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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Silent Prayer
Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." (John 11:41b-42)
Isn't interesting that Jesus prayed out loud for the benefit of those around Him? Even more amazing is how He said that God always hears Him. Of course we too can pray silent prayers because God is omniscient.. He hears those prayers offered in our hearts and minds. I find it so comforting to know that we pray to a God such as this.
My challenge to you today is offer up silent prayers as you walk out your day. Stay in communication with the Lord.. never can tell.. He may speak to you.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Isn't interesting that Jesus prayed out loud for the benefit of those around Him? Even more amazing is how He said that God always hears Him. Of course we too can pray silent prayers because God is omniscient.. He hears those prayers offered in our hearts and minds. I find it so comforting to know that we pray to a God such as this.
My challenge to you today is offer up silent prayers as you walk out your day. Stay in communication with the Lord.. never can tell.. He may speak to you.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
The Joy of Salvation
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
(Psalm 51:10-12)
As we were singing these verses from Psalm 51 at our city jail on Tuesday night I was reminded of a sin from my past. I started feeling bad about that sin and out of the blue the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked me this question: "Is it under the blood?" I am not sure that I can express the overwhelming joy that arose in my heart at that moment. The joy of God's salvation comes when the Holy Spirit speaks to us reminding that we are forgiven.
Pray the words of this wonderful psalm with me today.. lay your sins and mistakes at the cross.. and listen for that inner voice of His Spirit speaking words of forgiveness and wholeness.
Amen
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And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
(Psalm 51:10-12)
As we were singing these verses from Psalm 51 at our city jail on Tuesday night I was reminded of a sin from my past. I started feeling bad about that sin and out of the blue the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked me this question: "Is it under the blood?" I am not sure that I can express the overwhelming joy that arose in my heart at that moment. The joy of God's salvation comes when the Holy Spirit speaks to us reminding that we are forgiven.
Pray the words of this wonderful psalm with me today.. lay your sins and mistakes at the cross.. and listen for that inner voice of His Spirit speaking words of forgiveness and wholeness.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
With All My Heart
With all my heart I praise the LORD,
and with all that I am I praise his holy name!
With all my heart I praise the LORD!
I will never forget how kind he has been.
The LORD forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
and protects us from death.
His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.
Each day that we live, he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength of a young eagle.
(Psalm 103:1-5 ESV)
When it comes to the giving of thanks and praise this psalm is one of the greatest passages in all of scriptures. It read likes a poetic prayer. I read it to about even inmates on Tuesday night at a jail in Kansas City. Having a heart of praise and thanksgiving will help you get through difficult times when nothing else will.
Join me in praying and praising these verses to the Lord.. thanking Him for how He has healed and forgiven us.. how He protects and strenthens us.. for the kindness He has shown us.. and for His great love.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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and with all that I am I praise his holy name!
With all my heart I praise the LORD!
I will never forget how kind he has been.
The LORD forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
and protects us from death.
His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.
Each day that we live, he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength of a young eagle.
(Psalm 103:1-5 ESV)
When it comes to the giving of thanks and praise this psalm is one of the greatest passages in all of scriptures. It read likes a poetic prayer. I read it to about even inmates on Tuesday night at a jail in Kansas City. Having a heart of praise and thanksgiving will help you get through difficult times when nothing else will.
Join me in praying and praising these verses to the Lord.. thanking Him for how He has healed and forgiven us.. how He protects and strenthens us.. for the kindness He has shown us.. and for His great love.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
With a Grateful Heart
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
The Lord Remembered
The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” (1 Samuel 1:19-21)
This is a follow-up to yesterday's post about Hannah's prayer. It love it when I read that the Lord remembered Hannah and her prayer. So often we feel that our prayers are forgotten.. and often we feel forgotten. In times like these we need to take comfort knowing that we are not forgotten. Hannah prayed for a long time but in His time God remembered Hannah and answered her prayer.
Father we confess that we are so often clueless when it comes to your timing. Help us to remember Hannah and the many others who's prayers were answered in your timing. And until your answer comes we will continue to offer praise to your name.
Amen
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This is a follow-up to yesterday's post about Hannah's prayer. It love it when I read that the Lord remembered Hannah and her prayer. So often we feel that our prayers are forgotten.. and often we feel forgotten. In times like these we need to take comfort knowing that we are not forgotten. Hannah prayed for a long time but in His time God remembered Hannah and answered her prayer.
Father we confess that we are so often clueless when it comes to your timing. Help us to remember Hannah and the many others who's prayers were answered in your timing. And until your answer comes we will continue to offer praise to your name.
Amen
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Praying Our Heart's Desire
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)
Jesus once said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.. I think that we can also say that the heart prays out of that abundance. I love how in this verse we see that Paul had a deep desire in his heart for the spiritual need his fellow Jews.. and this desire caused him to pray. I have often found that the state of my prayer life is reflective of the state of my heart. Maybe our prayer life is a warning sign of a cold heart?
Dear Father of our hearts, we confess to you that our desire is not always abundant with the spiritual needs of those who need to know you. We ask you to heal our hearts and ignite a passion for the spiritual needs of others. Come Holy Spirit and set our hearts afire and give us grace to pray for those in spiritual need.
Amen
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Jesus once said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.. I think that we can also say that the heart prays out of that abundance. I love how in this verse we see that Paul had a deep desire in his heart for the spiritual need his fellow Jews.. and this desire caused him to pray. I have often found that the state of my prayer life is reflective of the state of my heart. Maybe our prayer life is a warning sign of a cold heart?
Dear Father of our hearts, we confess to you that our desire is not always abundant with the spiritual needs of those who need to know you. We ask you to heal our hearts and ignite a passion for the spiritual needs of others. Come Holy Spirit and set our hearts afire and give us grace to pray for those in spiritual need.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Prayer of Jabez
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
A few years ago a book was written about this prayer deconstructing the sentiments in this prayer. I think that this prayer is very typical of many of our prayers.. focused on "personal" success and protection. I think that the prayer is included in scripture not so much as an example of how to pray but more as an example of how some people pray.
Father we ask that you would bless "us" and enlarge "our" territory. We ask for your hand to be with "us" and that you would watch over and protect "us".
Amen.
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A few years ago a book was written about this prayer deconstructing the sentiments in this prayer. I think that this prayer is very typical of many of our prayers.. focused on "personal" success and protection. I think that the prayer is included in scripture not so much as an example of how to pray but more as an example of how some people pray.
Father we ask that you would bless "us" and enlarge "our" territory. We ask for your hand to be with "us" and that you would watch over and protect "us".
Amen.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Praying in the Spirit
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)
Prayer can often become rote and boring when the Holy Spirit is left out. The apostle in this verse tells us that when the Spirit is involved prayers are very diverse. As we quiet our minds He often intercedes with us and through us for the needs of the saints. It is a matter of having our innermost being tuned in to Him.
Come Holy Spirit. Teach us to pray. Thank you for your presence in us.. for counseling us.. for comforting us. Come Holy Spirit.
Amen
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Prayer can often become rote and boring when the Holy Spirit is left out. The apostle in this verse tells us that when the Spirit is involved prayers are very diverse. As we quiet our minds He often intercedes with us and through us for the needs of the saints. It is a matter of having our innermost being tuned in to Him.
Come Holy Spirit. Teach us to pray. Thank you for your presence in us.. for counseling us.. for comforting us. Come Holy Spirit.
Amen
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Praying for our Protectors
O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. (Psalm 12:7)
This simple prayer (below) was emailed to me. I liked the protect as they protect part of the prayer. Often God uses protectors to keep us safe. Please join me in praying for soldiers, policemen and others that protect us and keep us safe.
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. In Jesus name we ask.
Amen
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This simple prayer (below) was emailed to me. I liked the protect as they protect part of the prayer. Often God uses protectors to keep us safe. Please join me in praying for soldiers, policemen and others that protect us and keep us safe.
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. In Jesus name we ask.
Amen
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Yours is the Kingdom
I thought that I would end this miniseries highlighting the verses of the Lord's prayer with this two minute vocal rendition by Judith Durham.
My favorite part of this prayer and song is the ending.. this is indeed a "for ever" prayer. Join with me in affirming these words in prayer:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
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My favorite part of this prayer and song is the ending.. this is indeed a "for ever" prayer. Join with me in affirming these words in prayer:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
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A Russian's Prayer
Occasionally I like to post a prayer from another follower of Christ. Today's prayer comes via the blog of Michael Hyatt.. I edited to improve readability.
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day and all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray thou thyself in me. Amen. --Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow (1782–1867)
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O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day and all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray thou thyself in me. Amen. --Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow (1782–1867)
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Heavenly Wisdom
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:5-8 NLT)
This passage is a companion to that passage in Proverbs 3:5-8 that speaks of trusting God and not leaning on our own understanding. These verses speaks to our need to abandon earthly wisdom when we ask God to give us heavenly wisdom. It is difficult because for so much of our lives we have lived our lives being directed by our brainy heads. So often we look for wisdom from without forgetting that His Spirit lives within.
Father, I confess that I don't have the wisdom I need and I desperately need Your wisdom today. I need Your help to abandon my hope in this world. I need Your wisdom to sort out my broken heart and to move forward in hope. I ask for wisdom today dear Lord and confess my trust in You.. help me to hear what You are saying.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
This passage is a companion to that passage in Proverbs 3:5-8 that speaks of trusting God and not leaning on our own understanding. These verses speaks to our need to abandon earthly wisdom when we ask God to give us heavenly wisdom. It is difficult because for so much of our lives we have lived our lives being directed by our brainy heads. So often we look for wisdom from without forgetting that His Spirit lives within.
Father, I confess that I don't have the wisdom I need and I desperately need Your wisdom today. I need Your help to abandon my hope in this world. I need Your wisdom to sort out my broken heart and to move forward in hope. I ask for wisdom today dear Lord and confess my trust in You.. help me to hear what You are saying.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
An Aging Veterans Prayer
AN AGING VETERANS PRAYER by JOSEPH P.MARTINO
"America i loved you in my youth,with all my heart and soul....And i still believe in what you stand for,now that i have grown grey and old.
We live in a republic where freedom of speech, justice,liberty and equality for all, are the mortar, brick,foundation and cornerstone of our great democracy.
Precious guidlines and undeniable truths that our founding fathers weaved and express so eloquently in the U.S.CONSTITUTION.
Principles to strive for and live by not for just the present moment,but for a lifetime.Every second, minute,hour and day of each and every passing year.
Our past and present veterans blood was shed and flesh was torn on forign battle fields in defense of these shining truths and principles so others should remain free.
So please keep us vets in your heart felt thoughts and prayers for we are growing old,you see.
Liberty and freedom comes at a high cost and is never really free,For without the sacrifice of our brave armed forces there would be no liberty.
So,always remember the one's who fell in combat and the aging veterans who still remain... and when you meet and greet them tell them their heroic efforts in defense of freedom and liberty were not fought in vain."
Copyright JOSEPH P.MARTINO 2005
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"America i loved you in my youth,with all my heart and soul....And i still believe in what you stand for,now that i have grown grey and old.
We live in a republic where freedom of speech, justice,liberty and equality for all, are the mortar, brick,foundation and cornerstone of our great democracy.
Precious guidlines and undeniable truths that our founding fathers weaved and express so eloquently in the U.S.CONSTITUTION.
Principles to strive for and live by not for just the present moment,but for a lifetime.Every second, minute,hour and day of each and every passing year.
Our past and present veterans blood was shed and flesh was torn on forign battle fields in defense of these shining truths and principles so others should remain free.
So please keep us vets in your heart felt thoughts and prayers for we are growing old,you see.
Liberty and freedom comes at a high cost and is never really free,For without the sacrifice of our brave armed forces there would be no liberty.
So,always remember the one's who fell in combat and the aging veterans who still remain... and when you meet and greet them tell them their heroic efforts in defense of freedom and liberty were not fought in vain."
Copyright JOSEPH P.MARTINO 2005
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Reconciling Forgiveness
Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. (Matthew 6:12)
There is no sweeter request than the request to be forgiven. The request, whether it is directed at God or to a person, is one of deep humility. The request acknowledges wrong doing and confesses the need to be reconciled. Interesting how part of the prayer commits to forgiving others.. the one reconciled must also accept all requests for reconciliation.
Dear Father of all forgiveness.. we come to you acknowledging the wrong we have done (confess specific wrongs) and ask to be reconciled to you afresh. We commit to being agents of reconciliation and ask for your help to forgive those who have wronged us.
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
There is no sweeter request than the request to be forgiven. The request, whether it is directed at God or to a person, is one of deep humility. The request acknowledges wrong doing and confesses the need to be reconciled. Interesting how part of the prayer commits to forgiving others.. the one reconciled must also accept all requests for reconciliation.
Dear Father of all forgiveness.. we come to you acknowledging the wrong we have done (confess specific wrongs) and ask to be reconciled to you afresh. We commit to being agents of reconciliation and ask for your help to forgive those who have wronged us.
Amen
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As Above, So Below
'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Here is the way that The Message bible expresses this verse:
Father we earnestly ask for heaven to come to earth. We pray that your kingdom would come.. that good news would be proclaimed to the poor.. healing would come to the sick.. those in bondage would be set free.. and broken hearts would be mended.
Amen
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Here is the way that The Message bible expresses this verse:
Set the world right; Do what's best-- as above, so below.When we ask for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done we are asking for a heavenly influence to come into our lives and our world. Jesus included this as He taught His followers to pray because He knew what heaven is like. Often we do not understand what this looks like. It is at those times when we need to pray those words.
Father we earnestly ask for heaven to come to earth. We pray that your kingdom would come.. that good news would be proclaimed to the poor.. healing would come to the sick.. those in bondage would be set free.. and broken hearts would be mended.
Amen
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Praying for our President Elect
Lee Grady offers ten ways that we can pray for Barack Obama.. here are a few of those ways:
Amen.
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- Pray for his protection.
- Cover his wife and daughters in prayer.
- Pray that he will govern with God’s wisdom.
- Ask God to keep our him humble.
- Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him.
- Ask for the spirit of reconciliation.
Amen.
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Healing Our Land
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2Chronicles 7:14)
This divine injunction was directed at the children of Israel but it is good advice for us today. Keywords for His people are humility, prayer and repentance. If God is to heal our land then.. in this day after our national election.. those of us who name Christ as Lord must humble ourselves, repent and seek the Lord. It is not up to our president to bring healing.. it is up to us.
Father of all creation, we seek you today and turn from the ways that have separated us from each other. We confess that we have been proud - bring humility to our hearts as we repent of pride dear God. Please cause each of us.. in prayer.. to stand behind our leaders.. at every level.. in government and the body of Christ. We ask for Your miraculous healing to come to our land.
Amen.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
This divine injunction was directed at the children of Israel but it is good advice for us today. Keywords for His people are humility, prayer and repentance. If God is to heal our land then.. in this day after our national election.. those of us who name Christ as Lord must humble ourselves, repent and seek the Lord. It is not up to our president to bring healing.. it is up to us.
Father of all creation, we seek you today and turn from the ways that have separated us from each other. We confess that we have been proud - bring humility to our hearts as we repent of pride dear God. Please cause each of us.. in prayer.. to stand behind our leaders.. at every level.. in government and the body of Christ. We ask for Your miraculous healing to come to our land.
Amen.
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with me.
Prayer for the Election
I received an email message this morning from Chip, my old friend, one-time church history teacher and missionary to Kenya that has some good thoughts about tomorrow's election. Here is the note in part:
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Tomorrow is Election Day in the US. Scriptures indicate that God appoints kings, rulers and those in positions of authority in governments. I believe that in a democracy that means that God has appointed the citizens to rule and have authority. I don’t believe that God will get even one vote to cast on Tuesday. He has already made his choice – the citizens of the United States.Please join me in saying an amen to Chip's prayer and making that trip to the voting booth if you have not already.
Although God does not vote in the election, please do so yourself if you are a US citizen. Chari, Amanda, and I have all voted already via absentee ballot. If we do not exercise our responsibility to vote, we are, in effect, abdicating the authority that God has bestowed upon us. I hope you can join us in praying that:
• God will grant the people of the US, wisdom, insight, and understanding to make good decisions
• The citizens of the USA will take their responsibility seriously to vote for the candidate of their choice
• Both those who are happy and those who are disappointed in the results, will reach out to each other and purposively engage in the process of dialog and collaboration to create policies, programmes, priorities, and procedures that will facilitate the wellbeing of people, both in the USA and around the world.
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The Prayer List
Please post a comment here with a request for prayer and we will pray. Also please feel free to select one of the links below and pray the prayer included in that post.
Links to Specific Prayers
Links to Specific Prayers - Prayer for Broken Relationships
- Prayer for Chronic Illness
- Prayer for Contentment
- Prayer for God's Will
- Prayer for Healing
- Prayer for Human Rights
- Prayer for Humility
- Prayer for Job Seekers
- Prayer for Neighbors
- Prayer for Parents
- Prayer for Parents and Children
- Prayer for Perspective
- Prayer for Prodigals
- Prayer for Protection
- Prayer for Those who Grieve
- Prayer for Your Family
- An Irish Blessing
- Desire for Wisdom
- Evening Prayer
- Giving Thanks
- Hannah's Prayer
- Morning Prayer
- Mother Teresa Prayer
- Peace in the Storm
- Prayer as an Offering
- The Love Chapter
- Wesley's Covenant Prayer
When a believing person prays, great things happen. (James 5:16b NCV)
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