I've been reading through a little book of Martin Luther's prayers. The book is simply titled "Luther's Prayers."
I find that Martin Luther was so gifted in making personal what might seem to be just an abstract idea when read in the Bible. Romans 14:7 (ESV) says, "For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself." Luther gives us this prayer:
"O Jesus Christ, I live to you; I die to you; living or dying, I am yours. Romans 14:7. Amen."
Sometimes the simplest prayers say it best.
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Prayer for Strength
Father, when we are weak, give us strength. When we are burdened down, give us rest. Help us to shed the yoke of performing and trying and replace it with your easy yoke and light burden. Amen
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Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.
Sunday Prayer
I Thessalonians 1:3 ~ "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Dear Jesus, draw me close. Apart from You I can do nothing. But if I live in You and You live in me, then I will bear much fruit. So fill me with faith that overflows into good works. Fill me with love that overflows into service to others. And fill me with hope that overflows into courage to do Your will. I love You. Amen!
Amen
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That we can hear the hearts that grieve ...
Before I lay me down to rest
I ask the Lord one small request
I know I have all I could need
But this prayer is not for me
Too many people on this day
Don't have a peaceful place to stay
Let all fighting cease that your children may see peace
Wipe their tears of sorrow away
(chorus)
To believe in a day
When hunger and war will pass away
To have the hope amidst despair
That every sparrow's counted
That you hear each cry and listen to each prayer
Let me try always to believe
That we can hear the hearts that grieve
Please help us not ignore
The anguished cries of the poor
Or their pain will never leave
(spoken prayer)
Father, as you see, I'm just a child
And there's so much to understand
But if Your Grace should surround me
Then I'll do the best I can
I promise, I'll do the very best I can
(chorus plus)
To believe in a day
When hunger and war will pass away
To have the hope amidst despair
That every sparrow's counted
That you hear each cry and listen to each
Prayer {Hear each cry and listen to each prayer}
Help us do Your will oh Father
In the name of all that's true
And we'll see in one another
The loving image of You
Amen
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Prayer proves itself
"If any one chooses to do God's will, he will
find out whether My teaching comes from God"
John 7:17
~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer is divinely arranged from God. It is designed for our benefit and is used to carry out God's grace to mankind. Through prayer we receive a closer walk with our Savior. A more personal encounter with our Father. A glimpse of the sweet Holy Spirit at work.
Prayer is the key to an abundant life in Him. Through prayer, we partake in thanksgiving and praise. We sit still before Him in expectation and delight. We receive direction. Comfort. Affirmation. We receive a mighty touch and a powerful Word.
Prayer is the way we communicate with our Lord and it is the way we grow our faith. Without prayer, we have no intimate and personal relationship with Christ. Prayer is a duty and a privilege. It is vital to our Christian walk and we must not neglect it. If we desire to hear God speak, we must be communing with Him in our prayer lives.
Prayer proves itself by its accomplishments. Hallelujah and Amen.
Father, thank you for the amazing power of prayer. You are so gracious and merciful. You have blessed us beyond measure. Please help us to remember to set aside time in our schedules for face-to-face communication with you. Thank you for who you are and what you do.
Amen Prayer is the way we communicate with our Lord and it is the way we grow our faith. Without prayer, we have no intimate and personal relationship with Christ. Prayer is a duty and a privilege. It is vital to our Christian walk and we must not neglect it. If we desire to hear God speak, we must be communing with Him in our prayer lives.
Prayer proves itself by its accomplishments. Hallelujah and Amen.
Father, thank you for the amazing power of prayer. You are so gracious and merciful. You have blessed us beyond measure. Please help us to remember to set aside time in our schedules for face-to-face communication with you. Thank you for who you are and what you do.
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I Praise You for What Is Yet to Be
I've been slowly praying my way through "Guerrillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle" by Ted Loder (highly recommended!). Yesterday I ran across, through, beyond and back to a prayer that I can't let go. I commend it to you.
I PRAISE YOU FOR WHAT IS YET TO BE
Wondrous Worker of Wonders,
I praise you, not alone for what has been,
or for what is,
but for what is yet to be,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.
I praise you
that out of the turbulence of my life
a kingdom is coming,
is being shaped even now
out of my slivers of loving,
my bits of trusting,
my sprigs of hoping,
my tootles of laughing,
my drips of crying,
my smidgens of worshiping;
that out of my songs and struggles,
out of my griefs and triumphs,
I am gathered up and saved,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.
I praise you
that you turn me loose
to go with you to the edge of now and maybe,
to welcome the new,
to see my possibilities,
to accept my limits,
and yet begin living to the limit
of passion and compassion
until, released by joy,
I uncurl to other people
and to your kingdom coming.
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.
Amen
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I PRAISE YOU FOR WHAT IS YET TO BE
Wondrous Worker of Wonders,
I praise you, not alone for what has been,
or for what is,
but for what is yet to be,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.
I praise you
that out of the turbulence of my life
a kingdom is coming,
is being shaped even now
out of my slivers of loving,
my bits of trusting,
my sprigs of hoping,
my tootles of laughing,
my drips of crying,
my smidgens of worshiping;
that out of my songs and struggles,
out of my griefs and triumphs,
I am gathered up and saved,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.
I praise you
that you turn me loose
to go with you to the edge of now and maybe,
to welcome the new,
to see my possibilities,
to accept my limits,
and yet begin living to the limit
of passion and compassion
until, released by joy,
I uncurl to other people
and to your kingdom coming.
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.
Amen
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A Prayer for Our Children
Father, we pray for the children that you have blessed us with. May they come to see you as their Abba, Father. May they follow Jesus with abandon. Draw them to yourself and give them a faith that is their own. Bless them richly. Take care of them. Amen
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Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.
TEACH US TO LOVE
I John 3:11-20 talks about LOVE! My Maranatha Worship Bible suggests the following prayer on that passage.
"Dear Jesus, teach us to love as You love, and teach us the meaning of love as Your Word defines it. Help us practice patience and kindness. Remove from us envy and pride, rudeness and selfishness, and the holding of grudges. Teach us to protect one another from harm, to trust each other without cynicism, to hope for one another's best and to persevere even when we feel like walking away. You have taught us to overcome evil with good; teach us also to overcome hatred and indifference with Your holy, heavenly love." We love you! Amen
Amen
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A Voter's Prayer
Today people in South Carolina are casting ballot's in their state's primary.
Please join with me in prayer.
To You who search the hearts of men and know their hearts like no other,
we ask for help to:
Amen
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Please join with me in prayer.To You who search the hearts of men and know their hearts like no other,
we ask for help to:
- look past the surface issues and see what You see;
- silence the loud political voices and hear what you hear;
- reject harsh rhetoric words and speak things pleasing to you;
- breath in the aroma of your sweet presence as we vote and
- feel your leading deep within as we cast our ballots.
Amen
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a prayer for work
“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
As a people, we are wired for work. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from “toil”. Food eaten “by the sweat of our brow” somehow tastes better than charity.
And yet, many of our friends, family members and neighbors are without work. And when we think about how painful a job can be (and yes, we all complain sometimes), the thorns and thistles are even sharper for those who are unemployed.
Lord God, we pray today for those who are seeking work. May they be comforted by your presence. May they be sustained by your hope. May today be the day when their love for you is recognized and appreciated. Provide guidance. Open doors. Eliminate the thorns.
My prayers today are for Jim and Stacey. Other readers here will extend this prayer to those in their hearts.
All we ask Lord is that you provide a path for them to become the men and women you intended them to be – and fulfill your promise that by the sweat of our brow we can eat.
Amen
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As a people, we are wired for work. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from “toil”. Food eaten “by the sweat of our brow” somehow tastes better than charity.
And yet, many of our friends, family members and neighbors are without work. And when we think about how painful a job can be (and yes, we all complain sometimes), the thorns and thistles are even sharper for those who are unemployed.
Lord God, we pray today for those who are seeking work. May they be comforted by your presence. May they be sustained by your hope. May today be the day when their love for you is recognized and appreciated. Provide guidance. Open doors. Eliminate the thorns.
My prayers today are for Jim and Stacey. Other readers here will extend this prayer to those in their hearts.
All we ask Lord is that you provide a path for them to become the men and women you intended them to be – and fulfill your promise that by the sweat of our brow we can eat.
Amen
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hear my prayer
Oh, sweet Father, we pour out our hearts to you. We give you praise and honor for who you are in our lives and we are so grateful for your mercy and your grace. You are good and you are awesome and we love you. We lift our petitions up to you and ask that you minister to our needs. Grant us peace and comfort. Bring our bodies healing and our minds clarity. Cover us with your precious Hands and hide us in the shadow of your wings. Infuse our hearts with inexplicable joy and saturate us with your Presence. We thank you for your love and your goodness. You are mighty and powerful and we will praise you as long as we have breath.
"Hear my prayer, O LORD, give
ear to my supplications....."
(Psalms 143:1)
Amen
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Prayer for the Hurting
Father, when we have been hurt by others, help us to understand that they may be hurting too. Help us to forgive them as you have forgiven us. Help us to trust you and not harden our hearts towards them or others. Comfort us when we hurt as a mother comforts her child. Hold us in your arms and let us know how much you love us, even when others don't. Amen
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Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.
A Diary of Private Prayer
"O Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my will's most inward citadel and order all my doings. Be with me in my silence and in my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship. Amen."
This prayer is taken from one of my favorite books which has been a tremendous influence in my prayer life. A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie (Published 1949)
Amen
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Help us to be Jesus to the World
Lord when I read these words, penned so many years ago, I am reminded of how much we all need your help to be effective witnesses to your love and grace. Please empower us today to live our lives in such a way that glorifies you and brings honor to your name. Help us, by our daily actions, to reflect the light and compassion of Christ to those who are hurting and need your touch. Help us to be Jesus to those we meet today.
Amen
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the kingdom prayer
As you go preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’
MT10:7
It is likely that you are here, reading these words, for a single reason. For you know in your heart that the kingdom of heaven is near.
Maybe you can image a life eternal with the God of the universe… sitting at a banquet table… where you are welcome and honored. A child of God in the presence of the Lord.
Perhaps you have felt the kingdom of heaven here on earth. The cool breeze that brings an unexpected peace. The musical tone that offers a sudden joy. The feeling that a comforting hand is on your shoulder… even when you are alone.
You may have experienced the kingdom of heaven through others… a warm smile from a stranger… a helping hand when needed most.
Maybe you cannot imagine, have never felt or experienced these things, but you are still filled with hope, that yes you are loved, yes you matter, yes, everything will be alright.
If any of this is true, my prayer today is simple. Go and preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.”
Amen
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MT10:7
It is likely that you are here, reading these words, for a single reason. For you know in your heart that the kingdom of heaven is near.
Maybe you can image a life eternal with the God of the universe… sitting at a banquet table… where you are welcome and honored. A child of God in the presence of the Lord.
Perhaps you have felt the kingdom of heaven here on earth. The cool breeze that brings an unexpected peace. The musical tone that offers a sudden joy. The feeling that a comforting hand is on your shoulder… even when you are alone.
You may have experienced the kingdom of heaven through others… a warm smile from a stranger… a helping hand when needed most.
Maybe you cannot imagine, have never felt or experienced these things, but you are still filled with hope, that yes you are loved, yes you matter, yes, everything will be alright.
If any of this is true, my prayer today is simple. Go and preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.”
Amen
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Sunday Prayer
Dear Lord, There is an immeasurable exchange at work in Your gospel. The more I give up for You, Lord Jesus, the more I receive from You. Only as I lay down the things that I've held on to am I free to embrace You. I long to give up everything for You. O Lord, search in the hidden recesses of my life for that which remains "untraded." Show me what still has a hold on my heart and by Your grace, it too will be laid at Your feet. I love You. Amen.
Ocean Scene from googleimages.com
Amen
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A Prayer for the Year Ahead.
To thee, O God, I give up myself, to be used and employed for thee. I desire to live no longer than I may do thee some service. Make what use of me thou pleasest, only let me obtain mercy of the Lord, to be found diligent, humble, and faithful. O that the work of this year may be better done than that of the last, and my time more filled up; and that I may never grow weary of well doing.To thee, O God, I give up myself, to be disposed of by thee as thou pleasest. I know not what the year may bring forth to me, or to my family. But welcome the holy will of God; and God, by his grace, make me ready for it. If it be the last year of my life, my dying year, may I but finish my course with joy; and farewell this world. Whatever afflictions may this year befall me, I desire none of them may move me from God and my duty, amen.
... a prayer by Matthew Henry, January 1, 1707
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New Years Blessing
May you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
Amen
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May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
Amen
... John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
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Prayer for the New Year
Father, as we leave one year behind and look ahead to a new one, teach us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and teach us to love others as Christ has loved us.
Amen
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Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.
HABAKKUK'S PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
Not knowing what a new year will hold, I am going to pray to have Habakkuk's attitude no matter what 2012 brings. I think if we embrace this prayer...we will be able to handle the good, the bad and the ugly.
"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
YET, I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD,
I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOR.
THE SOVEREIGN LORD IS MY STRENGTH;
HE MAKES MY FEET LIKE THE FEET OF A DEER,
HE ENABLES ME TO GO ON THE HEIGHTS."
Let's enter 2012 Rejoicing in our Amazing Lord. Amen, and Amen!
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