PRAYING WITH THE "JUST FOR TODAY" PRINCIPLES

It’s been a little while since we reviewed these lovely statements that help us find focus in this day.  Here are some useful plans, “Just For Today”

Just for today I will try to live in conscious contact with God praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out. 

Just for today I will strengthen my mind.  I will take a few minutes to read and meditate on God’s word, seeking God’s perspective for my life today.  I will take note of one helpful thing God is saying to me and seek to behave accordingly.

Just for today I will be joyful, optimistic, and grateful.  I will take time to notice the gifts in me, in others, and in my surroundings and let the rest go. 

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything else to my desires. I will trust that God is working all things for good in my life.

Just for today I will be agreeable.  I will not criticize, not find fault, and not try to improve or control anybody except myself.  I will pray blessing on one person with whom I struggle to relate.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself to relax and enjoy all that God is giving me.

Just for today I will be unafraid, believing that as I trust in God with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, He will lead me along a good path.

Just for today I will seek to serve others with kindness, doing what is right, and walking humbly with God.

That’s the line I’m actually thinking about today. The one that says:  

Just for today I will seek to serve others with kindness, doing what is right, and walking humbly with God.

This is, of course, directly related to that wonderful verse from the Bible that the prophet Micah wrote for us:

The Lord has shown you what is good.  He has told you what he requires of you.  You must act with justice.  You must love to show mercy and you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God. Micah 6:8

Heavenly Father, as we choose life with You we often come to a place of challenge where we want to do what we want to do rather than what You are telling us to do.  We hear the quiet voice in our head saying, “Do the right thing.”  Help us to respond to Your voice rather than ignore it

Heavenly Father, we may not know why it’s important to do certain things, especially when they seem inconvenient, in order to find freedom by serving You well and growing into becoming the person we were created to be. Only You know the proper sequence of lessons and activities that are right for us today that will serve others with kindness as You long for them to be served.  

Help us to surrender convenience in whatever form it challenges us from being who You want us to be.  Help us today to “be humble as we live in the sight of our God.” We are the students.  God, You are the wise and kind teacher. 

So, please, just for today, give us grace to serve others with kindness, doing what is right, and walking humbly with You, our God. Amen

The great thing about this is that, even if it seems challenging, we only have to focus on doing it today.  Just for today let’s do all we can to make it a beautiful day of blessing.