A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I love you so much. I want you to be at the very center of my life, and for everything else to revolve around you. But God, I also love so many other things.  I love my family. I don’t know what I would do without them. They are the very center of my life. God, have I made my family more important than you in my life? Forgive me if I have made an idol of my family. I love approval. I want people to like me, and for them to believe that I care about [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, You know how I love to walk through old churches. When I walk these beautiful edifices, built to honor and glorify you, I am stunned by their beauty, the amazing architecture, the awe inspiring windows and sculpture. Except for the tourists, however, they would be rather empty. Few lives changed in the midst of them. Lots of going through the motions. Lots of familiar rituals that make people more comfortable. They seem to have, in the words of 2 Timothy, “the form of godliness, lacking its power.” But who am I to judge those [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, Are you there? Do you even hear these prayers that I pour out so diligently? I am told you know my thoughts whether I pray them or not, so there is no need to hide it from you. I sometimes wonder if it matters at all. The Psalmist cries out “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1) Even Jesus felt forsaken on the cross.  There are days I think I have made you so mad with my hypocrisy that, like the vision of Ezekiel, you [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYERO God,As I pray, images and conversations spin around me regarding murders of people, many children, in a high school in Florida. Parkland is a long way away from here, and it would be nice to think of the incident as a sad story that has very little to do with me. But I know better. John Donne says “Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.” I am a part of a world that is broken, and I have a part [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER O God, I can’t seem to quit. I want to be different, but I can’t. And the more I seem to fight it, the more it seems to own me. And every time I think I have it beat, it comes back again. I am losing hope, God. Help me. Save me. God, my own bad habits seem big to me, but small compared to the bondage of others I care about. I see families destroyed, lives ruined, bodies broken, minds wasted. Habits, compulsions and addictions are tearing apart our social fabric. Alcohol. Drugs. Pornography. Promiscuity. Eating disorders. Gambling. Spending. [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYERO God,There are days I think I am a pretty good guy. I think, “well, compared to lots of people, I am doing ok.” I am conventionally nice, so perhaps I don’t need any really significant forgiveness. But then, when I put aside my pretense, I know better. Please forgive me. Like the tax collector in the temple, my cry is “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” There are things I have done. Things I have said. Things I haven’t done. When I take a good honest look at my heart and life, I really am ashamed. When people say critical things about [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYERO God of love, Great Physician, healer of all, compassionate one…I know so many people who are sick. Some with ever-present pain. Some who are dying. Some with chronic illnesses. Some who live each day with mental illness. Some who just suffer as their bodies fight the periodic afflictions of human life. We are bold to pray for healing for all of your beloved children. When you walked among us as a human being, you showed us your desire for healing. You brought life again to the daughter of the religious leader, but stopped along the way to cure the woman who had [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYERO God,Without letting go of some things, we can’t take hold of anything else. There is no growth without change. There is no change without loss. There is no loss without grief. There is no grief without pain. And the pain is real. Just because our grief is inevitable doesn’t mean it hurts less.Yes, we believe there is heaven ahead. But still it hurts. Yes, we believe that one day there will be no more tears. But there are tears now.In your Scripture, you promise to bind up the broken-hearted. You promise to comfort those who mourn. Jesus wept for his friends who were grieving. God, I [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYERO God,To be betrayed, God. It shakes up one’s whole sense of trust in the world, makes one question assumptions and beliefs about everything around. So many folks feel that people they once trusted betrayed them. Spouses. Business partners. Friends. Children. Parents… even pastors can betray us. The pain and anger are overwhelming. The consequences can be so harmful to families and neighborhoods, relationships of all sorts. How do we deal with it, God? You tell us we are to “turn the other cheek.” Do those who betray us just get off scot-free? That doesn’t seem right at all! But it also doesn’t seem right to pray [...]

Presence: Remember that you’re in the presence of God in a special way when you pray. Ask God for help in prayer.Gratitude: Recall two or three things that happened today for which you are especially grateful. Savor them. Then thank God for these gifts.Review: Review you day from start to finish, noticing where you experienced God’s presence. Notice everything from large to small: from an enjoyable interaction with a friend to the feel of the sun on your face. When did you love? When were you loved?Sorrow: You may have sinned today or done something you regret. Express your sorrow [...]