a prayer for courage

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Dear God,

With You on my side, I know in my mind that I have absolutely nothing to fear. But I still have a fear in my heart. There are times when I take my eyes off You - when I forget Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me - and I let fear invade and take control of my life. 

Right now I feel defeated by fear. I am not doing what I am supposed to in life because I am afraid of what will happen to me. I am struggling to trust You to protect and empower me. My eyes are focused on what I perceive to be threats all around me, rather than focused on You. Even before I speak it, You know the specific fear that is most plaguing my life right now.

God, I ask that You do a work in my heart and my mind that I cannot do myself. Please remove the fear that is robbing me of joy, purpose, and success. Help me to trust You as the one true source of courage. I don't claim courage through my own strength, but I do receive the courage I need for the challenges and tasks facing me because I trust You and I know You love me.

I affirm Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for the courage that comes from that trust.

In Your Mighty Name - Amen

Believers look up - take courage. The angels are nearer than you think. - Billy Graham

From God's Help by Mark Gilroy
Published by Howard Books (Simon and Schuster) in 2012

a prayer to bless my spouse and marriage

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-45 (NKJV)

Loving Father,

From the beginning of creation, You have planted in our hearts the desire for the love and intimacy that can only be found in marriage. Even if in our sinful ways we have damaged the beauty and reputation of marriage, deep in our spirits, we know that You have created us for the joining of body, heart, and spirit that can only come through the covenant of marriage.

I thank You this day for my spouse. I pray that You will nourish our bonds of love, commitment, and affection for one another. I pray that we will be graceful to each other, quick to forgive, slow to anger. I pray that You will help us to season our words with grace and kindness.

I ask a special blessing on my spouse right now. I pray that they will feel Your presence in all they do today. I pray that they will feel peace and confidence in all conversations and endeavors, knowing they are loved by You and loved by me. If there are particular challenges and difficulties that arise, I pray they would be strengthened from within, knowing You are with them every step of the way.

Forgive me for any ways that I have hurt my spouse and harmed my marriage. Help me to be the partner my spouse needs - and that You have created me to be.

In Your Faithful Name - Amen

Love the family! Defend and promote it as the basic cell of human society; nurture it as the prime sanctuary of life. - Pope John Paul II

From God's Help by Mark Gilroy
Published by Howard Books (Simon and Schuster) 2012