Prayer of the Day

Lord, there is something in front of me that I am afraid of, and I cannot walk around it. The only way is through. So before I take the first step, I take this one: I pray.

You told Joshua to be strong and of good courage — not because the giants weren't real, but because You were going with him. Go with me now, Father.

Give me strength for what this will cost, and courage for the moment my nerve wants to fail. Steady my voice if I have to speak. Steady my hands if I have to act. Steady my heart either way.

I don't ask to feel fearless. I ask to be faithful while afraid — to do the right thing scared, if that's what it takes.

And when it is over, whatever the outcome, let me look back and see that You were there the whole time, just as You promised.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Father, the house is quieting down, and I bring You my family before I sleep.

Thank You for every person under this roof tonight, and for the ones we love sleeping under other roofs — across town, across the world. One family, kept in one set of hands: Yours.

Forgive us for the ways we were impatient with each other today. We are hardest, somehow, on the people we love most. Let no sharp word from today follow any of us into tomorrow.

Watch over each one as they sleep. Give the tired ones deep rest. Give the worried ones peace. Give the little ones good dreams.

Thank You that home isn't the walls — it's the people, and it's You in the middle of us. Keep us close to each other, and closer to You.

Goodnight, Father. We're all in Your keeping now.

In Jesus' name, Amen.