Heavenly Father, what a blessing it is to be known by You!
You knew us even before we were conceived,
planning everything from the color of our eyes
and our favorite foods
to our hopes and dreams.
We can’t even begin to comprehend Your knowledge.
Thank You for ordering our steps, and for always knowing
just what we need and when we need it.
We confess that we don’t always recognize Your blessings.
We also confess that we refuse some of them.
We arrogantly think we know better, and so we go our own way.
Forgive us for that, Lord.
Help us to recognize Your gifts and blessings,
and gratefully receive them,
even though they might not be what we want.
You know what’s best for us, and
we trust what You’re doing in our lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Good morning, Susan! Thank you for this prayer, my friend. Please pray for me tonight as I’m teaching Nehemiah. I’ve not felt my best all weekend and I woke up this morning feeling worse. I’m not sure how I’m going to teach tonight but I know this hasn’t caught my Father off guard.
Blessings to you!
I’m enjoying your posts on Nehemiah, Cathy. So steady and faithful -he’s one of my favorites. I’ll be sure to pray for you, especially tonight. I know what it’s like to be draining and junky, then have to stand up and teach. Unfun
Oh, Kathy…so sorry to hear that you aren’t feeling well. I will join Susan in praying for you.
I loved that prayer Susan. You spoke what was in my own heart. Would you pray that I would have focus to complete my eBook? I’ve been stuck lately and discovered why. As I read it to my husband he told me to write from my heart. I was trying to be an author and write like others write and it just wasn’t me. I’ve felt a burden to share the stories of patients who died as I sat by their bedside and walked along with them in their last days. There are lessons I learned about living through them. And I want to share them with others.
Thank you Susan,
Debbie
I’m excited to hear about your ebook progress, Debbie! I know it’ll bless a lot of folks, and I’m glad the Lord is giving you clarity about voice and perspective. Write ON
Another beautiful reminder. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Our women are going on a retreat 3-1-13 through 3-3-13. Would really appreciate your prayers. Praying that God gives the ladies the ability to show up and be open to hearing his word.
God Bless,
Laura
I keep you in my prayers, Laura, and will pray especially for this event. Thanks for stopping by today!
This is a wonderful prayer, Susan, and thank you so much for praying it for us. I ask the Lord to order my steps of my day each morning before my feet even touch the floor!
Blessings!
~Anna
Thanks so much, Anna. Good idea to ask Him to order that very first step out of bed!
Oh, those blessings! This is so where I am at this week, Susan. My husband and I left home last week to marry his sister off, and we had all four of our children with us. In the process, we were blessed to be able to leave our eldest with dear family friends so he can attend the Christian academy through middle school. A true blessing, but our hearts miss him so. Please pray for comfort and joy in this season of our lives. Thanks so much, dear friend!
I’ve left two kids at college, so I know that empty feeling when you return home. It’s like things are off-kilter. I know that was a hard decision, Alycia, but I also know it’s one that was bathed in prayer. I’ll be sure to pray for all of you
Beautiful, precious prayer, Susan. Thank you for always grounding us. Preparing to go out of town this week. Please pray that I’ll be focused to get everything done that needs to be done before I leave. I really don’t want to work while I’m gone!
Have just joined in prayer for all the above requests.
Love and blessings, sweet friend.
I hear you, Vonda. Nothing worse than going out of town and being focused on a half-dozen other things. Praying the next couple of days are extremely productive, and that you can leave town focused on HIS things.
And thank you for praying for the other gals!
Love and hugs to you
I echo the thanksgiving for this prayer! These are beautiful words to help me adjust my perspective:) I could use prayers for cooperating and obeying with God’s call to rest, not just on Sundays, but overall. I am burnt out and I know He wants me to rest, but I am finding it very difficult to let go, pare down, and say no. Thank you, Susan!
Absolutely, Mandy! It can be hard to distinguish between “good” and “best,” but even harder to pare down the “good” so the “best” can breathe and grow. I’m right there with you, and praying!
Beautiful prayer, Susan. Please pray that I will make progress on my novella.I will join you in prayer for these other requests.
Blessings and love to you.
A novella? How exciting, Dee Dee! I can’t wait to see you in person and hear more about it. You can be sure I’ll pray!!
Love and hugs back atcha
Amen…always enjoy my Monday prayer time with you, friend {HUGS}
Praying for you, Nikki. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Thank you for the prayer, the reminder and for helping me start my day “FOCUSED!” Blessings sweet friend!
You’re already a focused person, Kim! Praying for you and for Hope Lives Now. Excited about where God is taking that ministry
I’m so guilty of not recognizing, or worse, refusing blessings. This prayer is perfect for the week ahead as I try to be more loving and attentive to the people around me.
Right there with you, Julia. Now you know where these prayers come from. Praying for you and your kiddos this week.
Beautiful prayer, my friend. Oh, how He loves us! I love you and am praying for you!
I love how, when we least expect it, He brings sweet friends into our lives
You’re the BEST, Kristi Groundhog!
Wow!! I couldn’t help but think of Josh as I read through your prayer today, Susan! It was truly so comforting and yes, we may not always know what God is doing, but we can usher in the day with confidence knowing God knows exactly what He’s doing
ahhh such a breath of fresh air & a release of a stronghold… Thanks sister 
)
I pray regularly for Josh, Marisa, and I hope things have calmed down. Yes, He’s the only reason we can face the day with any modicum of confidence AT ALL. Otherwise, we’re toast!
Prayers and hugs from VA to NV
Wonderful prayer Susan, I thank God that her does order our steps, and only shows us a few at a time. If he showed us too many of our steps at a time I’m afraid I wouldn’t want to take any of them! We always need prayer remembering the blessings when the tough times come
You’re right, Celeste. Remembering His blessings gives us the boost we need to keep going. And I’m with you — if I saw too much of the path, I’d freeze too!
Susan,
I’m so grateful God orders not only our steps, but our stops also. I’ve been stopped twice in the month of Febuary…first by flu…then two weeks later…viral sinuititus…Evidently God has a reason for this time of quiet and being shut up to Him…well my husbands close by for which I am grateful!! Anyway, please pray I will absorb the Lord’s presence and council …all the Lord wants. Thanks, Susan!
I’ll absolutely pray that for you, Glenda. A good friend once shared something she prayed as a struggle drags on: “Lord, don’t let me waste this struggle!” Powerful prayer, isn’t it?
Recognition and gratefulness that’s He’s always, only good. It just keeps coming up everywhere! Thanks for this- need it this week. Funny how just a simple reminder really DOES make a difference!
Glad you stopped by, Dawn. You’ve got it – the simple things are what turn us around! Adding you to my journal