BETTER: "The LORD makes you ten times better." Daniel 1:20

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. Whenever the king asked them about matters requiring wisdom and insight, he found they were ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his kingdom. Daniel 1:18-20

Prayer:
I cast my fears and concerns into Your loving hands, Abba Father. Please use me and make me ten times better in every role, including spouse, parent, relative, leader, and steward, but above all, as a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Grant me the wisdom and insight You gave to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, so I may respond wisely to the concerns of family and friends and help point them toward faith in Christ. I ask in the precious name of Jesus, my Savior. 

WISDOM: “God gives you knowledge, skill, and wisdom.” Daniel 1:17

Now as for these four young men [Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah], God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:17

Prayer:
I know nothing yet as I ought to know. Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that You alone are the Omniscient and Almighty God, the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Please bless me with wisdom from above so that I may become more like Christ in all I say and do. Grant me divine knowledge to help my family members and others who are hurting and whom the Spirit brings across my path. Increase my skills so that I may use my abilities to build up and enrich the lives of others. Give me a deeper understanding of Your living Word so that I may grow in discernment and devote myself to doing what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in Your sight. I ask this in the mighty name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

FAVOR: “The LORD moves in others to grant you favor.” Daniel 1:8

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel. Daniel 1:8–9a

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the unmerited favor You have shown me through Jesus Christ. I praise You for the remarkable ways You have enabled business executives and others in the marketplace to show me favor and compassion, just as You did for Daniel with the chief official. Holy Spirit, give me the resolve to stand in faith and have the courage to be like Daniel, resolving to honor our Lord Jesus Christ without compromise whenever I face opposition. Lord Jesus, may the favor and successes I have received from You never lead to pride or self-reliance, but rather to complete dependence on God. I ask this in Your mighty name. Amen

GIFTS: “The LORD blesses you with gifts to impart.” 1 Samuel 30:26

When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.” 1 Samuel 30:26

Praise & Prayer:
I bow before Your holy presence, Lord God, to praise You for Your everlasting love and sacrificial heart. My life has been enriched by the greatest gift You have given the world, Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for plundering the powers of darkness through Your victory at the cross and giving us the priceless gift and hope of eternal life. Holy Spirit, teach me to use the time, talents, resources, and spiritual gifts I have received from God to bless my family, strengthen fellow believers, and help the poor in need. Lord Jesus, grant me an opportunity today to bless someone in a tangible way so that they may experience Your love and care through my kindness. I ask this in Your mighty name.

SHARED: “You share in Christ's victory.” 1 Samuel 30:24

But some mean and worthless men who had gone with David said, "They didn't go with us, and so we won't give them any of the loot. They can take their wives and children and go away." David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this. 1 Samuel 30:22–25

Praise & Prayer:
Less like me and more like Jesus. I praise You, Lord God, for protecting me and for allowing me to share in Christ’s glorious victory over sin, death, and the evil one. Please deliver me from selfishness and create in me a generous heart, as David demonstrated, that recognizes and values the contributions of others, whether small or great, seen or unseen. Holy Spirit, counsel me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Instead, teach me to walk in humility by valuing others above myself. Give me eyes to see that every person in the body of Christ matters, especially those whom people consider insignificant, weak, or useless. Don't let me miss opportunities today to share the gracious gifts I have received from God by showing acts of kindness to the people You place in my path. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty name.

RECOVERED: “With God’s help, you will recover what was lost.” 1 Samuel 30:18

David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. 1 Samuel 30:18-19

Prayer:
God of all comfort, like David, I trust You to help me recover every loss I've suffered in Your perfect time and in Your perfect way. I may not recover everything in this earthly life, but I know beyond all doubt that everything will be restored in Christ when we are with Him in heaven. In Jesus’ mighty name, I ask You to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen my family members and friends who have experienced heartbreaking losses. Heal our wounded hearts, Lord Jesus, as we lay our grief and sorrow at Your feet. Restore hope to our lives affected by loss as we lean on You, our loving Savior.

STRENGTH: "You will find strength in the Lord your God." 1 Samuel 30:6

When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord His God. 1 Samuel 30:3-6

Prayer:
In my grief and distress, I turn to You as David did, O LORD, for You are my Rock and unfailing strength. Lord Jesus, please lift me up and stir my heart to keep seeking our Heavenly Father whenever distress drains my strength and thoughts of hopelessness enter my mind. Holy Spirit, remind me that Christ is my hope and His undeserved favor will always be sufficient, for God’s power is made perfect in my weakness. Use me today to help strengthen the faith and comfort the spirit of someone who is distressed and grieving from pain. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.