So I haven't really started the reading yet (go me!), but I have been doing some evening devotionals and I really like this prayer:
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
I've realized that while one can get bored with the repetition of the same prayer each night...and it's easy to just breeze over it without thinking, there's actually enough here to see something new each time. Certain parts of the prayer stick out to me each time I read it.
It's also a really honest prayer. In essence, it says: God, I know you are strong and faithful and have everything good in mind. But I'm struggling in this part of my life right now. There I said it. Now I will say I believe it, even though my heart isn't all there. In saying it, I hope that you will help me to actually believe it. (TNV- Tricia's Not-so-condensed Version)
This brings to mind the father of the demon-possessed boy in the book of Mark who after Jesus reprimands him for his "IF you can do this" request, cries, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
Oh Lord, I believe... Help my unbelief! This is what I believe this prayer says in its subtext. I think in general, we should be more bold and more honest in our prayers. This is a good start.
2 comments:
I agree honesty is especially good in prayers--the good, bad, and ugly...I think this engenders an honest relationship with God. Where does dishonesty get us with God? HELLO! HE'S GOD!! He knows it all--being honest just helps US. Belief is a big part of habit change according to "the Power of Habit"... book I just read. We need to BELIEVE we can change and be different before it will really work. I need this prayer right now... Thanks bcz this is one of my main struggles.
No problem Ray! A lot of what I was thinking and responding to this prayer was kind of echoed in church this week, so I hope to let this marinate a bit and put it into practice. :)
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