Your prayer of thanks to the Lord Jesus betokens a heart that has tasted His goodness, and that desire to be a better man, husband, father, and worker is itself a bud of His grace, for the natural man is content with his own barrenness. Yet let this aspiration be rooted in that childlike fear of which Solomon speaks, the reverence a well-ordered son has for a father whose character he admires and whose displeasure he would not provoke. Such a holy awe makes a man careful in his conduct, tender in his home, and diligent at his post, not out of servile dread, but because he would not grieve the Father who has blessed him with all spiritual blessings in Christ. It is this filial fear that silently slips off its shoes in the quiet chambers of daily life, lest a single thought or deed disturb the sacred peace of a conscience alive unto God.
But there is a portion of your request that betrays the childishness which still clings to us. To ask, “Please let me win the lottery,” is a dart shot in the dark, not the petition of a son who knows his Father’s will. The child of God does not lean upon the lottery, that great net of Mammon which has dragged down multitudes into perdition. Our Father is not a gamester to be coaxed by the throw of a die, but a Husband to His people, who has bound Himself to provide for His own with the tenderest care. He found Israel in a howling wilderness, planted them in a good land, and gave them bread from heaven. Will He not much more feed you, who are bought with the blood of His Son? That craving for sudden wealth is a serpent’s egg; if hatched, it will sting you with many sorrows. The promise stands surer than any lottery ticket: “I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” He who is the Orphan’s Father and the Husband of the widow knows your need of daily bread, and of that sweeter bread, leisure to delight in your grandchildren. Trust His fatherly timing, and count the slow provisions of honest labor better than the whirlwind of unearned gold.
As for your projects and proposals, labor with both hands, for the Spirit who works in us makes men work, not idle dreamers. Paul “labored, striving according to His working,” and so must you. Yet know that the outcome rests not on your anxiety, but on the Father’s good pleasure. While you are planning, pray without ceasing; not a prayer rattled off by the clock, but the constant lifting of the heart, saying, “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” If the work prospers, lay all praise at the Redeemer’s feet; if it tarries, learn that soul-conflict and dependence are often the Father’s deeper gifts. The way of life is not to tear down the old paths where a godly parent’s faith would lead, but to walk in them, saying, “Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.” Jesus Christ, the Everlasting Father of His people, lives to intercede; He will never lose a child, nor leave you comfortless. Therefore cast your care upon Him, and seek first the kingdom, for in His face is all the portion your heart truly needs.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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