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

Oh, Lord, Help me to see beyond today. Would you give me a taste of glory? Would you let me see what you're doing in the spiritual realm? Would you show me your perspective? Give me your heart, your mind, your will. Change me first, then use me however you want. Use my talents, my failings, my family, for your purposes, and help me to trust you with the results. Your plans are bigger than I can see. May I see you first and foremost and then help me to see beyond today and serve your purpose  and do your will . In Jesus' name,  Amen.   While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.   And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” A s he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.   “Son of man,”  he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”  ( Daniel 8:15-17 ) free image from

A prayer taken from Psalm 55 . Oh, Lord, I am so dismayed and hurt. I'm filled with grief . You know that a friend(s) has/have betrayed me. Left me. Ignored me. Talked about me to others. Spread lies. They made this tragedy about what I "did to them" instead of what it really was-- what they did to me. I am innocent and trustworthy. Why would they misunderstand me? Misrepresent me? Dump me? I know you understand what this is like because the whole world has done it to you. Peter did it. Judas did it. All Christians do it. I cannot compare how I feel to how you must have felt (or still do), but I need to lament this grief to you. You understand . I know you hear me. I know you love me. I know you're with me. Heal my heart. Vindicate me in my righteousness. Restore me to living, instead of hurting. Repair this friendship or punish the wrongdoers so that your name will have honor and glory, rather than dishonor and shame. Christians should love one another. We shou

  Well, Lord,  I'm coming to you once again in confession and repentance.  Forgive me for my resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness , and malice toward people who have hurt me and abused me. Forgive me for holding grudges, for obsessing over the wrongs done to me. I lay all my hurt at your feet. It's yours. You understand. You can defend me or not. I know you love me and uphold me. I know your ways are good and perfect. I know you will prosper me for your own glory, not mine. I know that you will redeem the lies that people spread about me and the resentment people hold against me. I don't have to hold on to my pain or protect my bitterness so that I feel in control. I'm not. So I give it all to you. My name is "beloved," and I belong to you. That's what can honestly be said about me. That's who you say I am. Forgive me, Lord, as I forgive those who sin against me. In Jesus' name, Amen. "If tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you b

  Lord, save me! I'm sinking. I'm not going to make it. I can't go on . I'm drowning right in front of you. I see your hand outstretched,  but I can't reach it. You said, "Come." And I came. I defied the waters below and the pure impossibility that I could join you in your mission-- that I had the faith-- but I don't. The winds and waves are too great for me. I know they're not too great for you, but today, that doesn't seem to matter. I can't go on. I can't see how anything will change. I don't feel you. Catch me, or I will perish. And lead me again into following you, even though my faith is small. I know you are the Son of God, but you feel so far from me and my desperate world. Amen. "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid."--Jesus ( Matthew 14:27-33 )