Lord Jesus, I may not have all my prayers answered like I desire. Like all my health issues fixed. Or every friendship and family problem solved. Or even those new spring clothes I had hoped for. But what my soul desperately needed—in fact, my whole being cries out for—has been provided. Your tender mercies are new every morning. Indeed, Your compassions fail not. Great is Your love and faithfulness.

Lord, I confess that I struggle with doubts and at times a wobbly faith, and I can at times appear like a muddled mess when I’m trying to be a powerhouse of faith. You are so gracious, Lord, that a mustard seed of faith is all You require for miracles.

But I also know that the humble mustard seed can grow into a sturdy plant with the loveliest of yellow flowers.

Please, Jesus, grow my faith, make it bloom into something sturdy and lovely, and may it be valuable to promote the Good News of Your Gospel. Amen!

I love these verses, Lord! Yes, just as You promised, You gave us an empty tomb.
And mankind—from generation to generation—is still telling this miraculous story all over the earth. It is a truth worth telling, because it is a hope unlike anything else, offering victory over death and life eternal.

Lord, Jesus, may we all respond to this love gift with a resounding yes!

Dear God, on those dazzling nights when I consider Your heavens, I find it all so magnificent that I am overwhelmed with awe. And yet I see only a fraction of Your creation and only a glimmer of Your vast power to create it. I am amazed that You even consider mankind. And yet according to Your Word, You have made us in Your image. You have made us a little lower than the angels. You have crowned us with honor and glory.

Wow. I cannot understand such a privilege, such care. But I can praise You for it with all my heart, all my soul.

Jesus, I know You want us to have a childlike faith—a guileless kind of trust. But I have lived a whole lot, and I know too much. I have become tainted by thousands of troublesome and even brutal moments. How can I unsee all the sin—even my own? Regain my stolen innocence? Silence the cynical noise of this fallen life to receive Your Kingdom in such a simple way?

Jesus, I was surprised today to see my friend applaud her own character. And the many ways she had grown in her walk with You. How much she gives to charities and the list of her many good deeds. Is she about to be humbled for exalting herself? OR. Am I just envious of her maturity? How should I pray about this? Lord, if my friend is progressing in her faith, let me rejoice for her and grow along with her. If we are both in error in some way, let us know so that we might grow closer to You. For we both love You and desire to please You. Amen.

Dearest, Lord, You know how much I love planting trees, spreading seeds, and growing flowers. You know that about me, Lord, because You designed me that way. And I love it. But what I don’t love about me—which is my own fault—is the way I sometimes spread things that are not so beautiful. That is, ugly words. You did not design me to do that, I know.

Dear God, I know I was never meant for all the sadnesses that I’ve collected on this fallen earth. The grief. Disappointments. Failures. Betrayals. Unrelenting physical pain. The tearful list goes on and on and on.
But there is a glorious day coming—when You, Lord Jesus, will wipe away every tear from my eyes. No more death or mourning or crying or pain! What a day that will be when the old order of things passes away and life eternal with You is mine!

Jesus, You clearly said in Your Word that we are to follow You, but I keep hearing a new message. I am being told by podcasters and bloggers and social media folks that what will really make me happy it to follow my heart. But that cannot be right since You also warned us that the human heart is desperately wicked. I know from experience that when I followed my wishes and whims, the outcome was not good.

Oh, Lord, it is so hard to stand up for what is right and true. And when I do, sometimes people mock me. Amazingly, some of those people who taunt and ostracize me are Christians! How can this be? Truth be told, this standing up for what is right business is taking its toll on me. And my spirit is discouraged.

Lord, when I see trials, help me to remember this powerful Scripture. That You are the One, Jesus, who saves the best for last. As followers of You, Lord, I know that heaven awaits me. Yes, eternity with the One who made me and loves me best will be unfathomably glorious.

But even in the now, thank You for all the times You surprised me with gifts that I longed for but never deserved.

Jesus, I was listening to a podcast that assured me my life would be beautiful if I would just believe in myself. This was supposed to be the way to live a rich, productive, and empowering life. And yet, I know that is not what You teach. You asked us instead, to believe in You. That following You would bring us abundant life. Both now and in the life to come.

As always, no matter what the world chooses to peddle, I choose You, Jesus. Your ways will be my ways.