A Simple Prayer
My friend Ray Pritchard commented about a very exceptional prayer on his blog the other day. After reading this prayer, I adapted it into my morning time alone with the Lord each day this week. The answers to that prayer have encouraged me. “Heavenly Father, you are in charge of everything that will happen to me today— the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the positive and the negative. Please help me to be thankful for everything that will happen to me today.”
The prayer goes like this,
I like the prayer because it acknowledges God’s Sovereignty over the affairs of my life—Heavenly Father, you are in charge of everything that will happen to me today.
While reading through Isaiah this morning I was reminded of God’s Sovereign way over my life. Throughout the reading I was continually underlining the repeated phrase “I am the Lord.” While seeing that phrase repeated over and over in the Scripture I recalled a question a friend of mine asks. I often hear him inquire, “How Sovereign is God?” The natural answer, of course, is the Lord is either totally Sovereign or He is not Sovereign at all.
Additionally, I like the prayer because it reminds me that my day will not be perfect. It will be filled with both successes and setbacks—
There is no such thing as a perfect day. That’s a good reminder for the perfectionist that rises up in me periodically. Many times my frustration is heightened when things do not go as I expect or plan. Realizing very little, if anything, will go as I predict alleviates a good portion of my aggravation.the good and the bad,
the happy and the sad,
the positive and the negative.
Also, I like the prayer because it humbles me by reminding me to be thankful for all things—Please help me to be thankful for everything that will happen to me today.
It was Paul who said, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Being thankful, I am convinced, is a characteristic of spiritual maturity.
Take a few minutes this morning to add this simple prayer to your morning conversation with God. Then, let me know how the Lord uses the prayer in your own life.
1 comment:
Ryan,
This always reminds me of Corrie Ten Boom's book "The Hiding Place". Their building of the concentration camp was so infested with fleas and her sister would always praise God for the fleas and tell Corrie to be thankful for the fleas. Right before Corrie was released, she learned that they were never bothered by the guards because of the terrible infestation! Jerry and I always try to remember that sometimes you have to be "thankful for the fleas" even when you don't know the reason for them at that time. Our Sovereign Lord knows the reason!! Thanks for the encouragement Pastor! Love your blog. Bring it! ;o)
Lisa Blakesley
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