I'll just blurt it out. We don't stay up for New Year's Eve. Mostly because the thought of keeping my 5 year old up that late and the resulting crabbiness just isn't worth it to me. So we did our normal routine (little kids at 8)and went to bed at 11:30. But as the neighborhood fireworks started lighting up the night sky and I laid there with eyes wide open...unable to sleep...as Chris snored beside me I thought I would pray-in the New Year.
Sometimes I hold back when I pray because I've lived long enough to know that when I pray for something God answers. Why does that scare me? Because a lot of times He uses trials and challenges to build in me what I'm asking for. I could ask for just a year of total rest. I'm not sure He'd actually give that to me though and would I really want to just stagnate in my personal growth for a year?
So I prayed with abandon, knowing that whatever tools He uses to work these things out in me...he knows what's best.
Lord, let this be a year of growth for my family. Help knit our hearts together in deeper ways. Teach me how to love my husband in the way he needs to be loved not how I think he needs to be loved. Help me to navigate the challenges that come with my children growing towards adulthood. Light a new passion in my heart for teaching my kids academics as well as character. Renew my strength because weakness is a comforting lie sometimes. Cover our finances with grace and continue to lead us out of debt. Help me to listen to your leading and follow. Stretch me as I minister to others. Increase my understanding of who you are and what you think of me. Cover my failures with grace as I see them growing in my children. Thank you for the house over my head, the food in my fridge and the people in my life that you've handpicked for me. Thank you for the places you've led me out of when I didn't see that there was ever going to be a way out. Thank you for healing the wounds that I wasn't sure would ever close up and for being a big warm lap that I can crawl up into when I need comfort.
Happy New Year.
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12 comments:
Yes, Lord, let it be so ...
I have similar prayers, a strong one on my heart right now is in loving my husband the way he needs to be loved, not in the way that I naturally do it. That's a hard one. God will need to lead me. May I be patient enough and wise enough to follow!
The debt prayer is also a big one for us.
AMEN! :-)
I can sometimes feel anxious about how God will answer my prayers too. That was the perfect way to start the new year, Gayle.
Amen!
What an amazing way to bring in the New Year. I know what you mean about being a little concerned about how God may answer....but He will see you through it! Thanks for always sharing your guts with us....you are a great example!
What a perfect way to start the new year. You go girl!!
The kids went to bed at normal time but hubs and I made it to 12 am and no further. We did it just to prove that 30's is not old!!!
I went to bed early, only to be woken up by my thirteen-month-old at 11:55 and be screamed at for the next 20 mins. Technically I saw the new year in, right?
I love your blog. I think this is the first time I've ever noted, though. Your prayer here is beautiful. Thankyou so much for sharing it.
That was my note - I forgot to sign my name. It's Cindy.
I get scared sometimes when I pray too. But that's because I BELIEVE in prayer! Sometimes people don't give it a second thought because it's not so real to them.
It really IS talking to God and He will listen and answer. When uncertain or fearful, we have to trust beyond our prayers and trust in WHO GOD IS. He is constant, loving, wise and faithful. And He will give you the grace to see you through your trials, He will bless you even when you might not feel like it's a blessing at the moment, and one day we can thank Him in person for all those answered prayers.
I know you already know that but sometimes I ramble out loud to encourage myself! ;-)
Happy 2009, dear Gayle!!!
Can I just add my name to your prayer and say Amen? Well said!
Sweetheart... I have to say that this is so beautiful I would have been brought to tears if I didn't happen to have a little one screaming in my ear at the moment.
Of course, the whole prayer was beautiful, but one part really spoke to me: "Teach me how to love my husband in the way he needs to be loved not how I think he needs to be loved." I think we all tend to do that, but for you to have recognized that you do it, that that really speaks volumes on how wonderful a wife and mommy you are. He's lucky to have you!
Now, I don't know how my husband needs to be loved, I only know how I "think" he needs to be loved, but I have decided to learn thanks to you... even if I have to come right out and say it. One way or another, I will be a better wife by living by that one line in your prayer... know that you've been the inspiration one woman needed to be a better woman... and a better wife.
You have my respect and love!
What a beautiful prayer. We celebrate the New Year at sunset (the evening and the morning were the first day)by having a communion service at church and so it's a cinch to get the kids to bed on time.
Love your blog. Thanks for sharing.
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