Lord, Teach Me How To Pray

Jesus, 

My prayer today is like the request of Your disciples when they asked You; "Lord, teach us how to pray".

I am not asking You to teach me how to pray in public; in worship services or in Bible Studies. I am asking You to teach me how to pray, wholly seeking Your face and Your glory. I am asking You to teach me how to pray, yearning for Your presence. I am asking You to teach me how to pray, with a hunger and a thirst for Your touch. 

Lord, teach me how to pray alone with You.

Lord, teach me how to pray with my wife.

Lord, teach me how to pray with my kids.

Lord, teach me how to pray for my family.

Lord, teach me how to pray for Your Church.

Lord, teach me how to pray for the lost. 

Lord, teach me how to pray for our church family.

Lord, teach me how to pray.

Increase My Faith

Jesus,

You spoke about faith a lot. I read Your words to Your disciples, those that you healed, and others that you encountered. I read that the faith of the Centurion Soldier amazed You. Likewise, I read that the lack faith of those in Your hometown amazed You.

Often I believe that my faith would amaze You as well. Yet I fear that Your amazement would be in disgust or disappointment rather than pride.

Christ, I want to increase my level of faith. I feel like the father of the boy that You healed who called out to you "“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Savior, in the same way that You proclaimed to the Father of the dead girl, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.", won't You proclaim over me, "Don't be afraid; just believe and you will be healed."

Jesus, I look to You for Your healing and a miraculous amount of faith in You. 

Amen. Let it be.  

Focus

God,

This morning I pray that You would clear my mind so that I can focus on what is most important to You. I pray that you would take the worry and the stress off of my mind and heart that I may devote all my energy to doing Your work today.

Amen. Let it be.

A Life Of Holiness

Jesus, my Savior, my King, and my Lord,

Daily I claim that You are The One that rules my life. Daily I claim that I want to be more like You. Daily I claim that I was to live and love more like You. Yet daily I make decisions that prove the contrary. 

God, You called he Israelites to be holy as You are holy. Christ, You call all thise who desire to come after You - those who desire to be your followers and Your disciples - to pick up their cross and die to this life. 

I admit that I have let You down, Father. I confess that I have failed You Lord. I have forsaken my first love and forgotten the price that You paid for my soul. I have lost the joy of my salvation and caused others to stumble through my attitude and example. 

Forgive me, I pray.

Holy Spirit, remind me of Your presence all around me. Make me aware of Your power within me. Keep Your call to holiness ever before me. Focus my eyes on the path that you have called me to.

For this day forward, keep my mind on Your holiness. Let my eyes remain fixed on You. Let my ears stay tuned to Your voice alone. Let my mouth speak words that are pleasing to You. Let my heart be filled with love for You and for Your creation. And let my life bring glory and honor to You.

Amen, let it be. 

Help Me Love The Church

Jesus, help me to love The Church in the same way You have first loved me. Help me first love the church You have blessed me with - my family. Then, help me to love the church You have called me to - the Robinson Free Methodist Church. And finally, help me to love Your Church - around the world. 

Amen, let it be.

Thank You Holy Spirit

Thank you Holy Spirit: 

When I don't have strength to carry on, You carry me. 

When I don't know where my next step is, You lead me.

When I don't know what to think, You grant me wisdom. 

When I don't know what to say, You give me words.

Thank You Holy Spirit for never leaving me and never forgetting about me. 

Amen, let it be.

Thank You Lord, For My Family

This morning I had surgery. 

Thank you Lord, for giving me a wife that loves and honors me. 

Kim took me to the hospital, sat with me talking to, laughing with, and calming me. She did not leave the hospital until we left together. She waited on my every need in the gentlest, most loving way (even helping me with my tights at the hospital and my underwear at home).

Thank you Lord, for giving me a daughter that cares about me and worries about me. 

Addison cried as we left for the hospital and was waiting at the door when we returned. She was most worried about the section of my stomach that had to be shaved, asking about the pain. 

Thank you Lord, for giving me a son that loves me and shows affection toward me. 

Zion was the most standoffish after I returned home. I grew to appreciate it when I learned that it was because he didn't want to hurt me in any way. He came close to my recliner after a while and asked if he could hug me. As he hugged me he whispered "I really love you Dad".

Thank you Lord, for giving me a son that prays for me. 

Bennett was overly affectionate when I came home this afternoon. He came into our room tonight, climbed up on our bed and sobbed as he told me all the ways he prayed for me today. 

Thank you Lord, for giving me a daughter that wants to be with me. 

Korah was glad to serene when I got home today. This evening she sat on my lap - quietly and peacefully - for almost an hour. Various time she looked over to me smiled, laughed, and said "Daa". 

Thank you Lord, for giving me this family. 

I am truly blessed. 

Amen, let it be.