7 Prayers That Work

  Lord God, It's another glorious day   that could've slipped past me without me noticing or thanking you for it. Another sunrise I almost missed . But you whispered, "Come see me" as I lay in bed. So I came to the quiet place to meet you. Thank you. Then an hour flew by in worship and contemplation , just because I took the time to watch you paint a sunrise.  It peeked over the horizon and hung itself in the bright blue sky. I've taken off two days because I knew that my soul needed you more than I needed to get things done. It took me a whole day just to make peace with doing nothing but listen . Forgive me. I'm sorry I let myself get out of touch with you. How often I miss you because I'm too busy serving you! In a flurry to do good and make a difference, I limit you from making a difference in me because I'm not fully present with you. And no matter how many times I realize that I do this-- no matter how many times I ask forgiveness for not spendi...

  Here's a prayer taken from the blog " Do you love Jesus? " Lord God, Please forgive me for not loving you back. You love without condition , without rules, without disappointment. I love conditionally, experimentally, sporadically. Forgive me and help me lean into your goodness , your holiness, your grace. You are light, love, righteousness, grace, and power. I worship and adore you in my frail human way. Grow the adoration in me. Show me your glory. Today, I'll love you for who you are and I'll serve you because I love you, not because I'm checking boxes for being a good Christian. Lord, teach me what it means to crucify myself and live solely for you. In Jesus' name , Amen. "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the f...

  Let us hold on to the hope we say we have and not be changed. We can trust God that He will do what He promised.  Let us help each other to love others and to do good.  Let us not stay away from church meetings. Some people are doing this all the time. Comfort each other as you see the day of His return coming near. ( Hebrews 10:23-25 ) Lord Jesus, I want to be near you-- to behold you in the sanctuary, to see your face and feel your Spirit. I love to be surrounded in worship by those who love you. I've tried to worship at home, but it isn't the same. There's nothing like being in your presence  with people who call your name and seek your blessing and responds to your conviction with humility and urgency. Thank you, Lord, for the church, for your Spirit that hovers there  and the feeling of love and unity that is present in your body. Bring me back--bring us all back-- without fear or anxiety and without blame, disappointment , or judgment. Just bring us ba...

  Psalm 66 tells us 8 things God wants us to know when life is hard. When my world is melting, sliding out of my control, sometimes I wonder what he's doing. So I usually go to Psalms. God always reminds me that he is busy, and he is triumphant already.  So stop panicking. Here's my paraphrase and prayer of  Psalm 66 , bullet-pointed for clarity: 1. Praise God first, regardless of what's happening Shout for joy, everyone! Give  God credit for his miraculous works! 2. God is in control because he is the Creator Oh, Lord, You fill me with awe. Your enemies cringe at your name. They rebel and slander and revolt, yet the earth itself follows your commands and bows itself in reverent obedience. The orbits rotate, the earth shakes and spews, the animal kingdom continues its circle of life, the wind and waves take their predictable paths. 3. God directs and uses the world for his glory You can alter the world's state at any moment. You can send fire, part waters, stop upr...

This is what the Lord says-- your Redeemer who has made all things,  who formed you in the womb:  I am the Lord who has made all things,  who alone stretched out the heavens,  who spread out the earth by myself..." (Isaiah 44:24) Lord, Jehovah, I worship you. You have made all things, including me, and you can do anything. You are a God of life . You foil the attempts of the wicked to discredit you, You reveal yourself to the unbelieving, You rebuild people and cities that are broken down, You restore inheritance to the poor, You place the lonely in families, You use both the ungodly and the godly to accomplish your will, You water the earth and display your creative genius, You heal diseases and raise the dead. You cannot be delayed. You cannot be surprised. You cannot be overcome. You made all things. You restore all things. You use all things You make all things new. I love you. Amen. Isaiah 44 Psalm 68:5-7

Oh Lord, You have perfect memory. You remember me, even though you have so many more important things to remember. You don't forget what makes me grieve, feel lonely, ignored, foolish, or embarrassed. You know what makes me fill with pride, shrink in fear, and weep with gratitude. (Click here for a prayer called "Only You.") You made me. You know me. And nothing about me makes you pull away, feel disappointed or annoyed. You have infinite love, patience, and grace. For me. Even when I'm horrible. Even when I think I'm wonderful, but I'm really not. You have designed me, and therefore, you intend to prosper me no matter how much I mess up. (Cick here for a prayer about design: "Thank you for my children's struggles.") Thank you for remembering that I'm so so fallible. Thank you for remembering me enough to die for me. Thank you for everything. In Jesus' wonderful name, Amen. "As a father has co...