Dear Heavenly Father,

I want to praise you for your greatness and perfection. I realized last night how strong perfectionism is in my life. That and the desire to be in control of circumstances I'm not supposed to be in control of. Both of these come from pride, my wanting to be you, God. I struggle with wanting to live by MY standard instead of just accepting that your standard is all I need. Also, I need to trust that you will work all things out for good, even if the circumstances are extremely intense.

I guess that's one thing I've been learning a lot about with our present struggles. Lord, please help me to trust you and be faithful. I want to change and be different.

I also pray for other people who have shared their struggles with me. Some are having a hard time believing that they can change, and they feel like failures. I can relate with that, and I know, Jesus, that you are familiar with all of our struggles. Please encourage these people so that they will not give up.

I pray for those that are not saved, Lord, that you will lead me and others to them, so that we can help them to be saved. There is a lot of confusion in our society, especially when it comes to how someone gets to heaven. Lord, I know that you are the Judge, and we cannot even try to take your place. Yet we know from your word that things like "praying Jesus into one's heart" or "accepting Jesus into one's heart" is not your plan. Lord, I know the background of those doctrines, and they do not come from your word or they take parts of your word out of context with the rest of it. Doctrines such as these are leading people astray.

Please equip me with the right doctrine and the heart to lead people to you. Lord, I love you, and I want to give more of myself to others. I feel like I've been distracted with our circumstances. I know that you hear me, and that you know me very well. I know that you are my strength, my rock, my fortress. You are the Almighty God, and I praise you for loving me and being merciful and graceful to me.

Love, your son,
Danny