Forgive me for not quoting an entire prayer in this post on 31 Powerful Prayers.

I will be quoting a former President of the United States who was quoting Reverend Phillip Brooks.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy quoted Reverend Brooks during a Presidential Prayer Breakfast. It is something I have heard many times but the words hit me anew every time I hear them.

“Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.”

If I were to make that a prayer, I imagine it would go like this…

“God, there are things in my life that are difficult for me. There are things in my family that are difficult for us. There are things in our country that seek to overwhelm us. We would love for these problems to be taken away. But if you see fit not to take them away, make us stronger people. Make us more resilient, more courageous, more determined and more like you.”

You may take that prayer in a different direction. That is the great thing about prayer. Its personal and reflects each of our experiences and personalities.

However you interpret the quote from Reverend Brooks, I ask you to see it as a prayer and make it your own.

Over and over again in scripture, God assures us we can overcome, we are more than conquerors, and He is with us. Don’t let a situation defeat you.

Ask God to make you stronger.

Written by Tom Wise Copyright © Finding Wonder 2016