Prayers

below Ramsey Cascades

I ran into a situation that required a little coping;
I determined my approach and proceeded with it, hoping.
Hoping that I was right in what I attempted to do,
Hoping that I would have the patience needed to see it through.
Well, the situation was testy, and I experienced a little frustration,
but I started the very next day with even more determination.
Again, I felt defeated but couldn't see where I had gone wrong,
so the next morning my prayers included a request for God to make me strong.
I felt better for having asked the Lord to strengthen my endurance,
and I started that day with confidence and more calm assurance.
But once more as the day wore on, I felt my efforts were failing--
It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, aggravation was prevailing.
I sat back and looked things over and wondered why I'd had no success;
it seemed that all my efforts had just made a bigger mess.
So I asked the Lord what had happened and just what He expected me to do,
and then He answered my question and suddenly I knew!
I realized that I should have asked for His direction in the beginning,
instead of taking it upon myself and ending up chagrining.
I had never asked the Lord whether my approach was right--
I had simply asked for strength while I struggled with all my might.
Well, I prayed about the situation and put my worries on the shelf,
and soon I saw that the problem was taking care of itself!

Our Lord is always with us and sees the problems we encounter, and He is anxious for us to let Him guide us through each situation. Whether the problem is a situation at work or a personal decision that needs to be made, God has all the answers. Nothing is too small for God to handle! Often, the small decisions in life make a big difference, and our Lord wants us to make the right ones!

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat by bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isaiah 58:11

From November 8, 1983

All the Little Things

As I was growing up, my daddy took the time to share with me the wonders of nature, and from those experiences I developed a great love for nature, its beauty and its amazing intricacies. Nature offers a world of wonder and surprises to the wide eyes of a child, but it is a source of wisdom and examples for adults to learn from as well.... Since my childhood, my Heavenly Father has revealed to me in the world of nature many spiritual inspirations that have helped me grow and deepen my understanding of God's love. For these special times, I praise God.

Thank you, Lord, for all of the little things,
for the hope each represents, for the joy that each brings.
Thank you, Lord, for what each means to me.
With your help, my Lord, more like them I'll be.

Thank you for the humble little caterpillars, Lord,
for the butterflies they become; thank for every single one.
Thank you, Lord, for changing my life, too.
With your help, my Lord, might I grow more like you.

Thank you, Lord, for the little lightning bugs;
thank you, Lord, that they let their light shine.
Thank you, Lord, for the light I see in others' lives,
with your help, my Lord, might someone see the light in mine.

Thank you, Lord, even for the little ants,
who never know the meaning of "give it up" or "can't."
I see them, Lord, carry burdens twice their size.
Thank you, Lord, that they helped me realize
that with your help, my Lord, I can carry burdens, too!
With your help, my Lord, everything I can do!

Thank you, Lord, for all the little things,
for the hope each represents, for the joy that each brings.
Thank you, Lord, for what each means to me.
With your help, my Lord, more like them I'll be!

"Go to the ant.. consider her ways, and be wise." Proverbs 6:16

From August 8, 1984

What I Need

Lord, help me see that others
have their problems, too;
help me to feel for my brothers
and lift them up to You.
God, help me understand
that I'm not the only one
who needs your gentle hand
and the promises of your Son--
that if I ask, it shall be given;
that if I request, I will receive;
that if I repent, I'll be forgiven,
if only I believe.
Lord, grant me a loving spirit.
Lord, make mine a forgiving heart.
Your will-- may I hear it.
Patience-- may I learn the art.
Wisdom-- might I seek it.
Your guidance-- might I trust.
The Truth, God, help me to speak it;
help me to be bold when I must.
And in my daily living,
may I grow to be more like Christ.
Might I learn to do more giving,
and with temptation not be enticed.
I guess, Lord, what I'm saying
is that I'm willing to sacrifice;
if You'll just listen as I'm praying,
I'm willing to pay the price.
Bend me, God, and break me;
mend me, Father, I ask.
Mold me, Lord, and make me
fit to carry out the task.
Whatever you'd have me do,
wherever You might lead,
might I live my life for You.
Master, show me what I need.

In Christ's name, Amen.

"Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26