A Prayer

Father,

Our lives are filled with ups and downs. We have some really good days. And then, we also have some really bad days. How good it is to know that whatever happens to us it's because You want that to happen to us.

So, Father, remind us of this when we are enjoying one of those really good days. Whatever it is that is happening to us, it's because You want it to be happening to us. Remind us of this so that we will be quick to thank You for whatever good thing it is that we are receiving from Your hand. You are once again watching over us and doing us good.

And remind us of this when we are having one of those really bad days. Whatever it is that is happening to us, it’s because You want it to be happening to us. Remind us of this so that we will be quick to thank You for whatever good thing it is that we are receiving from Your hand. You are once again watching over us and doing us good.

To think this way about good days and bad days, to be grateful to You for all things, is not particularly common in our world, especially when it comes to those bad days. But You are our Father. How can You not be watching over us and doing us good? Help us to believe that this is true even in the bad days, days when life hurts. Remind us that You use our pain for some good somewhere. Grant to us the grace to give thanks even then. And grant to us the grace to hope.

Help us Father to give thanks to You in all things so that how we live, how You make a difference in us, will be noticed by the people around us. Help us in this so that they will see the fruit of Your fatherly care because of Jesus. We want them to see the Gospel at work in our lives so that they will want to join us in enjoying You and living for You.

And now, Father, bless us in the preaching and hearing of Your Words so that we will understand You better and continue to mature as Christians. Through Christ our Lord Amen.