My Thanksgiving Prayer

In a year of so much turmoil and pain both globally and in my own life I still find a grateful heart.  Despite the loss of my father, and a close friend of my step-son, and the pain of watching so many others suffer from the disease of cancer and other illnesses I am grateful for having them in my life.  I am a better person for knowing them and to each of them I owe much gratitude and because of them I also owe the obligation to be grateful for all of the blessings in my life.

My life is truly blessed.  I have a wife who supports me in my work, challenges me to be my best in all I do, and loves me despite my shortcomings.  I have children who have all found a measure of success in their lives.  Each of them is blessed with special gifts and it is a privilege to watch them discover and use those gifts to further their lives and the lives of others.  I have a mom who would give the world for the happiness of her children and grandchildren.  She is the true measure of caring and compassion and serves as an example of both to her family.  My siblings are all healthy and happy with busy lives of their own I miss having them close.  Their children have all proven to be blessings to their parents and their extended family, adding richness and texture to our genealogy. 

Beyond my immediate family is an extended family of relatives and in-laws for which I am also thankful.  Again, they are scattered geographically but remain in my heart always. In my mother-in-law I find a person of deep faith and a gracious nature. My prayer, for all my family, is God will abide with each of them and bless them richly with his love.

In an unsettled world I am grateful for my work.  I am a work in progress and pray God will not give up on me.  He has given me great gifts and a clear vision of how he would have me utilize them I pray I will honor him by being the person he has called me to be. 

To all those I encounter in my daily life; friends and strangers, I pray I will somehow be a blessing in their lives and I am thankful for those who I can call friends.  They are all treasured in my life.
This Thanksgiving I also pray for our nation and for our leaders that God will bestow on them wisdom and a sense of unity.  That they are able to set aside differences and biases and make the tough decisions necessary to bring our country back to a world power which is admired and revered by all.

For those who are lost, confused and or alone may God bless you and protect and guide you to better days.  Mostly may he surround you with his grace and comfort you in your trying times.

So, this Thanksgiving I am most thankful for a precious Lord who won victory over death for me and for you and who we can embrace all of our pain, all of our struggles, all of successes and all of our gratitude.  May you know God’s love for you this Thanksgiving and always.  Amen

Today I pray

To my Heavenly Father,

Today I find much on my heart and in my mind.  First, there is so much pain in the lives of people I know.  So many are suffering from illness, specifically cancer.  Lord, I ask that you will surround them with your love and comfort.  If healing is in order, help them to be patient for the cure.  For those who are facing a terminal illness I pray you will also surround them and their loved ones with your love.  Give them courage and put them at peace that you are with them always and will carry them through the difficult days ahead.

Also Lord, I continue to look to you for guidance as I discern your call for me.  I am inpatient in waiting for your plan to be revealed to me.  Reveal to me what it is you want me to do and give me the courage to follow your call.  May I be a good steward of your gifts and use them to glorify you in all I do.  Calm my anxiety as I continue to seek and listen and work towards my purpose.  Keep me actively engaged in your ministry and help me to boldly proclaim your love and the words of salvation which we receive through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Thank you always for the blessings you have given me and keep me humble in my service to you.  I pray all of these things in the name of Jesus my savior.  Amen

To all of my Blog followers,

Today my father passed away after a seven month battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was the one who gave me my passion for business and set a standard of integrity and hard work for which I hope I can live up to in my life.  Thanks Dad, I love you always.

Stacey

A Christmas Prayer

To my God,

In this Christmas Season I find a renewed sense of calm and hope for the future.  As I look back at the past year, I reflect on the many blessings which I have realized.  First, a new life in marriage with Susie in which I have found a life partner who truly loves me for me.  Remind us to keep you at the center of our marriage and to always turn to you in times of need, in times of plenty, in times of sorrow, and in times of joy.

We like many have faced challenges of a struggling economy, but are grateful for the gifts we have which have allowed us to weather the storm.  We pray for better days ahead. 

Many in our family have experienced pain and loss in the past year, give them comfort that you are with them in all life hands them and surround them with your love.  May they find peace in the coming year. 

Many more have found great joy and success in the past year, may they utilize the gifts you have given them to glorify you and the blessings they have received.  Keep them humble in their successes and remind them that a reflection of their blessings is to share it with others.

There are others unknown to us who have suffered great loss through death, jobs or family dysfunction.  Give them peace of heart and mind in the knowledge that you are with them in this time of trial. 

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus keep us all mindful of the precious gift he gave to all of us in redeeming our sins and giving us a place with You forever. 

Thank you God for Jesus, Amen. 

A Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, On this Thanksgiving Day we pause to reflect on a year which has provided great blessings, and some heartache all of which come with the knowledge that You have never left our side. We thank you for the richness of life which is manifested in our daily experiences. It is in the texture of such experiences we find joy, hope and the most precious gift of all, love. We thank you for bringing us together in marriage. Our lives are made whole in the love we share, a love which is given to us freely. It is our privilege and obligation to reflect this great love as an example of your love of us to our children, our friends, and even to strangers we encounter. The blessings of our children continue to bring us joy. As we continue to watch them move into adulthood we are filled with joy in their accomplishments and ask that you will continue to be with them as they go out into the world to find their way. For parents who continue to serve as examples of Godliness to us we feel especially grateful. While this has been a trying year, we are thankful they are still with us and thank you for every day we are given to share with them. Our extended family continues to grow and move in their own directions. Each has been given special gifts and abilities. Our prayer is for each of them to recognize and fully utilize these gifts. Remind them that these gifts are blessings from you and should be used in service to You and their fellow man. For the special gifts you have given to us. Keep us focused on the work you have called us to do in our work, in our families, in our communities and in our church. As our church transitions through an especially difficult time I personally ask for wisdom to lead them in the path you have laid out for us. Give me courage, compassion and sensitivity to deal with the issues which we face in moving the church forward. Finally, we come to you to thank you for the life you have given us, a life of love, a life of challenge, a life of opportunity. Allow us to be a reflection of Your love for us as we go about our daily lives. It is with truly grateful hearts we pray to you this Thanksgiving Day. Amen

Praying for Brayton Lester

Praying for Brayton Lester

Today I pray

To Our Heavenly Father, In this most holy week many will be introduced to the story of salvation. My prayer is that they may be moved to a full relationship with you.

For those of us who are well on our journey, open our eyes and our hearts to those who need to know you and give us the courage to reach out to them. In this week of Easter many will proclaim Christ. Help them and us turn that proclamation to action.

Thank you God for Christ and his sacrifice for each of us. Allow us to boldly proclaim him as our savior and recognize our role in sharing the Easter message with everyone we encounter. Amen.

Today I pray

Heavenly Father, Familiar things end and new opportunities lie ahead. We know you are at the center of our lives and our future.

It is with that knowledge we move forward. Trusting in you to show us the path and lead us forward. Allow us to be faithful to your call and give us the courage to follow your plan for us.

Each day is a gift and we will treasure them as we share our lives together and continue our life's journey with you as our guide.

With deepest love and faith. Amen

A prayer for our wedding day

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are indeed a kind and loving God. The greatest gift you give to each of us is the ability to love and feel love in return.

Today that ability to love and be loved manifests itself in our marriage. We pray that you will bless our marriage and our life together. We truly believe it was you who brought us to this day and for that we will be forever grateful.

Thank you for the many people who have blessed our lives and who have worked to make this day special.

May our life together be a reflection of your love and may we be examples of that love to our children, our families and all we come to know. Continue to bless our families and surround them with your grace. Allow them to walk with you and hold you forever close.

On this day may we recognize you at the center of our lives and our home and may everything we do be to glorify you and as an aknowledgement of the special gift this marriage is to us.

Allow us to be humble servants to your call and give us the courage to walk boldly in our faith lives that we may bring Christ to our world. Grant us happiness and remind us that you are with us always to guide, console and lead.

Today we commit our lives and our love to each other and our marriage to you. We thank you once again for this precious gift.

In the name of the one who showed us the true measure of unconditional love, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Today I Pray

Dear God,

On this day I offer a special prayer for my father's wife as she mourns the passing of her mother. The gift of a mother's love is one of the most treasured you give us.

May Helen and her family be comforted in the memories of her mother and assured that her mother now is home with you. Be with them in the days to come and surround them with your love and care.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Today I pray

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today with thanks for your caring hand. Thank your for reaching out and protecting me this week. I know the reason I was not more seriously hurt in my accident was because I was surrounded by your protection.

Thank you also for caring people who came to my aid and for friends who have offered their support. All of these things I owe to a loving God. Amen.

Today I pray

Dear Father in Heaven, On this day I offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the many blessings which I have received. In this Christmas season I have seen and experienced Christian love and am thankful for the reminders of the true meaning of the season.

I thank you for bringing Susie into my life and pray you will bless our life together. To find true love once in a lifetime is more than most experience for me to find it again I am very grateful.

Allow me to be deserving of her love. May I remember each day to honor her with the best I have to offer. All of these things I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Today I pray

Heavenly Father, On this day I ask your continued blessing on my work. Allow me to serve you as I serve my clients. Fill me with motivation and drive to accomplish the tasks which will help my business grow and succeed.

May my work be a blessing to those I serve and a reflection of your faith in me. Help me to use my experiences to better assist those who are facing challenging times in their personal and professional lives.

Allow me to treat each day as the gift that it is. May I glorify you in all I do. All these things I pray in your name. Amen.

Today I pray

Dear God, Thank you for my life and all of those people you have placed in it that have made it special. I especially thank you for my kid's who are so precious to me. May they continue to be blessed with happy lives and much success.

Thank you for Susie and the true blessing she has been in my life. She picked me off the trash pile and gives my life meaning and purpose. Help me to remember each day the gift she is to me and allow me to honor her for all she means to me.

I also thank you for work and the ability to do the tasks each day brings. May I always do work that is pleasing to you. Allow me to be fulfilled with the gift of my work. All of these things I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen

Today I pray

Dear Heavenly Father, There are times when I don't know how to pray. Most recently it has been for those who are homeless and hungry. It seems I should be more about action than words. Rather than asking for you to intercede, I should be doing something.

So with this in mind I ask you to give me wisdom and direction in how I can best serve this segment of our community. In serving meals with my fellow church members I have seen their faces but I do not know their hearts. Allow me to be more open and accepting of them.

Whenever I am asked to offer the mealtime prayer for them I struggle to come up with the right words. Open my heart to allow you to speak through me. Help me to identify their needs and where I may be a blessing to them. These things I ask in the one who gave us the most precious gift, Jesus Christ. Amen