Daily Prayer: 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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Praying Psalm 97

We rejoice in your reign Lord!
With all of your heritage we are glad.
Though you seem hidden at times,
We trust in your righteousness and justice.

In confidence we rest in your protection.
Your presence in our lives consumes the enemies of our souls.
Though the earth trembles and mountains melt like wax,
We will rest in your goodness and rejoice in your love.

The heavens proclaim your righteousness Lord.
And all the peoples bear the glory of your image.
While many shamefully put their trust in money and possessions,
We will worship you and hope in your goodness forever.

We your people hear the good news and we are glad.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth.
Though you are exalted and fill all of the universe,
We are in awe of your presence in our hearts.

We confess our need of you Lord. Cause us to hate evil!
Lead us Lord and protect from evil desires.
Thank you for protecting and delivering us!
We praise you for the light and joy in our lives.

We rejoice in you Lord and give thanks to your holy 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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Dear Heavenly Father,

Thanksgiving Day is over and we are into a new season. I ask Your wisdom and guidance as I traverse these next several weeks. I pray I would keep my eyes on Jesus and the real reason He came to be born in the manger so many dark nights ago. I pray I would please and honor Him in the midst of this year's activity. I ask for peace in the midst of the chaos and a desire to follow You.
I pray that I would continue to be thankful, to count my blessing, and pass those blessings on to those around me. And I pray that You would continue to change my selfish heart to be more like You.

Amen

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Psalm 100 ~

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness,
Come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God
It is he who made us, an we are his;
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
And his courts with praise'
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever,
his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Counting My Blessing! Will you join me?

Amen

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Praying Psalm 96

We your people join our hearts across the earth and sing to you Lord.
We sing, we bless your name and tell of your salvation every day.
We declare your glory among the nations.
We extol your marvelous works among all the peoples!

We exalt you Heavenly Father!

Great are you Lord,and greatly to be praised.
You are awesome and we honor you in all of our ways.
Nothing made by man compares to you Lord.
You are the Creator of all that things seen and unseen.

We bless you Sovereign Creator!

We bow down Lord and submit to you our strength.
We come before you with praise and glorify your name.
We bring you gifts of submission, worship and love.
We worship you Lord in the splendor of your holiness.

Great are you Holy Spirit!

We come with shouts and affirmation that "Jesus is Lord"!
Your throne is established forever Lord and the world is your footstool.
Your judgment is perfect and we rejoice in your justice.
We wait for your coming Lord and trust in your judgment.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

Let heaven be glad and let all the earth rejoice.
Let the sea roar with praise and all that fills it show your greatness.
Let the field exult, and everything in it sing for joy.
Let all of the earth praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

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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Thank you, Lord

Dear Lord,
I am a slow learner, but I have come to the place in life, finally, where I understand that pain means something bigger than I can see is going on. Thank you for being in my life, thank you for never ever leaving me alone, and thank you that I can trust You to always be there. Thank you also that mine is not the only life You are working in. Be my strength, Lord, help me through.
Amen

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A prayer to start the day

Lord Jesus, I thank you for this day. I pray you will help me to live this day with my eyes fixed on you. Open my ears to hear your slightest whisper. Open my eyes to see each opportunity to serve you. Let my feet take me where you want me to go and my hands do what you would have me do. And keep watch over my mouth, Lord. Let nothing go into it or out from it that is inconsistent with your will. I pray that all my thoughts, words, and actions will be a consolation to you. I give you praise and thanks for the many gifts you will send me today, including the gift of my small sharing in your Cross. I especially thank you for your mercy, and pray that you will enable me to be an agent of your mercy to each person I meet today.

Amen

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Breathing

Today's prayer comes from my blogging friend Keith at Broken Pilgrim...

The Moravians have a daily devotional guide that I use regularly (okay...semi-regularly...alright, alright!...occasionally). One of the verses for today is Psalm 94:11, which they combined with one of the stanzas from a hymn in their hymnbook (#494...whichever one that is). In the ESV Psalm 94:10b-11 says:

He who teaches man knowledge—
the LORD—knows the thoughts of man,
that they are but a breath.

And then the hymn stanza:

Breathe on me, breath of God,
my will to yours incline,
until this selfish part of me
glows with your fire divine.

God is the source of all. He knows the naked truth…that we are the source of nothing. The question is whether I know that…at least more than in an abstract way?

And if I do, then I must pray as the hymn, lifting up my plea for God's active breath, his breathing, his Spirit…overwhelming all that is not…'right'…in me…until what is in me alone is God's pure fire.

Burn in me.

Amen

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~ THE BIBLE ~

"The Bible~banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it; dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saint. (Charles Colson)

"If you stand in {the Bible}, you'll get kissed by God. It is God's mistletoe."

Today I am praying that God's Word will reach into every dark place and bring light! The Light of the World is JESUS!

Amen

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Lord, help me always to do your will!

Holy Father, remove from my soul, I pray, my own will and graft on it yours so that your will and not mine is always done.

Just as when one cuts a branch from a tree and grafts on a better one, its fruit is also much better, remove from this tree, Oh Father, the little branch of my will and graft on it your holy will; then I will be certain that it will bear beautiful fruit.

~St. Francis de Sales

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Praying Psalm 95

We sing to you Lord and make a joyful noise to you.
You are the rock of our salvation!
We come into your presence with thanksgiving, joy and songs of praise!
For you Lord are is a great God and the King of kings.

We praise you O Lord of lords!

Created by your hands are the depths of the earth.
The heights of the mountains are yours also.
The sea is yours for you made it.
Your hands formed the dry land out of nothing.

We are in awe of you O Creator God!

We come, we worship and we bow down.
We kneel before the Lord, our Maker.
You are our Shepherd and we are the people of your pasture,
We are the sheep of your hand.

We magnify you O Shepherd of our souls!

We await the still small voice of your Spirit.
We pray that our hearts would be soft to you.
We embrace you in our wilderness and trust you.
We bow to your sovereignty in our lives.

You are worthy to be praised O Spirit of the Living God!

Our minds are prone to wander- gather us in Lord.
Our flesh seeks its own glory - humble us dear Father.
Our strength is sometimes misguided - direct our energies Lord.
Our will is often not yours - let your kingdom come and will be done.

Yours is the glory, the power and the kingdom forever!

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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Praying Psalm 94

O Lord, my heart is set on vengeance, my eyes see in vengeful ways.
I want you to judge the earth and bring vengeance on the proud.
I want others to get what they deserve. I want them to pay.
When I see their arrogance I am tempted to want revenge.

Have mercy on me O Lamb of God.

I am hurting Lord and I am wondering how long shall the arrogant prosper.
I tire of the their arrogant words and their boasting.
I am sorrowed when I hear of the murders of the innocents in many lands.
I do not understand how people can treat others so vilely.

Rise up O God of the widow and the fatherless!

Dear Lord, please open the eyes of fools and bring wisdom to their hearts.
Help those who are spiritually deaf to hear your voice.
I am so glad that you hear us. Give us ears to hear.
I rejoice that you see us. Give us eyes to see.

We bless you O Creator in Heaven!

You are God and have the right to discipline all peoples.
You are the great teacher Lord.
You help us to know you and to understand your ways.
You know our thoughts and how limited our vision is.

Wonderful are your teachings Heavenly Father!

We are blessed by your discipline and teaching Lord.
You give us rest in the midst of trouble and calamity.
Your promise is to never leave or forsake is.
We trust you and are counting on your blessed justice.

Great is is your mercy O Lord!

We embrace you today Lord and trust in your protection.
We are counting on your justice and providence.
If you Lord had not been our help, our souls would have languished.
When my foot slips your steadfast love, O Lord, holds me up.

Awesome is your loving protection Lord!

When the cares of my heart weigh me down you cheer my soul.
When I am preoccupied by the sins of others you set my eyes on your love.
When I sorrow for the deaths of the innocents you remind me of Heaven.
When I feel alone and abandoned you encourage my heart with song.

How blessed are you O Spirit of God!

You Lord have become our stronghold.
You Lord are the rock that we take refuge in.
You Lord are righteous in all of your judgments.
You Lord are merciful and your forgiveness in great.

We praise you Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

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.

Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.

Wash Over Me

Dear Lord,

If only dying to self did not come with such a struggle. If only my heart was not so deceitfully wicked. Shine Your light, Lord, into those dark crevices of my heart, scrape away the dirt and all that is not pleasing to You, Father God. Make me clean; put into my soul a desire for holiness that without You is so lacking. Wash me in Your word and make me clean.

Amen

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~Yet Will You Trust Him?

Life has times of prosperity and times of adversity, the straight and the crooked. When your heart is breaking with a burden, do you wait on God?

Have you seen Him in all His majesty and can you say with Habakkuk that the righteous shall live by faith? We all need a faith that perseveres through the times when we can't see what God is doing but we can see Him, and so we say,"Yet will I trust You.

I don't know your Thoughs: Though my parents never understand me or support me . . . . Though I never have a husband . . . . Though my husband/wife disappoint me . . . .Though I'm exhausted . . . . Though I am in pain . . . . Though my child turns away from Christ . . . .Though, though, though. . . . . YET WILL I TRUST THE LORD GOD. HE IS MY STRENGTH.

Faith that can say this, is the faith that will sustain you no matter what comes into your life!

(Taken from Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Linda Dillow)

I just got a phone call that my daughter is taking our grandson Jon (9) to ER with 4.2 fever. Please add him to your prayers.
Amen

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A prayer for understanding... and living up to... our limits

Reinhold Niebuhr was a 20th century theologian who has been credited with authoring the Serenity Prayer. This lesser-known prayer, also written by Niebuhr, is also quite meaningful:

O God, give us grace to walk humbly
and save us from pretension
and every arrogant folly.
You have made us, and not we ourselves.
Help us to remember the limits
of our power and our wisdom,
but help us, also,
to do our duty within the limits
of our power and our wisdom.

- Reinhold Niebuhr

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"God will never leave you empty. If something is taken away, He will replace it with something better. If he denies your request in a certain area, it is because He wishes to give you what is best.

If He asks you to put something down, it is so you can pick up something greater." (Roy Lessin)

Dear Lord, help me always to pray for your perfect will in my life and not settle for something lesser.

Amen

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To the God who multiplied the loaves and fishes...

...today we pray that he will also increase our love of and our longing for him.

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.

I trust in you: strengthen my trust.

I love you: let me love Thee more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
and call on you as my loving protector.

Guide me by your wisdom,
correct me with your justice,
comfort me with your mercy,
protect me with your power.

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts;
to be fixed on you;
my words: to have you for their theme;
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.

- Clement XI

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Your Rod and Staff

Guest Post by John Dobbs:

Dear Lord,

As I take my time praying through this Psalm, I am always caught off guard by the way it touches the dusty corners of my heart. Your Word reaches so throughly into my hurts, my struggles, my weaknesses, my inadequacies, my humanness. Always with Your relentless desire to rescue me from myself … and convincing me that Your love has indeed saved me.

Your rod reminds me that You are perfectly capable of fending all enemies. I’ve been lied to so many times that the truth doesn’t always sound true. The Enemy has filled my mind with a thousand “what ifs” and “if onlys” and “why do you thinks” and other questions designed to raise my doubting heart. It is only when I take my eyes off of You that I can entertain such distractions.

When I see Your words, I am humbled by Your wisdom.

When I see Your deeds, I am breathless in amazement by Your power.

When I see Your love, I am ashamed, but accepting.

When I see Your tomb, I hear the echo of its emptiness.

And then I remember that Your rod comforts me. I do not have to defeat the enemies of the cross, or my life, nor The Wolf, for it has been done.

Your staff reminds me that I am never out of reach. Gently You continue to guide me along this journey. As long as I am within sight of Your staff, I am within reach of Your care. In such a way I am free to be who You made me.

Yes, Lord, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Keep me near to you so that I may often look up and be reminded of Your power. You are able to completely fulfill every duty of being my Shepherd. I will be satisfied to be a sheep under your direction and protection.

~John

You can read more of John Dobbs' work at his blog: Out Here Hope Remains.

Amen

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Urgent Prayer Request for Haiti

My heart breaks when I think of all the problems that Haiti has had since that devastating earthquake at the beginning of this year. A friend sent me this prayer request from Terry Snow, founder and national director of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Haiti:

We'd like to call people to prayer for our city and the countryside surrounding it. There seems to be an outbreak of some kind of a water-borne disease where people who contract it come down with severe diarrhea resulting in death within 24-48 hours. We do not have concrete numbers of how many have actually died to date, only scattered reports from Haitians seeking aid and purified water saying; "Many, Many, Many people are dead or sick!" The hospital in St Marc is filling up with cases and our clinic down the road has been made ready for overflow.

Symptoms point to Cholera but that has not been confirmed, test result due in today. If it is Cholera the problem isn't medicine, they claim they have the cure, but getting it to the people in time. We are focused on three things, distribution of purified water, transportation of the sick and education on sanitation.

They are asking in specific for us to:

Pray for protection to all health workers and volunteers in the area.
Pray for a quick diagnosis so that correct treatment can be administered immediately.
Pray for those who have already lost loved ones.
Pray for peace in the countryside and for protection for those who live in the high risk areas that may not have access to clean water.

Please join me today in praying for the people in Haiti.

Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.

He Knows My Name....

For those of you who have prayed for my cousin Jim in a Prison Medical Facility ~~ Praise God, "He knows my name, He sees each tear that fall, and He hears me when I call."

After finding the address of the Medical Facility I have written two letters to my cousin, encouraging him to accept the Gospel. I've heard nothing. Then this morning the phone rang, and it was Jim.

We talk about where he is, how he's doing, and I shared the Gospel again. Praise God, he is responding to my reaching out to him, and he's responding to the Gospel.

We will take it one step at a time. He will probably be in for a year, and I've covenanted with him that I will write him weekly. I will send him postage to write back to me.

Please continue to pray that God will do a mighty work in Jim's heart and life!

Thank you again, praying bloggers.

Amen

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Chemo Tomorrow

Just a quick note to request prayer for my wife Ann. If you think of it please pray for Ann tomorrow as she gets one of her scheduled chemo treatments. Ann gets 4 treatments a year to keep her immune system in check. You can learn more about this here.

Much thanks, Bob

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God Adds His Blessing

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

God closes this passage by saying that when Moses says this blessing then He Himself would bless those that Moses blessed because His name is put on those blessed. When we bless others in prayer we invoke the name of God and God adds His blessing to ours. God pays attention when we say "The LORD bless you".. He sees our hearts desire of blessing. It is good to remember that when we bless in His name He adds His blessing to ours.

Cause me to be a living blessing Lord. As I travel today help me to speak blessing to those who I encounter. Thank you that I am blessed to be a blessing.

Amen

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James 5:16a

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
James 5:16a

Oh, Lord God,

I have been selfish and unwilling. I have not kept my word. I have kept a list when I should have forgiven. I have not put the needs of others above my own and I have spoken words I ought not to have spoken. I have not waited on you and I have failed to take silence as an answer. The road ahead is uncertain and I am afraid. Please forgive me, Lord, and please help us.

Amen

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CLOSE TO MY HEART

This morning I share some personal requests close to my heart!

Shirley ~ dear friend just had surgery in San Francisco for multiple cancer tumors. She will have a long road ahead of chemo. Please join me in praying for her complete healing.
Patty ~ Just lost her husband to a long battle with cancer. Funeral was Saturday. Join me in praying for Patty and family in this difficult time of loss.
Jim ~ my cousin who has been placed in a prison medical facility. Pray that he will respond the the letters I'm sending, and will give his life and heart to the Lord.
Unspoken request for a family member that is hurting.

Thank you so much Prayer Warriors.... God is good, and hears our prayers.

Amen

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A prayer to our loving God

In you, O loving God, have I hoped: let me never be confounded.
I know too well that I am weak and changeable.
I know the power of temptation against the strongest virtue.

I have seen stars fall and foundations of my world crack;
these things do not alarm me.
While I hope in you, I am sheltered from all misfortune,

and I am sure that my trust shall endure,
for I rely upon you to sustain this unfailing hope.

Finally, I know that my confidence cannot exceed your generosity,
and that I shall never receive less than I have hoped for from you.
Therefore I hope that you will sustain me against my evil inclinations,
that you will protect me against the deceitful attacks of the evil one,
and that you will cause my weakness to triumph over every hostile force.

I hope that you will never cease to love me and that I shall love you unceasingly. Amen.

- Claude de la Colombière

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Hearing Your Voice

Dear Lord,

There are so many circumstances in life where I just don't have any idea which way to turn. Sometimes I feel like a seed blowing back and forth in the wind, wondering if I will ever land. This day, dear Father, I ask again for wisdom, a "Voice from heaven" to tell me what to do. Do You still do that kind of thing, Lord? Give me a steadfast heart, open eyes, and listening ears that I will know when You are calling my name.

And, Lord, please be with my Uncle Chuck during his heart surgery on Tuesday. Be close by, and Lord, please keep your hand on my mom that day and as her brother recovers. Please fill her with Your peace.
Amen

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a simple prayer

a prayer of thanksgiving
for answered prayers

we humbly thank you lord
you never cease to amaze us

Amen

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A prayer for today

Father, grant that I may be a bearer of Christ Jesus, your Son.
Allow me to warm the often cold, impersonal scene of modern life with your burning love.
Strengthen me by your Holy Spirit to carry out my mission of changing the world or some definite part of it for the better.
Despite my lamentable failures, bring home to me that my advantages are your blessings to be shared with others.
Make me more energetic in setting right what I find wrong with the world instead of complaining about it.
Nourish in me a practical desire to build up rather than tear down, to reconcile instead of polarize, to go out on a limb rather than crave security.
Never let me forget that it is far better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,
and to join my light, one day, with yours. Amen.

- Prayer of the Christophers

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Simple Prayers

I love how simply the Apostle Paul speaks about prayer at times in his letters. Consider these passages:

For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel about his Son, is my witness how constantly I mention you in my prayers at all times, -Romans 1:9-10

We always thank God for all of you when we mention you in our prayers. -1 Thessalonians 1:2

I never stop giving thanks for you as I mention you in my prayers. -Ephesians 1:16

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers. -Philemon 1:4

In a refreshing style he simply says that he mentions them in his prayers and often simply gives thanks for them. I think that it is good advice to pray simply and not get caught up in long and elaborate religious prayers that seem to instruct God about what He should be doing.

Some mornings when I pray I simply remember, before God, the folks on my heart and their needs.. and express my thanks for them. I always seem to go away from those times refreshed knowing that my Heavenly Father has heard my prayers and sifted them in His loving hands.

I suggest that you take a moment.. close your eyes.. lay your hands, palms up, on your lap.. and simply remember those who need your prayers.. give thanks for them.. and make mention of them to the Lord.. like a child talking to their Dad.

Prayer can be so simple. I think that it is meant to be.

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Fearfully Made

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

Dear Lord,
We are but grasshoppers in Your sight, small and insignificant. I looked at a grasshopper and found it intriguing and incredibly beautiful in spite of its size. I am in awe that You love me, Lord, and that You care to intervene in my life. Thank you, Father God, for all the blessing You bestow.

Amen

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HOME IN HEAVEN

Monday afternoon at 3:05 our dear friend Bud Yoho lost the battle against cancer, and was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus! I'm sure he was welcomed with "Come, Thou good and faithful Servant."

Bud spent his entire Teaching career with special needs children and teenagers. There are story after story of his influence on these in his care. A faithful husband, father and follower of Jesus.

Please join me in praying for his wife Patty, and all the family and friends that will miss his gentle spirit and sweet smile.

Thank you prayer warriors, how comforting it is to know we can share in each others lives through prayer.

Love and Hugs
Wanda

Amen

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O Lord, seek us, O Lord, find us
In Thy patient care;
Be Thy Love before, behind us,
Round us, everywhere:
Lest the god of this world blind us,
Lest he speak us fair,
Lest he forge a chain to bind us,
Lest he bait a snare.
Turn not from us,
call to mind us,
Find, embrace us, bear;
Be thy love before, behind us,
Round us everywhere. Amen.

- Christina Rossetti

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Monday Morning - 9.27.2010

Dear Father in Heaven,

Sometimes we are so busy we forget to think of you. We forget to commit our works to you. We forget to trust in you with all of our hearts. We forget to cast all of our cares on you. We forget that we live and move and have our very being in you. We forget to seek your reign and righteousness first in our lives.

Please forgive us for taking you — your unfailing love, your matchless mercy and glorious grace — for granted in our lives. Please help us to be fully devoted followers of your blessed Son. Help us, also, to be a reflection of His glory as we walk in step with the Holy Spirit this week.

In the holy name of Jesus we pray.

Amen

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Prayer and Chronic Illness

I am sitting hear trying to think of a scripture that might apply to praying for a person that is experiencing the ill affects of a chronic disease or illness. Should I quote a verse that regales a miracle working God or share a verse that speaks to God's presence in our lives during trying times? The question goes to the heart of the issue doesn't it?

What I have done many times in the past when I have prayed for people with illnesses and diseases is to simply pray "Come Holy Spirit". Speaking of the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus told us that He would send us a Counselor and a Comforter. It seems that this is just want hurting people need - comfort and counsel. So let us pray for those hurting folks in our lives.

Come Holy Spirit and be present with those who have been hurting for so long.. minister hope in the midst of their hopelessness.

Come Holy Spirit and help those who experience the despair associated with diseases and illness like cancer, Parkinsons, diabetes, ALS, MS, NMO and all kinds of sickness.

Come Holy Spirit and manifest your wisdom concerning medical directions and treatments as well as the many other decisions that hurting people are making.. bring clarity of thought.

Come Holy Spirit in power.. please do what no person can do for themselves.. bring healing miracles and cures.. turn impossibilities into possibilities.

We ask all of this believing in the name of Jesus and in His authority over all manner of sickness and disease.

Amen

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Urgent prayer request

A family in our parish faces an unbelievable tragedy. I don't know them personally, but they are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. I ask yours as well.

Both mother and father are unemployed. Their house was foreclosed on in June and apparently they were to be forcibly evicted this week. According to the news coverage, the father had been taking care of the finances and the mother had been given the impression that everything had been resolved in their favor.

On Saturday night, the father smothered their 4-year-old son. His older children awoke to find him trying to smother them as well, and successfully fought him off. The father then attempted unsuccessfully to commit suicide. Upon his release from the hospital, he was arrested for the murder of his son and the attempted murder of his older two children.

Please pray for each of them: the little boy who died, the mother who now must figure out what to do without the support of her husband; the children who must come to grips with the loss of their father and brother as well as the knowledge that their father tried to kill them; and the father, previously known as a loving parent who did everything with his kids, and who now must be going through unbelievable torment knowing the horror that resulted from his actions.

The mother and surviving children have been taken to a safe place supplied by the church for now (as the news media has been relentless). Funeral arrangements are being paid for. A fund has been set up for donations for them. If anyone is interested in giving, here is the information:

Wachovia Bank
Christine Mitchell DBA
Blake Mitchell Fund 1010293415679
2200 W Main St, #910b
Durham, NC 2770

But regardless, please keep them in your prayers.

Amen

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A Birthday Prayer

Dear Lord,

That sweet child You blessed me with twenty-nine years ago today is on my heart. He is far away from home on his birthday once again, Lord. I pray that You would be near to him this day, that You would bless him, and encourage him in a special way. I love him, Lord, and I thank You for sending him into our lives those years ago, and for using him to teach us so many things. Through him I learned about unconditional love and forgiveness. Through him we became parents and embarked on a journey from which we never returned. Through him I learned a little bit more about the heart of God. Thank You.

Amen

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emerging prayer

At our church's baptism this week, Tyrone spoke about growing up in a household without faith. But he did recall two words from his childhood, God and prayer. Years later, drinking, destitute, without hope, those two words came back to him and he cried out to the Lord. That day he was arrested, and as he sat in the back seat of the squad car, he smiled, and gave thanks and praise to God. He was finally on the road to redemption.

I would like to offer up one prayer today in honor of Tyrone: Lord, let us pass along the Word to the next generation, and arm them with the knowledge of you and the power of prayer -- so that they too can call out to you in their hour of need -- for when anyone calls, you hear, you answer.

My friend Dave was also baptized this week. He reminded me that he found it easy to keep God in view in times of trouble and in times of great joy. But it was more challenging during what he called 'the regular times'. And I think a lot of people spend most of their lives in 'regular times'... lukewarm times... just going through the day without dramatic highs and lows.

So I would also like to offer up a prayer today in honor of Dave: Jesus, your presence is constant, awe-inspiring and always around us. Help us open our eyes to you Lord, to see your wonder -- especially during the 'regular times' -- and give us the courage to point out these wonders to those around us.

Amen

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"Dear Father, I want you to establish your truth in my innermost being. I am sometimes so easily distracted and disturbed by outward circumstances that I neglect to cultivate a genuine devotion to you. Work through your Spirit to remove any false way and teach me to guard my heart through you indwelling presence. Control my thoughts and motivations and bring me into conformity with your will. Amen" (Charles Stanley)

Amen

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Monday Morning Prayer

Dear Father in heaven,

As we begin another week of hurrying and scurrying about our busy lives, we pause for just a moment to express our sincere praise of your majesty. We are amazed that the Creator of the Cosmos is mindful of each one of us and thankful that you are attentive to our needs.

We confess to you that we are intensely aware of our frailties and failings as humans. We also acknowledge that we are utterly dependent upon you for all that we have and all that we are able to do in this day....in every day. Help us deny ourselves, take up our crosses and simply follow Jesus so that we might live in such a way as to bring you honor and glory.

We humbly ask you to guide our steps throughout this week. We ask you to help us search for and find ways to serve as instruments of your peace in this tumultuous world. Help us to be a blessing to others. Please help our actions to be just and merciful. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we might be empowered to walk humbly with you each step of the way.

Please bless those whose names flow from our hearts to your throne. Provide for each of these according to their needs.

Accept our thanksgiving for your sustaining grace in our lives. Thank you for being the Giver of every good and perfect gift we have received. Help us to bring you pleasure by enjoying these gifts. Help us, also, to honor you by being good stewards of all you have placed in our care. Above all, thank you for the indescribable gift of your Son to be our Lord and Savior. Please give us the faith, courage, grace and wisdom we need to follow in Him each and every day.

In the precious and powerful name of Jesus we pray.

Amen

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