LORD, help me to live in YOUR joy and peace. Give me strength and understanding to resist anxiety, anger, unrest, envy, depression, bitterness, hopelessness, fear, and guilt. Rescue me when "my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is depressed". I refused to let my life be brought down by negative emotions such as these. I know YOU have a better quality of life for me than that. When I am tempted to give in to tem, show me YOUR truth.
YOU have said in YOUR WORD that by our patience we can possess our souls (Luke 21:19). Give me patience so that i can do that. Help ME to keep my "heart with all diligence" for i know that "out of it spring the issues of life". Help me to not be insecure and self-focused so that I miss opportunities to focus on YOU and extend YOUR love. May I be sensitive to the needs, trials, and weaknesses of others and not oversensitive to myself. What you accomplished on the cross is my source of greatest joy. Help me to concentrate on that.
"The enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all YOUR works; I muse the works of YOUR hands. I spread out my hands to YOU; my soul longs for YOU like a thirsty land.
Thank You, LORD, that in my distress I can call on YOU. And when I cry out to YOU, LORD, YOU hear my voice and answer. May the JOY of knowing YOU fill my heart with happiness and peace..
