Pray-Along. Part Four

(If you're just joining me now, I'm in the midst of a day-long intentional prayer time. Please join me.)

From Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

It's early. My eyes are barely open. The day is coming whether I'm ready or not. The stillness in this house will soon be exchanged for noise of the day.

For the next twelve hours, I will be exposed to the day's demands. I have choices to make. And because of the Cross, I am free to choose.

So, I choose LOVE.
Today I will love God and love what God loves.

I choose JOY.
I will invite God to the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I refuse to be a lazy thinker.
I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose PEACE.
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for the moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose KINDNESS.
I will be kind to the unkind for such is how God has treated me.

I choose GOODNESS.
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I boast.

I choose FAITHFULNESS.
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my work. (Sigh, here Max writes, My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.)
My children will never fear that their mom does not have their back. Nor that she will stop loving them. Or that they can't move back when they need a place to live.

I choose GENTLENESS.
I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.

I choose SELF-CONTROL.
May I only be drunk with joy.
I will only be impassioned by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.

Dear God,

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thee thanks. If I fail, I will seek Your grace. And then when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Amen.