Hello Lord. It’s Francesca here…Francesca Copeland. I can’t help feeling the need to introduce myself even though I know you know just who I am. As you also know it’s a long time since I became a Christian, but the honest truth is that I’ve never been good at the whole prayer-life side of things.
I’ve always felt quite bad about that, especially since you really are the most important thing in my life. I’ve always wondered whether my long silences, punctuated by bursts of panicked prayer in times of trouble, is for you a bit like people trying to parent their teenagers, or like me trying to get through to my husband when he’s watching sport on T.V.
So, I suppose I would like to begin this prayer journal – which, as you know, I’ve been inspired to start on account of Pastor Daniel’s sermon yesterday – to begin by confessing my sin, especially in this area, and asking you to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. When Daniel spoke yesterday about the benefits of prayer journaling I felt quite deeply that this was something I needed to do, something that you would have me do. I haven’t felt like that in a while.
So here I am Lord…although I have to go now because, even though today’s a holiday to celebrate Queen’s Birthday, there’s no holiday with children around! I can hear Emily and Nathan fighting and it is sounding uglier by the minute. Be with me today, Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ name…Amen.