Hey, Sweet Things! I’ve been praying for you this very day. I’ve especially been praying for those of you who’ve commented about how much you want to do the Scripture memory but you’re scared of failing. First of all, I pray that God is going to give you a glimpse of what your brilliant little mind is capable of doing when doused in His Word. Second, if you spend the year meditating on 24 verses, I pray that you’ll realize that you cannot fail. It will produce a harvest whether or not you get each Scripture down word for word. The captivated mind that tears down strongholds is what we’re after. Keep that before you. Pray for a supernatural unction to internalize Scripture then thank God for it in advance. He makes a way for us to obey what He wills for us to do.
Now, on to something that I keep pondering this morning. Like many of you, I’m a thinker. Years don’t come to ends or beginnings without me getting caught up in what’s behind or in front of me. That’s good if it leads to change. That’s bad if it leads to dread. We’ve all heard this definition of insanity: doing the same thing the same way and expecting something different. Yet, for the most part, we live life in that maddening loop. One of the things God has taught me along the way is to try to hear from Him about one area at a time that He’s pinpointing for change. Much more than that is too overwhelming. Anyway, He’s a God who’s into process with the lives of His children. We need look no further than Philippians 1:6 for proof of that. What He may begin in an instant He may complete over a lifetime. Instead of making a list of resolutions for 2011 that are broken by the time they’re spoken, is there simply one thing about us we really wish to change? I could think of a dozen things I’d like to change but this is the one I think God is pinpointing as our joint effort for the top of 2011: a mental loop I tend to get into when I get offended or hurt by someone I love. I have come to believe that my first minute’s reaction is what determines the cycle of the next (usually miserable) two days. So, here’s my specific prayer for the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.
My Dearest Abba Father,
I’ve lived long enough to know that any 12-month period of time on Planet Earth winds a pathway through thicket and thorns. It’s just too long a period of time not to get hurt or offended. I also know that You have tucked many joys in the oncoming year and I don’t want to miss them because I can’t quit obsessing over what’s hard. You’ve gone to measurable lengths in the last year to show me how the enemy of my soul operates in one specific area: he can’t block You from blessing Your children so he tries to block Your children from enjoying it. I do not want him to cheat me of reaping from anything rich You send my way this year. Even the treasures hidden in darkness. As this year ends and a new one begins, I am so thankful that I have Your Spirit without limit in my life and that, with You, change in a long pattern really is possible. You’ve done it before in my life. Come do it again. I am asking You in particular, Abba Father, to run to my aid in that first moment when an opportunity for offense happens and urge me by Your Holy Spirit to head into a thought-loop that spirals upward rather than downward. Simply put, help me to get over things fast. Honestly, Lord, sometimes I just make life harder than it has to be. Some things that wound me aren’t even about me. Help me to see where I’m jumping into somebody else’s loop and to quit getting hung by my own. I choose joy in resting this petition at Your feet, Lord, and I refuse self-condemnation or fruitless regret. You never would have brought this to the forefront and called for it in prayer if You didn’t have something good in mind. You began this work. Now come and take it to the next level. I’m excited about it, Lord, and see a glimpse of liberty on the horizon. Thank You, Father.
If you also want to post a prayer about ONE THING you’re asking God to do in you toward a more victorious 2011, feel free. There’s something about writing it down in a public place that makes it memorable. A record you can go back and read can be a beautiful thing. Try to resist wallowing and writhing in these public requests. It’s Satan who tries to make prayer a dreaded exercise in self-loathing. In God’s economy, even when our prayers are mostly pleas of repentance, they lead us to relief.
Hey, Siestas, let’s not respond to each other’s comments this time. By all means, let’s pray for each other but let’s leave the response space to God.
I’m honored to walk with you into 2011, dear sisters. We’re getting closer to the 1st! Hold your head up or you might miss your new beginning!
Jesus, earlier this year you put in on my heart to pray for several people which I eventually got around to doing, but I think you never intended for there to be such a delay between your prompting and my obedience. That said, THIS year, my heart’s desire is to be a diligent and more responsive intercessor to help build up the Body of Christ. In the months to come (and beyond) may we all be built up in your love, your peace, your wisdom, and your strength and live in the joy that only comes from You, Father God. Thanks Jesus and amen!
Father God:
I am asking you to fill me with your GRACE and FORGIVENESS to overflowing so I can spill onto others what you have done it me. Help me to STOP expecting others to respond in ways only You can achieve. I desire to love others more in 2011 than I did in 2010.
In the sweet and precious name of Jesus I pray.
(deb K.)
Father,
I really want to walk in freedom this year in the area of my thoughts. Help me to see it is you working in me and me submitting to you. Blow my mind with your work this year oh LORD.
Dear Father,
It is my deepest prayer that I start the new year with a whole-hearted devotion to memory work on a daily basis. I pray that you would prompt my spirit in the mornings to meditate on the scripture you’ve placed before me and that I would hide it in my heart. That is my prayer, in Jesus’ name!
Lord,
Goodness, what a road we’ve walked in 2010. I am so tired God. Tired of change, tired or pain, tired of drama. As I reflect on the year that has past, I can’t help but see the underlying current of fear that has multiplied 100 fold this year. Lord, I know that I am walking into 2011 extremely afraid and it is understandable considering what I’ve been through this year but I don’t want fear to dominate my life anymore God.
I feel like you are leading me toward a more intimate relationship with you. I know that you want my heart fully Lord and that until I give it to you, I will continue to get bulldozed by life. So, my prayer going into 2011 Lord is please help me to surrender to you fully. I want to but I don’t know how. I’m trying Lord, please take my efforts and show me that you care and are listening.
Please don’t leave me alone Lord.
ok. so i didnt read the rest first, cause wanted it to be just you and me, god. this time of year over the course of many have held alot of anquish, havent they. so, i wanta thank you lord for bringing me through the last 3 years,(12.29.07). and i know that we have further yet to go to get me on firm and steady ground. even though i know that without you, i’d be under it. my specific prayer tonight is that even as you grant the desires of my heart for a safe and secure home in which i can wake each day and have breakfast with you and the sunrise, and a home within which we can sit and admire the handiwork of your sunset together, -that even as you provide this to me, that all of me wouldnt get in the way of your blessing me with it. that all of my doubt, and all of my fear, and all of my indecision, and all of my insecurities, and all of my lapses in trust that you will just make it work, will not get in the way of your blessing me with it. that the prejudices of others towards me- that you, lord will cover that and cover them and fill them with vision to see me when they look at me, and not whom they assume that i represent, that you, lord, would place eyes to see Me in the hearts of them,- and that I will Trust you, lord,-that i will Trust you, even when i cannot see where my foot steps lead, even when the dark night holds that which i cannot see beyond the scope of my light, that I will Trust you, lord. amen.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your amazing love and guidance. I ask for your help in being a better steward of the what You have given me. I ask You to guide me daily in the best use of the time, talent and treasure You have provided. I especially ask for your help as I seek to manage to a budget – something so simple but that has long been such a stumbling block. Would You guide me through this, Lord? May my actions bring You glory. May I never forget that all that I have is really only on loan from You. To You be all glory given.
I have been reading your blog faithfully for almost a year, never once posting anything. I am so excited about SSMT. I almost wasn’t going to do this because since staying at home with my two kiddos for the last 3 years, my brain has turned to mush and I lost my memory skills.
Just wanted to tell you Beth that thru your studies and blog, I am back on fire for the Lord. Actually head over heels in love with him. You don’t know it but you got me thru many dark times. Thank you for that. In Christ- Kimberly
Lord I pray that this will be the year I have the courage to break free from my secret life.
I just want you to know you are being prayed for, I know we are not suppose to reply but this one needs LIGHT.
This year, my prayer is that God will help me overcome my tendency to have negative thoughts and emotions toward myself. I pray that instead, He will help me meditate on His healing WORD and help me see myself as He does. Thank you Jesus!
Father, Thank you for your strength, comfort and direction for this another year! The desire of my heart is to let you lead me in healthy family relationships this new year. I so desperately need YOUR guidance in these my family relationships that matter so much to me. You can make them beautiful and what they were meant to be. Help me be obedient to You as You guide me, no matter how difficult it may seem to be.
I pray that God will bring many revelations to me this year so I’ll understand why HE placed me in the midst of new coworkers and made me in charge of everyone. I prayed to God to use me, take me out of my comfort zone if need be…and boy, did HE ever! Thank you Lord for revealing to me that, YES, you will use me…help me to be as effective as I can be to bring Glory to who you are!
My Abba Father, Thank you that through your grace this marriage has survived almost 29 years. You know Lord how difficult it is. My prayer this year is for deep healing in my marriage. Please Lord, make me into the woman, wife and mother you desire me to be, and please open his eyes to make him a man of God, to assume his position as the spiritual leader and grow him into the father you desire him to be. Thank you for your faithfulness. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen!
Thank you Beth for the challenge to stop, think and set my mind on thankfulness for what the Lord has done, yet consider the requests I desire to lay before Him.
Two things immediately come to mind.
First, dear Lord, I desire to continue building “total” trust in You. It’s wonderful to experience times, where although the earth is shaking, usually at 3 AM : ) I have learned to come to You right away, letting my requests be made known to You, letting Your peace guard my heart and mind. It’s beautiful……but I want more : ) To trust You in a proactive way. Please do this in me Lord.
Second, You Lord know there is one person in my life that You have allowed/used to show some “not so pretty things” still resident in me. Please Father deliver me from the need to please this person, to compare and all else You know applies. Bless her!!
And set me free!
Your love for Your children is totally Awesome!! My heart lifts heavenward and sings a song of praise…….Amazing Grace…..How “very” Sweet the Sound!!
My Abba Father,
Thank You that You walked through the valley of 2010 with me, even when, because of the loss of my son from my life, I chose to turn away from your comfort. As I look forward to 2011 I find myself afraid to hope for healing and restoration of that relationship. So that is what I humbly ask of you Father is that you will help me to trust in You and Your plan for my and my families life. Thank You for bringing me to this forum to be encouraged and reminded that no life is without pain. But You ask us to be in relationship and share that pain with others that love You.
In Jesus name…
Dear Lord,
I want to receive all that You have for me. I want to receive the gift of being Your daughter and not just Your servant. I want receive and embrace Your love.
As one siesta wrote in a previous blog, I want to be healed and my passion revived; for You, for Your people, for Your church. But I know that I must receive first.
And as I receive, I know the weariness of living with the struggles and heartaches and dailyness of life will fade and joy will return.
Thank you for Your blessings and Your gifts to me. Help me to not leave one unwrapped or unaccepted.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Oh my Jesus…How your daughters love you and need you. Please speak and reveal yourself to us as we venture together as your girls to memorize your precious word. Let it become alive in our hearts and roll off our tougne as encouragement to others. May we be bold to speak it out, and as we do, may your truth be recieved and may your spirit become power to all who hear it. May our precious Sista Beth and my sister Kay be blessed for their obedience to you and their desire to gather us all together to serve and bring glory to our infinately wonderous God. I know you will surprise us along the way as you always do…so keep on us our toes as we go forth to know you more. And the “Glory Road” continues…in the precious, precious name of Jesus, Amen!!!
Break the addiction to wine. My husband divorced me in 2010, leaving me with primary financial responsibility and care for two young children. All while dealing with a bad work situation (arguing coworkers and heavy workload). I have no extended family support due to their poor physical/mental health. I am the supposedly responsible one which family members have historically leaned on when they have problems.
I’m so overwhelmed daily. I’m tired of saying for the last three New Years that the thing that I am most grateful for is that the last year is finally over.
Praying for you and others too with similar addiction issues. I am working on giving up booze completely in 2010.
You precious lady..you are not alone. I will pray for you regularly. Please contact me at [email protected] if you need someone to talk to. I am also on facebook under shelly havener. God can break this addiction. Praying for you now.
To really allow every thought to be taken captive and make it obedient to God.
I need a powerful word from God in regards to healing for my back and leg! He has all the victory in this situation and I will praise His Holy name! Jesus receive the victory!
My most precious Father,
I thank you for giving me understanding of who you are and what you want of me. I am totally in awe of your grace and mercy. You Father, are righteous and holy, so I want to be righteous and holy. Pleasing you is all I desire. So Father, please give me the ability to memorize your words so that I might hide them in my heart and not sin against You. May what I do be pleasing in your sight. I pray that You will remind me through the Holy Spirit of any sinful attitudes or ways I may have, so that I can repent and please You. Father I also pray these things for my sisters in Christ. We are going to commit to a daunting task, but I am reminded that nothing is out of our reach, when we have You on our side. May we always look to You Father for our inspiration and encouragement.
In Jesus’ most precious and holy name I pray
Amen
The reconciliation of my marriage.
Father, help me become a better steward, help me stick to a budget and not waste, help me to eat healthier and attain a healthy weight, help me learn and retain more of the Word, fill my mouth with Your words, help me to discern Your voice and obey it, help me to overcome offense, help me to organize our home, help me to be a better wife and mother, and PLEASE HELP ME to not be apathetic toward my husband’s flock!!! I want to love them, and You want me to love them. HELP ME!!!
Thank you, Beth, for encouraging me and all your readers on this. What a great way to hone in and see God’s faithfulness in the year to come. As for me, I struggle with gluttony. I eat for pleasure, for distraction, for relaxation, for entertainment— for any reason at all. May 2011 be the year, by God’s grace, that I eat healthy portions to healthily fuel my body.
Ohhh Papa…Abba…most precious Father, Lord Jesus and precious Holy Spirit… You have taken me through a difficult year of grief alone and led me to this place like an exile but to be Your vessel, so help me not to be hindered any longer from the past, death, darkness, sorrow, pain, heartache, discouragement, depression… all tactics of the enemy to keep me from the work You have placed in my heart and purposed for me from the very beginning.
I can’t begin to express my gratitude for how You have held on to me, held me and hold me in the palm of Your most precious nailed scarred hands… and I want to
live my life fully, intentionally and completely whole in You and with You as Lord over everything. I surrender all to You! I ask for You to cleanse my heart and my mind. I need You to strengthen me for the battle ahead. I purposed to MOVE FORWARD in 2010. And just because this is near the end of this year, it is yet a beginning once again to continue to press on and MOVE FORWARD this time as I set before me the study and purpose to BREAK FREE (with Beth’s teachings in her book) so that all strongholds and obstacles will be broken in my life, and the shackles will fall and the praise will burst forth… no more tears, no more sorrow, no more grief, just brighter tomorrows. I will no longer be captive but desire to live in my freedom with You! I want to be restored and rebuilt for Your glory. I would like to take back all that the enemy has stolen from me for nearly 40 years. I am tired, I am weary but I know that My Redeemer lives and triumphed over all of this so that I can have an abundant life to love Him, serve Him as I get to know Him better and share Him with others in a world that’s lost and perishing. Release me and make me molded into all You established and created me to be. Help me to let go of the past and the expectations that I placed on others that only You can fill! Help me to gird myself with the memory verses and that our time daily in Your Word would take precedence over checking my email or blogs. Forgive me Father for allowing “stuff” to get in the Way of You working in me, speaking to me, and me hearing Your voice. Thank You for being with me, carrying me and protecting me through the ‘storms’! I am not worthy of Your grace and mercy, but I am so humbled that You give it to me freely. I receive and graciously accept Your call for my vision here in Mexico for women and children! You planted this when I was young, we watered this together, and now I want to be ready to serve as I should have been serving for the past 15 years… free! I bind any more hindrances in the beloved Name of Jesus! and I release Your Grace to walk in freedom boldly witnessing to Your victorious power alive in me! I am able! I am capable of more than what I have done… I am Yours, do with me all that You desire. As You have refined me and continue to prune me, may I be a willing piece of clay in Your hands.
Be gentle with me, Lord… but lead me to still waters and toward Your Light as I pierce the darkness here. Thank You most High and Mighty God, for the wonder of Your unfailing love and the triumphs You have won for me. Thank You… I love You so much… give me Your eyes to see the need since You already have burned the compassion in me and broken me many times! Make me ever aware of Your Presence and Your Word as You direct my path and my steps. Pour out a fresh anointing and cover me … guard my heart! Enrich my glimpse of a new beginning and refresh my vision and thirst. Bless each and every siesta, our dear SSMT team, LPM and our beloved mama and sister in Christ Beth with favor and a new portion from You! Thank You as we give You 2011 to do a new work, transforming lives for Your glory and honor as we give You our thanks and praise and You fill us anew with the power of Your Holy Spirit… in Jesus’ Name…
I am asking that God would help begin to finally believe that I am who He says I am and take Him at his word. To stop trying to measure up to other people and just be happy being me as I was created. To stop the self-loathing and to quit beating myself up. To finally say that I am content with who I am because my Savior loves me just as I am.
Abba. Dearest Abba. Daddy, there is some hurt here to end the year. Truely it has been a year of great favore in You! You rescued us out of the muck and put us on solid ground, even as you taught us each step of the way! There is so much to celebrate! Thank You for calling me to serve in woman. To show them You. Thank You for the event coming up. Wow, that You would even use the likes of me. As for pain: You know how deep it is. Search my heart, show me my sin. I can’t find it with out You. You know and I know Your voice Lord. I know what You clearly showed me and told me. It all still hurts and I would like very much to never feel this way again. Be the Ethal in my so very Lucy like life. Let me just rest in You this time. No more to go down that road. Fix whatever it is in me that goes there…grant me the grace to do hard things…even if I am afraid to do them. I love You now more than ever before. Your love for me is a scandle. Love, M.e.
My Father,
I don’t really even know how to put into words the deep longing in my heart. For years my heart and mind have been tormented by things I have endured. The wounds run deep and I know I have held on to them with a tight fist. Until these came to the surface, I was on fire and hungry for you. You know what all I had. Then, when those boxes were opened, I felt like you let me down. I felt abandoned-not at the present but at the time of the events. I let go of the trust that I had placed in you. I began questioning you and became suspicious of everyone around me. I didn’t want to read your word. That song that used to be in my heart? Not there anymore. I know where I want to be and hate myself for not being there. I have watched you work in my life but my response has been with a seed of doubt that at any time the bottom will fall out from beneath me. I don’t believe I am a “real” Christian so why would anyone else?
So, you know all of that. I don’t want to do this anymore. I am tired of being tormented with nightmares and sleepless nights. I can feel the emotion bubbling up within me as tears run down my cheeks. My relationship with you is the most important one I need and want. I so want to grow close to you. I want to sense your presence in my life. Fill me with the peace that passes all understanding. Let the joy of the Lord be my strength. To have my sleep be sweet and my heart to not drown is sorrow. I want the joy that comes from you and you alone. I want the hunger for your word to be so strong that I can not deny it anymore. Renew and heal the wounded parts of me that are standing like walls around me. Break them down. Then, help me to acknowledge your work. Let everything bring you honor and glory. I want your stamp of approval to be enough. 2011-It’s time. Let it be.
Father God it has finally arrived, a new day and a new year; another chance for another do over. The past 3 years are all a blur, there has been so much devestation in my life I have often wondered if I would survive it. Now we are on the other side and I see your handiwork clearly. For years I have been telling you, “if only I didn’t have to work and travel so much, I would enter into fulltime volunteer work and use this avenue to help others and spread your word.” Well, you Father God saw to it that my time was free; and while the circumstances have been extremely unpleasant, I have not been observant of your works and I have not held my end of the bargin. I have spent the last three years focusing on my pain and not seeing your hand at work. I have the vision you have layed on my heart for ministry. Your instructions are very clear to me. Please give me the wisdom and the strength to implement your plan. Take hold of my insecurities and set me in forward motion. Restore unto me the joy that I lost along the way. May You Father God receive all of the honor and glory in my efforts.
My issue for this year to work on is similar to Beth’s. In fact Ecc. 7:21 will be my first verse to memorize.
I need to learn to stop worrying about what others think or say about me. All that matters is what God thinks about what I’m doing. If I’m right by Him, I’m right!
This year on January 1st my husband and I leave to move long-term to Central Asia. In addition we are expecting our first child at the end of May- a girl! My prayer is for the Lord to give me amazing ability to learn a new language but even more than that, that my heart for Him will grow as a result of an enriched prayer life. I cannot stay where we are and be fruitful without Him moving in my heart. So I pray for greater prayer fervency and love of time with Him. Then all that other stuff, including language, will come!
I trust GOD to be with me, in the next phase in my life
Our pastor quit last Sunday along with one of the elders. Abruptly before the congregation and all the young children. It was without notice to all except the elders and deacons. Apparently they knew of his resignation in October but kept it from us. I am hurt and bewildered. Last night at a meeting I tried to keep it together. The only elder left said that he had been to every church in our town and that ours was the only one that preached the truth. I spoke up and said that I did not believe this was true. Our church is a crumbling mess. My husband and I have decided not to stay. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes where it says that there is a time for everything. A time to plant and a time to uproot. We are uprooting. I am not angry but sad. Sadder than I may have possibly ever been thus far. Where to go from here Lord? Please lead us to do your will.
My words, weather written, spoken, or thought to always be Your words, Father.
Lord, I don’t want to be afraid to step out of my comfort zone this year. Strong and courageous. That’s my prayer. Strong and courageous in You. Help me to live with reckless abandon for you in all areas of my life, because nothing else really matters. In Jesus name. Amen.
Dear Jesus,
There are a lot of things that I need to work on and things I need You to do in me. But I think the one thing I want above all is just to learn to be who You created me to be. I just want to let the creativity and dreams and life to just flow out of me and I want to be defined by You rather than by everything that I’ve been trying to let define me and the boxes I’ve been trying to fit in. In Jesus name, Amen! 🙂
I pray that this year as never before the Lord would be the first and last thought in my head.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your leading and guidance through the trials and triumphs of 2010. I have been blessed immeasurably through the new relationships You have brought into my life and more importantly through the relationship I have re-established with You. Thank you for never leaving me, even when I didn’t turn to You but chose to turn away.
I ask, Daddy, that your Spirit would continue to drive the things that distract me from spending time with You daily, out of my life. Also I pray that the Spirit will continue to strengthen me on my path of recovery. I want to come here this time at the end of 2011 and announce that I have victory over the hurts, hang-up, and habits that you have been revealing in my life.
Thank you, I love and I yearn for your daily guidance.
Amen
Most Precious Jesus, As 2010 comes to a close I pray that you would release me from the depression I have been dealing with the past few months (a result of the short days and MS) and that I would begin 2011 with a renewed sense of Joy and passion for You and your word. I’m excited to take on the challenge of memorizing 24 scriptures during this year and seeing how the Holy Spirit will work in my life.
Father, I guess if I could put into words what I want for this coming new year, it would be that I want a miracle performed in relationships that are so dead that they “stinketh.” Just like Lazarus. I’ve been faithful and I won’t give up. You surround me with hope and mercy every day. You give me Godstops…like the Covenant transport trucks that I pass on the highway. You show me hawks soaring high overhead and remind me that those who wait on You will soar with wings like eagles. Father, I want to move forward into this new year expecting a miracle. I don’t ever want to lose that hope. But while I’m waiting, let me just live to love you more every day. Let me exhaust myself chasing after you. Let me set myself on the Rim of this deep valley I’m going through and find myself safe in the sanctuary of the most High God, Psalm 91. Lord, may my activity be the simplicity of letting my heart go into your hands…trusting you to work this all out for good…and abiding in your strength. Lord, I am standing firm (Eph. 6). Thank you for all you have shown me this past year. Keep teaching me to love. Work self-love out of me. Let this be a year of humble acts of love…love never fails.
Beth,
This is my very first post on your blog. I have been reading it for some time and doing your studies for years. I have prayed about becoming a part of it and your SSMT.
This past year was a very challenging and difficult one for my husband and I- an extended period of unemployment and loss. There has been so much stress in our life that I found myself living “waiting for the other shoe to drop” – however, in the midst of the stress and turmoil, blessings abounded, primarily the birth of our first grandchild. And with that I think feelings of hope were reborn. Looking back, it was only WITH GOD that we made it and I dare say even grew stronger in our relationship with the Lord and one another. In 2011 I pray that God would continue to help me to steadfastly trust Him with my future and my dreams; and love Him wholeheartedly, making time spent with Him and in His WORD a priority each day. I pray that He would teach me to better learn how to rest in Him and “be still and know…”
To Him be the glory…
Lord,
Let me not be spread too thin to experience what you have for me in 2011…to follow after you, focusing on the changes you want in me and not of others, and to come out on the other side having memorized 24 verses that are a testament to the journey of this year.
I am so scared of failing, I didn’t even comment on the SSMT post, but I do plan on giving it a go!
Father God,
Please be with me each step of the way. Restore to me the Joy of Your Salvation, that I may share it with those around me…especially my young children, that their memories of these years will be joyful ones! I don’t just want to be happy, I want a overflowing cup of JOY! Lord, only you…
Amen
Dear God,
I just want to thank you for carrying me through the numerous trials of 2010. I also thank you for your promise never to leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5,6).
I pray that in 2011 I will live each day to the fullest, doing your works so that others may come to know you God. I also thank you for Beth Moore, Billy Graham, Max Lucado and others who continue to let your will be done in their lives as they let their light shine for you (Matthew 5:16). God I pray blessings over all the “Siestas”, especially those who are battling addictions or who are victims of abuse. Last but not least, please bless my family, friends and keep them healthy in 2011. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Lord, I love you and I want to be the woman You made me to be. This year, but not only this year, discipline me. Discipline me to be modest in my behavior and my words. Discipline me to be moderate in my intake of food. Discipline me to be moderate in the intake of the things that do not nourish my spirit…whether it is books or movies or TV or the computer. Discipline my heart to love You more than I love anything or anyone in my life.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen!
Father God,
I pray you will show me how I can help others this year. I feel like there is a ministry somewhere near me, suited for me and I desire to be used by You to bring glory to Your Name, to show Your love and be an example to my family. I want my life to make a difference. I am excited and wait on You Lord to direct me.
In Jesus’ name
God, I feel like a lost puppy trying to find her way home. This past year has been so full of change and instability. You have been gracious enough to remind me EVERY DAY that you are with me and I’m SO grateful because I know you don’t have to do that. I’m asking that you give me clear direction in 2011 & peace in the meantime as I push through intense challenges. I promise to continue to rest in YOU.
I LOVE YOU.
Dear Father — my mind immediately goes to the burden you began to lay on my heart in 2010 and I ask for you to complete the work you began in me in the area of rebellion, stubborness, and being stiff-necked. Oh God, please may your Holy Spirit continue to break this stronghold in my life. I want freedom from this sin and bondage in my life in 2011. May your Spirit work this out of my life. Oh God I give it to You. Take this area and give me freedom. Clear my mind of my need to always stiffen and fight. Show me that only in weakness can I be stong in You. I give this to You, oh my Lord and God, and I wait on you in this process. Thank you for showing me this area of control and take complete reign in my life. I ask this in the name of your Holy Son Jesus and I claim victory through the Holy Spirit who abides in me and will teach me and lead me into all TRUTH! Hallelujah and Amen!!!
Dear Lord, this year I need your help to get completely out of debt and to accrue a nest egg so that adoption (which I feel we are being called to do) can move from the back burner to the forefront of our lives. Please help us to cut what needs to be cut and to live within our means, and please grant us favor in our finances. Thank you.
Amen
God knows what we need to hear and when we need to hear it. I also struggle with letting things go and letting hurts go on to long. I struggle with getting into relationship with others, I’m so afraid I might let someone down. I know that scripture memorization will help me and brought 4 spirals so that my three good friends and I can encourage each other these next 12 months. Thank you Beth for being obedient to God’s calling and your Living Proof staff and the work ya’ll do!