Category Archives: Friday’s Focus

Praise for Answered Prayer

08 Friday Jan 2016

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I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers (Psalm 28:6, CEV).

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September Iris, photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is praise.

If I did a quick one-question survey of Christians, here is the question I would ask:

Why do you praise God?

Here is the answer I would expect most often:

Because He answers my prayers.

Yes, we praise God because He hears and answers prayers. He has been doing it for thousands of years and He will continue to do it for eternity.

God’s faithfulness to answer our prayers calls us to praise Him.

Response: LORD God, I praise you because over and over again you have answered my prayers. You see me and listen to me. What a privilege it is to be your child. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God revealed Himself to you through answered prayer?

Hallowed be thy Name

01 Friday Jan 2016

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Honor the wonderful name of the LORD, and worship the LORD most holy and glorious (Psalm 29:2, CEV).

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Lethbridge Rail Bridge, Lethbridge, AB –photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is worship.

Today’s verse from the psalms calls on us to honor the wonderful name of the LORD. What a fitting way to begin 2016. Jesus taught us to pray in the same way. In the Lord’s Prayer, our first petition or request of our heavenly Father is that His name be hallowed. There is no greater name than the name of the LORD.

May we honor and worship our holy and glorious LORD throughout 2016. 

Response: LORD God, I worship your name. You are worthy of all praise because you created all things. I bow before you. Cleanse my heart, my lips and my very life. Amen.

Your Turn: How will you hallow and honor the LORD in the year ahead?

“The Lord is wonderful!”

25 Friday Dec 2015

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Our Lord, let your worshipers rejoice and be glad. They love you for saving them, so let them always say, “The Lord is wonderful!” (Psalm 40:16, CEV).

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Christmas-Greeting-Card-Nativity-Scene-by-Dona-Gelsinger

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is love. Love was born on Christmas Day.

Today we gather around you, Lord Jesus. We come to worship you even as the shepherds came. We rejoice and praise God as they did. We love you because you came to save us.

Today we join with the psalmist to say,  “The Lord is wonderful!”

Response: LORD God, thank you for the love and joy of Christmas. As we gather with family help us to sense you right there with us.  Thank you for the gift of salvation. Amen.

Your Turn: How will you worship the heaven-sent King today?

My Heart Leaps for Joy!

18 Friday Dec 2015

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The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:7 NIV).

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Percé Rock. Percé, QC – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is joy.

In Psalm 28 we read that David’s heart leaped for joy and he sang out his praise to God. But in this Advent season we read of someone else who had a similar experience.

Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist reports having this experience when she was greeted by the mother of our Lord, “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:44-45 NIV).

Jesus our redeemer is coming into the world. Leap for joy!

Response: LORD God, thank you for sending Jesus – a real flesh and blood baby into the world. You fulfilled all your promises and have come to dwell among us. Oh, what joy! Amen.

Your Turn: Is Jesus dwelling in your heart through the Holy Spirit?

Where do I put my hope?

11 Friday Dec 2015

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Even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said (Psalm 119:147 CEV)

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Grey Nuns Park, Ottawa, ON — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is hope.

Where do you put your hope? The psalmist put his hope in what God had said. Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His voice in prayer, in nature or through His written word? Have confidence in God’s word. Those who put their hope in His word will overcome.

Response: LORD God give me ears to hear what you say. Help me to pray with expectation. You are my hope and my help. Amen.

Your Turn: How has God spoken to you?

Trust God’s Love

04 Friday Dec 2015

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I will tell them, “God’s love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens” (Psalm 89:2 CEV)

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Central Park, New York, NY — Photo by David Kitz

Reflection

In keeping with the Advent season, this week’s I Love the Psalms theme is faithfulness.

American currency bears the motto “In God we trust.” It’s a noble thought, but all too often we put our trust in money and the security it can bring. But real security, eternal security is found in God alone. His love and faithfulness can always be trusted.

Response: LORD God, love is everlasting. I bask in your faithful care. Amen.

Your Turn: In what are you placing your trust?