The Most Important Relationship

Dear Lord; Once again Father, I want to start our Monday chat by thanking You for a lovely weekend with good friends and family.  While I probably should have spent more time sleeping and recharging for the week ahead, the time spent with those I care about greatly outweighed the need for rest.  Either way, it was a wonderful weekend and I thank You for that.

This morning Lord, I’d like to talk with You about the paradoxical effect this Season seems to bring on to some people.  With all of the emphasis on the close relationships in our lives this time of year, those people experiencing a personal loss may dwell on that emptiness and end up having adverse feelings about the Holiday in general.  Be it death, divorce, illness or physical separation causing those feelings, I’ve seen quite a few folks who are just having a difficult time embracing the love this Time of Celebration exudes.  The true shame in this really is that these people are missing the most important relationship that they have… The one with You!  Joshua 1:9 reads :

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

While we all suffer from losses on this Earth at some point, if we put our focus on Your constant Presence in our lives, we are never truly alone.  What an amazing Gift that is!  Like all of Your Children at some point, I’ve been guilty of focusing my heart on mortal pains now and again.  The closer I get to You though Lord, the less time I spend with my heart in turmoil and the more thankful I become.  Please reach out Your Light to all those in pain Father, so that they may feel the Peace and Love of this Blessed time of year.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Inspiration for a Monday Morning

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!  To start off with, I want to Thank You for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my family and friends.  It never ceases to amaze me that when I focus on the blessings in my life, how truly rich I feel.  Thank You for that.

This morning however, I’ve been having a difficult time getting motivated Lord.  Maybe it’s just the “coming down” effect following a four-day weekend, but I started the day feeling a little rough.  After a little searching for inspiration though, I found Psalm 18:32-36 :

It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.

I love this one… I know that no matter what Lord, You are my strength, my heart, and my salvation and you never leave my side, and this Psalm describes that perfectly for me.  While I know this week is going to be filled with personal difficulties, I can approach it knowing You’re there for me.  May everyone that’s dealing with fear, uncertainty or personal turmoil feel Your Loving Presence, and know that all Your Children are Blessed with Your Grace.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Prayers of Thanks for Prosperity

Dear Lord; In keeping with my “Prayers of Thanks” theme this week Father, I’d like to talk about something else I’m very thankful for; Prosperity.  Now, at first glance this may seem to also be ironic as financially this has been one of the worst years we’ve ever had, but I’m focusing on the “Big Picture” here, but it really isn’t.  Let me explain.

I’ve learned to look at the concept of prosperity in a different way over the last several years.  Yes, there’s certainly a prosperity that comes along with significant financial gain or business success, but I also think it plays into other areas of life as well.  For example:

• I have an amazing family, and although money has been very tight as of late we’ve never been closer.
• I’m surrounded by a plethora of wonderful friends who truly care about us, and for whom we care in return.
• We have a lovely home, we’re warm and clothed, and we have good food in our bellies each day.
• Shannon and I both have jobs we enjoy, and although self-employment does hold a large number of challenges, I have the ability to forge my own professional destiny.
• Our children go to a good school, are doing extremely well and are growing mentally, physically and emotionally.
• My relationship with You Father, has never been stronger and continues to grow each day.

I think I can safely look at these and say I feel prosperous this year Lord.  Today’s prayer therefore, is for all of us to look at prosperity through Your Eyes, and to try to see the “Big Picture” so we may be truly thankful for Your Blessings and Grace.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

A Moment to Thank You…

Dear Lord; Wow… This week is certainly off to a bumpy start.  Between several insane situations at work, and some friends going through horrendous personal turmoil, I’m feeling drained and it’s only Tuesday.  However, instead of focusing on the craziness, I’m spending a few minutes to take a step back and thank You for Blessing me so very much.  You’ve Graced me with a wonderful Wife, remarkable children and good friends that I love and value deeply.  I have a profession that while it can drive me crazy sometimes, I can honestly say I’m very happy going to work each day.  We live in a lovely home, are able to put nourishing food in our stomachs and have enjoyed overall good health as of late.  And on top of it all Father, I feel my relationship with You has never been stronger.  I am indeed Blessed.  Thank You.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Prayers for a Good Friend…

Dear Lord; My thoughts and prayers this morning are concentrated on a very good friend who’s scheduled to have surgery today.  Please make Yourself known to her, and let her feel Your Divine Presence so that she can be at peace during the procedure.  Heal her body and spirit, and keep her in Your Loving Gaze.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil