I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalms 13:6
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20

Heavenly Father, I praise you as my Lord and King who has “dealt bountifully” with me! In every area of my life you have chosen to pour out your favor and blessing. My wife loves me in ways that goes far beyond what I have deserved or earned. The joys I experience with my work as a pastor go far beyond what I could have hoped or imagined. The blessing of being able to buy a home in the Bay Area for the discounted price that we did is far beyond how I would’ve expected a house purchasing experience to be. The ability and accessibility to eat such delicious foods goes far beyond what is necessary for me to live. The ministry opportunity that you’ve provided for me next goes far beyond what I could’ve ever hoped or imagined. You have dealt bountifully with me when it comes to your grace, mercy, and forgiveness, You have dealt bountifully with me when it comes to the relationships and friendships you’ve blessed me with. The comforts I’m able to experience. The clothes I’m blessed to be able to buy. The modes of transportation you’ve given me to enjoy. All of it is so much more that I need. I praise you Lord for your goodness and I lift up praise to your name! You are worthy Lord. You are worthy!

Lord, I also thank you for the wise counselors you’ve placed around me. My wife. My parents. The pastors/staff I’m privileged to serve alongside. The pastors. The friends. The mentors. Thank you Lord for the wise men and women who’ve you’ve brought into my life. They are an extension of your love and mercy and I am so grateful! As I prepare to move out of the Bay Area, Lord I pray that you would prepare for me wise men and women to guide and grow me up into the man of God you are desiring for me to become. I thank you for the wise men and women who I already know are awaiting my arrival! Help me to submit to their wisdom. Help me to grow from their wisdom. Please give me one or two men I can truly walk alongside for many years so that I can become wiser and wiser for your glory alone! Keep me Lord from fools. Help me to spot them from miles away! Help me to avoid their company. Help me to discern who they are before being impacted negatively by their influence.

I love you Lord. I praise you Lord. This time to praise you, to learn from your wisdom, to meditate on your word, and to grow closer with you is such a blessing and is so life-giving. Give me the focus to keep protecting this time each day as it is so important to my abiding in you. I pray all of these things in Jesus name, Amen.