Somewhere along the line, I got it in my head that praying for myself was selfish. Prayer time was better spent lifting up other people, not my own wants and desires. Lately, I’ve heard holy whisperings that seem to be correcting this untruth.

Then, this morning, I saw this.

This blackboard is in one of our Sunday school rooms that goes mostly unused in the summer.  During the school year, our Bible study ladies put prayer requests on the board each week so we can remember who needs extra prayers. I happened to walk in the room this morning and glanced at the board. There it was — a message from heaven.  I stared at the words for a good minute, sensing this was meant for me.

I’ve kept a prayer list for years.  Some days, I go slowly through the list, pausing at each name, each need, each request. Other days, I lift the piece of paper up high and say, “See this list, Lord? Good. Amen.”

On most days, by the time I get through the line-up of family, friends, the church, and the world, there’s little time left. I may tag on some petitions for guidance in a decision or help with a particular situation, but as a rule, I keep myself off my prayer list.

Today, I read the writing on the wall.

It’s time to put another name on the list: Me.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God.”  Psalm 51:10