“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” –Revelation 8:3-4

Oh, Sisters! Can you imagine? A vessel holding the prayers of the people, the essence of them rising to the Lord God.

And we have added our drop in the bucket. He hears every one, and each one “avails much.”

Let’s be encouraged to press on!

Ah Lord God!
Do You smile when we dance? Or laugh to see us flying on a sled behind a dog team? Do You nod in approval when we run our fastest? Do You guide our hands when we paint? Do You love to see our joy when riding a galloping horse? Does Your heart swell when we are kind to the least of these? Do You say “yes, yes” when we work out a math problem?

We know You sing over us–sing with us. We know You kiss us with the peace of sleep. We know You enjoy just sitting and being with us.

Thank You for loving us, Lord! You have made us a little lower than the angels, and given us this incredible world as our garden to maintain. Thank You for animals to train. Mountains to climb. Scientific mysteries to work out. Art to create.

But Lord, we often lose our way. We lose sight of what our mission is. You seem hidden. Speak to us, Lord. Restore the joy of our salvation. Renew our sense of purpose and send us out. Don’t let us discount our ministry in the face of the talents of others. Don’t let us ignore the important because of the busy.

Help us to be the wives, the mothers, the friends You would have us be. Give us the courage to pursue the gifts You have given us–as teachers, encouragers, pray-ers, artists, servants.

We pray this for our husbands…

We pray this for our children…

We pray this for our warriors. Lord protect them. Make them skilled in their work. Help them to navigate the difficult emotional worlds they need to handle. As only You can do, turn their deepest hurt into their greatest turning point.

Lord please protect the warrior’s wounded heart. Please turn the tide of veterans’ suicides.

Lord we pray for the families of the fallen. Hold them close to You Lord.

Lord, we pray for all the dailies–the cold and flu so many are battling, the financial concerns, the houses needing rented or sold, the decisions that need to be made, the loneliness of those with deployed loved ones, the endless to-do lists. Help us, Lord. Guide us through and help us to rise above them.

Lord, use us! We desperately need to know that we have a purpose. You created us that way, and You only can fill that need. Use us to change Your world–starting today, starting right here.

Amen, Lord; Amen.