a prayer for perspective

Lord,

We are struggling to understanding so much right now. We don't understand what people are ding, what is happening, what You are doing, and it's making us feel all the emotions. 

Sad? Check.
Angry? Check. 
Happy? Sometimes, but less so, really.
Fear? Yep, that one too.

The ugliness of our hearts are being revealed not just to ourselves, but to the world. The idols we've put in Your place are getting bigger as we get angrier and more fearful.

Father, let us be like Habakkuk who brought all his questions to You. And then he went up on a tower and waited.

I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint. (2:1)

Help us find our tower, Lord. How can we get perspective? Where is our tower? Where can we go to see things from the right perspective? Help us to stand back and get the bigger picture. Give us Your eyes to see and Your heart to feel and Your wisdom to respond.


Amen

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Loving Father

Father, we thank you that we can know that no matter what we may face in this broken world, you are a loving Father who is in control of all things. Amen

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LET'S JUST PRAISE THE LORD

What is the best thing to do when all around you seems falling apart.  PRAISE THE LORD!

Can we only praise our Lord in good times?  If we truly believe He is in Total Control, we can praise Him all the time.

It's what the Psalmist did in  Psalm 48.

PRAISE the Lord

PRAISE the Lord in the heavens;

PRAISE Him in the heights!

PRAISE Him, all His angels;

PRAISE Him, all His hosts

PRAISE Him, sun and moon

PRAISE Him, all you stars of light!

PRAISE Him, you heavens of heavens,

And you waters above the heavens!

Let them PRAISE the Name of the LORD!

 

Heavenly Father, Creator of heaven and earth, give us hearts of PRAISE.  PRAISE in the good times and PRAISSE when things seem upside down.  Lord we PRAISE YOU because You are in control and nothing takes you by surprise.  You have the plan laid out, and it is on Your time table.  Help us to see that Your thoughts are above us, and we are not expected to understand them, but to take them by Faith and watch You work Your will.   Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow!.. I love You.  Amen



Amen

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Bowing Before Jesus

Philippians 2:8-11 (HCSB)
     ⁸ He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. ⁹ For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—¹¹ and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Heavenly Father it is with deepest gratitude that I come before you in loving and willing obedience, bowing before Jesus. With all of my heart and soul I want to honor Him as King of Glory and King of Kings. His majesty is without precedent or parallel. The astonishing contrast of His heavenly crowns: (“…on his head are many diadems….” Revelation 19:12 ESV) expressing His divinity, and His earthly crown of thorns: (“….the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head…..” John 19:2 (ESV)) expressing His humility. 

Heavenly Father, Your beloved Son Jesus, has earned by His suffering and sacrifice on the cross the recognition and honor due to Him as sovereign Lord and Savior of all who believe in Him.

How true is Revelation 5:11-14 (NLT) “¹¹ Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. ¹² And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” ¹³ And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” ¹⁴ And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. “

Dear Father, the song “Here I am to Worship” by Terry MacAlmon, moves me to sing with tears of gratitude:

King of all days
oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me

Amen!!!

a prayer of renewal

Lord, open our eyes 

that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. 

Lord, open our ears 

that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, the oppressed. 

Lord, open our hearts 

that we may love each other as you love us. 

Renew in us your spirit. 

Lord, free us and make us one.

Amen

... a prayer by Mother Teresa

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O Lord,    make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name,

for you never fail to help and govern
those whom you have set upon
the sure foundation of your loving­kindness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,

for ever and ever.    Amen
Book of Common Prayer

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A FATHER'S ADVICE

"Listen my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run you will not stumble.  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well for it is your life.  Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. . . The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shinning ever brighter till the full light of day."  ~Proverbs 4:10-15,18

Father God, we pray for all fathers who have the awesome task of raising godly children.  It's such a difficult task, but with the wisdom of your Word, and faithful fathers who love Your Word godly children can be the wonderful result.  Help all fathers today on their special day to love and teach your words of wisdom to their children.  Amen

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A Father Like God

1 John 2:13 (NLT)
      ”I am writing to you who are mature in the faith (Fathers) because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.”

One of the greatest aspects of fatherhood, especially as they develop spiritually over the years, is their personal knowledge of Christ. In part it is an intimacy that comes through life relationships with their family. Learning what it means to be a godly father is sometimes painful but results in ultimate pleasure.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for Father’s Day and the wonderful, abiding memories that will be shared and spoken of honoring Fatherhood. Fathers as leaders of their family, protectors of their homes, providers for their households and examples for their children need prayer for such a glorious task. Speaking as a father, we have our flaws, failures, and foul-ups, of which no one is surprised.

Yet, we have the most wonderful challenge, the most precious opportunity, and the most cherished privilege of being a father, hopefully like You. “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

Heavenly Father You express, through Your character and love, all of the attributes of what Fatherhood means. Help us fathers to so live that our families will experience the blessings and benefits of being a father like you.

Through Jesus our Lord, God our Father and the Holy Spirit our helper. Amen.

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a loving supplication

I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life.

I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You.

I love You, Lord, and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally.

My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You,

I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

Amen

... a prayer of Saint John Vianney

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for those pursuing justice

In the middle of the night, Martin Luther King Jr was awakened by a threatening and abusive phone call, one of many he received throughout his ministry. His wife Coretta remembers him praying this prayer:

"Lord, I am taking a stand for what I believe is right. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I have nothing left. I have come to the point where I can't face it alone."

His wife also remembered that Martin told her: 

"At that moment, I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced Him before. It seemed as though I could hear a voice saying: 'Stand up for righteousness; stand up for truth; and God will be at our side forever.'"

Lord, we join with Dr King in asking for protection for those who are peacefully protesting and for those who are leading the campaign for social justice. We know that many of them have fears and feel like they have nothing left. Imbue these with courage and a sense of your presence. Bring others along side of them to encourage and help them.

With love and thanks we say amen.
 

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for small steps

Father,

We long to take big steps forward. In our successes, in our growth. In our careers, in our relationships. Yet more often, we are the people of small steps.

We are stubborn and set in our ways. We like things the ways we've constructed them. We;ve built our lives the way we have because we like them that way. We also believe that as your children we are growing and changing - You have called us to that. You've called us to be shaped into the person of Christ, daily. Many of usz would like to have that figured out already, to take big leaps foward every day so that we are more like Christ.

Father, we submit our minds, our hearts, and our bodies to Your will. Help us to see the power and the beauty of the small steps that move us forward each new day. Let us not find despair in how far we have to go, but to hope in all the miles You have already brought us. We know You honor our small steps, Lord. Help us to celebrate and honor them, too.



Amen

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Prayer for Peace and Justice

Father, make us instruments of peace in an angry world. Let us work for justice and reconciliation and bring a bit of your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. May your transforming love flow through us onto others. Amen

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EZEKIEL HAS THE ANSWER

As I read the devotion this morning in the Daily Bread, I was struck that Ezekiel had the answer for the wickedness in our country. 

"But if a wicked person. . . does what is just and right, they will save their life."  God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone.  The Sovereign Lord declares, Repent and Live!  (Ezekiel 18:27)

Only God can change a hard wicked heart of stone into a heart of flesh and good.  The last four months have driven us to our knees for our country.  Wickedness abounds and we see the sinful nature of man left to his own ideas and devices.  Oh how we need to see SIN for what it is and Repent...so we can LIVE.

Dear Father God, You alone know what's in the heart of man and the wicked things that are being played out in our country.  We know you are Sovereign and You are in control and long to have us repent and turn back to God as a nation.  But Lord, it has to happen one heart at a time, so I pray and plead that hearts will be convicted and widespread repentance will come so You can heal our Land.

Father, give our leaders courage to stand for what is right and noble.  Help them to be fearless in the power of Your Word.  We know sinful nations are judged and we are feeling it.  Help the good and righteous people who Love You and Your Word prevail.   Amen

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Praying for Amanda

College Graduation Prayer for Amanda

June 13, 2020

Don Slaven, Grandpa

“I always thank my God when I pray for you…”

Philemon 1:4 (NLT)

Heavenly Father it is with great joy and respect that I have this opportunity to pray for Amanda. She has faithfully persevered in this wonderful accomplishment of earning her College Degree. It is a milestone reached; a mountain summit conquered and a dream come true. How satisfying and fulfilling it must be to have such success. To meet the challenge and overcome the struggle is a victory to be celebrated and acknowledged. We, her family and friends, do that today. By her example and determination she has inspired all of us to be diligent in our own personal pursuits.

Heavenly Father on behalf of Amanda:

I pray that she will continue life’s greatest journey. “Following God Consistently”

I Pray that she will grasps life’s greatest discovery - “Understanding God intimately.”

I pray that she will seize Life’s greatest adventure - “Worshiping God Faithfully.”

I pray you she feel Life’s greatest awareness - “Sensing God Closely.”

I pray that she will achieve Life’s greatest goal - “Seeking God Honestly.”

I pray that she will embrace Life’s greatest challenge - “Trusting God 
Completely.”

I pray that she will maximize Life’s greatest opportunity - “Giving God Priority.”

I pray that she will accept life’s greatest test – “Obeying God Enthusiastically.”

I pray that she will earn life’s greatest reward – “Serving God Conscientiously.”

I pray that she will read life’s greatest Book – “Hearing God Clearly.”

I pray that she will embrace life’s greatest relationship – “Loving God Dearly.”

I pray that she will discern life’s greatest fellowship – “Knowing God Personally”

I pray that she will experience life’s greatest emotion – “Enjoying God richly.”

I pray that she will demonstrate life’s greatest admiration – “Revering God Humbly.”

I pray that she will anticipate life’s greatest destiny – “Seeing God Eternally.”

Heavenly Father, in praying for Amanda, I ask for your grace, mercy and peace to be with her. I ask you to guide her in all of her pursuits and to help her achieve your purpose and will for her life.  It is a great day you have given Amanda to share with her family and friends. It is also a wonderful day to be remembered and to look forward to further adventures and achievements to come. We all love and value Amanda and ask for your abundant blessings on her life.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you..….”

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)

I ask this in the Name of the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our only Savior and Sovereign LORD. Amen

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gateways to joy

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSV

These verses teach me about the interconnectedness of joy to prayer and the giving of thanks. The words 'always', 'without ceasing' and 'all' point me to an integrated life - lived from within. In reality no one can live these out 24x7. Yet the heart of these verses seem more about an inner attitude than an outer performance. And a life connected to the heart of God.

Jesus put it this way: "Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water." The promise of the new heart is the promise of connection to God - the source of joy. This joy flows like a river from our heart as we connect with God through prayer and the giving thanks. In a sense prayer and thanksgiving are the gateways to these springs of joy.

Open our eyes Lord to the joy that is ours when we pray and give thanks. Endow us with an awareness of your presence and help us to lean into the Holy Spirit when we are sad. Cause joy to spring forth from within us as we pray and release our cares to you.

We pray in your joy-filled name. Amen

 

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an old blessing for times such as these

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen

(a franciscan blessing)

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a prayer for humility

Father,

We grieve the state of our nation, O Lord. We grieve the trauma caused to people of color. We grieve what they have lost, we grieve our apathy, we grieve their hurt. We grieve the active and passive ways bias has broken down the truth that each person is made in the image of God.

We cry out to You, Father, to help us understand the value You have given each precious life. Help us to now just see this value, but live this value out. We also ask for Your help to see each perspective, so our understanding of the way sin in this world destroys is made more complete, true, and more faithful to reality.

We are prideful people... our pride deceives our hearts. It makes them hard. We acknowledge Your desire for us is a soft heart that sees the world and see people as you see them.

Your words reminds us that you oppose the proud and give grace to the humble.

And You give more grace.

Lord, please open our eyes to our own pride, for changing the world starts with changing us. So change us, Lord. Reveal to us our sin, humble us so we repent, and then give us the courage to move that grace You give into the world.

You are redeeming this world, O Lord. And you are using us to do it. Keep us humble, give us wisdom, and give us Your eyes. Your heart. So that we may love as You love.


Amen

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A NATION IN TROUBLE

A Nation in Trouble

The Reconciliation Song

 

Oh, let us be the generation

Of reconciliation and peace,

And let us be a holy nation

Where pride and prejudice shall cease.

 

Let us speak the truth in love

To the lost and least of these,

Let us serve the Lord in unity

So others will believe.

Let us be a generation

Of reconciliation and peace.

 

Have we not one Father?

Have we not one Faith?

Have we not one Calling?

To become one Holy Race? 

 

~Morris Chapman, Buddy Owens, Clair Cloninger (1995)



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Listen

James 1:19-20 (NLT)
     ¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰ Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

Heavenly Father it is painfully clear that not only have we lost the art of listening but more tragically the heart to listen.  With gracious sensitivity and love you listen to us, are mercifully patient with us and are touched with our suffering. You remind us of your concern “ …. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.” Exodus 3:7 (NLT)

Father we live in a broken, shattered world of deafness where husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings, neighbors, and the human race seems incapable of the beautiful ability to simply listen to each other. We know there are those who ache to be heard and understood.

We know that your Son, Jesus came to die for us, to listen to us, to forgive our sin and heal our pain. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;” Isaiah 53:4 (ESV)

Father since you so listen to us, and Jesus listens to us, and the Holy Spirit listen to us, should we not also listen to each other? In doing so you give us the hope and answers we long for. “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)

Father our only hope to have our hearts changed by the transforming power of the Gospel and thereby be given a heart like Yours, so we may listen to all who’s hearts are breaking.

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

Maranatha! Music

Amen.

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see me through these hard times.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Dear Lord, see me through these hard times.

In these troubling times, I am filled with unspeakable fears.

I reach out my hand to you now, and ask you to walk besides me.

I cannot carry all my burdens, but I know you can, and will.

Please walk beside me. Please guide me.

Please help me hold on strong, through the trials and storms.

Help me hold on to my faith, In even the darkest hour.

Stay with me Lord, and show me Your way.

In your love and Holy Spirit I abide. Amen.

... a prayer of Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
originally posted in May 2014

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seeking justice in prayer

Thank you Lord that your heart and ears are inclined to those who are oppressed and hurting. Help us Lord to learn to do right and to seek justice for those who need help.

We pray for our governments - that they might show compassion towards victims of personal and societal prejudice and injustice. Help us all to defend everyone who is oppressed.

Lastly Lord, we ask for changed hearts. Ones that love our neighbors. Hearts that are willing to speak out and defend and plead the case of the one who does not have a voice.

Amen

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Pentecost Prayer

Holy Spirit, as you fell on the disciples at the beginning of your Church, fill us again and empower us to live as followers of the King of Kings. Lift us up from the mire of the kingdoms of this world and unify us and make us instruments of peace and healing in this broken world. Amen

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