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For others, O my God, I pray!

In the Word

But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44 KJV).

Of the Word

Praying for others is easy, especially if you love them and know they love you. But Jesus takes us in a different direction when He urges us to pray. He tells us to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and if that isn’t enough, pray for those who use or persecute us. It’s hard to pray for those we don’t know, but praying for those who hate and despise us seems impossible.

When we follow God’s lead and pray for others, including our enemies, God helps us overcome those feelings of hatred and distrust and brings about a new heart within us. Even Jesus, as He was suffering the worst persecution known to man — crucifixion — prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a NIV). There is no greater example of selfless prayer.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, teach me to pray for those in need, for those who are angry towards me, for all who need to know You as their Lord and Savior. Help me put aside my own shortcomings and feelings of inadequacy so I can point others to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 9/31 ©2005, revised 2024. Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Trust

In the Word

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7 NIV).

Of the Word

“Grab my hand, Dad! I don’t want to fall!” Every parent has heard these words at one time or another. A good parent will make a mighty effort to keep a child safe, and a child trusts a parent to do just that.

God has heard this same cry from us. We try on our own to keep from falling into sin, but we fail. When we do fall, we can trust God’s promise of grace and forgiveness as our Father reaches down, forgives us, and keeps us from falling deeper into sin.

Children trust their parents to meet their daily needs of food, clothing, and shelter. They also trust parents to keep them from falling into harmful lifestyles and bad behaviors. Loving parents, with God’s help, strive to guide their children in the way of the Lord.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Take a walk with your child. Hold hands. Tell about Jesus and what trusting in His forgiveness means to both of you.

Walking with my Lord

Trustworthy Savior, help me to trust You for every need at all times. Lead me to set an example of godly trust for my family. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 18/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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God & I — just the two of us!

In the Word

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:6 NIV).

Of the Word

Where do you pray? When do you pray? Do you have a specific scheduled prayer time with God? Jesus gave the best examples for teaching us how and where to pray. He went to the mountain and prayed all night before He choose “the 12 disciples.” (Luke 6:12) At the Mount of Olives He separated Himself from the others, knelt down and prayed. (Luke 22:41) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35 NIV).

When Jesus lived on earth, He set prayer as a priority in His life. We can learn from His example. Some people set their alarm clock 10 minutes earlier than necessary and use those extra minutes as a personal prayer time with God; others set a specific time and enjoy the comfort of a favorite chair with their Bible and devotional books. Ask your family to honor your prayer time and request no interruptions. What a wonderful example for your children, to see their parents spending time in prayer to the Lord.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help me to put You first in my daily schedule and make my prayer time a priority. I know when my prayer life priorities are straight, the rest of my life falls into balance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 15/31 ©2005, revised 2024. Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) Copyright© 2002 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Jesus — the key to open the treasures of heaven

In the Word

You can ask him for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you (John 14:13 LB).

Of the Word

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (John 16:23–24). To ask in Jesus’ name means we are to make requests in keeping with the person of Jesus Christ and with His will. As Christians we know, first of all, that our prayers are to honor God. Secondly, we come to God as humble servants, and thirdly, we pray that His will is done.

But when we pray, do we state our terms, list our merits and tell God what we want? Or do we come to Him humbly, asking for forgiveness and guidance? 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, I have made mistakes and I am truly sorry. I know that Jesus is my Savior and today I come to You asking for strength and guidance to help understand Your will and the role it plays in my life. Please continue to be with me as I grow in faith daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 12/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked LB are taken from The Living Bible, Copyright © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187. All rights reserved.

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Past Praise

In the Word

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints (Psalm 52:9).

Of the Word

When God’s Old Testament people fretted about their future, the psalmist invited them to look back. When we, God’s New Testament people, worry about our future, the psalmist’s example teaches us to look back and see what God has done for us. As a nation, as a family, as an ethnic group, as individuals, we review the times God has provided for us, despite our sins and errors. Looking back, we see ourselves rescued from distress and protected from danger because of God’s power at work on our behalf. We remember answered prayers and abundant blessings received on account of God’s goodness and mercy.

So what does that tell us about the future? God the Father will remain our Provider, Protector, and Preserver. God the Son will still be our Savior and Friend. God the Holy Spirit will continue His work of strengthening our faith until the time we enter His heavenly kingdom.

What the future will bring we don’t know. But we know for sure our God will be there.

Walking with my Lord

You’ve walked with me this far, so what have I to fear?
Tomorrow You will tell me, “Here I am — right here!”
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 30/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Prayerful Praise

In the Word

[Jesus said,] “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13).

Of the Word

God-pleasing prayer is a matter of the heart.

First, a pure heart. The psalmist prayed, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Sincere confession shows we know who we are in relation to God — sinners standing before the throne of holiness.

Second, an undivided heart, one firmly grounded in faith. The person who doubts the effectiveness of prayer should not think he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7b).

Third, a fervent and genuine heart. Not with empty chatter or thoughtless repetition do we speak to our heavenly Father, but in heartfelt prayer, we call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18b).

And fourth, a heart after God’s own heart, that is, according to His will and purpose. Jesus taught His disciples to say, “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10b). And He set an example in the Garden of Gethsemane when in His agony He said, “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42b).

Praise God with a heart — a heart of prayer!

Walking with my Lord

O Lord, how graciously You show You care
Inviting me to come to You in prayer.
In Your Holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 28/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Wonder-full Praise

In the Word

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:14 NIV).

Of the Word

The old saying goes “seeing is believing,” yet the psalmist saw nothing. Believing God had quit working in his life, he cried, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” His prayers for deliverance weren’t being answered in any tangible way. The psalmist noted the contempt of those who couldn’t see God at work in his life, either: “Where is your God?” they sneered. Faith, however, doesn’t quit. While the psalmist had no visible evidence of God’s work in his life at that moment, the Holy Spirit was clearly at work in his soul, for the psalmist reminded himself: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:9b, 10b, 11b NIV).

“Seeing is believing.” Praise Him for the wonderful works you have seen in your life and in the lives of other believers. “Believing is seeing.” Praise Him, too, for His wonderful work of faith in your heart. Put your hope in Him and praise Him, your Savior and your God.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, let Your wonderful works be my hope and delight
Whether seen in the day or relied on by night.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 24/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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