God of glory, I rejoice in the day that You have made. Sun soaked radiance pours forth from Your Word in the hush of morning. Let Your servant be glad in the manifested beauty of Your creation all around me -in people, in nature, in words spoken, and in memories made. Shine Your love through the prism of my soul, Jesus. Bring all languishing parts into alignment with Your Spirit for full replenishment and joyful rejuvenation. May the power of resurrection happiness push any earthly sorrow into the shadows. Keep me steady upon the plateau of eternal perspective so that I can fully and completely radiate the love of Christ in word and deed. Use me to plant seeds of the gospel which will be harvested to Your Kingdom glory. Increase my knowledge of You. In the glow of evening, may my internal ponderings bring quiet adoration of Your daily blessing. Unite me with Your Son through the bond of the Holy Spirit until all glory is given You through the life that I live. The darkness that blankets the land is not darkness to You who holds the stars in Your hand. Under the power of Your Word in Ephesians 4:13 and the authority of Jesus Christ, these prayers are my fragrant offering, Lord God Almighty.

And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
Ephesians 4:13, MSG