Day 16: Isaiah 53: 5-6

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
- Isaiah 53: 5-6

Father, thank you for loving your people enough to send your Son to take the wrath in our place. That he freely gave his life so that we would have peace. Lord, I confess, that I have gone astray from your commands; that I struggle daily to be like Christ. I pray for the strength, understanding, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit to help me treat others as Christ would have treated them. May I not be focused on my way, but on your ways! May I be used to glorify you, not myself! Thank you for your love and grace.

In Christ's loving name, Amen.

Day 15: Proverbs 11:2 & 3

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."
-Proverbs 11: 2 & 3

Father, thank you for the wisdom that is written in your Word. Thank you for drawing me near and gently rebuking my thoughts, actions, and words. I am sorry for reacting in a manner that is not pleasing in your sight. Lord, my anger and frustration for not being in control gets the better of me. I do not automatically react with a humble heart and I know that makes me look like a fool. I pray for the ability to shut my mouth and let you deal with the things in this world that I do not think are fair. I pray that I can lay down my pride and the "things I think I deserve" at your feet and look with gratitude on what I do have. May I not compare myself to others! May I work for you and your glory even when things are not "fair." May that be one thing that sets me apart and causes people to see you in my life.
Thank you for loving me even when I act like a fool!

In Christ's forgiving name, Amen!

Day 14: Psalm 117

"Praise the LORD, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!"
-Psalm 117

Father, may all the nations lift your name on high! May we sing your praises forever! Thank you for your faithfulness and your love toward us! Thank you for answering prayers in ways beyond what we could have hoped. Thank you for loving us so much! Thank you for providing relationships that point us to you and your glory. May I walk daily looking to you for wisdom and the compassion to love others. You are amazing! Thank you, thank you!

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 13: Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
- Jeremiah 29:11

Father, how true these words are! You know how to give me a hope at just the right time! When I feel like I can no longer continue on the path in front of me, you are there with just enough encouragement. You reveal another part of the puzzle to where my life is headed and how I can live to glorify you. I love this passage, but I love the context of this passage more! If you continue to read, it says, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." I will strive to seek you with all of my heart so that I may continue to find you in the midst of this broken world! How glorious are your ways and how perfect are your provisions! Lord, I pray that Ryan and I can make the best decision about the new job; that we would choose the path that leads to your glory! That we would seek your will in our lives from a job to a family to moving; (that we would come before you for all we desire!) Father, help my attitude to be at peace with the things I am fighting! May I adopt a joyful heart in the most difficult times! You know what my heart is struggling with; may I give the control over to you and not worry about controlling others! You manage them much better than I do anyway!
Lord, thank you for your love. Even when I fall and the day is hard, you are next to me picking me up and brushing me off! I can't wait to feel the full power of your love in heaven! Oh glorious day!

In Christ's beautiful name, Amen.

Day 12: Ephesians 6:10-20

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
-Ephesians 6:10-20

Father thank you for giving us your armor! That you provide the strength and protection we need for the spiritual warfare of this world. May I stand firm in my faith and be ready with the truth of your Word when I am put on trial. May I look to you and the guiding of the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom in my daily interactions. Father thank you for giving me the desire to be in prayer with you all the time! I love that my heart yearns to be close to you! May I have the same passion and perseverance of Paul; to be a servant and ambassador in chains for your glory! I love you so much!

In Christ's strong name, Amen.

Day 11: Romans 5: 1-5

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
- Romans 5: 1-5 (ESV)

Father, thank you for the hope that we can have in you because of Christ! Thank you for loving us so much. When the road we travel gets so hard to walk may we look to you for guidance and strength. May we know that you have a plan for our lives and remember this verse. I pray that we would know Romans 5: 1-5 is the absolute TRUTH and find comfort in what it reveals. Thank you for using suffering for a purpose; that you are not a God that enjoys inflicting pain on his people. Thank you for your compassion! I pray that I would come to the place of hope in your glory and not hope in the desires of this world. I thank you for slowly revealing my worth in eternity and that I have come to understand it is there I need to be focused! Not on what my worth is here! Thank you for teaching me something new everyday!

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 10: Lamentations 3:19-24

Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

-Lamentations 3: 19-24

Father, thank you for new mercies everyday! Thank you that your love is steadfast and never fails. Thank you for your faithfulness, even during times when I have not been faithful to you. You ARE my portion! You are all I will ever need in this life and in eternity! If I have you, then what else shall I want. I will place my hope in you; the unfailing Lord. I will rest in the peace of knowing you are walking with me through the joys and pains and that you are my strength! I will look for and wait patiently for your return! Lord, may I not put my trust in the comforts of this world, but place all my trust in you. I pray that my life be used in any way you desire! Thank you for the gift of your Son and the Holy Spirit!

In Christ's beautiful name, Amen!

Day 9: Isaiah 66: 1-2

" Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
- Isaiah 66: 1-2

Father, how mighty and powerful you are! How wonderful are the things that you have created! You have built all in our world. Lord, I cannot fully comprehend the fullness of you; I know in my heart that you are everywhere, but for my human brain that is beyond full understanding! At the same time, I wouldn't want it any other way! Thank you for creating the world, for creating us to glorify and bless you. I pray that you look upon me and find that I am becoming humble and contrite in spirit! Thank you for the instructions in your word; that we have a guide to know how to live according to your will. I ask that you give me the strength to let go of anything that is building pride in my soul and the pride that is innate in me. I give them over to you! Lord, I desire to walk next to you with an open heart and mind; one that is willing to be used for your glory no matter the cost. Thank you for the trials and the joy that is teaching me how to be a humble servant to you. May I never forget these lessons from a father who is teaching me so much! Thank you for loving me enough to rebuke me!

In Christ's strong name, Amen!

Day 8: Glorious Day by Casting Crowns

Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

By Casting Crowns

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Father, thank you for creating a desire in me to worship you! Thank you that your mercies are new each day! Thank for you inspiring songs that speak truth! That point us to your glory and plan for humanity. Thank for being a God that loves us more than we can know. Thank you for saving me, carrying my sins far away, justifying my future in heaven with you. How I wait for the day you return! The day the trumpets sound and your life giving light shines upon the earth. How wonderful that moment will be! Thank you for filling my heart with love and giving me the desire to love others. My cup runneth over! Father I ask you to give the desire to love others because of your presence to those who are lost. I pray specifically for my loved ones. May they know you and because of the holy spirit living in them and love others with an agape love. Thank you for the peace you have bestowed upon my soul, even though I am walking in the shadows. May the pain I experience be used to glorify your name. Grant me the strength to walk without crumbling and the ability to be joyful in difficult times. Thank you for the ultimate plan you have for your people!

In Christ's powerful name, Amen!

Day 7: Psalm 31: 9-16

"Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.

Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.

For I hear the whispering of many—
terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!"

-Psalm 31: 9-16 (ESV)

Father, thank you for building a solid foundation in my soul that cannot be broken! I have often wondered over the last few months what could possibly hurt my soul more than not being able to conceive a child...well you are revealing that to me! Lord I confess that my silence toward you was stubborn and a way to avoid having to deal with the pain and loss I feel. I know now that this was only hurting me more; being apart from you affects everything in my life! I am sorry that my friendships and marriage have suffered. I am also sorry that I chose to hide from you as though you didn't know exactly how I felt or what was going on in my heart! How childish, how foolish I have been! Father, I pray for my relationships, especially my marriage! Lord, be the center of my life and of these things! May we turn to you with our pain and sorrow, trusting that you will comfort us with your peace. May we confess our anger and confusion toward you, may we come to know with our whole heart and mind that you are GOOD! That you LOVE us and are working in our lives. Father, may we have eternal perspective and hope! I know that you love me and I know you are doing awesome things in my life. Father, thank you that I have a place with you in eternity and the things of this world will not matter when I get to live forever praising your glory! I pray for an eternal focus!

In Christ's strong name, Amen!

Day 6: 1 Peter 3:18

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,"
- 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

Thank you father for coming to us in the flesh. Thank for you dying on the cross to take our place so our sins may be forgiven. But most of all, thank you for giving us a perfect example of holiness. Thank you that we have record of Christ's life and walk with you so we can strive to attain a small fraction of that holiness here in this life. Thank you that we may be seeking after your attributes! I know that I am not perfect, nor will I ever be until I am whole and one with you in heaven, but I pray that you would be showing me how to be compassionate. I know that is not one of my strong points and you are revealing to me how important compassion is to live in fellowship with believers. Lord, may I seek to listen and understand those who are hurting, just as I have been given the wonderful gift of having people listen to me! May I be a living example of your love, with one aspect being compassion!
Thank you for creating today so that I can seek to know you more and walk in your ways! May I not be easily distracted by the ways of the world!

In Christ's merciful name, Amen!

Day 5: Colossians 2:6-7

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
- Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

Father, thank you for calling me to walk with you! Thank you for giving me the gift of new and everlasting life. Thank you for bestowing the Holy Spirit upon my soul, allowing me to live with renewed exuberance. Lord, may I live with a boldness that only comes from you! May I speak the truth in love without regard for my feelings or success. Use me to do your work in proclaiming your excellency to those who you would place in my life. May I trust in your promise to work all things together for good and for your glory! I thank you for establishing my life and holding me in your hands. Thank you for guiding me and loving me. May I be overcome with joy and thanksgiving as I dwell upon your greatness!

In Christ's awesome name, Amen!

Day 4: Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Father, thank you for the promise of peace. Thank you that you answer prayer! We only need to ask and you shall answer according to your glory. Thank you for the peace that comes with prayer; a peace that really does surpass all understanding! I am living proof of that! Thank you for the peace of the last year, one that could have pulled me away from you, but your love kept me near. Lord, I pray for that peace for those who are hurting. I ask that you show them your love, grace, and mercy. Reveal the Good News of your Son to people who don't know you. May I be a steward of your love as well to those around me. Thank you for your ultimate plan for the world! We wait for your return!

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 3: Isaiah 43: 6-7

"I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

- Isaiah 43: 6-7

Father, with these verses you call us to you and give us a purpose for our lives. You tell us the reason for our existence; that we were made to glorify you! How wonderful and noble a calling! Lord, but as I sit here and ponder this, I ask, "Am I doing that with everything, with all of me?" Silently, the answer in my heart is no. I am a fallen sinner, one that is selfish at times and gets distracted by the world. Dad, I am so sorry that it is easy for me to not dwell in your presence. That I can be so mindless sometimes. I will never be able to thank you enough for the gift of your Son! That even though, I am a sinner, a wretch, you love me enough to send your Son to die on a cross so that I could know you. So that I could LIVE to glorify you. Thank You, Jesus for being obedient to the point of death! Father, I pray that this love I feel for you would continue to grow. I pray that the more I learn of you, that the passion to live my life dedicated to you would grow. I am asking to be used by you! I am laying my life at your feet, please, Father, show me how to glorify you and live my life so that others may know you. Allow me to be a servant; to work so that people would delight in you!

Lord, thank you for inspiring men to write your Word. I am in awe of your greatness and mercy. I cherish your wisdom and am blessed to be free to read it daily. Thank you for my life; may I use it well.

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 2: Romans 8:28

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Father, your promises are abundant, but I believe this one is my favorite! It is the wonderful promise that you are working, out of love for us, everything together for your glory. That doesn't mean our lives will be perfect or painless, but that if we love you and are walking with you, we will get to see the amazing ways you work. The way you knit people together to encourage and challenge each other. The way you have created us to be in relationships; with you and with others. Father, your ways are indescribable! Thank you for creating us in your image with a heart that loves and needs to be connected with others. I pray that as I continue on my journey, the desire to be in communion with you and others grows greater each day. I pray that the pain I have experienced would be used to your glory! Lord, may I be strengthened, humbled, and grow more compassionate because of the sorrow. Help me to realize and understand how to love others. Help me to put away selfish desires that are not centered around you or your desire for my life. Father, help me to TRUST you with my whole existence, not just in the areas that are easy.

Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for your warm embrace and the gift of peace during difficult times. May I rest in your love and peace.

In Christ's loving name, Amen.

Day 1: John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16 (ESV)

Father, thank you for loving us this much! That you would send your son to be crushed for our sins. Thank you that your character is one of love and mercy. That you care for us so much that you sent Christ to die so that we may be reconciled in relationship with you. Thank you that Jesus sits at your right hand and makes a way for us! Lord, I pray for the believers, that we would be bold and carry your strength with us as we walk in this world. I pray that you would grant us opportunities to tell of your love to those who are hurting and are lost. Father, I pray that as you call the names of those you love, their hearts and ears would listen and believe!

Thank you for loving us and calling us to you. Lord, your ways are far better than any I could create for myself. May I rest in the truth of your love and mercy.

In Christ's name, Amen.

A Year of Prayer

Starting on John 3:16 day, 3/16/11, I am committing myself to a year of prayer everyday! I am very excited and nervous about this project because, as is my nature, I am terrible at finishing the things I begin. Like diets, workout routines, reading projects, etc; I generally get bored and leave them to collect the proverbial dust.

I am hoping and praying that this is not like everything else! This past year has been a challenging one and in my quiet times, I have been hearing the whisperings of Christ to begin a writing project. This project, I am hoping, will become something greater than myself. I will write from the heart and hope that some of the prayers will be special to you as well. I look forward to having people join me on this journey and covet your responses and prayers.

Thanks for joining in prayer with me!