Looking back at my life, I see God’s mercy and care in these situations and so many others.  I know that God hears my prayers because he has been answering me since I was a child.  He gave me comfort when my mother died.  He gave me guidance when I needed to know who to marry.  He spared our daughter from deadly diseases twice- in infancy and at eleven years old.  He provided a place to live, winter clothing, and enough work to feed a big family even when the economy tanked.  I  know that the Scriptures are true because they’ve sustained me my whole life.  When you’re scared, sad, undecided, happy, hopeful, or in a funk… those are all wonderful times to pray.  

Here are six simple prayers that I pray over and over.  No matter our situation, we can affirm that God knows, cares, listens, is with us, is in charge, and is bringing good to us.  The accompanying verses are some of my favorites.  They anchor me and give me comfort and hope.

Thank you, Lord, that you already know what’s going on.
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.”  Psalm 139:1-5

Thank you that you care, Father.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”  1 Peter 5:7“ I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.”  Isaiah 46:3

Thank you that you listen to me, Lord.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”  Philippians 4:6
“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.”  Psalm 18:6
“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.”  Psalm 34:15

Thank you that you’re right with me in this situation.
“For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”  Hebrews 13:5
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”  John 14:16
“they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”  Matthew 1:23
“Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.”  1 John 3:24

Thank you that you’re in charge and I’m not.
“Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  Jesus in Matthew 26:39
“I take joy in doing your will, my God”. Psalm 40:8 and repeated in Hebrews 10:7 as a quote of Jesus.

Thank you that you will somehow bring good from this situation, Lord.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  Romans 8:28
“because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”  Ephesians 1:11

Each of us who are on the faith journey has many God-stories – ways that God has come through for us in our desperate moments and in our drudgery.  I hope you take time this week to remember some of your God stories.  They remind us to be grateful and they encourage us to keep trusting and praying.