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The holiday season brings with it its fair share of expectation, but sometimes with expectation comes the inability to wait patiently for a thing to happen. Some of us are working toward the respite of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and we say, "I can't wait to board that plane, train or automobile to see my family and friends." Some of us are looking toward the season of Advent where we will spend some 24 days looking forward to the birth of Christ and we say, "I can't wait for that joyous occasion." Some of us are looking forward to Christmas day where will get to celebrate the birth of Christ and for some reason get gifts to commemorate the occasion and we say, "I can't wait to see what I will get/I can't to see if they'll like what I give." I am definitely a combination of all of those people and more. There is alot I can't wait for, literally and figuratively. But, I know that patience is absolutely necessary. It's not just necessary, it is a fruit of the spirit that should be manifest in each of us. So today's prayer is for patience.

Heavenly Father,

I thank you heavenly father for always being patient with us. Though we may turn our backs on you a thousand times, when we turn back around you are waiting for us, patiently. As we navigate this season I pray that you would give us all the patience to wait for those things which you have for us. It is tempting to say what we can't wait for and sometimes go after those things, but you let us know in your word that they that wait upon you shall renew their strength. Renew our strength so that we may wait on you and be patient. All good things will come to us in your perfect time, we only need the patience to keep holding on to you. Give us patience to wait for your good and perfect blessings. Give us patience to wait for our rest. Give us patience to look forward to the season ahead of us and remember that Thanksgiving is no one day to look forward, but it is everyday that we are alive that we celebrate it. We give thanks for all that you have done for us on this day and the ones past and we patiently await our future. In Jesus', Amen  

Today it was announced that the unemployment rate hit 10.2%, the highest it has been since April 1983. This is startling news since it would seem that if we are crawling out of the recession less jobs would be lost. Unfortunately that is not the case as 190,000 jobs have been lost in October. Today we pray for everyone affect by the unemployment rate.

Heavenly Father,

Today we put our trust not in the economic system of the world, and not in soaring unemployment rates, but in God. Though these times bring forth uncertainty we trust in the certainty that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Help us not fear but instead cleave to you and believe that all things work for the good of those who love you. Your word in Jeremiah 29:11 said, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." So we affirm that verse in our lives and walk forward believing that you want us to be prosperous in every dimension that prosperity can exist. We affirm that you have come to give us a hope and a future knowing that the future you have in store for us far exceeds anything we can conceive. Let us, according to Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." We know that this too shall pass us and we will be restored to better than we were before this recession hit us. So we ask for the capacity to put all our trust into you and your plan at this time. Be Jehovah Jireh, a provider for those who are unemployed and be a comforter for those who are concerned about their job stability. Be who you need to be in the lives of all who need you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

11 have been killed and 31 injured in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. I submit this prayer for the family and friends of the victims who will be receiving news about their loved ones. Please pray and share your prayers.

Heavenly Father,

I come to you asking that you would comfort the family and friends of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings. Meet each of these people at the point of their need and speak the words they need to hear in order to be comforted at this moment. Let the families and friends bind together and be strengthened as they mourn the untimely passing of their loved ones. And for those who are injured, be in the hospital room with them right now. Be at their bedside and hold their hands. Impart healing energy into their room and do what you do best as Jehovah Rophe, the God who heals stitch by stitch. Be with their loved ones who are in hospital waiting rooms awaiting news. Be with the doctors who will treat them, giving those doctors knowledge, wisdom and discernment. Let everyone who will and can pray for the recovery of those who are wounded, the comfort of those who are mourning and even the remorse for the shooters. I pray all of these things in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, Amen.  

I've been talking alot about looking forward to a thing since we started the Thanksgiving Prayer series on Monday. So to keep things consistent, I wanted to share something I am looking forward to. This Friday is the release of Lee Daniels' film "Precious" about a 16-year-old African-American girl--Precious--who was born into a life of struggle and hardships. Despite what seems like a sad and dark story there is hope and light to be found through faith and the love of friends. In honor of the movie's release, Beliefnet has created a "Precious" prayer wall. We invite you to leave your prayers and positive thoughts for the people who have made a difference in your life.

Share Your Prayer on the "Precious" Prayer Wall

I am currently in the midst of my church's annual 21-day consecration in which we dedicate ourselves to fasting, increased prayer, and study of the word of God. As is always the case when it comes to fasting, it brings to mind what you can and can't eat and sometimes puts the fastee in danger of over-indulging on that which they can eat in order to substitute for that which they can't. I know this too well because I am living it. I am forever tempted to overdose on broccoli, cashews, oatmeal and the other healthier options since I can't have my Tostitos, cookies, and cupcakes. But this fast is about self control for God's sake. It has been said that obedience is better than sacrifice, but in this case, I feel that sacrificing IS what is necessary in order for me to be obedient to God. This season leading up to Thanksgiving brings into view the concept of self control. There will be food and drink flowing like water in 3 week's time and it will take everything in us to eat and drink in moderation. And this isn't just about food. We can be in danger of being excessive in many areas of our lives, but all of those areas will affect us in some way. So today's Thanksgiving prayer is for self control.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this season of harvest that you have us in. A season that will be full of delicious food and drink. A season that will be full of wonderful family and friends. A season that will be full to the brim with the possibilities you set before us. But in all of these things I pray for self control. Self control while we are enjoying are enjoying the delicious foods of the season. The turkey, the pecan pies, the pumpkin lattes, the egg nog and every other seasonal food that you will put before us. Let us remember to eat and drink in moderation and do it all to your glory. Self control in the way we spend money so that we will not live outside of our means. Let us be good stewards over our financial resources. Let us trust in you and your hand of provision and remember that you supply all of our needs according to your riches in glory. Even as we look toward the day after Thanksgiving when every store will have deep discounts and sales to draw us in, may we be controlled in our spending and in our behavior remembering that our ability to control ourselves can affect someone else's life. This is a season were excess can tempt us, but help us not to be lead astray. Let us be controlled in all we do remembering that self control is a fruit of the spirit. Give us the spirit of self control from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, Amen