Praying For New Strength For The New Day

 I don’t know about you but sometimes I struggle with a sense of being dragged down.  Maybe it’s the routine of the days, the pandemic numbers that never seem to go away.  Just when you think they are improving and things can move towards being “normal again” a variant shows up and things go sideways. 

Restrictions not only don’t go away but increase.  Just yesterday mandatory mask wearing returned to British Columbia with our daily active case numbers back in the thousands and ICU numbers increasing pretty dramatically.

Sometimes it just seems to sap the energy and I have to give myself a talking to and get about the good things of each day that God has planned for me to do, trusting that He will somehow take care of the rest.  But, I have to tell you, some days it is a challenge.  Am I the only one?  I doubt it. 

We need fresh strength every day don’t we?  I’m reminded of that famous old hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and the verse that says: 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

We’ll pray today with God’s own word from Psalm 119 using the modern paraphrase version “The Passion.” 

Lord, strengthen my inner being by the promises of your Word so that I may live faithful and unashamed for you. Lift me up and I will be safe. Empower me to live every moment in the light of your ways.  Psalm 119:116-117

Let me hear your promise of blessing over my life, breaking me free from the proud oppressors.  Let me feel your tender love, for I am yours. Give me more understanding of your wonderful ways. Psalm 119:122,124

Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace like you do to every one of your godly lovers. Prepare before me a path filled with your promises, and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me. 

Psalm 119:132-133

Even though my troubles overwhelm me with anguish, I still delight and cherish every message you speak to me. Give me more revelation so that I can live for you, for nothing is more pure and eternal than your truth. Psalm 119:143-144

Look upon all my misery and come be my hero to rescue me, for I will never forget what you’ve revealed to me. Take my side and defend me in these sufferings; redeem me and revive me, just like you promised you would.  Psalm 119:153-154

Place your hands of strength and favor upon me, for I’ve made my choice to follow your ways. I wait for your deliverance, O Lord, for your words thrill me like nothing else! Invigorate my life so that I can praise you even more, and may your truth be my strength!  Psalm 119:173-175

Aren’t those lovely life-giving words.  I might just go back to them again today and let them strengthen my heart again. 

We’ll end today with a bit more of the song, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”