Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

when I want to do things differently


 

“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
    those who are nothing but potsherds
    among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
    ‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
    ‘The potter has no hands’? - Isaiah 45:9

 

Dear heavenly Father, 

 

Even your "woe's" are gitts of grace, for they warn me of the foolishness of my reasoning, the limitations of my perspective, and the self-centeredness of my musings.

  

Sometimes I think I'd like to be you for fifteen minutes. That would give me a chance to:

 

  • fix people that need fixing
  •  fund ministries which serve you the best but struggle with finances the most
  • bring judgment upon those who've got it coming
  • alleviate the sufferings of friends whose pain is overwhelming
  • get even with people who've hurt me the deepest and betrayed me the most
  • put an end to human trafficking
  •  rid the world of annoying politicians, fear-brokers, and pundits
  • and heal broken marriages of friends.

Alas, Father, I am such a mix of good desires and broken agendas. I look at my list and realize how much I need the gospel -- every day and every hour. Of course, you the Potter have hands -- big, loving, mighty ones. And not only that, but you have a heart bigger than the universe, wisdom beyond all imaginings, and a timetable that makes Swiss precision seem like laissez-faire laziness.

 

There is a day coming when you will put all things right and make all things new. In the meantime, please:

  • Give me patience
  • Increase my gentleness
  • Supersize my mercy
  • Deepen my trust
  • Fill me to overflowing with your grace and hope. 
  •  And grant me quick repentances when I whine about the way you do your job

 
I pray in Jesus' mighty and merciful name,

 
Amen 



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a providential prayer



Lord God,

Into your hands I place all that I am and ever will be.

I commend my past to your mercy.

I submit my today to your grace.

Concerning my hopes and dreams, I will trust in Providence.

What is small and what is great, I give to you.

What amounts to a little and what amounts to a lot, I bring to you.

In both things temporal and things eternal, I will trust in you.

Amen.


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A Prayer for Autumn



O God of Creation,

You have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.

As we welcome the autumn months ...

May the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest.

May the brilliant colors of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation.

May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.

May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.

May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.

We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. 
Amen.
- Author Unknown    


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A prayer of assurance of help when we suffer and are tempted





Hebrews 2:17–18 (ESV)
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


I thank you, Jesus, that you are able to both sympathise and help me when I undergo suffering and temptation.
Human help for those who suffer is limited. Some people can at times sympathise but not be able to help.  Others can at times help, but can never fully understand and empathise with what I am going through.
But you, Lord Jesus, have no such limitations.
You fully understand and empathise as you fully share in my pain. And more than that, you have the power to help me in my suffering and temptation.
Help me, Lord Jesus, to understand and experience this in my life

In Your Name, Jesus, I pray
AMEN.



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a prayer to praise when we are overwhelmed



Lord, my heart is heavy.
My circumstances feel overwhelming.
Even so, I choose to look to you.

Teach me how to praise you in my pain.
Even when I do not understand the road ahead.
In times when I am troubled and confused.

Yet I praise you because you are good and faithful.
When fear and worry try my soul, let my voice rise.
Cause my words to lift you up and praise you.

Exchange my heavy burden for your peace.
Help me see your strength in this valley.
Bring me to a place of praising and blessing.

In Jesus' name, Amen.


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a prayer for love to arise



Holy One beyond all names, Eternal Wellspring,

May love rise again in us today.

With food for every table. 
Shelter for every family.

And reverence for every life.

Forgive us our failings in love.

And free us from all falseness,

That the light of our souls may shine

And the strength of our spirits endure.

For Earth and all its people.

This day, tonight, and forever.

Amen.
The Celtic Lord's Prayer by John Philip Newell    


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Remembering God's wisdom in answering our prayers



Lord

Help me to have faith that even as I pray, you will answer.
Help me to understand and accept that the answer I get may not be the answer I sought, but it is an answer that is wiser and better than what I want because it is your answer.

In Jesus' Name
Amen


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Life with Christ


LORD we praise You that when we walk with You, we can walk in peace. We can walk in security. And we can walk with the assurance of Your Presence. Help us to remember that no matter the circumstances we face, You are always there for Your children. And for that we give You praise and honor and all glory. 

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a prayer for when life takes a detour



Dear God,

My plans have changed, and I feel lost.

You saw this unexpected detour that I never saw coming.

You know the confusion, worry, and disappointment in my heart right now.

Help me to let go of my need for control.

My timeline is disrupted and the path ahead is unclear.

Please help me to release my expectations to you.

Remind me that your perspective is higher, wider, and eternal.

Give me the strength to take just one step today.

Fill me with a peace that passes understanding.

Help me trust that you are working all things out for good.

Even on this road I didn't choose.

In your name I pray,

Amen.


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A prayer when I am afraid



Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.





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Beautiful HOPE


Thank you LORD for the beautiful HOPE we have in You. Thank you for continually pouring love into our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

May we never allow our disappointments in life distract us from the HOPE that is in You…

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A prayer for simple quiet rest







Simple Quiet Rest
From: A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee
Why, O Lord, is it so hard for me to keep my heart directed toward you? Why do the many little things I want to do, and the many people I know, keep crowding my mind, even during the hours that I am totally free to be with you and you alone? Why does my mind wander off in so many directions, and why does my heart desire the things that lead me astray?... The only thing you ask of me is not to hide from you, not to run away in despair, not to act as if you were a relentless despot. Take my tired body, my confused mind, and my restless soul into your arms and give me rest, simple quiet rest.
(Henri Nouwen)


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a prayer for a broken world



God of love and mercy, 
Look upon our hurting world with compassion.

Mitigate the weight of pain, conflict, and division in our world.
Where there is brokenness, bring a blessing of wholeness. 
Where there is hatred, let your love break through.

Where there is fear, grant your courage and steady peace.

Give wisdom to those in authority, that healing might come. 
Soften the hearts of all people so that kindness may flourish.

Start with each of us, Lord, mend our own broken places. 
Use our hands to bring hope to those around us.

In your beautiful name, we pray.

Amen.


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