A Mentor’s Prayer Life

In 2012, my California cousins gifted me with something precious from their mom, my Aunt Joyce. It was a green leather book with her name embossed on the front. At first I didn’t recognize it, but inside I saw my own writing, a birthday gift to my aunt on her 88^th. It was a devotional journal, and after each day’s entry, there was space for written reflections. Aunt Joyce had recorded her thoughts and prayers, and in this gift I was given a glimpse of how a wise mentor talks to God.

In reading what she wrote, I was impacted by her honesty before her Lord and am wondering if you readers might be impacted, too. Below are quotes from her journal, plucked with care so as not to reveal her secrets but answering the question, “What does a mentor’s prayer life look like?”

Oh God, my trust is in you. I ask for deliverance from my feelings.
Lord, order my conduct, and take my burdens.
Remove my fear and anxiety. You said you would. I depend on that. Keep my mind stayed on Thee.
Rejoice exceedingly, Joyce!
God, if it’s not too late, I commit my cause to you. Help me do your way and will.
“…that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Wow! Me?
Lord, keep my attention on your side, not mine.
Lord, I need to be motivated by your love. I ask this by your Spirit. Thank you, right now.
Lord, open my eyes to see my enemy, which equals my captivity. Give me your equipment for fighting against captivity to sin. I want to conquer sin in my thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
I feel like I’m going through your refiner’s fire to purify my wickedness. I’ve had anger, stress, and frustration when I should have had hope!
Thank you for my Edward [husband of 62 years then]. I did not have sense enough myself to choose such quality.
God’s grace is like a sandwich. The top of the bun is what I deserve from Him. The filling is God’s grace. The bottom is what I receive from Him… life eternal.
I thank God for blessing received with no sorrow added.
I need someone greater, wiser, stronger and more powerful than I am. In Him I have everything.
Often God’s way up is down, but He’s there with us, too.
I became a new being today, started all over – forgiven, cleansed, powered by Him through the Holy Spirit. Praise to the Almighty, over and over! I’m so grateful.
To know Him is to love Him. I love you, Lord, and want to know you more.
I’m starting to understand what grace is, and what my comfort can be.
Stress and suffering shows me so clearly how very much I need Him, how hopeless and helpless I am without Him. I surrender all, dear Jesus, to you.