Bible Promises for Encouragement

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. 

Exodus 3:12 (NLT)

God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

I Kings 8:57

The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us.  

Joshua 1:5 (ESV)

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

I Samuel 12:22

For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.

I Chronicles 28:20

Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 

Psalm 27:9-10 (MSG)

You’ve always been right there for me;
 don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
 you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
 but God took me in.

Psalm 94:14-15 (MSG)

God will never walk away from his people,
 never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way
 and every good heart put right.

Lamentation 3:31 (NLT)

For no one is abandoned
 by the Lord forever.

John 14:18

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

2 Corinthians 4:9 (NLT)

We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

A Prayer of Assurance

God, you have promised to never leave nor forsake the world you created, and you have promised never to leave nor forsake me. Your word declares that heaven and earth will fall away before one word you have spoken will not accomplish the purposes for which you sent it. May I have peace morning, noon, and night, peace in my spirit, peace when things aren’t going well, peace of mind and heart because I know you will never abandon me in this world or the next. Amen     

 Revelation 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Revelation 2:26

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

Revelation 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

Revelation 3:21

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 6:2

And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 12:11

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord Jesus, our Savior, Master and the One who conquered over all things. Thank You for these promises You shared with our brother John to share with us. Based upon your promises there is so much to look forward to when we conquer not only evil but faithlessness and doubt. Because You have put your righteousness on us, we can live as holy people, overcomers, dearly loved and part of the priesthood of all believers. Amen  

 Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Ezekiel 34:16

I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy.

Psalm 119:176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. 

Matthew 18:12-13; Luke 15:4-6

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

Jeremiah 50:6

My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away from the mountains from mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.

Luke 15:24, 32

For this my son was dead, and is alive again, he was lost, and is found…It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.    

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

John 18:9

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 

Jude 22

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire.

A Prayer for the Lost and Straying

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that though we give up and though we no longer strive or seek the lost, though we have lost sight of our mission to seek and save the lost, You never stop looking and seeking. You are not at peace to let us go off. You seek us. Until our last breath has been breathed You seek, You knock, You pound on the door of our heart if necessary, to get us back. Thank You for Your faithfulness and genuine love and concern. May we always be in prayer, always seeking and always wanting salvation for everyone. Amen     

Psalm 25:9

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Psalm 149:4

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people, he adorns the humble with salvation. 

Proverbs 3:34

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Proverbs 15:33

The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:2

Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Isaiah 58:3

Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves and you take no knowledge of it?

Isaiah 58:5

Is such the fast that I chose a day for a person to humble himself? 

Isaiah 66:2

All these things my hand has made, and so all these things come to be, declared the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Daniel 4:37

Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.  

Zephaniah 3:12

But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge I the name of the LORD.

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter or Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LIRD require of you but to do justice, and to have kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?   

Matthew 18:4

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

(Added)

Matthew 23:12

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 1:48

For he has looked upon the humble estate of his servant.

Luke 1:52

He has brought down he mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.

Luke 14:11

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:5-8

Have this in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born I the likeness of men, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 

James 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10 

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

I Peter 5:5-6

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.     

A Prayer for Humility

Lord Jesus, even though You were equal in power You humbled yourself and became a servant to the Father and did not consider yourself His equal. Obediently and lovingly, You came to earth as a humble baby and grew up humbly. We are not ashamed of Your humility and pray to be humble also. We have no right to be haughty or prideful. We are sinful and in need of grace, but humility will bless our life; it is a product of the humble Holy Spirit and glorifies the Father. Amen   

 Psalm 51:1

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 37:21

The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.

Psalm 69:13

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

Psalm 78:25

Man ate the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. 

Psalm 105:40

They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.

Psalm 147:5

Great is the LORD and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.  

Psalm 112:5

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

Isaiah 33:6

And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him return to the LORD that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Lamentations 3:22

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.

Matthew 12:34

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 13:12

For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Matthew 12:44

For they all contributed out of their abundance but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Luke 6:45

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces food, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Luke 12:15

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Acts 2:46

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

Acts 10:1-2

At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

Romans 5:17

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
 

2 Corinthians 1:5

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 2:4

For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

A Prayerful Reminder…

Heavenly Father you do not scrimp. Whatever you bless your children with you give abundantly, you pour out without measure. When we receive from your hand it is like standing under a waterfall not under a sprinkler! Be gracious to us O Lord, for we are poor and needy. We need your Fatherly love, grace, and generosity. We ask you to extend toward us today and supply our every need. Amen         

Numbers 32:23

But if you will not do so, behold you have sinned against the LORD and be sure your sin will find you out.

Psalm 69:5

O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Psalm 44:20-21

If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would God not discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Psalm 90:8

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sin in the light of your presence. 

Psalm 139:1-13

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted wit hall my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell I the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “surely the darkness shall cover me and the light about me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you, the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me I the way everlasting!

Proverbs 5:21

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.

Proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Jeremiah 16:17

For my eyes are on all their ways they are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.

Luke 8:17

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

Hebrews 4:13

And no creature is hidden from his sight but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

A Prayerful Reminder

Lord, we forget all too often, way too much, that we have no secrets from you. Not because we openly and willingly confess all our wrongdoings to you, but because there is nothing hidden from you. You have created everything, including the human heart so even our unspoken thoughts and hidden motives are exposed before you. Lord, how humbling—and frightening—this is! Even our best deeds and loveliest motives will be judged! Lord, may we never forget you see all things. May we humbly come before your throne, not leaving anything out and ask for mercy and forgiveness. May we every day of our lives remember it is our great God who has made us and sees us through and through! O Lord, forgive! O Lord heal! O Lord, have mercy upon us! Amen   

 Psalm 4:1

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice and my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 25:17

The troubles of my heart are enlarged; brin me out of my distresses.

Psalm 25:20

Oh, guard my soul and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Isaiah 26:16

O LORD, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.

Jonah 2:2

I called out to the LORD out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.  

Romans 8:35

Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 

A Prayer When You’re in Distress

O Lord, our Lord, our God our help, our strong deliverer from any and all distress. Thank you for hearing my cries for help; for knowing when life has become more than I can bear (alone) and for not judging me! Thank you for promised deliverance and relief. I trust in you O God; my soul and my thoughts take their rest, and I will be at peace in my spirit as I wait for you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen  

 Psalm 25:12-13

Who is he man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct I the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.

Psalm 91:1-2

He who dwells I the shelter of the Most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust”

Psalm 125:1

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, but abides forever.

John 8:31

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 15:4-8

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides I the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

I Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I Peter 1:22-25

Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”  

I John 2:17

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

I John 3:6

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

I John 3:9

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.

I John 2:24-25

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

I John 4:12-13

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.   

I John 4:16-17

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Prayer for Abiding

Heavenly Father, no one has seen you but we have seen you if we abide in your love and your love abides in us. This is the most concrete others will see you and we will see and know you. Amen  

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
 do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease
   to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the god of peace will be with you.

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hebrews 13:5

For he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man to do me?”

Dear Father, by the end of the day my head can be filled with so many thoughts; some are comforting and encouraging, but many are centered on the things in my life and circumstances that are unanswered and still unknown. It feels so natural to let my mind go where it will, but following my thoughts down their own path and letting them take control is like chasing a rabbit down its hole; you never get to the end! I pray for peace in my mind, I pray to put a stop to my racing thoughts, I pray to let Your peace enter and take control. Let me rest, Lord. Let me put my complete trust and faith in You. Search me O Lord and see what is in me that troubles me any time of day and especially in the quiet hours of the night when I should be resting. Let me lay every thought and every concern at Your feet and close my eyes in peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen   

 Numbers 23:19

God is not man that he should lie, or a son of man that he should change his mind. Has he said and will he not do it? Or has he spoken and will he not fulfill it?

Malachi 3:6

For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Isaiah 43:18-19

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

Psalm 55:19

God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, because they do not change and do not fear God.

Matthew 18:3-4

Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 27:3

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” 

Revelation 21:1

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more.

Hebrews 7:21

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” 

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

I Corinthians 15:51, 52

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in

a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will 

sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For 

this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must 

put on immortality.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. 

Romans 6:4

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Ephesians 4:22-24

As the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of god in true righteousness and holiness. 

Acts 1:7

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

Good and Gracious God, whether change has come into our life due to human will and arranging or because You have ordained or allowed it, change is inevitable. I pray, help me to not only accept change but embrace it because all change brings the possibility for growth and newness therefore I will not fear nor become anxious or worried when change begins to come into my life, however it comes. Thank you for being the Changeless One that brings balance and gives me an anchor to hold in a changing world. Amen    

 Genesis 1:30 

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

Exodus 34:6 

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.

1 Chronicles 16:34 

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 25:7

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

Psalm 31:19

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind.

Psalm 33:5 

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 34:8 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 119:68 

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Nahum 1:7 

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

Zechariah 9:17

For how great is his goodness, ands how great his beauty!

Titus 3:4

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.  

Loving, kind, and gracious God,  all our life we are visited and pursued by Your goodness! From birth—and even in the womb—until the day we die—and even beyond that; into all eternity, we will be able to testify our God is great, our God is good and there is not one greater and no good greater than His. Amen  

 Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34:4-8

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. There fore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 91:4-5

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

Psalm 107:28-30

They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Psalm 112:6-8

The righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

Isaiah 41:8-10

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your god. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 6:26-27

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  

Matthew 6:33-34

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord God, I sometimes allow fear to consume me; to dictate my thoughts and fill my heart. Meditating on Your promises reminds me that I am not only not alone on my journey but the God I believe in, serve, love, and who loves me is with me every moment and will not let me fall. I trust in You and my heart is comforted and strengthened. Amen  

 Lamentations 3:21, 24-26 (ESV)

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Isaiah 40:30-331 (NIV)

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

I Timothy 4:10 (ESV)

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Acts 2:26-27 (KJV)

Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Romans 15:13 (NKJV)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abut in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 24:14 (ESV)

Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

I Peter 1:21 (NIV)

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

I Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 33:18-19 (ESV)

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 

Psalm 33:20-21 (ESV)

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. 

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Psalm 71:5,14 (NKJV)

For you are my hope, O LORD God; you are my trust from my youth…But I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more.

Psalm 119:81, 114 (ESV)

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.  

Jeremiah 17:7-8

But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. 

I Thessalonians 5:8

But let us who live I the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

A prayer of Hope

Sometimes, O Lord, we feel as though we have nothing left to hope for. When we feel like that it is no one except the devil at work to destroy our faith and hope in You. When we feel hopeless, we are being deceived led astray into darkness. The hope you give is more than a cheery and optimistic outlook on life but it is confidence founded on Your faithfulness and will increase over time as long as we stay in the covenant relationship You established when the waters of Holy Baptism were poured over us. My hope cannot be found I the world, in my own flesh or abilities and not in the baseless promises of the devil, my hope is in You and to You I look and wait and watch with hope. Amen.      

  Exodus 13:21-23

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Exodus 15:13

You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 

Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make my way straight before me.

Psalm 31:3

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.

Psalm 67: 1-2

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, (Selah) that your way, may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.

Psalm 67:4

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. 

Psalm 73:24

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Psalm 73:52, 53

Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid.  

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your ways, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.  

Isaiah 58:11

And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 

Luke 1:78-79

Whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in  darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

John 16:13

When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb in the midst of the Throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water.

A Prayer for Guidance

In this time of life, O Lord, we need Your guidance more than ever before. We seek Your guidance for the little things that come up during our day, for making decisions that may not be very consequential, but we also seek your guidance for the bigger things in life that will impact us down the road or going forward: should we take this new job? Should we sell our home or stay put? Should we get married to this or that person; begin a family? God, you have the answer to everything we need to know and understand. Thank You for not withholding wisdom and faithfully guiding us through this life and world. Guiding us back home to You. Amen      

Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Psalm 73:26 (NLT)

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG)

You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor.
Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it.
But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

Jeremiah 24:7 (NLT)

I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.

Ezekiel 36:25-28 (NIV)

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

A Prayer for a Transformed Heart

Thank You, God, that by the power of Your Holy Spirit we can pray for and receive that much need transformed heart. Without You the human heart is set in its ways, steeped in darkness, filled with evil and the place where sin makes its home. We are blessed through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us as a refiner heats his fire to purify metal, so the dross falls away the Holy Spirit makes our heart clean and undefiled. We pray, transform our wicked heart, O Lord to reflect Your good and holy heart. Today, I pray especially that my heart will be transformed from having… Amen. 

  2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NCV)

But God’s mercy is great, and he loved us very much. 5 Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God’s grace.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

I John 3:2-3 (NIRV)

Dear friends, now we are children of God. He still hasn’t let us know what we will be. But we know that when Christ appears, we will be like him. That’s because we will see him as he really is. 3 Christ is pure. All who hope to be like him make themselves pure.

  A Prayer for Newness in Christ

Above all, Lord I desire to please You. I do not want to disappoint You or live in such a way I endanger my eternal inheritance. I pray to be made new in You! As the Scriptures say, the old has gone, now I pray, let the new come. I want my life to mirror You. I am grateful for the new life I have in You and ask You to fill me with Your Spirit daily so that I may be an effective witness of Your love and goodness. Amen