Let Us Pray

Let Us Pray

 

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.  Mark1:35

 

3:00 AM Miami

 

I am not what you would call a good sleeper; never have been.  However, starting about ten years, the Lord approached me in the middle of the night and convinced me that these times of restlessness could be put to good use. 

 

“Pray,” He spoke to my heart, “and I will give you your rest.”

 

So, when I found myself unable to sleep, I would pray.  In a relatively short period of time, I would run out of things to pray for, but then the Lord whispered to me, “Dave, let Me give you My prayer list.”

 

So now I begin by asking God to lay on my heart the things He wanted me to pray for and before I know it He has brought people, places, and problems to mind that I have long forgotten, or would have likely never opted to pray for on my own.  Sometimes, these prayers go on so long, I know I have only slept 2 or 3 hours, but more often or not the Lord provides me with 5 to 6 hours of sleep each night.  The most incredible thing is that regardless if I have slept two hours or six, I always wake up refreshed and well rested. 

 

Anyway, last night in Miami (rooming with Rei Pizarro), was no different—in bed by midnight, up at 5:30 AM, perhaps three hours of sleep and two hours of prayer.  And although I am looking forward to my first cup of coffee, I am in fact very well rested.  Praise be to God.

 

All That Was to Say…

 

I told you that story because while I was praying last night, the Lord placed upon my heart to write a blog-prayer this morning for the Global Conference.  So, while it’s not my custom to write out my prayers, because the Lord led me to it, I’ll do it.

 

“Father God, we humbly come before you this morning in the precious name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and give you our thanks for this glorious day.  Lord, this is the day You have made, and we collectively dedicate ‘it’ and ourselves, Your creation, back to You to use as You see fit.

 

Lord, we ask Your blessing upon us as we travel to our destination, we ask a blessing upon this week of activities, and we ask that ultimately You will give us safe passage home at week’s end.

 

Lord, it is our prayer and our hope that all we say and all we do is honoring and praiseworthy to Your name; that You are blessed by all our actions.  We hope and pray You will bless the children and the people of the Dominican Republic and continue to bless this Your Compassion ministry.

 

Father, help us all to keep our focus solely upon Your Son today and always, and help us to reflect His perfect light wherever we are.  And Lord, we ask that you watch over and provide for our families while we are away.”

 

Father, just as we began, we ask it all in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son.

 

Amen”