A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 7/1

Lord, sometimes I look back upon the last few days, the week just past, and catch a glimpse or two (or more) of how your grace has brought me to this day, through trials and troubles that seemed, just yesterday, impossible, irreparable, impassable...

But, here I am, Lord, and with your help I made it through the dark of night and to the dawn of this new day. I made it, Lord - but only by your grace...

I so often miss your helping hand, the ways you reach out to encourage and support me: to lift me up when I am down, to lead me on when I hang back, to draw me out of my resentment and self-pity...

I let myself get in the way: I look down instead of up, I look in instead of out, I think the worst and not the best, I give up hope when hope's just what I need the most...

I let myself get in the way and close my eyes and ears, my mind and heart to all the ways you're there, right by my side to guard and guide me...

I get in my own way, Lord, and trip myself on disappointment, fear and worry. I get in my own way and fail to see you're there for me in just the ways I need you. I get in my own way, Lord, and miss the many ways you call for me to wake up, get up, shape up, grow up, step up, face up to the challenges before me...

One day at a time is all you ask of me and every day is just how often you reach out to me to bring me through the troubles and trials that seemed, just yesterday, impossible, irreparable, impassable...

Lord, sometimes I look back upon the last few days, the week just past, and catch a glimpse or two (or more) of how your grace has brought me safe thus far...

Keep me out of my own way, Lord: help me follow on the path where your love heals and lifts me up. Give me glimpses, even now, Lord, of your presence and the grace you always offer me: each day, every day, one day at a time...