Creator God, every time I step out into a clear night sky, I am in wonder at Your starry host–Your majestic celestial creation. I thrill at Your great power and mighty strength to create such resplendent marvels. I sigh in a holy hush—never deifying the stars but instead exalting You for Your unfathomable glories!

Oh Lord, I am afraid of all the nastiness, the chaos, and all the unknowns on the earth right now. And some of the people around me are starting to look like strangers to me. Even people I know and respect are saying appalling things on social media. In my flesh I want to shout back, giving them a piece of my mind. But alas, I know You would rather I speak the truth in love and not in anger. Please bring me Your supernatural calm. Guard my heart and my mind to help me cope with a world gone mad. Thank You!

Dear God, wow, humans can be so annoying! They can be petty and scheming and greedy. The worst part is, I can be all of that too! Sigh. Forgive me, Jesus, and help me to forgive others. And with the power of Your Holy Spirit, please strengthen me. I want all the pesky parts of me to be transformed. The ones that disappoint You and me and all those who pass through my life.

Lord Jesus, today in my garden I couldn’t believe that a hummingbird actually fluttered down and landed on my finger! It was sooo You to give me that serendipity. When the world hands me discouragement and despair, You gift me with delights and a glimpse of heaven. I am thankful to belong to You.

Lord God, I feel like a missing person today. Like I am lost in a strange wood, alone and beyond hope of finding my way home. No one can seem to find me or understand me. I barely understand myself! Please meet me where I am and strengthen me. Press Your gentle righteous hand against my feverish cheek and guide me out of this lonely place and out into Your light.

Dear Lord, I admit it. Sometimes I am afraid to be still before You—not because I’m worried You will remain silent—but I’m afraid you will speak and say words I do not want to hear! There, I’d said it. I am nervous that You might want me to do something bold like speak up when I would rather be silent. I know that things did not go well for Jonah when he disobeyed and fled from You. Please help me with this human frailty. Please build up my trust in You, help me to really listen, and give me the courage I need to follow through with Your will!

Dear God, the Bible speaks of fools. It is easy to spot a fool, but not so easy to see one in the mirror. I want to laugh at that, but there is too much nagging truth here. But in spite of my avoidance of reality, please show me when I am being foolish and when I need a loving rebuke. My family and friends will certainly thank You. And I will too!

Dear Lord, sometimes my kids ask me for stuff—and that is good—but I also love the times when they just want to snuggle on my lap to be with me. You know, because they love me. Well, I can easily see a parallel truth here in that You too love it when I spend time with You as a friend—because that is what You have called me—rather than jumping straight ahead into my wish-list. So, today I want to just sit here quietly and enjoy fellowshipping with my very best Friend. Have I told You lately, Jesus, how much I love You?

Dear Jesus, You know that I am forever trying to transform chaos into order. Which is hard when you have kids! But I tidy my garden. Refurbish my house. I see that pretty much everything needs a complete makeover or at least some fine-tuning! Why is that? Surely it is because I am made in Your image. After all, that lovely redeeming attribute comes from You. Our souls yearn to make what is messy-ugly into something delightful and valuable. Something foul into something fresh. And I rejoice whenever I witness Your transformative power in people’s lives and in mine. Jesus, may I never add to the chaos of this world or circumvent Your Divine imprint on my life!

Lord, I gotta be honest, I am having an Eve moment right now. I have succumbed to temptation again, and all I want to do is run away and hide. And yet I know that is the way of the serpent—to keep moving away from the light and deeper into the darkness. That will never do. I love You, and I trust You, Lord. I would rather be chastised by You—a holy God—than to ever be exalted by the enemy!

Dear God, in my endless search for wellness, trying to feel my best and look my best, I have not always been as fastidious as I should been concerning my quest for spiritual health. Spending time in Your Living Word is a powerful way to awaken and refresh and revitalize my soul. Please take me to those green pastures and quiet waters that Your Word speaks of so eloquently, and may I come away restored in spirit, knowing You better and loving You more.

Dear Jesus, right now, I am in a season of pain, and I cannot find my way out. I feel lonely, tired, and there are some days when I am more than a little scared. I need Your help—Your strength and comfort. I know that You are a friend to the friendless. You are a refuge in times of peril. Dear Lord, be my everything in this season and in every season of my life…