I have so many things to be thankful for, but lately it seems I'm surrounded by misfortune in the form of costly repairs in my home. My bills are behind, and I haven't been able to do any Christmas shopping because of this.

In the past month, we needed to repair our furnace, the clothes dryer, we had to replace the washing machine, the pipes in my house had a massage clog, the sump pump burned out, the dishwasher broke down and now my furnace isn't working again. It's late at night, well below freezing, and don't have the extra cash to pay someone to come out on a special call to fix the burner. I pray the pipes don't freeze.

I've prayed, and continue to give thanks that I have these problems, because there are many who don't have a home. But, to my shame, I admit this constant string of bad fortune is beginning to wear on me. Please pray for us, especially my husband, who knows the Lord but hasn't completely given himself over to Him.

Dear Father God, I give thanks for all the blessings you've given me. I pray for some good news and the ability to pay for all the things going wrong. Please bless our home.

In Jesus name. Amen.