Lord Father God of Abraham, as we march through 2024, now past mid year, one thing we know and say is we are ever thankful for the gift of life. You say, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” ( John 10:10). Where all things are concerned, it is the life we have the most precious of all gifts. Just as 1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” This we know because we are created in your image, for every life has meaning and purpose to it. Knowing this, we affirm Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Where we have slackened or gone astray help restore and revive our tottering dreams to come to pass. Help inspire us back to the winsome path, remembering your words, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” ( Isaiah 40:31). And if it is becauase of the opposition we have met, along the way, slowing us down, still we hold firm, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” ( 1 Cor 15:58). Lord, open our eyes to magnificent opportunities all around us, “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19). For our faith is in you: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” ( 1 John 5:4). Let us therefore embrace this new month with hope, assured of victory in all we do: “For LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” ( Deutronomy 20:4). And all this we pray in the most precous name of our Lord Jesus Christ!