Welcome, July!

Father God, thank You that every day is Independence Day in Christ. Thank You Father, for the gift of freedom and liberty from bondage to sin. Lord God, many countries celebrate Independence Day in July, may our celebrations and thanksgiving lead us to worship and praise You. Lord God, for our brothers and sisters who are suffering persecution across this globe, we ask You to be with them and strengthen them.

Lord, may we not take our freedom for granted. Lord, for those of us who are in countries where we can worship You openly and publicly, may we do so authentically and sincerely. Lord God, prepare us for this new month. Prepare our characters to do the work that You are calling us to do. Thank You Lord, that each new day is an opportunity to love and serve You, if we are open and willing to do so. Lord, thank You SO much for convicting me of my wrong attitudes toward people and unpleasant situations.

Thank You that You are God in the Valley and on the Mountaintop! May we shout Your Name and praises from wherever it is that You have us. Lord God, for the reader who is struggling, fill them with the peace of Your presence. For the reader who is on the mountaintop, may they savor the moment knowing that it is You who brought them to the top and not themselves!

Lord God, thank You that You are Just! Lord, may we seek justice for all people. Your Word reveals that You have compassion on the oppressed and You also call the oppressor, may we join You in doing the same, even when it is hard and makes no sense.

Thank You Father, there is no such thing as luck or chance; You see and know it all! Lord God, thank You that no matter how dark or cruel life becomes, Your light shines in the darkness. Lord, may we be a people who do not just talk about meeting needs, but actually do it. Lord God, for anyone who is in the process of moving, please Lord God, keep them focused on You in their time of transition!

Lord God, for those who are married, may they lay their pride and desires at the foot of the cross, allowing You to transform them into the spouse their husband or wife needs. Lord God, for those who are single, give them strength and courage. Help them to know they are NOT alone and there is nothing wrong with them. Help all people Lord, whether single or married, to live in the freedom that Jesus has purchased for them.

Father God, I pray for safe handling of fireworks for those who will set them off this Independence Day. Lord God, thank You again for this reader. Thank You for the opportunity to pray with them and for them. Lord God, may we never lose sight of who You are and may we trust in You and not political parties.  Triune God, lead us into a deeper understanding of what it means that You are One God, Three Persons. Amen.