Daily Prayer: April 2016

A Dry and Thirsty Place

Psalm 63:1 (NLT)
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Father, our nation is spiritually parched like a desert devoid of rain and cracked with dryness of the soul. We desperately need the showers of your mercy to soften the hardness of our hearts. We need the irrigation of your grace to restore the spiritual vitality on which this nation was founded. I pray that we will have the common sense to understand our spiritual dehydration, the spiritual sensitivity to feel the guilt of our sin and the intelligence to repent according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Father I pray that this verse will become our promise fulfilled: “For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.” Isaiah 44:3 (NLT)

Through Jesus Name we ask this urgent request!

Amen

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Prayer for the unkind

Father,
You remain forever with the faithful
Help us live in your presence
Help us be a river of joy
And a stream of peace
To people around us
Especially to those who are unkind
Those who malign others
May your holy presence be near them
That they will sense your goodness
And be drawn to you
May they be changed
To be gracious and benevolent
May they be drawn to you
And receive your gift of love and forgiveness

Amen

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Presidential Election Prayer

In this season of presidential elections we ask you Father for:

Wisdom to know which person would make the best leader for our nation;
A revealing of hearts that we might discern the presence of humility in each candidate;
The ability to regard the conditions of our neighbors as more important than our own;
Insight to see past what is today and what might be tomorrow;
A sense of unity with others even though they vote differently than we vote.

Above all Lord we pray that your kingdom would come and your will be done in this election season.

Amen

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When do we pray? Always...

Amen

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The Love of God

Father,

Help us know and remember your love. Help us to remember it even in the dark times of our lives. Help us to turn to You in these dark times. And if we doubt that love, help us to remember the Cross. For it is there we remember Your love for us. Help us to cling to that love and not spurn it.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Galatians 5:22,23 "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law."

Oh Lord, it's so hard to manage and master our emotions. The thing that trips us up is not our actions, but our reactions letting our emotions take control instead of self control. Lord all of us want the loving characteristics in these verses. We would love to be more loving, patient and kind, but our reactions often catch us off guard and we display just the opposite. Anger, anxiety, frustration, etc.

Father, today give us a spirit of resolve that we will practice love, practice joy, practice peace and patience. You have given us everything we need in Your Word and through the Holy Spirit living in us to accomplish this.

You have given us the key......You are the Vine, we are the branches....if we remain in You and You remain in us...the fruit of the Spirt will be the benefit and it will bless and nourish us and those around us. Thank You for being our Source. I love You. Amen.

Amen

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A Time for Joy!!!

Psalm 135:3 (NLT)
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; celebrate his lovely name with music.

Well Father, I celebrate your goodness in giving me such a wonderful and loving wife. This week end we will celebrate her 75^th birthday. A life overflowing with love for you, her family and friends. She is your creation, your gift to us and such a blessing. So, thank you Father that we have the joy of your grace in celebrating Wanda’s life. She is certainly a manifestation of your goodness to us and we sing your praise and our appreciation of her with great joy.

In the Name of Him, through whom every good gift comes. Amen!

James 1:17 (NIV)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights….”

Amen

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A Prayer for Caregivers

Today, my heart goes out to the caregivers, of the elderly, of the sick. They live in fragile worlds, and yet they go on with strength and love. May the Lord bless them as they continue in their work of bringing care, help and comfort to the people who needs them.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
~ Matthew 11:28-30

Our Father who love us so immeasurably
You are the Healer of souls
You are the Comforter of the weary
We abide in You your presence consoles
Help those who care for others
You are with them in their journey
Ease their anxiety and fears
Show them your grace and mercy
Surround them with love
Engulf them with strength
Uphold them as they uphold the others
Keep them strong yet gentle
For your love is patience
Your love is kind
It bears all things, endures all things
Your love never ends
Your peace you bestow them
Keeps them still at all times and in every way
And there you guard their hearts
And keep their minds in you, Lord Jesus

Amen

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The deafening sound of silence

Do you ever feel like God is silent in your life?

We mistake the silence for absence and we lose heart.

Even though there are times when the silence is deafening, it serves to speak volumes to our weary spirits and tired souls. See, we think that in the silence, God isn’t listening. We think that in the stillness, He isn’t responding. But the truth is just because there is no audible response from Him, it doesn’t mean that there is nothing to hear. The sound of silence is beautiful if we see it from a different perspective.

In God’s silence, we hear the call to become more fervent seekers of Him. In the silence, we feel the urge to dig deeperinto His Word and search more feverishly for what He is trying to impart to our spirits. In the gorgeous cacophony of the “loud” silence, we are compelled to ponder. To desire. To listen. To expect......

In His silence, He speaks!

(To read the rest of this blog, hop on over to the link in my bio. ....)

Amen

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For Those Suffering Illness

Having gone through chemotherapy with my wife and now going through it myself has made me more sensitive to what other people facing illness are going through.

Father,

I pray for those who are facing serious illness. I pray they may turn to You and trust in You for comfort and strength. I pray that You may give them healing and peace. I pray this, not only for the sufferers, but for the family and friends that surround them. I pray that You may be real to them and that they may come to You in their time of need.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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Prayer for Caregivers

Father, lift up those who are burdened with the care of a loved one. Grant them strength to handle the sleepless nights, the long days, the stress of not knowing what each day will bring. Give them grace that they may extend grace. Increase their patience and help them to love well. Remind them that their loved one is in your hands and help them to trust your heart when they can't trace your hand. Make them a blessing. Amen

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PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 1:17-18 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Fathetr, may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation, so that you man know Him better. I pray also the the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

Dear Heavenly Father, Paul prayed fervently for the people in the church at Ephesus, and this is our prayer today. Oh God give us the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation so that we can know You better. Knowledge about You is wonderful, but knowing You personally and intimately is beyond wonderful and the wisdom you give us the the revelation to understand your Word. Father, the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, is the same power You have giving by by the Holy Spirit. Help us to study Your Word, and obey it, so you can demonstrate your power in our lives, and that it will bring honor and glory to your Holy Name. I love You. Amen.

Amen

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Walking in the Truth

3 John 1:3-4 (NIV)
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Father since the Apostle John had no greater joy, concerning his children in the faith, how much more it is for You when we, your children, walk in the truth. So I pray that today, by your grace and strength, we will bring overflowing joy to your heart by walking in Your Truth.

It is your truth that saves us, your truth that protects us, and your truth that guides us in the paths of right living. Father, you have blessed us with so much, may we be a blessing to you today. In the name of Him who is Truth.

Amen

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For those who are in need

Father,

Your love is as wide as the oceans
As deep as the sea
And as tall as the heavens.
May your spirit rise like a mightly wave and come and restore those who are ill.

You are the water of life,
You are a fresh spring,
You are healing rain
To all those who are in need.
Come Lord!

Amen

Source: lords-prayer-words.com

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The sounds of our weeping...

Rest assured my friends, the Lord hears the cries of our hearts and responds. He knows the deepest wounds, the heaviest burdens, and He cares. Lift your petition to Him and then seek rest in His arms.

Amen

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Beauty Around Us

Father,

Thank You for all the beauty we see around us. Help us to look beyond it to see the Artist. Help us not to pass by indifferently, but to notice what You have painted on the canvas of the world. Even in places like coral reefs, which until recently few humans have seen. Let us not focus on the corruption that has since crept in, but look beyond it to see the beauty of Your person.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 34:8-11
"Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord."

Dear Lord, I have tasted and I see that you are good. Everything about you is good. I am blessed daily as I take refuge in You. I stand in awe (fear) of You and because I belong to you, I lack nothing.
Thank you that I am more valuable to you than the lions that grow weak and hungry and you give me all I need and I lack nothing.

You call me child, and I listen to You. At you knee and in Your Word, I learn the true meaning of the fear of the Lord...that you are HOLY, there is NONE like and I kneel in reverence and fear and truly you fully as a child trusts his father. I love You, Amen.

Amen

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Heaven’s Hope Means Earth’s Goodbyes are Not Forever

In this passage the Apostle Paul says a final farewell to the Ephesian Church Leaders which caused them great sorrow.

Acts 20:25 & 36-38 (NLT)
“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. ³⁶ When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. ³⁷They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. ³⁸They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again….”

Earthly goodbyes, as heart breaking as they are, never mean forever goodbyes. The Apostle Paul reminds us of our heavenly hope in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NLT) “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope” And he continues in 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 (NLT) “ Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. ¹¹So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

The Apostle Paul affirms this assurance in 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NLT)
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

Father, at home with the Lord means we will be with you and our loved ones in heaven forever. As the Psalms says “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6

Thank you Father for this blessed, glorious and eternal hope. Thank you that in Christ goodbye here is good morning up there. It is hello to goodbye.

Amen

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O Lord, do not be far off!

O LORD, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
- Psalm 22:19-21

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
- Psalm 34:1-4

Amen

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"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing...."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16,17)

Amen

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Continue the Celebration

Father, as we continue into the weeks beyond Easter Sunday, let us continue to keep the feast of celebration for the Resurrection. Help us remember that every Sunday is a Resurrection day. May we live as Easter people, in the power of the Resurrection. Amen

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PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 34:1-7

"I will extol the Lord at all times. His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord. Let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called and the Lord heard him, He saved him out of all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them."

Dear Lord, help me to be in the attitude to extol you at all times. I truly want praise to be on my lips, and not negative words. When I seek you with all my heart...you answer me. You deliver me from all my fears. I want to show Your radiance in my face, keep me from sin and shame.

You have heard my cries and save me out of all my troubles. I am overwhelmed that the Angel of the Lord encamps around me when I stand in awe and you in turn, deliver me. I love You. Amen

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Baseball and the Christian Life

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT)
As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father what a pleasure to pray for people who exhibit these three great Christian characteristics of faith, love and hope. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT) which says: ”Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

Father may we all grow in these gracious virtues and so demonstrate the difference the Lord Jesus Christ makes in the lives of those devoted to him. It is the good life because it overflows with faith, love and hope. Its’ like having the bases loaded with Jesus as the cleanup batter. We win

Thank you Lord

Amen

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Prayer of the Suffering

O Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble.
Turn your ear toward me.
Answer me quickly when I call.

My days disappear like smoke.
My bones burn like hot coals.
My heart is beaten down and withered like grass
because I have forgotten about eating.

I am nothing but skin and bones
because of my loud groans.
I am like a desert owl,
like an owl living in the ruins.
I lie awake.
I am like a lonely bird on a rooftop.

All day long my enemies insult me.
Those who ridicule me use my name as a curse.
I eat ashes like bread
and my tears are mixed with my drink
because of your hostility and anger,
because you have picked me up and thrown me away.
My days are like a shadow that is getting longer,
and I wither away like grass.

But you, O Lord, remain forever.
You are remembered throughout every generation.
You will rise and have compassion on Zion,
because it is time to grant a favor to it.
Indeed, the appointed time has come.

Your servants value Zion’s stones,
and they pity its rubble.
The nations will fear the Lord’s name.
All the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
When the Lord builds Zion,
he will appear in his glory.
He will turn his attention to the prayers
of those who have been abandoned.
He will not despise their prayers.

This will be written down for a future generation
so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
“The Lord looked down from his holy place high above.
From heaven he looked at the earth.
He heard the groans of the prisoners
and set free those who were condemned to death.

The Lord’s name is announced in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
when nations and kingdoms gather
to worship the Lord.”
He has weakened my strength along the way.
He has reduced the number of my days.
I said, “My God, don’t take me now in the middle of my life.

Your years continue on throughout every generation.
Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth.
Even the heavens are the works of your hands.
They will come to an end, but you will still go on.
They will all wear out like clothing.
You will change them like clothes,
and they will be thrown away.

But you remain the same, and your life will never end.
The children of your servants will go on living here.
Their descendants will be secure in your presence.”

Amen
Psalm 102 (GWT)

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