7 Prayers That Work

Oh, Lord, I pray and ask for your presence . Draw near to me, to be with me in my troubles, to comfort me in my sadness. Is that a silly prayer? It's helpful to me, but I guess it's not accurate. You never leave me. You're always present. I'm the one who wanders, who gets lost , who struggles to find my way back to you. I feel the unrest, anxiety , and turmoil of being a soul out of sync with your Spirit. When I feel tossed about, it's not because you're not here. It's because I've taken my eyes off you; I'm looking at the storms all around me; I'm asking for peace while I welcome chaos. Lord, I fix my eyes on you. There is peace in your presence because you are faithful . Everything else is a wicked and pointless pursuit of self. Forgive me and change me, O God. I'm yours. Heal me,  use me, guide me, restore me, change me. In Jesus' name, Amen. "I have sen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to h...

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 )

  Lord Jesus, You've never been lost, have you? But maybe, in your human moments,  you felt adrift, hopeless, or lost. You're both a shepherd and a lamb. So maybe it's possible you  understand how I feel. I feel lost . I want your will in my life, but I feel incapable of understanding it. I want your calling on my life, but I feel unable to practice it. I want your blessing on my life, but I feel overlooked in receiving it. I want your power in my life, but I feel unable to access it. I just feel lost. Come after me. Search me out  because I want to be found . I'm yours, and I want to feel your presence. Come find me where I hide because I'm too weak to move towards you. But your love is reckless and boundless. You fight for me, look for me, and always find me. Lord Jesus, find me now! Wrap your Shepherd's arms around me and carry me home. Reassure me that you care, that I matter, and that you will always accomplish your will in my life,  if I let you. Drown...