Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD. Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?" Let the light of your face shine upon us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
PSALM 4

ADORE

I first want to thank and praise you for the prayers you have answered over the years. To know that I serve a God who hears me and answers me is incredible! Prayers of provision, prayers of deliverance, prayers for strength, prayers for opportunity, prayers for wisdom - I am in awe and am so grateful that you have answered so many of my prayers! Who am I to deserve your time and consideration? There are so many other people whose concerns are greater and whose burdens are heavier, but you still take the time to listen to and answer me! I also thank you for the prayers you have decided in your infinite wisdom not to answer. I will never know the pain, difficulty, and hardship you have helped me to avoid by not allowing me to have the things I have asked for!

I also want to thank you for the joy that you have given me! You are worthy of my highest praise for you have prospered and blessed me in so many ways that have brought be great satisfaction and happiness. You have given me such enjoyable experiences, amazing opportunities, fulfilling relationships, and physical provisions that, in only 33 years, already seem like a lifetime's worth! Thank you Lord for prospering my life!

ADMIT

I repent for the times that, in my looking forward to what is ahead, I have not been fully present and thankful for what is now. I confess that over the course of my life, and especially during the course of my church planting journey, I have not taken enough time to praise you for how you have already blessed me, for how you have already been at work in my life, for how you have already delivered me, for how you have already provided for me, and for how you have already proved yourself as faithful to me! The prayers David prayed in Psalms 4 you have already, many times, answered. Please forgive me for not recognizing this and for not being in awe of this as I should.

ASPIRE

I aspire to be a man of God who is always believing for more, but also simultaneously grateful for what already is. I look forward to more excellently being able to balance the tension between hope for tomorrow and gratitude for today. I also pray that when I am faced with times of distress that, like David, I would cry out to you. I desire to be a man who approaches your throne with every feeling, emotion, need, and concern that I have. I envision a relationship with you that is ever growing in honesty, transparency, and desperation, and I praise you in advance for your Holy Spirit making this type of dynamic relationship between you and I possible!