Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

PRAYING FROM THE HEART



Dear Lord, sometimes I don't have words to say, but I know if my heart is  right with you, you will take my thoughts and turn them into words and take them to the Father on my behalf.

Today I hold up the Olson family as they grieve the loss of a mother, a wife, and a grandma.  We morn the loss of a dear friend who lived out her 90 years faithfully loving You, and her family and her church.  Be with all the family and friends as now we celebrate her life and her entrance into heaven and your presence.  In Jesus name we pray and for His sake.  Amen.


Amen

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What’s not to like about Heaven?


1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
      “ …..No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Father, can anyone imagine how glorious heaven must be? I wonder what’s not to like about heaven.  But Father, may I mention one thing, not having the ones I love there. It is inconceivable to think of heaven without my family and friends. So I pray for any and all of them who are yet to trust in you, that they will soon come to faith in Christ who said: “…. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NLT)

And Father I recall your concern for people as revealed in the Scripture: “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Thank you Father, that through your love, you have made the way possible for our sins to be forgiven and for us to have the assurance of heaven.

Here’s what I know: God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

Thank you Father.

 
Amen

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Incessant prayer

We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Acts 6:4

E. M. Bounds says,

Prayer must be incessant and should not lack desire, spirit or action. The knees may not always be bent, but the spirit is always in the act and communication of prayer.

Father, may our spirits always be bent to You in prayer, even when I am not on my knees...



Amen

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Through the Motions

Father,

Father, help us not to just go through the motions of worshiping You. Help us approach You with sincerity. Help us not just push You into a corner of our life and only go to You when we have an emergency. Help us to spend all our life seeking continuous and honest communion with You.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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A PRAYER FROM SAMUEL


I Samuel 3:8-10  The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, you called me."  Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.  So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening'".  So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel, Samuel."  And Samuel said ~ "Speak, for your servant is listening."



Dear Lord ~ when you speak to me I often fail to listen, and when I hear, I don't understand, and when I do understand I often fail to obey.  The clamorous world around me obscures Your voice.  Lord I pray for the wisdom of Eli who knew it was Your voice calling.  Oh Lord, help me when I hear your voice calling me, I will answer like Samuel ~  "Speak for your servant is listening."  I love You.  Amen.


Speak, Lord, in the stillness
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen
In expectancy

Speak, O blessed Master
In this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord
Feel Thy touch of power.
~May E. Grimes (1920-)

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Christian Suffering



2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT)
     “….. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord….”

1 Peter 4:16 (NLT)
     “But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!”

Father, perhaps as followers of Christ, we need to consider again the theology of Christian suffering.

Jesus said: “… the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult….” Matthew 7:14 (NLT)

He also challenged the crowds that were following him: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.Luke 9:23 (NLT)

Father help us to understand the power and influence Christian suffering has and it’s transforming affect even on those hostile to the gospel like Saul of Tarsus. And may we learn as he did that your grace is sufficient for every situation.
 
Somehow Father we may emulate Paul’s response to his suffering for Christ: “I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)

Therein Father is the glory of the cross, the power of the gospel and the joy of Christian Suffering.

Amen

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Privilege of Prayer

Father,

I thank You that we can come to You and pray to You, the Lord of the Universe. I thank You that You hear us, though we are but dust. I thank You that You consider and grant our requests. I even thank You that sometimes in Your infinite wisdom, You choose not to grant those requests. Help us to come to You in prayer rather than trusting in our own devices. Help us to come to you early and not simply when all else fails.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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Morning Canticle

From the Celtic Book of Prayer, for Morning Prayer:

 Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Amen

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PRAYER FOR PROTECTION



Dear Lord ~ Every time we get into our car, get on a bus, train or plane, we ask for your protection and guardian angels to watch over us.   

I want to thank you for my trip to see my sister, and how you kept me safe on the bus, the train in the the car.  

We don't take your protection for granted, and are grateful for your strong right arm that holds us safely.  For all those traveling, we ask the same.  I love you.  Amen.

Image from my recent trip
Amen

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The Lion and the Lamb

Isaiah 11:6-9 (NLT)
   6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. 8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. 9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.


Father, you have a glorious time coming when this ancient prophecy will be fulfilled. It is hard to imagine such a paradise in the perilous times in which we live. The greatest thing about that day will not only be the peaceful atmosphere in which we will live, but especially the experience of what it fully means to know the Lord.

We will understand far better the Apostle Paul’s comment: “….the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…..” Philippians 3:8 (NLT) Thank you Father for this hope, and this future that awaits all who trust in You.

 
Amen

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Look to God

"But our God is in the heavens;
 He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. 
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands."
Psalm 115:3-4

Dear God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for looking to "things" instead of looking to You. Help me to keep my focus on You today and everyday as I live and serve You. 



Amen

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Not Living in Fear

Father,

There are so many things around us that are cause for fear and worry. Help us to face them with trust in You. Whether they are little things or major things, help us to remember to bring them before Your throne. Help us to trust You to deal with them. Help us to focus on today and not borrow trouble from future times. Help us entrust our fears to You.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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Prayer for the Hurting

Abba, Father, we lift up those who are hurting. Be with those suffering from physical pain and give them your strength. For those suffering from loss, we ask that you would be their provision. Be a comfort for those that are grieving and wrap your arms of love around them. Lift them all up and draw them close. Amen

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Live in Freedom



Psalm 119:45 (NLT)
   I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”


Father this verse reminds us that the freedom we enjoy is based in Biblical principles that give us the meaning, morality and measure of freedom. The meaning of freedom is found in religious liberty to worship you. The morality of freedom is to live with a clear conscience. The measure of freedom is seen in how responsibly we conduct ourselves in respect to you and the human race.

Father you remind us how we are to use our freedom in Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
   For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

Father, it is this freedom we cherish and from which we get such joy. So may we mindful to: “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 (NIV)

Amen

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Prayer in Time of Illness

Lord Jesus, you came into the world
to heal our infirmities
and to endure our sufferings.

You went about healing all
and bringing comfort
to those in pain and need.

We come before you now
in this time of illness
asking that you may be the source
of our strength in body,
courage in spirit
and patience in pain.

May we join ourselves more closely
to you on the cross
and in your suffering
that through them
we may draw our patience and hope.

Assist us and restore us to health
so that united more closely
to your family, the Church,
we may give praise and honour to your name.

Amen
... an anonymous prayer offered at Beliefnet

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Prayer of Confession

Blessed Lord Jesus,
No human mind could conceive or invent the gospel.
Acting in eternal grace, thou art both its messenger and its message,
lived out on earth through infinite compassion, applying thy life to insult, injury, death, that I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed.
Blessed be thou, O Father, for contriving this way,
Eternal thanks to thee, O Lamb of God, for opening this way,
Praise everlasting to thee, O Holy Spirit, for applying this way to my heart.
Glorious Trinity, impress the gospel on my soul, until its virtue diffuses every faculty; Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt.
Teach me to secure this mighty blessing;
Help me to give up every darling lust, to submit heart and life to its command, to have it in my will, controlling my affections, moulding my understanding; to adhere strictly to the rules of true religion, not departing from them in any instance, nor for any advantage in order to escape evil, inconvenience, or danger.
Take me to the cross to seek glory from its infamy;
Strip me of every pleasing pretense of righteousness by my own doings.
O gracious Redeemer, I have neglected thee too long, often crucified thee,
crucified thee afresh by my impenitence, put thee to open shame.
I thank thee for the patience that has borne with me so long,
and for the grace that now makes me willing to be thine.
O unite me to thyself with inseparable bonds, that nothing may ever draw me back from thee, my Lord, my Saviour.
Amen
From Valley of Vision 


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PRAYING FOR RUSSIA




Dear Lord, today I bring before your throne of grace the team from our church (Tom, Susan, Jonathan and Joshua) who are sharing the gospel in Russia today.  As they travel to Kirov to share in a church there and then back by train to Moscow.  Lord, may your Word fall on eager ears to hear the love of Jesus and how He can change a life forever.  Keep them safe, and bring them home next week with wonderful stories to tell of God's grace.  Thank you, I love you.  Amen.


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Amen

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