7 Prayers That Work

  Oh, Lord, our Comfort and our Hope-- I'm grieving a loss. I don't have anywhere to turn but you. I don't know what to say or how to feel. I can't navigate the breadth of my emotions and fears. Only your words and your truth can help me rest in the peace that you alone are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Stronghold ( Psalm 18:2 ).  I don't need to be afraid. But I am. So help me steer through the fear and the pain to the hope that waits on the other side of grief. When I'm ready-- and every time I'm not ready-- you are present to comfort and re-orient me. Your words are truth, and I will eat them ( Jeremiah 15:16 ). Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of ...

  A prayer of hope and purpose for the new year, from Philippians 3 -- Lord God, I want to know Jesus Christ and his resurrection. I can't understand his power or his suffering, or his perfection and righteousness. But you know that about me. You know I can't handle this world's problems on my own. You know I can't keep perspective on what matters. It's why you sent Jesus to us in the first place. Because I can't manage on my own, I cling to the hope that you can and will transform all things. I will forget what is behind me in this year. I will reach toward what you have before me in the new year. I will strain toward the prize of winning Christ, of choosing hope in my ordinary existence. I will press on toward the goal of becoming more like your son. My end of the pursuit is heaven. May I long to live in your presence, rather than be fearful of leaving this earth. Mature me this year. Transform me this year. Use me this year. I am yours. That is my hope . Hel...

Dear Father, who transcends time and place-- My hope is in You. I will not fear, regardless of what the world says and does. I will not judge, regardless of the way people treat me. My hope is in You. I will not worry, regardless of the uncontrollable situations around me. I will not pout, regardless of disappointed dreams. My hope is in You. I will not complain, because You give me more than I deserve. I will not lose heart, because You give me courage. I will not give up, because You give strength for every circumstance. My hope is in You. You, alone, wipe away the past. You, alone, are my present joy. You, alone, give me a future. My hope is in You. I will trust Your plans because Your will is central to my life. I will trust Your will because You are good. I will look forward and not backward. I will set my affection on heaven, not earth. Then I will have hope. You did not make me for this present world. You made me for Yours. So give me hope for that future...