"Dear Lord, we ain't what we ought to be, and we ain't what we want to be, but thanks to Thee, we ain't what we were."

Today was another busy day at work but I was able to listen to the radio most of the day - a rare treat. I was listening to BOTT radio station, a Christian station. I heard lots and lots of preachers speak on many varied subjects but the one that stuck with me is the one on prayer.

Today I learned, and I know that the preacher is correct, that prayer should be centered around God and not the individual speaking. God's will be done.

'Prayer is not a wishing well' is another sentence that stuck out. While I don't think I treat prayer as a wishing well I do know that I sometimes just ramble and say whatever comes into my mind. I am going to start writing down what I want to speak to God about so that my mind won't ramble around and go in circles and end up thinking about some absolutely nonsensical thing during my time with my Lord.

Then I remembered that I do have a notebook with prayer request written down and that is when I came across notes I had taken while reading Dr. Hill's - Musings #9.

• Day 1: Recall the nightly practice of Bible readings & prayers by Will Campbells' family. Start your own ritual!

• Day 2: Pray today recalling how you learned about justice, forgiveness & reconciliation. Give thanks for those whose teachings are now a part of you. Call out their names with honoring recognition and gratitude. 

• Day 3: Pray today considering your enemies.

• Day 4: Recite the Lord's prayer all the while pondering how "God has come on earth"

• Day 5: Pray today recalling those on who you depend for counsel, comfort and encouragement. Name them one by one. "My God, I am blessed, aren't I! Thank you for your generous provision."

• Day 6: Remember the progress we have made by saying this prayer by an old preacher of the south "Dear Lord, we ain't what we ought to be, and we ain't what we want to be, but thanks to Thee, we ain't what we were."

• Day 7: Despite all the bad that continues with the world end your prayer "with hope". 

All great ways to start prayer. Thank you Will Campbell and thank you Dr. Hill.

One of my favorite prayers is reading the Bible out loud to the Lord.

During our Bible study group at work this was one of the suggestions given. Read God's word back to Him. This makes me smile to even consider. Read to Him and become lost in His words. :0)