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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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Forgive as He forgives! Forgiven as I forgive!

In the Word

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ (Ephesians 4:32 LB).

Of the Word

Complete forgiveness is shown to us when God says He will remember our sin no more. It’s not that He’s forgotten our sins, but rather that He chooses not to remember them.

How does your forgiveness compare to God’s forgiveness of you? When someone has wronged you, have you followed Jesus’ example of forgiving and then choosing not to remember it again? It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it is God’s will that we forgive each other as He has forgiven us. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us (Luke 11:4).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, when I need to forgive others help me remember that You have forgiven me and have chosen not to keep remembering my sins. Help me in turn to follow Your example as I forgive others in Your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 7/31 ©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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Let all that is in me adore Him!

In the Word

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise (Psalm 48:1a).

Of the Word

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

How easily the words flow from our mouths; how easily we sing the beautiful harmonies of the majestic Old Hundredth; and how easily we take for granted God’s daily care and blessings. God deserves and desires our praise. Selfish attitudes disappear when we selflessly praise Him. I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he (Deuteronomy 32:3–4).

God smiles when we praise His name! Because of Jesus‘ atoning sacrifice for our sins, Old Testament animal sacrifices are no longer offered. Instead we offer God the “sacrifice of praise.” Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, we praise Your holy name! Help us continually praise You as we live our lives for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 5/31 ©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.
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music by Louis Bourgeois. Public domain.

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