Daily Prayer: January 2011

Prayers for Julie and Family

Our Pastor just share with us an urgent prayer request for Julie and her family. She is 40 and just found out she has colon cancer and it has spread to the liver. She will be undergoing some heavy duty treatments.

Thank you so much, that we can share our request here, and know that many many people are lifting these in need up in prayers.

Heavenly Father, we lift Julie and her family before the throne of grace, and ask that you reach down in you will and touch her body. Wrap your arms of comfort and love around this precious famiy that love you. Amen.

Amen

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A Common Temptation

It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the Scriptures when we do not enjoy them, and as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. ~George Muller

"Dear Lord...create in me the desire to read Your Word and pray daily, even when I don't feel like it." ~Amen

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Please pray for a blogger friend of mine who is having a difficult time at work.
Off The Beaten Trek

Thank you ~Ron

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Perspective

Dear Lord,
Thank you for perspective for it is perspective which gives a fresh look at old problems. It is perspective that brings beauty in the midst of turmoil, hope when all appears chaos, and laughter in the middle of pain. Perspective makes winter wonderful and rain refreshing. Perspective brings forgiveness out of offenses and life out of death. Lord, take my heart, my mind, my eyes and make my perspective Yours.
Amen

(PS. It helps to check "AM" if one wishes to schedule a post and have it show up in the morning.)

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For Joann and those who mourn

Just heard that Joann, a coworker from the 70s and 80s lost Dave today, her husband of 30+ years. Please join me in prayer.

Father, thank you for the hope of heaven and how you care for those who die. We celebrate Dave's homecoming today.

Jesus, thank you for your presence in times of trial. We ask you to comfort and help Joann, and others who mourn, at this difficult time.

Holy Spirit, thank you for the way that you work through others in times like this. Please send friends to minister to Joann, and others who are hurting, during times like these.

Amen

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For Doug and others who battle cancer

My good friend Doug is in his early 50s and has been recently diagnosed with hyper parathyroid dysplasia (HPD) and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). One of the most recognized doctors in the world, when it comes to MTC, is attending Doug at MD Andersen hospital in Houston, Texas. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. Please join me in prayer for Doug and others who battle cancer.

Lord, the word cancer strikes fear in the hearts of so many.. please calm the fears in those who have cancer, their family and their friends.

Lord, man has not found a cure for cancer yet.. please give researchers wisdom concerning the disease and how it may be cured.

Lord, some say that cancer is incurable.. we say that all things are possible with you.. we ask for miracles both divine and medical.

Lord, we ask for Doug and the many others who face surgery in the coming days, weeks and months. Please give the surgeons wisdom and steadiness of hand. Help everyone who is involved in these surgeries to experience that blessed peace that passes all understanding.

Lord, we join lifted hands and hearts in the giving of thanks to you for the miracles achieved by you through the hands of others and by means unknowable.

To you Lord be the glory.

Amen

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A Prayer of Faith

"Holy Father, I am so weak. I want to trust You, but it is so hard to walk "by faith" when I can't see what You are doing. You are my Steadfast Rock. I desire to look only to You. I want to believe You for what I don't understand, what I cant see, and what doesn't make sense to me. Give me the power through your Holy Spirit to begin pounding the nails into "my ark." May I become one who pleases You because I walk by faith. ~ Amen"

Taken from Calm my Anxious Heart, Linda Dillow

Amen

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Saturday Scripture Reading, Meditation and Prayer

"The people were saying of Jesus, 'He is beside himself' "

Scripture: Mark 3:19b, 20-21

Then he went home; 20 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for people were saying, "He is beside himself."

Meditation: Is the Lord Jesus honored in your home? Why would Jesus' relatives be so upset with him when he began his public ministry? On one occasion Jesus remarked that a man's enemies will be the members of his own household (Matthew 10:36). The Gospel of Mark records the reaction of Jesus' relatives when he went home: they came to seize him. They, no doubt, thought that Jesus must have gone mad or become a religious fanatic. How could a good home-body from Nazareth leave his carpentry trade and go off to become an itinerant preacher? Jesus had thrown away the security and safety of a quiet and respectable life close to his family and relatives. He probably expected some opposition or reaction from the highest religious authorities in Jerusalem. The hardest opposition, however, may come from someone close to us, even your own kin. Jesus met opposition with grace and with determination to fulfill his Father's will. Are you ready to obey and follow the Lord even if others oppose your doing so?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, may I always put you first and find joy in doing your will. May your love and charity grow in me, especially in the face of opposition and adversity." Amen.

Daily Reading & Meditation ~Don Schwager

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A Song of Prayer

This song has been on my mind for some time now. It has long been a favorite and a prayer of my heart, yet I still struggle with how to live the words. "Take my moments and my days..." I am learning how to let them go, still stubborn and holding on much of the time, but making progress. When I find myself grumbling, the Lord gently brings the words back to mind. I wish I could say I have arrived, but sadly, this is not the case.

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet, and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
take my lips, and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
take my self, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.

Amen

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A Native American prayer

O Great Spirit, Whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me! I am small and weak, I need Your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things You have made, and my ears sharp to hear Your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things You have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy; myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to You without shame. Amen

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Getting Along with Each Other

If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. [Romans 12:18 MSG]

Work at getting along with each other and with God. [Hebrews 12:14 MSG]

These words sounds like something my parents used to say to me and my siblings. Sadly we humans do such a horrible job. A conversation about civility is beginning as we deal with the aftermath of the recent events in Tuscon. I think that civility and 'getting along' begins with prayer.

Heavenly Father we need you!
Help us to return to you.
Cause us to love each other.

Jesus have mercy on us.
Help us to accept your mercy.
Cause us to be merciful to each other.

Holy Spirit comfort us.
Help us to receive your comfort.
Cause us to comfort others.

Lord give us the wisdom of love.
Help us to follow the wisdom of love.
Cause us to lead others in the wisdom of love.

Amen

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praying pslam 139

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts,God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you. If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Amen

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"Humility"

"If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless." ~Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Dear Lord, give me a contrite heart, and a spirit of humility to serve you effectively and bear fruit that pleases You. Amen

Amen

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on days of war and peace

A friend reached out to me yesterday... a friend who needs our prayers. Will you pray with me?

Lord God, we wake up some days and find ourselves in the middle of a battlefield, unsure how we got there or even unsure whose side we are on. Arm my friend for battle Lord. Provide the strength, the fortitude and the bravery to fight. Make our swords sharp and our shields strong. Shine light so we can see. Prepare the way for my friend to be victorious in every way.

At the same time Lord God, overwhelm my friend with peace... the peace you offer... the peace you promise. Jesus, reach down into the soul of your brothers and sisters. Take away worry. Clear the path ahead and remove all obstacles. Embrace my friend with warmth in great abundance.

Make my friend be safe.
Make my friend feel safe.

For it is in you I trust, Lord.

Amen

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The Attitude of Prayer

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus:

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,
‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

In a sense prayer is all about attitude. Having a self righteous attitude often shows up in our prayers.. often a bit more subtle than the Pharisees prayer above. When I compare some of my prayers to the one the tax-collector offered above I think that my prayers are often filled with pride.

God, be merciful to me, a sinner!

Amen

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Prayer for Job Seekers

For many months I have been praying for eight people who are unemployed.. I have been praying for a few since last January. Please send an email or leave a comment if you are a job seeker. I invite you to remember those you know who are seeking work and pray this prayer with me.

Gracious and loving God, you know our need for meaningful work.
Send your Holy Spirit to guide those who are searching for employment.
Help them to recognize the gifts and talents you have given them.
Deepen their desire to follow your will.
Inspire them as they contact potential employers.
Give them patience as they wait for responses.

Shelter them from feelings of rejection.
Protect them from discouragement. Give them courage to overcome fear.

Shower on them the graces they need to persevere.
Let this time of searching become an opportunity to grow in faith,
to cultivate the virtue of hope, and to experience your healing love.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.
This prayer is from the folks at St George Church.

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WInter

Dear Lord,
Thank you for winter. Thank you for the snow. It is not my favorite time of year, but it is one that makes me especially thankful for the other seasons and causes me to look forward. It also gives me a chance to do those inside the house kind of jobs that otherwise get put off so I can be outside instead. So yes, it's cold, and yes, I am stuck inside, but I am thankful anyway. Besides, it's awfully pretty out there! Yeah, I guess I kind of like winter too.
Amen

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thursday's prayer

heavenly father...

there is so much we don't understand, can't comprehend: how the innocent must endure such sickness, hunger, despair. how we can wake up some days and find ourselves alone. the hurt, hate and pain that comes in so many forms.

but we trust.

we trust in you.

for in that gentle breeze, the dance atop the trees, the reflection in the water, the peaking out of sunlight, the unexpected smile, the sensation of your hand upon our shoulders, the whisper in our ears, the quiet of our heart... you take the time to remind us of your love.

your love.

we praise you for your love.

we thank you for your love.

we trust in your love.

Amen

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BEARING BURDENS

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2

"Beautiful lives are those that bear
For others lives their burden of care;
Beautiful souls are those that show
The Spirit of Christ wherever they go." ~~Abbott

A helping had can lighten another's burden ~ Lord let me bear the burdens of those in need, and may your Spirit show through in my life every day. Amen

Amen

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Lord, help me to lie down my own pride in imitation of you. You are the King of Glory, yet you came in the form of a child, dependent on those you created for your survival. Let me be willing to show this sort of humility. Teach me to yield to your perfect will.

Amen

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Trinity Prayer

My friend Michael Sullivant mentored me when I joined the pastoral staff at Metro Christian Fellowship. He wrote the prayer below.. I remember framing it and placing it on my desk at the church. Also remember having it on our refrigerator door at home.

Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth
Set up Your Kingdom, Declare Your Worth.

Lord Jesus Christ, Living God's Son
Have Mercy on Me, To My Sins Say Begone.

Holy Spirit, Living God's Breath
Renew Me and the World, Trump the Power of Death.

His daughter Lisa and son-in-law James put the prayer to music. It is a wonderful rendering of the prayer. Take a listen.

Trinity Prayer: James & Lisa Hoskins Lyrics: Michael Sullivant by msullivant

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Forgetting and Pressing On

This new year causes me to think of something the Apostle Paul wrote from a jail in Rome:

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. -Philippians 3 (NLT)

We thank you Lord for the influence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We affirm that it is our desire to know You and to experience your power in our lives even if it involves suffering. To that end we ask you to help us to forget the past, to press on and seek you afresh in this new year. And help us to remember Lord that we do not run in vain nor do we run alone - heaven awaits us and You are faithful to walk with us every day.

Amen

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