Daily Prayer: December 2010

A New Year

Dear Lord,
A new year is about to dawn, a new beginning, a new chance to be made fresh and clean.
This year I ask that You would work in the lives of my children and other family members who are wandering from the fold. I pray You would give them eyes to see the beauty of Your creation, and especially the wonder of salvation. I pray, dear Lord, that they would be held in the palm of Your hand.
I ask that You would fill me with more love and mercy toward those around me, that I would smile more often, listen more carefully, and complain far less.
I thank you for the blessing of new family members and the heritage left to us by those who are no longer here. I pray that I would learn to treasure each one You bring into my circle and that there would be no regrets down the road.
Amen

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The Sculpter's Hand

Dear Lord,
These past few weeks have shown me that I am not the person I would like to be, nor am I yet the person you would have me to be. This is not a terrible thing, just a realization that You have more work to do in my heart. Help me to endure as you chisel off sharp edges and smooth rough corners.Thank you that I am not the same person I was ten years ago, or even five. You are doing Your work in me and I am grateful.
Amen

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A Prayer for the New Year

The Woman of Samaria ~ John 4

O Lord, You were so often accused of associating with the wrong people. Help me to understand that there are no "wrong" people. Everyone I meet matters to You and therefore must be treated with love and respect. This is the wonder of Your grace, that You reach out to those with the worst reputations ~~those who need You most ~ and call them to follow You. Place your compassion in my heart for all who cross my path, so that I may see them through your eyes and speak Your words of grace to them. Amen

Amen

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Snowy Prayer

A prayer from the folks at BeliefNet..

"God, protect the millions of people impacted by this winter storm on the East Coast. Bring healing to those who have suffered from accidents. Bring peace to those who are afraid. Give patience to the many who feel stressed by travel disruptions. In Jesus."

Amen

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Simeon's Prayer

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
(Luke 3:29-32)
These were the words Simeon prayed when he first saw the baby Jesus.
Join me in rejoicing in prayer on this Christmas Day!

We thank you Lord that we too have seen your salvation.. we give praise to you for the revelation of your Son to us.. glory be to you Lord God.

Amen

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Prayer for Iraqi Christians

Iraqi Christians from the south of the country are fleeing to havens in the north and those with means are leaving Iraq all together. The renewed campaign of violence against Christians is exacerbated by a growing fear that Iraqi security forces are unable - even unwilling - to protect them.

The flight including thousands of Christian residents from Baghdad and Mosul, followed an October 31st siege of a church in Baghdad that killed 51 worshipers and 2 priests. Subsequent bombings and assassinations singling out Christians. This new exodus highlights the continuing displacement of Iraqi Christians despite improved security in the nation as a whole.

"God, we pray for the Christians in Iraq. We pray for their safety. We pray for protection. Send your angels to guard their lives and their hearts. Give them courage and hope. God, we pray that the leaders of Iraq would have courage to resist the forces that would persecute your people. Bring a spirit of peace on this war-weary nation and her people. We pray that this season would see a new discovery of true peace, and that the Prince of Peace would reign, even there..."

Amen

These thoughts and this prayer come, with my thanks, from the folks at BeliefNet.

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The Ravensbruck Prayer

Today's prayer comes from Sheri's blog. It is a prayer that was found scrawled on a piece of wrapping paper in the Ravensbruck Concentration camp (the only major Nazi concentration camp for women). Some sources say it was found on the body or in the clothing of a dead child.

Lord..

Remember not only the men and women of good will
but all those of ill will.

Do not only remember all the sufferings they have subjected us to.

Remember the fruits we brought forth thanks to this suffering –

Our comradeship

Our loyalty

Our humility

Our courage and generosity,

the greatness of heart that all of this inspired.

And when they come to judgement,
let all those fruits we have borne
be their reward
and their forgiveness.

Amen

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AMAZING GRACE

"I am not what I ought to be.
I am not what I wish to be.
I am not even what I hope to be.
But by the cross of Christ
I am not what I was.

~John Newton

Amen

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White as Snow

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."
Isaiah 1:18

Dear Lord God,
Thank you for Jesus and His cleansing blood, for the promise of forgiveness, and eternal life with You.

Amen

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THE WORD BECAME FLESH

"Men overlooked a baby's birth
When love unnoticed came to earth;
And later, seeking in the skies,
Passed by a man in workman's guise.
Only children paused to stare
While God Incarnate made a chair"
~Mary Tatlow

The Word has become flesh and dwelt among us.

"Lord Jesus, what a wonder it is that You entered the human race as You did. You chose to incarnate Yourself through the genealogy of mixed tribes and races, bluebloods and bullies, heroes and harlots, saints and sinners. Thank you for representing each person on earth, for identifying with every one of us. Thank You, Lord, for reaching out to me here and now, right where I am. I love You. Amen"

Taken from the Worship Bible

Amen

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An advent prayer

Lord, as the day of Christmas approaches, help us remember the true meaning of the season. Help us not to bury the Christ child in a sea of tinsel and wrapping paper. Enable us to make room for Him in the inn of our hearts.

Amen

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Consuming Prayer

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Praying Psalm 98

Our hearts are filled with your song. We sing of the marvelous things you have done!
Our hearts are filled with images of your power and the workings of your salvation.
We give thanks that you Lord have made known your salvation to us.

We praise you, for you have revealed your righteousness in the sight of all nations.

In hard times we remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to your children.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation and goodness of our God.
With all of creation we make a joyful noise to you O Lord of creation.

We break forth into joyous song and sing praises as we remember our blessings.

With musical instruments we exalt you and extol the greatness of our God.
With guitars, keyboards, drums and all manner of instruments went we offer praise.
We join with the seas, the hill and all their inhabitants returning worship to our God.

We come before you with thanksgiving for all you have done and we bless your name!

Amen

If you would like to read my other prayerful interpretations from the psalms please click here. These are not word for word prayers but paraphrased thoughts from the psalms.

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Patience

Dear Lord,
Is there any way the patience could kick in here, cause I'm not sure I'm ready for any more tribulation and my family needs a mom who is nice.
Thanks so much.
Amen

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As we celebrate this holy season, I wish for you all the love and peace that the Christ of Christmas offers. May He truly be your focus this joyful time of the year. Here are a few ways to help us have a "Christ-centered Christmas. When you do this, He is sure to bless you!

Keep those traditions which emphasize the birth of Christ.
"Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have
been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."
2 Thessalonians 2:15

Share the Christmas Story with at least
one stranger this Christmas
"And when they had see it, they made known
abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child."
Luke 2:17

Speak softly to the harried clerk behind the counter.
"A soft answer turneth away wrath:
but grievous words stir up anger."
Proverbs 15:1

This is my prayer and desire this Christmas Season ~~ Will you join me?

Amen

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