how can i trust what You say when i hear so many contradicting voices? should i stop listening all together? only listen to the Bible? You are not a God of confusion, yet i am confused - please take away the blinders and allow me to see the truth. i want to know! may i always pay homage to You and not to human nature.

be gracious to us! the whole world is in pain, and i trust that You are doing something about it.

Psalm 123:
To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.
Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us,
For we are greatly filled with contempt.
Our soul is greatly filled
With the scoffing of those who are at ease,
And with the contempt of the proud.

to Jesus, my Savior:

sometimes i wonder why You don't save me extaordinarily - in other words in a way that the whole world would see and be amazed. but my salvation is quiet - You choose to save me in a way that even i can't see it; nor am i amazed. everything seems quite ordinary. do You not "move the mountains" in order to test my faith? to see if i love You not just for the amazing things that You do? C. S. Lewis said that "we are far too easily pleased," and You say that i have not because i ask not, but i've been asking: o, that You would rend the heavens and come down! move the mountains, win the war, glorify Your Name, vindicateYourself. do a great work in me - make me wise and succesful in Your eyes; may the books be written, may many be saved. that's what i've been asking, but You seem to be saying no. perhaps i'm not meant to know why.

the day is beautiful - thank You for making it.
all the things You do, and nobody praises You for them! all You get is people like me asking You why You don't do more! maybe we will see clearly at the judgment.
may i find Your way for my life.
protect my family. give me grace so that i may give it to L- and N-. give me love so that i may give it to M. may my life bless You.

to Jesus, Who never leaves me nor forsakes me:

this is how i feel: that You have abandoned me. i know that this is a lie. but i have literally never seen You. i fear that You will not take away my pain until the next life - i do not know this to be an irrational fear. but may it be that even if You do not save me, i will not bow down to any god (besides You).

how long will You have me edure this? may i never be ashamed.

to Jesus, Who is divine:

i know that i am not better than anyone else, yet i am righteous.
i know that i am just as wicked as everyone else, yet i am good.
that i am weak, yet i am strong. that i am poor, yet i am rich. that i am more than a conquerer.
in You.

i know that You are strong and beautiful, gracious and slow to anger, and that in Your anger, You do not sin. You are love. You are the Word made flesh. You are the savior and redeemer and light of the world. the Creator of the universe, the Prince of Peace, and so much more.
and You are in me.

may our joy and Your joy be complete. may we seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. give us discernment to face the day and wisdom to face our lives. may we be who we want to be. may we not be afraid to live the life we were made to live. may we live to the full.
in You.

o, that You would rend the heavens and come down. o, that You would finish the restoring of Your creation, and may the crown of creation flourish. may the people rejoice. may all who have breath praise You. may everything be "more than fine" - may everything be glorious. o, that You would make our feet like hind's feet upon the high places.

may we do well - better than well - better than best - in our studies. may You put a burning desire in us to spread Your Word. give L- a passion. may E- and H- be restored here and now. may S- be supportive of E- and I-. give M- confidence in You. grant G- rest. may F- find the final answer and may You give them a second chance, and if You do not judge them, let no one else judge them.

may i not judge what You do not. may i not condone what You do not. may i not act out what You do not. may my feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. may i not like what You do not. may i love all whom You love. may i never forsake the soul that leans on You for repose even though all hell should endeaver to shake it.

o, God, i want so much, and i want to be so much. may i want what You want and may my wants be satisfied.

to Jesus Who knows all things:

may i be a witness of You today and always. may i write and speak and perform only the truth. may i not be an accuser of the brethren. may we be a generation who seeks Your Face. Your kingdom come. come through me. come through we.

"let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand." -Psalm 149:6 may we be vigilent and bold and courageous. may we not lose heart. may we do our homework aas unto You. may we socialize as unto You. may we do whatever we do - sing, dance, study, take showers, work, exercize, love - unto You. may our lives be our worship to You.

may my family be a blessing to seven people today. may my church family be a blessing to seven million people today. may M- not be terriefied but strong and courageous. may L- live his life to the full. protect my family.

may it be said and be true that we love You and we love each other. always. may i be a light in the darkness even when i'm having a bad day, even when J- is in the wrong. may i forgive when i am hurt. give me the strength to be able to allow others to lean on me.

whatever it was that made G- cry, may she know that that situation is for her good. may she be strong and civilized. may we all behave well according to Your will.

i want You to come down and rend the heavens and do wonders and be glorious to all the world now, but even if You do not come down now may i praise You. may i treat You as You ought to be treated.