96. PRAYER ON FRIENDSHIP
God why is it so hard to get close to
people to let people get close to me to make friends? Is it because I've
been hurt before and am afraid to be vulnerable again? Is it because I
think others will take advantage of my openness? Your Son had twelve close
friends. One sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. Another denied that he
ever knew Him. The rest ran away when He needed them most Jesus even
predicted these things yet He didn't shut Himself off
from friendship. Make me willing to take the risk, too. Help me to realize
that, ultimately, in opening to another human being we are opening
ourselves to You.
97. A PRAYER FOR FAITH
A few things still need to be set
straight Lord. A few important relationships like Yours and mine. When I
was a child I had faith nothing great, but it was simple and strong. The
years may not have brought wisdom but some growth and much perplexity.
Doing things my way has left me half pleased but hungry for inner peace.
Maybe it wasn't You I was rejecting but dry formulas on a printed page
that I didn't really understand. If You're willing to try again so am I
and this time You may find that I'm a little more ready for an open ended
involvement that goes by the name of faith.
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98. PRAYER TO COPE WITH ANGER
Lord sometimes I get angry, really
mad. And I say or do things that I later regret. Then I apologize for the
cutting remark the cruel accusation. But apologies aren't always enough.
There may be no way to undo the harm. Help me to accept my temper as a
reality. Help me to control it and direct it into constructive channels.
Help me to harness my anger so that it will move me to work to relieve the
oppression of the poor the needless slaughter around the globe the
destruction of earth's beauties. Above all, help me to learn restraint.
For a moment's hesitation can mean preventing a lifetime of regret.
99 . PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS
Father how weak we are is not exactly
news to You. Every day in many ways we start out with marvelous intentions
and end up trying to get even to get out of responsibility to nurture
dishonesty in thought or act Forgive us, Lord. Your Son knew us well and
we know not what we do. Even more, let us have some of Your power so that
we may forgive one another That's where most of our trouble start And, on
a deeper level help us forgive ourselves to believe in Your pardon gained
by dying and rising. Forgiveness instead of resentment could get to be a
habit and not a bad one at that.
100. PRAYER FOR HONESTY
God it's hard to be honest to know
what my real intentions are to admit my true motives. And it's so easy to
use "white lies" to get out of sticky situations to tell a half
truth to avoid embarrassment or inconvenience. I excuse myself by thinking
I'm honest when I'm only being tactless or sarcastic. That doesn't prevent
me from assigning to others motives that are less noble. Teach me to face
the discomfort of knowing myself and to give others the benefit of the
doubt. Make me tireless in seeking to do Your will which in my heart I
recognize more that I care to admit. Weakness, slowness and mistakes are
part of the human scene. Make me honest enough to treat the inadequacies
of other people the way I would want them and You to deal with mine.
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