Lord, you say “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” Forgive me for my pride, wearing the clothing of anxiety, in which I actually forget you and try to do life on my own! If I kept you as Lord of my thoughts, there would be no fear of the future, but as it is, I am trying to be my own master. Give me greater faith that your care for me is real and available! Lord, you say to be watchful because the devil is prowling and looking for someone to devour. Give me discernment to see what’s behind my circumstances – Satan’s end goal isn’t to make my life hard or sad; his end goal is to make me sin because of those situations! Lord, you tell me to resist him, and you promise that what I’m suffering has been faced by many saints around the world – brothers and sisters who may be praying for me and would cheer me on. Please bring that to mind when I feel so alone. Let me see my place in your story, which is so much bigger than my limited experience. Thank you for the promise that after I suffer a little while, you will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me. I don’t deserve this assurance; you are truly the God of all grace! Guide my eyes past these sufferings to remember that you have called me to your eternal glory in Christ. Yours is the dominion forever and ever – both throughout this world, so soon to be freed from its bondage to decay, and throughout my life, as one of the firstfruits of your New Creation.
Amen!