“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Almighty God, as each day begins, help me to be aware that there is power in the peace that you give me. Help me to hold onto this power and peace. Merciful God, help me to resist any temptation, apathy or tendency, that may cause me to relinquish it. O God, I call you at 1:11 pm and I prayerfully look to you to renew my power, refresh, restore and maintain my peace and my neighbor’s peace. At the end of the day, may I rest and sleep in peace and gratitude for the gift of power and contentment in Your Holy presence. In my Savior’s name. Amen.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Dear God, thank you for blessing us with Aretha Franklin. Her gifted voice and powerful spirit continue to edify your name. Your teachings about love, respect, righteousness and more are woven in her songs. Her music represents a tapestry of life. Holy One, thank you for inspiring and equipping Aretha with a powerful voice, an instrument of love, peace, and healing. There’s no sitting still when Aretha, the Queen of Soul’s voice is heard. Her spirit filled voice propels us to rise, hold our heads high, reach beyond the sky. We remember her manner of praise in her life and song as an extravagant and awesome gift!
Thank you Almighty God for Aretha, who experienced your holy presence early and throughout her life. Her music reflected the times in which we live. Times when we shed tears and laughed with her! Aretha, the Queen of Soul, often grounded us in your Supreme Love, a Divine Love. Aretha’s life and her songs are also reflections of our joys and sorrows. Queen Aretha reminded us in her life and in her passing that still waters run deep. In the midst of troubled waters, there is hope. You are One Lord of all who is the Bridge, the Way Maker, the everlasting Savior who gives us Life, Breath, Pulse, and Passion. Aretha means Beauty; Virtuous; and Excellent! She lived her life as the Queen of Soul, who ministered to many souls. Aretha, the Queen of Heart whose music still tugs on our heartstrings. Aretha, gone but never forgotten.
Eternal God, receive her into your everlasting peace. In our Savior’s name. Amen.
