Opening Prayer

I am not very good at free form prayer. I had a Catholic school upbringing. We learned The Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary. And while I was in Miami, I even learned them both in Spanish. I really love the open feeling when I hear other people praying to God like they are having a conversation and I hope to get better at praying in that manner.

But I know that God knows what is on my heart so I think on those things as I say His Prayer. Each growth group I have been to opens with prayer. We normally would go around the room and ask for requests and praises and then as we feel led by the Spirit, we would pray for one another. These are my requests and praises as I start this 40 day journey.

Lord, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a light to those around me, near and far. I pray that you will guide my hands and bring your message out through my words. I am humbly asking that you use me for Your Glory throughout these next 40 days. Be with my readers, give them strength and make them bold so that they will take an active part in this. Be with my friends who are suffering, physically and emotionally, let them feel your presence as they read this words. Heal them of those things that ail them. I ask all this in Jesus' Holy name, and in the manner which he taught us to present all things to you.

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

John 14:12-14 tells us Jesus told his disciples this:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."