7 Prayers That Work

  Well, Lord,  I'm coming to you once again in confession and repentance.  Forgive me for my resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness , and malice toward people who have hurt me and abused me. Forgive me for holding grudges, for obsessing over the wrongs done to me. I lay all my hurt at your feet. It's yours. You understand. You can defend me or not. I know you love me and uphold me. I know your ways are good and perfect. I know you will prosper me for your own glory, not mine. I know that you will redeem the lies that people spread about me and the resentment people hold against me. I don't have to hold on to my pain or protect my bitterness so that I feel in control. I'm not. So I give it all to you. My name is "beloved," and I belong to you. That's what can honestly be said about me. That's who you say I am. Forgive me, Lord, as I forgive those who sin against me. In Jesus' name, Amen. "If tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you b...

Help! I need a prayer for perspective. Lord God, Help me to hope in you, not control things around me. Help me to trust you, not to compare my life to everyone around me. Help me to forgive , not resent and judge those who've hurt me. Help me to give, not hoard your favor, your redemption your grace, your gifting, or your provisions. Lord, help me. I am weak , but in you I can be strong . In Jesus' name, Amen. "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in  weak nesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am  weak , then I am  strong ."  ( 2 Corinthians 12:10 ) "We are glad whenever we are  weak  but you are  strong ; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored." ( 2 Corinthians 13:9 )

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies . You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. " (Psalm 23:5-6) Well,  Lord, It's been that kind of year. Hard . I know you understand. You know what it's like to sit surrounded by enemies, to know that people are not what they always portray themselves to be, even while they sit next to you and join your life. You know that anyone can say "Lord, Lord," even while they hurt the Church and the world. So you inspired David to sing:     "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... my cups overflows." ( Psalm 23:5 ) You chose Israel as your special people,  even though they worshipped idols and forgot you again and again. You chose Judas Iscariot to be one of your twelve most intimate friends. You knew he'd betray you, and you picked him anyway. You...

Lord, Help me to give grace, to be patient, to be forgiving, to be full of mercy and understanding. I do not want to be entitled, vengeful, bitter,  or defeated. I want to be like you. But that's incredibly difficult. Impossible. Please help me love even those who hurt me. In Jesus' name, Amen. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’   But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,   that you may be children  of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.   If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?   And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?   Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.   ( Matthew 5:43-48 )