Our God and Savior, many are weak in faith, having been drawn away by discouragement from divisions, by hurts in relationships, by problems with finances, health, or personal struggles. You are the Great Shepherd, who has meticulously counted each sheep and knows when a single one goes astray.

We pray that the weak may be strengthened, that the doubting may acquire certainty, that the ensnared by sin may break free from their bonds. May the discouraged find perserverance, the hurt discover the balm of Gilead, the bogged down in problems enter the peace that passes understanding.

We know, Father, that these need our presence, our prayers, our encouragement. Put us in the street, on the doorsteps, in the living rooms of those who need us. Because Jesus came to our rescue. Amen.

Eternal Father, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. But with us, ah!, age seems to creep in as the cold seeps into our homes and bones from a wintery front. Just yesterday, it seems, we were young and strong and healthy. Now we go slower, walk more unsurely, battle sicknesses and ills.

You have declared old age to be a blessing for the saints. Experience, wisdom, joy in children and grandchildren, satisfaction at good works, plans for new avenues of service -- a new season of life for people who have much to contribute to the Kingdom.

May we look forward to growing old in Christ and feel more sharply the desire for our Lord to return for us. Amen.

Lord of brilliant light and purest holiness, the world is a tepid place. Each one follows his own ideas of right and wrong, until none can say for sure what is moral and ethical, and what is not. In schools, churches, government halls, and homes, confusion reigns.

Let me hear your clear call to righteousness, obedience, and complete dedication to your will. Make me firm to resist the pull of the flesh, the desires of the intellect, the creativity of the unstable heart. Make me stand upon your truth, upon your revelation, upon the knowledge of eternal themes. Amen.

Lord who sees the hand and the heart, your motives are always right and your reasons need no scrutiny. May I do my deeds of righteousness to be seen of you, and no one else. I seek to do your will, O God, so that I may hear your approval on the final day.

May we be encouraged by human compliments when our work is praiseworthy, but let us not act in order to receive them. Make our motives pure and give our hearts the single purpose to please you. For our desire is to be your exclusive servants, rather than slaves to the opinions of men. Because Jesus showed the way. Amen.

[pertinent passages: Matt. 6:1-18; John 5:44; Rom. 2:29; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:6]

Father, you went from heaven as far as this earth to bring back your human creation to your fold. Your love knows no bounds, your mercy sets no limits.

People we know have fallen away from the body of Christ. May your love overwhelm us in our search to bring them back, even if we must face the ridicule and criticism that our Lord heard on the way to the Cross. Let not his sacrifice be in vain, for those who have fallen, nor for us who, like the Great Shepherd, go after them to bring them home. Amen.