Dear Lord,

When we are faced with difficulties we often focus on the problem instead of your strength through them.

You tell us to be strong in You and in Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)

And you also tell us to Put on the full armor of God, so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. (Eph 6:11) The armor is for our protection…

so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Eph 6:13-18)

We know Satan’s schemes (2 Cor 2:11), because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44),

He’s a thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy; Yet you have come that we may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10).

You are a creator and creative. We have only to look at the different types of animals to see that – platypus, butterfly, cats, giraffes, elephants, fish, birds and the list goes on…

Yet Satan can only destroy what You make. He cannot create anything new

• He cannot create the strength to sustain us – He can only steal it away.
• He cannot tell the truth – He can only twist it with lies.
• He cannot create beauty – He can only destroy it.

When we pray and spend time with you we have the opportunity to tap into Your strength, Your creativity and your beauty. To see the world through Your eyes, with your strength, Your power and your beauty even when we see the destruction around us – the devastation and the ugliness of it all.

You provide us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. We will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)

Let’s share the blessings we see around us today.

[List your thanks and blessings.]

Maybe it’s time to make a change and trust in You.

Let’s surrender the circumstances and burdens we carry for ourselves, and others, into your care.

[List your concerns/worries for yourself or others.]

Lord, We trust you. You love to hear those three beautiful words, I trust you. Sometimes we need repetition to make it stick in our minds, but those three words – I trust you – bring peace and strength during difficult times.

I trust You, Lord.

Amen.