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.