7 Prayers That Work

Hello, Jesus. I'm a bit scattered and rushed . Stressed and overwhelmed. But you already know that. I'm turning to you because you're the only place to turn. You have the words of life. You know my future and my past. Steady me, Lord. Speak to me. Re-orient me. Calm me. Help me see what you're doing in and around me. I trust you, and yet, I don't . You know that about me-- it's so hard to believe that what I'm doing is right when I don't see results. But you are faithful . You are always faithful. Steady my heart. Clear my mind of the confusion and anxiety that the enemy plants in me. Breathe in me and through me. I want to be a whisper of your presence, an image of your Son, the breath from your lips. Use me however you want  and build a faith in me to endure what I don't understand. In Jesus' name, Amen. "He stilled the storm   to a whisper;   the waves   of the sea   were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm,  and he guided them...

I'm reading I Kings 17 this morning. The country is in a massive famine. It's a pandemic of starvation. Everything is dried up. There is no food anywhere. The widow of Zarephath is picking up sticks to make her last fire, for her last meal, for herself and her son. Elijah approaches her and asks her to make him some bread. He promises that God will bless her if she obeys and feed him first. She believes. And her oil and flour don't run out. She keeps Elijah alive, and God keeps her and her son alive. They survive the famine. But then the widow's son dies. Look how Elijah prays and how the woman responds. "O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?...O Lord my God, let this boy's life return to him!" And the boy begins to breathe again. Then she says, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord is truth." Oh, Lord, God, Reveal your power and ...

Oh, Lord, I rejoice in your lovingkindness, your love, your goodness, your faithfulness, your patience, your forgiveness , your gentleness, your justice, your generosity, your righteousness, and your discipline. Your works and your ways are mysterious, but I trust them because you have always shown yourself to be trustworthy . You are good, and you only do good. Thank you for the history of the world: because in the midst of chaos, suffering , and victimization, you have always shown yourself loving, just, and faithful. You have always redeemed those who seek you. You have always blessed those who follow you. You are father to the fatherless (that's me)! You defend the widow (that was my mom)! You put the lonely in families (that's so many of us)! You free the prisoners (that's justice). You shake the world with your might and power. You paint it in brilliant colors, and you give it to us to enjoy (everybody can see your works!). Praise...