The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (Psalm 23:1)
This name of God is captured by the word "shepherd". I find this to be a great description of God.. comforting to know that He is a God who watches over His flock.. feeds them.. protects them.. sleeps with them.. never leaves them. He knows us by name and want to hear our prayers.
For caring for and watching over us.. for protecting us from dangers know and unknown.. for always being their and hearing our prayers.. we praise You.. we love You.. and give our lives anew to You our Dear Shepherd.
Amen
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Yahweh-Shalom
And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”). (Judges 6:24a)
When I meditate on the names of God this one is especially comforting. So often life is anything but peaceful and we need to ask the Lord to grant His shalom. Below is how Paul put it in Romans 15:33 - pray it for yourself.. for someone you love.. for someone on the prayer list:
The God of peace be with you all.
Amen.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
When I meditate on the names of God this one is especially comforting. So often life is anything but peaceful and we need to ask the Lord to grant His shalom. Below is how Paul put it in Romans 15:33 - pray it for yourself.. for someone you love.. for someone on the prayer list:
The God of peace be with you all.
Amen.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Praying with Confidence
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
I love this passage of scripture. It says that we can present our prayers with confidence. What you may ask can we be confident of? The answer id simple. When we pray we can be confident that we will receive mercy and find grace to help us. Notice that it did not say that our prayers would always be answered the way we prayed them.. just that mercy and grace would be given.
I bring my needs to you today dear Father.. I bring my hurting back to you.. I bring Ann's health to You.. I bring all of my needs to you.. I trust You with my needs.. and thank You that You will give us grace and mercy.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
I love this passage of scripture. It says that we can present our prayers with confidence. What you may ask can we be confident of? The answer id simple. When we pray we can be confident that we will receive mercy and find grace to help us. Notice that it did not say that our prayers would always be answered the way we prayed them.. just that mercy and grace would be given.
I bring my needs to you today dear Father.. I bring my hurting back to you.. I bring Ann's health to You.. I bring all of my needs to you.. I trust You with my needs.. and thank You that You will give us grace and mercy.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
The Magnificat
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
(Luke 1:46-55)
Have you ever prayed these words that Mary said when she visited her cousin Elizabeth? Moved by the Holy Spirit a young virgin Mary prayed and praised these glorious words. Pray them with me today.
Amen
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Prayer for Faith
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)
In this two verses Jesus has given us another example of how to pray for ourselves and for others. So often we, like Peter, are proud about our faith and have no clue about how that faith will be tested.. and about how weak our faith really is.
Father we acknowledge that we so often have faith in our faith. Grace us to flow with your humility. We pray that our faith may not fail.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
In this two verses Jesus has given us another example of how to pray for ourselves and for others. So often we, like Peter, are proud about our faith and have no clue about how that faith will be tested.. and about how weak our faith really is.
Father we acknowledge that we so often have faith in our faith. Grace us to flow with your humility. We pray that our faith may not fail.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Blessings Prayer
Often it is appropriate to speak a blessing when we pray. I love the way that David begins this psalm (below). In prayer we can ask the Lord to answer the prayers of others.. to protect and help them.. and grant heir heart desires. These prayers are effectual and help in ways that we don't understand. Please join me in praying these verses for someone you know..
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
(Psalm 20:1-5)
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
(Psalm 20:1-5)
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Refuge in Prayer
O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
Psalm 7:1-2
Sometimes prayer can be a place of refuge. Many times I have found solace and kind of protection when I have prayed. In some of the most difficult seasons I have felt peace in the storm. Jesus promised us an easy yoke when we come to Him.
In you we take refuge today dear Father! We ask you for protection for our bodies, for our souls and for our entire beings!
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
Psalm 7:1-2
Sometimes prayer can be a place of refuge. Many times I have found solace and kind of protection when I have prayed. In some of the most difficult seasons I have felt peace in the storm. Jesus promised us an easy yoke when we come to Him.
In you we take refuge today dear Father! We ask you for protection for our bodies, for our souls and for our entire beings!
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Weary Prayers
Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who will give you praise?
I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.
(Psalm 6: 4-7)
This passage is a follow-up to the one yesterday that spoke to brutally honest prayers. I think that there are seasons of weeping.. times when life is difficult.. days when we need to cast our cares on the Lord and trust Him with our weariness and worry.
We lift our worries to you Father.. our cares.. our tears.. our moans.. our lives. Like the psalmist we ask you to deliver our lives. We confess that it is difficult to trust You today.. we commit our weariness to you and ask for help.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who will give you praise?
I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.
(Psalm 6: 4-7)
This passage is a follow-up to the one yesterday that spoke to brutally honest prayers. I think that there are seasons of weeping.. times when life is difficult.. days when we need to cast our cares on the Lord and trust Him with our weariness and worry.
We lift our worries to you Father.. our cares.. our tears.. our moans.. our lives. Like the psalmist we ask you to deliver our lives. We confess that it is difficult to trust You today.. we commit our weariness to you and ask for help.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Brutally Honest Prayers
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?
(Psalm 6:1-3)
I love Psalm 6 because it is so honest! I love how David tells God in brutal fashion how he is in pain of body and soul.. he asks God to not be angry with him for speaking to Him this way. I am slowly learning how much God wants this type of honesty from me. I confess that it is sometimes difficult to interact with Him in this fashion because I think that it is a bit disrespectful. In truth this kind of honesty is very respectful.
Father, like David in this psalm I am asking you how long.. how long will my heart ache for my disabled wife? Be gracious to us, O Lord, for we are weary.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
nor discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?
(Psalm 6:1-3)
I love Psalm 6 because it is so honest! I love how David tells God in brutal fashion how he is in pain of body and soul.. he asks God to not be angry with him for speaking to Him this way. I am slowly learning how much God wants this type of honesty from me. I confess that it is sometimes difficult to interact with Him in this fashion because I think that it is a bit disrespectful. In truth this kind of honesty is very respectful.
Father, like David in this psalm I am asking you how long.. how long will my heart ache for my disabled wife? Be gracious to us, O Lord, for we are weary.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Desperate Prayers
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
(Psalm 5:1-2)
Many times we see the psalmist begin this way. It is encouraging to know that people of faith often offer prayers when they are desperate for answers. Often these kinds of prayers are offered with cries and groanings.
We ask you today Father to consider our groanings and cries.. we confess you as our God and King.. we commit our hearts and lives to you.. we trust you.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
(Psalm 5:1-2)
Many times we see the psalmist begin this way. It is encouraging to know that people of faith often offer prayers when they are desperate for answers. Often these kinds of prayers are offered with cries and groanings.
We ask you today Father to consider our groanings and cries.. we confess you as our God and King.. we commit our hearts and lives to you.. we trust you.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Two or Three and Jesus
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:19-20)
This is an amazing verse. It seems to indicate that Jesus is uniquely present when believers gather together. It encourages me to pray when I am around others.
Jesus we ask you to manifest your presence in us and help us to experience you when we pray with others. Teach us to pray with each other.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
This is an amazing verse. It seems to indicate that Jesus is uniquely present when believers gather together. It encourages me to pray when I am around others.
Jesus we ask you to manifest your presence in us and help us to experience you when we pray with others. Teach us to pray with each other.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Houses of Prayer
"My house shall be called a house of prayer" (Mathew 21:13)
There is a very well known ministry here in town that is focused on prayer.. it actually has "House of Prayer" in it's name. I like that Jesus calls us to pray together in houses.. in groups. Corporate prayer has a different dynamic than personal prayer does. As one person prays another is inspired to join in and before you know it the Holy Spirit is moving amongst the group as people pray.
Father we ask you for opportunities to pray with each other.. lead us to places where we can pray together.. to houses of prayer.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
There is a very well known ministry here in town that is focused on prayer.. it actually has "House of Prayer" in it's name. I like that Jesus calls us to pray together in houses.. in groups. Corporate prayer has a different dynamic than personal prayer does. As one person prays another is inspired to join in and before you know it the Holy Spirit is moving amongst the group as people pray.
Father we ask you for opportunities to pray with each other.. lead us to places where we can pray together.. to houses of prayer.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Short Prayers
And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (Matthew 6:7)
Some of the most effective prayers you can pray are short and to the point. God knows what is in your heart. Often it is best to be brief and direct when you pray.
God help us to pray.. help us to pray honest prayers.. help us to not hide our true prayers in many words.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Some of the most effective prayers you can pray are short and to the point. God knows what is in your heart. Often it is best to be brief and direct when you pray.
God help us to pray.. help us to pray honest prayers.. help us to not hide our true prayers in many words.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
You Pray for Me
..keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me..
(Ephesians 6:18b-19a)
Not sure anyone noticed that I didn't post here yesterday.. I did not realize it until today. It has been a rough few days for me lately. In times like these I am so thankful that other folks (like you) are praying for me.
Father, thank you for friends who pray for me when I don't have the words to pray.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
(Ephesians 6:18b-19a)
Not sure anyone noticed that I didn't post here yesterday.. I did not realize it until today. It has been a rough few days for me lately. In times like these I am so thankful that other folks (like you) are praying for me.
Father, thank you for friends who pray for me when I don't have the words to pray.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
The Spirit Prays for Me
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
I have often embraced this verse theologically but as of late I am beginning to embrace it at a much deeper level. So often my prayers of late have looked a lot like groaning.. I seem to hurt at a very deep level. It is good to know that the Holy Spirit is groaning inside of me and communicating my needs to the Father.
Come Holy Spirit.. I desperately need You and Your touch in my life.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
I have often embraced this verse theologically but as of late I am beginning to embrace it at a much deeper level. So often my prayers of late have looked a lot like groaning.. I seem to hurt at a very deep level. It is good to know that the Holy Spirit is groaning inside of me and communicating my needs to the Father.
Come Holy Spirit.. I desperately need You and Your touch in my life.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Jesus Prayed for Me
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 33:31-32)
These days I have struggled a lot with prayer and praying. In times like these it is good to know that Jesus prayed (past tense) for Peter. I think that it is safe to say that Jesus has also prayed for us.. for me.. that our.. that my faith may not fail.
Hallelujah!
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
These days I have struggled a lot with prayer and praying. In times like these it is good to know that Jesus prayed (past tense) for Peter. I think that it is safe to say that Jesus has also prayed for us.. for me.. that our.. that my faith may not fail.
Hallelujah!
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Releasing My Burdens
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)
I have a picture about what it looks like when I cast my burden on the Lord. I see a person with a fishing pole casting their bait into a stream. I think that is how I cast my burdens.. still holding on to the pole.. still holding on to my burden. Possibly I hold on to the rod because I don't want to lose control?
God I need your help to know how to let go of my burdens and release control to You. In faith I release them and control to you today. Teach me how to pray.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
I have a picture about what it looks like when I cast my burden on the Lord. I see a person with a fishing pole casting their bait into a stream. I think that is how I cast my burdens.. still holding on to the pole.. still holding on to my burden. Possibly I hold on to the rod because I don't want to lose control?
God I need your help to know how to let go of my burdens and release control to You. In faith I release them and control to you today. Teach me how to pray.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
An Advent Prayer
The Advent season started on Sunday. I loved this Christmas prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson. I'll try to add a few more as the season progresses. Please join me in praying this beautiful prayer.
Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Releasing Anxiety
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
I have to admit that Ann's health and physical strength has me concerned.. the Christian word for worried. I spend much of my time these days releasing my worry to the Lord. This verse challenges me.. challenges my humility and my trust of God. Join me today in simply releasing our anxieties to Him.
Father.. I first confess that I am worried about Ann.. I fear for her future. With everything inside of me and all that I know to do I cast my fears and worries heavenward. I confess that I am not able to change her health but also confess that You are able and trust you and trust Your love for Ann. Fill me today with Your Spirit dear Father.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
I have to admit that Ann's health and physical strength has me concerned.. the Christian word for worried. I spend much of my time these days releasing my worry to the Lord. This verse challenges me.. challenges my humility and my trust of God. Join me today in simply releasing our anxieties to Him.
Father.. I first confess that I am worried about Ann.. I fear for her future. With everything inside of me and all that I know to do I cast my fears and worries heavenward. I confess that I am not able to change her health but also confess that You are able and trust you and trust Your love for Ann. Fill me today with Your Spirit dear Father.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Blessings That We Need
Lorna, my blog friend across the sea, offered this prayer (adapted from a Franciscan prayer) the other day:
“May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our heart.
May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression and the exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, and starvation, so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.”
I love this prayer because seems to put a great perspective on the kind of blessings that we really need.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
“May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our heart.
May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression and the exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, and starvation, so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.”
I love this prayer because seems to put a great perspective on the kind of blessings that we really need.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Prayers as Incense
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8)
In this majestic picture of heaven we get a divine view of our prayers. Yesterday I spoke of prayer as an offering. Again we see this idea as prayer is spoken of in this way. In the Old Testament incense was used on the altar as a means of worship. As we pray a beautiful aroma of worship is released in heaven.. our prayers.. even the unanswered ones.. are beautiful to God.
I am amazed when I think of this aspect of my prayers Lord. Once again I come to you asking for you kingdom to come.. your will to be done.. and heavenly incense to be released.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
In this majestic picture of heaven we get a divine view of our prayers. Yesterday I spoke of prayer as an offering. Again we see this idea as prayer is spoken of in this way. In the Old Testament incense was used on the altar as a means of worship. As we pray a beautiful aroma of worship is released in heaven.. our prayers.. even the unanswered ones.. are beautiful to God.
I am amazed when I think of this aspect of my prayers Lord. Once again I come to you asking for you kingdom to come.. your will to be done.. and heavenly incense to be released.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
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