WhenYouPray

Matthew 6:
7 "When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long.
8 Do not be like them.
Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him.
9 This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven:  May your holy name be honored;
10 may your Kingdom come;
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need.
12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done,
as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.
13 Do not bring us to hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.'
(Good News Bible)

Missionary and Author Amy Carmichael (1867 - 1951)  once crossed paths with famous Bible teacher F. B. Meyer (1847 - 1929), who told her he frequently had trouble with his temper when he was younger.
But a wise man gave Meyer some practical advice.
The man suggested that Meyer pray, "Thy sweetness, Lord" when he felt irritated.
Dr. Meyer turned the suggestion into a lifelong habit.

Amy Carmichael took the advice to heart and built upon it, saying,
"I have found this declaration, a certain and a quick way of escape.
Take the opposite of your temptation and look up inwardly, naming that opposite:
Untruth - Your truth, Lord;
unkindness - Your kindness, Lord;
impatience - Your patience, Lord;
selfishness - Your unselfishness, Lord;
roughness - Your gentleness, Lord;
discourtesy - Your courtesy, Lord;
resentment,  inward  heat,  fuss - Your sweetness, Lord,  Your calmness,  Your peacefulness."

Remember, our prayers do not need to be long.
Sometimes only a word or two will suffice.
Sometimes just a whispered word can change the atmosphere in a room or in a relationship.

The next time you're tempted to react with irritation, try saying, "Your gentleness, Lord" - and see what happens.

I think that no one who tries this very simple plan will ever give it up.
Amy Carmichael

adapted from "Today's Turning Point"  by  Dr David Jeremiah.

Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father,
thank You so much that You do not reply negatively,
to the negatives I so often express in my communications.
Today I claim and declare
    Your truth,
    Your kindness,
    Your patience,
    Your unselfishness,
    Your gentleness,
    Your courtesy,
    and Your sweetness in my nature today,
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
who makes this possible for me,
Amen.