"Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones." "Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness!" "This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life." Therefore, O God, as Your chosen one, holy and dearly loved, I will clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Isa. 49:13 nrsv; Ps. 31:21 nkjv; Ps. 119:50 nrsv not paraphrased; Col. 3:12 paraphrased, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 212)

O Prince of Peace, anxious hearts weigh ___________________ down. Help them to banish anxiety from their hearts and cast off the troubles of their bodies. Remind them to cast all their anxieties on You because You care for them. Deliver them from worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. When anxiety is great within them, may Your consolation bring joy to their souls. May Your grace and peace be with them. (Prov. 12:25a; Eccl. 11:10a; 1 Peter 5:7; Matt. 6:34; Ps. 94:19; Col. 1:2b paraphrased)

You are the Lord. You have called me in righteousness. You have taken me by the hand and kept me; You have given me as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon and from the prison those who sit in darkness. "This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." For "'There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.'" (Isa. 42:6-7 nrsv paraphrased; 1 Tim. 2:3-4 nrsv; Acts 4:12 nlt not paraphrased, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 214)

Ever-giving Lord, I must be an example to others by doing good deeds of every kind. May I learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that I may not be unfruitful. Equip me with everything good for doing Your will, and may You work in me what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Titus 2:7a nlt; Titus 3:14 nkjv; Heb. 13:21, all paraphrased, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 215)

O God, I will be an imitator of You as Your dearly loved child and live a life of love, just as You, Christ, loved me and gave Yourself up for me as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. For if I spend myself on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then my light will rise in the darkness, and my night will become like the noonday. But when I give to the needy, I won't let my left hand know what my right hand is doing, so that my giving may be in secret. Then, Father, You who see what is done in secret will reward me. Now I want to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. If I serve You, Christ, with this attitude, I will please God. (Eph. 5:1-2; Isa. 58:10; Matt. 6:3-4; 2 Cor. 8:7b nlt; Rom. 14:18a nlt, all paraphrased, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 216)

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation." How thankful I am to You, Christ Jesus my Lord, for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve You. I need to persevere so that when I have done Your will, O God, I will receive what You have promised. Therefore, as Your beloved one, I will be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in Your work, Lord, knowing that my labor for You is not in vain. (Isa. 52:7a not paraphrased; 1 Tim. 1:12 nlt; Heb. 10:36; 1 Cor. 15:58 nkjv paraphrased, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 218)

O Lord, "I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." In this I greatly rejoice, though now for a little while I may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that my faithÛof greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when You are revealed, Jesus Christ my Lord. (Phil. 3:13-14 nlt not paraphrased; 1 Peter 1:5-7 paraphrased, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 233)

O Lord, "I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works. I think about what you have done." "O Lord my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them." (Ps. 143:5 nlt; Ps. 40:5 nlt, A Woman's Pilgrimage of Faith, 234)

Yes, all kings shall fall down before You, God; all nations shall serve You. For You shall deliver the needy when they cry--the poor also, and those that have no helper. Lord, You shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy. You shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in Your sight. O Lord, Your name shall endure forever; Your name shall be continued as long as the sun, and the people shall be blessed in You; all nations shall call You blessed. Praised be to You, Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things. And blessed be Your glorious name forever; let the whole earth be filled with Your glory. Amen and Amen! (Ps. 72:11-14, 17-19 kjv paraphrased)

Yes, "let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LordÛrejoice in his presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widowsÛthis is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But for rebels, there is only famine and distress." "The Lord announces victory, and throngs of women shout the happy news." "Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms." (Ps. 68:3-6, 11, 19 nlt)

O God, You preside over heaven's court; You pronounce judgment on the judges: "ÎHow long will you judges hand down unjust decisions? How long will you shower special favors on the wicked? Give fair judgment to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! And because they are in darkness, the whole world is shaken to the core.' I say, ÎYou are gods and children of the Most High. But in death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince, for all must die.' Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you." (Ps. 82:1 nlt paraphrased; Ps. 82:2-8 nlt not paraphrased)

All just God, the mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the hills, righteousness. You shall defend the poor among the people. You shall save the children of the needy and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear You as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. You shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. In Your days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace so long as the moon endures. You shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before You, and Your enemies shall lick the dust. (Ps. 72:3-9 kjv paraphrased)

"Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Who can forget the wonders he performs? How gracious and merciful is our Lord! He gives food to those who trust him; he always remembers his covenant." "All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him. Praise his name forever!" (Ps. 111:1-5, 7-10 nlt not paraphrased)

Lord, I come and sing to You; I sing joyful songs to the rock of my salvation. I come before Your presence with thanksgiving and sing a joyful song to You with psalms. For, Lord, You are a great God and a great King above all gods. In Your hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is Yours also. The sea is Yours, and You made it; and Your hands formed the dry land. Yes, Lord, I come to worship and bow down; I kneel before You, O Lord God, my maker. (Ps. 95:1-6 kjv paraphrased)

O Lord, You reign; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of islands be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about You; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of Your throne. Fire goes before You and burns up Your enemies round about. Your lightning lightens the world; the earth sees and trembles. The hills melt like wax at Your presence, Lord, at Your presence, Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare Your righteousness, and all the people see Your glory. Yes, Lord, You shall reign forever and ever. (Ps. 97:1-6; Ex. 15:18, all kjv paraphrased)

Lord God, set my feet on a rock and give me a firm place to stand on. Help me to show earnestness by trusting in the full assurance of hope until the end, so that I may not be spiritually sluggish, but an imitator of those who through faith and by practice of patient endurance and waiting inherit the promises. For I need endurance, so that I may do Your will and receive what is promised. Deliver me from drawing back and shrinking in fear, for then You will have no delight or pleasure in me. But may I be among the just and righteous servants who live by faith in You. (Ps. 40:2b; Heb. 6:11-12, 10:36, 38b, 38a rsv and amp, all paraphrased, A Woman's Walk with God, 38)

We call on You, Lord. Please answer us. Give ear to ____________________ and hear their prayers. Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. It is good to be near You, Lord, and they have made You their refuge. You are their Shepherd; gather them as lambs in Your arms, carry them close to Your heart, and gently lead them. Your eyes are on them because they fear You; their hope is in Your unfailing love. Keep them as the apple of Your eye; hide them in the shadow of Your wings. (Ps. 17:6-7; 73:28a; Isa. 40:11; Ps. 33:18; 17:8, all paraphrased)

God of grace, I will lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate on Your statutes. O how I love Your Word! It is my meditation all the day. My soul has kept Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I love Your commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold. Consider how I love Your precepts, and preserve me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness. (Ps. 119:48, 97, 167, 127, 159, all kjv paraphrased)

Father God, thank You for Your ancient promises that there would be no more gloom for those in distress. . . . that the people walking in darkness would see a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light would dawn. I praise You for the "shoot" that came up from the stump of Jesse, that from his roots a Branch has borne much fruit. I thank You that the Spirit of the Lord rested on Him--the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord--and He delighted in the fear of the Lord. He did not judge by what He saw with His eyes or decide by what He heard with His ears; but with righteousness He judged the needy, with justice He gave decisions for the poor of the earth. Thank You for the star that came out of Jacob, the scepter that rose out of Israel. Praise God, for that "scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." (Isa. 9:1-2; 11:1-4a; Num. 24:17b paraphrased; Gen. 49:10 not paraphrased)

"'Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! . . . For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful.'" (Luke 1:46-54 nlt not paraphrased)

Lord, You gave a sign: A virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel. For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given. Yes, Jesus, the government is upon Your shoulders, and Your name is called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of Your government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon Your kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. Your zeal, O Lord of hosts, will perform this. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; 2 Cor. 9:15, all kjv paraphrased)

"Praise the glory of the Lord's name. Bring an offering and come into his Temple courtyards." "Tell the nations, 'The Lord is king.' The earth is set, and it cannot be moved. He will judge the people fairly. Let the skies rejoice and the earth be glad; let the sea and everything in it shout. Let the fields and everything in them rejoice. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord, because he is coming. He is coming to judge the world; he will judge the world with fairness and the peoples with truth." (Ps. 96:8, 10-13 ncv)

Holy Spirit, strengthen me to prepare my mind for action, to be self-controlled, to set my hope fully on the grace that will be given to me when You, Jesus Christ, are revealed. Help me to be Your obedient child; deliver me from conforming to the evil desires I have now and to the ones I had when I lived in ignorance. But just as You, who have called me, are holy, so I will be holy in all I do; for it is written: "Be holy, because You, Almighty God, are holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16 paraphrased, A Woman's Walk with God, 80)

O Lord, deliver me from seeking my own good, but let me first seek the good of others. Enable me to devote myself to the service of the saints. Above all, help me to love others deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Teach me how to use the gifts I have received to serve others, faithfully administering Your grace in many different forms. When I speak, may I do so as one speaking the very words of God. When I serve, may I do it with the strength You provide, so that in all things You may be praised through Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 10:24; 16:15b; 1 Peter 4:8, 10-11a, all paraphrased, A Woman's Walk with God, 170)

Jesus, You are the bread of life. My forefathers ate the manna in the desert, and yet they died. You are the bread that came down from heaven, which I may eat and not die. You are the living bread that came down from heaven. I will eat of this bread and will live forever. This bread is Your flesh, which You gave for my life and the life of the world. Jesus, You are the living bread of my life. I come to You, and I will never go hungry. I believe in You, and I will never be thirsty. When Your words come, I will eat them; they are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty. (John 6:48-51, 35; Jer. 15:16, all paraphrased, A Woman's Walk with God, 126)

O Holy Lord, "Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." For love and truth bring forgiveness of sin. By respecting You, Lord, I pray ___________________ will avoid evil. Let love and faithfulness never leave them. Don't ever let them forget kindness and truth. May they wear these virtues like necklaces. Write them on their hearts as if on tablets. For love and faithfulness will keep them safe. For all Your ways, O Lord, are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of Your covenant. (Prov. 14:22 not paraphrased; Prov. 16:6 ncv; Prov. 3:3a; Prov. 3:3 ncv; Prov. 20:28a; Ps. 25:10 paraphrased)