God's Minute

December 27

And He said to them all, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?--Luke 9:23-25


O LORD, Thou Whose eye seest everything, even into the secrets of our hearts, and with Whom is all wisdom and power, be not silent to our petition. In our suffering let us observe Thy presence, and, out of pain, teach us submission.

We cannot always understand what Thou art doing with us, but O Thou Watcher of men, make our souls to know that Thou art always just and good, ever long-suffering in Thy mercy. Give us Thy strength to bear the burden.

Teach us that if we would be most serviceable to Thee, we must be marred and hurt and made to bleed. The we shall come forth as gold tried in the furnace, and Thy righteousness shall be our robe, and Thy glory our diadem.

Amen.

Peter Ainslie, D.D.,
Baltimore, Maryland

Today's prayer seems to fit beautifully with a post I read this morning at Rebecca Writes. If this prayer has resonated with you because you are going through a trial of some kind, please do go visit Rebecca and read her thoughts on God's providential preparation for times of trial. I believe you will be comforted and strengthened in your trial and given a heart to praise Him for what He is working out in your life, even now. And though I may never know who has need of it, I have prayed for you this morning.