Abba, I look over the world outside of my window, reminded of the changing seasons of life. The approach of wintry death is signaled in the newly bare branches and scattered dry leaves. The wisdom of the Word is foremost in my thoughts – “Seventy years are given to us! Some may even reach eighty. But even the best of these years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we are gone. … Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 90:10-12, NLT)

Take away the dread of my winter season of life, lifting me, by faith, to see the promise of an Eternal Springtime in Your holy home, a place prepared for me by Your hand because of Your grace. Jesus, You are my salvation.

As world leaders gather this week work in their minds, leading them to resolutions of the bitter differences that cause great death and destruction. I pray for peace. Jesus, be the Prince of Peace. How we long for “Your Kingdom to come, for Your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

I pray for those who are preparing to assume new positions in our government – local, state, and national- that they will leave behind the politics of division, that they will show genuine leadership and put old grievances away for the sake of a new era. Give us leaders who fear God and love humanity.

May my life reflect the great and wonderful goodness that You have shown to me. Help me to be a person of peace and compassion, who seeks to bless even more than to be blessed.

In the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen