Prayer Circle

[Rita]

I pray daily the signature you'll see below! And --

"Blessed are they who keep the Word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance."

At night my kids and I pray the Lord's Prayer and The Lord is My Shepherd, and I always add, "Keep in your name the ones you have given us, that our family may be one, as you and Christ are one." And usually i add some prayers for each of them -- e.g., "Heavenly father, we are trying so hard to do your will, and it's so hard, sometimes we forget and are unkind to each other. Fill our hearts with love for each other and help us to stay on your path even when we get confused. (My son) needs you so much, please let him know you are near and that you are with him through his sorrows and that you know he has the strength to use your love to come through his sorrows as a light to others."

Also I try to think a lot about how kicking H out would be easier, a quick fix for my heart -- or having an affair to comfort myself. So by keeping my heart as a heart of flesh, I am offering it to God. So I pray --

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church

And --

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you.....
For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.