A Good News Prayer

A psychologist once studied people who suffered from depression and other neurotic disorders - and he discovered they all had one thing in common. Can you guess what it was? They were all fault finders. They focused on the worst within themselves, in other people, and in their life situation. But people of faith are called to think differently. We have the power to renew our minds to God's good news, found in His word. In Isaiah 61:3, God gives us a wonderful promise of what he does for us:

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Back when I weighed 240 pounds, I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. To remove the excess weight physically, I also had to remove it mentally and emotionally. How did I start doing that? One of the ways was to put on the garment of praise every day - even when situations or people in my life weren't what I thought they should be. To help you with that, my husband Mike wrote this wonderful praising prayer. When you feel as if bad news is all around you, you need to make the effort to deliver good news to yourself. There is power in praise! May you receive this prayer with love and praise lighten your heart this day and every day: *********************************** Great morning Heavenly Father - You have made it! Father, I was pondering as to how there are thousands upon thousands of Christians in all walks of life which span the globe to include all race and nationalities. How can there be any doubt that You are indeed the one and only God of the universe? The knowledge of the above is why we are so privileged and grateful to be called sons and daughters of the Most High.  We thank You for that privilege and worship You because of it. We thank You for remaining true to us, Your people, and ask that You help us to remain true to You.  We are not asking You to make us love you for no one wants forced love.  We are asking You to receive the love we offer up to You in our words and deeds. Our most expensive gift to You is like a handful of dandelions that we gave to our mothers as flowers.  Mom delighted over that handful of weeds.  She put them in water in one of her best vases and displayed it either on the kitchen table, the dining room table or in a prominent window for all to see the bouquet of loving weeds her beloved child gave her. We had no clue that others may have considered them worthless, but Mom cherished those weeds as if they were a double bouquet of yellow roses. She had great love for her children. Mom's love pales in comparison to the awesome love You have bestowed upon us! You delight greatly when we sing off-key to You. You and Your Word are just so AWESOME! We praise You! We worship You! We Honor You! Now we ask that You continue to be our God and we will be Your people. Continue to bless this praying group in the matters of the heart, mind and health. Help us to help one another in spirit, strength and truth. Meanwhile, we shall continue to pray, serve and praise Your Holy name in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the one and only true God. Amen - Mike Taylor **************************************