THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK
This book was created to develop a new habit in your devotional life with God called prayer writing. Many are accustomed to offering verbal or silent prayers to the Lord. But prayer writing provides a written record of your communication with God as well as a daily marker of your faith experience that you can repeatedly turn to for spiritual reflection. Also, it becomes a reservoir for the things you share with God; the joys, struggles, pleasures, pains, peace, and turmoil—any emotions that overflow the banks of your heart and spill into the hands of God. He desires to hear your prayers and to speak to you through them but a written record of those conversations provides you with tangible proof of your relationship with Him.
THE “EVENING PRAYER AT SEA”
Since 1775, the United States Navy has kept the seafaring tradition of permitting their chaplains to conduct an evening prayer each night at sea. I have had the privilege of offering over two hundred such prayers and I cherished every instance. In fact, I always approached the time of the evening prayer as God’s time and not my own. All the prayers I composed and delivered at sea began with a prayer that went like this:
Lord Jesus, please give me the words that you would
have to say tonight that would reach the heart of the
crew. I release my talents, gifts, and abilities for you to
use to your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
So, every prayer that you will read in this book was inspired by the Holy Spirit and did not originate with me. Each day at sea, I didn’t have any idea what God wanted to say until I met with Him in prayer to find out. I believe that the anointing of the Holy Spirit still rests upon the words of these prayers and I pray that each one would shed the light and inspiration of God’s presence upon your life.
Take note of the date listed at the bottom of each prayer. They were delivered on different dates, locations, and circumstances across many waters around the world. They form a record of God’s faithfulness towards a crew of sailors as they served and sojourned at sea.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Expect to experience God in a whole new way.
God will use each day’s poignant introduction, Spirit-inspired prayer, and the prayer that you write to provide you with a fresh revelation into the nature and character of God.
Expect the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
God will speak into your soul new insights about your relationship with Him. Be prepared to listen, meditate upon what He says, and use each day’s blank-lined journal space to express what your heart says to Him in writing. Have a Bible on hand as the Holy Spirit speaks to you so that you can research scriptures to build your faith, confidence, and trust in God.
Expect your faith to grow.
God will use this book to build your faith and bless your life! Each day of this twelve-week journey is filled with spiritual treasure that will enrich your heart and challenge you to pursue God with more passion and purpose.