Dear God, I praise You and thank You that You love me, that You choose me, that You call me to Yourself.  I need what You provide, I yearn for the life that You want for me.  But it is hard to receive, as I have learned to hide or bully or protect or flee.  I have put up walls to keep out danger, but I see that this keeps out Your help and hope as well.  I choose to surrender these walls, to open myself to You, to seek Your strength, Your protection, Your help, Your hope. Please help me in this time today to know Your love, to receive Your invitation, to be still and know that You are God- -  with me, in me, for me.  I trust that as I receive Your gift, I will be empowered and equipped by Your Spirit to be Your gift for others. I wait on You now, ready to receive whatever You have for me (take some time to be silent, to receive God’s presence, words, ideas, images, etc. --  15 minutes or so).  I thank You.  Help me keep turning to You throughout the day.  I ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.