PRAYER

You don't have to be on your knees or have your eyes closed while you pray. You can be sitting in a chair or lying on the floor. While you ponder how you would fill in the blanks or how the prayer has meaning to your life, you are praying. Take your time. When you feel comfortable enough, close your eyes. When you become even more comfortable, try it on your knees. And finally, try speaking to God out loud. 

God,
 

I don't really know how to start. It's been a long time — [years / most of my adult life] — and I'm not even sure what I believe anymore.
 

But something brought me here tonight. Maybe it was [a hard time / a loss / a quiet moment]. Whatever it was, I'm here.
 

I'm not coming with clean hands or the right words. I'm just coming as I am — tired, beat up, a little lost, and honestly not sure you're listening or that you’re there. But I'm willing to try.
 

If you're there, I ask for [peace / help / clarity / the strength to keep going]. Not for everything to be fixed overnight, but just for some sense that I'm not completely alone in this.
 

I don't know where this goes. But I'm showing up tonight, and maybe that's enough to start with.

Dear God,

Thank you for this amazing world and the opportunity I have to experience it. Please help me see your hand in my life and feel myself in the goodness of your creations. Thank you for

1) ______________________________________________________________

2) ______________________________________________________________

I’m dealing with some really difficult things right now, and I could really use your help working through them. I am dealing with

1) ______________________________________________________________

2) ______________________________________________________________

Please help me to get through them with peace in my soul. Please help me think of someone I can bless today.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.