An Unassuming Prayer for 2013

Dear Lord,

First, I give thanks. I give thanks for the trials. The pain.  The heartache, of last year.  I offer them over to you.  As a gift.  A gift that drew me deeper into an understanding of your unfailing love.  Your unceasing provision.  Your unwavering goodness……

My need for you.

I give thanks for the unshakable truth…I cannot stand without your grace running through me.  Your abundance before me.  Your strength, like a rock, under me….

Holding me up.

• Thank you for being there.  Even though at times I could not see you.  
• Thank you for guiding me.  Though at times, I was not easily guidable. Resistant. 
• Thank you for speaking to me.  Even when I could be. Stubborn.  Heart failing to hear what you wanted most of me.  Surrender.  
• Thank you for never leaving me.  Or forsaking me.  Even when there was no visible evidence that you are a God who doesn’t change.  Forever with me.

Now I offer you, this year.  2013.  I offer it as a sacrifice of praise.  For your glory.  I raise up holy hands.  And say.  Take it.  Unto your own.  And make with it.  What your heart’s desire is for me.

I do not request health.  Or happiness.  Or financial blessing.  For I know that all good things come from your hands. You are sovereign over all.  Nothing happening unless it slips through the will of your hands.

And I trust you.  To dispense what you want.  When you want.  How you want.  In your time.  Your way.  According to your good pleasure.

All because I understand, you know my heart…..deeper, more intimately, more completely than I….ever could.

You made it.

So, instead I ask for grace. I ask for a knowing of your truths.  Your ways.  A seeing.  Deeper, more abiding faith…..to understand, know, walk in the understanding, that your ways are higher than my ways.

So, I seek not to fear.  Only follow.  Humbly.

I ask for wisdom beyond my years.  To offer up.  Give over.  Take from you only what you request of me.  Placing my ear.  Close to your heart.  Not as a foolish man.  Not as a child.  Begging for more.  Ease.  Comfort.

Lord, I want to please.  Look to.  Live for.  And praise.  Only you.  Not myself.

Not others.

• I ask for strength when winds come.  
• I ask for unshakable faith when trials tare away….at my relationship with you.  May trials only draw me closer to your heart. 
• I ask that what the enemy uses to harm us, you would show me the goodness in it.  
• I pray for even more boldness.  To speak.  For eyes to keep.  Fixed on you.  Your ways.  Your thoughts. 
• I ask for, your heart.  For the lost.  The hurting.  The world.

I pray to love my enemies, as you would.  To pray for those who persecute me.  And for the salvation of those who come against the name of Jesus.

That the world would see your light.  Through a broken vessel.  Such as I.

And Lord, thank you.  Thank you for whatever 2013 brings.  Be it trails.  Be it blessings.

For abiding in you….whatever life looks like.  I trust.  It will only be for my benefit.  Turning out as a testimony.

And that’s what I want, Lord.  I want to testify of you. I want my life to be an offered up drink offering to The One who.  Resurrected this life.  The one who.  Makes all things new.

So, let my praise not be silenced.  Let my voice not be made mute.  Let the world know your glory….through whatever they may face or be going through.

You are The Most High.  The Redeemer of what we are lacking.  You are the Good Shepherd who leads us through dark valleys.

And your Word says….

• We will never walk in darkness.  
• We will never be alone in this life. 
• We will never be forgotten or forsaken in our plights.  
• We have all hope in your light that illuminates the deepest of valleys, the hardest of circumstances….

Regardless of whatever tomorrow brings.  We can face it.  With you by our sides.

Yes, you are the light of the World.  So…..

• Let me cling to the God of all Grace.
• Let me rest on your chest, close to your heart, like at the feast before your death.  
• Let me grab hold your feet, so I can become them, like Mary did at your crucifix.  
• Let me touch your resurrected side.  Like Thomas.  So I can walk in the truth and the fullness of life….

That comes from knowing.  Really knowing.  You are not dead.  Our God is not dead.  We are not dead….

But alive!  

No distance between us this year, Lord.  No fear residing in any of me….

Let me “go” be a lamp on a hill, as you mercifully come illuminate my feet.  

• Your daughter.  
• Your child. 
• Your disciple….

Testifying boldly of your goodness.  Whatever this year may bring.

Yes, this is my prayer, Lord.

Fill me.  With grace to give praise.  Whatever this year brings.

Amen.

(Linking with Tracy)