Abide

Lord, help me to not depart from You or Your ways; to not wander from Your will or the path You lay out for me; to not drift from Your Presence or leave the protective shadow of Your wings. I confess that on my own I grow weak and weary; I fall and struggle to get back up; I am forgetful of Your goodness and go off in my own direction. When I attempt to do things in my own strength and effort, I find that all those endeavors are only in vain. Without Your blessing upon me and Your sovereign Hand to guide me, all my pursuits and energies are fruitless and leave me feeling empty inside. Far too often I have spoken or acted without first inquiring of You, and each of those times I have noticed that my words fall flat, and my deeds are unsatisfying. You alone anoint me and supply all my needs. Help me to constantly abide in You. May I always give pause throughout my day, to seek You first in all things. May I rest in the blessed shelter of Your protection and find inspiration in the truth of Your words. I pray to be filled with Your Holy Spirit and to have Your Holy Word stored up in me. I desire to spend time with You daily; to sit at Your feet, overcome in adoration, to hear what You would say. I ask to be filled in Your Presence to the point of overflowing, so that whatever comes out of my mouth or is done by my hands is inspired by You.

Thank you, Lord for inviting me to abide in You!

John 15:4, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”