Make my heart relentless in its pursuit of You, Jesus. Though my life is full of troubles, You are with me to comfort and guide. I kneel within the valley of darkness, my heart tangled up in sad bereavement for all that I could be if only I let go of my perceived needs which are truly selfish wants in disguise. Why is it that the pursuit of lesser love is often so tempting? Why is it that dark forebodings cause me to fear the future? You are already there in the place where I need to be. You are everything that I need, Jesus. When physical infirmity hinders me, it is Your Spirit that grants me strength. When poverty assails me, Your Word reminds me of the riches of my inheritance. When betrayal undermines my trust, You prove Yourself faithful over and over again. Sweet Lover of my soul, let me bow in adoring praise. This valley is not endless and my parched soul is quenched by the precious joy of salvation in Christ. My times are in Your hands. Therefore I need not fear the future nor fail to follow the path of life, no matter how treacherous it may seem. Under the Word given in John 8:12 and the authority of Christ, I bow in humble prayer.

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness
but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12, CSB