The Saturday Journal: The Prayer Journal
I made this deal with God. Well, not so much a deal, but it was something I really wanted to work out and so I said, God, I’m going to pray for thirty days about this one thing and if after thirty days I don’t feel you leading me–then I won’t pursue it. And God, I’ll not just voice my prayers–I’ll write them down–in a journal for thirty days–every night before I lay my head in sleep. That was in November of 2019. And almost five years later–I’m still keeping a prayer journal.
My prayer journals are filled with thoughts and gratitude and prayer requests for my family and for others–a pouring out of a grateful heart–an undeserving heart. And oftentimes I’ll turn the pages back–days, months and now years and reread those prayers and give thanks over and over–answered prayer–another answered prayer. And others when I’ll say–I don’t remember that, and I’m glad I wrote it down.
A few minutes each night with God before falling asleep helps me to look back over my day–to give thanks and to reflect and ponder and most of all, remember on the hardest of days there are still good things–beautiful moments that happen throughout each day.
I watched him count out his dollars--count the last coins. He asked the store clerk if he minded to divide his one food item and drinks and juice and waters into two bags. And the clerk said, I don't mind. I will and I'll double-bag them for you too.
Later I saw this man walking on the side of the road--his two bags--one in each hand. Double-bagged. And I wonder how far he had to walk and I thought about the kindness of the clerk. How often does he double-bag, evenly divide groceries so they are easier to carry? How often does he just know without asking?
Dear God,
I saw You today–I saw You in the kindness of a store clerk. And I pray for the store clerk. Bless him Lord for his kindness and understanding. And I pray for the man Lord--the one with a few drinks and a small amount of food. Bless him. God, I'm ashamed of how much I take for granted on a daily basis--every single day. Please forgive me. And help me to have eyes to see You more and help who I can along the way.
And that thing I wanted to happen–some five years ago--writing in a prayer journal for thirty days--asking God for direction–well it sorta happened and then again, it didn’t. Not like I had hoped it would work out. But what came out of it was so much more. And that’s how God is–He gives abundantly more.
Now until Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us.
Ephesians 3:20
We spend our years as a tale that is told.
Psalm 90:9
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