Praying the Lord's Prayer
by Max Lucado       

Here’s an example of how the Lord’s Prayer can guide your prayers:

Our Father

Thank you for adopting me into your family.

who is

Thank you, my Lord,
for being a God of the present tense:
my Jehovah-jireh (the God who provides),
my Jehovah-raah (the caring Shepherd),
my Jehovah-shalom (the Lord is peace),
my Jehovah-rophe (the God who heals),
and my Jehovah-nissi (Lord, my banner).

in heaven,

Your workshop of creation reminds me: If you can make the skies, you can make sense out of my struggles.

Hallowed be thy name.

Be holy in my heart.
You are a “cut above” all else.
Enable me to set my sights on you.

Thy kingdom come,

Come kingdom!
Be present, Lord Jesus!
Have free reign in every corner of my life.

Thy will be done,

Reveal your heart to me, dear Father.
Show me my role in your passion.
Grant me guidance in the following decisions …

On earth as it is in heaven.

Thank you that you silence heaven to hear my prayer.
On my heart are the ones you love.
I pray for …

Give us this day our daily bread.

I accept your portion for my life today.
I surrender the following concerns
regarding my well-being …

Forgive us our debts,

I thank you for the roof of grace over my head,
bound together with the timbers and nails of Calvary. There is nothing I can do to earn or add to your mercy.
I confess my sins to you …

As we also have forgiven our debtors;

Treat me, Father, as I treat others.
Have mercy on the following friends
who have wounded me …

Lead us not into temptation,

Let my small hand be engulfed in yours.
Hold me, lest I fall.
I ask for special strength regarding …

Our Father … give us … forgive us … lead us

Let your kindness be on all your church.
I pray especially for ministers near
and missionaries far away.

Thine—not mine—is the kingdom,

I lay my plans at your feet.

Thine—not mine—is the power,

I come to you for strength.

Thine—not mine—is the glory,

I give you all the credit.

Forever. Amen.

Thine—not mine—is the power. Amen.

From The Great House of God
Copyright 1997, Max Lucado

 Before Making that Important Decision                          

Imagine this opportunity as an amazingly attractive but fast-moving river. There’s so much that looks extremely appealing about this river that you’re going to be tempted to jump right in. But once in the river, you have diminished your ability to make decisions.
That river is moving so fast that it will take you where it is going. And if you haven’t carefully determined in advance whether you want to go all the places where the river flows, you’ll be in trouble.

College students declaring their majors should trace the places that career will take them. If you think you want to major in chemistry but hate working in a lab or hospital, trace that river’s path before jumping in.

Moms thinking about a new business opportunity should trace out all the expenses of getting started, including upfront costs, childcare and inventory.

We have a family friend named Wes who’s been fascinated with pilots and planes since he was a little boy. So he was absolutely thrilled when his dreams of becoming a flight-school instructor became a reality.

But a few years ago, it all became a bit more complicated. The owner of the flight school decided to offer Wes the opportunity to buy him out. It was an amazing opportunity. But a scary one. One that created a bit of hesitation for Wes.

Our family spent lots of time processing this decision with Wes. We helped him with assessing the costs of this endeavor: the cost to him personally, the cost to his young wife, and the cost of everyday pressures people who own their own businesses feel.

As we were talking with him one day, I shared a picture I keep in my mind when making decisions.

Imagine this opportunity as an amazingly attractive but fast-moving river. There’s so much that looks extremely appealing about this river that you’re going to be tempted to jump right in. But once in the river, you have diminished your ability to make decisions.

By LYSA TERKEURST

About Prayers:            

Heavenly Father, how very patient you are with us and with our prayers that are more often letting off steam and demanding things we want. Please align our hearts to yours so that even as Jesus prayed with tears, we too might have His compassion, not hardness of heart toward those in need of the Saviour. For His Name’s sake. Amen.
By Frank Sellar

Morning Prayer;                 

"Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body 

and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom over my heart

as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
- Traci Miles

"If any of your lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5