Time with the FATHER

Heavenly Father, I pray today You will lead me in all Your ways. Each day LORD, when I wake let my first thought be of YOU. Let my mission be this day to see YOUR name shared with all around me and Your Kingdom proclaimed! Lord please help me to remember that when I run ahead it's so easy to find myself lost...only by following You in all things am I able to keep to the narrow path! I love You Lord, You are my King and my heart waits upon YOU!!

Amen!

Lord please help me to learn to be of few words, and if I should open my mouth to speak let it be by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Help me Lord to know Your will and heart and give me wisdom to understand how truly dangerous the tongue can be when used to inflict opinions on other believers like a weapon being waged in war. Lord help me learn to listen and to know when to be quiet for I am seeing that even when I think "I" have many important things to say on a matter, the reality is much that is spoken is of my own will an so not worth sharing. Father I pray that you would take away the need to be seen as having all the answers, and that my worth would be buried deep within Your Son and never found in self!!
Amen!

Let me live my day through you o Lord. Observing those things I so often miss. Sharing the glory that is yours with those who surround me. Thankful and confident that you are in control. God of Large and small. Let my lips continually praise you and let my soul be comforted knowing you are sovereign. May this day be a day of dedication to you. Let me not get lost in the busyness of it. May my transformed heart speak when my tongue is moved and may it have opportunity to glorify You, our precious Lord and Savior.

Father help me keep my thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and focus on JESUS. Let the meditations of my heart and mind be filled with Your SON and not self or the things of this world. Each day there are so many distractions that seek to lure me away from YOU but I pray you will strengthen me, help me not to chase after those things that would steal my time away from Your purpose for my life today and every day. Father its by Your strength and Your will that I am able to make my way through this world that is filled with such darkness. Your love and Your grace shines through like a beacon of light in the darkest of night. Help me LORD to share that light with all YOU bring unto my path this day!! JESUS my Lord and KING, as I walk with YOU, I pray for YOUR presence and guidance in my life always and LORD, let me never be so proud or arrogant to believe that I can make this journey alone!
Amen!

Heavenly Father,
I am seeing more each day how very much like a garden my thought life is, and how this can effect the attitudes of my heart. Father I know the more I mediate on You and the things of Your kingdom the more good seeds are planted. Daily these seeds must be cared for, nourished, and given light in order to grow and produce fruit to Your liking. Lord thank You for showing me that just as goods seeds are planted, there are weeds that take root and pollute the garden if I let them. These weeds are thoughts centered on self and worldly living, they invade my thought life and infect my heart. If I allow them to have room, they will take root and grow. I see how dangerous this is Lord as these weeds will take up space in the garden and choke off life to the goods seeds that You have given me. Father help me heed this warning, help me to take captive every thought and by Your strength to cast out the weeds so that You can bring Your seeds to maturity in my life!
Amen!!

Lord I just give thanks to You this day! Father for so long I have struggled with this attitude of heart but You are here always helping me to overcome. When I am weary, You help me find rest. When sorrows cause tears to flow, You help me find joy. When there are long nights of pain, You help me find comfort. When there is fear of the unknown, You help me find faith. When there is loneliness, You help me find love. When there is conviction over sin, YOU LORD help me to know forgiveness! Your grace, Your mercy, Your kindness are treasures to me and You LORD fill my heart and life with such beauty. Let me sit with YOU awhile and give thanks for YOU are my Savior, and KING!! KING JESUS be lifted up this day!!!
Amen!

Oh Lord, Thou art very GREAT !

Early will I seek Thee o' Lord,...WHO is my help in time of need !
Thy WORD O'Lord is as Pure Gold,...costly,..and Fine Bread,
...Who is like unto Thee O'Lord ? There is none,to compare.
I will eat Thy Bread with gladness of heart...what a rejoiceing
It is to my taste !
And even when it is the Bread of hard counsel or for correction,...
Please Lord, help me not to throw it to the ground,...but to eat it ,for I know Thou ONLY are right,(ious ) in all Your judgments,...and it always is for my good,what You are working in me, and to bring Glory to Your Name.
That Name that is ABOVE all names,...that Name that you have given to me ,and to all them that are born of You. I pray You will help me by leading me in the way that You would have for me to go/be / do, to Hallow Your Name that is in me . Thy Kingdom come in earth Lord ! YOU the King,..rule,..be Lord in our hearts, is my cry Lord.
Help us o'Lord to be a set apart people for You,..Built up in the most high and Holy faith,..that now as well as when the times of great shaking shall come,..we will be overcomers..

What about Steven O' Lord ?...You did not promise it to be easy,.. ...You brought him all the way through and out the otherside,..STILL IN YOU! You truly Saved him to ottermost.
Teach us to pray without ceasing..that there may be a prayer under our breath and a love for You at all times.

Lord I am poor and needy, ...and my flesh is weak, I am in great need.
What I am saying is, please give us more of Your Grace !
* That Devine enflence upon our hearts,...just DRAWING us to You,....
'The Way.'
Thank You Lord for Your desire for us,and Your faithfulness.
You do the work o'Lord,..it IS Your work, ..just help me to be a willing vessel.

Much praises are due Your Name,
Forever..

Father, I read that there is one sure fire way to rattle the enemy, one way to really just hit him and make the armies of hell tremble...that one way is to lift my voice and to declare to all that "I love YOU LORD!" I love You and I seek to love YOU even more. Father as the seconds on the clock tick by this day let my love for YOU grow stronger, bolder, and deeper! Today let me raise my voice to say I belong to JESUS and I love YOU LORD! I declare for all the world seen and unseen to hear, JESUS is worthy, JESUS has so captivated my heart that no one could ever take me from HIM! Father this is my cry, this is my prayer no matter how difficult this journey may seem, no matter what perilous enemies I might encounter, let nothing, nor no one ever doubt that the love YOU have for me, the love YOU have shown me is enough to sustain me!! Today I freely declare my love for YOU, for YOU are worthy!! I stand by YOUR mercy and grace, I joyously shout, "I love YOU LORD!!"
Amen!!!

"Who can this be, that even the winds and seas obey HIM?"

LORD JESUS its YOU that commands the seas as their waves come crashing in. It's YOU that commands the winds be calm and suddenly all is quiet. Its You LORD who tells the sun to shine, and the clouds to form and effortlessly they obey. Its YOU LORD who has lifted the scales of darkness from my eyes, that I might see light. It's YOU LORD who has suffered that I might have joy, YOU LORD JESUS who sacrificed all, so that I might find life. Its YOUR hand LORD that carries me when I am to weak to continue on, its YOU LORD who holds me when the storms are closing in. The question asked, "who can this be?" and all eternity and creation cries out "This is our KING, this is our LORD, this is JESUS!! May HE be praised and glorified always!!
Amen!

Heavenly FATHER, this morning I just feel so overwhelmed with a need to pray for others. LORD, time is so short, our lives here are but a moment, time is the one thing we can never get back and no one knows when their time will be called.Press upon our hearts LORD how precious a gift this life is. I know LORD for some young ones they get caught up in thinking they always have tomorrow, I was once that way too, but LORD I pray help each to see that today is all we really have! In YOUR word its tells us to live every moment as if it were our last moment, LORD help us to walk this way, help us not to waste one single breath, not one single moment in living for self. LORD I pray that YOU would grab hold of each of us and really just press upon our hearts that the only things worth doing, the only things that will leave a mark on eternity are the things done in YOUR SON JESUS!! To further YOUR KINGDOM!!
Amen!

FATHER, its those unexpected things, those little things that take us completely by surprise and happen every day that turn out to be the very things that grow my faith the most. LORD one such occasion came up this more and for a brief moment I found myself entertaining thoughts of "OH NO!" and "WHAT NOW!" in those moments LORD the temptation of self and the enemy to take my eyes off of YOU and focus on the situation was very real and daunting but as soon as the darkness and worry began to creep in I felt YOUR presence and I knew no matter what that I had to keep my eyes on YOU and trust! LORD I have no idea how this day will unfold, I have no idea how this difficult situation will conclude but I do know that YOU are here with me and that I never go through this journey alone!Father I give thanks for YOUR love and mercy, I give thanks for YOUR arms that hold me up and carry me when I am weary. LORD I give this day to YOU, YOU know the needs and I trust in YOU!!
Amen!!

FATHER on this journey with YOU many trails and struggles arise that leave me faced with no other option but to turn and look to YOU. In self I have fought against and even rebelled against the notion of trusting in YOU completely, with every aspect of my life. I have wanted to find solutions, solve problems, answer questions and even just make hurts go away but I realize its all so sinful and futile. I see now that in all of life's moments whether great or small, all of the battles to be fought must begin with a prayer and trusting in YOU. I see it's not just about giving up control of my life but about trusting YOU and having believing faith. LORD for so long I have been afraid to actually pray these words, "YOUR will be done." because it meant relinquishing complete control over every situation, over every circumstance and placing it all in YOUR hands, trusting and having faith that no matter what the outcome YOU love me and YOUR will is best! Even now LORD as I hear YOU calling to me I tremble at these words and their meaning in my life, the surrender of all, holding nothing back and trusting that the truly safest places to be is in YOUR hands trusting that YOUR will is by far so much better then any answer I could contrive.LORD today I pray help me to stop trying and to learn to trust. Help me to have faith without knowing the answers to all of life's "what ifs"...help me to always remember no matter what or where this journey leads YOU will be there with open arms waiting for me! Help to remember and live these words, "YOUR will be done!"
Amen!!

LORD I realize there are so many moments in my life that YOU have cared for me, when YOU have extended love, mercy, grace, covering and forgiveness to me even though I do not deserve such
blessing. Thank you LORD for all that YOU are and do for us daily. Thank you FATHER for the wonderful gift of just being able to
pour out my heart to YOU, and the comfort in knowing YOU are listening!!
Amen!!

FATHER as I read the headlines in the world today there is such sorrow, such pain, so much hatred that its difficult to see what lays beyond into the unseen. Oh dear LORD there are times when the cries of this world feel like they press in on me and all I can see is the darkness. I pray and I cry out to YOU wondering has the world gone mad, have we so sought after living for self that there is no light left in this world, no hope. Then I hear YOUR voice and I am reminded of how much YOU have given, how much YOU have loved how patient YOU are and my eyes are opened to see. FATHER even before the beginning of time You had this perfect and amazing plan just waiting to be set in motion so that one day a wretched sinner like me might call out, and receive forgiveness, and life through YOUR SON JESUS! I know the days are dark and as time rushes on they may grow darker still but I shall not be overwhelmed nor will I be overcome with sadness, because with YOU LORD there is always a way. I pray LORD for those who still walk in darkness, let their eyes be opened, help them to see their great need to repent and cry out to YOU...open their eyes LORD JESUS and help them to know YOU are the Way the Truth and the Light in this dark world!
Amen!!

LORD as I look out my window, I am reminded that YOU create so beautifully. The world around me is a canvas and YOU my GOD are the MASTER artist.In all the universes there is none like YOU! As the sun broke through the clouds and beamed its rays of light to nourish the green grass and mighty Evergreens I see YOUR hand upon it. The gentle breeze that fills the air with the sweet smell of springtime flowers reveals YOUR passion. YOUR attention to each detail in YOUR work is there for all to see as the bee buzzes the flowers and the robin sings its morning song. My senses are filled with such beauty and I give thanks FATHER that YOU have blessed me with another day to spend with YOU!
Amen!!

FATHER thank YOU for showing me this morning how the attitude of my heart can affect my thought life and the lives of others around me. LORD I can be such a negative person at times, thinking about what can always "go wrong" or seeing the down side to every situation, help me to see things as YOU would have me. I don't always want to think the worst in people or see the tragedy in life...I now realize the affect of these attitudes can be so destructive to others and my walk with YOU. Please forgive me LORD for at times being a stumbling block and for not encouraging another as I should. LORD while its true that the world is filled with sin and darkness with YOU there is always light, help me not to be blinded to the light and love of YOUR SON JESUS in others LORD. Help me not to doubt, and look for flaws unless they are my own!
Amen!!

Thank YOU LORD for this moment in my life, for this time to sit with YOU, to hear YOUR voice and learn what it means to take up my cross and walk with YOU. LORD there are often many voices that shout out daily attempting to draw my attention away from YOU but I pray YOU will help me stay close always, do not let me step to the left or the right but help me keep to the narrow path. LORD I am but a small child in need of YOUR guiding hand, truly I see I can not make my way in this dark world with out YOUR lighting the path.
Amen!!

Please LORD I pray that YOU will continue to help me in this area of my life. Please LORD help me to trust in YOU, keep fear and worry far from me. Please LORD in these days I need YOU more then ever in my life, every moment, every day, keep me near to YOU.
Amen!

FATHER so often I find myself amazed by YOUR love and faithfulness to me. I being nothing and deserving of nothing, and yet YOU chose to love and care for me. There are many times when YOU have blessed me through out my day as I go on unaware of the hand guiding me. YOUR care and provision is and has been constant. YOU bring me through each trial, YOU help me over come each hurdle in this journey. There are times when the wounds run deep but YOU are the balm to heal them. There are times when my tears flow and YOU are near to dry them.There are days when my body is weak but in YOU I have rest. My JESUS I am in awe of YOU, each day LORD I pray give me deeper conviction into those areas that might keep me apart from YOU and give me a deeper glimpse of who YOU are so that my love may never grow cold!! LET me always see self and the need I have for YOU!!
Amen!!

FATHER thank you for showing me these area of my life that keep me from walking with YOU. I am seeing that I have a lot to learn when it comes to listening. LORD even with those around me the desire is often to try and solve the problem so I am quick to offer advice, opinions and correction, but rather slow to just sit back and listen. LORD I am seeing this is still a deeper issue in my life of seeking to control the situation and to make my voice heard. LORD help me die to this attitude of heart. Let me not look to be the center of attention or seek after mans approval with pretty words. FATHER I shudder to think of how many times I have stepped on the moving of YOUR heart and will for another by opening my mouth to speak.LORD how often have I closed off my own heart to hear the words of another and missed what YOU might have had for me. Help me LORD to truly learn what it means to be a servant and to show love for my brothers and sister by learning to keep opinions to myself, help me learn to sit still and to listen!
AMEN!!

FATHER, YOU have opened my eyes this morning to see some things about my self that were difficult and at first very painful to see. I am seeing that my sin of worry and fear has at times added stress to my dear husbands daily routine because of my fear that something "bad" might happen to him. I have at times been overly concerned and because of that he has one extra thing on his daily schedule to deal with, namely making sure that he called or text me just to calm me fears...LORD thank you for showing me just how hard my sinful behavior was making things for him. YOU have been faithful to show me its time to dig even deeper, there is more work to do. I realize now that one of the issues is that I was seeing my husband as a possession, I was seeing him as “mine” “my husband” “my children” my__________fill in the blank and that is not the kind of love that YOU JESUS would have me give to them. Its selfish and destructive kind of love that is centered on self, please forgive me for that. I see now all those times that I was texting or calling because I was worried was really not trusting in YOU LORD to care for my husband. I realize that I need to let go of him and trust that YOUR going to take care of him.Help me LORD as I learn to just let him go in YOUR care and to love him in a supportive way not a controlling way. FATHER, YOU are so good and faithful to show me these things and also YOU have surely done such a mighty work in my husbands heart. LORD he has been so kind and patient, bearing with my worry and fear in love, never once complaining to me about the burden I must have been causing and that is a testimony to YOUR presence in HIS life. I am just so thankful LORD for the gift you have given me in this life to share this journey with this man has been such a blessing and joy. Thank you LORD for helping me see...
Amen!!

LORD I feel like such a fake sometimes, like I am going through the motions and nothing I do is really real. Are there things I still hold back from YOU, please show them to me. Open my eyes LORD help me see so that I might come to YOU, repent and walk closer with YOU. LORD I don't want to feel like I am forcing this "christian life" and yet there are times when I just feel I am.I know in my head that I can not trust in what "I think" that I have to rely on only YOU, help this be a reality not just "things" that I know... I don't want to get caught up in the externals and yet it seems like there is so much emphases on that. How do I get past it and just be real with YOU? LORD please help me let go and die to self, let there be no more of mary but only YOU LORD! Help me find my true identity in YOU and not self. I love YOU LORD and YOU deserve so much better then this but it is all I have and I bring it to the cross and offer it up to YOU today

Amen!!

LORD help me to be a faithful servant, help me to be about YOUR KINGDOM each day. Forgive me for the times spent wasted on self living. LORD each day as I wake I pray press upon my heart what YOUR will for me is this day and all the days YOU give me. FATHER often as I look over the things that I have done, the decisions I have made, or the things I have shared I wonder what was the motivations of my heart behind it, what was the desire of my heart that moved me to action. LORD in these areas of my life that are self show me that I might die to it, and LORD I pray as YOU reveal these things to me help me to cling to YOU, to hold tight to YOUR hand, and to walk with YOU no matter what the cost. Let each choice made be in response to YOUR will, let the words upon my lips be yes! and Amen! FATHER in these days that are shortened when darkness approaches as a thick and heavy storm cloud let me learn what it means to be a servant,to see the needs of others above my own, help me to lay down my life for those around me. LORD let my life be a reflection of YOUR SON JESUS!
Amen!!

LORD, as I walk with YOU today may I be ever mindful of how precious a gift YOU have given me to walk this life with YOU! Help me to never take for granted or trample on YOUR sacrifice with selfish and rebellious living, but keep me close always LORD.Guide my steps as I make my way in this world, help me to keep far from the temptations that would cause me to stumble and sin against YOU. LORD daily show me the way and keep me to the narrow path. Open my eyes to YOUR truth so that I might see as YOU would have me. Father flood my world with YOUR light that I may keep from the darkness. LORD daily show me those areas of my life that might keep me from YOU!
Amen!

FATHER its so amazing to me the things that YOU will use to reveal more of YOURSELF to me. Three little words spoken, “As you wish,” and my mind is all at once filled with memories of this wonderful simple story of love and devotion. A story in which a simple farm boy lays down his life to care for and demonstrate his love for the fair maiden. In this story the farm boy does everything to overcome the obstacles in the world, he faces every hurdle in life as a challenge that he might show his love to the fair maiden. Their love is true and so it prevails in the end, the simple farm boy wins the love of his bride and they ride off together and their story ends...Oh my dearest LORD as I pondered over the love story between these to made up characters it gave me a glimpse of YOUR love for me. What was a simple story became a wonderful reminder of truth. A reminder of how YOU endured, of how YOU sacrificed, of how YOU suffered, to demonstrate YOUR love for me on the cross. YOU gave all willingly to demonstrate the depth of YOUR love. YOU overcame sin and YOU conquered death by lying down YOUR life, freeing me from the fate and punishment that I so deserved. YOUR love LORD proves to be unlike any other and stronger then has ever been known. YOU LORD redeem the hand of YOUR bride and together we will spend in eternity with all of Heaven speaking of the true and unending love of JESUS. YOUR church will lift their voices in worship, and praise to YOU our LORD and KING that YOU be lifted up and glorified for this love story has no ending and lives on forever!! Thank YOU JESUS for just allowing me to have that moment with YOU, to know YOUR heart for YOUR church, and to be in YOUR presence,!!
Amen!!

FATHER I pray YOU will keep my heart soft and open to YOU. Allow me to learn the real blessing there can be in listening. Teach me LORD to have a more understanding heart and to demonstrate YOUR love to others with out regard of self. FATHER the cares of this world seek to draw me away from YOU but I pray help to remain close, give me the strength to hold tight to YOUR hand and follow YOUR leading. Help me LORD not to have a hardened heart, keep me from being callous to the pleas of others. LORD I pray help me receive correction when I am wrong and not be defensive. Take away this need within me that in self always wants to be right. LORD I pray help me have the heart of a servant!
Amen!!

FATHER I pray help me understand what it means to live unto YOU as LORD of my life. Help me let go to those areas of my life that I have in self held on to. LORD give me strength to submit to YOU in all things. I want to know YOUR will and desire for me daily because I trust and believe they are so much better for me. LORD help me learn to lay down my life not just in those things or areas that I am comfortable in but stretch me and help me to grow in YOU. I pray that YOU would help turn these thoughts into actions guided by YOU. I don't want to give in to striving, I know in my heart its not about seeking to be good enough or trying to overcome sin in my own strength. I know that is an impossibility. LORD help me today to take up my cross not live in fear and walk willingly with YOU!
Amen!!

LORD,
YOU have been pressing on my heart the reality of time...I just come before YOU and ask how can I share with another the reality of eternity. We live in such a "time" when everything is "now" and the idea that what I do, the decisions I make now can and do effect my eternity seems so far off to some. Young ones I find especially vulnerable to this lie that they have all the time in the world to live life now and think about eternity at some later date. LORD they don't seem to realize that the clock ticks, the hour is passing, and soon they will stand before YOU facing eternity.Help them see LORD that apart from you they walk in very dangerous territory, the enemy is lurking, waiting to crush and devour them...LORD I pray give me YOUR Words to share with them, open their ears and let them hear and understand, truly time is short. FATHER I pray help them understand that in life nothing, not one other thing is as important as this.
Amen!!

FATHER I find that when the cares of this world seem to overwhelmed me and all I can see is dark clouds on every side the best thing to do is to take each thought captive, come running to YOU, drop to my knees and pray. LORD just being with YOU calms my spirit and comforts me. I just want to give thanks LORD for all that YOU do, and all that I have. LORD thank YOU for YOUR love, mercy, grace, patients, discipline, forgiveness, strength, covering, and care. I am forever amazed by who YOU are and how YOU love such a one as me. LORD thank YOU for this day as YOU helped me walk and guided my steps keeping me close to YOU. Thank YOU LORD for the places YOU took me, and for the lessons YOU helped me learn. Thank YOU for showing me the sinful attitudes of my heart that I may repent and thank YOU for giving me the strength to keep my eyes focused on YOU. LORD I give thanks and praise YOUR name because YOU alone are worthy, YOU are my all and everything is possible because of YOU!
Amen!!

LORD I realize that giving in at all to fearful thoughts for just a moment is enough room to give the enemy a foot hold in my life. LORD help to take captive every thought and bring it unto YOU. LORD I see that its the enemy who wants to come around dragging up old debts, trying to convince me that they are not forgiven. The enemy looks for any opening that he might use to cause me to take my eyes off of YOU and cause me to despair. IF I look at the world long enough I can be filled with fear, worry, and doubt but in YOU there is always a WAY. With YOU LORD there is hope. I pray FATHER shine YOUR light in my life that it may cast out all the shadows that seek to rob me of the joy and peace YOU have for me. Fill my heart and life with a deeper desire for YOU. Teach me to walk by faith daily and to trust YOU in all things. LORD help me see just how sinful and deadly fear can be, how destructive it can be to my walk in this life with YOU. LORD I pray help me not to look backwards but to be always moving forward in YOU!! I long to be here with YOU, walking with YOU and not caught up or consumed by the happenings that my physical eyes see or ears hear. LORD I know much has happened and will continue to happen in these days but please don't let me get fearful and caught up in looking for the sky to fall but rather help me to live by faith knowing that when it does I won't be crushed I will be home with YOU!!
Amen!!

LORD I just pray, help the young ones come to YOU. Help them see how precious a gift this life is and that YOUR desire for them is to come and run away with YOU. Open their hearts and let them see how deeply YOU love them, how much YOU care for them and how YOU long to draw them near. LORD I pray that the young people today will see that self living is a lie, a destructive lie that only serves to bring them pain, suffering, and sorrow. In the end when the curtain comes down and they stand before YOU they will see the true consequence of their failed rebellious life and it will be to late, but LORD help them now come to see and realize that the sin they choose to live in daily is a death sentence that will lead them to eternal punishment the likes of which they can not even begin to fathom. Help them to see through the facade of this worlds lies and into the reality of what lies ahead if they continue on the broad road. LORD the world promises such riches but show them, help them to see that it all passes away and only the things of YOUR KINGDOM last through out time. LORD open their eyes, give them a true vision of how lost in their sins they are and how great and desperate their need for YOU is as these days come to an end!Show them LORD that through YOUR SONS sacrifice there is hope and true life that is just waiting for them to come to the cross. LORD I just pray that as these lost lambs, these prodigals find their way home to YOU, that YOUR name be lifted up and glorified for all to see!
Amen!!

FATHER I repent for the many time I have given in to compromise. I repent for the times I should have stood firm in YOU and spoken truth instead of yielded and appeasing my flesh. FATHER I see now how truly wicked that heart of mine has been. In my desire to please flesh I have walked in compromise with the world instead of walking close to YOU. LORD I repent for having loved so selfishly and so little that I took the cowards way instead of YOUR way. FATHER I pray and ask please forgive me. I am sorry for the damage that surly has been done. I am sorry LORD that as a professing follower of YOUR beloved SON I have caused others to stumble. LORD please forgive me for my cowardly self serving attitudes. Please LORD give me strength and the courage to walk out of my comfort zone and unto the battlefield. Give me the courage to take up my cross daily, to risk and the faith to know that even if I should loose all I still have YOU!! LORD teach me how to love as YOU love and teach me how to serve as YOU willingly served others. I pray LORD that I would not give in to compromise but rather keep my life buried deep within YOU so that when the battle rages I stand strong choosing to follow my KING!
Amen!

LORD teach me to love others as YOU love them. Help me to understand what it means to put another before self and to really love them. I look to the cross and how YOU sacrificed all so that I might live, I see such love in everything that YOU have done and I realize how the love I profess to have for others is so far from where it should be. LORD help me die to self in this area of my life, help me learn to love as YOU love, help me demonstrate that love YOU have given me to others. LORD soften my heart and teach me how to truly love. I just pray as the world seems to overflow with so much hate that YOU would teach me to love.
Amen!!

MaryJane, your prayers on this thread are like devotionals to me....you lay open before all who read here, your intimate thoughts between you and our Saviour....I have been so very blessed by what you share, and just wanted you to know...

FATHER I come before YOU to seek forgiveness. I have been praying for a change in my heart to have a real love for others and YOU opened my eyes yesterday to see that there is still more work to be done in this area of my life. FATHER as I prayed YOU faithfully answered and revealed to me these sinful attitudes toward others that I still carry. LORD I am so sorry and broken by what I have seen through YOUR eyes. It is a painful and pitiful thing to look upon when one sees self as it truly is. Even now I struggle to admit that these sins still reside within my heart and yet YOUR love is what moves me forward to continue. LORD as hard as it is I know as I confess these thoughts, these attitudes to YOU and others that there is victory and freedom in YOUR forgiveness. In YOU I am not over come with despair but filled with hope. While I am weak YOU are so strong LORD and I realize now that the fear I struggle with not only keeps me from YOU, from fully trusting in YOU but that it stops me from extending that love to others as well.Fear is a weapon from the arsenal of the enemy, he uses it LORD to bind me from loving and sharing as YOU lead me but I know in my heart that YOU have set me free. YOUR desire is that I walk with YOU, that I walk as a warrior of a mighty KING, not a coward who seeks only to protect self! Help me this day to remember no matter what I might face, no matter what challenges the world might send my way, no matter what weapons the enemy might use against me that in YOU the battle is already won!! This life, this earthly reality is fleeting but YOU LORD are a mighty KING who reigns and that is where I long to be. LORD I pray no matter how difficult to self it might be that YOU would help me to continue to see these attitudes and areas in my heart and life that are not of YOU so that I might walk with YOU and love others as YOU have shown love to me!
Amen!!

LORD there are days when I feel weak and weary, those days when try as hard as I can but all I see is empty darkness. Days that are filled with such a brokenness over my sin that LORD, I know if I was left here in this place I would surely die in my despair but in this moment when I turn to only YOU LORD and cry out that I realize YOU are here. In these times YOU give me such a vision of YOUR love that I can not but help to be completely captivated by YOU. As I cry out for mercy and forgiveness YOU are faithful and the sorrow and pain felt in this world is washed away. As I stand broken and weeping YOU wrap YOUR arms about me YOUR embrace is like a soothing balm to my heart. I find my mind and spirit comforted by YOU. I close my eyes and pray, YOU are here with me and the darkness flees. I see myself as I was, lost, alone, and deceived by my own sinful desires. YOU hear my cry and suddenly my filthy rags are as white as new fallen snow. YOU take my hand and we walk together each step is chosen carefully by YOU to help me grow so much closer to YOU. As we walk along my heart beats with unspeakable joy and love at the site of my beloved SAVIOR. YOU daily show me things that at times are difficult to see and as tears form in my eyes YOU LORD are there to dry them. The pain at times seems unbearable but again YOU whisper in my ear, I AM still here. In the world I could only see as my own eyes would allow me but then YOU touched my heart and I truly see love in my life as I never have before. FATHER I pray when in these dark days that are surely about to come and they seek to overwhelm me, that YOU would allow me to hold tight to this which YOU have shown me. When the enemy seeks to accuse me and hold up my past sins before me let me cling all the more closely to YOU and when self rises up within me let me seek to by YOUR strength choose the narrow path knowing and remembering the cross I carry is not a burden but rather a key that has released me from the shackles of my own sinful nature!
Amen!!

LORD, yesterday the weather forecast was for a severe storm that would come with damaging hail, strong winds, and heavy rains. As I considered the storm and its impending arrival fear began to rise up inside me so I began to pray that YOU would take the storm away that it would pass us by and in YOUR mercy we had clear skies. As I knelt down to pray and gives thanks LORD for YOUR care and covering YOU reveal to my heart that one day very soon things will be very different. One day another kind of storm will rage and it will be very severe and many will face hardships, trails, and struggles as never before. I know as this dark fearsome storm comes there will be no escaping it. The winds will blow and the world will rage against YOUR Church. LORD in that time, I pray that YOU will give me strength to stand firm in YOU, side by side with my brothers and sisters in faith. LORD I know that one day this time will come, this storm will be upon us, YOU have already told us what must take place but I ask LORD that YOU would give us courage to share with those around us that YOU are the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIGHT in this dark world. LORD YOU are our only refuge in these times let us never forget that and help us to hold unto what truly matters. LORD even as we go through the eye of the storm, even though we might face peril from all sides let us stand and proclaim all the more JESUS is KING and our LORD reigns!Help me not to loose site of YOU LORD or to worry about the day as it approaches but I pray during this time of clear skies grow my faith, strengthen my resolve, and allow my trust to grow that I may stand firmly in YOU FATHER. Let the words on my lips be YES LORD JESUS COME!
Amen!!

LORD I find myself again coming before YOU with a heavy heart. I feel a pressing upon my heart that as the days pass swiftly by and the hour is quickly approaching many will be lost. I pray LORD that in this time YOU will help me live with a deeper desire to share YOUR truth with all around me who will listen. LORD as sin is looked upon with such acceptance more and more today, as the world uses entertainment, the acquiring of stuff, and our own selfish desire to please the flesh many have become desensitized to its destructive and deadly power. LORD open our eyes, help us to see sin as YOU do, help us to never be comfortable with that which offends YOU. LORD I pray help those who are lost would see that with out YOU they are walking on very shaking ground and that at any moment the earth beneath their feet will give way as they go down into a pit of despair. Help them to see that YOU do love them but because of that love YOU long to save them from the torments and suffering that awaits. LORD only by coming to YOU, repenting of our sinful lives can we truly know and understand the love and deep sacrifice YOU have made for us. I pray show them their sins, let them see the reality of the state they are in and as they see help them LORD to have understanding that there is hope. YOU in YOUR love and mercy have provided a way.
Amen!!

FATHER I see even more clearly now how my sin hurts YOU. The pain and sorrow I cause as I first step away from YOU. I realize what a selfish, spoiled attitude I have had. This vision of YOU sitting there waiting for me "to get it out of my system" and then come back to YOU as if it matter little to YOU one way or another what I was doing. OH LORD please forgive me, forgive my casual attitude, forgive my careless heart. YOU are worthy of so much more. I see now that YOU love so deeply that as I step away it brings sorrow to YOUR heart, YOU long to give me good things but I reject YOUR way and run into the world only to bring disaster upon myself. I see now YOU long to help me steer clear of some of the very things that now plague me. IF I had listened to YOU I wouldn't have read that story, those words would not be in my thoughts, if I had not watched that movie those images would not be disturbing my sleep at night, if I had listened I would not have bought those shoes only to worry later about how to pay the bill, if I had stayed closer to YOU I would have said no to my children and they would not be so easily given to compromise as adults. LORD I see now so clearly all the times YOU sought to guide me where for my own good for my own safety and I am so sorry that I chose to give in to self and sin instead of obeying YOU and walking in the light! FATHER I see so much more how it matters, the choices I make, the time I spend, the attitudes of my heart and thought life, they matter. It matters how I treat YOU LORD more then anything else ever could. Thank you LORD for showing me these things, for opening my heart to see just a small portion of YOUR heart. Thank you LORD for showing me these things that I might way more heavily the consequence of my sin and how it does effect YOU. LORD even now in this YOU have shown such love and mercy that I could never deserve. I praise YOU LORD. I give thanks unto YOU FATHER that YOU loved me so much that YOU, almighty GOD would shed tears for me is beyond remarkable...
Amen!!

FATHER as I watch the rain fall outside my window I am reminded of YOUR love and mercy as they rain down from Heaven upon us. LORD just as the rain falls from the sky and helps to feed and nourish the plants YOU also nourish us LORD as YOU shower down YOUR love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. My spirit rejoices in YOUR love as I am reminded of YOUR goodness, and how YOU care for us.I pray that YOU will continue to show me the sin in my life, show me those areas that I may in my flesh hold back so that I may repent and cry out to YOU. Just as the rain pours down and washes away the dirt and grime of this world YOU to rain down YOUR forgiveness and my sins are washed away. In YOU I am made clean. LORD my heart is filled with such thanks and gladness that YOU would care for one such as me. I know I am blessed to have the privileged to come before YOU with this prayer because of the sacrifice of YOUR beloved SON JESUS.
AMEN!!

amen and amen

FATHER I pray that You will give me such a love of truth. I pray that YOU would instill in me a desire to know YOU by YOUR WORD and to walk with YOU by the power and strength of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. LORD I know time is short, I know the days are growing darker and the world seeks to deceive but I also know that YOU are a light shining brilliantly for all who are willing to see. LORD open my heart, come in and clean out all the garbage and junk that occupies space there and fill it with a deeper love for YOU. LORD keep my heart humble and ready to listen to others around me, help me receive correction when YOU send it my way and help me not to be defensive in action or attitude. LORD I pray give me a real desire for YOUR WORD, and help me to overcome any laziness or compromise in my heart where YOUR truth is concerned. FATHER I ask YOU to forgive me for at times I have been resentful, help to look upon situations that I may find difficult as an opportunity to grow and walk closer to YOU. LORD as the world attempts to draw me away with distractions and lead me down a path that is broad help me stay to the narrow road no matter how difficult that journey may be.
Amen!!

LORD, YOU have shown me so clearly this morning that its time for my attitude to change. I realize that in my eagerness to walk closely with YOU I have begun to rush YOUR process to hurry us along to I can be where “I” want and think “I” need to be. LORD forgive me for this wicked heart and attitude please. In self LORD I will always behave in a manner that is contrary to YOU. I see that over this past weekend I was so consumed with self that I stumbled and fell into sin. Instead of seeking YOU out for my strength I gave in to self pity over my weakness. Instead of being honest with how I was feeling I allowed resentment and frustration to rule my heart and attitude. LORD I realize that in doing this by walking around making small comments here and there about how “hard” things were for me I caused others to think badly of another. I am truly sorry for this LORD. I repent for such thoughts, and actions. I see that self left for a moment unchecked is like leaving the door open to the enemy, given the opportunity he will tempt me to sin further against YOU. When my focus is on self I will fall... FATHER thank you for showing me that even in trying to do the “right” things if I am doing them in myself and not out of complete depends upon YOU then it is still sin and can not draw me closer to YOU. Self may try to deceive my heart into thinking its the real deal but the eyes YOU have given me can not settle, I can never settle for anything less then YOU LORD. In all my actions, attitudes and heart it must always be about “YOU” and “YOUR” leading and guiding.YOUR alone are worthy!
Amen!!

LORD I give thanks for all that YOU do for me each day. LORD so often I come before YOU to make a request, to seek help, guidance, and understanding and in YOUR patients and mercy YOU so lovingly respond. YOU are always there to hear my pleas and to give comfort. LORD YOUR love is beyond any other love, it is completely perfect in every way. YOU alone LORD are worthy of all praise. Its YOU who created the heavens and the earth, YOU who causes the sun to come up each morning so that I might make my way in this dark world. Its YOUR caring hands that dry my tears, YOUR presences that calms my fearful heart. Its YOU LORD who gives me strength when I am weak. Its YOU LORD who extends forgiveness when I have sinned. LORD in a thousand lifetimes I could never finish telling of YOUR great care, of YOUR constant covering, and unyielding faithfulness. YOU LORD have never left me, YOU have never abandoned me. LORD YOU are every thing to me, there is no other that can fill the void in my heart. Daily I desire to be with YOU, to sit at YOUR feet and hear YOUR voice. LORD YOUR love is unending and YOUR kindness is unequaled. That YOU in YOUR holiness should look down through time and see me, a wicked sinner who would bring YOU pain and yet YOU still stretched out YOUR hand in forgiveness so that I might have life. LORD there are truly never enough words that can be spoken or even thought of that can describe all that YOU are. YOU are my LORD, my GOD, my FATHER, my BELOVED and my KING! I praise YOU and give thanks!
Amen!!

FATHER I pray help me learn to be diligent in seeking YOU. I don't want to settle for anything less then what YOU have for me. Help me to desire the things of YOUR KINGDOM and to willingly embrace the death of self. LORD help me not get distracted by stuff, or cares, or relationships, in this world but to bring all of that unto YOU letting YOU fully be LORD of my life. I pray help me to walk with YOU today, diligently seeking to know YOU. To know YOUR will and heart for my life and not to with hold back anything. LORD I long to walk with YOU in fellowship, I pray that YOU will fill my heart with such a love and desire for YOU and the things that matter to YOU. FATHER I understand what the word means to be diligent...I pray please help me to put the word into actions in my daily life.Help me to diligently seek after YOU!
Amen!!

LORD I find so often that I allow the cares and concerns of this world to distract me. I allow self to get caught up in the business of living and I loose site of YOU. To often I allow stuff and things to steal away time, so many things always needing to be done and wanting attention that I feel torn and yet I know that is not what YOU desire for me. Its days like today FATHER when I miss being in YOUR presence. LORD help me to take time to slow down and sit for awhile at YOUR feet. LORD help to shut out the world today for a little while to just really get to know YOU. I long to know all about YOU, when I read YOUR Word I see so much of YOUR character. YOUR strength, YOUR kindness, YOUR leadership, YOUR wisdom and YOUR resolve against sin give me courage and hope. I know when I am with YOU I am safe and secure! I see YOUR mercy, YOUR forgiveness, and YOUR love and I am amazed that YOU would call me to be by YOUR side. LORD help me to abandon myself completely into YOUR hands. I bow my head and trust knowing YOU have a clear and focused plan of what life is supposed to be and I rejoice. Let me hear YOUR voice through out the day as I make my way. LORD I never want to be far from YOU, I want to follow wherever YOU lead all the days of my life. There is no other path for me but the one YOU have laid out for me to follow. I pray that YOU would help me not stumble into self living but that I might stay close to YOU always. LORD put a new song in my heart that I might sing praise to YOU and fill my mind with YOUR Words so that I may mediate on them all the days of my life. LORD give me a vision of YOU, let me hear YOUR laughter, let me see YOUR joy, fill me with YOUR love that I might share it with all the world and many would come to know YOU as LORD and KING!
Amen!!

LORD please forgive me for putting others before YOU. I see that there have been times when YOU have clearly shown me YOUR will in an area and I have chosen instead to live for self and to do things my own way. I have sought to please others and avoid conflict and in doing so I have sinned against YOU.I see the deadly consequence in this kind of self living and I am truly sorry and deeply ashamed of this attitude of my heart. I know each time I compromised with the world how it must have grieved YOU and hurt YOU. I am so sorry LORD that because of my actions others may have stumbled. My precious LORD YOU know the pain of rejection better then I and yet YOU endured for my sake and willingly laid down YOUR life for me.YOU deserve so much more from me LORD then I could ever hope to offer. For all that YOU have shown me, for all that YOU have allowed me to see I give thanks. I know it is for my sake that I must see these things so that I can come to YOU and repent. Help me LORD please not to be so very concerned over the way others might react, or how they will respond to me when I stand in YOU. LORD help to willingly submit unto YOU and conduct myself in love toward others, willingly being a servant so that YOU will be lifted up for all to see. I pray help me also to stand on YOUR Word and not compromise what YOU have shown me no matter what. Let my yes be yes and no be no by YOUR strength and leading. FATHER I pray help me to discern as I walk through this life each situation as it may come what YOU would have for me to do and not to worry or be fearful that the world might hate me. LORD I see now that as I seek to stand in YOU and for all that YOU have shown me that there will be those around me, even those that are family who will one day turn their back to me and hate me because of YOU...and yet I know in my heart YOU are worth so much more to me then anything I might loose. FATHER you know my heart I pray search it today and show me these things that are still there between us that I my bring them to the cross.
Amen!!

LORD at times I find myself thinking up all kinds of "what if" scenarios when it comes the trails and tribulations that lay ahead. These images in my mind can cause me to tremble with fear but I see now that they do nothing to further my walk with YOU. I need not give into fear but rather walk by faith. LORD I pray that YOU would prepare my heart today that I might be found ready. Help me to live each moment in YOU so that when trails come YOUR arms are the first place I run to. Help me to live every moment of each day submitting my life to YOU and willing walk where ever YOU may lead no matter what. If my eyes are fixed on YOU and my life is intertwined with YOURS then what harm can come my way. YOU are with me always and in YOUR loving embrace I am safe. This life is temporary, a time of training, of growing and learning to be what YOU would have me be. LORD this body will someday pass way but life with YOU will never end. I place myself in YOUR hands and trust in YOUR care and covering and know that I need look no further then YOU. This world and the things of this life are passing away, in time they will all be dust but things of YOUR KINGDOM are eternal and never pass away! LORD even if I loose everything, even if YOU should call me to physically lay down my life I know in that moment YOU will be there giving me all that I need to endure. YOU were there with Stephen, Peter, Paul, and thousands of saints who have gone before and I know YOU will never leave me. LORD as long as I still have YOU then I have lost nothing...the only real thing that matters is YOU and no one can take YOU from me no matter what they do. FATHER I rejoice and gives thanks this day for YOUR loving kindness, YOUR almighty strength, and YOUR resolve to see the work YOU began in me completed!!
Amen!!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.1 Peter 5:8,9

FATHER there is comfort in knowing that YOU are always with me no matter what may come and I give thanks also for those brothers and sister YOU have also given. As we live daily one to another lovingly seeking to encourage, pray for and carry each others burdens YOUR name is lifted up for all the world to see. LORD in this life there are trails and tribulations, there are times of sorrow and times of joy that come my way and knowing that I have brothers and sisters who share in many of the same things I do gives me such comfort. When the enemy attacks and the world rages against me I know there are those ready to stand with me in the battlefield willing to pray and fight the good fight. As we come together to stand strong in YOU knowing that YOU have overcome the world I find there is hope. We are YOUR Church and YOU are our KING!
Amen

Thank you LORD for this day, thank you for letting the sun come up this morning. Thank you for giving me another day to seek and serve YOU. Thank you for the clothes I have to wear, thank you for the food in the cupboard to eat. Thank you for the fresh clean water to drink. Thank you LORD for the pain in my hip, its still there and at times very painful but it does one good thing, it reminds me of how much I need YOU!
Amen!!

LORD thank you for allowing others to share the things that YOU have given them with me. So often these seeds are planted in my heart and as YOU nourish them they grow and I see the truth and wisdom that lay within. Thank you LORD for using these other brothers and sister in my life to help draw me closer to YOU!
Amen!

LORD thank you for the times spent this afternoon with my son. FATHER as he opened up and shared his heart and fear over what his future will be YOU helped me to listen and I am so grateful for that. LORD I could feel YOUR guiding presence there with me as we talked of things that truly matter, thank you LORD for giving me the words to speak that might help soften his heart and help point him back to YOU!
Amen!!

FATHER there are times when I just long to run to YOU. Times when I want nothing more then to sit and sing praises and worship to YOU. LORD there are days when more then anything I just want to be with YOU. I pray that YOU would help me LORD to really die to self, not just speak the words but to really walk it out in actions. Help me in my resolve to stand firm in YOU and not to compromise or be unsettled by this world.LORD I pray give me a deeper and greater desire to obey YOU and to resist the distractions and temptations of this world. LORD all that I have and all that I am is because of YOU. In YOUR mercy YOU heard my plea at the cross and forgave me my transgressions. In YOUR tenderness YOU touched my heart and cleansed me of all the filth and sin that was there, YOU gave me new life and made YOUR home in my heart. In YOUR strength YOU willingly carry my burdens and shield me from the raging storms, YOU keep me safe within YOUR embrace. In YOUR love FATHER a mighty work began in me and daily through YOUR guidance and encouraging me I have learned to depend on and grow closer to YOU. Prepare my heart my KING and help me to walk the narrow path with YOU no matter what may come and help me to learn to be a loving and faithful servant.
Amen!!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NKJV)

FATHER as I think on these words in this passage I am once again reminded of how temporal this life is. How fleeting time is and how each moment should matter, does matter in YOUR KINGDOM. Things that I see and know here and now all around me will be but distant memories in the future. As it says in YOUR Word these things will pass away, but LORD the one thing that I know to be true is that I can count on YOU. No matter what happens YOU are the one constant, YOU are the truth that never waivers, the love that never falters, and the strength that does not give out. LORD YOU alone can fill my need, my life, and my hope. FATHER in this life hurtful words spoken,anger,sorrows, pain and suffering will all fade away but YOUR KINGDOM will be eternal. LORD help me to see what is truly real and what truly matters in this life. Help me to understand and see the things of YOUR KINGDOM that do not pass away that I might spend the time YOU have allowed me in these endeavors, not chasing after one worldly thing or another but daily spending my time devoted to YOU, loving YOU and obeying YOU!!
Amen!!

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today" lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin(Hebrews 3:12, 13)

LORD
I pray please do not let me be deceived nor let my heart be hardened by self or the cares of this world, or the deceitfulness of sin. Each day I see so much pain and suffering in the world around me and it weighs so heavy upon my heart but I pray LORD do not let me become desensitized or hardened to the cries and please of another but rather may it cause me to pray all the more. May the words upon my lips be a loving and genuine plea for those who are lost and in need of YOU in their lives. FATHER its so easy to look around at the world and see only the ugly, the bad...that is what the enemy would have me do because he wants me to give up, to stop caring.The enemy wants to deceive me into thinking the battle is lost and that there is no use or point, but YOU have said in YOUR HOLY WORD, "While it is "TODAY" to encourage one another so that we would not be hardened, nor will we give up! LORD I know YOU desire that I keep seeking YOU on the behalf of others, that I keep on praying morning, afternoon, and night. LORD help me lay down this life, that I would truly have a heart that cares for and loves others more then self. I pray that YOU would fill my heart with love, that my life would be a reflection of YOUR heart for all those YOU bring into my path. LORD help me to love as YOU would love and to follow the example that YOU carved out in this life. LORD help me to truly see what it means to be a servant and to abandon myself unto YOU. I am seeing so clearly that the only way I can stay truly walking in fellowship with YOU is if I walk with YOU every moment of each day.LORD I pray do not let my heart be hardened by sin, but rather show me anything that is in my life that I might hold on to that would keep me from YOU!
Amen!!

LORD there are some days when I wake I feel a million miles away from YOU... perhaps it is because I spent so little time with YOU the day before having allowed the cares of life and this world to steal my time away from YOU. Forgive me FATHER for being so insensitive to YOUR heart and for not making YOU and our relationship the daily priority of my life. LORD help me be more sensitive to those times when I stray off in my own direction, help me to realize that something is amiss when YOU are not near. LORD I pray keep me by YOUR side and help me to walk with YOU. In self its so easy for me "to get busy" and with out thinking take the reigns back from YOUR hand attempting to direct my own path. LORD I don't want to keep on in that broad road, I don't want to give self excuses for neglecting YOU who matters most to me, its sin on my part and for that I am so very sorry! LORD I know there is more then enough time in each day to do all that YOU have for me to accomplish, help me be faithful in those little areas of my life. I trust and know that YOU have things covered, I don't have to walk by fear, that is the old pattern of life not the person YOU are helping me to become. FATHER thank YOU for this lesson this morning, it has taught me so much, most of all YOU have shown me that its never safe for me to take even a single step away from YOU or apart from YOUR leading!!
Amen!!

FATHER YOU know my heart better then even I do. I am so thankful for the time YOU have given me, to grow in YOU and to learn what it means to truly love YOU. I pray that YOU will continue this work in my heart and help me to die to my selfish sinful ways. LORD in my time here YOU have allowed me to meet some very lovely brothers and sisters in YOUR SON JESUS and I am so thankful for each one. I have learned much over time as they have been faithful to share with me the things YOU have placed upon their hearts. LORD forgive me for times when I have posted in self, forgive me for not always being the person YOU have for me to be. I pray that YOU will forgive me, and help me to be courageous and uncompromising when it come to my walk with YOU. LORD I want to be real with people, help me to think only on what YOUR opinion of me is. IT says in YOUR WORD that as we confess our sins and bring them into the light they hold no power over us...Help me to confess boldly LORD that I might have nothing between us as I walk with YOU daily!
Amen!!

LORD forgive me for spending time the YOU have given me doing what I wanted instead of seeking to know YOU will for yesterday. I know I walked in self, and in sin, I know I failed YOU. I am so sorry. I walked my own road and did not seek to follow YOU. I allowed self to retreat in fear because I was afraid of what others might think of me if I took a stand. I did not stand firm in YOU, instead I looked to protect my reputation and approval from others. In all of this I am truly sorry because in my sin, I hurt YOU. I repent of this heart and this attitude, I pray again FATHER change my heart and help me to love the way YOU love, and to love only the things YOU love... LORD in the coming days as the world grows darker and storm clouds gather I realize I can never trust in myself to do the right thing...I must always be constantly walking with YOU and find my strength in YOU. When I take my eyes off of YOU as I did yesterday I fail, I sin, and I am lost. Only by hearing YOUR voice can I have the words to speak when the time comes to stand for YOU. LORD I pray help me to always follow the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT, don't let me for a moment deceive myself into thinking that I know enough or am strong enough to venture off on my own in the fight against the enemy. LORD I know I have failed YOU but I pray turn this failure into a lesson that will help me to remain focused always, let this be a reminder in times that still may come not to be afraid of what others might think of me but to submit myself unto YOU in all things. LORD give me the courage to hold on to YOU in my weakness YOU are so mighty and strong on that I can always depend! Mans opinions must not matter,in light of eternity they do not matter... LORD YOU alone I will one day stand before, if I am to be fearful let that fear be of offending YOU!!
Amen!!

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

Lord help me as I walk out each day to really understand what it means to “pursue” peace and holiness. Help me to look for ways and opportunities to love others and to have peaceful fellowship with out allowing self to get in the mix. LORD often I struggle with wanting to be right, wanting to have my point of view center stage. I have pushed my opinions on others at the expense of having peaceful communication with them. LORD in self I have pursued the debate instead of loving the brother or sister and in the end nothing but anger, hurt words, and bitterness was the result. I am so sorry LORD, Teach me what it means to pursue peace with others, give me the strength to stand firm in YOUR WORD and speak truth with out attacking or becoming offended. FATHER as I seek peace I pray YOU would help me not to neglect holiness. To live in submission and obedience to YOUR will and YOUR WORDS daily is truly a worthwhile way to spend the time YOU have given me. Let my heart, mind, and attitude be filled with pleasing YOU, give me strength to “pursue” those good and holy things, things of YOUR KINGDOM and not of self. LORD I pray help me turn from those things in my life that do not reflect YOU and to cling to all that is holy...teach me to love YOU, to love others, to have patients, to have kindness, to guard my tongue, to be gentle in actions, and to live unto JESUS!
Amen!!

LORD thank you for allowing me this moment opportunity to come and speak with YOU this day. Thank YOU LORD for YOUR constant care and covering, for YOUR loving kindnesses and grace. LORD there are days when I have felt overwhelmed by the storm, but just when I felt I could go on no further YOU break through the clouds and shine the light of YOUR love and mercy upon me and I am renewed. LORD I have prayed for these young men you have given me, prayed for their hearts to be soften, prayed for them to see their need for YOUR SON JESUS in their lives and in YOUR mercy YOU have shown me that YOU are still working in their life. The doors have not been closed, there is always hope in YOU and I am so thankful! LORD help me to realize that just because I do not always see with my own eyes the fruit that is there does not mean it is absent. Help me to be patient as we all grow in YOU, learning to walk by faith and relying on YOU for all things, in all things. Help me to remember its not in my timing, but YOUR will be done in their lives and my own...FATHER thank YOU for this tiny spark of encouragement, I know this truth and hold on to it, that HE who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!!
AMEN!!

Even the youths shall faint and be weary. And the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary (Isaiah 40:30-31)

FATHER there have been times at the end of the day when I am weary, days that I think there is just no way I can keep on like this. There are days when the news of the world has battered and bruised me so that as I close my eyes I think surely these days can not become any worse...but then as I wake, the sun light filters in through the window, my thoughts are at once set upon YOU and miraculously my whole outlook has changed. I am renewed in my spirit, in my body, and my only thoughts are “what do YOU have for me LORD, where do we go today!” FATHER I know struggles in this life will come, persecutions will come, people even those I have called family will hate me for YOUR name sake but I shall not be overcome. YOU are my strength, YOU are my covering and no matter what I will not be weary, I will not give in nor give up. YOU have called each of us to the battlefield, to pray, to love our enemies, and to fight the good fight. LORD as the days grow darker, let me walk by faith, help me to pay attention to YOUR leading, knowing that my human eyes will fail to see, let me not be discouraged for the battle is already won!! In YOUR KINGDOM, JESUS has proclaimed it is finished and the victory is HIS! LORD this morning as I begin again in YOU, as I pray for the lost, and the persecuted, give me that heart, that desire not to focus on the here and now but to see with YOUR eyes the reality that my LORD reigns. ALL is not lost, there is hope yet and it grows stronger every day with each heart beat of YOUR people...LORD by YOUR strength we will mount up with wings likes eagles we will run and not be weary and we will proclaim to all who will listen the name of JESUS and the life found in the cross!! By YOUR strength FATHER YOUR will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!!
Amen!!

FATHER I pray lead me all my days, let me not take one step in any direction away from YOU. LORD fill me heart with love for YOU and for all those around me. I pray teach me what it really looks like to love YOU with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength.Let my life reflect that of YOUR SON JESUS. Each day LORD as it comes to a close I long to sit and be with YOU, to spend time with YOU, to hear that still small voice. There is such joy and comfort in being near YOU. LORD I pray as time passes so quickly and days do indeed feel short. I look out my window and although my calendar says summer I see the clouds gathering and anticipate the darker days of winter not far off, time indeed marches on so quickly and I pray for those who do not know you. I pray for those who are lost in this world with no light, that they would see the sinfulness of their ways, repent and cry out to YOU. LORD I pray in YOUR kindness and mercy YOU would help us all to see the only true life worth living is one lived out in YOUR SON JESUS.
Amen!!

LORD when at first I woke this morning I heard the pounding rain against the roof and thought not another dark, dreary day filled with gray skies. I felt downcast in my spirit, the cares of this world seem to be pressing me down. So many of the days have been dark and as I look around me I see they will become darker still. The world is lost, sin and evil has become normal and accepted behavior, hearts have become hardened and there is a hostility toward others that I have not seen before. As I sit in my window watching the rain I realize that with out YOU, with out YOUR presence in our daily lives the world will grow darker still. With out YOU all that is good will be taken away and man left to himself will be consumed with self seeking, and self pleasing living...and yet I know there is still hope today LORD.I feel YOU pressing upon my heart to pray with out stopping, the day is here, the time is come to cry out to share with any who will listen that they might be saved. LORD give me courage to do so, give me courage to walk by faith knowing YOU will always be with me. LORD as I pray the rain continues to come down but I give thanks and rejoice, it is in these times that YOU remind me YOU are my strength in every storm, YOU are my light when the skies are darkest, YOU are my shield and cover when the worlds cares become an impossible burden. Let me not be discouraged or downcast, let me not give one inch to the enemy but stand strong in the battle praying for those around me, sharing YOUR love and light to all who will hear. LORD there will be trails, there will be struggles, there will be tribulations, but YOU are always there, YOU are a strong tower and shelter from every storm. In YOU there is peace, joy, comfort, and rest!! Thank you LORD for showing me it matters not what my eyes see, thank you for showing me that I must stand in the resolve YOU have given me, I must stand and pray!
Amen!!

Lord thank you for showing me areas in my heart that I still need to die to. Lord I pray and give thanks for this situation that YOU have allowed. In my flesh I found myself feeling angry and wanting to get back at those who caused my husband to suffer this ill treatment by their words, but You used that time to reveal to me those attitudes of my heart that are not from You. Lord thank you for loving me and caring for me as You do thank you for this correction and not leaving me in my sinful ways, thank you for bringing to a place of repentance. There will be times when others will say things, or speak ill of us, when they will want to harm us but YOU have shown me time and time again, to respond in love is YOUR will. Lord help me always stand firm in my resolve that there is no life apart from YOU. Lord never let my thoughts dwell even for a moment in those arrogant attitudes that I have some how reached a place of no longer needing YOU. Help me LORD to know that daily I must live in YOU. FATHER, YOU did not mean for me to ever walk independently from YOU but rather that I would remain as dependent on YOU as when we first met at the cross. In this life, in this culture there is such a push for making it on our own, for being strong, for being independent, and relying on self...and yet that is not YOUR will for YOUR children. We are to be like little lambs in constant need of our SHEPARD. LORD help me to remember this truth, when these times come that I must stop and run to YOU. I can never handle things, I can not trust or rely on myself I must run to YOU and place all my trust and faith in YOU!
Amen!!

FATHER I pray let all that I do come from a heart and motivation to see YOU lifted up and glorified. Let it never be about self, as I seek to walk with others and share YOUR love and light with them. TO be in YOUR presence LORD is something so wonderful, so unexplainable, my heart just beats with one thought, to love and worship YOU. FATHER I am so done playing at religion and going through the motions. Deep down I know there is just something more I need to lay hold of, to know YOU personally, to have fellowship and relationship with YOU LORD. To be in YOUR presence that is what I long for. LORD You alone can fill that void that always existed in my heart and my life. Nothing else, not religion, not Sunday morning service, not head knowledge none of these things can change my life the way YOU have. LORD in YOUR mercy YOU showed me love, and forgiveness, even when I lived in rebellion to YOU. You showed me that there is nothing I could ever do to deserve what YOU have done for me, it is because of who YOU are and because of YOUR perfect character that I may now stand in YOUR presence and hear YOUR words. LORD I pray that all the days of my life will be spent in knowing and walking with YOU, by YOUR strength I know its possible!!
Amen!!

LORD there are moments when I look out around me and I find myself at a loss for words. I don't know what to pray or the words to speak. I just want to give it all up to YOU. My heart is heavy for those around me who are lost in their sin and rebellion, I pray that they would take serious how short time is and that they would see their need for YOU. LORD I pray soften their hearts, help them to see, open their eyes to the truth that there is only life through CHRIST JESUS. LORD help them to see the reality of where they are. So many walking the path to destruction blinded by self and their sinful rebellion they do not comprehend the eternity they will suffer apart from YOU if they continue living with one foot in the world! LORD cause their hearts to burn with such a deep desire to fully surrender all, to die to self, to no longer be attracted to the lures and lustful pleasures of this world. LORD help them I pray to see how much they need YOU, how very much we all need YOU!! I pray LORD that they would come to YOU, repent and find life in YOUR SON JESUS!!
Amen!!

LORD forgive me please. I am so sorry for the attitude of my heart over the last few days. I have been so selfish and filled with self pity. LORD forgive me for not keeping watch, I allowed self to rise up in frustration and cause me to take my eyes off of YOU my BELOVED KING. In my pain, and struggle I began to wallow in pity and misery. Forgive me for complaining, and crying about how unfair the world is...LORD I don't need the world to be fair, I only need YOU. I am ashamed of my attitude, the way I went about my day filled with a downcast spirit. LORD I have nothing to complain about, I have YOU and YOU are my all, YOU have supplied every need and given me such love!! LORD give me strength, help me when the pain gets bad not dwell upon it but let me spend that time with YOU. Give me the heart and desire to pray, to cry out for others in their time of need, let me not be selfish and focus on the cares of this world but rather help me look for every moment to spend my life for another!!
Amen!!

FATHER forgive me please. I have had such a selfish, complaining attitude. YOU have given so much, endured so much for a wretch like me and I have grumbled and complained in response to YOUR kindnesses. I am so sorry LORD for taking for granted the little things that YOU do in my life every moment of every day. There is such constant care, such love, and mercy poured out in my life daily by YOUR hand and I have still complained like an ungrateful spoiled child. FATHER thank you for showing me these thing about myself. Thank you for showing me that it does matter, the things that I think, the thoughts I give room to, they influence my attitude and open the door to sin in my life. I see that it is so vitally important to trust in YOU daily and not focus on situations or stuff. LORD time and time again when a need arises YOU are there, YOU carry me through and help me come out the other side. LORD YOU are so constant in YOUR WORDS and deeds that I am ashamed for ever doubting and taking for granted all that YOU do.
LORD let me live each day focused and walking with YOU. Strengthen me and help me die to the things of this world. LORD remind me that this life is passing away and that YOU alone are all that I need! LORD no matter what comes help me trust in YOU and not complain or grumble but rather rejoice in my KING JESUS!!
Amen!!

FATHER there have been times when I have missed the mark and fallen so short of what YOU would have of me. I have failed so many times that I wonder how YOU continue on with me...and yet YOU do. In each failure YOU are there, waiting to pick me, brush me off and teach me what it means to rely solely on YOU. LORD I see that the greatest struggles I have, the greatest failures I endure are the ones of my own making. When I seek to venture off on my own, to be “lord” of my life and let the attitude of my heart be about self it always ends badly. LORD help me not to loose site of YOU even when I think I am doing good help me to see anything and everything apart from YOU is counted as nothing. LORD YOUR ways mean dying to self, dying to the right to defend, dying to the right to say “me first”, help me to have that heart willingly, help me to put to death all that is me so that my life would be a reflection of YOU. Let me not be concerned with foolish things but rather keep me diligently focused on the things of YOUR KINGDOM. LORD there are major storms brewing all around the world, even now the skies grow darker and the hour quickly approaches, help me to stop wasting the precious time YOU have given me with worldly endeavors or debates!! LORD I pray this in the precious name of YOUR BELOVED SON JESUS CHRIST my LORD and SAVIOUR!!
Amen!!

FATHER I come to YOU this morning and ask that YOU would protect those in the path of this storm Issac. I pray that YOU cover YOUR children LORD, give them courage and strength to hold tight to YOU. I pray that as the winds come and the rains pour down YOU will give them calm and peace that surpasses all understanding. LORD wrap them tight in YOUR arms and hold them as only YOU can. LORD help them in this time to rest knowing YOU are there in the middle of this storm with them. Let them me overwhelmed with YOUR HOLY presence LORD!

LORD I also pray for those who do not know YOU that are now in the middle of this storm, I pray that YOU would draw them to YOU, that they would see their great and incredible need for YOUR SON JESUS. LORD in these dark times when the storm is raging many will look for strength and comfort, I pray let them look to YOU. YOU love them so much that YOU sent YOUR SON to die for each one of us so that we might have life. LORD may they call out to YOU, repent, and seek to live unto YOU always. I just pray that as waters raise and winds blow many will find JESUS and know HIM as LORD! I pray this is JESUS name!
AMEN!!

FATHER there are times when I have no words to fully express what is stirring in my heart. The tears that flow, as I look to the cross and see YOUR sacrifice I am over come. YOU surrendered all so that I might have life, let me never take that sacrifice or love for granted. LORD when I come to post or share the seeds that YOU have given me here in this place I pray let it be with a heart of servant, let my only desire be to see my LORD and KING lifted up. FATHER I pray that the words I type would point others to YOU and never draw attention to self. YOU alone are worthy of praise, YOU alone are worthy of devotion. LORD I pray that my heart would burn with such a desire to know more of YOU and to share that love with others. LORD YOU are Holy and Perfect, and deserving of so much more, so much better then I could ever offer... and yet YOU take my hand and walk with me as a child with her FATHER. I am so blessed to stand in YOUR presence. May my life, my words, my heart always be a reflection of YOU. LORD let there be none of self, only my JESUS!
Amen

FATHER I continue to pray for those who will speak at the upcoming persecution conference. I pray that YOU will strengthen them and help them over come any obstetrical the enemy might throw at them. I pray they will be encouraged and find joy in YOU LORD. I pray that they will find courage in YOU to speak to the things YOU have shown them... LORD, I pray that those who are listening will have ears to hear and that YOU will open their hearts to receive YOUR truth and be encouraged. I don't know when persecution will come on a broader scale to this country LORD but I pray that daily we will cling to YOU in all things. I pray that none would turn away or count the cost as to high. FATHER I pray YOU will be our shield and YOUR WORD will be our sword and our hearts will be filled with love for our enemies as we enter into battle. I pray that none will grow weary but that each one of the saints will be strengthened by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. LORD I pray that we would be mighty warriors proclaiming the truth of our Beloved KING for all the world to see, that our very attitudes and hearts would reflect the love of CHRIST even as we are hated by this world. FATHER let them see the light of JESUS shine forth no matter how dark the storm clouds maybe. LORD keep us from being downcast, let us rejoice because OUR KING is Victorious, our KING has overcome and HE reigns!!
Lord I pray this in JESUS name Amen!

LORD help me to look to YOU even when in self I don't “feel” like it. Father forgive me for my weakness, forgive me for allowing anything to distract me away from YOU. Father forgive my arrogant heart and attitude that expects YOU to just wait upon me while I live in the flesh doing what "I" want. FATHER forgive me for every time I have thoughtlessly run off on my own with out regard to how this might hurt YOU or cause you sorrow. FATHER draw me close to YOU and help me to daily, faithfully submit myself onto YOU. FATHER there are times when I don't always see the purpose of why YOU ask some things of me and yet I want to have a soft, humble, obedient heart regardless of what my fleshly eyes might see. FATHER give me even greater desire and willingness to lay down my life and take up my cross to follow after YOU no matter what. FATHER I know in my heart that I can not make it through a single day on my own, I pray give me strength to walk with YOU. FATHER help me desire the things of YOUR KINGDOM and not the pale comparisons the world has to offer. FATHER I just pray and ask that YOU would help me walk in YOUR righteousness and not give in to sin. YOU LORD are deserving of so much more then I could ever give...yet I want to bring these things into the light and repent. I want to live by faith and not be filled with fear or doubt. FATHER help me to surrender my heart, my life unto YOU and not hold back.
Amen!!

Lord tonight I come before You to repent and seek forgiveness. I realize I have gotten so caught up in externals that I forgot what matters is the heart. I have sined against You Lord and I am so very sorry. Lord knowing the right things to say or how to behave can never replace a heart that is truly seeking to follow You. I have taken my eyes from You and walked in my own strength and thinking that the things I was doing, the externals,the fleshly show would some how make up for what has been lacking in my heart. Tonight I realize just how selfish I am how selfish I can be. My heart and attitude have been so wrong so filled with sin I am sorry Lord. I pray you forgive me help me not to be this person but to walk with You. How deceitful self can be when I give my time and energy to focusing on me instead of You Lord. Lord I pray don't let this pass so quickly, help me stay right here where I am until I see and understand all that You are seeking to show me!
Let me shed tears over my sin and know that You are all that matters and
apart from You Lord I am nothing!
Amen

LORD has I wake this morning I am convicted of the many sins that linger and must be brought into the light. You gave me an opportunity to serve others, to lay down my life and I responded with a selfish heart.In that moment I did the least that I could and determined it good enough. Forgive me for not seeking to be a servant, forgive me for putting self first and not willingly and joyfully caring for another with my whole heart unto YOU. I looked for excuses and moaned and complained. My heart and attitude were a poor reflection of YOUR SON JESUS. LORD more then anything I am heartbroken because I know the sorrow and suffering my sin has caused YOU. I know that my rebellion and love of self has cause YOU sadness and I come to the cross and ask YOU to forgive me. Teach me to love others more deeply and with a heart that beats for YOU. Teach me to see things that come up and situations that arise no matter how painful they maybe or how difficult I deem them as a blessing to know YOU, to rely on YOU and to walk with YOU! FATHER truly YOU give such good and wonderful gifts and blessings to me help me learn to cherish them, to hold on to them in YOU and thank you for once again being patient, merciful, and loving to bring me to a place to see these things. Without YOU I stumble in darkness, blind, deaf, and alone, but by YOUR grace I see things as they are and am thankful!

Amen!

FATHER thank you for the past two days of showing me these areas of my heart, attitude, and life, that are not of YOU. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to come before YOU and repent. In YOUR mercy I find forgiveness, and I am so thankful. LORD there is nothing I could do to ever deserve YOUR love and patience and yet YOU give me both each day. Even in the darkest times when I have sinned and walked away, YOU call me back, give me correction and strength to take up my cross and begin again. LORD I pray help me to continue on this journey with YOU, help me to keep my eyes fixed on YOU. LORD I see once again how if I give room to self, even for a moment, how easy it is to get caught up in pity, selfishness, and rebellion. LORD keep my heart in YOUR hands because I know mine are faulty. Thank YOU LORD JESUS for never leaving me, for never abandoning me, for always helping me to see how desperately I need YOU and must remain in YOU. Thank you for showing me all these things, for sending me the convictions to see my sin and for leading me to repentance that I might walk with YOU in fellowship once again!!

Amen!

Father each day when I wake I pray let my first thoughts be of You. Let the questions on my mind be, "Where will we go today? What is the desire of Your heart for me today? How can I take up my cross and lay down my life today? Lord what will today look like as I walk it out with You?”

Then Father give me the ears to listen, the mind to follow, and the heart to obey. Amen

Father time is such a precious thing, help me not to waste it. There are those around us hurting, suffering in loneliness and despair. To them the world is a darkened place and they can see no light. They are lost and deceived, but Father there is hope in You. Father I know You love each one of us so very much. I know that when such sorrowful things happen in this world You feel it so very deeply, more then words could ever express. I pray Lord let Your words be shared with the lost, with the deceived, with the broken and lonely people of this world. Let them know that there is a hope that banishes all the darkness and gives peace to a hurting heart. Father in times like these I pray You be lifted up, that You be glorified so that all around can know there is hope and comfort for those who will turn to You. I pray Lord let me be sensitive to the people around me, help me to have a heart to love them as You do, and to see where the need is and pray as You give leading.

Lord help not waste another single moment of the precious time You give, let my day be filled with seeking to lay down my life for those around me and taking up my cross to follow You. Amen

Grace, the supernatural forgiving love and transforming power of God, is released through the deliberate act of giving up the kingdom of self. Giving up is not a "work.” It is a cessation of resistance. It is the losing wrestler surrendering to the winner. God repeatedly makes it clear that He resists the proud (those who are full of their own egoism), but gladly gives grace to the humble (Ps. 18:27; Jas. 4:6-10; 1Pet. 5:5-6). The faucet that turns on the pipeline of saving grace is the voluntary choice of humility. This is the heart of repentance. The event of salvation then immediately becomes the process of humble obedience. And enabling grace keeps on flowing.
If the conflict over control has not yet been resolved in God’s favor in the core of your heart, now would be a good time to settle it.

...repentant faith. It is giving God permission to make your turf part of His dominion. It is welcoming His will. It is embracing His leadership and embarking on a life of followership.

When the eternal kingdom is welcomed, appreciated, treasured, and enjoyed, salvation has accomplished its intended purpose. God’s human creatures have been restored to following their loving Leader.

When His kingdom comes””what a difference! When salvation embraces the kingdom, a new government arrives. True, you will have to learn to live under new management in all areas. You are no longer an entrepreneurial independent. You have joined the corporate kingdom of the most high God. The ultimate issue of who is in control is the focus of all your choices from now on, day by day, for the rest of your life. He is your Leader. You are His follower. (taken from a teaching)
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FATHER this has so touched my heart. I find myself saying yes and Amen Lord! Father continue to work in my heart and help me to understand what it truly means to live in Your Kingdom. So often I think of Your Kingdom as some far away place, some idea that has not yet come into reality but Your Kingdom is come, our King does reign, our Lord does live! This is the reality, help me to see this truth more deeply. Jesus Christ the risen KING lives and is Lord of my life. Every choice I make in under Your control...where will I go today? What will I eat today? How will I dress today? My thought life, my prayer life, my attitudes, my actions all brought into submission to YOU, this is Kingdom living under the Leadership of JESUS! LORD let me continue to lay hold of this truth, let me walk it out daily following YOU! Amen!!

I am often surprised by the work GOD does in the life of my husband. I know I shouldn't be after all these years of marriage but I still am. Recently I had to have two not so fun medical procedures done and I had to have someone accompany me. Now normally I would have had my daughter come but since moving she does not live near by so I was going to ask my oldest son who still lives with us to come with me. Much to my surprise my darling husband took the day and came along instead. Some people might think well he is your husband he should be there in a time like that but for him going to any kind of medical facility is terrifying. Its kind of a phobia he has had since he was a little boy. But that day he came with me, he stayed with me the whole time. He held my hand, talked with me, and prayed for me. He was wonderful and I love him for it cause I know for him sitting there in that hospital recovery room was like walking through fire and yet he did it for me. I know for him this is a working of the HOLY SPIRIT in his life. That day and so many days of our time together he has demonstrated the love of JESUS to me. He has laid down his life in ways that to others would seem common place but to me I know the mountain he just climbed with JESUS to sit by my side that day and I give thanks.
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Father thank YOU for YOUR faithfulness in our lives. For continuing the work that YOU began in us. Daily as we walk with YOU I pray help us to be always looking to YOU in all things. So often LORD we can get caught up in looking for the big moments that we forget the little ones matter. FATHER thank you for allowing me to see the love my husband has for YOU and the desire he has to grow in YOU. LORD I pray that YOU continually be lifted up in our hearts, in our marriage, and in our lives. YOU alone are worthy LORD JESUS! Amen!

"Father thank YOU for YOUR faithfulness in our lives. For continuing the work that YOU began in us. Daily as we walk with YOU I pray help us to be always looking to YOU in all things. So often LORD we can get caught up in looking for the big moments that we forget the little ones matter. FATHER thank you for allowing me to see the love my husband has for YOU and the desire he has to grow in YOU. LORD I pray that YOU continually be lifted up in our hearts, in our marriage, and in our lives. YOU alone are worthy LORD JESUS! Amen!"

AMEN. Thank you Lord Jesus! Thank you MaryJane for this thread and for reviving it again...

My heart rejoices to see you back, MaryJane. Your words are often spoken from the heart of God into mine....bless you!

FATHER so often when life's challenges come up I just want to run away from the storm. I just want to get off the ship, get into the life raft and drift off away from it all. I know I can't keep living that way LORD. I can't keep giving in to the sin of fear, worry, and anxiety. I can't keep giving myself excuses to sin against You, to crucify YOU anew each day and believe my walk with YOU is in a good place. I know in my heart I will never be free as long as I keep this portion of my heart held back from YOU. I know as long as I try to hold on to some portion of control there is no hope of victory. LORD each day YOU show me so clearly to keep my eyes fixed on YOU, to keep my thoughts submitted unto YOU. This place, this time, right now is where you have me and this is where I must stay in You. Struggles will surely come, difficult and challenging times lay ahead. The dark clouds gather, the winds blow, the storm will rage and the waves will crash in, but I will never be free until I stop attempting to control my circumstance and direction my life should go. I will never have true fellowship until I trust You completely. Lord give me strength here and now to stay and stand in the midst of the struggle, to sing praises to You that YOU may be glorified.FATHER I pray today help me to stand! Amen.

FATHER, as I stand and consider all YOUR creation around me, the stars in the heavens, the deepest oceans, the highest mountain tops, the vast universe I realize I am so small and yet YOUR love for me is so infinite. That YOU look down upon me and extend YOUR mercy and grace, that YOU care for my every need, and guide my every step, fills me with such comfort and peace. LORD as I walk through out this journey together with YOU help me always to remember YOU are with me. YOUR hand is upon me and I have nothing to fear. Amen!

You are going to have to decide to be obedient and to have courage.
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LORD this simply statement has really hit home for me. To have courage and be obedient...even as I think on this I realize how easy it is to run away to hide and do my own thing. It takes real courage to lay down my life, to take up my cross and follow YOU. It takes courage to submit all my wants, my thought life, my rights, my heart, my choices unto YOU. It takes courage to live by faith not knowing where YOU might send me to go. LORD help me this very moment to have the courage to sit at YOUR feet and wait upon YOU. Give me the strength and courage to obey YOUR commands, to submit my life unto YOU. LORD I know I am weak, apart from YOU I will falter, but by YOUR strength I can have courage and faith to follow YOUR leading. Amen!

LORD so often the days can swiftly pass me by and I find myself just longing to be at YOUR feet, to sit and spend time with YOU. To hear YOUR voice and know the things of YOUR heart for me. LORD I pray help me to learn to sit and wait upon YOU. I don't know what tomorrow brings, I don't know what the next hour brings but I know that YOU do and I can have peace in that. FATHER help me focus on the here and now of today, let not my heart be hardened by self or sin but help me to remain soft, and teachable in YOU. LORD so often I look backward when YOU would have my eyes centered on the here and now. Help me not get caught up in the yesterdays of my life. Help me not dwell on old wounds or past regrets, but to live in this moment daily with YOU. LORD give me the strength to take up my cross, the courage to lay down my life, and the desire to follow hard after YOU! FATHER I pray let me truly understand what it means to leave the past behind me, to know the future is in YOUR capable hands, and to walk by faith in the here and now of today. YOU are all I ever need, yesterday, today, and tomorrow...Amen!

We trust that the God who said, "Let the light shine out of darkness”…can ALSO mold us into the character and image of Jesus. He will do it and I believe it with all my heart.
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FATHER there is a inner struggle that seems to never end, but I know LORD when I am weary of the battle YOU are there with me, YOU give me strength, YOU help lift me back up and plant my feet firmly on the ROCK. LORD there are areas of my life that in self I hold back, there are parts of my heart that I close off, but I pray help me FATHER to break down those walls, to clear out the weeds, and remove all barriers that might keep me from daily, walking in fellowship with YOU. LORD I pray come in, make clean my heart, my thought life, those inner dark places of me and make room for YOUR SON JESUS. Help me always to be mindful of the true cost of living for self, of rebelling against YOU, of walking in sin. Help me to lay down any rights I think I have and look only to YOU. LORD I believe, truly believe all things are possible with YOUR SON JESUS. I believe that YOU care more deeply for me then I can fully comprehend. I believe You began a work in my life and that YOU will never leave a work unfinished. I believe that YOU love me so dearly even though I could never possibly deserve that love. FATHER I believe all these thing, help me to believe all the more! Help me to hold on to these truths so when that inner struggle comes, when the battles continues, when the war rages I know to run to YOU, to bury my life in YOURS and to remain living in the SPIRIT always. Amen!!

FATHER each morning when I wake to begin this journey again with YOU I realize there are two path's that lay before me. One has been traveled many times before, it is a broad road, filled with detours, pitfalls, and snares. This road will only take me far from YOU and into sin. This road is filled with lies and deception, its a path that self finds easy to navigate and the flesh longs to remain on. This road leads to darkness where the eyes become blind to the light, the ears become deaf to the truth, and the heart becomes hardened to YOU. On this road the world is my guide, and external things influence my moment to moment choices. LORD this road has been traveled before and always leads me to despair. Help me I pray to turn from this path....

FATHER the second path is straight and narrow, it is a difficult journey that promises trials and tribulations, but it is a journey I will not make alone. This road has been walked before by KING JESUS. HE is the guide to all who venture this way, HE guards this path and desires that those who take it follow in HIS footsteps. With KING JESUS as my leader I know HE will take me to places I never could have imagined. HE teaches me how to deny self, to obey the and submit to the FATHER and to love those around me. By HIS example I learn what it means to live for another. This road is never easy, but I know KING JESUS loves and cares for me, HE binds my wounds and dries my tears, and in times when I stumble HE is there to lift me back up to begin our journey again. This road is a long and costly path, a very high price was paid so that I might have the privilege to walk this way...yet the price was paid by JESUS HIMSELF and my toll was free, a gift given from HIM.I don't deserve to be on this path, nothing of me is worthy to walk in my KING'S footsteps, but because of who HE is the invitation is given. LORD I pray as I start this day with you set my feet on this narrow path, help me remain here with YOU. Amen!

LORD I pray never let me think I have made it, or that I know enough to venture out on my own.Keep me from being prideful, or puffed up with knowledge. LORD I pray my heart would always be soft and open to YOU. Keep me close to YOU, let me hold tight knowing YOU are my guide and I am to follow. LORD each day I pray give me the wisdom to wait upon YOU in all things.Amen!

FATHER let me be slow of speak, guard my tongue, and take captive my thoughts. FATHER so often words come rushing out of my mouth that I wonder how can I possibly hear from YOU. Today let me sit and learn to listen, to hear YOUR heart for those around me and if YOU give me nothing to say let me surrender my need to speak...LORD help me learn to wait on YOU just as JESUS did.Amen!

There is never a good reason to worry or fear… NEVER. This morning I was reminded of what brings us to the place of fear and worry; it’s the lack of wonder. Jesus said, "Don’t worry. Consider the Lily in the field.” There is the word; CONSIDER… He is encouraging us to consider, wonder… Focus our attention, heart, meditation on Him and not the stuff that concerns or produces worry. And even when circumstances throw you a curve ball know that He is there to catch, comfort and love us. There is never a good reason to worry…NEVER. There are millions of reasons for us to WONDER, WORSHIP, STAND IN AWE… LOVE !!!! Take a moment to consider and love on Him. I promise, the worry/fear will go :D
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FATHER as I woke this morning, I looked out my window and I was greeted with a magnificent scene. The mountains covered in thick, heavy, gray clouds, and snow gently falling to the ground. Such a beautiful picture lay before me. I found myself thinking about the remarkable beauty in the work of YOUR hand. Later as I began my day and and the clouds began moving in my direction I realized it would soon be snowing in my own back yard...LORD forgive me, in that moment the beauty and awe I felt such a short time ago was now being replaced with fear and worry. Fear because I had to drive in the snow, and worry that I would be unable to do so. LORD in those moments I felt myself giving into thoughts from the enemy. I began playing what if scenario's in my mind and could feel my stomach churn. As I stood there not wanting to give into the sin of fear and worry I felt YOUR urging to return to the window. As I looked out, I didn't focus on the snow, or the storm, instead I saw the sheep in the pasture. As I watched them grazing I began to wonder at how YOU created them, about the unique attributes you gave them to care for and protect them. I began to consider how much YOU love them and how much more YOU love me. As I stood there FATHER, I realized YOUR hand is always over me, YOUR care is never ending and when I do go out into this storm I will not be going alone. YOU are always with me, guiding me, and leading the way. LORD I give thanks for the snow, I give thanks for the sheep, I give thanks for this lesson and for once again in YOUR mercy and kindness YOU have opened my eyes to see how awesome YOU are and that I truly do have nothing to fear. Amen!

Have you ever just watched the clouds as they slowly drift by? Its as if GOD'S hand is slowly brushing away the clouds, gently sweeping them aside to let through the light. Have you ever watched the waves as they come crashing in to shore? Or the wind as it blows across the tall grass in the meadows? Have you ever listened as the snow falls silently to the ground. There's so much to be heard in that silence...In those moments deep down in side I know GOD is here with me. When the world looks bleak, when it seems as if all has gone mad, and there is no more hope, its good to be reminded that HE still reigns.

FATHER I give thanks today for YOUR mercy upon us. I give thanks for the love YOU continually give to us. I give thanks for YOUR endless grace. I give thanks for YOUR constant care and provision. LORD in times of darkness when all would seem lost, I give thanks that YOU make YOUR presence known, that YOU open my eye wider to see reality is not what the world wants me to see. My reality is buried deep inside YOUR SON JESUS and can never be shaken as long as my life is centered on YOU and in YOU. Amen..

FATHER I come before YOU to give thanks. My life is so blessed and filled with riches because YOU are my KING. Just having the privilege to sit at YOUR feet, hear YOUR voice and walk with YOU daily is more precious then any treasure here. LORD for all the tiny little things that happen every moment, of every day to keep me safe, to provide for, and guide me, I give thanks. YOUR hand is always upon me, YOUR presence is always with me. I pray LORD that YOU will keep me ever mindful of the pitfalls and temptations in this world as I seek to walk with YOU. That YOU would guard my way and guide my steps for I know I can never make this perilous journey on my own. LORD thank YOU for lifting the scales from my eyes, for softening my heart, and for extending YOUR love to me when I never could earn or deserve it. Thank YOU for loving and caring so much that YOU sent to us JESUS, YOUR only SON. LORD YOU alone are worthy and my sings with praises to YOUR name! Amen!!

Is it AMAZING, or WHAT?! Any act of obedience, self-sacrifice, agape, or restraint of the flesh for Jesus... has SUCH a wonderful effect on our day and our lives! Emotions are subdued, thinking comes back into focus, more peace, less insanity, clearer perspective for WHAT PLEASES GOD! All of this, just for CHOOSING to deny the flesh, or make the confession, or ask humbly for forgiveness, or by letting go of unforgiveness, or when we force ourselves away to a devoted time with Father, or by crushing the bad thinking or rampant, un-Christlike emotions or sinful temptation, etc. What a great deal He has for us when we do it HIS way! A delightful Journey, in spite of what our personal "details” might be. "Godliness with CONTENTMENT is Great gain!” : )

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FATHER to help me surrender all the more to YOU. Help me to lay down my life, deny the flesh and take up my cross daily. FATHER, this adventure we are on was never meant to be spent living apart from YOU. Its a dangerous world with many pitfalls, only by clinging to JESUS can we navigate our way through. LORD only by choosing daily to follow, obey, and surrender can we really have meaning full fellowship with JESUS. LORD I pray help me to get up every morning and seek to walk out my day according to YOUR will and to walk the path YOU have chosen for me! Help me not to get caught up in the details but to remember that YOU have it all under control. LORD each day YOU open my eyes and help me see that "self" living is so destructive and that the only real joy, peace, and life comes from living in YOU! Amen!!

"…and We will come to him and make our home with him…” John 14:23

LORD I pray come make YOURSELF at home in me. Clean out the clutter, the distractions so that YOU will have all the room YOU so richly deserve. Clear away the old self stuff left laying about and fill the space of my heart with YOUR presence. LORD I pray let there be no doubt as to who resides in my heart, this is YOUR home, YOURS only! Let my heart be a place that YOU have filled with YOUR desire, YOUR love, YOUR forgiveness, with peace, order, and understanding. LORD when someone peeks through the window of my heart let them see YOU living there, YOUR light burning brightly, YOUR love overflowing to all those around me. AMEN!

FATHER in this time when so many make resolutions for the new year I can't help but feel overwhelmed with it all. Setting goals and striving to meet them can be such a huge undertaking. I know there is wisdom in being ready, in living my life unto YOU daily, but I can't help but wonder is there wisdom in planing, striving, and seeking to reach some goal that may not even be YOUR heart for my life...LORD as another year comes around I pray help me seek to live one day at a time with YOU. Help me to live each moment of each day walking, submitting, and obeying YOU knowing that YOU have tomorrow covered. You have given me this one day, this one day to follow where YOU lead, to take up my cross and follow YOU. LORD help me to do that, to focus on what YOU have for me this one day with out fear of what tomorrow might bring. Let my life remain be bond to YOU in all things, keep my focus on YOU and not the things happening around me. LORD in YOU I can manage one day, today, and I give thanks Amen!!

LORD, today I laughed, so that I would not cry. I prayed so that I would not be overcome with fear. As the storm clouds threatened to surround me I smiled. It is true that the days are dark, that the storms continue to rage but in my heart I am filled with hope…there is much comfort in knowing YOU LORD JESUS! Amen!

LORD I realize I can’t even begin my day without coming to YOU first. YOU are LORD of my life and all that I do, everything that I am about today must be rooted in YOU. I pray LORD lead me as I walk, and guide me as I speak. Let me be about YOUR KINGDOM in whatever way YOU would have for me. LORD GOD help me remember YOU are always HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, and JUST…the things of this world are fleeting. They pass a way in an instant, yesterdays are gone and tomorrow is not yet here…while it is today let me live unto YOU, take up my cross, die to self, and follow YOU in all things. LORD hear my heart cry and give me the wisdom I need and understanding to submit unto YOU, not out of fear or obligation but because YOU are LORD of all and apart from YOU there is no life. SO often the cares of this world can cause me to feel alone and forgotten but that is only because I have taken my eyes off of JESUS and put them on the situations around me...I have looked too long at the illusion instead of trusting in the reality that HE IS LORD OF "ALL"!!! How encouraging that is to think on, to know in my heart of heats JESUS LIVES, HE REIGNS, and HE IS IN CONTROL of every part of my life. There is not one aspect of my life that is not wrapped up in HIM. HE cares for me so completely that words cannot even fully capture the depths of HIS love for me!! Amen!!

I don't need prince charming, or night in shining armor. I don't need someone to answer my every demand for romance or put me as the center of his world. I don't need to be thought about every minute of the day. I don't need to be adored or put on a pedestal. I don't need to own my husbands heart, because it rightly belongs to another. You see that position in my husbands life is filled by another just as it is in my life! JESUS is my all, my everything, HE alone will not fail me. To put that expectation of a perfect relationship on my husband is unfair and unloving....as a person who has failings, who at times comes up short, who stumbles exactly as I do from time to time the most he can offer me, and I should ever expect from him, is a promise to walk through this life with JESUS as our LORD and guide.

There is nothing wrong with sharing a token of love to another, in fact JESUS tells us to love one another daily....but learning to love someone and to trust comes from daily walking together in HIM! Flowers, candy, jewelry are all beautiful tokens, but they fade and loose their luster over time. A gift with true value, a gift that has lasting meaning is the one JESUS gave to each of us when HE took our place on the cross. The most wonderful, loving act my husband demonstrates happens every day as he takes up his cross and follows the LORD. In praying for me and pointing me to JESUS he gives me a far better gift than this world could ever offer...so today when the world attempts to promote love of another kind, I know and give thanks to HIM for allowing us both to make this journey together. A journey that is at times difficult but always worth every moment.

LORD I pray for each of us as we go through our days that YOU would open our hearts to love YOU first and for most and in that love we would pour out our hearts to others around us. LORD this day can for some, stir up the temptation to think about self, to make demands and place expectations on ourselves and others that YOU never intended for us to. Love is not about self or feeling special, its not the counterfeit the world has to offer...TRUE LOVE has scars in HIS hands and feet, TRUE LOVE endeavored and suffered willingly for the world and waits patiently for HIS bride to come home. LORD I pray that YOU would help each of us to walk with YOU and demonstrate YOUR love abundtly to one another not only this day but each day! I pray that our hearts would be centered on YOU, with a desire to see each other growing and walking ever closer to YOU! Amen!

FATHER

As I sat in my room alone, surrounded by darkness, my heart heavy with the worries of this world, my mind bothered and tormented by the news of the day, fear, doubt, and worry plaguing me as my thoughts became consumed with "what if" situations that I have no control over. My focus dwelling on these things, what if the economy collapsed? what if civil unrest breaks out? what if war begins next week? what if bombs are dropped? what if persecution does come tomorrow? what if sickness plagues the nations? what if the storm rages longer? With tears in my eyes and fear in my heart I cried out as despair and sorrow washed over me, Oh LORD what if...and GOD said "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM!"

AMEN!!!

LORD my prayer this morning is a simple one. Its one that YOU have placed on my heart daily for sometime now. I ask YOU LORD for one thing, help me talk less and walk more! Amen!!

Thank YOU FATHER for opening my eyes to remind me that YOU are a PERSON who is alive and with me right now in this very moment! I am ashamed to say I had lost sight of that. I lost sight of YOU for a time but I give thanks LORD to YOU for showing me again this wonderful truth for helping me see the depths of YOUR love and grace...LORD I now see that in many ways my prayer life has been reduced to talking at you , or worse talking out loud to myself. I see now that I have come to a place of almost reasoning with myself in daily living to do right instead of trusting and depending fully on YOU. FATHER, YOU are a PERSON who has loved much and given much, YOU long to have fellowship and relationship with me. LORD help me to always always remember its about relationships. Relationship between YOU and I, and then myself and others. Help me to quiet my heart and my thoughts when I come before YOU. Help me to speak to YOU on those matters YOU have shown me, help me to sit still and listen, to know YOUR voice. LORD help me to really have a deep and caring heart about the things that I speak with YOU about. Help me to learn to listen and to seek YOUR heart and to find YOUR will on all matters. FATHER when I think of how JESUS told the disciples to pray HE was speaking about the attitudes of our hearts and the "how" we are to come before YOU. I realize its not about the words(although they are important) its so much more about the heart and the depth of love YOU have for us. LORD thank YOU for helping me to come before YOU with a renewed heart and deeper understanding of YOUR awesome love and mercy. I am so thankful for this lesson, for YOUR care in correcting me and helping me daily to see my deep, unending need of YOU. LORD thank YOU for showing me, for reminding me that its vital in our relationship that when I come to YOU...I am willing to sit before YOU and listen. Today I heard FATHER, today I know and rejoice YOU ARE A PERSON AND YOU HAVE THINGS TO SPEAK AND SHARE WITH ME...HELP ME TO ALWAYS HEAR!! AMEN!

Amen Lord! Your sheep know Your voice and another's voice they shall not follow.