I Pray.....and thank Him for....

I have found one of my favorite songs ever--written by one of my two favorite male singers ever, Billy Dean. It's called 'I Pray,' and is one of the most compelling, thought-provoking, spiritual songs I've ever had the privilege of hearing!

Yesterday was the national day of prayer (I just realized this), so in honor of that and the song that Billy wrote, I'm going to write what I pray for and about:

I Pray...

for my family and my friends, God's remaining grace. His forgiveness and the forgiveness of others. I pray for our brave men and women soldiers and their extended families. I pray for the soldiers' safe return(s), I pray for their strength and healing. And I thank them, in spirit, for their courage and their service and above all, their sacrifice. I pray first thing when I wake up in the morning, last thing before I go to sleep at night. During the day, before, during and after meals. In my car. Waiting in line somewhere. Silently, spoken out loud, whatever situation fits. I pray. Right now, even. I pray for this entry to be written well and understood. I pray a lot! And I love it! Usually, it's a prayer of gratitude, a little "thank you" sent upward for this or that.

For a green light, a delicious meal, a hug from my husband, one more day with the ones I love, being able to hear the birds singing, or the smell of Spring! A thank for all the seasons, and their changes. I've been immensely thankful for air-conditioning lately as it's nearing the triple digits already! Not surprising, and not horrible, but defiantly AC required weather! I thank Him for my sweet Nellie cat, her purring, petting her incredibly soft gray fur. Rockin' out and groovin' to music--getting to see Keith Urban in July....my favorite singer singing to me 10 years ago. A thank you for my husband and his improving health. The proper resources, tools and doctors to help him in his recovery. The absence of a visit to the hospital during my recent bout of bronchitis. Nothing I've not been through a hundred times before, but thankfully, no hospital necessary this time around! Always a blessing!

I pray and thank Him for my best friend, Tessa, her endless listening, huge loving spirit and tell it like it is attitude she shares with me! For my other friends too! For my dad, especially for my dad. For his healing and stability. For music--again! For my wonderful mother-in-law who blessed me with a nice husband and who has supported us and our marriage from day one! Who is my ally, instead of my enemy. Not everyone is so lucky--and I know that. For my grandma Elizabeth, her spiritual advice, and her tell it like it is attitude too--I think my mom and I get it from her, really! The blogs I read every day so that I'm reminded that EVERYONE has to WORK on their marriage and relationships and life! And also to remind me that life isn't so hairy after all. For the job interview yesterday, the opportunity,and the practice. And to spend time in a place where (for once) everyone actually seemed to love their jobs and be grateful for them! For the job developers in my life right now who are working so hard to find me some actual work; who believe in me and who have raised my self-confidence ten folds! For my friends on Facebook, no matter how trivial that may seem; because they started as my friend on the Trisha Yearwood Webboard; then we followed each other by regular email, then on over to MySpace and now Facebook. (I won't do Twitter, though, sorry, friends!) For my Grandpa Henry's great marriage advice this morning. For sitting here on my bedroom floor with my Nellie Marie in my lap. For the pile of dishes in the sink downstairs and a kitchen that needs cleaning because it means I'm well-fed and not starving! Thank God for that! For Sugarland's song "It Happens," for getting me through some tough times last week and for making me dance and shake it like there's no tomorrow! For making me re-learn my sense of humor, for making me recognize that pssshhh....it DOES happen. For the love between my husband and I. For our desire to be here, stand by side, every day. For our wedding which was beautiful and amazing and worth it all! The wedding of my dreams, literally, in a backyard, gorgeous and humbling beyond words. Simple in its style, an experience I'll never forget. For the privilege of having such an experience and feeling so much love! Amazing, truly! For my other best friend, Claudia...for everything everyone did with that wedding of mine and for knowing I was/am loved.

I pray and thank Him for....

my friend, Debbie, and her family and their battles. For my friend, Sarah, her new job and the possibility of a new house! For my friend,, Nancy and her battle with her son and depression. For my favorite singers and bands and their families; for their health and happiness and safe travels to and from gigs! For my continued clear skin! (Always a plus!) For my husband's ankle pain to diminish. For my husband's sense of peace and gratitude. For my own peace and gratitude. For our continued love and loyalty. For those who are homeless and/or hungry, and for those who just lost loved ones for whatever reason. For the starving here at home and abroad! For those who are out of work and looking, I know how that feels and it can be daunting and exhausting, and frightening. For the angels who are God's helpers, and for God Himself. Not that He would need my help, but it occured to me that we all pray for us down here, maybe God would like us to return to the favor and pray for Him up there...perhaps pray for His people, and His work. (Actually, by praying for each other, I believe, we are praying for His people). Can you imagine? Wow! We think our "to-do" list never ends? My Lord! Literally! For God's forgiveness of my little trespasses, and those of others. For the children who are abused or beaten. For the kids in foster homes. For those families going through adoptions and those facing infertility. For the budget cuts when it comes to Education in Nevada. For Tess with her job, and Claudia with her family and mate! For my grandma with her pain, and my other grandma with her eyes. And Grandma Bobbi with her eyes and health too! For my mom in law with her stress, and my father in law with his. For my step-mom, wife-to-wife, facing immeasurable things with her husband. For my sisters and their young adult/teenage struggles. For the kids in the hospitals right now, who are sick and fighting something within their bodies. I've been there, and they need a lot of prayers. For the home that I share and its safety and continual peace and love! For all of this and much, much more; each and every day, I pray! Now, that I've shared it, and actually written a blog about, it's time to go clean! Happy Friday, everyone! And God Bless us all! Let the prayers flow......

In Light N' the power of Praying Love,
-Sarah Liz :)