Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! [1 Chronicles 4:9&10] This prayer written so long ago still resonates in my heart today. Yes, I want to be blessed and receive the promises that are recorded in Your will, but I do not want to cause pain even more. Yet as I live more in life, it seems this occurs more often than I would like. Help me to live a life that will demonstrate peace, patience, and love while relying on knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Help me only to offend because I believe in You for this offense I will gladly bear. Help me to live as peaceably among all men as possible without compromising my beliefs or my values. Help me to be humble enough to give others space and respect. Let the words of my mouth, the meditation of my heart, be acceptable to You, O Lord, my redeemer and my rock. Amen. Psalm 19:14