A Simple Prayer for the Pain of Christmas

This season of Christmas surfaces all sorts of emotions. Sometimes we find ourselves grieving a loss or struggling with all sorts of images from Christmas Past.

In these times God can seem so distant and prayers so hard to say. I find that simple prayers can help to communicate our heart. Here is something we can pray.

I am hurting Lord. I am sad and I am struggling.

I offer my pain to you. I lift up my struggles and my sadness.

I confess that you are my friend, that you care about me and you are with me.

I ask you to help me. To comfort me. To bring joy into my life.

I believe in you Lord and trust you to bring me through this season.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen


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A Beautiful Gift

Prayer is our lifeline.

Our refuge.

Our strong tower.

Prayer is our intimate connection with Christ.

It’s where we pour out. Where He pours in.

It’s where love is born in our hearts for our Savior.

Prayer. Earnest prayer.

Where miracles happen. Where healing takes place. Where spirits are tendered and souls are released.

Where hearts are mended and eyes are opened.

Prayer.....the beautiful gift of God for those who love Him.

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


Amen

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The Lord's Strength


Most gracious and loving Father,

We come before you this morning with praise in our hearts for who you are. For your power, your compassion, your glory, and your strength. Your strength covers our weakness, O Lord, This strength encourages us, inspires us, and makes us fully dependent on you.

Yet Father we still struggle in our sin. We confess to you that our hearts are divided. We make idols out of things and worship what we should not. Our hearts have been hardened by our sin, and from our hearts comes an out powering of sinful ways. We claim your strength over our sin, Father. We claim our weakness in the face of your strength. And we are grateful we can look to you for guidance as we stray, and thankful you see only your Son when you look at us.

From the Valley of Vision Prayers:

Help us to be 
watchful over our ways,
jealous over our tempers,
diligent over our hearts.
When we droop,
revive us, 
When we loiter, 
quicken us, 
When we go astray,
 restore us. 
Possess us with more of that faith 
which is the principle of all vital godliness.

Amen

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Christ the King

Almighty and everlasting God,
whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son,
the King of kings and Lord of lords:
Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth,
divided and enslaved by sin,
may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and for ever.
Amen
Book of Common Prayer

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AN OVERFLOW OF WORSHIP

 

Colossians  4:5-6  "Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

"Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks".  O Lord, may my heart overflow with worship.  May my conversation be a feast of life.  May Christ be the bread and Your Spirit the wine, may praise be the fruit and grace the salt, may love be the table and wisdom the candle.  May I always be prepared to feed anyone who hungers for the hope that I have in Christ.  I love you.  Amen.


 Maranatha Worship Bible
googleimages.com

Amen

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Post-Thanksgiving Day


1 Chronicles 23:30 (NLT)
    “….each morning and evening they stood before the LORD to sing songs of thanks and praise to him.”
Father I pray as the sun rises and sets, that each day, will be bracketed with thanksgiving. The words from the song: “Bless the Lord Oh My Soul” expresses the desire my heart:

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name
As the Psalmist says so well:

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. 2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,” Psalm 92:1-2 (NLT) 
Thank you Father for this post-Thanksgiving day and that we can continue to give you thanks and praise every day. “I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.” Psalm 145:2 (NLT)
Celebrating today in Jesus name. Amen.


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Truth

Truth in our culture these days seems to be becoming more and more relative to most. I am thankful that God has revealed to us His truth in His Word, through His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.

Lord God Almighty, You are the God of all truth. Thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ and Your powerful Word. Thank You for revealing that You are truth and You are love. Thank You for showing me what it means to live out the truth and love others. Help me be faithful to study Your Word and know the truth. Keep me alert to wisely patrol the ideas, sermons and teachings I am encountering to be sure they agree with Your Word and glorify Jesus Christ. Lord, give me a heart that deeply cares and keep me connected to a strong community of believers with a solid affection for Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Krista Williams 
 

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A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the old factory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited

Amen
...prayer taken from Christian Google prayers

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God is on our side

Most gracious and loving Father,

We come before you today thankful you are the God of peace, the  God of love, the God who fights for us. You are on our side, oh, Lord! What a joy! What a surety! Thank you for being good, kind, generous, just, powerful, and faithful. You are sovereign over all and always present with your people.

As many prepare for the Thanksgiving this week, we acknowledge that there is often much pain and hardship during the holiday season. It can be so easy for us to forget who you are and your love as the things of this world overwhelm us. Father, we pray over the challenges of difficult family dynamics, over loneliness and despair. Please cover these with your peace, that passes all understanding. 

Help us to love these family members who hurt us, and to be kind to ourselves as we are hurt by them. 

O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
    who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
 (Psalm 71: 1-3)


Amen

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It's Your Choice





Mark 8:34 "If people want to follow me, they must give up things they want.  They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me."

On one side stands the crowd,
Jeering, Bating, Demanding.
On the other stands a peasant,
Swollen lips, Lumpy eye, Lofty promise.
One promises acceptance, the other a cross.
One offers flesh and flash, the other offers faith.
The crowd challenges, "Follow us and fit in,"
Jesus promises, "Follow me and stand out."
They promise to please, God promises to save.
God looks at you and ask, "Which will be your choice?"

Grace for the Moment ~ Max Lucado  (Nov. 18)

Dear Lord sometimes this seems like a hard choice.....but the closer I follow You, and the more I camp in Your WORD, the more I surrender my life completely to You, I want no other choice.  You own me, you paid the ultimate price for my salvation...what less can I do... I will follow You.  I love You, Amen.






Amen

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Name Them One by One


Deuteronomy 16:10 (NLT)

     Then celebrate the Festival of Harvest to honor the LORD your God. Bring him a voluntary offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him.

Father it is always good for us to celebrate your generosity in response to the blessings we have received from you. For this reason Thanksgiving Day is such a special time of the year. A time to remember, a time to rejoice and a time renew our commitment to you and to share with others all you have done for us.

Father may we call to mind the admonition and encouragement of the Scripture: “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Thank you Father for all you have done. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, kindness, patience, goodness, forgiveness, spiritual and material blessings.  In reality, Father, more than we could ever express, your blessings are beyond number. As the Psalmist so apply said: “17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” Psalm 139:17-18 (NLT)

Thank you Father, in Jesus name, for all you have done! Amen.


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Hope in Trials

Thank You, Lord, for the hope we have in You. We can endure the trials of today because we know the truth of tomorrow. You are the Giver and Sustainer of life. All sorrow will one day be erased. All tears will one day be replaced. There will be joy and laughter and singing. And it's all because of You. Help me to remember this truth when the weight of today feels like too much. Help me to become a person of prayer and person of praise, because of everything You have already done. In Jesus' name, Amen

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A Prayer for remaining Grateful when Life is Messy

Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:18 (ESV)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa. 41:10 (ESV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Rom. 8:28 (NIV)



Dear heavenly Father, there are some days when it’s good (and important) to remember that you call us to offer thanks in, not for, all circumstances. The gospel isn’t about magic thinking or make-believe-living, spiritual anesthesia or circumstantial amnesia. In fact, the gospel is the only place in the universe where we don’t have to pretend about anything. That’s one of the many reasons we love you, and ARE grateful to be your children.

Father, strengthen, help, and uphold us with your righteous right hand, in stories that are recipes for dismay.

For those of us for whom Thanksgiving Day will highlight the brokenness of our family system — grant us grace and freedom to love well in the chaos.

For those of us bearing the weight of health concerns for ourselves, or those we love — grant us grace, peace, and the assurance of your nearness.

For those of us weighed down by some combination of the 6 o’clock news, financial pressures, vocational issues, and relational heartache — grant us grace, and a vision of the occupied throne of heaven.

For those of us who hear the condemning whispers of Satan louder than the consoling voice of Jesus — grant us grace, and fresh assurance that nothing can separate us from your love — that Jesus plus nothing is our righteousness, period.

Father, in these, and other scenarios of difficult circumstances, reassure us that you are very much at work — for your glory and our good. For you have called us — you have subpoenaed us to an eternal life of intimacy with yourself.

You want us, you have us, and you love us. Hallelujah, now and forever we are yours. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

... a prayer from Scotty Smith at The Gospel Coalition.

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His Loving Kindness



Father God,

We lift your name on high, knowing you are the everlasting God. You are infinite, powerful, and just. Yet you are close to us... and You are gentle, and you are merciful. We praise you because your name is worthy to be praised!

Please search our hearts today. Reveal to us any hidden sin: any idol we have placed above you, and help us to turn away from our sin and toward you. Our sin is grievous, oh, Lord. Yet you are slow to anger and swift to show us grace. May our hearts be filled with gratitude over your loving kindness.

Prepare our hearts for this day, oh Lord. Guide us in the way in which you'd have us go. Show us your will. May we encounter each person today with love and kindness, including ourselves.

Nothing is too hard for you. May we stand in this strength and power, knowing it comes not from us, but from you alone.

In Your precious Son Jesus' Name,

Amen

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Prayer of Thanksgiving

Father, thank you for your love and for your grace to us. Thank you for choosing us to be your beloved children and fellow heirs with Jesus. Amen

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WHAT CAN I GIVE IN RETURN?


 

 A time for Thanksgiving!  A time for praise.  A time to say thank you to a God who loves me, sent His Son to paid my debt, forgive me, and give me eternal life.

What can I give in return?

Dear Lord, I want to proclaim Christ!
I want to portray Christ!
I want to please Christ!
I want to praise Christ.
I want to have a thankful heart, and never forget the sacrifice You made for me!  I love You.  Amen.






Amen

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The Key To Thanksgiving



Psalm 23:5 (NLT)
     My cup overflows with blessings.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
     6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness

Father at this wonderful season of the year, “Thanksgiving,” we have so much to be thankful for and the greatest of all is our relationship with you.  Little wonder that our cup overflows, not only with your blessings, but especially with your presence. As the Psalmist says: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

So Father, thank you for all the blessings we remember and celebrate this time of the year. So many joys you give us in life and especially the joy of your presence which is our strength and hope.

With deepest gratitude through Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen!


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Father,

Our world is upside down from the effects of sin. You alone are the solution ... our Savior. This I know, and Your instructions are clear as we live each day surrounded by the storm that swirls around us.

Don't worry about anything.

Pray about everything.

Make your requests known to God.

Give thanks for all You've already done.

THEN we will have peace so great it's beyond understanding.

That peace will guard our hearts AND minds, as we live in Christ Jesus.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Thank You for the hope we have in Christ Jesus.  Amen

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Thankful for You

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. (Romans 1:8)

So often we all take the ones closest to us for granted. I know that pain has often caused me to neglect the giving of thanks for those who regularly bless me. In this simple verse Paul tells us to not neglect the giving of thanks for the faithful.

Father, I am sorry thank I am so often preoccupied with myself and do not say thanks for those you have placed in my life. Thank you for them and the many others in the world who are faithful to You - even when life is so difficult for them.

Amen


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Do we want victory?




We will never have victory in our lives if we don’t pray. We must cultivate purposeful, intentional and powerful prayer lives if we desire to be properly armed in our fight against the enemy. We will only defeat him and push back the kingdom of darkness on our knees or on our faces.

It is time to fight. It is time to be purposed. It is time to be victorious.


“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”                     (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Amen

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Songs of Thanksgiving



Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
     The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Father, as we move toward Thanksgiving Day Celebration, remembering all the blessings you have given us through this year, we do so with songs of thanksgiving ready to burst out of our hearts. 

As the Psalmist sang: Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things…..” Psalm 103:2-5 (NLT)

Father we can surely say: “My cup overflows.” Thank you for your presence and provision. The Doxology we often sing expresses our gratitude so well:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen!



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Guard the Legacy


Father God, thank You for the legacy Paul left for us emphasizing the grace and love poured out from You so that we might have relationship with You. Help us to guard the pattern of sound teaching we have received with faith and love in Christ Jesus and protect what's been entrusted to us. We are so rich in Christ Jesus and are so thankful for Your Word and the work of the Holy Spirit that reveals to us Your Son and what He did to purchase our salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬

“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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entering heaven's gates

Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5)

The theme of thanksgiving and praise is one that permeates all of scripture. It is a way to pray that directs our focus heavenward. The Lord's prayer is a great example of how we should begin our prayers with praise. When we thank and praise the Lord it sets our heart in a good place.. a place of hope and expectation. We open heaven's gates when we praise Him. Please join me in praying these words.

We hallow your name Father and remember that you are worthy of all praise and honor. In unison we say that You are good. You are compassionate. You care for us with a deep love. We confess our love, adoration and worship of You. We offer our lives to you afresh and ask for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done in our lives.

Amen


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