Matthew 6:6 – When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private and will reward you.

Gratitude Day 791

Dear God –

I look around and am appalled. Somehow, we, and I include myself in “we,” have forgotten what is really most important.

We want our voice to be heard. Preferably, we want our opinion to be the loudest in the room.

We have become so focused on what “we” want that we forget that others have needs as well. Often more important needs that we have. Yet, we focus more on ourselves than anyone else.

We say and do things in Your name without ever really consulting You and seeing if what we are saying is what You would have us say. We throw Your name around casually and with little reflection and assume that our opinion of what we think You would want would always be right.

We point out when someone harms us but am ambivalent when we hurt others.

We assume what is most important to us must also be what is most important to You. Without ever consulting You.

Our patience with others is short but expect that we can have all the time we need.

We are so caught up in our wants that we fail to see others needs.

We forget over and over that Jesus gave two commands: love God and love our neighbor. And yet, we find it so hard to fulfill both of those requests.

Challenge me to want to know You more. Bring into my life opportunities to learn more about You.

Teach me to love everyone around me more. May I see how much you love them, even if I find it very challenging to like someone else.

Encourage me to love those who I disagree with. Teach me to love my enemies. Bring forth people into my life who will make me stretch beyond places that are comfortable for me.

May we discover a since of community today. Remind us to set aside personal views and wishes for the greater good of the larger community.

Thank you for always being with me. May I discover something new about You today.

For a God who never tires of hearing from me, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

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