Lord God,

I just lift your name higher and higher daily. Despite my mistakes, despite my sins, despite my carelessness. Despite my hurt, despite the pain, despite my illness, despite all the hurt this world wishes to infiltrate into my mind and heart.....I will continue to chase after your call. Freedom is here, freedom in you. My heart aches for your word, and your voice in my life every single day. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night just to praise you and to give you my utmost love and admiration through song or thoughts, or just the cries of my heart. In the loneliest days, I feel your embrace. I see YOU in the rain, and in the splendor of the mountains, clouds, I feel the presence of the holy spirit envelop me in my tears and sorrow, and they give me comfort. Abba, you are my inner strength and voice that guides my daily steps. I pray you remove people from my life who are toxic to the YOU inside me I'm fighting to show daily. Please surround me with those that have a heart to serve you. I pray you bring those into my life whom I can touch in some even slight way with the love you've given me to share and spread to others. I pray you bring mentors and leaders who speak words of encouragement and lift up your name and help me walk closer to you. Thank-you Jesus.
     My heart longs for right, and good, and justice and peace and Love for all. If everyone just loved everyone and dropped all the negativity that comes when we are human and we make mistakes in communication, seeing their true hearts.....and that they have pain too.....what a different way our relationships would blossom. Lord God, I pray you give me your desires and open my eyes to loving others as you do. Help me focus not on my pain but others'. I praise you for every blessing you give me daily. I praise your name and lift you up for the God that you are and that you love me one hundred percent, one hundred percent of the time. I thank you for bringing precious Kim into my life. I praise you for bringing Rich into my life. I know you have used them in ways in my life that they themselves are unaware of. I pray you bless Kim, and bless Rich in their daily lives. Give them your desires and fill their needs in you. Speak into their hearts and look on them in favor. You know my heart Lord, even in the dark corners and the pain. Thank you for always having your hand on me.
       My prayer is that your word and your breath in me leads me to parent more patiently, lovingly, in order to raise children who seek to serve you. I pray for opportunities to show them who you are, and how you love, and how we can love others fully without expectation. I am blessed with these children and I know you have a plan for each of them. They are wonderful, and your creations and my heart overflows with joy and love for them.
      My love for others never ceases despite the pain and angst they sometimes bring unknowingly. I pray for Neal and that you will convict his heart and lead him to you. My prayer is that your hand will intervene in a miraculous way. Lord I trust you know what you are doing and have a perfect plan, although as a human I can't fathom the good you may bring out of such pain and heartache. So many I love and miss and long for a deeper relationship with that I just have to let be and love them where they are....despite my inability to reach them.
     My father, I pray you bridle my tongue and shut my mouth when I open my mouth to speak negative things or to complain. Remind me daily, moment by moment that I am yours and my words need to reflect that in every situation, in every conversation. The unrequited love in my heart brings tears and sorrow and bitterness at time. Please remove the bitter thoughts and help me see others through your eyes. Help me see their pain and their hurt so that you can guide me to speak into their lives or touch them in some way that will remind them that You are in control and that this world does not hold precedence or power over our hearts, minds, and souls. You have created each of us wonderfully. You have given each of us unique gifts and talents that we sometimes are so clueless about.

       Show me the gifts you have given me, help me use them better to serve you daily. Speak to me in every thought, word, and deed my father. Fill me up with the holy spirit so that I may shine bright among men and demonstrate what it means to belong to you, by choice.  Forgive my many sins my friend, my savior, and hold my hand through this rocky path in this carnal world. Guide my steps one by one and give me clarity in direction for my life. I walk blind, and Your hand is all I need to steer my course. I love you my God. Thank you for sending your son so that I may be free. Ultimate freedom. I will never be the same.


You child,
Erica

Ohhh, Ohhh

The future comes alive
You speak your word and I
I'm running into your hope

Because I've seen your light
You bring my world to life
I'm coming after your love

Cuz I'm not shaken
I'm not not letting go

And everything comes alive
In my life as we lift You higher
Let Your freedom arise
In our lives as we lift You up
Sing it out
Freedom is here

So take the limits off
No matter what the cost
I'm running after your call
And I will run this race
See you face to face
Let your power overflow

Cuz I'm not shaken
I'm not not letting go

And everything comes alive
In my life as we lift You higher
Let Your freedom arise
In our lives as we lift You up
Sing it out
Freedom is here
Your freedom is here

I will not fear
I will not hide Your love, your love
All of my life
I can not deny your life

And everything comes alive
In my life as we lift You higher
Let Your freedom arise
In our lives as we lift You up
Sing it out
Freedom is here
Your freedom is here
Freedom is here
Your freedom is here