Lord, I come to you today on behalf of those who feel they have disappointed others who are important to them. And I come with understanding because I often feel this way myself. Father, sometimes we disappoint others because we turn away from you. We go our own way, fight for our own rights, and hurt others in the process. We ask forgiveness, God, for the times we’ve hurt those we care about because of our own selfish and sinful desires. Our King, we also disappoint others because we are inadequate. We don’t have the ability to do what we attempt. Give us a greater dependence on you, Lord, and allow us to look to you alone to supply the things we lack. But God, sometimes we disappoint others because they have false expectations. They demand more than we can give. They look to us to meet needs you alone can fill. In these situations, our Savior, we ask for your abundant grace to balance both sides of the equation. Help us to go beyond that which we ask or think. And help those we disappoint to look to you to fulfill their desires and fill their longings.  In this way, God, we thank and praise you for our inadequacies, knowing they are arrows that point others to you. We love you and pray all these things in your mighty name—AMEN.   Do you identify with one or more elements of this prayer? Feel free to leave a comment or contact me to share your...

Father, I pray this with understanding today because, well, it’s me. I thought I was following but it didn’t work out. I thought I was listening but it hasn’t happened. I thought I was serving but your answer sounds—for the moment, anyway—like a resounding “no.” I can tell you’re using this to teach me, Jesus, and for this, I thank you. I’ve realized I don’t trust you as much as I should. I’ve recognized my excitement has blasted ahead of my faith. My ambition has blinded me to a true vision of you. And my ears have become tuned to man’s voice instead of your still, small, ever-seeking one. I need you, my Savior, because I don’t always get it right. Forgive me my lack of trust. Yes, you sympathize with my weakness, but God, you also desire to keep me from sin. I recognize my hurt as a reflection of my lack of true union with you. Today, my Counselor, give me joy. Today, my Healer, bathe my spirit. May your poured-out presence be the only balm I seek. And, oh Jesus? You’re right. It’s not all about me after all. Others have much deeper and more painful hurts. Some are facing years of discouragement. For them, the sting of disappointment has become the gaping wound of destruction. Some have waited years without realizing their need to see you, to hear your voice and know your touch.  In this season of presence, please come to them, my Emmanuel. Come to them. Become bigger in their lives, in my life, so we and our problems become less. We love you. We serve you. We lay our weakness and woundedness before you and seek your redemption. And we are so thankful you will never turn us away. Come to us, Lord Jesus. Please come—and let us know you are here. In the name of the One who knows all hurt I pray—AMEN. Do you identify? Do you have more to add? It’s my joy to pray alongside...