Dear Lord,

I want to come back before your presence and praise your Almighty name. Your name has been renowned throughout all the ages. You are consistent in everything you do. You are omnipotent and omniscient. You know us better than we know ourselves. You take care of so much in our lives that we are unaware of. The sun rises because you say so. Seasons change because you have made them. World leaders rise and fall because you're in control. You oversee all that goes on.

I pray wholeheartedly, God, for sincerity in all that I do. I want to be real, to be genuine. Help me to overcome all that stands in my way in changing this area of my character. You've done much already, and I praise you for that. Please, help me to make better choices with how I conduct myself.

I pray not only for my household, but also for our family group at church. It was so great to meet together yesterday. Some of these brothers and sisters I know well; others, not so well. Help me to give genuinely when we meet together. I pray for a spirit of unity among our group, for each member to work together to support one another.

I also want to thank you for my friend Jeff I. Of course, you know his needs much better than I, yet I am thankful for the friendship we have. I pray for him and his wife to seek you and find you. I pray for their marriage, Lord, that they may truly understand your plan. Help them during this first year to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. I also pray that you will help them to build right habits as they learn to live together.

I am grateful for the leaders of our country. I am thankful that you chose me to be born during such a time as this. I enjoy so many freedoms that are so easily taken for granted. I pray for our legislators and state representatives and state senators. These elected officials hold positions of power and authority. You have set them up in these positions. I pray that they would acknowledge you in everything they do. I also pray that when they generate laws, etc., that it would be for the overall benefit of their constituencies. Lord, these individuals have tough jobs, and I am aware that it's hard for them to please everyone all the time. Nevertheless, please give these leaders wisdom and integrity.

I pray for people with whom I can study the Bible. Please show me who you've put in my life and give me the heart to reach out to them.

Thank you for my wife Jennie. I love her so much and I am a much better man because of her. I love that you're blessing our marriage. I pray for her spirituality. Please lead her closer to you. Give her the yearning in her heart for you.
Thank you for my little girl Keisha. I'm learning so much about you as a Father by being her father. I mess up so much, whether from things I do or don't do. I pray for your grace to be on her. I want her to have as much blessing that is possible. I pray for her continued health, as well as for her speech therapy to continue to do much good in her life. I pray that, if it is your will, that you will heal her of her hearing loss. If not, then please continue to protect her from additional hearing loss, according to your will.

I realize that by offering these prayers to you, it reduces anxiety I may otherwise feel, because I'm handing these things over to you, Almighty God.

I pray for my mental illness. I am learning more about it daily. Please continue to help me to understand this. I pray for it to have a limited effect on my family, although I am reminded that you are in control here. Help the medicine that the doctors prescribe to work, and I also pray for things to come out in therapy so that I can get better. Help me to love myself as you love me, so that I will not want to harm myself.

Thank you for my Mom and Dad. Though they are no longer together, I am glad that they were at one time, so that I could be born. I am grateful for the parents I have, and I know that you chose me to be their son and they my parents. So much has happened since their divorce, and I know that I'm still feeling hurts from it. Please help me to deal with how I feel so that we all can be closer.

I ask for prayer for the class of Three Year olds I get to help teach on Sundays. What an incredible group of kids these are. I am grateful for Patrick, and I pray for him. He's been feeling sad because of changes that are going on in his family. I pray that you will help him to feel loved by his mom and dad.

I pray for the needs that have been expressed in our church; for those who are 'shut-in', those with families going through rough times. You have a plan in all things, and I pray that you will teach us all your will. Help us to submit to it, especially when it goes against our natures.

And Lord, I'm thinking about mentally ill patients everywhere. Some have the hope of being with you when they pass away; others do not. Many are no longer aware of what's going on around them. I pray for healing for them and their families. I pray that you would demonstrate your power and love in such a way to bring about good in all of this.

I am very grateful and blessed to be able to pray to you like this, Heavenly Father. Thank you.

In Jesus' name,
Amen