my heart into deep and deadly sins; it would kill me.  So, Lord, come to my darkened and sinful heart and guard my heart by the truth of your Word.  Guard my heart by the Life that comes from your Spirit.  Keep me from a heart that seeks things that are sinful and are opposed to you.  Guard my heart and give me life by your Word.  Amen.

“Guard your heart” means to kill, crucify and drown the old man heart so that daily, by the work of the Holy Spirit through one baptism, a new man arises.  “Guard your heart” is daily contrition, sorrow, and repentance.  “Guard your heart” is to seek, to hold, and to store up treasure in heaven.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).  This is the “whatever it takes” to get, keep, hold and treasure wisdom.  It is discipline to be in the Word and to seek the Wisdom that is from on high. 

Monday, March 1st

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”  Proverbs 6:6-8

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for using one of the smallest creatures in nature to teach me one of the biggest lessons in life.  You want me to use the present to save for the future.  You want me to recognize the value of hard work.  You want me to have a self-motivated work ethic within my soul.  You don’t want me to be dependent on the pressure of others.  You want me to use the life you have given, to provide for myself and my family.  I want what you want, because you are my Creator, Provider and Savior.  Help me to get out of this day the best that it can give for blessings tomorrow.  Make me a productive ant on your anthill.  Amen.

We don’t work for vacations.  We work for the joy that comes from benevolent productivity. 

Saturday, February 27th

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”  Proverbs 3:1-2

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.”  Proverbs 3:13-18

Lord God, There is so much in my life that challenges and worries me.  It frustrates me and gives me an anxious heart.  I find myself praying “if only” prayers to you.  “If only” this were different.  “If only” I had done this or that.  I live with so much fear in my heart and questions in my mind:  What if I get sick?  What if I lose my job?  What if I make a poor decision?  What if this happens or that does instead?  What if?  But Lord Jesus you remove the “if” from my life.  You give me life simply because you love me.  There was nothing I did, could do, or will do that will get life for me.  You simply give it to me only because you love me.  You give me life without the threat of taking it away.  You give me life and protection no matter what.  You promise me a life full of every spiritual blessing that comes from your cross.  You promise me a life full of good things from your fatherly hands and out of your Father’s heart for me.  You lay out for a sure and certain hope of things to come.  Help me to seek and then to find my truest and fullest life in you, dear Jesus.  Grant me faith to hold tightly to you.  Amen.

What does lady wisdom promise?  She promises us life, full life, true life.  She urges us to put our God at the very center of our life, to trust in him with all our heart and to lean not on our own understanding.  She promises life without the “if”.  Can you hear Jesus speaking to you here?  “I am come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Friday, February 26th

“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.  Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?  Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.  May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a graceful deer-may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.  Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?  Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?  For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.”  Proverbs 5:15-21

Dear Heavenly Father, Help all married men to value the wives you have granted so that out of deep feelings of reverence and appreciation, we remain faithful and encouraging to them.  Help them feel safe in their relationships with us and protect the sanctity of our marriages.  Also, help us to find our voices with our children so we talk clearly and positively about the purity you designed for them as a blessing for generations to come. 

Marriage is God’s thing that he created to become one of the biggest blessings in our lives.  Hold is sacred and show it be the way you protect all marriages. 

Thursday, February 25th

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding-indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  Proverbs 2:1-6

Lord God, Help me to see that true wisdom is found in Christ.  Many times I look for wisdom for daily actions, daily steps, next steps, and the way to make good and godly decisions.  I look for wisdom to help me get through the day and to get through life in as godly a way as possible.  And certainly I know that you give wisdom for this.  But wisdom is so much more than that.  Help me to see that true wisdom is found in Christ.  He is the One who calls me from darkness to light.  He is the One who calls me from death to life.  He is the One who calls me from this world to an eternity in heaven.  He is the One who warns me to stay away from sin so that I might stay close to him and on the right path.  He is the one who gives me heavenly blessings and earthly ones too.  True wisdom is found only in Christ.  Help me to see the gift that Christ is to me.  Amen.

Christ is the wisdom of God and he saves us.   He doesn’t just guide us to a better and more godly life on earth, he guides us toward heaven.  Look for Christ here, there, and everywhere in wisdom of Proverbs.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Monday, March 1st

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”  Proverbs 6:6-8

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for using one of the smallest creatures in nature to teach me one of the biggest lessons in life.  You want me to use the present to save for the future.  You want me to recognize the value of hard work.  You want me to have a self-motivated work ethic within my soul.  You don’t want me to be dependent on the pressure of others.  You want me to use the life you have given, to provide for myself and my family.  I want what you want, because you are my Creator, Provider and Savior.  Help me to get out of this day the best that it can give for blessings tomorrow.  Make me a productive ant on your anthill.  Amen.

We don’t work for vacations.  We work for the joy that comes from benevolent productivity. 

Wednesday, February 24th

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”          Proverbs 1:7

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”  Proverbs 1:8

“Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”  Proverbs 1:32

Lord God, You promise that you will give wisdom to those who ask.  You hold it out to me like a treasure through your Son, Jesus, and on the pages of Scripture.  I pray, Lord, pour out wisdom on me through your Spirit and make known to me your teachings.  Keep me from refusing your teaching or pushing them to the side.  Soften my heart to your Word and make me an eager hearer of it.  Then, let your word drip down into my spirit that it might guide everything about my life.  Give me wisdom, God, so that I might have true life.  Give me your wisdom, Father, so that I might live for you.  You have saved me and I am yours.  Guide and govern my life by the wisdom you give. 

True safety is safety found in Christ.  He has become for us wisdom from God. 

Tuesday, February 23rd

“As for you, go your way till the end.  You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”  Daniel 12:13

Lord God, help me to find and create a healthy balance in my life.  You have given me your Word that I might grow in my knowledge of you so that I might grow in your grace.  You pour out your Spirit on me through that Word so that I might be strengthened in my inner being and so that I might know how long and wide and deep and high your love for me is.  You have given me your Word so that I might be aware of the dangers and threats that I daily face in this earthly realm and the spiritual realm.  Help me to grow in this so that your Word is a daily part of my life.  And, at the same time, dear Lord, help me to keep my eyes wide open to see the people around me who need my love and my service.  Make a servant here and now.  Make me a tremendous earthly good to the people around me not just so that they can get through life, but so that they might have life forever.  Help me to get on with my life today as your servant in this world.  Amen.

There is a balance that we must walk.  It is not an either/or.  It is a both/and.  We both need to be in God’s Word AND we need to get on with life and serve the people around us  We both need to meditate on God’s Word AND we need to love the neighbor whom God puts in our path. 

Monday, February 22nd

“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”  Daniel 12:2-3

Lord, Thank you for this vision of the last day.  It will not be a dismal day of defeat and despair for me.  It will be a day of victory and life and eternity.  You will take me up, together with all of your holy people, into the glories of heaven.  You will transform me in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye.  You will make me glorious and holy and eternal.  I can’t wait, Lord.  I long for your coming.  I long for your deliverance.  But, Lord, while I wait for you make me an eternal and earthly good to all those around me.  Make me a servant to them.  Make me a leader for them.  Make me one who leads them to the righteousness and salvation that comes from you alone.  Help me to bring as many people to heaven as possible.  You have given me this time so that I can bring people with me to heaven.  Help me to do this, dear Father in heaven.  Amen. 

Let’s do all that we can with the time that we have to bring as many people as we can with us to heaven!

Saturday, February 20th

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”          Proverbs 1:7

Dear Heavenly Father, It makes perfect sense.  You authored my life.  You protect me every day.  You saved me from my sins that had condemned me in your presence.  Why shouldn’t I live in holy reverence and respect for you?  It’s the only way to make sense of my life.  It’s also the only way to make my life really count.  If I don’t live for you as my audience of one, I am a fool and my life is a colossal waste.  Give me the ability to live in fear of you today so I am wise with every moment.  Amen.

Fearing God is the most obvious first priority of every decision and every response. 

Friday, February 19th

“Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.  When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them.  Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.”  Daniel 11:33-35

Lord God, These days in which we live are clearly the last of the days of this world.  You are coming soon!  Come, quickly, I pray.  Until then, Lord Jesus, protect me from the fiery darts of the Devil and protect me from the evil of the day.  Send me those who are wise in the faith to help me, to encourage me, redirect me, strengthen me, and support me.  Send me those who are wise so that I might stand firm in the faith until the end.  Through them, God, make me wise.  Through your Word, give me a wisdom that is truly from you.  Then, make me a blessing to your church and this world as together we wait for you.  Put your wisdom in my heart and then on my lips as I live for you today.  Let my words speak the words that make souls wise for salvation through faith in Jesus.  Keep me in the faith, Savior Jesus.  Make me a blessing to your church, dear Holy Spirit.  Amen.

You are wise by God’s Spirit.  You are wise through God’s Word.  You have good things to say about God and about following Jesus to those around you.  Today, ask God to make you a blessing to his church. 

Thursday, February 18th

“Now then, I tell you the truth:  Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others.  When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.”  Daniel 11:2

Lord God, Daniel’s dream makes me afraid.  I see the things of Daniel’s dream that have taken place in world history.  I see the things of Daniel’s dream that are being fulfilled in these days, the days in which I live.  I see his vision being fulfilled in my life, at least in part.  That makes me afraid.  That makes me afraid because I see how evil comes after your people.  That makes me afraid because I see the danger and the trouble that will come on the whole world.  I am afraid for myself, for my children, even for my grand-children and my great-grandchildren.  I am afraid for my church and my family.  I am afraid for friends and my city and my country.  But even as you tell me the things that will take place in this world you calm my hearts because you are telling me what you know.  This sets my heart at rest because in this revelation you are showing me yourself.  You are showing me, God, that you are a God who knows all things.  Nothing that is happening right now is a surprise to you.  You knew it was coming.  And more than that, God, you are controlling it all too!  Nothing in this world or in my life is out of control.  And God, you are truly to be praised because in your ruling over this world, you rule out of love and a saving concern for me, for all your people, and for all who are not yet your people.  You are working all things out in love for the eternal and saving good of all people in this world.  Yes, Lord remove my fear of the future today by your knowledge, by your controlling and by your love for me and for all people.  Amen.

You can be sure of this today and in the days to come, as many days as the Lord will give you.  Your God knows what will happen in your life.  Your God is 100% in control of the events and moments of your life.  And, more than all of that, you can be sure that your God loves you with an unquenchable love.  His love endures forever! 

Wednesday, February 17th

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD.”  Psalm 150:6

Dear Heavenly Father, How easily I seek praise and how infrequently I think to give you praise.  As the author of life, the benevolent giver of salvation and the great protector of all things, especially me, you deserve praise from every creature great and small.  You are the most awesome reality who sits above everything you have made.  In you we live and move and have our being.  Help me to live as a small creature in your sight today, made valuable by your individual love for me.  Amen.

Next time you are slighted and feel hurt, think of God who lives with the same mistakes from all creatures every day. 

Tuesday, February 16th

“Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak.  I said to the one standing before me, ‘I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.  How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord?  My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.’  Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.  ‘Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,’ he said.  ‘Peace!  Be strong now; be strong.’  When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.’”  Daniel 10:16-19

Lord God, There is much about my future that makes me shake and tremble.  There are times when I don’t really want to come out and face the day because of what I’m up against.  In those moments, Father, send me your Spirit to remind me of Daniel and how your angel comforted and strengthened Daniel.  Send me your Spirit to remind that you are present with me through your Word and Sacraments.  Remind me once again what I mean to you and how valued I am by you.  When the war is long, remind me how your angels’ hosts have thrown down the evil one by the blood of the Lamb.  The Lamb has conquered Satan and all his evil hosts.  On top of all of this, you have left for me your revelation of yourself and of my life in your Word.  You have not told me all that could be known, but you have told me what you want me to know.  So, give me a fuller and more complete understanding of your Word so that I might live for you today.  Today, Lord, give me courage and strength to stand up and live for you.  You have redeemed me and I am yours.  You have conquered for me and I will not be defeated.  I am valued and esteemed by you.  Grant full peace to my broken and fearful heart.  Amen.

So, do not be overwhelmed by what is coming in your life.  Do not be afraid of what you’re up against.  Do not fear.  Rather, be at peace because your God holds your future in his hands and has given you the assurance that you will not be overcome. 

Monday, February 15th

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of gods.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”  Psalm 136:1-3

Dear Heavenly Father, I grew up praying these words at meal time.  I was not always aware where they came from.  For centuries your people led their hearts to be thankful for your grace and mercy which led you to make us, save us and sustain us with mounds of blessings.  As I consider the stinker I am, I’m overwhelmed with just how merciful and gracious you are.  You continue to bless me even though I have sinned so greatly.  I will cultivate a thankful heart today.  I will work hard to show others too.  Amen.

The fact that we still exist is a monument to God’s merciful heart.