My Secret Weapon
My prayer journal entry from January 25th, 2021
In 2023, it’s not hard to find someone who is complaining… complaining about their circumstances, life, work, family, and/or friends (and always doing so behind their backs it seems). It’s difficult for people to be content… to be thankful for what they have…
“If only I could get that promotion…”
“If only I could make more money…”
“If only I could achieve _________ …”
The list goes on and on.
It makes me remember the Samaritan woman at the well. Seeking something. Doing everything she could to fill the void in her life. Going from one man to the next thinking that the next would fill it. Obviously, if you’re a Christian, you know that there was only one thing that would fill that void… Jesus.
John 4:13-14 NIV 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
[Read the whole chapter here: Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman]
For that reason, I thank Jesus daily. That’s my secret weapon… Gratitude. I know I’ve already shared this, but before I get out of bed in the morning, I thank the Lord for the breath in my lungs and the opportunity to impact another day. This state of gratitude does so much to set my day.
Since we are quickly approaching Thanksgiving (as I write this blog post in October 2023), I’m excited that this writing below was the next prayer journal entry for me to share. Though things were tough during this time and there were a lot of unknowns about what lay ahead for me, my family, and the scooter shop, I was still able to find LOTS to be grateful for. That’s because no matter what happens and what challenges I face, I know Jesus is with me and has big plans for me. Thank you, Jesus.
[Re-typed in case you can’t read my handwriting, but this is one prayer that doesn’t need much context…]
Monday, January 25th, 2021 8:40am NS4L office
Jesus,
I just want to start this work week off by saying thank you. Thank you for allowing me to wake up this morning. Thank you for the breath in my lungs. Thank you for my beautiful wife. Thank you for my handsome boys. Thank you for my amazing parents. They give me so so much and never ask for anything in return. They are always there for me. Who knows where I would be without them. Thank you for all the family, especially my sister and brother that believe in me. Thank you for the extended family and friends that support me, back me up, and are there for me. Thank you for the spiritual leaders you have put in my life. Thank you for NS4L and the team that has monumental impact on my life and the community. Thank you for the private investors who believed in me. May I return their investments with lots of wealth. God, please bless everyone above.
LORD - I am excited about the things on my heart. I pray that these things will come together exactly as you plan. I will be patient. I will wait. Let your will be done in every aspect of my life. Lead me. Guide me. Tap my shoulder. Whisper into my ear. May I be a better leader today than I was yesterday. May my life have a significant impact on the world and on the lives around me. May that impact be incredibly positive.
Thank you for everything.
I love you.
Collin
Today’s final thoughts…
Pray together as a family. One of my favorite new habits we have created in our family is coming together and praying together before we part ways in the morning. At 7:30a, we gather in the living room and I say a short prayer along the lines of this… “Lord, thank you for this day, and thank you for the opportunity to have an impact on this day. Lord, guide each of our steps and help us positively impact those you put in our path. Help us in school and in our work and may everything we do go to glorify you and your name. Amen.” If there is something specific we need to pray for, we always add that, too. In addition to a morning prayer, we always come together at the end of the night before going to bed and pray together as well. I pray these habits will stick as the kids get older. (As I write this, they are 14 and 10 years old.)
Sit down and write out what you are grateful for. (Though this is powerful all the time, it’s even more so when things are REALLY tough. There’s always something to be grateful for.) Obviously, I do this in my prayer journal, but find your own way and hold onto that list. Read it regularly. I’m a big fan of writing things out and hanging them on the bathroom mirror if that works for you. (I do this with goals a lot, too.)
I’m grateful to you for taking the time to read this blog and share it with those you think it may positively impact. God bless you.
Collin
Philippians 4:5-7 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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