Heavenly Father,

Bless me, Lord, on this day. Let me be acutely aware of you beside me. In  my going 
out, my coming in, my retiring for the night- my waking to a new day, in solitude or multitude, doing chores or relaxing, may I ever be aware of you at  my side. 

Life is hard! I dare not start my day without first spending time with you. To start
it otherwise leaves me restless, unfulfilled, miserable and unhappy. Teach me, I
pray, as we spend time together, how to be more like you.

Teach me new things: How to discipline my heart, how to be honest with myself when being honest sometimes hurts so much. Teach me how to interact with those whose paths cross mine, so that when they depart they will be the better for it, as I always am after spending time with you.

Just for today, I pray that you will strengthen me, enlarge my faith, and grant me the courage to do those things needing to be done. These past two years have been so very hard for me; so many changes- painful, difficult ones. Sometimes sleep remains as elusive as a butterfly, for days on end. Even so- you never fail me. Always, you are there to sit with me through the long. lonely nights, always there to greet me each new day, ready to guide and direct me, ready to teach and strengthen me, ready to encourage, uplift and comfort me, ready with your love.

I think of all the things Jesus said about not laying up treasures on earth- but in heaven; about doing good, about loving my enemies, about not being afraid - but believing.
He spoke about being merciful, tolerant, kind, and not judging others. Oh, Lord, incline my heart to follow in His way.

Now I ask your blessings upon all the workers in the world:
Workers in hospitals, in offices, cities and fields;
The caregivers, who so often go without in order to uplift and comfort others;
Policeman, fireman, volunteers;
Those who give the orders- and those who follow them;
Those without faith- and those who are praying for a stronger faith;
Parents whose loved ones have been lost, murdered;
Families suffering because of financial difficulties or natural disasters;
The unemployed, sick, fearful, lonely, friendless;
Those in prison and in ministry;
Especially I ask prayer for my wonderful family and friends who 
are always supporting, uplifting and loving me.

Bless our country too, Gracious Father. Forgive our collective sins and my personal ones. Be merciful, I pray, unworthy as we are. I ask these things in Jesus name.
Amen.

Gracious Father,

I cannot start my day unless you walk beside me.
To start it alone always causes me to stumble,
 to fall back into the habits that brought so 
much heartache into my life.

Just for today, Lord, help me, I pray, 
to not take for granted my life,
 my family, or the wonderful friends
 who continue to pray for me.

Help me not take for granted:
the pillow that cradles my head 
after a long, tiring day;
the unexpected phone calls that lift my spirits,
the wonderful memories of my Johnny;
the love and support that my children give me;
this apartment, that though filled with so
 many sad memories,
also brings to mind the many wonderful 
memories, 
the "shiny" ones that I will never forget.
 
 Lord, strengthen me; fill my heart with
renewed courage, for life is so very hard sometimes.
Grant me a portion of your wisdom, so that I may better
discern right from wrong, and be more appreciative of
all that is good.

My eyes cannot see you, but my faith in your Word
acknowledges your existence.

Keep me ever near your side. Do not let the things of
the world take me from you, for there is no security,
no peace, no eternal life to be found in them.
Today, and every day, Lord, keep your truths before me.

Thank you for strengthening my faith;
for not letting me forget that 
this world is not my home;

Thank you for the restlessness of my heart
 that is a constant reminder of how eager 
I am to see you;

Thank you for the many ways you reveal
your love for me- for us all.
 Mostly, Gracious Father, I thank you 
for the gift of your Son.

Heavenly Father,

Create in me a new heart,
so that by walking as Jesus walked,
my character will become like His. 


Help me to be slow to speak, but quick to offer
understanding patience, and love. 
Keep my heart tender, always, I pray,
and grant me the ability to 
forgive those who have hurt me. 

Allow me not to rush through life blindly,
led by impulse, resentment or hurt feelings,
but slowly, never running ahead of you,
but walking beside you- 
matching my step with yours.

Touch my life, and the hearts of my loved ones,
so that we may be changed, may become kinder,
gentler to others; so that we may become the men
and women you created us to be.

I ask your blessing upon my life, my writings,
my relationships, and my spiritual life.
 
Fill in the hours, minutes and seconds
of this day with things that are best for me;
things that will make me a blessing to others. 
Direct my energies. Instruct my mind.

Grant me the honor of your presence
so that this day will not rob me of peace,
or discourage me because of its difficulties.

Grant me stillness within, so that I can rest
my eyes and  contemplate your goodness
 in the silence.
Be with me forever.
I love you Lord, with all my heart.

Gracious Father in heaven,

So often I get caught up in life, overwhelmed with the
darkness and evil and pain that exists in this world.
Sometimes it is hard to block it all out.

Remind me Lord, that not all is as it appears to be.
Behind all this darkness and evil, behind this pain and
sorrow in our world, a new day is coming-
 and soon.

Help me not waste the moments of my life,
 but to use them in uplifting and encouraging others. 
Help me remember the wisdom in
living just for today- the wisdom in remembering 
the meaning of my life on earth.
 Help me, I pray, to have clarity of vision,
 so that nothing in this world holds any attraction 
for me, so that my feet will not walk on crooked paths, 
nor my hands reach for unclean things.

Let me not walk through this world as though blind,
not seeing the homeless, hungry, friendless-
the hurting, sorrowful, desperate.
Touch my heart, O Lord. Make it more compassionate,
 more tender towards others. Let me not see their flaws 
of character yet remain blind to my own.

Just for today, grant me the necessary strength
and courage to do what must be done-
 without complaint or murmuring.
Help me do the necessary things with a grateful heart,
and not only because of today's blessings,
but for all that I have become,
and am still becoming,
through Jesus Christ.

Just for today, Lord, strengthen me; plant me firmly- 
more deeper into richer soil.
Silence those fears that sometimes appear out of nowhere.
I know that you are with me always, that you will never leave me alone.
I know that no matter how deep my pain, my sorrow,
my fears or insecurities,
if I place them all within your hands
I will be okay.

Thank you for loving me so much;
for being there first thing in the 
morning- the last thing at night.
Thank you for the SHINY moments you send,
 always when I need them the most.

Thank you for every person who prays for me,
who loves and supports me.
Bless each of them as you so graciously bless me.
 Let them experience, I pray,
 the honor of your presence, the warmth of your love,
and the tightness of your embrace.

Lord, life without my Johnny is so different,
so unfamiliar, often quite painful.
But even so, when difficult moments come,
 I turn to you
and am instantly comforted. 
You hold me close to your heart. 
Your words uplift and strengthen me. 
Your love fills the empty spaces. 
Your presence makes the long nights less lonely-
 and bright in spite of the dark.

Life is precious, exciting and wonderful
in spite of my trials.
Painful as they are, I'd not wish to be without them.
They have made me strong,
and given me such a mighty faith.
They have made me more compassionate, 
more patient, kind, and loving.

If I forget to tell you sometimes, Lord, 
please know how deeply I love you,
how much I appreciate every thing you do for me.
 Know too that of all I desire,
what I desire most is to 
see you face-to-face, to be with you forever. ,