Daily Prayer: August 2017

Prayer for Houston and Surrounding Areas

Dear Father,

As I reflect on the One whom I am asked to trust, my soul finds rest. You are our Great High Priest who understands. You are well acquainted with grief. Suffering. You understand by personal experience what it feels like to leave Home and be stripped of everything. You, too, were homeless with nowhere to lay Your head.

So please. Look on all those in the Gulf region who are now homeless, too. Stripped of everything. Please. Draw near to them. As they become more focused on the reality of their stark situation, I ask You to balance their feelings of devastation and loss with the comfort of Your presence. Your peace. Your love.

Thank You for every single one of the first responders … the professionals as well as friends and neighbors who are risking their own safety to help others. Give them supernatural strength. Energy. Stamina. And deep satisfaction as they receive the rich, priceless blessing of knowing their efforts are life-saving and life-changing.

O God. You have been our help in ages past. You are our hope for years to come. And You alone are our shelter from this stormy blast. Our refuge and our strength. You are our Good Shepherd who will lead us safely through this Valley of the Shadow that has fallen over a weary land.

So … wipe the tears from our eyes. Turn our faces to Yours. Cause us to choose to look up. To look to You. With trust.

In the name of the One who has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid … Amen

*adapted from http://www.annegrahamlotz.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Printable-Prayer_I-Look-to-You.pdf

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a prayer for people in Houston

Loving and gracious God,

All love and mercy compels us to the side of people in Houston.

In our charity, and in our compassion, help us stand with them.

In our solidarity and in our sharing, help us stand with them.

In our advocacy, and in our prayer, help us stand with them.

And as we turn to them in their peril, we ask your grace go with us:

To feed the hungry: give us your grace.

To give drink to the thirsty: give us your grace.

To clothe the naked: give us your grace.

To shelter the homeless: give us your grace.

To care for the sick: give us your grace.

To reach the trapped and the stranded: give us your grace.

To mourn the dead: give us your grace.

And in reaching out, may we find you in them.

And may they find you in us.

Amen

- Adopted from a prayer of Catholic Relief Services following Typhoon Haiyan, Nov 2013

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Just do it

Too often, the phrase "I'll pray for you" is tossed around like a toy. We banter it about with no intention of actually doing what we said we would do. There are times that we have the intention to do so, but still fail to act upon it.

How many times have we seen someone in the grocery store or at the post office or even at church and after they have expressed a need to us, we simply say, "I'm praying for you...."

And yet...

We walk away leaving them in the same needy condition they were in just moments before,

When we encounter someone with a need, let's be intentional about praying right then. Whether we are in the grocery store, or the mall, or the post office, let's stop right then and pray for our brother or sister in need. Let's get purposeful in our prayer lives!

How do we expect to hear if we don't petition? God wants us to bring our prayers to Him. He desires to do mighty things in our lives and in the lives of those around us. But we have to voice our prayers. We have to be obedient to His Word. We have to speak in faith and expect answers.

"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16)

Amen

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Hope

Father,

I thank you that in Your Son we have hope. Hope that this life is not the end. Hope that death has been conquered. Hope of eternal life together with You. Hope of Your presence now in our lives. Help us who are Your people remember that hope. Help us take it to a hopeless world, which so desperately needs it. Help us be a beacon of hope to those in trouble or anguish.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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CHRIST ~ THE ONLY WAY

Christ is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is he the best of several ways; he is the only way~~ A.W. Tozer (1897-1963

I believe You're the Lord of all,

The only righteous One;

You're the mighty Creator.

Great are the things You've done.

I believe You died for me,

That You live,

That you live and death is overcome

You' re the way to the Father,

You're the Truth, the Life, The Son,

The Truth, the Life, The Son.

~Sven Gunnarsen (1994)

Amen

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Imagine This…..

Psalm 104:33 (NLT)
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

Oh Father, to imagine that even with my dying breath I would be singing your praise. What a way to leave this frail temporal life and to enter my eternal home with you in heaven. The glory of it is beyond imagination.

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.”

I Can Only Imagine (MercyMe

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk, by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When you face is before me
I can only imagine

Surrounded by You glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine……”

Thank you Father that our singing your praises doesn't end at death. We will be singing throughout endless ages. In the Name of whom we sing, Jesus, Amen!

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Heavenly Father, I don't always understand the world that I live in today. It can be confusing, frustrating, and terrifying. Help me to remember that You are always in control. When all else fails, You never will. You are faithful and steadfast through trials and tribulations. May I never forget that. I call upon Your power and grace today and ask for You to bring peace, healing, and justice in the midst of the chaos happening around the world today.

We also lift up to you those who are in the path of the Hurricane on the Gulf of Mexico, asking that no lives be lost and for mercy upon the helpless. Help those who are in its way to reach safety. Open our hearts in generosity to all who need help in the coming days. In all things and in all times, help us to remember that even when life seems dark and stormy, you are in the boat with us, guiding us to safety. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”

So we say with confidence,

"The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid."

‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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God to enfold me ... to surround me ...

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.

Amen

... an ancient Celtic prayer

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THE LOOKING GLASS

Christian Living « Sherry Meneley | Life Coach | Creativity Coach | A Creative Wholehearted Life

PROVERBS 27:19 "As water reflects the face of a man or woman, so a man or woman's heart reflects them."

Oh Lord, You do not look at our outward appearance ~~ You look at our hearts. So how can I see the condition of my heart? By looking into the mirror of Your Word. Your Word reveals to me my own thoughts, motives and values. It exposes the content of my heart and shows me the kind of person I truly am. But Lord, it is my deepest desire that my heart reflect the heart of Christ so that those who see me will catch a glimpse of His reflection. I love You. Amen.

*Maranatha Worship Bible
*googleimages.com

Amen

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Gratitude

Psalm 92:1 (NLT)

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

Father, as prone as we are to first approach You with our own concerns, needs, questions and fears, today we just want to thank You! Thank you that we can relate to you as our heavenly Father. Thank you for your heart felt way of understanding our weaknesses and failures. Thank you for your gracious and merciful forgiveness. Thank you for your patience as you encourage us to share our heart with you.

Somehow we feel akin to the Psalmist when he wrote in Psalm 139:17-18 (NLT) "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! ¹⁸I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! ……”

So Father we just want to thank you for your grace, generosity, kindness, and the many ways you show your love for us. Yes, today we just want to Give Thanks!!! We do this in the Name of Your beloved Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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praying for those in authority

Father God,

Thank You for the gift of civil authority structures that You have appointed in this world. Use me for Your good purposes in the restraint of evil and for the encouragement of good. May we rightly honor them, and joyfully follow them. We would cooperate with them as conscience permits, but may we not be distracted from seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Grant us the incomparable blessing of the Spirit in us, that we would make no provision for the flesh to satisfy its desires. In all these ways may we relate honorably with all those around us and pray that Your will is done here on earth and that many will hear the truth and place their faith in Your Son for salvation. Amen

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Let Peace begin with Me

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

Amen

... from a song by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller

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earnestly.....

My prayer for all of us today and everyday:

"O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1)

Are we seeking? Are we thirsting after Him in desperation? I pray that He will become the most important part of our lives. I pray that we seek His face with expectancy and desire. May we praise Him with all our breath.....

Amen

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YOUR LOVE

Your love compels me, Lord
To give as You would give.

To speak as You would speak.

To live as You would live.

Your love compels me, Lord
To see as You would see.

To serve as You would serve.
To be what You would be.

(Doug Holck 1982)

Amen

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Confident Hope

Father, from a human perspective, it seems that the only thing certain in this life is that nothing is certain. So our hearts turn to You as the only source of our confident hope because of You are trustworthy. Indeed Father, as Jeremiah said: “…..blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)

Father, how wonderful it is to have this hope as an anchor for our soul. Though we don’t always have the answers to the uncertainties of life we can always have hope in life. This is true because in our despair you give hope. In our loneliness you give comfort. In our fear you give assurance. In all the aspects of life you give us Yourself. We say with the Psalmist: “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19 (NLT)

So then Father we are encouraged to: “……hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

The Song “Simply Trusting” express it so well:

Simply trusting every day,

Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain:

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Thank you Father for this Confident Hope, in Jesus name, Amen.

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Shine Jesus Shine

Father, We thank You that as our eyes are open to the truth of who Truth is, our hearts are open and the light of Jesus shines forth in these vessels of clay. Thank You that we are transformed and Your Spirit continues to transform us into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We have gone from the glory of the Old Covenant to the glory of the New Covenant, Christ in us, the Hope of Glory! Praise Your Name for giving us Your Light to shine in this dark world which so desperately needs You. Amen

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the valley of vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold they glory.

Let me learn by paradox,

that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit;
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter they stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty
thy glory in my valley.

Amen

... from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions

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Focus

Father keep our focus on Jesus. It is far too easy to set our sight on the things of this world. Temptations pull us away, and even good things can skew our vision. Set our eyes on Christ and let him beoour life. Amen

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BEAUTIES OF NATURE

"Now I pray our Lord to grant that by the blessed Spirit we may always be sensitive of the presence of God wherever we are. His are the beauties of nature, His the sunshine which is bringing on the harvest, His the perfume which loads the air from multitudes of flowers, His the insects which glitter around us like living gems, and yet the Creator and Sustainer of all these is far too little perceived." ~~Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834~1892)

Amen

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Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
”You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you……”

Father someone has said that: “Everybody is either heading into a storm, is in a storm or is coming out of a storm. Storms are a part of life. All of us face storms in our lives from time to time.”

Father we know that whatever our situation or environment, Your presence with us is a greater source for our peace and tranquility than anything else could possibly be. We so identify with the love for You spoken of in Psalms 18:1-2 (NLT) “¹I love you, LORD; you are my strength. ²The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

Father this wonderful peace transcends all understanding and is ours because we trust You. We take You at your word. We have full confidence in Your promises. And we take great continued comfort in what Jesus said: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (NLT)

Father thank you for this priceless gift that brings perfect peace to our souls. Therefore we can sing in the words of Horatio G. Spafford: “It Is Well with My Soul”

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Thank you Father, in the name of Jesus, our Peace. Amen.

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Living Letters

Father God,

You have made the church a living letter in Christ. May we be a letter full of true spiritual life. We are thankful to You for the blessing of the New Covenant and the gospel ministry. Because of the surpassing glory and righteousness of Christ, we have a great hope and are very bold. You have removed the veil from our eyes that we might see. Fill us with Your Spirit and enable us more and more to behold the beauty of Jesus Christ and grow from glory to glory.

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me
All Your wonderful passion and purity
Holy Spirit divine
All my nature refine
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

Amen

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Remember

Father,

You have called your people from earliest times to remember Your great deeds. Help us to remember Your great works in history and Your great works in our lives. Particularly help us to remember how You sent Your Son to save us. Help us not to be distracted by the pressure of the present moment or the present trial so that we forget what You have done for us in the past.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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