Don't Forget To Say Your Prayers

When You Are Having Trouble Connecting All The Dots

Father God, You said that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Proverbs 16:9). It is common for us to think that we are in control of our destiny. But we foolishly believe that if we follow some author’s ten- or twelve-step personal development or self-help program, we will reach our goals. We have to learn that You are the one who knows our beginning and our ending. We must put our faith and trust in You, and not in any idea or program. Lord, help me to realize that life is often like one big experiment. We spend our youthful days eating, drinking, and making merriment of heart. We fail to connect our sometimes wild behavior and lifestyles to negative consequences down the road. We fail to realize that we will have to reap some of the results of our bad choices. Most of the time we throw caution to the wind and say “Que sera, sera,” “Whatever will be, will be.” Father, your servant Solomon was the wisest king in all creation. He wrote the Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. In both books, he implored us to obtain wisdom and in choosing wisdom it will never disappoint. Sometimes, Lord, these emotions that you have given me cause me to leave wisdom at wisdom’s door. Anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness seem to disrupt the part of me that is saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. It is humanly possible for us to miss you and not connect the dots. I sometimes wonder why you have sent Jesus to save us, especially when we act so callously and foolishly towards You and others. Lord, it doesn’t make sense, my mind cannot conceive of so great a salvation as ours. One of the meanings of the word salvation is—“deliverer.” Lord, I thank you for delivering me from youthful indiscretions. Thank you Lord, for your grace. A thousand times thank you! In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

You feel like a quarterback who has been sacked for the tenth time in the game; and you’ve no more strength to throw the long ball to the running back that’s going for a touchdown.

Father God, Someone once said, “When life gives you lemons, just make lemonade.” Lord, I realize that things are not always going to go the way that I planned. Sometimes, stuff just happens. Time and chance happen to all men. “Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). Save and deliver me, when life’s problems seem to weigh me down. Save and deliver me from my enemies that try to tear me down and discourage me. Help me to remember that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Lord, you promised that you would never leave me nor forsake me. You are my refuge and my strength, a very present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). You God are my avenger so I don’t have to worry about getting even with my enemies. You promised that: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). I trust that you will smooth out the rough places and straighten out the crooked places in my life. Until then, I will continue to trust, lean, and depend upon you. Your grace, mercy, and strength, Oh Lord, will see me through. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

When Your Misery Becomes Your Ministry

Father God, I love you and I trust you. I have found you to be a faithful God. I know that as a result of this tremendous pain and loss that I’m currently experiencing, you will turn my mourning into dancing. I believe that I will emerge from this trial a stronger, more powerful, effective, and anointed vessel for your glory Father God, 2Corinthians 4:17(NKV) states that: “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” It is hard to imagine that this trouble that I am experiencing right now could be described or considered a “light affliction”. To me, the death of a child is anything but light or easy. A very wise woman told me that instead of focusing on the sickness and suffering that Danielle endured, I should focus on the victory that she now enjoys. My daughter is no longer in pain. She will never again have to take a bunch of pills, take chemo, undergo any more medical procedures, go to an emergency room, or be admitted to any hospital. She is healed! She is enjoying victory in Christ Jesus. She has a brand new immortal body that will never experience the pangs of sin, sickness, or suffering. Father, I thank you that even though I’m encased in human flesh, the treasure within me is the Spirit of God which can never die. I might get knocked down, but I can’t be knocked out. I might be pressured, pressed, and squeezed like olives in an olive press, but this pressure came to make me, not to break me. You desire that I grow closer to you, therefore I will delight myself in you and in so doing; you will give me the desires of my heart (Psalms 37:3). I’m excited and I believe that my latter years will be greater than the former years. My hope and expectation is that every promise that you made concerning my life and my ministry will come to pass. My greatest days are ahead of me. Lord, I thank you for redeeming the time. I will begin to make the best of my time while I am still alive. Everything that the enemy has stolen or tried to steal from me must be restored. I thank you for restoration. I thank you for your divine favor. I receive all the blessings you have in store for me. I’m confused sometimes Lord, confused by your ways, but not disappointed nor forsaken. I get struck down in life, in relationships, on the job, in the ministry, and in my finances, but I’m not destroyed. The gospel singers Mary Mary said it best in their song: “It’s the God in Me.” I take no credit for the fact that I don’t look like all I’ve been through. Father, you said that death worketh in us, but life in you. When we die to our own selfish ways, the life of the risen Savior will live in us. Thank you for the power to go and preach the gospel. It is a pleasure, an honor, and a privilege to witness to others the greatness of your salvation, righteousness, and your soon coming Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."