Devotional Prayers for July 2025

Praying the Promise:

People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart—Proverbs 21:2 (NLT)

Good hearts. Bad hearts. Wicked hearts. Pure hearts. Crafty hearts. Clean hearts. Diabolical hearts. Compassionate hearts. Generous hearts. Selfish hearts… 

God, there are so many different kinds of hearts. We look at people and we see their outward appearance. We can see how nicely they dress or how nice and bright their smile is. We can see what they appear to be. If we get to know people more intimately, we feel as though we know what kind of heart they have. But sometimes even then, even after long periods of time and lengthy relationships, we are fooled. Sometimes people don’t reveal their true heart. Sometimes people are clever at disguising their true heart until much later. 

Truth is, we can never be one hundred percent sure. We don’t have a foolproof way of diagnosing a person’s true heart. We can’t know but You do. You know every human heart; whether it’s good or evil. You know when we’re just putting on a show for others, pretending to be good-hearted but deep down inside our heart is not good or pure.   

Jesus, the Bible instructs us to “keep our heart with all vigilance, because from it flows the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23). When our heart is full of wickedness, we should ask You to give us a “clean heart instead. We should pray for You to renew our heart and give us an upright spirit (Psalm 51:10). No matter how hard we try to hide our real heart, or how successfully we fool others You can see. There is no secret of the human heart You don’t know (Psalm 44:21). 

The Scriptures teach us Your word is living and active, it’s sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, even of joints and marrow and You can discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). That’s humbling Lord. 

People may not know my heart, but You do God. When You look at me, You look directly at my heart. May You always judge my heart as being kind, and pure, and holy. May my heart please You, and I hope You see nothing but good intentions in it. I pray to always remember I can never fool You and no matter how much I dress up on the outside or how much I attempt to cover up my heart, I don’t fool You for one moment. I’m not perfect Lord, but I pray cleanse my heart O God, make it ever new, cleanse my heart O God may it be like You! Amen    

Praying the Promise:

 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven—Revelation 11:13 (ESV)

Jesus, I pray for those whose lives have been impacted, rearranged, torn apart and devastated by recent natural disasters. I pray for those who lost loved ones resulting from the floods in Texas and Mexico. I am heart-broken and saddened by their losses and so tragically. 

I pray for those who are still trying to locate family members and have no way of knowing where they are. Not having an actual body to confirm life or death can make going forward and grieving complicated. I pray they are surrounded by a caring community and have the resources needed to put life back together and regain a sense of stability, difficult as it may be.

Christ, You are the living Word. Thank You for the words of assurance You provide for us. They give us hope in trials and tribulations. They help us know there can be life after loss and dark times won’t last always. They help us know and be hopeful that even after massive loss and devastation we will be able to experience healing and restoration. 

Thank You for the many promises that help me know when my life falls apart, however it falls apart, You will bring balance, stability, and restoration.   

The Bible opens with an encouraging message. Even after sin and disobedience there is forgiveness, mercy, and restoration and it ends with the same message. In between, we learn of lives and read stories how people loved and lost, lived and endured hard times, went astray and were brought back to You. When our lives are torn apart—whether by natural disasters or otherwise—may we always remember to turn to You and not away. May we always remember You are a God who puts lives back together and there is nothing too hard for You to do. No problem we face is too complex for You to shape a solution, no life so torn apart You cannot put it back together and no heart so broken You cannot heal. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen         

Praying the Promise:

  With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him—Psalm 142:1-2 

David had a problem. He had already been anointed as king and chosen by You, Lord, but he still had to run for his life. For seven to ten years David was running from the former king Saul who wanted to kill him. During that time David hid in caves and anywhere he could hide. 

There was a human solution for David’s problem. He could kill Saul and get rid of his problem. But David didn’t want to handle his problem in that way. He turned to You for help, he turned to You for a solution to his problem. Eventually You worked it out, God. In the end, Saul died not because of David but due to his continual disobedience toward You.

Problems will arise in our life, Lord. It’s not unusual for us to have problems within the course of our day. Many times, our problems are miniscule; it doesn’t take rocket-science to see the solution and address our problems. But there are times problems arise that are over-the-top or extremely challenging for us. Many times, a problem will present itself like a large, uprooted tree blocking our path in the street, or something that blocks our way and keeps us from moving forward. 

When we have these types of problems we could search for a human solution, or we can do like David, turn to You and pour out our complaint (problem) before You. 

Telling our trouble to You God, opens us up for a God-solution. As Jesus said, “In this life we will have troubles, but we can be assured He has already overcome this world that’s riddled with problems from beginning to end (John 16:33).

Instead of becoming frustrated or determining to solve my problems through desperation Lord, I pray to always do like David: use my voice to cry out to You, to plead for your mercy, to pour out my complaints before You throne and tell my troubles to You. There is no problem I am facing that You don’t have a solution for. Today I present my problem of…...to You. I’ve wrestled with it and tossed it around in my mind day and night and I still don’t have an answer or see a solution. I believe that the more I focus on my problem the bigger it appears in my mind and the more unlikely a solution for my problem feels in my heart and spirit. 

Thank You for having my answer. Thank You in advance for supplying my need and showing me how to work out my problem. As I wait on Your guidance and answer, I’ll keep David’s prayer in front of me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen    

Praying the Promise:

 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”—2 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

Jesus, the Scriptures teach us that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son—that’s You!—that whoever would believe in You would not perish but live eternally and that you came into the world, not to judge or condemn the world but to save the world through You” (John 3:16-17)

This is something we have difficulty believing and comprehending. Perhaps because of our sinful nature and we know the sins that we do even when no one else is aware of or looking. This is another reason why we have difficulty believing in the promise we read in 2 Corinthians. 

Thank You for not coming to condemn or judge us but to bless and save us. Thanks to our great, merciful, and gracious, God for always planning to do good toward us even though we are not deserving. 

As much as I think I know the plans God has for me and my life more times than not, I am thoroughly surprised by the things He does and arranges. Just when I have given up on anything good coming about through the messes I create or the evilness I encounter on my journey, God shapes a new future for me. Just when I think I have been so broken I am beyond healing, our great and miracle-working God not only brings healing, but in ways I could not have imagined. Just when I am completely hopeless and discouraged at how things are going, our loving God opens things up, turns things around, provides answers and solutions no human could accomplish and I can see how, all along, He was working on something great on my behalf and for my good. 

Thank You for preserving my life, Lord. Thank You for the things You have planned for me that I cannot stand here today and know completely. Thank You for Your promise to never leave me nor forsake me nor do anything harmful to me. I love You, Lord, and I thank You for Your goodness, for the vision You have for my life, and for not letting anything interfere with Your plans for me. Amen    

Praying the Promise:

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace—Numbers 6:24-26 (NASB)

These are more than words recorded in a book, Lord. More than words put down on paper or written glibly without much forethought. They have been carefully weighed and sifted. They are spoken over a people You know perfectly, thoroughly inside and out.

For the sinner they are like a warm spiritual blanket wrapped around us on a frigid winter night, or a cool breeze on a sun-scorched summer afternoon. They refresh our soul and reassure us we are loved and covered even though we do not deserve to be loved, nor accepted or protected.

Thank You for benedictions that bless us and give us strength of heart. Thank You for benedictions that soothe our troubled brow and calm our racing thoughts. Thank You for benedictions that ease our fears when we are haunted by our past transgressions and uncertainties about how much You love us surface. 

Thank You for blessings of ages past that are still efficacious to this day and will continue to be long after we’re at home in heaven with You. Thank You for benedictions that join us together under one umbrella of faith

Thank You, Lord, for benedictions that no matter what language they are spoken they mean the same thing: we are loved, accepted, protected, cared for and covered by our great God who created the heavens and the earth and ll that makes up the universe.      

A Benediction:

May God walk down the road with you today…

May He shower your path with His many blessings…

May He keep you from danger and protect you from harm…

May His light keep you from the darkness surrounding you…

May He give you grace and peace and strength for the day…

May He give you someone to bless, as He has blessed you…

May He be there, waiting for you at the end of the day, with a good word to calm your spirit as you rest in His arms…

May the God of heaven and earth sing over you in your sleep and touch your hurting, wounded places so you can be ready to face the days ahead.       

Praying the Promise:

I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life—Deuteronomy 30:19 (GNT)

Lord, every day we are called upon to make choices. Sometimes we don’t make the best choices, but usually we try to make the best choices and decisions we can based upon the information and resources we have at hand. Thank You for refreshing us in the importance of making choices and decisions that lead to life. 

Lord, today I choose life—I choose to live and work and have my being in You. Instead of looking at all that I don’t have, I choose to look at all that You have blessed me with—I have family, friends, shelter, work to accomplish, reasonable health, clothes on my back, and food to eat. When I start to single out how I’m blessed by You, the list is endless. Even when I can count the number of good friends and supportive family on one hand, even when my shelter is not as elaborate as some, my food is simple, and my clothes don’t have designer labels I’m still filled with gratitude and thankful.    

I thank You, Lord, for being in my life, not just today, but every day. There is not one moment of my journey You have not been with me, leading and guiding me, picking me up when I fall down, and touching me to strengthen me when I am weak. When I cling to You and not wander off in my own direction, I can sense Your protection and care.

Thank you for pointing out the importance of making choices that lead to life,  and blessings not curses. You instructed the Israelites, through Moses, to choose life by following Your commandments which lead to blessings and a fulfilling life. Today, choosing life shapes our future and the future of generations to come. Amen      

Praying the Promise:

    you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest—Psalm 42:1-2 

God, how many times we have felt this way! How many of us can identify with David’s feelings and understand exactly what he’s expressing here. We can know what it’s like to feel alone on this journey. We are all-to-familiar with times of wondering where You are. Countless times calling out to You but hearing nothing; just like David looking for You but being met by emptiness; waiting in silence to feel Your warm loving embrace but in the end feeling even more alone and shivering. 

You, more than anyone, recognize that suffering, darkness, trials, sickness, and grief throw our senses off and cause us to question what is real and what is not. Suffering interferes with our spiritual antenna and instead of hearing Your voice we only get static and white noise. That’s not because You are aloof or silent. Not because You have changed Your position or withdrawn from us. It’s us, Lord; the devil playing tricks with our mind, heart, and faith.    

Remove the block, Lord. Open my ears that I can hear Your voice as You speak to me through the internal noise going on in my head and darkness all around. Take the blinders off and open my eyes that I may see You in other people and in the wonders of nature, in works created by artists and the good books of writers who inspire through their words. Help me also to wait for You in the silence and darkness for I truly believe You are there as well.

Lord, I pray, open my heart that I may feel Your presence in the warmth of these summer days, in the rising or setting sun, in the smile or embrace of other, caring humans, in that person who is in need or in someone reaching in to help me or as I reach out to help them. 

I pray, Jesus, touch me with Your love, and put an end to my aching misery. Don’t let me become disconnected even in my disappointment but keep me fresh and able to be loving and lovely as I go through this journey, difficult and challenging as it may be at times. Amen         

Praying the Promise:

  Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! –Isaiah 50:11

God, firework displays can be beautiful. We get a lot of enjoyment out of them. They are loud. They sparkle and explode into amazing shapes that hold our attention and awe us. 

Fireworks are beautiful in the sky, far above our heads, but when our homes and environments are full of fireworks it’s no fun. It’s not entertaining, nor do they evoke good feelings. We might be amazed at how ordinary people who have a propensity to cause chaos and set things ablaze, always manage to set off a storm or cause fireworks that disrupt wellbeing, cause unrest, and leave destruction in their wake.  

You have called us to live in peace, Lord. You sent Your son, Jesus, that we might be liberated and able to live in peace without all the drama and chaos some love to create. Grant us Your peace Lord. In every corner of this world where there is turmoil, grant us peace. In every home where fireworks are disrupting and tearing people’s lives, heart, and souls apart, grant us peace, Lord.        

Praying the Promise:

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them—Matthew 18:20

Lord this is a comforting promise to return to, especially when our numbers are small and we are feeling outnumbered. 

It’s good to be reminded that it only takes two or three; it doesn’t take a large number, or masses of people gathered in prayer for something to happen. When we have Jesus, we have more than enough to get things done in our Lord’s name.

Jesus, it’s so amazing that when we come together with other believers, flawed and fragile as we are—even when there are no more than two—You show up! It does not matter whether we are gathered in our places of worship, carpooling, lunching with a friend, or in our homes making important decisions or seeking guidance; two or three gathered in agreement and praying or planning in one accord and in Your name—You are in our midst. 

Thank You for reminding us that we don’t have to wait for large gatherings. We don’t have to wait until dozens of people sign up for prayer time. We don’t have to wait for a quorum or ten or more, but we can gather two or three and call down heaven on earthly situations. Two or three and we can move mountains through prayer. Two or three and we can see doors opened and walls fall. Two or three and we can stop wars and see the hard-hearted, hardnosed reduced to tears and humility. Two or three and we can keep the enemy from having victory in our life and the lives of others. 

We praise your mighty name, O Lord. We love Your Word O Lord. We trust Your timing O Lord. We believe Your promise O Lord to be with us even when we are small in number because that does not mean ineffective in prayer or limited in being blessed. Amen    

Praying the Promise:

Then Moes took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these instructions—Exodus 24:8 (NLT)

Gracious God, to some this would be an offensive and offputting action. No one wants the sticky, smelling blood of animals thrown all over them. Sticky, smelly blood from smelly animals splattered all over their freshly laundered clothes and clean bodies. Yet, what an honor to receive this blood! What a blessing to be in that crowd and have that blood splattered over you! What an honor to be included with those gathered as the LORD confirmed His covenant by the splattering of blood! What a blessing to believe Your promise that we are a covenant people to this day!   

Grant us faith to believe Your precious promises recorded from Genesis to Revelation. Grant us minds to understand the depth of each one, and willing spirits to embrace all they mean for our life. Lord, it is only the stubborn will and hardened heart that cannot accept Your Word for what it is: comforting, truthful and powerful to transform human life!

Search me O God and know me. See if there is any resistance to Your Word in me and lead me in the way of everlasting. See if there is anything even in my subconscious that is riddled with doubt and rejects Your Word or rejects the blood of Jesus that ran down from the cross to cover my sins, cleanses me and makes me whole.   

The blood that seals the promises is not the blood of goats and bulls, but the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary for my sin and that is worth rejoicing over. Thank you for including me in the splattering of blood and in the blood that flowed from the cross. 

Thank you for defending me, washing me, saving me, strengthening me, rejoicing over me, finding worth and value in me. Thank You for the power of the blood that covers me. In Jesus’ name. Amen       

Praying the Promise:

 As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God—Psalm 42:1-2 (TLB)

Lord, July is a perfect month to pray this verse that opens Psalm 42. As the heat radiates around us and clings to our skin it’s hard to find a place to be cool, it’s hard to quench our thirst. Like the deer, the only way to do so is by drinking cool water. 

As I read this verse, I can picture a deer panting for streams of water. I can see it crossing fields, leaping through meadows and climbing hills to get to the place they know by heart where the water runs freely. I can see them standing there, head bent low, drinking their fill and walking away completely filled and satisfied.

What a beautiful metaphor, Lord: graceful deer, panting for streams of cool, refreshing water. How blessed I am that I don’t have to leap through meadows or climb hills or cross fields to get to You so my thirst for You is satisfied. All I need to do is speak one word, open my Bible, stretch out my hand, say the name of Jesus, call on the name of the God who is always with me and I am right there at Your throne, touching the hem of Your garment. It is as though I am standing underneath a free-flowing stream of water with my mouth wide open or kneeling beside a cool stream of water, drinking until I can’t hold anymore. 

Thank You, Lord, for refreshing my soul. Even before a word is on my tongue You begin pouring into me. Thank You for covering every one of my spiritual needs. Thank You for filling me and refueling me. Thank You for lifting me up when I feel down and encouraging me when my courage has run out. Thank you for reviving me when I am depleted and weary. Thank You for touching me in places no human could reach and reminding me I can always return, and I don’t need to wait until I am completely drained, empty or dying of thirst. I can remember where You are and trust You are always there for me, ready to pour into me. Amen       

What special days or appointments do you have coming up this month? If you're still working you might be looking forward to taking a well-deserved vacation, or, if you're retired you might be thinking about taking a trip to visit with family or friends. For some, July will be busy with appointments. busy or not, just like the previous months of this year, July is a perfect time to pray, to spend time reconnecting with God. If you haven't tried it before, July is a great month to spend time with God out of doors, spending time by the water or taking a hike up to the mountains. Jesus spent a lot of time communing with the Father outside. The Scriptures reveal Jesus often went to the mountains to pray, away from the hustle and bustle of city-life. Find your favorite spot, pack up a cooler with nice refreshing drinks and snacks and spend some time with the Lord. He'll refresh your soul!