A prayer received via e-mail

I’m not a fan of chain letters, especially those of the manipulative “Send this on and God will bless you” variety. This particular type seems to imply that God will punish those who choose not to send on YOUR particular e-mail, or who (like me) have taken a decision in principle not to forward any such mail.

Today I received one such chain letter, which has a number in its heading line. The idea is that you increment the number by one, and then forward it to your entire mailbox, thereby perpetuating the scourge of spam around the world and all in the name of God. Not entirely the best marketing that Christians can engage in!

But then again, one doesn’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and this particular prayer (minus the “guilt” bits for not sending it on, which I have deleted) contains some deep, meaningful elements that we would do well to incorporate into our prayer life.

So I am not going to send it on, but have posted it here in the hope that the sentiments contained there in (without the aforementioned “send it on to everyone you know” parts) can guide us as we pray. We would do well to apply these to our daily lives as we grow ever stronger in our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to You. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

Prayer is the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others

I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that You change people and You changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them.

God, I love You and I need You. Please come into my heart.