by Rob Weddle

Lord, thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed upon me. Thank You for my house, my job, a car that runs, and for my family.

THE DEVIL: “Remember when we waved goodbye to our family last night? That’s the last time we shall ever see them. Burn the image in our mind, for it is the last we shall have this side of Heaven.”

Thank You for my grandkids. Thank You for my children and my son-in-law. They’re so amazing, Lord. What a blessing they are to me. Thank You for their gifts and their calling. Thank You for the humor and joy.

“But what if they get in a car crash today? What if we lose them all? What if we’re left alone in this world?”

Thank You, Jesus, that I am never alone. Thank You for the knowledge that, should something terrible happen, You are always with me. Nothing can separate us from Your love!

“Soon, God is all we shall have, and we shall be the epitome of sadness and tragedy. We shall be above all creatures most miserable”

(Opening my Bible to Philippians 4:8, and reading aloud), “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

“We have so much to do today. What if we can’t get it all done? What if we fail?”

Help me to keep my eyes only on You, Jesus. Let me keep my gaze fixed upon You only. I can do nothing in this world apart from You.

“But what about…”

(Reading out loud from Proverbs 4:25‭-‬27) “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

Thank You, Lord, for redemption and healing. Thank You for mercy and grace.

“We’re 52 years old and in chronic pain. We struggle with depression and even sadness. Things shall only get worse as we grow older.”

(Reading out loud from John 16:33), “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Though my bones ache and my spirit cry, I shall serve You. Though my eyes grow dim and my days longer, I shall worship You. Though my body grow weaker, my spirit shall grow stronger.

“But if…”

I am DONE with these lies from the enemy, my Lord. (Reading aloud from 1 John 4:4), “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. “

Thank You for victory, Lord. Thank You for peace. In Your name I pray all these things.

Amen.