From the Cradle to the Cross
A 365 Day Morning Prayer Devotional
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From the Cradle to the Cross, A 365 Day Morning Prayer Devotional, has been a true labor of love. It simply could not have been written without the presence of the Holy Spirit. This Second Edition is a voice to those that have difficulty in finding the words to express to our Almighty God and Savior, the depth of their sinful nature and their gratitude for his sacrificial death on the Cross of Calvary. My prayer for you is that as you read the prayers in this devotional, you will come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. I also pray that you will be led by the Holy Spirit to live each day of your life trusting in the redeeming blood of Christ. At the end of each prayer, you will find a graphic symbol indicating a question or comment that is an opportunity to reflect on a key aspect of the prayer. Always remember, during any uncertainty in your life, believe in your heart that you can soar like an eagle, victorious over all the efforts by Satan to steal from you the joy of a life in Christ. May God bless you, as you live your life for Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
September 19
Romans 5:21 NIV. [21] so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Holy Father, I praise you for your endless grace and my undeserved mercy. I confess it is not always
easy to follow your example by extending the same understanding to those in need. I wrestle with my emotions, fears of the unknown, and my sense of loss with the erosion of societal values I held dear to my heart. I grapple with changing lifestyles that undermine the sanctity of your Word. And I wonder where will it all end? The struggle within my heart is very genuine. There seems to be no hope for those caught up in sinful lifestyles that shred and compromise your Word. But then I remember your grace, and your gift of Salvation is for everyone. Even those who are lost and confused. Who am I when I repeatedly sin only to claim your forgiveness and mercy to restore myself with you?
Help me remember, my Lord, that those who are caught up in sins of the flesh, those that are caught up in lifestyles that offend you, and those who are non-repentant are still in need of your grace. Let me be an instrument of your love. When I encounter those caught up in the ways of the world and who are being manipulated by Satan, let me wear the hat of mercy, not judgment. The shield of righteousness, not permissiveness. The face of love, not hate, and may I always remember you are still a merciful God — full of love, grace, and forgiveness. No matter what sins my brothers and sisters are engaged in, let your Truth resound within their hearts. May they someday recognize the path to your heavenly kingdom is paved by obedience to your Holy Word. Give them souls that are cracked, not harden, or sealed, so the truth of your Word can find its way into their hearts and lead them toward eternal peace and life with you. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.
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About the Book
In George’s book, “From the Cradle to the Cross, A 365 Day Morning Prayer Devotional,” one will find God speaking to the reader through Scripture and the reader speaking to God through personal prayer. The prayers are filled with Praising the Lord for who He is and what He has done and is doing even now in the servant’s life. It includes prayer for Protection, as God is a Providential Care Giver. It provides prayers for Guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily life and for the Power and Strength to live a life that would glorify God daily.
As I read George’s book, I first read a Scripture passage, the Word of God. But when I read the prayer that followed, I soon realized that I was reading the words penned from a servant’s heart to his Lord, Jesus Christ. Through our volunteer program at our jail, George was able to touch many inmates’ lives with the love of Christ. But make no mistake, his book is meant for each of us, not just for those who are incarcerated. For we are all children of God in need of His love and grace. George’s devotional is his personal testimony and his desire to touch others for Christ. May you be blessed as you read these daily prayers.
Pastor Mark A. Fidler
Senior Chaplain
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Noblesville, Indiana 46060
About the Author
Raised as a Lutheran in Brooklyn, New York, George H. Brooks holds a BA in Journalism from Texas State University. He is not an ordained minister, nor does he have any credentials in biblical theology. He is simply a sinner saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and the grace of the Almighty God. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior as a child at the age of 8 years old. As with any child at that age, he did not understand the scope of his decision that day. Subsequently, he entered his teen years and then adulthood unprepared for the onslaught of temptations Satan was about to rain upon him.
During his life, he served in the United States Army as a Combat Medic/Medical Corpsman on Korea's DMZ in 1969. He then served as a Medical Corpsman in an Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam in 1971. His adult life found him succumbing to many temptations of this world and other sins that are offensive to God. While he went through these temptations, he was constantly reminded of his mother's faith in God’s promises and the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He always felt God had a particular purpose for his life but struggled to find his true calling. It took years of personal trials and obstacles before he allowed himself to be pruned by God so the fruits of the Holy Spirit could spring forth in his life.
This devotional, “From the Cradle to the Cross, A 365 Day Morning Prayer Devotional,” is a testimony of his life. A life riddled with sin but found redemption and forgiveness through his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has said this devotional could not have been written if the Holy Spirit was not present within him. While still facing temptations of this world, his hope for you, as you read the prayers in this devotional, is that you will come to see the reality of sin in his life. And how it may be present in your life as well. His hope for you is that you will surrender your heart and will over to Christ. And to allow yourself to become an instrument of God’s grace and love not only to yourself but also to your fellow man.