Merry Christmas! And Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Jesus,

I just want to wish You a Happy Birthday!  It is my hope and prayer that all of us in Your family on earth will show great love for one another today.  It is my prayer that we do not let the celebration of Your earthly entrance end today, but we would continue to spread Your love and Your Gospel to everyone me meet.  I ask that You help us all find opportunities to care for one another.  And that we would seize every one of those opportunities.  As we set out to enjoy this day with our friends and families I pray that You would warm our hearts with reminders of Your grace, mercy, and love so that we will be more prepared to spread that same kindness to others, forgiving and forgetting anything that we may have let come between us.
Again, I wish You the Happiest of Birthdays yet!  And the Merriest of Christmas celebrations!  May each year grow sweeter and sweeter!  I love You, Jesus!

Amen

Create in me a clean heart

Dear Jesus,

I feel horrible.  All I want to do is to live a life that is pleasing to You.  And I know that is a good thing.  But lately, I have become more and more aware of the bitterness towards loved ones because they do not know You as I do.  Confusing right?  Lord, how am I supposed to show them who You are and how much You love them when I hold onto this bad baggage that separates us?  I know I can't.  Lord help me!  I do not want to feel this way toward them, or anyone else, anymore!  I want to love people as You love them.  I want to be a reflection of who You are.  I know that will make some people uncomfortable.  After all, that has been my excuse for harboring this bitterness for so long... I have just been telling myself that it was not bitterness, it was just a distance created by lives going separate ways.  I have been shutting myself away from those You love and want to have a good relationship with, all the while telling myself that I was just "cutting out ungodly relationships from my life".  That may have been what I started doing, even with good intentions, but I now know that I have taken it too far.  Lord, I need Your help to redeem the time and restore these broken relationships.  Help me to love as You love.  Help me reach out seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with those I have alienated for so long.  I love You, my Lord and my God.

Thank You
Amen

A Prayer for Sorting Stuff Out

Dear Jesus,

This morning I just want to talk to You for a bit.  I have a lot of stuff going through my mind as of late.  I am trying to sort it all out, but I need Your help.  First of all, my brother, I don't know if he knows You or not.  I believe he used to know You.  But I think he's forgotten how good You are.  He's got a lot going on in his life right now too.  It seems as he is happily getting along!  I really am happy that he is doing as well as he is!  But I know he is not right with You, Jesus.  And I know it hurts You because it hurts me.  I'm scared for him, Lord.  I look around and see all this bad news and tragedy every day.  Lives are being taken all the time.  Families are being ripped apart and destroyed.  And the only firm foundation upon which we can build our lives is You.  I want him to have that firm foundation!  I want him to have a family that knows You as You really are, Jesus!  I want him to be right with You again.  I want his girlfriend to be right with You.  I want his children to be right with You.  I know my methods of sharing my faith with those closest to me have not been the most productive, to say the least.  I think in my sharing, I have been pushing loved ones away rather than drawing them in, or even just sowing the seed of Your Gospel.  Please help my just share Your love with those around me, especially those I love!
I am also grieved that my old friend is going through such a struggle, such a battle  for his family.  It was not long ago that I had the privilege to tell him about You, Lord.  But he has not yet started building his life upon You.  I think he wants to!  But he is just unsure of how.  I ask that You heal and restore this family.  There are so many lives at stake.  Especially the two children.  Please protect their little hearts from all this baggage!  All this emotional damage and the scarring that, without your intervention, will inevitably occur.  Help my friend find a new start in You, Lord Jesus.  Show him Your faithfulness, love, grace, mercy, joy, and peace that he can and will have by trusting in You.
And every time I decide to read the newspaper or watch the TV news, I see a few positive reports, but mostly bad news.  Horrendous news from around the world and some pretty bad stuff here locally too.  It pains me to see such hurt in the world.  It hurts me when I see hopelessness in the eyes of people I interact with.  Help me share Your Gospel and the hope that You offer, Jesus.  Help me make this world I live in a better place.

Amen

It's been a while

Dear Jesus,

I know it'a been a while since we talked like this.  But You are doing some great things in my life and in the lives of those around me.  And I thank You.  I am also a little confused as to how I should react and interact with some people around me in their present circumstances.  I need Your help and guidance in this.  I am happy for them in some ways, but I am also disappointed.  I know these people I am referring to don't believe in You.  And I know they get their moral convictions from whatever makes them feel happy at the time.  I want to rejoice with them in their happiness, but under the circumstances I don't feel I can.  I know that You came to earth to show us how to live, love, forgive and to redeem mankind from sin and death.  I don't know what or how I should feel about this situation right now, Jesus.  Please help me to show them all the love and grace You show me constantly!  Help me to be a mirror reflecting Your light into their lives.  All I know to do for them at this moment is to pray for them.  Please bring more influences in their way to guide them to You.  I know my brother has known You before.  I don't know anything about her.  But I know that You can redeem them from anything.  I love You, Jesus.

Amen

Praying for the Ball Family

Dear heavenly Father God,

     We come before You this night asking that You would grant peace and healing to my friend, Jack's family.  With his wife recovering from knee surgery and his daughter who was just in a car accident and Jack is out of the area for work,You already know that this is a very trying all of them.  We ask that You would make any injuries that Samantha has sustained to be very treatable.  Help her to recover quickly.  Raise up Your people in the surrounding communities to support Jack and his family during this time.  We ask that You would also help Lisa to recover from her knee surgery quickly.  Protect Jack as he travels for work, and bring him home safely and soon so that he may be there for his wife and daughter.
     We ask all this so that You may be glorified through it, Lord Jesus.  We know that You have a plan and a purpose in even this.  We must confess that we do not know what that plan is, but we trust You anyway.  We love You Jesus.  You are our Healer, our Help, and our Hope.  And it is to You we turn for guidance and protection.

Amen

Praying for the nation

Dear heavenly Father,

     We recognize Your sovereignty, and we thank You that You are in control no matter what happens.  We know that You are King of all kings, Lord of all lords, and Ruler of all majesty.

     We, here on Earth, do not know exactly what is going to happen nor how it will play out.  This may be a smaller conflict, or an all out world war by the time it is all done.  From my perspective, I can see valid points in support of both sides of the debate.  You, our God, know what is the best course of action for this country, and the governments worldwide, to take.  We pray that You will lead us all into a peaceful resolution to this problem.  But we also know that sometimes You know that it is better for us if You lead us through our trials.  We trust You, Lord Jesus.  We know that You tell us in Your Word that You will cause everything to work for the good of those who love You.

     We ask that You will surround the President of this nation, and the leaders from all around the globe, with godly wisdom and counsel.  Give them discernment and grant them the courage to do what is right even in the face of adversity.  We do not want another holocaust.  We would rather reduce or remove this threat while it is small.  But we would prefer a peaceful resolution over any military act.

     Thank You, God, for Your peace in these troubling times.  Thank You, Lord, for being in control.  We only ever face what You have first equipped and allowed us to face.  Thank You, my King, for leading us into Your promises!

Amen

A Prayer for Preston

Dear Jesus,

      We thank You for this morning and we thank You for the opportunities You've prepared for us today.  One of those opportunities being to pray for our friend and brother, Preston.  He is not feeling well as You know.  And he is probably dealing with a flu-like virus that seems to be going around early this year.  We lift Preston up to You asking for his healing.  Strengthen his body and immune system to fight off this illness.  Ease his aches and pains and steady his stomach.  You are our Great Physician.  You, our God, are our Healer.  And we are turning to You as we seek for the healing of our friend and brother, who is also Your son, Preston.  We also pray that, as he is on the mend, You will help him to use this time to grow closer in his relationship with You.  Keep the fires of his passion for You burning, Lord Jesus.  We ask this all in Your Holy Name, Jesus.

Amen

A Prayer for Kyler

Dear heavenly Father,

     We thank You for today.  And we thank You for the greatness of Your majesty.  Thank You for Your kindness and for always being with us.  Tonight, we lift up Kyler to You in our prayers.  He is not feeling well and we know that You are far better than any doctor, drug, or medicine on the market.  We ask that You would sooth his fever and sore throat.  Ease his pain and discomfort so that he may get a good night's rest.  Help his body fight off this infection, Lord.  And we thank You for being right here when we call.  Thank You for giving us peace in knowing that You are always in control of all things, whether we see You in the situation or not.  Thank You, Jesus!

Amen

Praying for Huber Heights Girl

Father God,

     This morning we are at a loss.  As You already know, a young girl was shot in the face in Huber Heights Ohio this morning.  We don't know who would do this, or anything like this, nor do we know why.  There is a good report from doctors,so far, that says she is expected to survive.  We thank You so much for that.  We know, Father God, that You are in control of all things and You are working in the midst of this situation too.

     We first of all ask that You see this young girl through this trying time.  Grant Your peace to her, her family, friends, and those of this community.  Let Your holy presence be known and felt throughout this whole city.  We ask that You would calm and restrain those most heart and shaken by this tragedy.  Let them find rest in You, and knowing that vengeance belongs to You, and You will right all wrongs in due time.

     With that being said, God, we ask that You would bring the person or persons responsible for this horrific event to justice.  We know that You know who this man, and any accomplice he may have had, is and where he/they are.  We ask that You will bring him/them forward and let justice be served.

     More than anything though, we ask for Your help for this little girl to recover and for this family and community to be restored to unity in Your Name.

     Thank You, Lord, for Your sovereignty.  Thank You for Your peace.  And thank You for being with us.  We love You, Lord Jesus.

Amen

A Prayer for Melissa's Ear

Dear Lord Jesus,

     We thank You this morning for Your goodness and truth. We thank You that You are our Healer too.  And we lift Melissa up to You now.  We ask that You heal her earache.  She has had it for a few days now.  She has been to the doctor and received some medicine for it.  And the medicine may be working, or it may not.  It just does not seem to be working fast enough.  Knowing what earaches feel like myself, and talking to her, I know the pain must be excruciating.  We ask that You please heal Melissa's ear.  Kill off whatever infection may be in there and sooth the inflamed nerves.  Help her feel better soon so that she can focus on who and what matters most.  You, Lord.  You matter most.  And after You comes everything else.  I know she is still very busy making sure we have everything set to go for our wedding, and she is also very busy starting off anther year of school with new technologies and new students.  Please heal her.  Help her to properly prioritize all of her responsibilities.  We love You, Lord Jesus!  Thank You for giving us the privilege to talk to you about anything at all whenever we want to.  You are awesome God!  Thank You!

Amen

Lord, You are my God!

Dear heavenly Father,

     Thank You for this good morning.  Thank You for Your goodness and truth.  Thank You for Your Word which we can know You by.  I love You, Lord God.  And today, I ask that You will just help me keep my eyes focused on You.  Help me to reach out to others with Your love.  And help me to be more like You.  I just want to be like You.  I want to love like You.  I want to be sensitive to the needs of others like You.  I want to be a conduit of healing for You, Lord Jesus.  Without You, Jesus, I am nothing.  I just want more of You today, Lord.  Be near me today.  Help me to tune into Your voice more than I have ever been, Jesus.  I love You so much!

Amen

A Prayer for Nate

Dear Lord Jesus,

     Tonight, we lift our brother and friend, Nate, to You in our prayers.  We ask that You would heal him and ease his discomfort so that he may get a good night's rest.  We know that it is probably nothing more than a stomach bug, or something to that effect.  But You have taught us that we can and should bring anything and everything to You in prayer.  We thank You for that great privilege.  Please prepare our friend, Nate, for the day ahead - as only You know what is in store for him, knowing that he seeks to do Your will and bring You honor and glory through his life. We love You, Jesus.  Thank You for hearing our prayer.

Amen

Goodnight God

Dear Jesus,

     Thank You for seeing me through yet another eventful week and weekend.  It's had its ups and downs.  And I am worn out!  I am ready to lay down and sleep.  But first, I need to give credit where credit is due.  Thank You for seeing me through it all!  You know...  I am finding it easier and easier to trust You with my future.  And I don't just mean my eternity, but my every day and my every moment.  Throughout this whole weekend I didn't get worked up about anything at all!  I considered everything, but I didn't get overwhelmed by any of it.  Thank You for Your peace, Lord Jesus.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace that held me and comforted me also.  You are truly awesome!  I love You, Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, my God, and my Friend.

Goodnight God

Your friend,
Shawn

A Prayer for Stephen Small

Dear Lord Jesus,

     We lift Stephen up to You at this time.  We ask for Your healing mercies to be poured out upon this child of Yours.  We ask that You  would make Your presence felt and known by Stephen and all those around him.  Grant Your peace to him and his family as they press through this trial.  We ask that You will also raise up the community around Stephen to support them during this time.  Give the doctors and nurses the clarity of mind and sharpened skill to give Stephen the best of care.  Guide the doctors' hands as they remove everything and anything that should not be there.  We know that You are our true Healer.  We know that our hope lies in You alone.  And we thank You for giving us hope.  We thank You for who You are.  And we thank You that You are always faithful to hear us when we cry Your Name.  We love You, Jesus.

Amen

My Testimony

I grew-up in a Christian home.  I had a great childhood with loving parents and siblings.  I remember being a young boy, about 8 or 9 years old.  My younger brother and I would read the Bible, pray, watch TBN with mom, and even preach to each other.  Our family never really settled down in a church.  So we never really got involved with any other believers.  As we entered our teen years, we were given the choice to go to church with mom if we wanted to or not.  Of course, most any teen that has not had any involvement, and therefore no positive experience, with church will opt-out of going when given the chance.  But I still believed I was a Christian.  When people asked what religion I was, I would tell them, “I’m a Christian.”  Then they would ask me what denomination I was.  I didn't know, so I asked my dad.  He said, “Tell them you’re the kind that believes in Jesus Christ.”  That sounded good to me!  Ha-ha!  And that is STILL my answer today by the way.  But I did not even know what it meant to be a Christian.  I said I was.  I thought I was.  But I knew nothing of what that meant.  I kept those same answers all through childhood, my teen years, and even as a young adult.  It was not until September 11, 2001 that I began to question what I really believed.

Until then, I thought I was OK with God.  After all, I was a “good guy.”  I tried to help whomever I could.  I didn’t try to hurt anyone.  The same basic criteria many people recite when asked about their eternal destiny.

Now I did not personally know anyone in the area of the twin towers, the pentagon, or in Pennsylvania where the plane went down.  I did not know anyone that could have or would have been on those planes either.  In short, there was no direct logical reason that that attack should have affected me the way it did, unless, it was a wake-up call from God.  And that it was!  I started asking myself, “Just what DO I believe?”  I have always thought I was Christian.  I even knew the term Salvation and what that meant.  Well, I remembered that my parents gave me a Bible when I moved out.  They gave each of my siblings one too.  And my dad had told me that if and when I ever have big life questions, I will find the answers in the Bible.  So I embarked on my journey.  With a beer in my hand and a cigarette in my lips, I was going to find some answers!  I started reading the Bible here and there.  I even tuned in to a local Christian station I had heard my mom listen to on occasion.  On the radio, I heard a program which came out of a church in the same town my parents lived.  After a month or so of listening, reading, and praying, I said to myself that, “… it wasn’t too far to drive and I knew the area, so why not? I’ll check it out.”  That Sunday was November 11, 2001.  I heard the message.  I enjoyed the service.  And I agreed with everything I had heard, yet I arrogantly was still unmoved.  Then after the service, I stuck around to meet and talk with anyone who would.  Ha-ha!  I had never done that before!  So I spoke with a couple members.  One of them asked me, “Are you saved?”  I said, “Yes, sir!  If the words in this book are true”, thumping on my Bible,” then I’m saved.”  He said, “Let me ask again.  Are you saved?”  And I again said, “Yes, sir!  If the words in this book are true then I’m saved.”  Then he said something that threw me.  He said, “Let me put it another way.  What do you mean ‘if’?”  I paused to think for a minute.  And said, “I’m not sure I follow you.”  Then he asked if I had a few minutes to chat.  I said “sure.”  And we found a place to sit.  He explained to me that I was building my life upon an “if”.  And there is no stability or security in an “if”.  He asked me, “Do you believe the words in that book?”  I said, “Yes.”  He asked, “Cover to cover?”  I said, “Yes.”  “Then” he said, “You need to accept that book, cover to cover, as truth.  If anyone or anything ever says anything that does not line-up with what is in that book, it is a lie.”  Now this was my Bible we were discussing.  It was not a book or tract that was given to me by someone at the church.  This was my Bible that my parents gave me when I was very young.  He then explained to me what it cost God to save me.  The price Jesus paid for me to have peace with God.  And what it means to follow Jesus.  I gave my life to Jesus Christ that day.  And I was baptized that evening!  My life has never been the same.  And that is a good thing my friends!

I have had plenty of struggles though!  Do not be fooled.  My life has not been perfect by any stretch of the imagination.  I kept going to church, reading my Bible, praying, and my faith kept growing.  But life doesn't all-of-the-sudden get easy when you are saved.  In fact, it gets harder in many ways, just easier to deal with.  And yes, there were times when I was so far from God that you probably would not know I was a Christian even if I told you I was.  But God still loved me through those times.  He let me make a few mistakes, but he kept me out of any major troubles.  God has brought me so very far in the time since that spiritual awakening in September.  But the journey is nowhere near over.  God has taught me so very much also!  But I still have so much to learn.  I have grown a whole lot.  But there is still plenty of room for growth.

It is only by God’s grace that I’m here to share my testimony with you.  It is only by His great mercy that we all are here, with the opportunity to make a choice, right now, that WILL affect our eternal destiny.  Every one of us will spend eternity somewhere.  And it will be in one of two places, Heaven or Hell.  An eternity enjoying God’s presence or an eternity isolated from God.  It is your choice.

Some have asked me why a loving god would send anyone to Hell.  Well, truthfully, He doesn't.  We send ourselves to Hell when we break His Law and try to pay for our transgressions with the imperfect sacrifices of our good works.

And as if that’s not explanation enough… if someone doesn't want anything to do with God here on earth, how fair would it be of God to make them spend the rest of eternity with Him?  Wouldn't that be considered “hell” by their standards?

With all that, “Are you saved?  Do you know where you will spend eternity?”  If you are not absolutely sure of your relationship with Jesus, I urge you to make sure.

Thank You for Today

Dear Lord Jesus,

      This morning I come to You to thank You for waking me up and giving me this day to live for You.  Thank You for all the people You have put in my life.  And thank You for Your guidance.  I am sorry for all the times I have doubted what You were doing in my life.  I always knew You were there and I knew You were working out Your plan for me, but I still doubted how Your plan was unfolding.  I am sorry.  You are awesome, God!  You truly never cease to amaze me!  Your goodness, grace, and mercy are unparalleled.  Thank You also for Your forgiveness and peace.  I ask that You would remind me more often of just how much You have forgiven me so that I may show more forgiveness, grace, mercy, and compassion to those around me.  I still need Your instruction, Lord.  Teach me Your ways.  I ask for Your wisdom, God, as I go through this day.  I would prefer to have more wisdom for the rest of my days, but right now, I need it for just today.  You have said that we can worry about tomorrow when tomorrow gets here.  So, just enough bread for today is what I ask.  I love You, Jesus!  Please help me share Your Gospel with someone today.  Please help me to live and love as You do.  Help me see others the dame way as You do.  Touch my eyes and restore sight.  And touch them again so that I not only see but have vision!  Thank You for today!  I love You so much, my God!  Help me to live in such a way that I may show You how much I love You.

Amen

A Prayer for Roma Haile

Dear Heavenly Father,

     This morning I lift up Roma Haile to You.  I do not know what all is going on in Roma's life, but You do.  I just know she needs your help Lord.  She needs to feel Your presence and Your comforting touch.  Remind her that You have been and still are in control of all things, and there is nothing that takes You by surprise.  Help Roma to stand firm against satanic attacks.  Help her to gather her strength from You, Jesus.  Be her peace.  God, I ask that You would fight this battle for her and let her rest for a time.  Let her renew and refresh herself in You, Lord God.  Lead her to the help, support, and comfort of Your children from a local church, if there is one near.  Thank You, God, for Roma!  Thank You for her heart and her service.  Your Word says that You are fully able to complete the work You started in her.  And we are trusting that You will.  We love You, Jesus!  Thank You for all you have done and are doing!

Amen

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Dear Jesus,

     I just want to thank You.  Thank You for being my Lord, my God, and my Friend.  You have been so good to me I can hardly believe it.  I know I surly don't deserve it!  But You are merciful and gracious.  Wow!  I love You, God!  Thank You for calling me friend.

Amen

A Prayer for Focus

Father God,

     This morning I want to thank You for all You have done and are doing in my life.  I want to thank You for being so merciful and gracious toward me.  I am sorry for all my sins and short-comings.  And I thank You for Your faithfulness to me.  Although I know that I, in my own righteousness, am unworthy of Your goodness and grace, You have never left my side.  You have never stopped loving me and teaching me which way to go.  Thank You, Lord.  I have been blessed so much more than I deserve.  And that is all because of Your grace.  You have kept me with Your love and guided me with Your word.  It has just occurred to me that You said that You "make all things work to the good of those that love You"; as I was just thinking of Your discipline.  I have often thought of discipline as sort of a "loving punishment" so that we will learn what not to do.  While this is true sometimes, I think it also refers to Your correction.  And when I think of Your correction, I think of how You make our mistakes - our "wrongs" - into Your planned steps to making us who we are.  You truly do make all things, even our mistakes, work toward the good of  those who love You!  You are awesome, God!  I love You!
     While I'm here,  I ask that You will help me to keep my focus on the things that really matter to You.  While I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with social media, I believe I've been getting distracted from what really matters by it.  Jesus, I know that You already know what I am referring to, so I won't bother rehashing it.  But I do ask that You will help me keep my eyes on You.  I ask that You will renew the vision and calling of all Your children too.  Help them also, to place their faith in You.  Help us all to pay more attention to Your Word than to the media.  Help us all work to reconcile the strained and broken relationships with each other and start acting more like You, Jesus.  Help us be more like You.  Teach us, Lord.  We need You now more than ever.
     We love You, God.

Amen

A Prayer for Michelle's Grandmother

Dear Jesus,

We're not sure what happened or is happening to Michelle's grand mother, but we are sure that You do.  We are also sure that You are our healer.  We ask You, Lord, to heal Michelle's grandma.  Steady her breathing and restore her vitality and health to her.  We thank You for being with us.  We thank You for letting us know that You are always in control and nothing takes You by surprise.  And we thank You, God, for Your comfort in distressing times.  We love You, Lord Jesus.

Amen

A Prayer for Guidance

Dear Jesus,

     I want to thank You for being so near to me.  Thank You for leading me through this life safely thus far.  You've been so good to me.  And in my own merit, I don't deserve to be blessed the way You have blessed me.  Thank You.  As You know, I'm still going through some trials.  And my family is still not sure how we all should feel about the loss we've recently experienced.  I ask that You would continue to lead and guide us through this time.  I ask that You would use this to call my brothers and sisters back to You and even back to each other.  I know that all of us, at some point, have made a decision and commitment to live for You.  Please help us get back to that point.  Please help us renew that commitment.  Help us to grow together as a family.  And press forward into the destiny You've set before us together - as a family.  Help us to find the common ground between us so that we may rebuild strained relationships.  And help us to feel the peace that You alone give in all things.  Remind us to do everything with prayerful consideration.  And help us serve others as we serve You, Lord.
     I love You, my Lord and my God.

Amen

Grieving Prayer

Dear heavenly Father God,

     You know what's on my heart and mind.  You know how sad I am inside.  I'm not even sure if it's "OK" that I am as sad as I am over my Uncle Mark.  I know we were never really close.  But I would've liked to be closer.  And I'm afraid for my dad.  I worry about him a lot.  He and Uncle Mark haven't been very close since they both left high school, according to my dad.  But I know they were the closest and best of friends growing up as little kids.  I know they've shared many memories, both good and bad.  And because of the emotional distance that has come between them, I know this loss hasn't really sunk in and hit my dad yet.  I pray that You will help us all get through this.  I know that there has to be a grieving process.  And I pray that You help us through that process.  Help us not only to grieve but to heal.  Give us peace through this.  Give us constant reminders that You are in control.  Help us to find the answers to the questions that lie heavy on our hearts.  And teach us the lessons You have for us.  Help us to learn the most from this.  Help us to reconcile the relationships with our own relatives that have grown strained.  Let us not waste time on things that don't matter. But invest ourselves in the things that do.  Help us to build up each other.  Remind us, especially me, to focus and build upon, our similarities and other things we have in common.  Do not allow me to dwell on our differences and things that divide.
     Lord, we love You.  And we trust You with our present even as we trust You with our future and eternity.  Be near to us.  Let us feel Your presence.

Amen

A Prayer for the Hotshot Firefighters

Dear Lord Jesus,

     We lift up the firefighters and their families to You.  We thank You for all these heroic men who, when put to the test, gave all they could give.  They gave their lives not only for the ones they love but for many they don't even know.  They illustrated Your kind of love to and for others by paying with their lives so that many may be safe.
     We ask now that You would watch over and provide for their families in their absence.  And help us all keep our focus on You, Lord.  Move Your people to care and provide for these families.  Remind us all that You are with us and have not forsaken us, even during these struggles.  Guide us as we keep pressing on and moving forward into Your promises.
     We love You, Jesus.

Amen

A Prayer for Kara's Uncle Doug

Dear Lord Jesus,

We come to You bearing up Kara's Uncle Doug.  We ask that You would see him through this surgery.  We ask that You would instruct the doctors and nurses trusted with his care.  Guide their hands and sharpen their minds to give only the best care to Uncle Doug.  We thank You and praise You as we recognize that You alone are our healer and the holder of the future.  We love You, God.

Amen

Praying for Michelle's guidance

Dear heavenly Father,

     Tonight, we just want to thank You for Michelle and the heart that You've given her to be such a blessing to everyone around her.  As You already know, she is facing some big decisions right now regarding the her career and ministry of service to You.  And she just needs Your guidance as she seeks to honor You with the decisions she makes.  Help her to know with confidence what to decide.  These opportunities have the potential of being very exciting, but the thought of change can be intimidating at times.  We pray that You give her the wisdom to make the right decisions and the peace that comes from knowing that You are with her in all that she does.  We ask for your continued blessing on her life.  We thank You for blessing this world with Michelle!  We love You, Lord God.

Amen

Hi, God. It's me again

Hi, God.

It's me.  I know it's been a while since we talked like this.  I know it's been a while since I've REALLY set aside the time to hang out with You.  I'm sorry.  I know You know all my excuses and other reasons... too busy, got a lot going on, etc.  But I ask for Your forgiveness.  I want to be close to You like we were before.  I want to come back to You, Jesus.  I know it wasn't You who moved from me but me who's drifted from You.  I hear Your voice, Lord.  I feel You tugging at my heart, whispering, "I'm here".  Well, God, I'm back.  I know that I'm not back under my own strength.  But it is You who gave me the strength to come back.  And it is You who kept me from drifting too far.  I love You, Jesus.  Help me find that passion for You once again.  Help me rekindle that fire.  I long for Your embrace, Lord.  Show me Your glory.  Teach me how to prioritize my life.  Teach me to bear fruit.  Purge this branch, my God.  Cut away those things in my life that don't belong.  Cut away anything in me that isn't like You.  I love You, Jesus!
Thanks.

Love,
Me

A Prayer for Melissa

Dear Lord Jesus,

     I want to thank You for Melissa.  I thank You for the person she is and the heart of gold You have given her.  Right now, I ask that You would touch and heal her from this cold and congestion that is making her feel so bad.  I ask that You would make her feel better so that she may enjoy the rest of her break and feel up to accomplishing the tasks she had planned to do over this break.
     Nevertheless Lord Jesus, we pray that Your will be done in all areas of our lives.  We only pray that You will teach us whatever it is that You want us to learn through the trials You bring us through.  If there is more of a lesson to this ailment than Melissa has perceived, we pray that You would reveal it to her.
     Thank You Jesus for hearing us.  Thank You for helping us through these times.  And thank You God for allowing us the privilege to come before You will all of our concerns.  We love You!

Amen

Lord help me

Dear Jesus,

     Today, I'm just feeling down.  I'm drained.  Will You help me?  Will You fill me up again?  Help me, Lord.  Help me.  I love You!

Amen

Praying for Melissa

Dear Jesus,

      We thank You for this day and the opportunity You give us to approach You with all of our cares and concerns.  We now lift Melissa up to You in our prayers.  We ask that You would touch her and heal her from all that is ailing her body.  We ask that You heal her from this flu-like sickness.  We pray that You would continue to heal her back and leg from the nerve damage that is causing such pain and discomfort.  Help her to get the rest she needs.  And restore her health to her.  All this we ask so that she may continue to glorify Your holy name, and even more so, as she will be able to proclaim the marvelous testimony You're giving her.
     We thank You, Jesus, for hearing us.  And we thank You for loving us the way You do.  We love You, Lord!

Amen

Praying for Mike

Dear Jesus,

     We come before You tonight, asking for Your touch of restoration upon our friend and brother Mike.  We ask that You restore the joy of Your salvation to him.  We ask that You restore to him his health and well-being.  We know that You love him where he is now.  And we know that You know the many struggles he faces, as well as the passion for life he once had.  Protect him and give him rest from the spiritual battles that he's been fighting for so long so that he may heal and rebuild his strength as he refocuses on You.  We pray that You would bless him and make his path prosperous.  Remind Mike of Your unfailing love for him.  Remind him that You are still in control of all things and there is no need to worry or be anxious about any thing.  We love You, Lord Jesus!  We are so glad that You call us friends!

Amen

Praying for Jean's Hand

Dear Lord Jesus,

     We lift our sister Jean to You at this time in our prayers.  She hurt her hand the other day and it's still in a lot of pain.  We ask that You would soothe the pain and heal her hand.  She is a wonderful musician, Lord.  You've heard her music.  And I'm sure You agree.  With her hand in such pain, I could only imagine that it would be quite difficult to keep playing the organ and piano as she does.
     If it is Your will that You heal her through a doctor's intervention, we pray that You would lead her to the physician of Your choosing soon.  Help her get back to playing those beautiful songs for You and Your glory, Lord Jesus!  We love You, God.  Thank You for allowing us the great privilege of coming to You and speaking with You as we do.  You are truly awesome, God!

Amen

Praying for Nathanael

Dear Jesus,

     We lift up Nathanael tonight.  We ask that You would protect his body from danger as he has this fever.  We also ask that You would cool his fever and heal his body from whatever is ailing him right now.  We know that You, God are in control of all things.  And You are our Great Physician, Lord.  Help the doctors and nurses in whose care You have placed Nathanael take care of our brother.  Lead them to perform the tests needed to make an accurate diagnosis and lead them to proper treatment.  Grant peace and comfort to his parents, family, and friends as You bring him through this.  Let Your glory shine through Nathanael's healing, Lord God.  You've given us many great gifts through the study of medical science.  But no matter how advanced the medical field becomes, You are still greater than it all!
     We love You, Jesus!  And we will never cease to give You thanks and praise!  For You are the Mighty God we serve!

Amen

A Prayer for Brittany's Nanny

Dear heavenly Father,

     We know that You have all things under Your control.  And as You know, Brittany's Nanny is in need of a miracle.  You, God, know the situation.  You created her and You know how to make her whole again.  If it be Your will, Father God, we ask You to heal her now. Whether You choose to heal her with Your touch alone, or You choose to use doctors, nurses, and medicine to heal her, we ask that You do heal her.
     We also thank You for Your sovernty.  We know that You have greater plans for all of us than we can know now.  And we trust You no matter what the outcome.  We will never cease to praise and glorify Your name, Lord!
    We love you, God!

Amen

A Prayer for Keith

Dear heavenly Father,

     Tonight we lift up Keith to You.  We ask that You would guild all the doctors and nurses that will be caring for him when he has his back surgery.  We ask that You would aid the doctors in performing the surgery so that it will be the last one they have to perform on him before his back is completely healed.  We also pray that You grant Your peace and comfort to him and his family as they all work their way through these medical issues the best way they know how.  Bring family, friends, and neighbors to help them as Keith is in the hospital, and as he recovers at home.  We thank You Father God for being with us.  For keeping us listening to all of our doubts and fears, and for calming our doubts and fears as we listen to Your voice.  Thank You!  We love You, God!

Amen

A Prayer for Those in the Accident on I-75

Dear Lord Jesus,

     We come to You this afternoon to ask You to watch over the victims and the families of those involved in the traffic accident on I 75 earlier today.  Please comfort the people involved and their families as the chaos of this event is sorted out.  Grant Your peace to those affected as insurance information is exchanged and processed; as damages are assessed; and medical attention is given.  Help everybody learn to treat everyone else involved with respect and dignity.  And aid them in their recoveries.
     We love You, Lord Jesus!

Amen