A Prayer for the week

from 'Season of Peace':

Father, I need your peace. I need your peace in my heart, in my life and in my family. I need your peace to rule and reign in my spirit, that I may share your love to others. Help me to receive your peace that I may serve others, just as Jesus has served me. May the peace of God guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Father, help me to slow down. My life can become so hectic, crazy and chaotic at times. I need your peace to show me how to be still and know that you are God (Psalm 46:10). Help me to take time each and every day to get alone with you in prayer, worship and fellowship. If need be, help me to schedule time with you, just as I schedule time for the other activities in my life.

Father, help me hear your voice. I want to hear your words over me, for you are constantly speaking peace to my fearful heart (Psalm 85:8). Help me hear your words of encouragement, hope and conviction. Draw me deeper into a love relationship with you. Help me to not only pray, but to listen.

Father, help me with the bullies in the "what if" playground. They've pounded me and bullied me for years. I've listened to their lies for too long. In fact, I don't want to play in this playground any more. Give me courage to cast aside those "what if" thoughts. Give me the strength to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Restore my mind. Renew my thoughts. Help me to not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2).

Father, give me the courage to face an unknown future. I don't know, Lord, what tomorrow holds, but I know that you hold tomorrow. You're already there, waiting for me to arrive with open arms and an open heart. There is never a tomorrow that you are not there. And Lord, help me not live in tomorrow, but help me live in today for that is where you are now (Matthew 6:34).

Father, I surrender. I'm tired of maintaining this façade of control. I relinquish it all to you. Take it. Keep it. I give it to you. I give you control of my life and my thoughts. I'm so tired and weary of being in control. I'm tired of deciding, thinking, choosing, guessing and getting frustrated. Today, I choose to give it all to you. I surrender all to you, because apart for Christ, I can do nothing (John 15:5).

And Father, thank you! Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for giving me hope. Thank you for giving me Jesus that I may boldly come before your throne of grace in my time of need (Hebrews 4:6). Thank you for being my Father. And, thank you for calling me your child (Romans 8:15).

I ask these things in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!