Greetings,

As we approach the four year anniversary of 9-11, what have we learned? Unless we knew someone personally who was killed or injured, the horror of that day has somewhat faded in our memory. Sure, there is the inconvenient aftermath of longer lines at the airport and increased security screening. The lines are slower and our tempers flare quicker.

Our young soldiers are in a foreign land fighting an old man's war based on lies, ego and bad information. The body bag count for our young men and women soldiers is climbing daily. Many of our soldiers are returning home missing limbs and images of horror ingrained in their minds that will last a lifetime. The sad part is that we are no closer to peace in the Middle East. Gas prices are spiraling out of control and if you think that people in this nation are not profiting, then think again. The land of the free and home of the brave has come at a high price. Our once respected nation is hated worldwide. Why? Because we have forgotten that our nation was founded on Christian principles. Our money says, "In God We Trust", but do we?

We have taken prayer out of schools and the result was Columbine. We have allowed filth and violence into our music and the result was more killings in our inner cities and the degrading of women. We have larger houses, but not happy homes. We work longer hours to buy more things (luxury cars, larger houses, and designer clothes) to impress people we really do not like. We are so tired from working all week we skip church to either rest, play golf or watch football. The result of not putting God first in our lives is higher divorce rates, broken homes, unruly children, higher disease rates and generational curses. We have forgotten as a people that our strength comes from the Lord.

We need to reprioritize our lives. God first, family, community and job. If we all place Him first and pray consistently and fervently, we can change things. If we bombard heaven with prayers of gratitude, then blessings will flow. When we pray sincerely, God hears our prayers and responds. Below is a prayer is quick prayer to say to open communication with God and unblock our blessings!

PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.

You never know when GOD is going to bless you! Good things happen when you least expect them to! Change the number in the subject box when you send it by adding one!

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I am blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It is the best response when I am pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I cannot pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and cannot find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who do not know You intimately. I pray for those that do not believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters, brothers and friends. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I place all my battles in Your hands for You to fight. I pray for the safety of all our soldiers. I pray for peace in the Middle East and in our nation. I pray for lower gas prices and economic stability for our nation. I pray for wisdom for world leaders as their decisions impact our lives. I know that there is no problem, circumstance or situation greater than You. Lord hear my cry and send Your healing to our sin-sick world.

Amen