Throughout my entire life, I have realized how messy and dysfunctional life can be. As humans, we go through an uncountable amount of trials that seem to come out of nowhere as we settle into this cycle of uncertainty. And through the pain and suffering that I have seen from traveling into some very needy areas on our planet, I realize something so much more than what meets the eye. There is hope. I know that this probably sounds crazy, because maybe you're reading this and you are going through some type of struggle and are just feeling completely drained from whatever God has put your way. However, just like every pain and suffering that each of us go through, whether it's more or less intense than others, it hurts just as much. But there is hope. There is hope within God's faithfulness to His children, and I know this for certain, because God has seen and saved me (along with everyone I know), and has made me His own.

So, my prayer is...

For God to give me eyes in the way that He sees me. God has loved me since even before I was born, and He will forever love His creatures forever more. Even when we are wrestling with our own sin and are suffering in pain from things that happen to us and others, I just pray that God will let me see them with the hope and compassion that He does for everyone He has created. While they are wrestling, I pray that they will somehow see the light within me that purely reflects directly from God. Not only do I pray these things for myself, but for those who also want to spread the light of the Lord.

I pray that with every word I speak, only will it be the Word that God speaks through me. When I am mostly intentional with my speaking with others, I pray that what I say and how I behave will be humble and respectful to every person I meet. Because when I am not prepared and don't have the right words to say, God does. I pray that my voice and the words that I say will give others hope. Not just hope within this life, but hope for eternity with God. I pray this for not just myself, but for everyone who is also passionate about being intentional with their words while speaking with others who are struggling.

I pray that as humans, we will always listen to those reaching out to us and vice versa. Although words and actions are important, listening is so important when promoting healthy changes within one's life and others. I also pray that as we listen to others that we, most importantly, listen to the Lord and stay firm in His plan.

Last, but certainly not least, I pray for every human, including myself, that we will love with the same love that God has for us. God's love never fails and is never flawed, because He is faithful and completely perfect in all ways. And therefore, as we are sinful human beings, we all need the light and love of the Lord to surround us in the midst of darkness.