Devotional:
With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah. (Ruth 1:7)

Naomi’s life had change, flexibility, tragedy, sadness and hopelessness. Imagine that kind of life – losing a husband and sons, and then moving back to her homeland without knowing what would be next. It’s hard to know how we would react to those circumstances. However, we have a bird’s eye view of this widow’s life; we know how God’s plan and purposes unfold and her story plays out. When life gets challenging, put your hope in the One who has all things planned. God is in all your circumstances. You are His image-bearer. Trust His plans. When the unexpected comes, call on Him…and remember Naomi’s story – a story of purpose and redemption.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you that in the midst of the changing and challenging circumstances of life, I can know that you never change and are working your plan of redemption in this world and my life. Help me to remember and trust in your plan even when I can’t see it or feel it in the moment. Amen.

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Devotional:
In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. (Judges 21:25) 

“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” How often that has been true in the book of Judges! And yet, after the wife snatching we read about in this final chapter, after all the rebellion and horrific events we encounter in the book, the nation of Israel continues to exist. God has not destroyed them but continues to show His faithfulness to them. He is faithful to His promises. Even the book of Judges points us to the grace of God. And what good news that is for us who follow Jesus today. There are times when we blow it, when we rebel against God, but He continues to show us His grace. He continues to forgive. He continues to keep His promises. Rejoice in this today and give thanks to our faithful God for His grace and mercy.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for your great patience and abundant grace towards sinners. Help me to remember this reality in the midst of my own failures and also proclaim this good news with those around me who have not yet experienced your grace and forgiveness. Amen.

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Devotional:
The Israelites sent messengers to the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What a terrible thing has been done among you! Give up those evil men, those troublemakers from Gibeah, so we can execute them and purge Israel of this evil.” (Judges 20:12-13) 

After receiving a disturbing message from the Levite whose concubine had been left for dead by the men of Gibeah (see Judges 19:28-30), the people of Israel come together to deal with this atrocity. Gibeah was in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, but the people of Benjamin would not give up these men. Instead, they gathered their fighting men to go to battle against the rest of Israel. This civil war cost both sides many lives, and the tribe of Benjamin was nearly decimated. Things should never have escalated to this point among God’s own people. The Benjaminites chose to rebel against God and failed to live in unity with their own brothers. Is there a relationship with a Christian brother or sister that you need to work on today? “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

Pray it:
Jesus, you prayed that your church may be one and I join with you in this prayer. May the unity and community found among your people show the world the power and reality of your name. Amen.

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Devotional:
even though we have everything we need. We have straw and feed for our donkeys and plenty of bread and wine for ourselves.”

“You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. “I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.” (Judges 19:19-20) 

Judges 19 is a hard chapter to read. It recalls the disturbing events that took place in the city of Sodom at the time of Abraham (Genesis 19). God sent two angels to lead Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his family out of Sodom before he destroyed it. Lot hosted these angels in his home, and the men of the city came wanting to “know” them, just as the men of Gibeah wanted to “know” the Levite the old man was hosting. The author of Judges wants us to understand that conditions in Israel at the time of the judges were as deplorable as they were in Sodom. O how these people needed the Lord! And how our world needs Him today! May we stand against the deterioration of our society by restoring the world one relationship at a time — helping others to see the wonderful love of Jesus.

Pray it:
Father, you call your people to be different from those who do not worship yet, but we all too often look more like the world around us than you. Forgive us for failing to follow you fully. Transform us to reflect you more faithfully in our world so that others may give you glory. Amen.

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Devotional:
“What do you mean, ‘What’s the matter?’” Micah replied. “You’ve taken away all the gods I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!” (Judges 18:24)

Judges 18 continues to paint the picture of just how far Israel has strayed from God. Here, the tribe of Dan steals Micah’s idols and lure away his priest (who shouldn’t even have been a priest!). Micah’s response shows how far he is from understanding who God is. A god that we make is not worthy of our worship, and a god who can be stolen is lacking in power. The Bible presents a much different picture of the true God. Our God is the powerful creator who reigns over all that He has made. We did not make God…He made us! We can’t steal God…He reigns over us (see Isaiah 40)! May we worship Him and serve Him day by day so that we do not fall away from Him but instead honor Him throughout our lives.

Pray it:
Father, I praise you for being the creator of all things who reigns supreme over the whole universe. Help me to worship you rather than the things that you or I have created. Amen.

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Devotional:
He returned the money to her, and she said, “I now dedicate these silver coins to the Lord. In honor of my son, I will have an image carved and an idol cast.” So when he returned the money to his mother, she took 200 silver coins and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into an image and an idol. And these were placed in Micah’s house. (Judges 17:3-4) 

The closing chapters of Judges show just how far the people of Israel were from honoring God even though they may have said things that sounded good. Here, Micah’s mother says that she is dedicating this silver to the Lord, but she actually gives it to the silversmith to make a carved image so Micah can add to his collection of idols. That action did not honor God. In Matthew 15:8, Jesus challenges the religious leaders of his day with words spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” This was true in the days of Micah; it was true at the time of Jesus. How about for you and me today? Are our words and hearts in sync?

Pray it:
Father, help me to honor you with my words and actions. Show me any places in my life that are displeasing to you so that I can turn from those sinful ways and have a heart more fully devoted to worshiping you. Amen.

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Devotional:
Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” …he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime. (Judges 16:28, 30) 

Samson calls to the Lord again near the end of Judges 16, just before his life comes to an end. Samson has often acted rashly and foolishly, rejecting God and His blessings. Some believe that when the Jews read the story of Samson they were meant to see a picture of themselves. They, too, had often acted rashly and foolishly, turning away from God and His love. Perhaps there are times when we can see ourselves in Samson. But as we see today, at the end, Samson turns to the Lord. His motives may not be totally pure, but God uses him to win a great battle against the Philistines and their god, Dagon. That is good news for Samson, for Israel, and for us. For like Samson, we may fail. But we, too, can turn to the Lord who can use us (see Psalm 51:9-13).

Pray it:
Father, I praise you for the forgiveness you offer me for my rash and foolish decisions that forget you and your love for me. Help me to continually turn from my own evil desires and seek your kingdom with my life and actions. Amen.

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Devotional:
Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the Lord, “You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?” So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place “The Spring of the One Who Cried Out,” and it is still in Lehi to this day. (Judges 15:18-19) 

Samson continues to have success against the Philistines. With foxes and fire, he destroys their grain. With the jawbone of a donkey, he takes out 1,000 Philistines. He was able to kill those Philistines because the Spirit of the Lord rushed on him. It is interesting that up until this point in his life, we never hear Samson ask for the Lord’s help. God just graciously gives him that help. But at the end of this chapter, for the first time, Samson calls on the Lord. He asks for water, and God miraculously provides water to revive him; Samson finally acknowledges his dependence on God. Unlike Samson, may we be quick to acknowledge our dependence on God and be faithful in giving Him thanks for His blessings.

Pray it:
Father, I confess that I often fail to give you thanks for your good gifts and fail to recognize my utter and complete dependence upon you. I praise you as the one from whom blessings flow today and each day of my life. Amen.

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Devotional:
His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.” His father and mother didn’t realize the Lord was at work in this, creating an opportunity to work against the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at that time.  (Judges 14:3-4) 

God commanded His people not to marry those who did not share their faith in Him, but Samson had his eyes on a Philistine woman who did not share his faith. Samson’s parents did the right thing by urging Samson to find a wife from among the Israelites, and Samson was wrong to persist in his plan to marry this woman. Yet in all of this, we see that God was accomplishing his purposes (verse 4). Even our stubbornness and sin do not get in the way of God accomplishing His purposes. God’s plan was for Samson to “begin to save Israel from the power of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5). At the end of chapter 14 he takes revenge on 30 Philistines. Can you look back on your life and see ways that God has redeemed your rebellion to accomplish His purposes?

Pray it:
Father, I believe that you work all things together for good as part of your perfect plan. Help me to see how you are at work in redeeming even my failures to walk in your word for your glory and my good. Amen.

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Devotional:
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.”  (Judges 13:5)

The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s barren wife to tell her that she would have a son. This son would be a Nazirite – one who was devoted to serve the Lord – and would begin to save Israel from the Philistines who ruled over Israel. As you read this story, you may be reminded of the angelic announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. But how different these children were! Samson was a wild character who did begin to save Israel from the Philistines, but Jesus is faithful and “able to save completely those who come to God through him” (Hebrews 7:25). May we live lives devoted to God and to His Son Jesus, who saves to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to save me through his perfect life and victory over death and to allow me to enter into your presence in his name. Help me to become more like him each day and to serve you in this world. Amen.

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Devotional:
Then the people of Ephraim mobilized an army and crossed over the Jordan River to Zaphon. They sent this message to Jephthah: “Why didn’t you call for us to help you fight against the Ammonites? We are going to burn down your house with you in it!” Jephthah replied, “I summoned you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come! You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon. So when I realized you weren’t coming, I risked my life and went to battle without you, and the Lord gave me victory over the Ammonites. So why have you now come to fight me?” (Judges 12:1-3) 

The men of Ephraim strike again! They complained to Gideon that he hadn’t called them to help him in battle (Judges 8:1-3), and now they lodge a similar complaint against Jephthah. Of course Jephthah had called them, but they didn’t come. The men of Ephraim go on to insult Jephthah’s men, calling them fugitives. As a result, Jephthah and the men of Gilead turned on them. The Ephraimites had a problem with anger and pride – and it cost them 42,000 men (verse 6)! Israel was saved from the Ammonites, but as Bible teacher Dale Ralph Davis notes, the incident with Jephtha’s vow (Judges 10) and Ephraim’s pride (Judges 11) leave us looking for a perfect Savior. And indeed he has come! Jesus is “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Praise God for this perfect Savior!

Pray it:
Jesus, I praise you for being the perfect deliverer, the only one who could rescue me from my sins because of your perfect life. Help me to place my hope in you alone rather than in myself or the fallible leaders of our world. Amen.

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Devotional:
When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob. The elders said, “Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!” (Judges 11:5-6)

Jephthah was a mighty warrior who delivered Israel from oppression by the Ammonites but also made a foolish vow: to offer as a burnt offering to the Lord whatever came out the doors of his house to greet him when he returned in peace from battle. Jephthah’s delight in victory turns to despair when his daughter comes out of his house to meet him. There is debate about what happened to Jephthah’s daughter. Did he really offer her as a burnt offering, or did she live out her days unmarried? Would God really hold Jephthah to his vow, especially when he had commanded Israel not to offer their children as sacrifices? Whatever the case, we see here that we need to be careful about what we say – what we promise. We need to speak in God-honoring ways and make God-honoring commitments. May we speak with God-honoring wisdom today.

Pray it:
Father, I confess that I often speak foolish and thoughtless words. Help me to be a person who honors the promises I make and uses my words to honor you. Amen.

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Devotional:
But the Israelites pleaded with the Lord and said, “We have sinned. Punish us as you see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.” Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the Lord. And he was grieved by their misery. (Judges 10:15-16)

Yet again we read about the people of Israel serving other gods and dishonoring the true God who loved and cared for them. This leads to punishment, as they are sold into the hands of neighboring nations. When the Jews had been crushed and oppressed by the Philistines and the Ammonites, they finally cried out to God, acknowledging sin and putting away their foreign gods. Yes, Israel would turn away again, but God could no longer bear to see them suffer and He put in motion a plan to rescue His people. The same is true for us; God saw our misery and put into motion His plan to rescue us. “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Give thanks to God today; put away your idols and serve Him.

Pray it:
Father, I praise you for your grace and mercy that is on display not just in the text I read but also in my life through Christ. Help me through the Spirit to be quick to repent of sin when I fall away and to resist temptation more and more. Amen.

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Devotional:
In this way, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers. (Judges 9:56)

Gideon’s son, Abimelech, wants to rule over Israel. To eliminate any competition, he gets money from the people of his mother’s hometown of Shechem in order to hire some “worthless and reckless fellows” to kill his 70 brothers. Abimelech also turns on the people of Shechem and destroys them. These events show growing evil in Israel at this time, but God sees this evil and returns the evil of Abimelech when a woman pushes a millstone from a tower down onto Abimelech’s head. There is an old hymn that says, “This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.” It was true in the time of Judges and is still true today. When you see evil in our world, don’t forget that God still reigns. “‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19).

Pray it:
Father, my heart breaks for the evil that I see in the world around me. Comfort my heart through the promise that you reign even in the midst of such evil and that you will bring the justice that my heart yearns to see. Amen.

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Devotional:
Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Be our ruler! You and your son and your grandson will be our rulers, for you have rescued us from Midian.” But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The Lord will rule over you! (Judges 8:22-23)

The people of Israel wanted to make Gideon king. Gideon initially refuses and points them to God, but by the end of Judges 8, Gideon himself seems to turn away from God and acts like a king. He named one of his sons, Abimelech, which means, “my father is king.” He created an ephod for himself, a tunic-like garment that was made to be worn by Israel’s High Priest, which Gideon was not. Gideon started out well, but he didn’t finish well. What can we do so we finish well? We read in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” To finish well, we need to keep looking to Jesus. Where are you looking today?

Pray it:
Father, help me to not rest on past actions of faithfulness but rather continue to look to Jesus as long as I live. Uphold and strengthen me by your grace so that I might be faithful throughout the race of life. Amen.

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Devotional:
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. (Judges 7:2)   

God reduces the size of Gideon’s army to 300 men and instructs them to blow trumpets, break glass jars, cry out, and stand in place and watch the Midianites flee. Why? God wanted to make it clear that the victory was through God’s power, not Gideon’s. Are there times when you are tempted to take credit for what God has done for you? Do you sit in your home and think, “I’m glad I was able to provide this home for my family”? Or do you win a game and congratulate yourself on your great skill? Or do you go to work and think, “What luck that I landed this position.” Beware of this kind of boasting. Instead, take time today to thank God for His blessings and gifts to you.

Pray it:
Father, forgive me for attributing my success and accomplishments to my own strength and abilities. Help me to give you thanks and praise for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me. Amen.

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Devotional:
The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12) 

God comes to Gideon with a big assignment. “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian” (v. 14). Gideon felt like this assignment was too much for him. His clan was the weakest in his tribe and he was the least in his father’s house, but God called him. And God assured Gideon that He would be with him. As you hear God’s call in your life, when the challenges look like more than you can handle, remember that just as God promised to be with Gideon, He promises He will be with you. God says, “I will never leave you or abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5).  And Jesus says, “…I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Pray it:
Father, thank you for not sending me out to do tasks alone but rather being with me wherever I go. Help me to remember your presence and rely on your strength as I seek to serve you in the tasks you have laid before me this day. Amen.

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Devotional:
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: “Israel’s leaders took charge, and the people gladly followed. Praise the Lord! (Judges 5:1-2) 

In this chapter, Deborah and Barak celebrate the victory God gave them over Jabin, the King of Canaan. The leaders in Israel took the lead and many of the people did their part, risking their lives (verse 18) as together they defeated their enemy. But unfortunately, not everyone joined in. The tribes of Reuben, Dan, Asher and Gilead as well as the people of the town of Meroz sat on the sidelines or stayed home. Where are you today? Are you using your gifts and abilities, joining with God’s people to share the good news of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus? Or are you sitting on the sidelines? “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). People will bless the Lord for you as you offer yourself willingly to serve Him.

Pray it:
Father, thank you for the gifts that you have given me to serve you and bless others. Help me to utilize them faithfully so that you may receive honor and praise. Amen.

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Devotional:
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. (Judges 4:14)  

Ten thousand men follow Barak. Barak follows the Lord who goes before him, and the Lord was also leading two strong women, Deborah and Jael. As Deborah, Jael and Barak followed the Lord, He gave Israel victory over King Jabin, General Sisera, and the Canaanites who had oppressed them for 20 years.  What enemies, struggles or battles are you facing today? Who are you following? Jesus says in John 12:26, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be.” As Deborah, Jael and Barak followed the Lord, He went before them and helped them. As you follow the Lord, He will go before you, too, and help you with the challenges you face today.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for going before me and for fighting my battles. Help me to follow you and see how you are stronger than the battles and struggles that I face this day. Amen.

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Devotional:
But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him. So there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died. (Judges 3:9-11)

In Judges 3 we see a pattern that repeats itself several times in the book. The people of Israel rebel against God. God sends a neighboring nation to defeat and rule over them. After a time under foreign domination, the Israelites cry out to God. In His mercy, God sends a judge (a deliverer and ruler) to save them from their enemy. While the judge rules, the people have rest from their enemies, but after the judge dies, the cycle begins again. Today, Jesus is our deliverer and ruler. We sin and rebel against him, but the good news is that when we cry out to him and confess our sins, he rescues us. Unlike the people of Israel in Judges, let’s not wait years; rather, let us quickly repent and enjoy the rest Jesus gives from the trouble of our sin and our enemy, Satan.

Pray it:
Father, I confess that I often reject you as ruler. Forgive me of my sin and help me enjoy the rest that is found through submitting to you and following your ways each day. Amen.

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Devotional:
The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. (Judges 2:11-12)

Things started out so well in the first few verses of Judges 1, as the people sought the Lord and captured more territory. However, things quickly deteriorated and the people failed to conquer all of the Promised Land because they abandoned the Lord and began to serve false gods. How did this happen? “After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). This chapter makes it clear that we need to be deliberate in sharing our faith with our own generation and with the generations that follow us. Are you sharing the good news of God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ with the children and youth you know? Are you telling them what the Lord has done for you? 

Pray it:
Father, help me to remember what you have done for me in Christ and to share that message with the generations that follow me. Make the generation that is rising up now be a generation that knows and follows you. Amen.

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Devotional:
The men of Judah said to their relatives from the tribe of Simeon, “Join with us to fight against the Canaanites living in the territory allotted to us. Then we will help you conquer your territory.” So the men of Simeon went with Judah. (Judges 1:3)

Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of Israel began to conquer the Promised Land. As the book of Judges opens, Joshua has died but the people, at least initially, look to God for direction as they continue to conquer the land. So one of the strongest of Israel’s twelve tribes, Judah, invites one of the weakest, Simeon, to join forces so that together they can conquer the territories given to them.  And with the Lord’s help, that is exactly what they do. They are brothers working together in unity. Can the same be said of us? Today may we find joy in joining forces as sisters and brothers in Christ as we gather, grow, give and go to serve the Lord, one another, and the world around us.  

Pray it:
Father, thank you for those in my church community and for the other churches in our community. Help us to resist the temptation of disunity and work together as we seek to share your name and your love to the world around us. Amen.

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Devotional:
The people of Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel. (Joshua 24:31)

Joshua had led Israel to inherit the land God had promised so long ago. The people were inspired by his faith, and they recognized that God had been with them the entire way. Joshua knew that when he died the people would have a choice to make, so he challenged them to “choose this day whom you will serve.” There comes a time in our lives when we need to make that faith our own and continue to lead others towards ever-increasing faith and hope in God. Let your legacy be Joshua’s unwavering declaration, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Pray it:
Father, thank you for the faithful people who have gone before me who have pointed me to you and showed me how to follow you. Help me to be that person for the next generations, providing them a good model of faith and challenging them to have their own faith and commitment to you. Amen.

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Devotional:
So be very careful to love the Lord your God. (Joshua 23:11)

It is easy to put God on the backburner when life is going well. Joshua reminded them that all the good things they were experiencing were from God. They needed to stay faithful and continue to follow God, or He could just as quickly take them away. Is God first in your life? Do you run to God in the good times or only when things look desperate? The world is full of distraction and temptation. Blessings can lull us into a false sense of confidence in ourselves. Be very careful to love God in all times, remembering His never failing, caring love for us.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for the blessings that you bestow upon me that should remind me of your faithfulness and evoke faithfulness from me. I confess that I forget all the good things that come from you and thank you for the promise of forgiveness I have in Christ. Amen.

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Devotional:
Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the Lord is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the Lord as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the Lord.” (Joshua 22:31)

The people of Israel were God’s children. Even though they were separating to settle different lands, and some were divided by the Jordan River, they were united through faith in the one true God. This meant that their actions, even at a distance, affected the entire nation. The three tribes east of the Jordan River made an altar as a witness to their shared faith, and the tribes to the west wanted to be sure that faith wasn’t lost. Today, all believers are united by faith. We need to continually celebrate those ties while also holding each other accountable. It doesn’t matter if we are divided by geography, culture, or race, we all serve the same God and should stay committed to strengthening our unity in Christ so that we can also proclaim that ‘we know that the Lord is in our midst.’

Pray it:
Father, help us to remember the unity that we have with others who worship you and whose salvation has been purchased through the one that all the sacrifices pointed to – Jesus! Protect this unity and use this unity to show the world of the reality of your work in our lives. Amen.

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