a daily prayer guide

7/30/2019 A Daily Prayer Guide

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Daily Prayer


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Table of Contents

...........................................Using this Booklet 3

...............................................Morning Prayer 7

.................................................Midday Prayer 13

.................................................Evening Prayer 17

....................................................Night Prayer 21

............................Psalms for Morning Prayer 27

..............................Psalms for Evening Prayer 28

................................................Gods Promises 29

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Using this Booklet

Why a prayer book?

e idea of using a prayer book seems strange to manyChristians today. For some, experience has shown that it canquickly become mindless repetition, devoid of spiritual life.Others have never used written prayers but fear they will bestifling or get in the way of real, authentic intimacy with God.

Many of us have never even considered it.

What is all the more interesting is that this situation is entirelynew. (When looking at the long history of the church, anythingin the last 300 or so years is new.) rough the life of thechurch, written prayers have always played a central part ofworshipping Godin fact, this traces back to well before Jesus.

For thousands of years, the Jews recited written prayers,including the Shema: Hear, O Israel! e Lord your God, theLord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with allyour heart, soul, mind and strength... Each day began withthese words, without fail.e early church continued thistradition and expanded it, incorporating hymns and prayers inworship of Jesus, the Messiah.

I believe the question we need to ask is not, what is wrongwithusing a prayer bookbut rather, what is right about it that itpersisted for so many centuries?

Each era has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. Astrength we enjoy today is our commitment to a real, authentic

relationship with Jesus. Praise the Lord that this is so! We areno longer content to merely echo theology and doctrinebecause our parents believed. We want to know God ourselves.

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And so we want to speak to Him out of our own hearts, ratherthan through a formal prayer book.is is good!

I believe that strength has also very often blinded us to acorresponding weaknessin our desire for authenticity, we areoften a slave to our whims. If we do notfeel like praising God,we do not have the resources to fix our attention on Him andworship anyway. We may even feel that it would be wrongto doso. But this means that, very often, we do not have to tools tofight to see God when our vision is hazy. Whether we feel like it

or not, God is deserving of our delight. Are we able to sit stillandfocus on Him for long enough to enjoy Him?

e answer to this question will largely depend on the tools wehave available, and how consistently we put them to use. Wehave the Word, which holds God up to be seen and praised;and we have His Spirit, who makes that Word come alive. But

do we have a consistent way of applying ourselves to askforhelp in seeing, and then looking?

is is the point of any prayer book. It is not my assumptionthat a prayer is better because someone wrote it in loftyvocabulary. But I do assume that saying a prayer someone elsewrote is better than no prayer at all. And I also assume that, on

the day I do not feel like praying, and do not have the words, Iwill only do it if I am in the habit.

About this prayer book

is particular prayer book is an adaptation of the Book ofCommon Prayer. It has been stripped of any exclusivelyAnglican language (of which there was little to begin with), andit has also been modified to work better for an individualsaying these prayers alone, or for families.

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which will encourage and strengthen you today. Perhaps lingerwith one for a week, and then select another.

My own prayer is that this booklet will be a toolone thathelps you turn your vision to God and rejoice in Him. As youpray, may you behold the glory of God in the face of JesusChrist, and so be transformed! (2 Cor. 3:18)

To God alone be the Glory!

Ben BarcziOctober 27, 2010

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Morning Prayer

Invitatorye prayers begin by inviting Gods presence and meditating onHis power and goodness.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare yourpraise.

Read one of the following psalms and its response:

Psalm Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!For the Lord is a great God,and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the depths of the earth;the heights of the mountains are his also.e sea is his, for he made it,and his hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!For he is our God,and we are the people of his pasture,and the sheep of his hand.Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,

as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,when your fathers put me to the testand put me to the proof,though they had seen my work.

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For forty years I loathed that generationand said, ey are a peoplewho go astray in their heart,

and they have not known my ways.erefore I swore in my wrath,ey shall not enter my rest.

Response

Lord, you have made all things, and we are your people. YetI am so prone to ignore your voice. Help me today to be

attentive and to listen when you speak; and speak thethings during this time of prayer that I need to hear tofollow you today.

Psalm Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!Come into his presence with singing!Know that the Lord, he is God!It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise!Give thanks to him; bless his name!For the Lord is good;his steadfast love endures forever,and his faithfulness to all generations.

Response

Father, I belong to you, and you deserve songs of joy andpraise. I so easily forget how good you are and fail todelight in you. Please make me feel your presence andfaithfulness during this time of prayer, so that I can rejoicein you.

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Psalm May God be gracious to us and bless usand make his face to shine upon us,

that your way may be known on earth,your saving power among all nations.Let the peoples praise you, O God;let all the peoples praise you!Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,for you judge the peoples with equityand guide the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;let all the peoples praise you!e earth has yielded its increase;God, our God, shall bless us.God shall bless us;let all the ends of the earth fear him!

ResponseGod, make the light of your face shine on mebecausewhen I see you for who you are, I will rejoice and call othersto enjoy you, also. Make me happy in you during this timeof prayer, so that today I would live to make others happyin you.

PsalmsSelect a psalm from the list of morning psalms to read, in responseto how you are feeling this morning. Use the psalm to express youremotions to God.en spend some time in prayer about this.

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Readingse readings begin with a prayer asking God to show us Himselfin His word as we read.

Incline my heart to your Word, Lord, rather than tofoolish, selfish things.

Open my eyes so that I can see you as I read your word.

Unite my heart to be attentive to you instead of the

countless things that distract me.

Satisfy me this morning with yourself, so that I can giveyou glory today.

Now read selections from the Old Testament and the Gospels.Read slowly and meditatively, allowing yourself to pause when

something catches your attention. Above all seek to see who God isrevealing Himself to be.

Old Testament reading

Gospel reading

Spend a moment in silence, meditating on what God has said inhis Word.

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Prayers

Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father Almighty,Creator of Heaven and of Earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin, Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.On the third day He rose again,and ascended into Heaven.He is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy, catholic church,

the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the bodyand the life everlasting. .

Praying the PromisesChoose a promise from the list which you need to remember today;

read it and then turn it into a prayer.

IntercessionsPray for whatever is on your heartneeds, other peoples requests,your local church, missionaries, family, etc.

e Lords Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,Hallowed be y name.y kingdom come,y will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For ine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,forever and ever. .

Great anksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanksfor all your goodness and loving-kindnessto us and to all whom you have made.We bless you for our creation, preservation,and all the blessings of this life;but above all for your immeasurable lovein the redemption of the world

by our Lord Jesus Christ;for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.And, we pray, give us such an awarenessof your mercies,that with truly thankful heartswe may show forth your praise,not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to your service,and by walking before youin holiness and righteousness all our days;through Jesus Christ our Lord,to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory throughout all ages. A.

BenedictionLet us bless the Lord.anks be to God.

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promises and instruction. Please use this time of prayer todirect me.

Psalm I lift up my eyes to the hills.From where does my help come?My help comes from the Lord,who made heaven and earth.He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.Behold, he who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep.e Lord is your keeper;the Lord is your shade on your right hand.e sun shall not strike you by day,nor the moon by night.

e Lord will keep you from all evil;he will keep your life.e Lord will keepyour going out and your coming infrom this time forth and forevermore.

Response

Father, there are so many things which make me afraid, notleast of which is my own brokenness. I need to feel that youare protecting me and will not allow me to fall away. Let mesense your presence during this time of prayer, and help meto trust you today.

Psalm When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,we were like those who dream.en our mouth was filled with laughter,

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and our tongue with shouts of joy;then they said among the nations,e Lord has done great things for them.

e Lord has done great things for us;we are glad.Restore our fortunes, O Lord,like streams in the Negeb!ose who sow in tearsshall reap with shouts of joy!He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy,bringing his sheaves with him.

Response

God, there are many things today which seem brokenbeyond repair, within and without. And yet you are the

God who gets glory through redeeming and rescuing thelost. Help me to sense your faithfulness and trust that youwill turn todays tears into songs of joy when you come inglory.

Prayers

Praying the PromisesChoose a promise from the list which you need to remember today;read it and then turn it into a prayer.

IntercessionsPray for whatever is on your heartneeds, other peoples requests,

your local church, missionaries, family, etc.

e Lords PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven,

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Hallowed be y name.y kingdom come,y will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For ine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,forever and ever. .

Closing VerseRead one of the following:

Romans :Hope does not put us to shame, because God's love hasbeen poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who

has been given to us.

Corinthians :-erefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.eold has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this isfrom God, who through Christ reconciled us to himselfand gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

Malachi :For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will begreat among the nations, and in every place incense will beoffered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name willbe great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.


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Evening Prayer

Invitatorye prayers begin by inviting Gods presence and meditating onHis glory.

O God, make speed to save me;O Lord, make haste to help me.

Read the following prayer:

Phos HilaronO gracious light,pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,and our eyes behold the evening light,we sing your praises, O God:Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praisedby happy voices,O Son of God, O Giver of Life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

PsalmsSelect a psalm from the list of evening psalms to read, in responseto how you are feeling this evening. Use the psalm to remember

Gods assurances and love.en spend some time in prayer aboutthis.

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Readingse readings begin with a prayer asking God to show us Himselfin His word as we read.

Incline my heart to your Word, Lord, rather than tofoolish, selfish things.

Open my eyes so that I can see you as I read your word.

Unite my heart to be attentive to you instead of the

countless things that distract me.

Satisfy me this evening with yourself, so that I can give youglory tonight.

Now read selections from the New Testament and the Gospels.Read slowly and meditatively, allowing yourself to pause when

something catches your attention. Above all seek to see who God isrevealing Himself to be.

New Testament reading

Gospel reading

Spend a moment in silence, meditating on what God has said inhis Word.

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Prayers

Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father Almighty,Creator of Heaven and of Earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin, Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.On the third day He rose again,and ascended into Heaven.He is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy, catholic church,

the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the bodyand the life everlasting. .

Praying the PromisesChoose a promise from the list in response to your day; read it and

then turn it into a prayer.


e Lords Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,Hallowed be y name.y kingdom come,y will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For ine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,forever and ever. .

Great anksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanksfor all your goodness and loving-kindnessto us and to all whom you have made.We bless you for our creation, preservation,and all the blessings of this life;but above all for your immeasurable lovein the redemption of the world

by our Lord Jesus Christ;for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.And, we pray, give us such an awarenessof your mercies,that with truly thankful heartswe may show forth your praise,not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to your service,and by walking before youin holiness and righteousness all our days;through Jesus Christ our Lord,to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory throughout all ages. A.


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Night Prayer

Invitatorye prayers begin by inviting Gods presence and meditating onHis grace and forgiveness.

O God, make speed to save me;O Lord, make haste to help me.

ConfessionNow, at the close of the day, is a good time for an examination ofthe day. Where was God faithful? How did He show Himself?And in what ways did I fail to trust Him?

To confess means to say the sameto call things for what they

are, how God sees them. After making specific confession of sin,read the following:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father:We have sinned against you,through our own fault,in thought, and word, and deed,

and in what we have left undone.For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,forgive us all our offenses;and grant that we may serve youin newness of life,to the glory of your Name. A.

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Read one of the following psalms and its response:

Psalm

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!You have given me relief when I was in distress.Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!O men, how long shall my honorbe turned into shame?How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?But know that the Lord has set apart

the godly for himself;the Lord hears when I call to him.Be angry, and do not sin;ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.Offer right sacrifices,and put your trust in the Lord.ere are many who say,

Who will show us some good?Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!You have put more joy in my heartthan they have when their grain and wine abound.In peace I will both lie down and sleep;for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Response

Lord, your presence is better than riches or the approval ofman. Tonight as I sleep, allow me to rest in your love andcare.

Psalm In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;let me never be put to shame;in your righteousness deliver me!Incline your ear to me;

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rescue me speedily!Be a rock of refuge for me,a strong fortress to save me!

For you are my rock and my fortress;and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,for you are my refuge.Into your hand I commit my spirit;you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

ResponseFather, I confess that my life is not in my hands; it is inyours. I hand over my fears, my hopes, this night and all myfuture to you. I trust you, because you are the one who hasdone everything to redeem my life.

Psalm

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill abide in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowlerand from the deadly pestilence.He will cover you with his pinions,and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.You will not fear the terror of the night,nor the arrow that flies by day,nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.

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You will only look with your eyesand see the recompense of the wicked.Because you have made the Lord your dwelling placethe

Most High, who is my refugeno evil shall be allowed to befall you,no plague come near your tent.For he will command his angels concerning youto guard you in all your ways.On their hands they will bear you up,lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder;the young lion and the serpentyou will trample underfoot.Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;I will protect him, because he knows my name.When he calls to me, I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.With long life I will satisfy himand show him my salvation.

Response

God, my soul fears so many dangersbut you havepromised to protect me from them all. Surround me andkeep me safe from all of Satans assaults. Help me to resttonight, confident in your power.

Prayers

Praying the PromisesChoose a promise from the list which you need to remember today;read it and then turn it into a prayer.

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ResponsesRead the following prayer:

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit,for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;Hide us in the shadow of your wings.Lord, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.


e Prayer of St. SimeonLord, you now have set your servant freeto go in peace as you have promised;For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,whom you have prepared for all the world to see:A Light to enlighten the nations,and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son,and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping;that awake we may watch with Christ,and asleep we may rest in peace.

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Closing VerseRead one of the following:

Jeremiah :Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,and we are called by your name;do not leave us.

Matthew :-

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I willgive you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest foryour souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews :-

Now may the God of peace who brought again from thedead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, bythe blood of the eternal covenant, equip you witheverything good that you may do his will, working in usthat which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, towhom be glory forever and ever. A.


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Psalms for Morning PrayerJoy

Psalm 8Psalm 16Psalm 19Psalm 29Psalm 45Psalm 65Psalm 66Psalm 92

Psalm 93Psalm 96Psalm 97Psalm 146

AngerPsalm 10Psalm 17

Psalm 26Psalm 36Psalm 37Psalm 39Psalm 43Psalm 52Psalm 64Psalm 73Psalm 82

Psalm 94Psalm 140

SadnessPsalm 5Psalm 6Psalm 13Psalm 22

Psalm 42Psalm 69Psalm 80

Fear

Psalm 3Psalm 27Psalm 28Psalm 44Psalm 54Psalm 56Psalm 57Psalm 68

Psalm 70Psalm 74Psalm 77Psalm 138

ShamePsalm 25Psalm 38

Psalm 51Psalm 130Psalm 143

ApathyPsalm 15Psalm 53Psalm 63Psalm 78

Psalm 81Psalm 139:1-18

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Psalms for Evening Prayer

JoyPsalm 24Psalm 33Psalm 34Psalm 47Psalm 48Psalm 76Psalm 84

Psalm 87Psalm 89:1-37Psalm 98Psalm 99Psalm 104Psalm 111Psalm 133Psalm 150

AngerPsalm 21Psalm 35Psalm 58Psalm 59Psalm 75Psalm 83Psalm 109

SadnessPsalm 30Psalm 31Psalm 40Psalm 86Psalm 88Psalm 102

Psalm 142Psalm 147

FearPsalm 11Psalm 18Psalm 20Psalm 23Psalm 46Psalm 49Psalm 55

Psalm 62Psalm 71Psalm 89:38-52Psalm 91Psalm 116Psalm 123Psalm 125Psalm 131

Psalm 141

ShamePsalm 32Psalm 41Psalm 51Psalm 85Psalm 103Psalm 130

ApathyPsalm 1Psalm 25Psalm 50Psalm 61Psalm 90

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Gods Promises

God loves us faithfully 1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 103:11-14, 17

Jeremiah 31:3

1 Chronicles 16:34

Psalm 100:5

God has, once for all, forgiven us in Christ

Hebrews 10:14 Hebrews 9:26

Hebrews 7:25 [ Jesus intercedes for us today]

Psalm 130:4

Isaiah 55:6

1 John 1:9

1 Timothy 1:15

Acts 10:34

Romans 10:11 Ephesians 2:8-10

Psalm 86:5-7, 15

Lamentations 3:31-33

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21

John 3:36

1 Peter 2:24

1 Peter 3:18

Isaiah 43:25

In Christ, we are Gods children, under grace, not law Romans 6:14

Galatians 2:20

1 John 3:1-2

Romans 5:9-10

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Romans 8:14-15

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God will enable us to love and follow Him Jeremiah 31:33

Deuteronomy 30:6

Ezekiel 11:19-20

Ezekiel 36-26-27 Jeremiah 32:40

Philippians 2:12-13

Philippians 1:6 [He will finish what He started]

1 Corinthians 10:13

God will be our delight Psalm 16:11

Psalm 37:4

John 17:24

Psalm 21:6

Psalm 36:8

God will give us the Spirit to help us Isaiah 44:1-5

John 14:26

John 15:26

2 Corinthians 3:18

God will be our strength and sufficiency Isaiah 41:10

2 Corinthians 12:9 [in our weakness]

Deuteronomy 33:25

Isaiah 46:4 [to old age]

Deuteronomy 31:8 [He goes before us]

Proverbs 21:31

Psalm 73:25-26

Psalm 121

Philippians 4:13

Joshua 1:9

2 Chronicles 16:9a

1 John 4:4

John 15:7 Psalm 118:13-14

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God protects us from ultimate harm Romans 8:31

Psalm 62:5-8

Psalm 20:6-8

Romans 8:38-39

Proverbs 18:10

Psalm 91

Psalm 55:22

John 10:27-30

Psalm 34:17-18

God provides all we need for life and godliness 2 Peter 1:3

Ephesians 1:3

Hebrews 13:5 [money]

Isaiah 58:11

Isaiah 55:1

John 6:35

1 Timothy 6:6 [be content]

2 Corinthians 9:8 Romans 8:32

Philippians 4:19

James 1:17

God is working for our good in all things Romans 8:28

Hebrews 12:9-10 [discipline]

Jeremiah 29:11

Romans 5:3-5 [trials]

James 1:2-3

Psalm 37:4-5

Jeremiah 32:40

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

God will teach and instruct us Psalm 32:8

Proverbs 3:5-7

Proverbs 3:11-12

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God will give us peace and rest Matthew 11:28-30

Psalm 23

God will never leave us Joshua 1:5b

Genesis 28:15

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

1 Chronicles 28:20

Hebrews 13:5

Gods purposes will stand Isaiah 55:11 [His Word]

Isaiah 46:9b-11

Isaiah 40:8

Numbers 23:19

Jeremiah 1:12b

God will be exalted Philippians 2:10-11 Psalm 46:10

Isaiah 2:11

Isaiah 49:3

God will raise us to new, eternal life with Him Romans 14:9-11

John 14:2-3 Revelation 22:4

John 11:25-26

Revelation 21:4

Faith in God pleases God and overcomes sin 1 John 5:4

Hebrews 11:6

Psalm 125:1-2 Isaiah 26:3-4

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Waiting patiently on God will not disappoint Luke 21:19

Romans 2:7

Isaiah 30:15, 18

Matthew 24:13 Isaiah 49:23

Isaiah 64:4

Isaiah 40:31

Lamentations 3:25-27

James 1:12

Psalm 42:11

Psalm 37:5-7

Humble service to God and others brings us great joy Luke 14:11

Proverbs 29:23

Matthew 18:4

James 4:6, 10

Isaiah 57:15

Luke 1:52

Matthew 23:12

By giving up our lives to Christ, we find real life Matthew 10:39

John 12:25

Mark 10:29-30

Gods Word is reliable and brings freedom John 8:31-32 John 8:51

2 Timothy 3:16

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