Gracious Father,

I come to you with boldness and a heart full of gratitude,
knowing that no matter how large or painful my problems are,
You will shrink them down to a bearable size for me.

Today, I pray you will grant me a new beginning. Like
David I am asking for a new heart, a heart that will give
me back that first love I had for you. I was much younger
than, Lord, but have never forgotten the JOY of it- how
wonderful it was to live each day with a quiet heart- a
peaceful mind.
It may have been many years ago but I have never
forgotten how greatly I thirsted for your WORD,
hungered for it- how YOU were the center of my life.
I want to experience that again...NEED to experience it.

Oh, Father, I love you so much, want only to be all
you would have me be.
This world is full of lonely, unhappy, hurting
people, people searching for something to fill up the
hurting places within their hearts. This is why I come
to you, asking for that new beginning, for that new heart.
I want to make  a difference, want to be a blessing to the
lost, hurting people whose paths cross mine.
Grant me this new heart, Lord, and I will do my best
to keep it full of  joy, peace, love, kindness, patience,
and mercy...all those things that lift a man up,
rather than tear him down.

Gracious Father, please forgive me my indifference.
My health issues have caused me to give in to self-pity,
to lose my point of focus.
I let my guard down, and for too long a time
neglected to guard my heart, and got lost. But though
I felt lost and alone I was never really lost, for
YOU always know where I am.
I cried out to you - my heart low upon the ground,
and hearing my cry, you came and rescued me.
You lifted me up, dusted me off, forgave me, held
me close to your heart and reassured me that you
still loved me.

Thank you for providing my daily needs.
Thank you for the pillow upon which I lay my head,
the roof that keeps me safe, the food that keeps me
healthy.
Thank you for my doctor, whose kindness and
patience make growing older not quite so scary or
unsettling.
Thank you for taking care of me, for letting me sense
your presence when fear would have me run away
or give in to discouragement.

Grant me continuing softening of my heart so
that my words are kinder, my actions sweeter and
more fair, always motivated by
Christ's example.

Bless this day:
My family and friends, both online and off. Bless their
families and those they love.
Bless those in prison, the widows, the homeless, and
those whose children have been murdered or disappeared.
Bless those who are bedridden, and those who so
lovingly care for them.
Bless those in high office, the doctors and nurses, single
parents, the worried and anxious and those without food
or somebody to love them.
Bless those suffering from past deeds already forgiven,
and those who are suffering great temptations.
Especially I pray for those serving our country. Protect them
and let them know the honor of YOUR presence so they
may be filled with peace as well as courage.
I ask these things in your Son's precious name. Amen.

Gracious Father,

Just for today, help me remember that without you I can
do nothing. For many years I depended upon myself;
got so  used to doing it that every once in awhile, when
overwhelmed, I fall right back into that habit.
I cannot claim ignorance, cannot say I wasn't sure if I could trust You,
for nobody in my life has ever kept every promise, but YOU, Lord, have
kept every one.

You said." I will not leave you." and you haven't.
You said, "Be strong and of a good courage," and when I
remembered to be strong and brave, I did just fine. When my
Johnny died, and I came crying to you, heartbroken, you said.
" There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days
of thy life: As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not
fail thee, nor forsake thee."
    Those words fill my heart with gratitude, for I am weak,
unable to carry the weight of my burdens sometimes;
unable to be strong, when so much is put upon my plate
at one time.

When fear finds my hiding place, I remember you asking me,
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD,
thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."  And
remembering Your words, Father, I am strengthened,
my spirits are lifted, and fear is replaced with that 
promised peace that quiets both mind and heart.

 Oh, Father, knowing you love me just as I am is
such a wondrous thing. Words fail me when I try to
thank you for all you have done and continue
to do for me.
Whenever I am troubled it is never because
you've left my side - but because in my troubled state
I wandered from you; went back to trying to care for
myself. I cannot care for myself.
It is You who make me strong, You, who gives me such
a deep love for others, You, who creates music in my
heart that only YOU understand.
   
I praise YOU for the greatness of your heart, for the
pristine beauty of your character, and for Your
NAME that is the sweetest and most
honorable of all names.

Bless, I pray, every member of my family, my online friends
and those offline.
Bless those who are hungry, not just for food for the body,
but hungry for spiritual food as well.
Bless those who are searching for truth. Send somebody to help
them find YOU, Lord.
Bless those who are in prison, and their families.
Bless those in isolated places throughout the world
without their daily needs; with no place to lay their head,
and nobody to hold them  when they are crying,
nobody to tell them they matter, and
that they are loved.
Bless those whose faith, for various reasons is failing,
and those who are struggling to hold tight to the faith
that they have.
Bless those who are caretakers, and especially bless
those they are caring for. Be with the dying, this day,
wherever they are, Lord.
Oh, please, let them not die alone. Embrace them,
let them know
in their last moments that they have not
been forgotten.

You have said if any man lacks wisdom, he should ask for
it, so I pray, Gracious Lord, for a portion of your wisdom,
so that whenever opportunity presents itself, I will
represent You rightly.
I ask that you keep me humble, for it is too easy, when
getting too much praise to be lifted up, and I greatly
fear stumbling in that manner.

I am not young any more, Lord. As it is with others, so it
is with me, when it comes to moments of reflection.
Too often, I recall the many opportunities you gave me to
work for You, and fear kept me from doing most of them.
You could have dealt harshly with me, but rather than do
that, you continued to draw me to You; continued to
give me a second chance.
I know, that of myself I'd fall flat on my face.
That doesn't change with age. What
changed is my truly understanding,  probably
for the first time in my life, that without You I
cannot do anything.  So I ask you to
bless my efforts now, grant me the exact words
needed to comfort, uplift and bless those
in need.

Today, I again place my loved ones and family in
Your hands, knowing that You love them far more
than I , and can do for them what I cannot.
Bless them, I pray, as you have always blessed me.
Light their paths, guide their feet and hands,
help them be a blessing to others.
I ask these things in Jesus' precious name.
Amen.


Thank you for loving me, and for the sacrifice
of JESUS, who has become the love of my life.









                                               

Gracious Father,

A brand new year is opening its doors to me. There will be many unexpected things confronting me.
Because I know this, Lord, I ask that you draw me even nearer to you. Guide my steps, so that my 
feet remain on the straight path, my hands, so that they do only good. Help me to remember to think
before dong, and speaking, so that my choices will be good ones, choices that please you.


Though I am doing much better I have become aware of areas in my life that need improving;
areas that I need your help with. I am struggling with so many changes Father, and so many of these
new changes are hard for me. I find myself allowing doubt to settle upon me, and sometimes fear,
and am ashamed, for you have never failed to keep your Word. Every promise you have made has been
kept, so doubt or fear ought have no place in my mind or heart. Forgive me. Help me remember, 
when doubt and fear settle upon me, to remember how faithful you have been; to remember all the
huge and painful trials you helped me through.

I praise you for the greatness of your heart, Father; for how quickly you  come to rescue me when
I am in trouble, how quickly you comfort when I am sad, how quick you are to lift me up and
fill me with renewed energy and strength when I am sick. My heart sometimes, low upon the ground
from loneliness, never remains there for long; one of your promises comes to mind and I am happy again,
able to face whatever life confronts me with.

Thank you for loving me so much, Lord, for providing my daily needs, surrounding me with such
wonderful friends. Thank you for  my wonderful family; all are so supportive- so quick to help any
way they can.

Bless today, I pray, the homeless, the friendless, those who are fearful, lonely, and depressed.
Bless the many confined to their beds, and especially those who are dying, too many of them alone.
Bless the courageous men and women who sacrifice so much to keep us safe.
Bless too:
The blind, the lepers, the prisoners and their families;
The many children who have nobody to guide them, mentor them- love them;
Those struggling with addictions;
The parents of lost, murdered, or runaway children;
Those who are worried, and those who have lost their homes or jobs;
Be with the caretakers and the ones they care for;
Bless my online friends, and my children and grandchildren. You know the struggles each faces,
know what is best for them. I place them into Your hands, Father, asking you to do for them what I 
cannot do. Continue to be with all those I love. I ask these things in your Son's most precious
name. Amen.

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.