Prayer for 2018

Father God,

As we enter this new year, help me to seek Your face. Create in me a desire to read Your Word daily and help me to understand what I read. Speak to me in the quiet moments of the morning I have set aside for time with You. 

I have failed in so many areas Lord. Help me to make this right, to restore and improve relationships, to properly care for my family, and to be a diligent and conscientious employee. Give me the stamina and self control to accomplish a full day's work each day. When the day is over, let me rest.

There are many areas where my life does not reflect Your love and Your character. My life in general is not a positive reflection of who I serve. Help me Lord, as I strive to be a reflection of You and show the world the change You have made in my life. Reveal all the areas where You are not in control. Help me to release the hold I have on anything that is not of and from You.

Thank you for bringing me this far. Thank you for saving me from myself time and time again. Thank you for my family and friends. Thank you for restoring broken relationships. Thank you for the home, car, job, talents and abilities you have given me. Thank you for allowing me to write and paint. Thank you for the ability to express my thoughts in print. 

I know that things are good when I am focused on You. Even in troubling times, I have peace, so long as I am looking to you. When I take my eyes off You, I, Like Peter, begin to sink. I know that is what happened over the past few years Lord. I gradually shifted my focus from You to other things, things that cannot fill the empty places in my soul. 

It is my desire to serve You, each and every day of 2018. I want those who know me to know You. I want those who meet me to see You. I want to be a reflection of Your magnificent love and I want my life to tell the story of healing and restoration that is possible only through knowing You. 

In 2018, I want You Lord. I want more and more of You. I want to love what You love. I want to hate what you hate. I want to serve as You served while You walked this earth. Fill me with your Spirit Lord. Fill me to overflowing so that all who come in contact with me are splashed with Your love for them.

Amen