The Prayer

Dear God, I thank you that you have given me over forty years of life. I thank you for your graciousness and good health that I have been able to enjoy, and continue to enjoy. Most of all, I thank you for the loving company of good people. People who have cared for me all my life without whom I would not be able to enjoy living and continuing to learn.

Lord, I have not been the most gracious of people. In fact, I normally don't notice that you are there walking beside me. I care too much for my own pleasures and have a tendency to hurt others. Despite all this, you continue to love and watch over me and my family. No matter what the issues are and no matter how far I try to stray, you are always willing to pick me up when I fall.

Lord, I thank you for my wife and children. You alone know that I really don't deserve them and perhaps they don't deserve me. But you chose to give them to me. Perhaps this was your way of making sure that I was watched over and taken care of.

I acknowledge your presence and your wonder. I believe that you have always been there for me and continue to ensure that I don't make decisions that are too disastrous for me. For this I can never be thankful enough.

I ask that you continue to take care of me and watch over me. I know that I will continue to waver, but I understand your commitment to me and bow down to your authority over me. I also ask even more that you watch and take care of my loving wife and children. That they may never be distressed or know pain. I know that on this earthly world, that is almost an impossibility, but I would graciously ask that you teach them to understand what it is and how to deal with it. That they may emulate their mother in compassion and fortitude. That they may grow into adults who will contribute to the wealth of mankind and leave this world a better place than they found it.

In Jesus' name, your loving son who died for us all I pray.

Amen.