God's Minute

January 20

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.--Ephesians 5:2

WE thank Thee, O God our Heavenly Father, for all of life's blessings. All we have comes from Thee, and all we do is by the strength Thou dost give us. Help us to love Thee with all our heart, and serve Thee with all our strength.

We bring our family to Thee, with all its members, in whatever place or condistion they may be, for Thy gracious care. If some are sick, or troubled, or tempted, be to them a great physician, a comforting friend, a might Saviour.

Bless our daily occupations, and, if it please Thee, make our way prosperous. If adversity be better for us, make us patient and faithful in trial. Help us in all our perplexities to know Thy will, and make us ever ready to do what Thou desirest. Make us a blessing in our church, and make our church a blessing to others. May Thy Word be a light unto our path, and a lamp to guide all who are in any darkness. Bless the work of this day, fit us for its duties and responsibilities, overrule all our mistakes, and pardon all our sins. We come to Thee as children to a dear Father, asking these and other things we need, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

S.S. Waltz, D.D.,
Louisville, Kentucky

God's Minute

January 19

And which of you with taking thought can add to His stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?--Luke 12:25-28

O GOD, Who knowest our necessities before we ask, and the manifold temptations we meet with day by day, help us to put our whole trust in Thee when despair and misgivings assail us. Suffer us not, we beseech Thee, to become the prey of useless forebodings, nor to lose the things which belong to our peace, through the habit of morbid and sinful worry. So guide us, in all our way, that we may keep our faces always toward the light, that our shadows may lie behind us. Of Thy great mercy enable us to perceive our blessings, that we may always serve Thee with a glad heart and quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Bishop Charles E. Woodcock, D.D., LL.D.,
Louisville, Kentucky

God's Minute

January 18

Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice.--Psalm 5:11

OUR Heavenly Father, we bow in Thy presence in child-like confidence, knowing that Thou art able and willing to hear our supplication, and graciously answer our prayer for Thy guidance during this day, which will be day of opportunity, of blessing, of responsibility, and of testing. Grant us as a family Thy benediction and the special direction of the Holy Spirit, so that in all our ways we may acknowledge Thee, and all our undertakings and in the performance of our tasks we may please Thee, and worthily represent Thee. Bless us individually and collectively, and make us a blessing to all over whom we shall have the opportunity of wielding an influence today. May the meditation of our hearts and the utterances of our lips be acceptable in Thy sight, and may the gracious promise be fulfilled on our behalf: "As thy day, so shall thy strength be." Since each day hath its own particular temptations and trials, may we be able this day to cope with all our adversaries and successfully conquer them, leaving our impress for good on all with whom we may come in contact. May we realize this day, as never before, the truthfulness of the promise: "The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." In Jesus' name we ask it.

Amen.

Rev. W.H. Bucks,
Cleveland, Ohio

God's Minute

January 17

Offer unto God thanksgiving.--Psalm 50:14

WE implore Thy blessing, our Father. Deliver us this morning from all our doubts and all that repels, and draw us near to Thee by all thse encouragements which comfort the soul and which strengthen our faith, our hope, and our fidelity to Thee. We confess our sinfulness and we beseech of Thee, day by day, to forgive our sins, and everything in us which offends. Give us not only clearer light, but grace to walk in that light. We pray that Thou wilt make our strenth great when our burdens are heavy; that each of us may have a consciousness that God thinks of him, and overrules all things for his good. May the sweetness of Thy presence and the light and the joy which spring from Thy heart, be the portion of each of us. May we be more and more devoted in prayer; more and more earnest for the salvation of men; more and more vigilant in looking after those who are around us; more and more desirous of helping one another, bearing one another's burdens, and succoring those who need help. Wilt Thou comfort such as in bereavement mourn the loss of those who were dear to them. We again pray for the forgiveness of all our sins, and the consciousness of Thy continued favor and presence.

And to the Father, Son, and the Spirit shall be praises evermore.

Amen.

Rev. J.W. Somerville,
Witchita, Kansas

God's Minute

January 16

The Lord shall guide thee continually.--Isaiah 58:11

O GOD, we pray for the grace which we need for the labors and duties of the day. Our hearts are open; our spirits wait upon Thee. The sensitive conscience which leads to right decisions is Thy gift. The loyalty and fidelity which we desire in living as worthy children of our Heavenly Father, Thou alone canst make possible. The patience we so much need to endure the buffetings of life is born of the Divine patience, and must come from Thee. The forbearance which we must have in dealing with others, we derive fromThee. The tenderness and love which lead us to seek out the needy and minister to them, Thou canst supply out of Thine unwasting fulness. We confess our sins, and ask that Thou wilt forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us. Enlarge our hearts that we may have a great vision of personal holiness, of civic righteousness, of business integrity, of social service, and of missionary conquest. Give us as the ruling passion of our lives, the desire to bring in Thy Kingdom. To this end make us liberal with our gifts, responsive to the call to cervice. Above all, give us constant fellowship with Thyself, through Thy Holy Spirit. May the truth as it is in Jesus make us free and joyous as Thy children. May our daily lives be filled with thanksgiving to Thee, for Thy manifold mercies, and chiefly for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

President Edgar Y. Mullins, D.D., LL.D.,
Louisville, Kentucky

God's Minute

January 15

Remember the Sabbath Day.--Exodus 20:8 

A Prayer for Sunday Morning

WE give Thee thanks, O Lord our God, for the rest we have enjoyed during the night, and for the light of another day. We give Thee thanks for Thy guidance during the week past, for labor and its rewards; for friendship and its enjoyments; and home, with its comfort and love. We are glad for the coming of another day of rest. May this Sabbath remind us of Him Who on the first day of the week rose from the dead. May we not forget that this is His day--and ours to use for Him. We ask for pardon of all past offenses, and for deliverance from all habits of thought, speech, and conduct which dishonor Thee. Deliver us from impatience and anger. May we be tender-hearted, pitiful and courteous. We thank Thee for the Church, and pray Thee to make it a blessing to us, and make us a blessing to it. Bless all ministers and teachers of Thy Word. When the record of this Sabbath ends, may we have nothing to regret--no wasted opportunity, no misspent hours. And may we carry with us into the work of the week which is to come, an abundance of courage and self-control. Preserve our lives from harm and our hearts from evil. May the Master be our daily comrade and our constant guide. For His Name's sake.

Amen.

Charles Carroll Albertson, D.D.,
Brooklyn, New York

God's Minute

January 14

For Thy Name's sake, lead me, and guide me.--Psalm 31:3

LORD, hear our prayer in the morning. We need Thee all the day, through all the days. We have our call to prayer at any hour, but particularly when the night is spent, and Thou hast kindled the dawn as if Thou hadst made the day for us and only for us. Then we have a strange need that Thou shouldst take our hand in Thine and our heart in Thine and our brain in Thine, and that our feet walk the road where Thy footprints should show the way though Thou shouldst need to leave us for a moment. We pray our morning prayer; we lift our singing hearts to Thee and praise Thee that all the ways we take we shall surely have the good companionship which on a day long since made hearts to burn, and turned a funeral day into one of laughter and great dreams. Blessed be the Lord, Who has guided our going all these years, and Who will continue to be our help and our rejoicing. We will make melody all day; we will walk modestly all day; we will work helpfully all day; we will do things which shall not need to be undone all day; and since these matters are too large for our accomplishment, we ask Thy mighty aid. Fail us not, our God. Smile on our many activities and bid them Godspeed to the end, that at the set of sun all may be well with our hearts, and we may be bidden by Thyself into a kindly good night.

Amen.

Bishop William A. Quayle,
St. Paul, Minnesota

His poems

God's Minute

January 13

Let not your heart be troubled.--John 14:1

ETERNAL GOD our Heavenly Father, we bow in gratitude before Thee this morning. We have been kept by Thy power during the darkness of the night. We are refreshed and strengthened for the duties of the new day. Thou hast made every provision for our physical needs. Accept this offering of sincere hearts. We would begin the day aright, so we tarry at Thy feet and implore the Divine blessing. We thank Thee for the message of Jesus Christ. Write His Word upon our hearts and help us to remember that Thou art the source of help for men in the critical experiences of life. We cannot see into the future so we know not what things shall come to pass this day. The spirit of future discernment is not with us. Things of great mystery may surge around us. We may be thrust into some dire temptation. We may be testd almost to the limit of endurance. Help us at all times to "believe in God" and to "believe in Jesus Christ." May the near personality of Jesus and the preciousness of His Word protect our hearts from trouble. Keep us this day from evil and help us to "hold steady" for the sake of One whose face "was set" toward Calvary. Bring us in Thine own good time to the place where the "mansions are" and give us the consciousness of a saving and keeping faith. In the Master's name we ask it.

Amen.

Rev. Benjamin Young,
Kansas City, Missouri

God's Minute

January 12

The faithful God, which keepeth covenant.--Deuteronomy 7:9

OUR Heavenly Father, we come to thank Thee for Thy many mercies, and to invoke Thy protection and guidance for all the way of life. We rejoice that we may know Thee and love Thee and serve Thee and be like Thee. Grant us grace to please Thee in all that we think and plan and do. Help us to live in such fellowship with Thee that Thou canst not only dwell in us, but work through us. Help us to share our blessings with others, and to find in our privileges an obligaion to minister to those who need what we have. Bestow upon us strength for our daily tasks; courage in the face of fears; comfort in sorrow; quiet in the midst of tumult; hope in the presence of uncertainty; high motives for humble as well as high deeds; self-control in the hour of provocation; gentleness and forgiveness when tempted to revenge; and the peace which passeth all understanding. Hold in Thy holy care all our loved ones, and keep guard over our interests in life. Give us to see the speedy coming of Thy Kingdom among all men, and let us have an increasing share in its establishment. Fill our hearts with songs of expectation, and flood our faces with morning light, and when the day is done, let the weariness of work make welcome the rest of home, we beg in our Redeemer's name.

Amen.

James I. Vance, D.D.,
Nashville, Tennessee

God's Minute

January 11

And as thy days, so shall thy strength be.--Deuteronomy 33:25

O LORD, our ever loving Father, we thank Thee for Thy watchful providence in the past and for the promise of Thy guidance in the days to come. As dew unto the withered flower and rain unto the parched grass, so is the knowledge of Thy presence and the assurance of Thy blessing to the weary human heart. Help us to begin the morning hours with the knowledge and this assurance so that we may be strong and courageous for whatever conflicts of the spirit it may be ours to wage today. May Thy kingdom come more perfectly in our own hearts and throughout the world this day. As we grow in years, may we grow in the beauty of holiness and may the approving smile of God atone for the passing of years. In the days of prosperity may we not forget Thee, and in the days of affliction we know that Thou wilt not forget us. Grant us grace to live the life of the righteous that we may be well assured our last end shall be like His. And when Thou dost call us home; be it in the morning, in the noon-day, or beneath the rays of the setting sun of old age, may Thy hand sustain us and comfort us and lead us through the valley of the shadow until we awaken in the splendor of Thine own everlasting morning beyond the grave. And Thine shall be the praise and the glory through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Rev. Fredrick D. Kershner,
Des Moines, Iowa

God's Minute

January 10

I will bless the Lord at all times.--Psalm 34:1

O Lord and Father of us all, we come with glad hearts to this hour of prayer. When we recall the infinity and eternity of Thy power and wisdom and goodness, we bow in reverence to Thee. Love invites imitation, and we choose Thee as our example. May Thy Spirit change us into likeness to Thyself. Love craves the privilege of service, and loving Thee we ask, "Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?" Help us a parents to wisely order our household. May we train our children for useful lives here, and to be fitted for their true home beyond this life. As a family we are very near each other. Help us so to live that proximity may not evoke confusion and strife. May we be "kindly affectioned one to another." Grant us, O Lord, that winning gentleness which is the sweet offering of truthfulness and love.

We pray, our Father, for all who are in trouble; for the sick, the poor, the afflicted, for any good cause. Bless the lonely--those who suffer, weep, and struggle alone. Grant that they may find companionship and comfort in Thee. Since every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, we thank Thee sincerely and heartily for the good things we enjoy. May this prayer, O Lord! find acceptance with Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

Charles Randall Barnes, D.D.,
Hoboken, New Jersey

God's Minute

January 9

Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name.--Psalm 105:1

DEAR Heavenly Father, as we gather at Thy feet today as a family, we ask Thy blessing on our home and Thy guidance to each one during the day. Help us to realize Thy nearness to us at this hour. May we realize Thy reality at this hour and be consious of the fact that Thou art not a God afar off--the Great King of Heaven, the Mighty Judge of all the earth enthroned in infinite space above us, but that we can claim Thee as our Saviour and our Friend.

Help us throughout this day to realize that Thou canst be nearer to each one of us than the nearest and dearest of friends.

Let us hear Thy voice today. Let us feel the inspiration of Thy presence, and with willing feet enable us to walk in the path on which Thy light and blessing can fall.

Give us this day some work to do for others, some kindly word to speak, some helpful unselfish deed to fulfil in Thy Name. Be with us each and every hour of this day, and may we so live that Thy will may be done and Thy Kingdom come within our hearts.

Amen.

Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth,
New York City, New York

From the hyperlinked article:

Maud Ballington Booth, Salvation Army leader, pioneer slum worker in New York, "Little Mother of the Prisons," co-founder and leader with her husband of the Volunteers of America, author, popular preacher and much-sought-after Chautauqua and Lyceum lecturer, was born and grew to adulthood in England. . .

God's Minute

January 8

I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.--Psalm 18:1

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, creator and preserver of all things, we humbly bow down before Thee in worship and supplication. We come without a single plea of merit, except that we have been redeemed through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Thine only begotton Son, Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for the blessings that Thou hast bestowed on us so generously in the past, and we ask wisdom and guidance from Thee in order that each one of us may become a blessing to all with whom we come in contact. We pray for the forgiveness of our sins. We ask Thee to walk with us today; be Thou our friend, our counselor, our guide, our brother, the sure staff on which we may lean. May love for Thee and for our fellowmen always fill our hearts, and shine out of our lives so that all men may see that we have been walking with God.

Thou has never promised to supply all our wants--many of them are not for our good, but Thou hast promised to fill all needs, and we ask Thee for the gift of contentedness, of being satisfied with what Thou doth send. These, and all other things which will satisfy our souls and increase our capacity for service in the kingdom, we ask for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

William Anthony Granville, LL.D.,
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

God's Minute

January 7

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.--1 John 3:1

IN THEE, O God, we live, and move, and have our being. If Thou wert to withdraw Thy hand for a moment we should sink into nothingness, as when a drop of dew exhales into the air.

We thank Thee for all that makes life worth living; for home and kinship, and loving friends, for happiness, the hope and the opportunity of doing good. We thank Thee for life and immortality brought to light in the Gospel, and for a strong staff to lean on as we journey toward the immortal life.

Pardon our sins, for Jesus' sake, that we may not be dragging a hopeless chain after us. Sanctify us by Thy Spirit, that we may run in the way of Thy commandments; and enlarge our hearts that we may constantly be doing good as we have opportunity unto all men. Look graciously on the sick and suffering; and incline the hearts of those who know Thee not to come running unto Thee.

Hear and answer, Father of all mercies; not for any worth or worthiness in us, but because we ask it in the all-prevailing name of Christ, our Saviour and Thy beloved Son.

Amen.

David J.A.L. Burrell, D.D.,
New York City, New York

God's Minute

January 6

I thank Thee and praise Thee, O God.--Daniel 2:23

Our Father in Heaven, we approach Thee in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour, that we may render praise and thanksgiving to Thee; and that we may seek the forgiveness of our sins, the continued manifestation of Thy favor, and guidance of the Hoy Spirit in the choices of our lives, and in the rendering of service to Thee. We realize, our Father, the shortness of our vision, the imperfection of our judgment, and the weakness of our effort, but Thou hast said, "Commit thy way unto Jehovah, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass." It is sweet to rest upon this promise, and to feel that thus we can walk hand in hand with Thee, and that our ways shall be Thy way.

In order that we may be true to our high calling, give us the sympathetic heart, the kindly look, the golden speech, the helping hand. Make us a channel of blessing to those about us, that we may be the true children of Abraham, who was blessed that he might bless. And now, dear Lord, give us the strength for that which is immediately before us according to the promise, "As thy day is, so shalt thy strength be," and Thy name shall have the glory, through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

J.A. Duff, D.D.,
Aspinwall, Pennsylvania

God's Minute

January 5

O Lord, my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever.--Ps. 30:12

OUR Eternal FAther, we thank Thee that Thou hast brought us into the close and loving relationship of children, by the death of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour, through Whom we are adopted into Thy divine family and become Thy children.

We thank Thee that Thou Who was the Creator of all men hast brought unto Thine own family those who accept the love and sacrifice of Thy dear Son. We thank Thee that Thou dost share with us not only our sorrows, but our joys; that Thou art delighted when life delights us, and when virtue and faithfulness lead us to higher levels of thought and purpose.

We thank Thee for Thy Holy Word, and pray that our faithfulness in studying it may result in spiritual growth and development. May we "hunger and thirst after righteousness" and after the food of Thy Word. May we never dare to enter upon the duties of a single day without the nourishment and support of the Word of God!

Bless, we pray Thee, all who are dear to us, and give to us all an interpretation of friendship which centers in our divine Friend and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We ask it in His Holy Name.

Amen.

John Timothy Stone, D.D.,
Chicago, Illinois

God's Minute

January 4

Keep yourselves in the love of God.--Jude 21

O THOU Eternal Love, Whom Jesus has taught us to call our Father, and in Whom we are learning to trust as our Brother, our Comrade, our Closest Friend, we are not seeking Thee, for we know that Thou art nearer to us every moment than we are to ourselves; we are only wishing and hoping that often, through this day, the thought of Thy nearness to us, of Thy presence with us, may spring into our consciousness, that we may see what Thou art showing us, and know what Thou art telling us, and be ready to take what Thou art giving us, and to do what Thou art bidding us. Help us to feel more than once today that the good thoughts and the good wishes which we find in our hearts are signs of Thy presence there; and may we learn to look for Thee thus, within our own lives, and to rejoice when we find Thee there, and so to become aware, more and more, of what we mean when we speak of the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit! We know that Thou art working in us to will and to do of Thy good pleasure; and we know that Thou findest Thy good pleasure in lives made fruitful and beautiful in Thy service. So help us to work with Thee, this day and every day, though Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Washington Gladden, D.D., LL.D.,
Columbus, Ohio

God's Minute

January 3

Make His praise glorious.--Psalm 66:2

O GOD, our gracious Father, we look to Thee now for Thy benediction. We are Thy suppliant children, who subsist under the cover of Thy patience. We praise Thee for all Thine extraordinary mercies. Thou hast made us like Thyself in the desire and in the capacity for fellowship. May fellowship with Thee be the basis and supreme blessing of our fellowship with each other. May flowers of devotion breathe their fragrance every day upon the family altar. Teach us how to be abased and how to abound. Keep our feet from unbidden paths, and our eyes from tears; or if the tears must come, let the Comforter come as well, that He may wipe them all away. Temper to us the long night watches of pain and sorrow. If weeping endure for a night, bring joy in the morning; and when the long afternoon shadows deepen toward the eventide of this earth's life, bring us very gently to the turn of the road from whence we may catch the vision of the home eternal. May this our present habitation be a promise and a foretaste of the house which has foundation whose builder and maker is God. Help us in our social joys and pleasures to remember Thee. Grant us all to face all life's tasks bravely, and perform then earnestly. And bring us in the end with joyful hearts and glad faces to abide wtih Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Charles F. Wishart, D. D.,
Chicago, Illinois

January Status Report

Sitting…on a hard wooden chair in my studio, poking around on Facebook.

Drinking…nothing, but a cup of green tea would be nice right about now.

Listening…Man of Constant Sorrows by the Soggy Bottom boys (found it posted on FBook)

Thinking…that I should get up and get those sample envelopes done and ready to mail.

Anticipating…jury duty which starts tomorrow. 

Also anticipating…starting my first calligraphy job of 2012. 

Reading…The Innocence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough, Acts by James Montgomery Boice, and Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof.

Considering…what to take along with me to the courthouse tomorrow to keep me occupied during breaks—book(s), iPod Touch so I can play Nertz, client guest lists to go over, tea bags and a mug?

Avoiding…doing those sample envelopes.

Needing and wanting…a new table runner to cover up the mark that was made by hot from the microwave Easy Mac on my dining room table.

Getting up…because I need to get the sample envelopes done and mailed.

(Snagged from Rebecca at Rebecca Writes)

God's Minute

January 2

His love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

HEAVENLY Father, write Thy new, best name of Love upon our hearts this morning. Help us to remember Jesus Christ. During the busy hours bring Him often to our thought. When the mind is free from some set task may it revert to Him, as the needle turns to the pole. Keep us from wounding Him in thought or word. Make our communion with Him sweet. Give us of His strength, of His wisdom, of His winsomeness. Forgive the sins which have brought a reproach upon Thy church. Forgive us if we have made it difficult to distinguish between the church and the world.

Save us from the sin of despair. Light the lamp of hope in every heart. Fill us with the spirit of expectancy. Teach us that ruined lives may be rebuilt, and that in Christ is sufficiency for all our needs. We are thankful that Christ is the way to our Father's house, that there is forgiveness for all, the bread of life for all, and a welcome. Cleanse us from the defilement of the way; blot out the memories of the far country; clothe us with the garment of righteousness, and give us the joy of knowing that Thou dost own us as Thy sons and daughters.

Amen.

Frederick T. Keeney, D.D.,
Syracuse, New York