7 Prayers That Work

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.

Dear Lord Creator, Life is hard. Are you growing me? I want to grow strong and straight and sure,  but I feel safer when I'm not growing, not changing,  not venturing out into new territories.  Somehow, you know what's best for me.  You gently peel away my tough exterior, like white bark from a birch tree that hovers over the water's edge. You unmask my pretense, my pride, my accomplishments-- You tear away what I wear to hide my shortcomings that actually keeps me from maturity, beauty, and destiny.  You know that I will not grow unless you pull away my bark and uncover the tender trunk underneath.  Then you can broaden my perspective--  expand my territory--  raise my branches heavenward to provide shade and protection for others. You give me the chance to grow  a little straighter, a little taller, a little more beautiful. But if I resist the peeling, I will not grow at all. Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is ...

When the path of life confuses and the way seems hard to find, When the voices all around me blur with the voice inside my mind, When I'm not sure of direction, I need only to listen close to the God who planned my future-- He's the one who loves me most! According the Isaiah 30:20-21, we may struggle in life, but what we consider suffering, God deems a gift to grow us into the image of His Son. So when we falter on the path toward destiny, let us listen to the One who designed not only the path, but also the destination! "Though the Lord gave you adversity for      food  and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you.      You will see your teacher with your own eyes. 21  Your own ears will hear him.      Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,”      whether to the right or to the left."--Isaiah 30:20-21

Oh, Lord, my maker, you are incredible! May your name be recognized and revered throughout the earth! When I think about the sky and the earth, the whole of your detailed creation, with planets in their synchronized orbits and animal kingdom living in perfect harmony-- who am I that you even care what I think or what I fear? You have taken the time to create me with exquisite detail, fashioning my form and face, my personality and my gifts, all so that I can bring glory to you by knowing you and reflecting your image? Who am I, that you grant me free will to worship you or to worship myself, made in your image? Who am I to be loved by you? In all the earth, you are the most incredible! Amen.