The Power of Prayer

In The Life You've Always Wanted, John Ortberg writes, "We may want to begin a particular day by praying over the day's schedule--meetings to attend, tasks to perform, people we will be with--and placing it in God's hands. At the end of the day it can be helpful to review the day with God: to go over the events that took place, to see what he might want to say to us through them, and to hand any anxieties or regrets over to him. If you are a confirmed morning person, you may want to do it when you first get up the next morning."

Yesterday was an anxious day. What worried me? The party on Wednesday. Taking out money for the pizza, etc. Lee said my mailed check didn't make it to the bank, or at least it hasn't been cashed yet. We are at a low point in our liquid account.

I'm also concerned about Lily learning to swim. From God's perspective, I simply need to do my best to make arrangements for her to learn, and leave the rest to Him.

"Prayer changes things."

Lord, I pray that You will gently shift Lily's attitude towards learning to swim. I pray that she will begin to enjoy it, and not feel pressure from me. Speaking of me, I want to be the mother you mean for me to be. Gentle, encouraging, gracious. Swimming is necessary for safety--and my role in this can be to be there for her. I'll arrange the lessons today at swim team practice. Lord, I pray that I'll approach the right person, and that You will open his/her heart to teach Lily to swim. Please give me courage and tact and kindness as I endeavor to get this done.


I pray for my day today, that I will make Lily and Isabel a priority while also getting my work done. I pray for the party preparations, that You will show me what's needed. I need to delegate, to figure out how much pizza to order, etc. I pray over these details with You, that You will show me how to proceed.


It is a testimony to You when I do things without grumbling or complaining. I want to show others what it means to follow You. Please equip me to do that.


In Your son's name I pray.
Amen