Prayer Archives

Father, God, Lord of heaven and earth, I lift your name above everything, above all. You are welcomed, desired and needed. I invite you into my life, my home, my family, my friends and my adversaries.

I pray your Holy Spirit influences every part of my life; my walk, my talk, my thoughts, my prayers, and all of my actions. I pray you will use me and that through me your works will be done. I pray you use me to bring healing to others; both physical and spiritual healing.

Though the power of your Holy Spirit let my prayers supernaturally heal others and/or use me to bring others into the fold to bring healing to all those, everyone, in need.

Lord, use me. Let my usefulness bring you and your kingdom glory. Lord forgive my shortcomings, for I am so influenced by the world and I fall dreadfully short of your desires. Please let me live in the world but not be part of the world; help me not look and act as the world does, rather let your light shine out-of-me, so that all who see me see you. Please do not allow the world to have such influence over me, to blind me of you. Clean my eyes and make me wise so that I can see the world for what it is; may your grip be on me forever. Cleanse me so that I may be more like you.

Lord, I seek you, and desire you, and need you. Lord, I love you. Lord, please remove all obstacles that prevent me from seeking you. I pray all this in the name of your Son, Christ Jesus, the Nazarene. Amen!

Your undeserving yet believing son, Craig; son of Robert and grandson of Fred.

A Prayer for Sammy

The turn of the year marked some of the happiest days of my life. I was pregnant with my third son, Sammy. Things were uneventful until shortly after Mother's day when everything changed. I woke up very ill one morning and by late afternoon I was in the hospital. I received the worst news of my life. My baby had died in the womb. Twenty four hours later, I delivered him and twenty four hours after that I was discharged from the hospital. I was wheeled off to a secluded area and handed my son in a small, closed casket. It was the beginning of many difficult days ahead.

I made it through Sammy's funeral and burial. I survived the following weeks as I slowly recovered from the birth. I managed as I listened to the comments of others-some good, some not so good. I attempted to get on with my life the best I could.

About ten weeks after losing my son, I attempted to go out to a women's group gathering. It was a bold move since going out typically made me think of my son. I managed to find the house and introduce myself to a few strangers. One asked me how my summer had been. "Rotten," I thought. Another asked about my sons. "I have three, but one's in the cemetery," I thought. These were words commonly thought, but rarely spoken.

I left the women's group early that night and raced home as fast as I could. I walked into my baby's nursery and said the following to God:

"Lord, I am dust and ashes! If I could tear my clothes and toss dirt in the air, I would! My grief is overwhelming and I am inconsolable! Look at me and help me, because I cannot help myself!"

Later that night, I felt like God wanted me to read Isaiah. I opened my Bible and it fell on chapter 61. I read the following:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory" (Isaiah 61: 1-3)

I responded, "I am holding You to it. This is my prayer."

Lord, thank you that you love us and desire good things for us. You have brought these three verses to my heart and mind:

"I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul" (Psalm 31:7).

"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you'" (Psalm 32: 8).

"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me" (Psalm 57:2).

Lord, forgive me for not trusting You the way I know I should. You have held me up even now. As the psalmist says so I say now; "You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great" (Psalm 18:35).

Lord, hear my prayer. As it says in Your word in Isaiah, make it so for me. Show me your favor. Give me a crown of beauty for these ashes and a joyous blessing instead of mourning. Give me festive praise instead of despair. Let me be like a great oak in righteousness that You have planted for Your own glory. And if it be Your will, give me one more healthy baby.

Thank you Lord that You are working all of these things out for me in Your time and in Your way. Thank you that You have clothed me in Your salvation and righteousness (see Isaiah 62:10). Thank you that you have heard my cry. In Your goodness you have given me these final three verses:

"I Love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breathe! . . . The Lord protects those of childlike faith . . . The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die" (Psalm 116:1-2, 6, 15).

And finally Lord, I still believe in miracles even if I do not get the one I want!

All praise and glory be to God!

Lord God, You are so merciful, kind and good -- what a treasure we have in YOU! And yet, we stay so busy doing "our thing" to serve YOU, we often miss YOUR heart's beat to just be with YOU -- what we so often consider "wasting time."

Oh God, forgive us I pray, and in YOUR infinite patience, draw us once again to be totally still inside and receive the fullness of Who YOU are -- Who YOU are in us, and Who we are in YOU. Cause us to be amazed once again at the miracle of salvation -- the miracle of forgiveness. Pour out YOUR Spirit upon our calloused, religious, legalistic, traditional, critical hearts that are so self-absorbed and haughty. Let us once again taste of YOUR sweetness, and see the manifestation of the fragrance of Christ permeating our beings, our homes, our churches, schools, businesses, hospitals, and marketplaces.

Oh God, the world is groaning for us to be who YOU called us to be -- to allow YOUR HOLY SPIRIT the freedom to flow like a river through our everyday lives, and powerfully pour forth YOUR love, thus tearing down the strongholds of our enemy.

Cause us to stand in YOUR truth and fight with the spiritual weapons YOU have given us. May we not be lazy, or distracted, or fearful, but in all things, and at all times listen for YOUR still small voice to guide us in wisdom to the victories YOU have waiting for us to take hold of in Jesus' Name...

LORD Jesus, thank you for using Agape, a medical missionary outreach to the Russian people, as an instrument that travels to the 'ends of the earth' with medicine and your Gospel. Father in Heaven, you have put on our hearts and minds, your desire to grow and build upon this outreach with more Christian doctors who are Russian Nationals.

Father, your Word says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38. If it is your will dear Jesus, we ask that you would place your Call on these special Russian doctors, leading them and providing for them as they answer your Call to serve you through Agape Russia. We also ask that your power, anointing, and protection would lead them as they lead medical expeditions into rural Russia to "unreached" people.

LORD, we know that you have placed Agape in Enemy territory and ask for your continuing protection and opportunities to serve you here. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.

Lord Jesus, please go before us and prepare the minds and open the hearts to whom we will minister. It is our prayer and desire that everything we do is in your name, your power and to your glory and praise. All these things we ask in the powerful name of our LORD Jesus Christ. Amen.

Family Crisis

My husband's job has taken a turn for the worst. Most people do not realize that he gets paid for just nine months out of the year and must find his own research support for the remaining three months. If research doesn't go well, then there's three months of no salary. There have already been cut backs and there's yet another year of "no raises."

My baby is gone. He died half way through my pregnancy-a perfectly normal pregnancy and a perfectly normal baby. No one knows why he suddenly died. My three year old son keeps saying he will give his toy monkey to the "new baby," but there's no new baby and who knows if I'll ever have another one. With each turn of the day and another visible gray hair on my head, my hope fades away.

My husband's domain is his work. It's through his work that he provides financially for his family. My domain is my home and my children. I work hard to provide a peaceful and nurturing home life. He has been hit hard and I have been hit hard. Neither of us have the faith to believe that God can provide for us. At first I am tempted to tell him to trust God concerning his work, but then I remember that I can't seem to let go of my own troubles. I can't trust God any better with my "baby" concerns. What will happen to us?

Dear God,

We thank you for your faithfulness to us. Psalms 36: 5 says; "Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." The following verse goes on to say that in Your righteousness and judgment, You save both humans and animals alike.

We ask that You would forgive us for not trusting You completely in Your provision for us. We acknowledge that You desire good things for us. In Psalms 84:11 it says; "For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Help us to be thankful this day for the things we currently have: two beautiful boys, a home and wonderful back yard, three healthy dogs, our jobs and responsibilities, our clothes and food that you have given to us. Help us not to buy into the lie that more things would make us happy. Luke 9:25 says; "'For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?'" You have called us to give up our wants and desires and to instead focus on Christ. For this is the only way we can be happy and truly live.

Lord, hear our prayers for work and family. Please bless our work and bless our family. If it be Your will to increase...Your favor upon our work and family, we would plead our cause and ask for new life in research and new life in our family. You know all of our hopes and dreams, needs and wants. Help us not to worry about tomorrow, but to instead cast our cares on Christ, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Although it is difficult for us to see how, we trust that You will work these things out for us in Your time and in Your way.

When I was just a little girl, not much older than my oldest son, my favorite song was a song called, "Seek Ye First," by Karen Lafferty. You have put this song on my heart and mind today. I will close by singing this simple song:

All praise and glory be to God!

Morning Prayer
Lord speak so that I may speak. Prepare for me the path to You. For only Lord in Your calling may You be found. I have no hope outside of You. To whom would I go Lord for You hold the words of life. Open unto me Your Word. Send Yourself, the Spirit of Truth, for without You I am hopeless to understand.

I desire You Lord. I desire to know You that I may live the abundant life that You have promised. And yet Lord I fear You. I fear that Your plans will be too great for me Father. I fear that You will ask for something that I cannot give or for which I am not yet ready to part. But I have forgotten that You are my loving Father. You formed me in my mother's womb. All the days of my life You have seen when as yet there were none. And more than this You love me with a love that I cannot fully understand. You loved me enough to sacrifice Your only Son. As an earthly father, I cannot imagine. Your Word speaks of the anguish of the Son. But what of the pain of the Father; the anguish of Abraham on Mount Moriah?

So Lord, if this is the depth of Your love I must believe that Your desires for me are good. You desire to conform me to the image of Your Son - the second Adam. Father, I lay my life before You only by Your grace. May I lose it to gain it. Lead me gently Father for I am weak. Amen.

Lord God, I come to you this day to give praise for all you have done in my life. Your everlasting love has given me hope for a better tomorrow. I look outside and see all the wonders that you have created and think about the glorious gifts that you have given to me. I am so blessed in this life and want to share those blessings with others.

Even in those times when I was doubtful and discouraged this week, you were right beside me holding my hand, guiding my every move. I thank you Lord that even when I may have forgot about seeking you in those times, you didn't forget me.

God, I ask that you use me. Use all the gifts that you have given to me to help others. I know that I get scared and unsure about reaching out and sharing your word. Let me be a vessel that will share my experiences about you with boldness and courage. Guide me to reach out to those who are struggling with uncertainty and bring them home to you. I was once in that unknown place, but I know now how it feels to be renewed in Christ.

Lord, I seek your glory today and always. Amen.

Don't Leave Home Without It
I don't leave home without it. It's not my purse, money or even my makeup. It is the prayer I pray every morning that contains scriptures I speak over myself and my children. I cover my family in truth and declarations from the Word of God. Here are some of my favorite passages:

• I plead the Blood of Jesus over myself and my family. Thank You that You have rescued our household from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of Your Beloved Son (Col. 1:13).
• I ask that You would forgive our sins today. Set us on high places away from affliction (Ps. 107:41).
• Protect us from all evil, guard our going out and our coming in forever (Ps. 121:7-8).
• Thank You for Your favor that surrounds us as with a shield (Ps. 5:12).
• Open up the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings that we are not even able to receive it all (Mal. 3:10).
• Bless our food and water and remove sickness from us (Ex. 23:25).
• You work all things out for our good and You accomplish what concerns us (Ps. 57:2).
• Teach me to profit and lead me in the way I should go (Isa. 48:17).
• Increase me a thousandfold and bring about the gifts and plans you have for us (Deut. 1:11).
• For my work as a Microbiologist at UK, I ask that You would cause me to hear and increase in learning (Prov. 1:5).

The Vine
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Several days ago, I received a note from a friend. I earnestly read it, because I desperately needed some encouragement since the death of my baby. However, I was a bit put off when I got to the word "joy." When she said she would pray for joy for me, I instantly thought, "Well, that's not possible for me now." I even went on in my mind to add a prayer for her; "God give her something more realistic to pray for so she's not deeply disappointed." There was silence after the word "disappointed," but I might have added, ". . . as I have been deeply disappointed."

I knew disappointment. Over the past few months, I had longed for some relief from the unrelenting torrent of grief over my baby son. Finally, I just gave up. I figured I would need some more reasonable expectations and I had even told a friend that, "my life will be hell for a very, very long time."

I tossed the card aside and began a few last minute preparations for a trip I would be taking. I grabbed the first pen I could find from a nearby drawer to make a list. Each time I wrote a word, I smelled grapes! I kept seeing and smelling grapes! I even said to myself, "I never knew grapes had a smell!" After looking around for the invisible grapes, I finally made the connection that the smell was coming from the pen! I sniffed the pen. Sure enough, it smelled like grapes. I read the side of the pen and it said, "Scented fine marker" in tiny print. Then I was instantly reminded of a friend of mine and how she had let my two young sons pick out a pen from a basket of pens and markers. When it was Henry's turn, he picked out a purple pen for me. I had never taken the time to examine the pen, but had just tossed it into a nearby drawer.

For a moment I was filled with sheer delight at the thought that my friend Laura had purchased something as fun as a scented pen for herself! I smiled just thinking about her and how that was just like her! Not only did she have a scented pen, but she had also given my sons the option of picking any marker or pen of their choice out of a huge basket full of them. My boys were thrilled by the thought of pens and markers; something I rarely allowed them to use. I was reminded of good things like kindness, generosity, an unexpected good gift, and a loving heart: in essence, my friend's heart mirroring the heart of God. In that moment, I had the surprise of joy!

God spoke a verse to me in that moment of joy. He said, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing' (see John 15:5, NLT).

God was quite capable of giving me joy, even in the middle of an intense time of grief and sorrow. As long as I remain in Him, He will produce fruit in my life, even fruit like "joy." In Galatians 5:22 it says; "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." Although something like joy may be impossible for me to conjure up all by myself, with God everything is possible (see Matthew 19:26).

Dear God,

Thank you for being faithful to us and for giving us good gifts. "Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). Forgive us for the times when we have doubted Your goodness and faithfulness.

Remind us of our place: You are the vine and we are the branches. Remind us of our part and Your part: we are to remain in You and You will produce the fruit in our lives. Thank you for Your gentleness. Rather than rebuke us for our stupidity, You gently remind us of Your true nature through things as simple as a fine-lined marker.

Thank You that You are faithful in great things, small things, and ultimately, in all things. All praise and glory be to God!

Father God, Thank you for loving us so much that you created in us a desire to love and be loved. You demonstrated a holy love in the sacrifice of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ and we believe you are calling us to be that love in the world today.

We thank you for all those whom you have given us to love ... our spouse, our children and grandchildren, our parents, our families and our friends. Help us, God, to show love in a selfless way - putting others before ourselves. As we strive for that, Lord, we pray that all we do will also glorify You.

God, we especially pray for the relationship that you created in the beginning. We pray that you would protect our marriages and build within them a foundation that is stronger than the forces of evil that attempt to destroy. We ask you to encourage, equip, and lead us to be the kind of husbands and wives that you created us to be. Bless each marriage in our church and in our community and make Your presence known in a significant way to those who may be facing struggles. In a world that devalues this sacred covenant, we ask you to elevate it to a place of honor worthy of Your blessings.

We pray all these things in the name of Jesus! Amen.

Since the day I became a Christian some 30 years ago, my "life verses" have always been Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. When I truly put these verses into practice, I find that life becomes a great adventure offering me places to go, things to do, relationships to treasure, and miracles to behold that I never thought possible otherwise.

In the deepest core of my being I strive to position myself to receive the great promise and blessing of these verses with simple prayers such as ... "Dear Lord, I genuinely desire to trust you more and myself less. My life becomes so much richer when I do. Yet I struggle every day to turn the reigns completely over to you. Forgive me Lord when I think I know best. Open my eyes to the amazing ways you are at work all around - and give me grace to submit, the courage to follow. Renew in me a servant's heart and show me your way. For you alone are worthy. In Jesus precious name, Amen."

God's Grace

"For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Several years ago, someone tried to get me to attend a particular kind of Bible study group. She said, "Mary, you are quite a free spirit, but I believe you need to be harnessed a bit." My reply was, "I have no desire to be harnessed and good luck trying to catch me!" She smiled, but I could tell she didn't think it was very funny.

There have been many thoughts racing around in my mind lately. I have many conflicted feelings and emotions since my baby died. There's been a fair bit of advice too. It may be well-meaning, but it makes me feel like taking my aching heart and running for cover. While I want to be close to God and others, I also feel like I need some room to breathe. I was reminded of the horse analogy that my well-meaning minister mentioned so long ago. Others may think they know what I need and may want to harness me in some way, but I am not a willing participant, and I have taken off running for the open fields! I know I have failing others, especially God, but my heart aches and I cannot come any closer, not if I cannot be accepted "as is."

Dear God,

Please take all of my thoughts and feelings as they are at this time and please grant me grace. I am overwhelmed by my own thoughts, the thoughts of others, and what I think You may be thinking at this moment. The expectations of others as well as the expectations I have put upon myself have become unbearable. I realize that I am failing in some ways, but I also realize I am completely dependent upon You and now more than ever before, I need grace-especially Your grace. My heart is broken to the point where I cannot bear a harsh word, especially from You, even though I may be well deserving of one. I need You to help me get through these hard days. So, I give You all of my thoughts, tears, anger, and grief and all of myself, as I am today; imperfect, and I rely on Your grace and mercy to accept me this day as I am. Please quiet my mind and calm my soul. Give me the time and the space to sift through and process everything, in my time and in my own way, although always under Your guidance. Give me enough grace to run through an open field. I pray all of these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Reliance

Dear Lord, I need you everyday, every second. I do not possess the strength and grace that I need to get through my days. You are all I have.

I find myself reflecting on Your protection and provision for myself and the kids, more so in Octobers than any other time. Six years ago this month I was widowed, out of nowhere, like my worst nightmare. Every need we had, you provided. I lost my job of 12 years as the lab I worked for relocated to Hazard, and you provided another job. The horrific car wreck, both cars totaled, air bags deployed, yet we all walked away because of Your grace and protection. In the loneliness, I am not alone. You have been there with divine provision and protection. We often think how well "things have worked out", and we don't give credit to our Father, who works all things out for our good and accomplishes what concerns us.

Whatever sanity I thought I might have left in life is slowly being snuffed out as I try to teach twin teenage daughters to drive. They make fun of me as I sit on the passenger side and clutch the dashboard for dear life and stomp on brake and gas pedals that don't exist. But they rely on me to keep them safe and look out for them as they maneuver the roads and help them make wise decisions. And I rely on You completely to keep us safe as we maneuver through life and to help me make the right decisions for our family. Amen

Thank you for your many blessings and for leading me day by day, directing me where you want me. I know that you are so much more knowledgeable about what is best for me and I strive to follow your path.

Help me to open up to your course you have set for me and to allow your gentle hands to guide me in that way. Help me bear witness to the Christian life in all that I do and say. Lead me to where I can best serve you, Lord. Sometimes I get anxious for knowledge for a new direction which my life may be heading and I know that your time will be best.

Help me be patient for your lead, for I know, precious Lord that you want what is best for me, always. Thank you for your grace and mercy Lord. Amen

God knew me in the womb

"You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!" (Psalm 139: 15-18)

Just yesterday, I was walking home from the gym when God actually spoke to me! I saw a sign in a yard that said, "Forty days for life." I read the back of the sign and it said, "I knew you and loved you when you were in the womb - God." In that moment, I felt like God spoke those words directly to me! I got chills and stopped dead in my tracks! I turned around and saw a large statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus in this person's front yard. My mind instantly flashed back to the burial of my baby: he is buried in the Ave Maria garden and a statue of Mary overlooks the area where my baby is buried. At that same moment, I was reminded of the very last time I saw my son: I was devastated as I had to walk away and leave him lying in his tiny casket at the burial site. As my husband drove away, I looked back at my baby's casket for the final time and much to my surprise I saw a woman standing over him praying. As I was remembering these things, God spoke directly to me and told me that He knew and loved my baby when he was still in my womb!

At that moment, I felt like this lady's yard was holy ground! I wanted to fall down on the ground and thank God that He cared for me and my baby. And I did! In my heart, I knelt down and said:

Dear God,

Thank you so much for knowing and loving my baby even in the womb! Thank you for reminding me of his importance to You and for telling me that you knew me when I was that small too! Thank you for this woman who has dedicated her life to You even so far as to dedicate her front yard to You! Thank you that you care for us so deeply. Thank you for reminding me that You have not forgotten us or forsaken us, but that You have prepared a place for us in Heaven. And, my baby is already there with You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Everything finally feels settled in my soul. I know God loves babies and does not want them to die. I know there is a special place in His heart for the small and the weak.

All praise and glory be to God!

A Bruised Reed

"A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory" (Matthew 12:20).

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed" (Psalm 34:18).

"The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked" (Proverbs 24:16).

I had a terrible fall the other day. I tripped running down a hill and landed on concrete. I was covered with scrapes and bruises. As I sat in the waiting room at the doctor's office, there were plenty of curious stares and some sympathetic words. As I sat there with my ice packs and bandages I couldn't help thinking; "If only I had a cold compress for my aching heart."

It has been four months since my baby died. He was supposed to share the same birthday as my oldest son. My husband asked me how I would handle the joy and the terrible sadness of that day (we had begun to discuss and make plans for Henry's fifth birthday). I responded, "It is a kicker how Sammy's birthday was supposed to be the same day as Henry's." I went on to think silently, "And to think someone once thought of me as a bruised reed or smoking flax. If only he could see me now-I'm pretty well snuffed out; a person who's completely crushed in spirit."

I sat on the kitchen floor petting my dog and crying. Henry came and sat on my lap. He hugged me and said, "Mommy you are my friend!" Then he said the most amazing thing! He said, "Mommy, when I am celebrating my birthday this year, Sammy will be celebrating his birthday too up in Heaven. We will have our cake at the exact same time only his will be in Heaven!"

In His goodness, God showed me that this day in October would still be a blessed one. I would throw a birthday celebration for one son here on Earth and Jesus would throw another celebration for my other son up in Heaven. Sammy wouldn't be forgotten either, because with each passing year, I would celebrate his life and know he was in Heaven while I continued to celebrate the birth and life of my oldest son here on Earth.

Maybe my candle wasn't burning brightly, maybe my spirit was crushed, maybe I had taken one of the worst falls of my life, but God was still for me and would help me rise again. There was a glimmer of hope.

Dear God,

Thank you that You did not forget me or disregard the anguish of my soul. Two verses in the Psalms come to mind: "For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness" (Psalm 18:28)

"The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned" (Psalm 34:22).

Thank you for not allowing my light and hope to be snuffed out, but instead for lighting my lamp and enlightening my darkness. Thank you that You do not condemn me, but instead, redeem my soul. During the dark times, remind me of Your true nature and Your goodness. Shine Your light on my life and give me hope for each new day.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Simplicity

Lord Jesus. Let the peace of Your presence settle in to my soul. For these next moments, let me have no thought but You and the thoughts You bring to my mind.

As the psalmist cries out, "I am Your servant, give me understanding, so that I may know Your decrees ... Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple" -- Psalm 119.125-30. Lord, teach us how to humble ourselves in Your sight, to let our soul submit in our mind, our will, our emotions to the leading of Your Spirit in our inmost being. Teach how to be quiet as we watch and wait for the leading of Your voice in the silence of surrender.

You impart understanding to the simple -- those who simply look to You and listen for Your voice. This is wisdom, the understanding You impart to us to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. This is more than knowledge about You, this is how we come to know You. As we know You more intimately, we can trust You more completely. As we grow in trust, we can grow in obedience. Obedience brings blessing, for we are at peace in the trusting surrender of our lives to You.

Teach us how to walk in this holy path of simplicity. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Lord, You've Watched

Lord, you've watched as greed wrecked our nation's economy. You saw how check cashing services charged exorbitant interest to the poorest people. You watched as energy companies engaged in sham transactions, selling electricity back and forth repeatedly, to run the price up. You knew that hundreds of thousands of people were being tricked into buying big houses that they could not possibly afford after the teaser rate expired on their predatory mortgages. You read the news that the world's biggest automaker had abandoned hybrid car development, in order to focus on building bigger trucks. You watched as our government took absolutely no action to limit the price of gasoline.

Surely you wondered why your church did not cry out for mercy and justice, but we were mostly silent. Now so many people are burdened by greed that they are unable to afford even the necessities of life: shelter, food, and clothing. They can't possibly afford the necessities that we have piled onto life in this country: electricity, natural gas, air conditioning, cars, gasoline, telephones, computers, broadband Internet, cellphones, and cable TV.

So many people have been forced to curtail their spending that businesses are going broke and the stock market is collapsing. Some of those people who are broke are us in your church, or members of our families, or our neighbors. Many of us have been demoted, redlined, laid off, and even forced into bankruptcy. Many of us have watched half of our retirement savings disappear, and fear for the remainder. We want to cash out and hide what's left.

Yet you call us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for widows and orphans, visit the sick and those who are in jail, show mercy and act justly, and carry your message of grace to everyone throughout the world. Not just when we feel rich, but even today, when we feel very poor.

The sun was shining yesterday. The grass had grown enough to mow. As I pray today, drinkable distilled water falls like a miracle out of the sky. The economy of your kingdom is just fine. You have provided everything we really need, materially and spiritually. I thank you!

I pray for courage to be generous, to share what I still have. I pray for faith in your continued provenance. I pray for strength and health to serve you and the employer you gave me. I pray for time to repay my debts and to spread your message of salvation.

I pray for cures for the diseases that plague my friends and family. I pray for our government and church leaders to have wisdom and courage to act justly and mercifully. I pray for peace between people of all nations, races and tribes. I know I don't have any right to ask for any of this, except that I ask in the name of your son Jesus, who forgave my failures and sins as he was unjustly crucified. Amen.

The Wisdom Hour

I stand at the end of the day
as the sun is going down,
I see a radiant display
silhouettes shades
surround.

Bright colors
blend and beckon me
to come ...
to find "the wisdom hour"
and You generate
a final scene,
a pause, to entice...
as the world settles down.

Let me enter into a cleansing rest, a filtering of my mind,
surrounded by His blessed
presence, encircling
light divine.

In the evening of my life
and of my days,
Lord Jesus send calming
angels to shelter and
take away, all of the dross,
cleanse me through Your cross, from all worries and fears, for I am extremely fragile here.

Fill my body and
fill my mind
with your truth,
continuously, as
I thirst for more
of the Divine.

Wash me clean
with Your Word,
speak it straight
into my heart,
sink it deep
into my central parts.

Let me put to rest until tomorrow,
difficulties and fears.
Let me throw off
all my worries
do not let them come near.

Speak to me
in the darkness
of rest,
as I wait for You...
I am doing my best,

as the world slows down...
soften the driven parts
of me, so that I may learn
to relax gracefully, and
to offer You
all that I am, and
every future
potential plan.

Help me to see
how to give You
at the close of each day,
a bouquet of giving...
surrender's face...
filled with Your Son's
life rays.

Help me to bring You flowers,
on behalf of the others I seek, as I represent You. As I offer these gifts
let me tell You,
I love You,
I do.

To those with whom
I share my life:
I offer
noble hope
sweet abiding
deep listening
holy surrender
fresh vision
a forgiving heart, and
vibrant living...

Yes, help me to find peace tonight
as I embrace my deepest and truest self.
Help me to love what I perceive.
Help me to view myself and others too,
just the same way that You do.
Let me see deep into each one's heart, as I seek
to do them good. Fill their lives with
the highest,
the best, indeed make them truly blessed.

Let me accept others,
just as You have me,
in order that praise will travel up, straight to Thee.

Let me please my neighbor, for his good, and build him up by your Spirit,
as only You would.

The fiery glow speaks;
announcing wisdom
at day's end and
Your portrait summons me
to look, to find grace within as I continue to love myself, my God and
my friends.

Oh brilliant light of the setting sun,
as I watch you tonight
I drink in your colors,
I bask in your light,
finding peace and rest
in my soul for this night.

I praise you God

because you are:

Almighty
Brave
Courageous
Divine
Everlasting
Father
God
Holy
Interminable
Jesus
Kind
Loving
Mighty
Noble
Omnipresent
Peace
Quiet
Righteous
Savior
Truth
Understanding
Vast
Wonderful
X-mas (X is the symbol for Christ)
Yahweh
Zealous

AMEN

First Thoughts This Christmas

God, as we progress through the holiday season, I think we get so worn out from the cooking, cleaning, shopping and decorating, that we are thankful the holidays are done. Its easy to lose sight of why we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have many things that I am thankful for this season: Your provision and protection, Your guidance for me as I make decisions for my family. Your grace and strength that get me through the stresses and responsibilities at my job and with the kids. Your salvation.

Jesus paid a price for me that I could never have paid and now He sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for me. I don't deserve anything You do for me, but You do it out of Your love for me. It's so easy to think about material and earthly things when we think about our blessings. When we think about what we are thankful for, Your love and salvation and presence in our lives should be the first thing we think of.

I was so sad as I watched the news about the coordinated attacks in Mumbai in November. What a horrifying ordeal that must have been. I prayed for the situation and all involved, and my first thought was, did any of those victims know You? Did they call on You? Were they taught a different religion from birth and never asked Jesus into their hearts? Were they told their religion was the only way to God, or were they taught that there are many ways to God? It made me more thankful that I was born in a country where we can learn about You and worship You freely and publicly, and it made me more thankful that I was brought up in a Christian home and taught the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many forces in our schools and governments and communities that seek to stamp out the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way to You. We must stand firm on that truth and teach it to our children and generations to come. Amen.

Teach Us -- Help Us

Dear Lord, teach us to have our eyes on you each day. Help us to not wander in the flesh and keep us close to you. Help us all with our financial needs in the time of trouble in the world. Help us to be mindful of all your teachings and not to live in the worldly possessions.

Thank You

Father, thank You for Your Grace and Mercy.
Thank You for forgiving me when I didn't deserve it.
Thank You, not only for forgiving, but for forgetting my sins.
Thank you for giving me as many do- overs as it takes to get it right.
Thank You for believing in me that I want to get it right.

From the beginnings of my life in the womb,
through all my growing and changing into who I am now,
You have been there.
When others have left my side, You never left.
When others have simply not known how to comfort,
You have shown such creative ways to remind Me of Your Comforting Presence. Thank You for Your wonderful Sense of Humor!
There are so many things in Your Universe that bring me smiles and laughs.

Thank You for Your Wonderful Ability to connect the dots in my life.
Each time I think I have come to a dead end,
You reach out and connect a few more dots
and the picture becomes a little clearer.
Please teach me to be more patient in letting You connect the dots
instead of my trying to run ahead and connect things
that were never meant to be connected.

Thank You for listening to me whine and complain
and throw multiple wish lists at You,
while You patiently wait for a small thank You for all my abundant blessings.

When all is quiet and I think about it all ... I realize
You are indeed God
... and I'm not. I'm so glad!

Forgive me for trying to make You into my own image sometimes.
I'm so glad to be made in Your Image.
When I grow up, I want to be just like You!
Lots of love,
your daughter...