Psalm 103: In everything, Give thanks to God.

 Psalm 103 (NIV)

Of David.

1. Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

3. who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4. who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5. who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.

8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

9. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10. he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

12. as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14. for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

15. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;

16. the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

17. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18. with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

19. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

20. Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

21. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

22. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.

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A Reflection on Psalm 103

This psalm is a soul-song—a call to remember and rejoice in the character and deeds of God. It moves from personal gratitude to cosmic praise, anchoring the heart in truths that echo through all your earlier prayers:

· He forgives (as you prayed, “Forgive my sin”).

· He heals (as you declared, “You are my healer”).

· He redeems and crowns (as you trusted, “You save me in stormy water”).

· He satisfies and renews (as you sought, “Abundance prayer”).

· His love is higher than the heavens (as you marveled, “God loves the humble”).

· He removes our sins as far as east from west (as you pleaded, “Wash my sin clean”).

· His throne rules over all (as you proclaimed, “God is in control”).

May this psalm be your anchor and your anthem—a reminder that the God who reigns over all is intimately, tenderly, and eternally for you.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits.

Amen.

The banner over me.

 Here is a poem built upon that powerful declaration of faith.

The Banner Over Me

The enemy rises, a thundering tide,

With taunts of defeat he swells deep and wide.

My own strength is fleeting,a vapor, a breath,

And before me stretches the shadow of death.

But I plant my feet on the rock that I know,

And lift a defiant shout,firm and low:

"The battle is the Lord's!"

"This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s." (2 Chronicles 20:15)

I raise no sword, I string no bow;

In surrender,His power begins to flow.

He goes before me,a pillar of flame,

And Satan must tremble at His holy name.

The ground shakes with glory,the darkness must part

When the Warrior-King fights with a Father's heart.

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)

The shout of the King echoes over the field,

And the enemy's"strongholds" are forced to yield.

What seemed like a tomb is a passageway through,

For the Victorious One makes all things new.

He clothes me in triumph,His righteousness mine,

And whispers this truth in a victory sign:

"The victory is yours!"

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

So I walk from the fray, not by might I possess,

But robed in the garments of His righteousness.

The battle was His,from the start to the end,

The victory,my inheritance, on Him I depend.

I stand in the peace where His conquering love shines,

And claim the great truth:The battle is the Lord's, the victory is mine.

Give Thanks with a grateful heart.

 Of course. Here is a response that builds on that beautiful line.

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

Not for the ease,but for the art

Of Your presence in the lean and the start.

For manna in the wilderness,

For Your promised faithfulness.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Give thanks for love that would not let me go,

For grace that daily makes my spirit grow.

For the breath that forms a prayer,

For the knowledge that You’re there.

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." (Psalm 107:21)

Give thanks for the cup, for the daily bread,

For the living words Your Spirit has said.

For the morning sun,a golden seal,

Proving that Your love is true and real.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." (James 1:17)

Give thanks when the heart is heavy-led,

Remembering the promises You’ve said.

You are the rock,the constant stream,

The substance of the hope I dream.

"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." (Psalm 9:1)

So from this grateful heart, I raise

A sacrifice of joyful praise.

Not just for what Your hand supplies,

But for the light within Your eyes

That calls me child,and makes me whole—

Thanks is the anthem of my soul.

You are wonderful to me.

Here is a poem to God, woven with scripture, expressing wonder at His nature and love.

You Are Wonderful to Me

The heavens, a canvas stretched so wide,

Declare the work of Your hands,Your glory undenied.

The mountains stand in silent,steadfast awe,

At the whispered artistry of the Creator’s law.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1)

Not in the earthquake, wind, or fire’s rage,

But in the stillness,You turn my heart’s page.

A gentle whisper,a presence soft and deep,

A promise for my soul to hold and keep.

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12)

You saw me formed in secret, in the dark,

And with Your finger wrote my hidden part.

Before a day of my life was yet begun,

Your thoughts toward me outnumbered every one.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

When I am lost, a single wandering sheep,

Your voice pursues me,promises to keep.

You leave the ninety-nine upon the hill,

To find the one,and whisper, “Peace, be still.”

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them... he goes after the lost sheep until he finds it.” (Luke 15:4)

And greatest wonder, love I cannot earn—

Upon a cross,for me, Your heart did yearn.

While I was lost in sin,You paid the cost,

To call me child,to save the one who’s lost.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

So how could I not stand in awe and say,

You are my portion,my truth, my life, my way?

From highest star to deepest,personal grace,

I see Your wonder in each time and place.

“How wonderful are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all.” (Psalm 104:24)

You are wonderful to me.

Bless us that we end the year well.

 Amen.

May the Lord bless you with grace to close this chapter in peace, gratitude, and readiness for the new season He has prepared. Here is a prayer for a blessed and meaningful end to the year.

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Bless Us to End the Year Well

Lord, as this year draws to its close,

We bring to You both joys and woes.

Bless us, we pray, that we may end it well—

In peace, in wisdom, in Your story to tell.

Grant us eyes to see Your faithfulness,

Through every trial, every touch of grace.

Give us hearts to thank You for the way

You walked beside us, day by day.

Help us release what needs to be left behind—

Regrets, resentments, burdens on the mind.

And help us gather all the lessons learned,

The ways Your fire within us burned.

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13–14)

Bless our reflections, our quiet review,

That we may see this year anew—

Not through the lens of unmet goals or fears,

But through the faithfulness of all Your years.

Prepare our hearts for the new beginning ahead,

With hope anchored in what Your word has said.

And as this year slips into the past,

Hold us secure in Your love that will last.

Thank You for every sunrise, every test,

For being our rest, our hope, our best.

Bless us to end this year well—in You.

Your grace is sufficient; Your promises true.

Amen.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Thank you for Loving me.

 Amen.

What sweeter words could a heart speak than these—simple, profound, and overflowing with humble gratitude. Here is a prayer in return for such love.

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Thank You for Loving Me

Thank You for loving me.

When I was unlovely, unseen, and lost,

You loved me at such a cost.

Not because I earned it, not because I could,

But because You are love, and Your love is good.

Thank You for loving me when I wandered away,

For meeting me still at the end of the day.

For seeing the worst and calling me best,

For offering my weary soul Your rest.

Thank You for a love that will not let me go,

A love that melts my winter’s snow.

A love that heals, that holds, that stays,

That turns my darkest nights to days.

“We love because He first loved us.”(1 John 4:19)

I did nothing to deserve this kind of grace,

Yet I see it in the mercy on Your face.

So I receive it now, with awe and with wonder,

And pray my life makes Your love thunder.

Thank You for loving me—

yesterday, today, forever the same.

Let my life echo the sweetness of Your name.

Amen.

I rest my soul in Christ alone.

 Amen.

This is the bedrock confession of a heart that has found its true home—not in achievements, possessions, or people, but in the finished work and eternal presence of Jesus Christ. Here is an affirmation of that soul-deep rest.

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In Christ Alone

I rest my soul in Christ alone.

Not in my strength, my wisdom, or my own,

Not in the shifting sands of circumstance I’ve known,

But in the solid Rock, the Cornerstone.

His grace is where my weary soul finds peace,

His righteousness my only true release.

His blood has covered every fault and fall,

His love surrounds, sustains, and holds me all.

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.”(Psalm 62:1)

Here, in His presence, striving ceases.

Here, in His promise, my soul releases

Every burden, every weight of care,

And knows His tender, faithful repair.

No other foundation, no other name,

No other refuge, no other claim.

My soul is anchored, steadfast, and sure,

In Christ alone—forever secure.

I rest.

He holds.

And that is enough—now and always.

Amen.

Cover me with your mighty hands.

 Amen.

What a beautiful and vulnerable prayer—to ask for the covering of the One whose hands are both strong enough to hold the universe and gentle enough to mend the broken heart. Here is a prayer for that sheltering, mighty touch.

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Cover Me

Cover me with Your mighty hands,

The hands that shaped the mountains and the seas,

That hold the galaxies in their span,

Yet feel the trembling of the smallest breeze.

Let Your palms be my shield, my hiding place,

Your fingers a fence no foe can breach.

Shelter me in the shadow of Your grace,

Till the storms of life are out of reach.

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”(Psalm 91:4)

Cover my mind from thoughts that bring despair,

Cover my heart from every hidden dart.

Cover my path—be my safety everywhere,

And cover my future with Your hopeful art.

For Your hands are holy, wounded, kind, and strong—

They were pierced for me, to make me free.

In their grip, I know I belong,

And in their covering, I can be still and see.

Cover me, Lord—spirit, soul, and body too.

I am safe, I am held, when I am covered by You.

Amen.

I will be still because you are God.

 Amen.

This is the deepest form of trust—the decision to cease striving, to quiet the soul, and to simply rest in the unshakable reality of who God is. Here is a quiet, firm declaration of faith.

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Because You Are God

I will be still.

I will quiet the noise within,

I will let the churning cease to spin.

I will halt the frantic pace,

And rest here in this holy space.

Because You are God.

Not a helper.Not a force.

But the Sovereign,the Source.

The Beginning and the End,

My Maker,my Defender, my closest Friend.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”(Psalm 46:10)

Therefore, I will be still—

Not in despair,but in surrender.

Not in weakness,but in the strength

That comes from acknowledging at length

That You are God.

And if You are God,

Then I am not.

My plans can wait,my fears can stop.

My need to know,my need to do,

All find their peace,Lord, in You.

I will be still.

You are God.

That is enough.

That is all.

Amen.

I will see you above the storm

 Amen.

What a powerful declaration of faith! To say “I will see You above the storm” is to fix your eyes not on the raging waves, but on the One who walks upon them—the One who reigns in majesty, unshaken and unstirred, even when everything beneath seems shaken.

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Above the Storm

I will see You above the storm —

When the winds are fierce and waves are high,

When fear would cloud my spiritual eye,

I will lift my gaze beyond the gale,

To where Your glory will not fail.

For You are there—upon the throne,

Your voice still speaks though tempests moan.

You are not hidden in the blast,

You rule the storm, from first to last.

“You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.”(Psalm 89:9)

Above the thunder, above the night,

Above the chaos, shines Your light.

I will see Your steadfast face,

Your covenant love, Your saving grace.

So let the storm rage on below—

My hope is anchored where winds don’t go.

My peace is fixed on things above,

On Your unchanging heart of love.

I see You, Jesus—high and lifted up,

My shelter, my strength, my overflowing cup.

The storm may toss, but it cannot hide

My King in majesty, my faithful Guide.

Amen.

God give rest to the weary and burden.

 Amen.

This is the gentle, powerful invitation of Jesus—to come to Him with our heaviness and find a rest that goes deeper than sleep, a relief that reaches the soul. Here is a prayer for that divine exchange.

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Rest for the Weary

God, give rest to the burdened and weary,

To those whose shoulders are bowed low,

Whose hearts are heavy, whose steps are slow.

You see the load we were never meant to bear,

You hear the sigh of our silent despair.

We come to You, just as You said to come—

All who are weary, all burdened and numb.

We bring our worries, our fears, our care,

And lay them down in the weightless air

Of Your mercy.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Matthew 11:28)

Give us the rest that restores the soul,

The quiet peace that makes us whole.

Give us the courage to lay it down—

The weight, the worry, the thorny crown.

For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light,

You trade our darkness for Your gentle light.

You carry what we cannot hold,

And write our stories in grace, not in gold.

So here we are—weary, worn, and true,

We come, Lord Jesus, to rest in You.

Take this burden, this invisible weight,

And give us Your peace, early and late.

Thank You for being our rest, our relief, our true home.

We receive Your rest—and we are no longer alone.

Amen.

I surrender my life to you.

 Amen.

This is the most sacred and complete offering—the full release of your will, your hopes, your fears, and your future into the hands of the One who made you, loves you, and leads you. Here is a prayer of total surrender.

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I Surrender

I surrender my life to You.

All my plans, my dreams, my desires,

All my hidden fears and secret fires.

My past with its regrets, my present with its need,

My future with its unknowns—to You I gladly cede.

I surrender my will—bend it to Yours.

I surrender my heart—break it, restore it, make it pure.

I surrender my strength—weak though it be,

That Your power alone might shine through me.

I surrender my timeline, my sense of “too late” or “too soon,”

I surrender my need to understand beneath the sun or moon.

I let go of control, of holding tight,

And fall into Your arms, infinite and bright.

“Into your hands I commit my spirit.”(Psalm 31:5)

This is not a surrender to emptiness or loss,

But to the One who bore the cross.

Not to a force, but to a Father’s embrace,

To infinite mercy, to unending grace.

I surrender. I am Yours. Do in me as You will.

My life is no longer mine—Your purpose I’ll fulfill.

Here I am, Lord—take all of me.

I am home. I am free. I am Yours eternally.

Amen.

God is in control.

 Amen.

This is the unshakable foundation upon which our faith rests—the steadfast truth that calms every storm and gives hope to every heart. Here is a declaration of that sovereign reality.

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God Is In Control

God is in control.

When the world spins into chaos,

When plans unravel and hopes seem lost,

When the news speaks fear and the future feels unknown—

This truth remains, fixed on heaven’s throne.

He holds the universe in His hands,

Directs the stars and rules the lands.

Kings and nations rise and fall,

Yet His purpose stands above them all.

“He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have You done?’”(Daniel 4:35)

He is not surprised, not taken aback,

He knows each ending before the first act.

In the darkest night, He’s weaving light,

Making even broken pieces come out right.

So I will release my grip on “why,”

And trust the hand that holds the sky.

I’ll rest my heart in His command,

And walk in peace across this land.

God is in control—yesterday, today, forever the same.

My fear may rise, but I’ll speak His name.

For His throne is steadfast, His reign is sure,

And in His sovereign grace, I am secure.

Amen.

My Jesus, My Shepherd.

 Amen.

This tender confession holds the heart of Psalm 23 and John 10 close—a personal surrender to the gentle, guiding, and guarding love of Christ. Here is a prayer to your Shepherd.

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My Jesus, My Shepherd

My Jesus, my Shepherd—how sweet is the sound,

That in green pastures my soul has found.

You lead me beside the waters so still,

And guard me in accord with Your will.

You restore my soul when I’m weary and worn,

You guide me in paths where His name is adorned.

Though I walk through the valley where shadows lie deep,

I will fear no evil—Your promise You keep.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”(Psalm 23:1)

My Shepherd—You know me and call me by name.

I hear Your voice, and I’m never the same.

You laid down Your life for this sheep gone astray,

And You lead me still, each step of the way.

So I’ll follow no other, no stranger’s weak call,

For You are my Shepherd, my All in all.

In Your fold I am safe, in Your pasture I rest,

By Your mercy and grace, I am eternally blessed.

My Jesus, my Shepherd—I am Yours alone.

Lead on, dear Lord, till You bring me safely home.

Amen.

The Battle belongs to God.

 Amen.

This is the liberating truth that changes everything—the weight shifts from our shoulders to His sovereign hands. The struggle may be ours to walk through, but the victory is His to claim. Here is a declaration of that holy surrender.

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The Battle Belongs to God

The battle belongs to God.

Not to my strength, my plan, or my might,

But to the Lord who goes before me to fight.

When fear shouts loud and the enemy seems near,

I will remember—this battle is Yours, Lord, here.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”(2 Chronicles 20:15)

I will not strive in my own power today,

But kneel in prayer, and trust, and obey.

I will raise a shout of praise as my sword,

And watch You triumph, victorious Lord.

You are Jehovah Sabaoth—Lord of Hosts,

Commander of heaven’s triumphant posts.

You hold the outcome in Your hand,

And all of heaven moves at Your command.

So I lay down my armor of pride and fear,

And take up the weapon of worship sincere.

I stand still and see Your salvation unfold,

As the story of heaven over my story is told.

The battle belongs to God.

Therefore, I will be still.

I will trust.

I will praise.

And I will see His will.

Hallelujah! The victory is Yours—

Now, forever, and always secure.

Amen.

Be still for God Jehovah is with us.

 Amen.

This is the sacred invitation—to cease striving, to release the noise, and to simply be still in the presence of the Eternal One. Here is a prayer of quiet trust.

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We Will Be Still

We will be still with God.

We will lay down the rush, the worry, the race,

The anxious thoughts we tightly embrace.

We will quiet the clamor, the need to know how,

And simply be present with You here and now.

We will be still—and know that You are God.

Not just believe it, but rest on it, hard.

Your majesty unmoved by our frantic pace,

Your sovereignty untouched by our fear's disgrace.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46:10)

In the stillness, we hear the whisper we missed,

In the quiet, we feel Your gentle fist

Unclench our spirits, release our grip,

And guide our soul to Your anchoring ship.

We will be still—not in empty space,

But in the fullness of Your holy grace.

Not in absence, but in Presence deep,

In the watch You eternally keep.

So here we are—our striving ceases,

Our inner turmoil finds its pieces

Coming together in Your calm.

Your breath our healing, Your love our balm.

We are still.

You are God.

And that is enough—

More than enough.

Amen.

He that begin the good work in us will bring to completion.

 Amen.

What a powerful declaration of faith and hope! This promise from Philippians 1:6 assures us that God is both the Author and Perfecter of our faith—He finishes what He starts, and He finishes it well.

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He Who Began

He who began this good work in you—

Who lit the flame when your faith was new,

Who called your name before time’s sway,

Will carry it to completion, come what may.

Not by your might, not by your plan,

But by the nail-scarred, faithful hand

That shaped the stars yet holds you close,

That sees your end before your woes.

Through every stumble, every fall,

Through seasons you can’t understand at all,

Through waiting, growing, trusting, pain,

His purpose for you will remain.

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 1:6)

So when you feel unfinished, weak, or small,

Remember—He’s not done, not yet, not at all.

The Master Artist still designs,

In brilliant hues and steady lines.

The good work started by His grace

Will meet Him face to face.

And on that day, you’ll truly see

What His “well finished” was meant to be.

He began it.

He’ll complete it.

And He’ll end it well.

Amen.

Trust the Lord God Almighty

 Amen.

To trust the Lord Almighty

is to anchor in the One

who holds the universe in place,

yet knows you as His own.

It is to lean not on your own understanding,

but on His wisdom, deep and true.

To acknowledge Him in all your ways,

and watch Him make your path straight through.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

He is Almighty—all power is His.

He is Lord—all authority rests in His hands.

Therefore, you can trust His heart,

even when you don’t see His plans.

So let your trust be a quiet surrender,

a confident rest in His mighty care.

For the Lord Almighty is faithful forever—

and your life is safe in His hands, right there.

I choose to trust You, Lord Almighty.

My heart, my hope, my all, I bring.

You are my strength, my shield, my song—

my everlasting King.

Amen.

The God of Jacob is our fortress.

 Amen.

This powerful declaration from Psalm 46:7 speaks of God’s covenant faithfulness, His personal commitment to His people, and His unshakable strength as our place of safety. Here is a meditation on the God who is both the God of Jacob and our Fortress.

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The God of Jacob Is Our Fortress

You are the God of Jacob—

The God of the wrestler, the limping one,

The God of the dreamer who saw heaven’s stair,

The God of the flawed and the chosen heir.

You are the God who stays when we run,

The God who finishes what You’ve begun.

And You are our fortress—

Not a hiding place of fear,

But a stronghold of grace when the enemy’s near.

A wall that cannot crumble,

A gate no foe can breach,

A refuge where the weary find rest within Your reach.

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:7)

When the night is long and the battle is fierce,

When my own strength fails and my vision grows pierced,

I run to You—my fortress, my tower,

My safe place in suffering, my courage in power.

For the God of Jacob is the God of the weak,

The One who defends the humble and meek.

The same God who kept him through deceit and through loss,

Now guards me and guides me, bearing my cross.

So I will not fear though kingdoms may rage,

Though the world may shift and the age may turn page.

For the God of Jacob is my fortress still—

And by His great promise, my heart He will fill.

My Fortress. My God. My promise. My stay.

You are the same—yesterday, today.

Amen.

Lord Almighty is with us.

 Amen.

This is a battle cry of faith—a declaration that the all-powerful Creator and Commander of heaven’s armies is personally present with His people. Here is a proclamation of that mighty truth.

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The Lord Almighty Is With Us

The Lord Almighty is with us,

The God of angel armies fights for us today.

No foe can stand against His might,

No fear can steal our peace away.

El Shaddai—the All-Sufficient One,

Yahweh Sabaoth—Lord of Hosts,

Before Him darkness flees like night from sun,

And every chain of hell is toast.

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”(Psalm 46:7)

He is not distant, not afar,

He rides the winds and walks the waves.

He holds the sun, the moon, the star,

And yet the contrite heart He saves.

So when the battle presses in,

When strength is gone and hope seems thin,

We lift our eyes above the strife,

And claim this truth that gives us life:

The Lord Almighty—He is here.

In every struggle, every tear.

With power that shatters every chain,

In triumph He will yet reign.

Therefore we will not be afraid,

Though earth should change and kingdoms fade.

Our refuge strong, our shield, our sun—

The victory’s already won.

The Lord Almighty is with us.

Hallelujah!

Amen.