7 Prayers That Work

  Here I am again, trying to trust You, God. In the last year alone, I've posted 9 prayers specifically addressing the issue of trusting God. Given the year we've had, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. And here I am, about to post another prayer about trust. This week, during my prayer time (which I usually have while I walk my neighborhood), Lauren Daigle's song " Trust in you " played on Spotify through my Airpods. It struck me that I'm still struggling over this same issue of faith. I still doubt and worry about what God is doing in my life. Where are you taking me, God? What am I supposed to be doing? Why do I feel so afraid? So unsettled? I'm discouraged that trusting God remains difficult, no matter how much or how long I've worked on it. I'm choosing to trust God again today. Moment by moment. This year. (Read a whole blog about this struggle here .) So here's a song to inspire you and a prayer to transport you into God's presen...

I read this passage this morning. It's startling and challenging, and it compelled me to pray. Isaiah 26:3-4 --"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast , because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." Lord God of Heaven, I want peace from stress and anxiety. I want direction for my energy, creativity in my calling, success in my life. You call me to steadfastness : to lean fast, support myself, stand firm, uphold my conception, imagination, purpose, mindfulness. I cannot trust your will without becoming steadfast in what you've already imparted to me. That's how I learn to trust you. Not by getting you to rubber-stamp what I'm doing or what I want to do. Trust comes from watching you be God in my life, not by being god of my own life. Trust is confidence, boldness, security. It's a decision I make, not a promise You make. I want peace in my soul,...

Lord God, You create everything beautiful in its time. You mark out our days for us. You are with us wherever we go. It's important to remember that about you on days like this. I pray your encouragement and sustaining power over my child as he begins a new venture. He is attempting something difficult and daunting today, and he needs your touch. Cover him with your hands of mercy. Bolster his confidence in himself and his reliance on you. Give him courage to trust your will for his life. Help him see the world through your eyes, full of wonder, full of possibility, full of promise, full of need. Prepare his heart and mind for the next step in your plan. Give him success in all he does. Prosper him for the glory of your name. Keep him humble, hungry, and content. Groom him to be diligent in carrying out your cause. Use him, Lord. It's why you created him and why I wanted him. I give him to you, and I trust you with his life. Give me courage to...

A God who is omniscient is the reason I pray. You create and impart all knowledge, even those who choose to believe You don't exist. I am awed by Your patience and Your grace in allowing each of us to search, resist, or find You as we will. You don't push. You don't cajole. You don't condemn. You just love. You must know that Your love is irresistible to me. Your love persuades me to see You and experience You for who You are, somehow a deity who knows everything about me and yet is not repulsed by me. You aren't afraid that more knowledge of life and science will turn me away from You. Indeed, more knowledge ought to produce more faith. An omniscient God knows that knowledge and faith are congruent and complimentary. You invented science--You designed its intricacies. I'm sure much of science is yet to be discovered. And yet my ignorance doesn't anger You. You smile and wait, like a patient father, for this over-confident human to grasp even a tou...

Lord,  El Olam , the Everlasting God, Help me to trust in you Because you are eternal--you have always been, and you will always be. When trouble comes, and there's no end in sight, help me to trust your will. When I feel betrayed by someone close, help me to trust your friendship. When life seems unfair, help me to trust your justice. When I am anxious about the future, help me to trust your peace. When I am lost, looking for direction, help me to trust your guidance. When my circumstances seem hopeless, help me to trust your wisdom. When everyone feels untrustworthy, help me to trust your character. You have always been faithful to those who seek you-- Always just to those who need justice-- Always strong to those who lean on you-- Always loving, even when I am unlovable. You are everlasting, and so is your faithfulness, your mercy, your grace, and your unending love. Why am I worried? Why am I fearful? I will hope in the Lord, from whom all blessings f...