Lord, we praise you this day in all of your glory and thank you for all the expressions of your love—from the beauty of creation to a baby’s tender smile, from the warmth of a hug to the long-sought answer to a prayer, for the delight of sight and wonder of inspiration. Thank you that your wisdom is available to us in the Spirit, by whom you comfort and guide us in ever unfolding truth.
Thank you for the light of your Word that leads us into the good you have for us. Yet, we so often spurn the good you would have us to do, in favor of that which strokes our egos, inflames passions and builds up one at the expense of another. Forgive us for the ways in which we miss the mark of your will for us, when we ignore the promptings to build another up at our own expense.
As we turn our thoughts toward your Word this day, may we listen with the ears of our inmost being, and seek to fulfill and share the life with Christ to which He calls us. Fill us with joy and peace in believing and enable us to discern marvelous truths from your Word.
We love the encouraging declaration in John 9 that our afflictions and sufferings are not always the result of our sin or anyone else’s, but opportunities for us to grow in faith and glorify God in our lives. Let us have faith that the blind man’s transformation can be ours. We can be healed of our darkness and blindness toward God and enabled to see with fresh understanding. Jesus still brings light out of darkness.
For all those in our world suffering this day, while many conclude there is no God, may your servants reveal your being and your love through caring action. For the sick and bereaved, we ask for encouragement through faith and healing by your grace. For our military men and women, we ask for your protection. Restore those who call upon you; comfort and encourage those who mourn and lift the fallen.
And may we be ever thankful for all your blessings, the best being that you are near. In Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
