Father in Heaven.....I come to You on behalf of a precious child who is in the midst of treatment.  A poison that is meant to kill disease is also creating havoc in her body.  The fear, anxiety and physical reactions need Your healing hand, Lord.  Our words and our hopes are for naught.  Our only recourse is to plead the blood of Jesus for the protection and peace of this little child of Yours.  We pray You are hearing our cries and our hopes for a brighter day for her Mother and Grandparents.  Yes, Lord.....we dare pray for a brighter day.....and a healing of her body.  We realize, dear One, that our hope is only in You.  The wisdom of the Medical team is in Your hands too.  Our reliance in the areas of life that we have no education in, lies in the wisdom Doctors and nurses have attained through the efforts of research and development of medicines that will heal.  This reliance is filled with anxious fear, when we are left with the reality of a weeping child, terribly ill and dealing with uncomfortable issues.
Lord, quoting scripture and giving the proverbial platitudes are not what is needed here.   We need to see the scriptural application applied to living and breathing diseased tissue.....scriptural application applied to the pain wracked body.....scriptural application applied to the weariness of the realities.....and above all, the spiritual application to peace that passes all understanding.  As recently written by her wise Grandpa.....He doesn't know what the future holds, but, He knows who holds the future.  The spiritual application of these words are fulfilling in that we can have peace.  Believing and accepting the realities that come our way, dear One, are the only way we can have this peace. 
Jesus, our hope and our prayer is for You to answer us.  We will wait and hope and continue to pray for "what we want to see happen"  (and we truly believe that is okay for us to do).......but, our plea for this peace is simply unwavering......for sweet Lizzie, her mama and all who desperately love her. 
I realize, Lord, that  specifically asking You to fulfill our requests is not selfish.  We are Your children.  We have no one else that could possibly give us an answer......no one but You.
For now, we ask all in the name of Jesus.  Each burden we lay at the foot of the Cross for You to bear.  Amen.

I wonder, Lord, if sometimes You could just stop me mid-sentence, when I am on a rant.  I think that perhaps my years of never expressing an opinion.....or, perhaps, no one asking my opinion has spawned this streak in me.  I found myself slightly embarassed at some of the things  I was talking about recently with friends.  I'm finding that I am telling You way too often that I need Your help these days; ie: "Stuff a sock in it, little lady!"  These areas that concern me are the ones where it seems EVERYONE has an opinion, "spiritually speaking", of course, and it's like, I need to get in on the act......so folks can see I have a brain too.  At this point, I'm tired of saying to You......"Lord, I am sorry....I should have counted to 10 first."  There was nothing untrue.....or hurtful.  I just contend that it was unnecessary to speak of at all.  Even when something IS true......it is not something that needs to be spoken of , necessarily.  It is so unnecessary, that I feel that to pursue talking is walking really close to the "gossip" area of verbage.

Jesus, these days are so full of tumult.  The only thing that hasn't happened so far is that the sky hasn't fallen.  Wars and rumors of wars is never ending.  The  pestilence, pillaging and slaughter of human beings seems to fill the news arena's on a steady basis.  Our families are being threatened with the wiles of satan and his imps.  Terrible news of serious diseases are attacking our friends and loved ones.  We pray.  We hope.  We try to praise to combat the fears we have of evil winning.  To speak the name of Jesus, gently and sweetly, calms our fears for a while.  Sometimes I do wonder why we have to KEEP praying for the same thing.....as fervently as we first did.  Simply because of the sin satan besets us with.  If he can discourage us.....demean us......devour us with his taunting....then he has a foothold.  Lord.....we can never give up.  Help us remember to never allow him any access.  What you meant when You inspired the scripture to be written that tells us...."My heart says of you, 'Seek His face!' ".  Obeying Your nudges......(and, I am always pretty sure it is indeed a nudge!) , obeying the words I have read in the scripture, or thoughts from a sermon.....all of this is not to be ignored.  It also sets me aside from the average when I am quick to pay attention and honor Your request for me.  And......it takes me to the scripture in Luke 16: 10 where You "suggest" that if You can trust us with "very little" ......You can trust us with "very much".  I'm not sure I'm there yet.  And, Lord.....to be honest.....I am afraid to say it aloud.
IF......and that is, a big IF.......I will believe always You will give me strength and wisdom WHEN You need me to have it.

Until then, I remain Your faithful servant.....honoring You in what I say.....and hopefully, what I do.  I ask all of this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

I was thinking this morning, after I looked at the facebook site and saw the first post from our friends, the Babbs;  Oh, Lord Jesus.......how wonderful it is to have You to go to.  Our friends are suffering.  Their daughter is suffering because her child is in danger. She's been hospitalized and they are waiting.  We can't say enough of the right words....even if we could think of them...... when we go to You with our incomplete sentences of grief, You, dear One, decipher the thoughts and intercede for us.  Our prayer is for Lizzie, a precious, precocious, bundle of energy.  We would love to see a miracle take place.  We would be thrilled to hear...."The doctor's were wrong......whatever "it" was.....is gone."  Jesus, is that Your will?  Could it be?
And......how in the world do we cope with anything else?

You, dear One, take on our heartaches and pain.  You help us "accept" what we have to live with.....and, most of the time, we can move on and live somewhat  productive lives.  Only You know what we will have to deal with.....until, one day, You deem it necessary for us to climb a mountain we absolutely never believed possible.  Is it truly necessary for us to walk on this road......so filled with unknown pitfalls?  Does it make us stronger, wiser Christian's?  Lord, I have come to believe it does and will......I find, though, that in the interim.....I'd like to not have to find out.  Jesus, I know I probably disappoint You with my analizing......especially when it comes to my spiritual growth.....maybe by now, You just expect it from me.  In all reality, I am so amazed at what You have allowed, and I have lived through.....maybe we could just take a break for awhile?  Oh, Lord.....all I need , I find in Jesus.  The author wrote....."There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.....".  How can that be, Lord?  I find You a friend above all others.  A friend, in high places, that can relieve my fears....calm my anxious heartbeat and give me peace that passes all understanding. 

I found myself at first struggling last week.....when I posted my "outloud" prayer on my blog.....and it appeared that no one read it.  There were no "likes" on facebook and no comments that told me......."Hey, Corrine.....keep up the good work....etc.....etc."   As the week went by, because of what my prayer initially was about.....I kept re-reading it.  I honestly think, Lord, that I read it about 6 or 7 times.....and each time I did.....I gave back to You what I promised I would.  The flowers were too cumbersome.....the "gifts of words"......too many to carry.  Thank You for picking up the load of gifts I left at the foot of the cross.  You, who deserves all the glory anyway, knew exactly how to handle all of it. The entire process anyway is to bring glory to You....not to me.  "My Letters To God" are just that.  To God Be The Glory.....Great Things He Hath Done".

I am grateful, Lord, that You take all of our anxieties and each request of our cares, to the Mercy Seat of God.  We do beg for Your mercies to surround us......We ask for peace....we ask for  the wisdom to understand, if You would.  And, in and through all, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Dear One....."How can I say thanks for all the things You have done for me.....things so undeserved, yet, You do.....to prove Your love for me.....The voices of a thousand angels, could not express my gratitude.....All that I am.....or, ever hope to be, I owe it all to You.  To God be the glory.  To God be the glory.....to God be the glory.....for the things He hath done.....".   All of that song.....every word of it, applies to my prayer to You today, Lord.  You have graciously given to my husband and I such honor.  I, who sometimes come to You, dragging my feet as he (my husband) is pulling me along while I run my mouth...."silently yelling, 'I don't want to go!'  .......You, who could easily say...." Go ahead.  Sit there.  Miss out on this blessing.  You will be the loser."  I am amazed You still love me.  I am overwhelmed to even be allowed to be serving in Your kingdom.  Why do You love me, Lord?  Even if You could explain in words I could understand, I wouldn't.  I don't think any one is capable of understanding the unmerited grace You provide to us as Your children.  Not all of them are as stubborn as I am....I know that for sure.  But, somehow You give me peace.....understanding.....and that wonderful unfailing love that You are so good at.

As I basked in the glow of the honor for my husband and myself this weekend.....I felt so undeserving.  I just tried to relax a little and enjoy Your presence.  I do know that I am sliding along on his coat tails.....dear Jesus.....help me not to spoil it for him with all my "discerning".  The areas that plague me.......... the angst I almost continually feel when I try to enjoy the graciousness of honor and tributes to us.....well, I will leave it at the foot of the cross for You to carry for me.

  You know, Lord.  You know how I feel about my Dad and Mom......and the end of their ministry.
I don't remember them being honored.  Ever.  And....I know the kind of ministers they were for You.  Selfless, unabashed, tireless.  There are more words to describe them......wonderful ones.....but, You know best,  the lives that they lived for You.  When one is called and responds to it....You have special work to be done.  They did it.  And, they did it honorably.  I know that when man cannot or will not observe one's service.....then, You will see to it that it is done, kingdom style.  I praise You for that, Lord.  No one could do a better job.  When I am reminded of the fact that they were never honored.....and I have been.....I feel so unworthy to be given any praise.  It is the evil one's way to try to keep me chained.  Lord Jesus, my hope and prayer is to continually watch and be diligent in doing so.  These are the ploys of satan.  If he can keep me feeling guilty for the things I have been given......jealous of those who have more......I can no longer appreciate what God has allowed us to have.  A friend, long ago, quoted this, and I have put my own spin on it.  It works though.  All satan needs is a crack in our armor......and he will slink in.  I aim to keep the maintenance men busy.....welding, sanding, and  polishing mine......once again pushing him out in the name of Jesus......and keeping him out.  In the meantime, I will place my "gifts" at the foot of the cross.  That, dear One, is where they belong.

Thank You, dear Lord......for all You have given. 
I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Lord.....I'm trying to figure out how to say this.....'course You absolutely know how I think and already know......how very juvenile my thinking can be. I wish my thinking could be a little more profound.  You know Lord.  You know and the few that were in our Prayer Meeting group do too.....that our little series on "Revival" was tepidly received. Even as I studied the pages I found on my computer search.....I was so surprised that You had pushed me to keep the word "Revival" on our minds.  When the service  Sunday started out.....the singing was grand.  I love that VBS song that we sang at first...."You Gave".  One of my favorite lines is the last one......"Now, the least that I can do......is live my life for You".   Lord....that is the crux of all I tend to think about anymore.  Why in the world do I worry about the "things I prefer not to write 'out loud' and just leave it all in Your care.  Of course, You know my fears.....but, You also know my deepest desire is to "live my life for You."  So that even at my age, there will be no question for anyone, that my goal is to be like You.  So.....anyway, Lord.....when Edith stood up.....I knew.....my husband knew.....the Wednesday Night crowd knew too......something was happening.  I was excited beyond belief.....I knew that when she sat down, someone else would stand up.  Oh dear One.....I could hardly contain myself.  I was dancing across the front of the church in my mind, saying, "This is what we've been talking about....this is what we've prayed for.....all good, except for one thing.....I wanted some credit.  Yuck, Lord.  That just spoils it all.  I. I. I.  It's You, Lord.  You bless us with Your presence.  You get people to their feet.  You show us what is possible.  You fulfill the desires of our hearts.  And, on and on and on.  You do it.....when You are asked and invited to join us in our quest for the basis of "Revival".  Forgive me Father for the "I" thoughts that just can ruin everything.  We were so blessed to see Your wonderful presence in our service Sunday.  So many.....too many......have never seen a service "where heaven comes down.....and glory fills our souls."  It was a blessing, I think, to all who sat and observed what was happening.  It was all praise to You, Father.  Each testimony was a special tribute to You.
"How can I say thanks.....for the things You have done for me.....things so undeserved.....yet You do, to prove Your love  for me.....".   The song goes on to tell us that ALL tributes, and all glory, should go to You.  "To God be the glory....To God be the glory.....for the things He has done." 
And, I do say "Thank You" Lord.....for showing all of us that You are the same God.  You wait to be asked.  You are always a gentleman.  All glory and honor to You, dear One.  I will forever be Yours.  Amen and Amen.

We were just about at the Funeral home for the service yesterday, Lord.  You heard me.  You probably cupped Your ear.....and murmured , "Say that again, dear! I don't think I heard you right!"  Lord, some times I am not sure I ever learn anything.  I ask over and over for You to push me, break me, mold me, use me........don't I?   Yes....I think I do.  Now.....whether I truly really mean....."Push me?".......or "Break me"?....."Mold me?"......"Use me?".....I'm not even sure.  I thought I did, when I said it.  Am I hearing You say....."Really?"  When I said to my husband ......out loud......I really need  for you to pray for me.  I know my attitude about this issue is wrong. It turns out to be  one of those things that you don't need to ask a few people you trust to listen to your "side" and get their verbal "pat-on-the-back" to make you feel better.  I found myself adjusting the weight of it on my shoulders constantly to make me feel
better.  Every time You would bring it to the forefront of my mind.....that is what I would do.  I really don't need my husband to help me pray about it.  I know what to do.  I just have to let go of the tenacity of it.  It grabs me.  It irks me.  It gnaws at my spirit.....because I know the way I feel is not right.  When it came out of my mouth yesterday in the car,  I'm not sure if it shocked my husband or not.....but, it did me.   And, You know Lord, it embarrassed me.  Just to have my husband hear what I really think about this issue that should have long ago been settled in my heart.  I honestly thought I did settle it.  I kept a part of it back, though, in the file drawer of my mind.  You know, Lord.  The one where I can go at any time ......grab the handle......open the drawer and rustle through the pages until I get to "Past Grievances". Pulling it out and leafing through the pages I saw that I had documented that "HE" definitely was guilty and as I saw it, needed to do some penance. Oh, dear Jesus......help me.  I see as I write, how very much I need You to save me from myself and from what I think......what I do.......and what I say.  I am so filled with regret that I have unnecessarily carried this burden thinking I had really laid it at the foot of the cross.  I thank You for bringing it to me.  And, since I can do nothing about it anyway.....I pray for this to be resolved, once and for all. I will take my file and burn it or better yet.....You take it.  I'll leave it at the cross.  Whatever You decide, Lord....I feel free already.  I believe I am.  Thank You, dear One.


I have prayed and asked direction.....relief from the sin that binds....and strength for tomorrow.  And, Lord.....I ask all in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

I was wondering, Lord......do You have any trouble understanding me.....You know, at times?  When my feelings are all over the place?  When I have trouble even stating to You what I think?  Do You see deep down?  Can You understand my heart thoughts?   Mostly, do You get weary of all my moods?  Now, I ask all of these questions.....and  find myself not at all fearful that You would say anything other than....."No, child.  I see you.  I hear you.  I understand you to the deepest recesses of my own self.  No one could possibly ever understand you like I do".  That is how I feel You would respond to me. 

 Lord, I recently misunderstood the cries of anothers' heart thoughts.  As I carefully stated my own thoughts quite succinctly, I thought, in response......I found later that I had understood nothing of their need at all. It made me feel sorrowful that I was concerned about one thing.  My thoughts.  You know, Lord.....I used to never really state an opinion.....negative or otherwise. I began to feel as if I were a candidate for "Martyrdom".    Several years ago I decided "someone" needed to hear it. Now, a few years later, I'm not so sure it was a smart choice, dear One.  It is really so much wiser  to listen, I think.  Not just with my ears....but, with my heart too.  I'd like to get better at that.  Every one wants to be heard.  Every one likes to hear that they have worth.  Others, Lord.  I'd like to make sure this could be a part of my ministry to others.  To listen with our heart's as You do, Lord. You always know what we need......whether we like it or not.  I am glad, dear One, that You know exactly what will make me  into the image of Yourself that You need me to be.  Is that even possible?  Would You be happy if I could be? 
Whatever Your plan is, Lord. 
Whatever Your will for me is,  may I be Your example.


'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 
In all I ask and pray, I ask in Jesus name.
Amen.