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

The Peace of His Presence



Psalm 145:18 (GW)
     18 The LORD is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him.

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
     18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV)
        4 ”The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything….”

Father these verses comfort us with the wonderful knowledge of your presence with us and especially of your personal concern and care you for each of us. The hope and peace we have from the awareness of your presence is surely blessed assurance.

Thank you Father that we need not fret, worry or be overcome with anxiety in relation to life’s troubles. May we ever be mindful of the words of Jesus: “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27 (NIV)

Therefore Father: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. “Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

Thank you Father for the peace of your presence, in Jesus name, Amen!


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Prayers for Hurricane Survivors

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You today and each day for those who are suffering as a result of the recent disasters. The losses are great, the sufferings impossible to imagine. To be without fresh water, to be without the simplest things that we take for granted each day. We who have not been affected by these horrific disasters are called upon to give and pray for the survivors. To pray that each day they will have assistance, that each day they will find hope and that You are providing them what they need to keep going and not give up.

We pray that You are breaking whatever obstacles are standing in the way of help getting to them. We pray that they will see that they are not forgotten and we care. We pray that financial aid is reaching them, that laborers are sent to help, that they are protected from those who would take advantage of their circumstances. Would You, Father, help them to look to You for their help? And would You Father, put people in their paths who can help them physically and spiritually as they cope with the losses they have faced in these past few weeks. Loss of family, loss of homes, possessions, jobs and loss of income. We pray for healing of those who are affected adversely health wise. For those who are feeble, the widow, the orphan, all those who mourn. Would you give courage to those who trust in You. And finally, would You keep these people in our prayers before You and help us not forget as we get involved in our daily routines?

And Father, would You keep us in remembrance to be thankful for every blessing that we enjoy each day? We ask these things in the name of Jesus.

Amen

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do we leisure??

I love the power behind this question from the book How to Pray by R. A. Torrey:

Do you take enough leisure for prayer to actually get into God's presence?

Are we rushing through our prayer time just so we can check it off our list for the day? Are we hurrying up to get it done so we can get on with our daily agenda?

Our time of prayer with the Father has to be priority in our lives. It is the key to spiritual growth. It is the key to intimacy with God. It is number one on the list to spiritual survival.

We must begin purposing to spend intentional time on our faces or on our knees in communion with Christ.

It is essential.

It is of the utmost importance.

 It is vital to our Christian walk.

Prayer is about getting into the Presence of God. Lingering with Him and filling ourselves up with His power and His might.

Prayer will change us and fill us with joy. So let's leisure in Him today and begin tapping into all that He has for us!

"In Your presence there is fullness of joy." (Psalm 16:11)


Amen

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Our Great God

Father,

Give Your people a glimpse of Your greatness. As we look at the heavens, as we see the majesty of nature in the world around us, help us to remember that we are seeing only a very limited picture of how great You are. Help us to recall this, when the things of life close in on us or just the tedium of living seems to wear us down. Help us measure all of our problems by Your greatness. And may it put them all in perspective.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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MY HEART NEEDS THEE





 My heart needs Thee, O Lord, my heart needs Thee.
No part of my being needs Thee like my heart.
All else within me can by filled by Thy gifts.
My hunger can be satisfied by daily bread.
My thirst can be allayed by earthly waters.
My cold can be removed by household fires.
My weariness can be relieved by outward rest.
But no outward thing can make my 
heart pure!
~George Matheson 1842-1906

Lord make this the pray of my heart.  Only YOU can change my heart.  Only YOU can make it pure. 
 




Amen

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Ransom

 Lyrics from the song:“How Deep The Father's Love”   by Stuart Townend

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

1 Peter 1:18-20 (NLT)
     18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began…….”

Father it is impossible for us to grasp the depth of your love for us. But we know that you love us. We know the greatest expression of your love for us was the sacrifice of your son on the cross for our sin. We know the joy the Psalmist spoke of in: Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT) 1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt….”

Father thank you for the confirming words of Jude: “….I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:1 (NLT)

Father I pray that everyone will come to know your love as their own personal experience through faith in your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen


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Heavenly Father, We don't always understand the world that we live in today. It can be confusing, frustrating, and terrifying.

Your Word says "Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." We ask that You would move in the midst of the darkness and chaos and turn it around for Your purposes. We pray that the victims of terror would draw near to You in the midst of the tribulations they are facing. We pray for those who are seeking the Truth through the turmoil. Deuteronomy 4:29 says, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." And we pray for those who are enemies of the cross. No one is out of Your reach. Your Son Jesus came to seek and save the lost. We pray for those who persecute You that they would find You and know the peace of God.

Help us 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 we never forget that. We 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 and pray this in Jesus' name. Amen


Adapted from Praying for Peace in Times of Terror at Leading the Way

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prayer for empathy

Lord, grant me the wisdom to see the good in each person I meet.

Grant me the empathy to understand their life situation and respect them enough to extend loving support, while sharing God's love with dignity.

Allow me, Lord, to recognize opportunities to stand with others, friend to friend.

Amen.
John Wenger | Andersonville (IN) Church of the Brethren

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Fear for Tomorrow

Father,

We live in a dangerous world. Between earthquakes in Nepal and ISIS in the Middle East and so many other things, it is easy to live in trepidation.  Comfort and help those who are genuine sufferers in these events. But help those of us who witness them from a distance also to trust in You. And encourage us who are Your people to do what we can to help. Help us not to be overwhelmed, but to be concerned. And help us not to become calloused by so much suffering, but to look at what, if anything, we can do to alleviate it.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen
... originally posted by Mike on May 5, 2015

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Prayer for Victims of Natural Disasters

Father, we pray for those who have lost property or loved ones in the recent groanings of a broken creation. Please heal bodies and hearts and provide relief. Let your people show love and compassion to their neighbors and show the truth, goodness, and beauty of Jesus. Amen

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GIVE ME......



GIVE ME AN OPEN EAR ~O God, that I may hear Thy voice calling me to high endeavor.  Too often have I been deaf to your appeals.  Give me courage to answer "Here am I, send me."

GIVE ME AN OPEN MIND ~ O God, a mind ready to receive such new light of knowledge as it is Thy will to reveal to me.  Give me courage to change my mind when that is needed.

GIVE ME OPEN EYES ~ O God, eyes quick to discover Thine indwelling in the world Thou hast made.  Forgive all my past blindness to the grandeur and glory of nature, to the charm of little children, to the sublimity's of human story, and to all the intimations of Thy presence which these things contain.

GIVE ME OPEN HANDS~ O God, hands ready to share with all who are in want the blessings with which Thou hast enriched my life.  Deliver me from all meanness and let me hold my money in stewardship and all my worldly goods in trust for Thee, to whom now be all honor and glory.  Amen.

Taken from a man, John Baillie, who new God is a time era in the past, who words hold so true today.  His Diary of Private Prayer speaks to me each time I read it.  

Father, give us open ears, minds, eyes and hands to serve you every day with thanksgiving for the life we have and the life you sacrificed for us.   I love You.  Amen.













Amen

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Four Pillars of LifeFour Pillars of Life

 

Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)
     “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Father you have given us four pillars for a sane life and a safe society: “truth, wisdom, instruction and understanding.

Your truth will stabilize us in turbulent times. Your wisdom will guide us in chaotic times. Your instruction will direct us in uncertain times. Your understanding will enlighten us in foreboding times.

Father, help us to apply these principles or pillars to our lives, and to remember the admonition of Your Word: “For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.” Proverbs 2:6-8 (NLT)

Father, may we all enjoy the benefits of these surpassing values.
Amen!


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Living in Light

Almighty Father,

We need help in our homes. Forgive us for our many family sins. We have not done what Your Word has clearly commanded. Bring the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children back to their parents. Show us how to live in the light of Your Son that the darkness of the world would be exposed. Teach us how to live in our marriages as followers of Jesus. Bring about a fruitfulness through  the church that will overflow into the world with a yield of much love and righteousness. We commit ourselves to prayer, seeking Your power for Your purposes. Grant boldness to your servants who bring Your Word in truth to Your people. Help us to walk in that truth. We love you with an undying love.
In Jesus name, Amen

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prayer in a time of disaster

Loving and Compassionate God, you are our comfort
and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.

Surround us now, O Lord, with your grace and peace
through storm or winds, fires or floods.

By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen.
... a prayer of the Franciscan Friars

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The sound of our weeping



What a beautiful passage of scripture. To know that God hears our cries. He hears the soft whimpers that echo forth out of our hurting hearts...our wounded spirits....our aching souls. Our weeping doesn't go unnoticed by our loving and compassionate God. He hears. He responds. He accepts our prayers.....

There is nothing too small and there is nothing too big to take before the Father in prayer. He is always attentive. Always listening. Always available to His children. Cry out. Look up. And receive blessing and healing from the Creator of all.


Amen

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No Quick Fixes

Father,

I pray for your people. I pray that we may not trust in gimmicks and simplistic formulas, but trust in You. That we might trust You through the long and sometimes laborious process of living for You and doing Your work. That we might not spend our time on the endless search for the right celebrity to follow and the right method to live by. But that we might live our lives one step at a time in obedience to Your ways.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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THE CROSS




 In the cross is health, in the cross is life
in the cross is protection from enemies.
In the cross is heavenly sweetness,
In the cross is strength of mind.
In the cross is joy of spirit.
In the cross is the heights of virtue,
In the cross is perfection of holiness.
There is no health of soul, no hope of eternal life
save in the cross.
~~~Thomas A. Kempis (1380-1471)

Oh Father, may I always keep my eyes on the cross.
I love You.  Amen. 





Amen

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Unprecedented



     "In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction." Daniel 7:2 (NLT)  

Father, we are all intimated by the monstrous power and devastating effects of hurricanes. Their force is irresistible, their reach is overwhelming and their destruction lasts for years. We flee in fear of their ominous danger and the death they bring.  So we pray for those upon whom Hurricane Irma is bearing down. We pray for their safety and protection.

Father I am reminded of the ancient sailors and their horrific experience in the storm.
     23 Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. 24 They, too, observed the LORD’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. 25 He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. 26 Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. 27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. 28 “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. 30 What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! 31 Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Psalm 107:23-31 (NLT)

Father we pray for deliverance, peace and grace for all who have been and will be crying out to you for help, in their time of trouble, as they encounter the fierce winds and waves of Hurricane Irma.

In Jesus strong name, Amen.


 

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Our Strong Tower

Father, there is so much chaos in our world right now and we would so love to see Your return. But  as long as we remain here, we thank You for Your presence and the opportunities we have to share Your love and comfort during these times. So many people have questions about You. Why does God allow these things? It is so hard to understand the destruction from natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or the fires that rage out of control leaving many without homes and bereft of their possessions. How much harder it is to comprehend the hate and the evil that surrounds us. Help us to be the salt and light needed in this dark world. Help us to comfort those who mourn. Help us to reach out with loving and generous hearts to those who have been left desolate. My prayer is that those who know You are remaining steadfast in their faith and that those who do not know You would see the love being poured out to them and their hearts would be open to know that there is One who cares for them and longs to be gracious to them. May the trials that have come their way cause them to open their hearts to know You and rely upon Your grace and love to see them through these times. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13) "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe."(Proverbs 18:10) Amen

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Calm me, O Lord, as You still the storm.

Calm me, O Lord, as You still the storm.

Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm.

Let all the tumult within me cease.

Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace.

Father, bless the work that is done
and the work that is to be.

Father, bless the servant that I am
and the servant that I will be.

Thou Lord and God of power, shield and sustain me this night.

I will lie down this night with God, and God will lie down with me;

I will lie down this night with Christ, and Christ will lie down with me;

I will lie down this night with the Spirit, and the Spirit will lie down with me;

God and Christ and the Spirit, be lying down with me.

The peace of God be
Over me to shelter me,

Under me to uphold me,

About me to protect me,

Behind me to direct me,

Ever with me to save me.
The peace of all peace be mine this night

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.
... from Celtic Daily Prayer

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reflect His love

Father God,

Our desire is to honor You in every way. We pray that our thoughts, our words and our actions will show that we are set apart in You. Help us to be bold and courageous in sharing the gospel. We pray that Your joy will be made full in us so others see You and Your love in our lives. Help us to use our gifts for Your glory. Help us to serve in Your Kingdom and seek Your purpose. May our lives bring You honor and glory and praise.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." John 15:9

Amen

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for those in authority

We are told to pray for those in authority. This is true whether or not we agree with their policies. If they are following the wrong principles, they need our prayers even more.

Father,

I pray for all those in government, whether at the national or local level. I pray You will give them wisdom. I pray You will give them wisdom to do, not just what is expedient, but what is right. I pray they will take into consideration Your will when making their decisions. And I pray they may lead us down the right and best paths.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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A Prayer for Trust

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of your presence, your love and your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to you. we shall see your hand, your purpose, your will through all things. Amen
Ignatius of Loyola

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FLOODS AND FIRES



Dear Lord ~ There are floods and fires across the United States.  People are in distress.  You know every name, you see every tear, you hear the cries for help.  You answer in so many ways.  Part of your plan is to use people.  Every status, color and race are coming together to help those in need.  Oh Lord, if only we could do that in times of blessing.  I pray for every one helping, and those who have lost every earthly possession.  Give comfort, peace and help to all of those in need.

Thanks you that today has been called out for a Weekend of Prayer....Lord I pray all your people will call on You this weekend and in the days to come.

Heal our hearts and our land.
I love You.  Amen.



Amen

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Through Deep Waters

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

     “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown…..”

Father, your ancient promise to Israel is true for all who trust in you. Your promise: “I will be with you,” is as comforting and reassuring today as it was to them then. So I pray for those suffering now the massive effects of Hurricane Harvey and the overwhelming flood waters that have inundated them, I pray that your peace will calm their weary hearts and your grace will sustain them in the weeks, months and even years of recovery.

Father I pray they will take hope and courage in your faithful word: Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

Father grant them the great confidence of your presence with them. And thank you for faithfully fulfilling you precious promises.

In the name of Jesus our gracious Lord and Savior. Amen.


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