My morning prayer begins my day with challenges, yet begins first with reaching out for healing, guidance, and restoration of my faith.

Dear God, Thank you for this day and this season. Thank you for keeping doves and the many chirping birds in the quiet early mornings to greet me as I watch them feasting on birdseed my neighbor puts out on his drive every morning.

Thank you, God, for your presence in my life as physical attacks by the Enemy comes to my body. If I ask You, I know You will help me walk by faith. You promise to walk me through it, and knowing I’m not alone, I will not lose faith. All I do is listen and watch the many birds and one industrious squirrel in my backyard to cause me to smile often.

This world so desperately needs you, Lord. In learning what is happening today, I do not live in fear because I can still find goodness in so many people and so much wonder in your fantastic creation. And through reading Your Word, I don’t spend time on the media’s slant with negativity that can draw me away from Your ‘Good News.’ Besides, I have learned through Your Word, that the world would turn into what it is becoming today. It doesn’t shock those who read Your Word, Lord. Through your inspired Book, I thank you for teaching us how to react to escalating sin.

When I studied biology, botany, and geology in col-lege, my faith was deeply strengthened in believing You created the world. Astronauts and many scientists are confirming that fact more and more.

Dear Lord, I’ve learned to turn to You, in order to heal from afflictions. I believe in doctors, as they do all kinds of surgery, my body then begins to heal because You created it to do that. How amazing and wonderfully made are our bodies!

I thank you, Lord, that I live in a neighborhood where I hear the sounds of children laughing and playing. I pray for their safety from occasional traffic.

I thank You, Lord, for the many blessings I enjoy. I thank you for the church I go to that is always blessing others through their giving and giving. They seem to always be putting others first in needs—even the teenagers and children. I had never experienced such a church.

You, Lord, has given me so much, so I want to spend the rest of my life giving back. Make me an instrument of Yours, Lord. Mold me and make me to do Your will, like Isaiah says in verse 64:8.

That is my prayer.