Conversations with My Father: A Collection of My Prayers

By Erica Cashaw

Ever felt guilty, stressed, unloved, ashamed, unnoticed, or overwhelmed but somehow had enough sense and strength to muster a thank you, Lord? Well, you are not alone. In some of my most distressing moments, all I could do was cry out to God because he alone could understand and bear my pain.
I pray and praise him in good times, too, but not just for me. I pray, petition, and offer supplications for those I know and for some I never met.
Prayer is a powerful weapon that no one can take away from you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669847281

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 by Erica Cashaw. 841221

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022921431

Rev. date: 12/12/2022

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

You’ve Got Me

I’m Heated! (Yup, I Had to Repent)

Wasn’t Ready for the Glimpse

In My Church Mother Voice

No More Anxiety

#Juju Strong!

Snapback

My Time with You

Give It Up

Falling Short

A Personal Touch

Accepting Favor

Speaking Scripture

Mother Betha Voice

Basking in Your Love

A Prayer of Thanks

For the Church Kids Now in Their 30s

A Short Prayer

The Overflow

Searching for a New Home (a Prayer for Housing)

Can’t Stop Praising You

I Am Heard

All That You Are

Jesus the Ultimate Role Model

Bad Actions Good God

Stepparenting

Foster/Adoptive

Brother’s Keeper (a Sister’s Prayer)

Strained Parent Relationship

A Prayer for Ministers of the Gospel

Rest

Covid in the Land

Prayer for Finance

Morning Prayer of Healing/Prophetic Word

I Am Healed

Revival (Fire Fall Fresh)

Battling Anxiety

Intercessory Prayer

Straight Wildin’ (Ready to Flip Out)

Affirmation

Prayer for My Husband (War Room Style)

Struggling (Old School at Altar Prayer Style)

Heal Our Land

New Level Prayer (Graduating in Him)

Money

Crying for Your People

A Prayer for Sleep and Worry

Divorce

Strong Friends

Morning Prayer Mood:

Thankful and Grateful

Midday Prayer

A Prayer of Thanks and Assistance

Sabbath

Examples in the Bible

The Dad Prayer

The Other Side of Prayer

Empty Vessel

End of the Semester Prayer

Bridal Prayer/Wedding Prayer

Morning Prayer

Prayer for Our Marriage

I Have Covid!

Prayer of Repentance/Direction

Help My Unbelief

Isaiah 54:17

Midyear Prayer (A daily prayer)

Submitting My Anxiety

I’m Human

A Prayer for Peace of Mind

Simple Prayer

Another Simple Prayer

A Prayer for My Parents

Prayer and Prophecy

Words on My Heart This Morning . . .

Shall I Pursue? (A prayer about school and a prophetic school blessing)

Praying in My Dreams

As God Sees Me, not IG (Spoken word)

Young Black King (spoken word)

About the Author

I

dedicate this book to my grandparents, who not only believed in the power of prayer but modeled it my entire life. Morning, noon, or night you could find my grandparents kneeling in prayer or stealing away to their bedroom prayer closet. At one point, I was convinced they had some type of hidden clock because they all prayed on schedule. These prayers have reached generation after generation.

My fondest memories of my grandparents involve teaching, singing, preaching, and praying. Papa, the Honorable Bishop W.L. Maxwell, would insist that we stop by the altar at the start of service. I didn’t get it then, but I now see, appreciate, and value his wisdom because it set me up for where I am in my prayer life now. I remember my grandmothers rising early in the morning to talk to the Lord and journal his promises and messages. I owe all I am and will ever be to my foundation.

In loving memory of

Willie Lee Maxwell

Nancy Elizabeth (Thompson) Maxwell

Elizabeth (Crawley) Dawson

Clifford Herbert Dawson

Papa%20Bishop%20W%20L%20Maxwell%20Pic%20for%20dedication%20page.jpgGrandmas%20picture%20for%20dedication%20page%20of%20book.jpg

Acknowledgments

If you asked my family who would fall asleep during the 7:00 a.m. prayer service, the answer would be Erica. I really tried to pray for the entire hour, but after ten minutes, I covered all the world and everyone I knew in it. Thank God for a mature prayer life. I am still in awe that I would be the one to write a prayer book years later.

To my family, friends, and mentors who have inspired, encouraged, and threatened me to finally publish this book, thank you. I appreciate every conversation, text message, prayer, and hug. Your words of encouragement and unwavering faith on this journey still leave me speechless.

A special thank you to my loving husband, Dion. Your belief in my talents, gifts and anointing led to the execution of this book, and I am forever indebted. I love you, Mr. Cashaw!

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Introduction

This collection of prayers covers a range of emotions and experiences. Some prayers are about my firsthand encounters with trials, tribulations, and victories. Other prayers are inspired by conversations with loved ones or my interactions with people in various capacities.

Insider tip:

It is not about you sounding like me or anyone else. Prayer is about a personal conversation with God.

Some of the prayers were whispered in the still of the night, barely audible or completely internal, while other prayers had me in tears, laying prostrate in my bed, nose running, pillow soaked and crying in a loud voice.

Prayer can take place anywhere. I have prayed in my car, in the tub, in the closet, walking down the street, in the store, at my job, alone, in church, and in a crowded room.

I pray that when you read these prayers, God touches your soul. That Jesus regulates your mind and your emotions. I pray that he speaks to whatever season you are in.

When you are done praying, please take a moment to listen to his response.

In the accompanying journal, you can also write about your experience with each prayer.

You’ve Got Me

God, I just love you because you haven’t given up on me!

You haven’t written me off even in my sin, shortcomings, disobedience, or unbelieving heart. God, you still are with me.

I thank you because you deserve my praise, gratitude, and commitment to do better.

There are some people whom you’ve placed in my life for a season and some for a lifetime. They watch, they listen; some may never say a word, but, God, you know who needed to read this prayer, who needed to see my transparency, and you know what I’ll come up against because I am your child.

I understand that when I pray or make declarations, the enemy will come via text, call, or in person to try and stop my progress, but, God, you’ve got me.

(soft, quiet prayer)

I’m Heated! (Yup, I Had to Repent)

Ephesians 4:26–28 (MSG)

"Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for