Dec 1 - Day 335. Good and Perfect Gifts Are from Above. James 1.17

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Welcome to another daily prayer. As we enter the month of December, let us open our hearts to the blessings it will bring. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and anticipation as we honor the spirit of giving and receiving. Let us pray joyfully, for we know that good and perfect gifts come from above. Prayer is not just a practice; it is a powerful force that can transform not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. With God, there is no inconsistency or fluctuation; His nature is steadfast and unchanging, casting no shadows of doubt in our lives. Each blessing we receive reflects His unwavering love and generosity, reminding us of the beauty of faith and the importance of being a channel of His goodness. As we navigate through this month, let’s continue to seek His guidance and share our blessings with others, fostering a spirit of community and kindness. May our hearts be filled with joy and our prayers filled with purpose.

Transcript

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to another episode of our EBC’s Prayer Podcast. Today, December 1st, marks the 335th day of the year, and as we step into this beautiful month, let us open our hearts to the countless blessings God is showering our way.

I’m your host, Dr. Victoria Haddad, the First Lady and Prayer Leader at the Elyon Bible Church Apostolic in Salem, NJ. Together, we are seeking guidance and strength through prayer, drawing inspiration from the 66 books of the Bible.

Today, our scripture will be taken from the book of James, chapter 1, verse 17, which reads: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 

The Lord is reminding us that all positive influences in our lives are divine gifts, flowing from him, the Father of light. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us hold onto this truth and recognize the unchanging nature of God’s goodness and the perfect gifts He is bestowing upon us.

So, Today, as we pray, let’s reflect on the abundance of God’s blessings in our lives. 

 Let’s pray

Dear Heavenly Father. Our Wonderful and Glorious Savior. Father, we come before you with our hearts full of gratitude, reverence, and admiration. 

Father, you are good, and your mercy endures forever. You are faithful, and your love never fails. You are the ultimate source of all that is true, all that is constant, and all that is unchanging in our lives. Lord, we place our full trust in you, for everything we have and everything we hope to be is because of your generosity and grace.

Lord, thank you for the privilege and gift of prayer, the open line of communication that we can have with you at any moment, in any place, and in any circumstance. 

Thank you for allowing us to draw near to you, knowing that you are hearing us when we call you, and on your holy name with sincere hearts.

Father, as we step into this new month, help us to reflect on the many ways you have carried us, sustained us, and blessed us. 

Help us not to take your blessings lightly, but give you thanks for waking us up this morning, thanks for clothing us in our right minds, and thanks for giving us a desire to pray. 

Father, we thank you for reminding us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from you, our Father of lights, with whom there is no unpredictability – for you know everything, neither is there any shadow of turning.” 

Lord, you never fail; so, help us to depend on you through all of life's circumstances. In a world that shifts and shakes, where situations are unpredictable and seasons feel uncertain, you are our steady anchor, the one who has the power to do the impossible.

Father, as we enter into this new month, we are thanking you for all the abundant blessings that you are showering upon us. Blessings in the past month, the blessings we recognized and celebrated, as well as blessings that we have overlooked or taken for granted. 

Thank you for the provision of food on our tables, for shelter over our heads, for family and loved ones, for health, and even for the trials that drew us closer to you. We know that every detail of our lives is held in your loving hands, and we thank you for your faithfulness and your goodness.

Lord, teach us to receive your blessings with joy and share them with others. 

Help us be a source of encouragement, generosity, and compassion to those around us. When we see someone in need, help us respond with kindness. 

When we encounter those who are weary, help us to offer words of hope. Let us not keep your blessings to ourselves, but share them with others, so that they too can see your love at work in action in our lives.

Father, help us not to place our trust in temporary things, but help us to place our trust fully in you; for you are the unchanging God, unfailing God, and eternal God. Father, our strength does not come from our own abilities, but our strength comes from you, for you are our resources, and your constant presence helps. 

Oh Father God, you are everything that we need and the one that we truly need and want. 

Lord, help us to dedicate our plans, dedicate our goals, our dreams, and our desires into your hands. Guide our decisions, and order our steps, and align our hearts with your will. Give us the courage to persevere and glorify you each and every day. 

Lord, when we are tempted, come our way, and when we are tempted to worry about the future, help us to remember that you are already there. For your ways are higher than our ways, and your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

So, Lord, in closing, may our hearts be filled with praise and thanksgiving. As we look ahead, we are giving this month into your hands, and thanking you for what you are going to do for us, what you are going to do in our lives, and what you have already done. 

Help us to trust in your plans and believe that you are working all things together for our good. Help us to rest in the assurance that you will never leave us nor forsake us.

We pray all of this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Everyone. Keep on praying, keep on trusting God. Have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow. Bye-bye.