7 Prayers That Work

Why should you be thankful after a hard year like this? " Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right." ( Psalm 106:1-3 ) Dear Lord, Thank you for everything you give me  and everything you don't give me. You bless me because you love me. Your love never fails. I will proclaim your goodness openly. You always do what's right . I will wait on you because you are good . I will do what's right because you command it. Thank you for blessing me--however you want to do it-- your way is perfect. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Oh, Lord, My spirit is so heavy .  I feel sad, even while I look around at your beautiful world and thank you for your provision. You have given me so much. Your love and grace isn't lost on me. And yet... I'm human. Circumstances are often painful. People are often cruel. The future doesn't always look bright. So how can I keep my mind in a state of thankfulness and hope? I will praise you. I will count my blessings . I will remember how you have never failed me, how you have protected me, blessed me, and called me. That gives me hope, and that drives out sadness and discouragement. You alone are great and powerful. Nothing in this world can interfere with your blessing and calling on my life. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." ( Psalm 43:5 )

  1 Thessalonians 5:18--"G ive  thanks  in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Oh, Lord,  Thank you for a day that reminds us to be grateful. Forgive me that I need to be reminded of your grace, that I ever complain about the thousand blessings you lavish on me. Lord, thank you for your unconditional and unrelenting love. During this difficult year, you have never left me. You hold me in your hands and protect me. You sit with me in grief and hear my prayers. You are good and generous, and you never leave me or forget about me. And you never hurt me. I am safe with you. Thank you for all of it, even the hard parts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Dear Lord, How great is your love! How numerous are your blessings! There are too many to count. But this month, I counted 30 simple blessings. They were: old friends the Psalms autumn weather computer files literature the theater an evening at home kind strangers a surprise visit from my son a sunny day veterans sunsets letters from friends chocolate and peanut butter memories small children my church fall colors the ability to buy want I want and need my sons coming home my country's heritage my future daughter-in-law sleeping in antiques not working on Mondays my students Thanksgiving decorations Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends online shopping Christmas decorations You are so good. All the time. In the little things and the big things. I love you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Psalm 100  Shout for joy  to the  Lord , all the earth. 2  Worship the  Lord  with gladness; come before him  with joyfu...

It's November now. The month of Thanksgiving. In honor of the upcoming holiday and because how to be more thankful came up in discussions I had this weekend at both my books events, I am committing to you and to God that I will keep a Thankfulness Journal for the month of November. Every day, I will note what I am thankful for and print it. I'm attempting to stay away from the obvious things & people that find their way into all my prayers and take note of the million little details that make the human experience--and the Christian life--so worth living. I recommend reading Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts to help you with this process. It's breathtakingly beautiful. I'm also willing to guarantee that an intentional process of thanksgiving will change how to think about everything and will probably keep your Christmas spirit from digressing into consumerism (a side benefit). So here we go-- Nov. 1--old friends Nov. 2--the Psalms Nov. 3--crisp...

Merry Christmas, everyone —I pray that your day will be filled with delight, joy, and thanksgiving. The Hallmark movie kind of moments would be great, for sure, but I hope you have more substantial moments filled with real love, acceptance, and security. I hope you are humbled by the meaning and spirit of Christmas. Christ with us, the hope of glory. God took on human flesh—and a helpless baby from a poor, unwed mother, at that—and He called Himself “Emmanuel,” God with us. I pray for God to be with you today and every day, to give your life purpose and meaning. Not just on Christmas so you have warm fuzzy feelings of happiness, but every day when the warm fuzzies are gone and you have to work and pay bills and be kind to difficult people. God with you, and give you hope, peace, and eternal glory. Amen. Merry Christmas!

Heavenly Father, Why do you bless me so much? I am in awe of your perfect ways and the grace you give when you let us become involved in the work you're doing around the world. Today you let me meet a child I've sponsored for 15 years, halfway around the world. We share love and appreciation for one another, even though we had never met or talked before today. You have knit our hearts together in the Lord. Even though we don't share race, culture, economic status, gender, age, or interests, this relationship has enriched and changed our lives. Your Spirit accomplished that. Thank you for using me and blessing me in the process. How awesome are your ways, O Lord! Amen.

Dear Lord, I want so much. I want happiness and success and impact. I want friends and family. I  need to stop a second and thank you, because your generosity has exceeded my wants. Thank you for using me. Thank you for saving me and filling me and hanging with me even when I stop hanging with you. Thank you for gifting me, even though I don't always appreciate the gifts you choose for me. Thank you for my family, for our home, for our opportunities, for all the things I grumble about that are incredible blessings. May I complain less, argue less, pout less, despair less, give up less. Because all things are possible in Christ. I want your will. I want what you want, in the way that you want it for me. I just want You. Amen.

Dear Lord, You did it again! You answered prayers we didn't deserve to have answered. You gave grace in the midst of our frailties. You sprinkled favor on us like a gentle rain; Your radiance shined on us, like the sun breaking through after a storm. Thank you! Thank you for being Yourself, Your loving and generous self, who gives to the just and the unjust, the holy and unholy, just because You're holy. You gave us another gift today, just because You're You. We are eternally grateful. Help us to live worthy of Your grace here on earth (at least as much as possible). It's what You want from us-- relationship, obedience, glory to God. May You lengthen our memory of this day until the next time we wonder if You love us enough to hear our prayers. In Jesus' precious name, Amen. image by  MALIZ ONG

Lord Jehovah, You are powerful enough to calm the hurtful memories that haunt me. You are peaceful enough to teach me calm when I feel overwhelmed by fear. You are gracious enough to replace pain with joy, bit by bit, so that I learn to trust Your hand on my life. You are loving enough to overlook my shortcomings, yet at the same time, bring gentle correction where I need it. You are God enough to know all things, provide all things, and deliver all people--yet You were man enough to taste anguish; to live in our narrow, stress-filled world; to welcome our weak platitudes; to endure the confines of humanity. You can do anything. Your vantage point exceeds all others. Why do You even bother with me? I can't figure it out. But I thank you! I love you, in my weak, human little way. Amen.