“Be strong and courageous.” Lend me Your strength when I am weak. Let me draw on Your power to accomplish all that You direct me to do.
Father, how do I appropriate Your strength and Your courage for myself?
These are some things that have helped me:
1 – Read Your Word
Even sitting at my computer, I have made a little flip book of 4×6 cards, each with an encouraging scripture. And I carry one in my bag wherever I go. It lightens my load to flip through them occasionally or just have one open for me to see. I have typed in my name so they’re like personal messages from You to me.
“Do not fear Laura, for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
2 – Be obedient to Your Word
For instance – Today’s Proverb says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth.” So I need to speak honestly and tell the truth. To be obedient to Your commands.
If You call me to a place of danger, if I am there by Your invitation, it is the safest place on earth I can be. There is protection in simply being where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing.
3 – Remembering Your faithfulness in the past
Father, so many times You have protected me and helped me through hardships. Recalling those times from the past helps me trust You more now, and be strong in the face of trouble.
I only journal sporadically, but once made a time line of how You had impacted my life at crucial points.
With my aging memory, it helps to see those times written down. They confirm Your faithfulness to me.
4 – Watch for courage in others
You have put people in my life who are living examples of how to get through difficulties.
I can watch and learn what encourages and strengthens them. Some are in the midst of troubles right now. Some have already come through a hard time.
5 – Trust that You are WITH me!
You promise Your presence: “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So when I am feeling weak I will remember that You are with me, and all the times You protected me and brought me through hardship in the past. I will look to Your Word and do what it says, and to the people around me who are examples of courage and strength.
Thank You for Your abundant and everlasting provision! I will draw on that. Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 
I LOVED today’s message and the ideas. I especially liked the one about putting your name into the Scripture you’re reading to personalize it. Makes sense! After all the Bible is God’s love letter TO US!
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