Douglas MacArthur Prayer

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him to pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master others, one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep, one who will reach into the future, and yet not forget the past. After all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he will always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom and the meekness of true strength. Then I, his father, will dare to Whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”

Saturday Night Prayer

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy is Your name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in my life as well as in heaven. Lead me to a place, overshadow me with Your GRACE, let Your word be heard and not mine. Father, I humble myself before Thee knowing that You have more than enough power to humble me if I don’t. I confess that PRIDE is a problem even though I have little success to boast about. It is a mystery to me but some how pride weasels into the mix. Help me to show mercy and grace to others as you have shown them to me. Please forgive my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against me and deliver me from my enemies especially the sinful self that lurks in the shadows of my heart. My I approach the pulpit in faith and have no reliance on the flesh. Help me flee all youthful lust. Anoint the messages that I deliver tomorrow. I offer them up to You as a whole burnt offering, consume them with your glorious power. Glorify Yourself in me, for it is your kingdom and the power and the glory belong to you.

[7/8/17]