“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27,28).

Spirit of God, open our hearts. We want to hear your voice today. Sometimes we close our minds to what you say in the Bible because it’s not convenient to hear. Obeying you might disrupt some things on our schedules. In the name of Jesus who was obedient to death on a cross, forgive us for ignoring your will. Help us remember you love us. Help us appreciate all the good that comes from righteous living. Help us want those blessings for ourselves and our families. Amen.

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:11,12).

Lord, we let you down. We do things we shouldn’t and don’t do what we should. And we make lots of excuses. We are sorry. Keep us humble but remove our shame. In the name of Jesus, restore us in your mercy. Embrace us in your grace: not just once, not just twice, but every time we bow our heads and fold our hands to confess our sins. Make us bold to resist temptation. Help us show the world your forgiveness isn’t wasted on us. We want to live for you. Amen.