Most Gracious Lord, I know that it is Your goal to build me up and not tear me down. In my greatest times of need, I turn to You and You supply what I need from Your abundance. Your desire is to make me rich in every way so that I can be generous in sharing it with others and bringing You praise. I understand that, if I sow sparingly, I will reap sparingly … and, if I sow generously, I will reap generously. Just as a parent wants their children to grow and mature into adults, You want me to grow and mature as a Believer. Your hope is that I will learn how to deal with problems, conflict and difficulties so I might overcome them. Generally, my problems stem from denial, neglect, withdrawal or bitterness. Finding solutions can be extremely hard work but, if I apply Your principles, I know I will find true contentment. Through grace, love and fellowship with You, all aspect of my life will improve.
To enhance my life, I need Your help in resisting becoming a legalist instead of living by the spirit of Your laws. Show me how to face my problems and adversity rather than turning away or ignoring them. And, teach me how to make myself vulnerable to You and others so I can ask for help. I know that open communication builds relationships that produce lasting bonds and better outcomes. As I mature as a
Christian, teach me to rejoice in who I am and what I have. In giving You thanks for Your love and faithfulness, I believe that my outlook will become more positive and I will be energized to do good. In order to facilitate the advancement of my life, I know I must be open to change because nothing changes until something in my life changes. Open my heart and mind to receive the prompting and instruction of the Holy Spirit so I can cooperate with Him in fixing what needs to be fixed in my life.
As You encourage me, I want to be an encourager of others. When I stumble and fall, You always give me a hand up and show me the path to a better way. As I learn the lessons You have to teach me, I want to also become an encourager and teacher of how to overcome. To do this, I must become infused with Your unconditional love. Through Your love, I can become patient with others short comings … be kind, even if others are not kind to me … not becoming jealous of the success of others … not becoming pompous when You bless me with much … and, putting the interests of others before my own. If I can persist in this, I will live in peace with all and the turmoil I sometimes experience will be eliminated. I know that I have a long way to go but, if I listen to Your instructions and obey them, I will lead a better life. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.