Gracious God, I’ll no longer use the word ‘please’ when I pray. I’ll no longer beg for favors, for change, for divine intervention. ‘Please’ means there’s a doubt, a chance that my plea may not be fulfilled, a possibility that I might question my worthiness in asking. No, from now on, I’ll say thank You, God. Thank You for bringing peace. Thank You for shining Your light into the darkest hearts. Thank You for reminding us to put others’ needs before our own. Thank You God for things that are yet unseen, things that I know You will bring about in Your time, for my faith lies solely in You. AMEN

-Jessilou Vaccarelli, Hilton, NY