Dear Lord Jesus, here comes one last week before Christmas. The children are home from school for the holidays. It's hard to find time alone to pray and journal. This is an exciting time though on so many levels. First, faith was tested and you have proven yourself by supplying all of my needs. And now I can look forward to the joy of Christmas without lack. My children should be satisfied. The church adopted us and will be bringing gifts to the house Christmas Eve. Second, I don't know if I will be working this week. It is almost like a Christmas vacation, the first I've had in years. Third, Lisa is improving some more. She has on two occassions thus far begun to stretch her fingers. I really sense she is going to have her Christmas wish, which is a complete recovery. You haven't done it in an unnaturally speedy way. You've made us wait and be patient. She probably won't be completely well for another year. But I love what you are doing to her character and mine. I was so blessed to see her get up and do her excersizes without me having to remind or ask her.

Fourth, there is love in this family. We are all healthy too. Fifth, its a most wonderful time of the year. Sixth I'm looking forward to seeing you face to face. Christmas symbolizes your soon coming. The songs have me rejoicing in anticipation and praising you, you who are with me even now, though you are invisible. But I know you in faith, in hope and in love.

Lord, you have done it all. You have provided enough for us to put food on our table and get our credit cards paid off in January. We are getting closer to the day we can afford a house. All I need is a steady job. And if Lisa would get her SSDI. Tomorrow morning is a critical medical examination that will determine the outcome of our application. Lord, I leave this meeting and the SSDI help in your hands. I lay all my concerns at your feet. I release myself of the burden of worry. I trust in you for both healing and financial blessing, for a good job and for a good insurance policy, for health and for a steady spiritual walk above all things. I ask that you would anoint me for constant prayer. Grant me grace to never weary of well doing. Help me to find you in the voice of others, especially those most difficult to get along with. Grant that I may respond to criticism with prayer and a warm sympathetic heart. Teach me to listen. Grant me patience.

Forgive me of my shortcomings, Lord. I would enumerate them here but I know my journal is for others to read. But you know all things. I don't wish to hide anything from you. I ask that you make me to be a man of God, to live in a manner worthy of the magnificence of my calling. I know my sin. But complete the good work you started in me, Lord. Anoint. Forgive me of my iniquity, whether from knowledge or ignorance, in word or deed, in what I have done or in what I have failed to do. Show me your ways. I am ever grateful for your mercy on me.

Lord, accept my continued prayers for those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Help our leaders to establish an effective government there. Bring peace to this world. Be present and glorified that your Light is shown. You said that when a son was given, meaning a son of God, and a child was born, meaning a son of man, namely Jesus, that the government would be upon his shoulders. But you also said that the sword was given to kings by you. I know you rule over all things. But we are not yet at peace, even if we find peace in the midst of battle. Lord, quickly come. I know you will come at the perfect time. And I praise you for your will.