Daily Prayer: April 2022

Goodness of God

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness," Psalms 107:31 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father how grateful we are that your grace is abundantly expressed in your goodness to us. We are overwhelmed every day by your mercy.

I joyfully sing with the Psalmist: "1 Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 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." Ps 03:1-5 (NLT)

Thank you gracious LORD for your goodness to us! Amen.

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a steward's prayer

We are selfish and self-centered Lord.
Help us to remember that it all belongs to you.

We lust after things that we think will make us happy.

Teach us the ways of contentment.

We each have unique talents and abilities.

Bless us to use them for your purposes.

We are proud and arrogant Lord.
Lead us in ways of humility and grace.

We commit our ways to serve you and each other.

Multiply our efforts that you might be glorified.

Amen.

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a prayer to break free

Thank you Lord that we are free in Christ. Help us to live and thrive in that freedom.

Open our eyes that we might see as you see.

Give us wisdom to break free of the things that ensnare us and hold us in bondage.

Open our eyes that we might see as you see.

Bless us to live unencumbered by our past and to be unafraid of trying new things.

In the name of our Deliverer we say amen.

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Faith and Prayer

FAITH starts PRAYER to work. It opens the way for prayer to approach God.

FAITH makes PRAYER strong.

FAITH rests its case on diligent prayer.

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Amen

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help me to not give up

There are days Lord, when I feel so desperate.

Help me pray and not to give up.

Some days I feel depressed and all alone.

Help me pray and not to give up.

Sickness and pain seems to be unending.

Help me pray and not to give up.

Each day it is hard to find something positive.

Yet I will look to you each and every day.

For you are bigger than my problems.

And your love for me is great.

Amen.

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Hands and Heart

"...I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘

Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you." Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)

Dear LORD, I am advanced in years, diminished in strength, and disquieted by imbalance. How grateful I am that in mercy and compassion You hold me by Your omnipotent hand. And included such security and love is my son who holds me with his sturdy and strong hand. A loving and gracious wife who holds me in her tender arms. Daughters who hold me with love and devotion. And friends who faithfully hold me in their prayers.

This song expresses it well for me, resulting in great joy and eternal gratitude.

I don't know about tomorrow

I just live for day to day

I don't borrow from the sunshine

For it's skies may turn to gray

I don't worry o'er the future

For I know what Jesus said

And today I'll walk beside Him

For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know (those) who holds my hand

" Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

Alison Krauss, The Cox Family

Thank You Father for love, divine and human, that help me and hold me in their hands and heart. Amen.

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a prayer to lead a wise life

Forgive us Lord for the ways that pride and ego have caused us to live.

Teach us the ways of humility that we might lead wise lives.

Help us Holy Spirit, that we might hear you in the depths of our being.

Give us courage that our journey might be filled with good deeds.

In all things, may our lives be a blessing to you and those around us.

In Christ's name we say Amen.

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help us to be ourselves

Help us Dear Father, to not lose sight of who we are.

Remind us of how much you love the person that we really are.

When we are tempted to act like others, teach us to love ourselves.

Bless us Lord that we might lean into our hearts and not our heads.

We ask you for grace that love may flow from our innermost beings.

That we might become like your Son.

In His name we pray and say Amen.

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a prayer for seeing God's promise

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27)

Lord,

Just as those who struggled to and were slow to believe, we, too, are slow and foolish of heart, needing the ministry of the Spirit to free me from our unbelief. We praise you for your pursuit of us, your limitless patience, and steadfast love.

Jesus, continue to do for us what you did for those on Emmaus Road - to see you everywhere in Scripture. Drive deep into our hearts that truth of how you have fulfilled the law, and we can add nothing to our salvation. Keep us clear and free from all forms of works-driven salvation, and me-centered living. Keep convincing us that you are the resounding "Yes!" to every promise God has made through the prophets - not just with to the cross, but also to your crown! (1 Cor. 1:20).

Amen

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a peacemaker's prayer

In my dealings each day Lord,

Cause peace to begin with me.

When I am offended or hurt,
Cause peace to begin with me.

If I am confronted by hate,
Cause peace to begin with me.

As I seek to help those who are hurting,
Cause peace to begin with me.

In every action and each word I speak,
Cause peace to begin with me. Amen.

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a prayer of thanks for resurrection hope

Thank you Lord that Easter changes everything.

In your resurrection we embrace the hope of our own.

Our hearts are made glad as we remember the empty tomb.

We give all praise and glory to you for the reality of eternal life.

In the name of the risen King of kings we say amen.

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Fear Not

" ...God hath not given us the spirit of fear ..." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

Dear Farther, throughout the Scriptures, You have encouraged us to "Fear Not." You make this possible and practical because of Your grace, love and power given us through faith in Jesus Your beloved Son and confirmed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We do not need to fear life, death, or the future. All of these Jesus overcame through His suffering, death and resurrection

You take the fear out of life by Your presence: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

You take the fear out of death by Your power: "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)

You take the fear out of the future by Your promise: "....you have been called to one glorious hope for the future." Ephesians 4:4 (NLT)

"....as Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (GW)

Thank You Father that we need to fear because Your presence gives us peace, Your power gives us freedom and for Your promise gives us hope.

In the name of our glorious risen Savior. Amen.

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a prayer to follow the example of the cross

Dearest Lord Jesus

You could have called for angelic help.

But you didn't fight your torturers.

You could have defended yourself.

But you didn't respond to accusations.

Like a lamb led to slaughter.

You yielded your life on the cross.

Grant us grace and courage.

That we might follow your example.

Grant us humility and meekness.
That we might be silent when we are criticized.

Fill us with mercy and compassion.

That we might forgive those who hurt us.

Empower us Dear Holy Spirit.
That we might bear suffering like Jesus did.

In the name of the Servant King, we say amen.

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to live life as a prayer

Help us to live our lives reflecting the qualities of prayer.

Teach us to be people who wait with great patience.

Empower us to endure and encourage others to do the same.

In every opportunity, cause grace and mercy to be our banner.

May our lives join with you and your will every day.

Amen and Amen.

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celebrating with joy

We rejoice Lord, as we remember how you entered Jerusalem that Holy Day.

We are in awe of how you came, riding into the city on a lowly colt.

Thank you for that example of humility and grace.

We join with those who praised and worshiped you on that day.

We are forever grateful that you continue to come to us.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Amen and Amen.

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Triumphal Failure

"..the whole city was shaken.."

Matthew 21:10 (HCSB)

Father, tomorrow we celebrate Psalm Sunday and Jesus externing Jerusalem. The City reacted to Him as though a great earthquake had taken place. " ,... the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?” Matthew 21:10 (HCSB) Then a few days later Jesus was rejected as their King and condemned to the shameful suffering and agonizing death of Roman crucifixion..

Father, we know his triumph did not come with branches being waved to welcome him but by being nailed to a cross through which he triumphed over sin, The Apostle Paul reminds us that: " ...He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15 (NIV)

Thank you Father that what appeared to be a Triumphal Failure became an infinite and eternal Triumphant victory bringing us forgiveness and eternal life. A life that we can live triumphantly everyday. As the Scriptures affirm:

2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) "...thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession..."

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (ESV)

"56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (Triumph) through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 8:37 (ESV)

"....in all these things we are more than conquerors (Triumphant) through him who loved us.

Hallelujah for our Triumphal Savior!

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come into our dark places

Come into our dark places Lord.

Open our eyes that we might see what you are doing.

Help us join with you in ministry and service.

That your message of love might be spread across the earth.

We say amen in the name of Jesus and by your Spirit.

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to be agents of grace

I am reminded Lord, that we are your ambassadors. Your representatives on Earth.

Help us to be people who reflect your heart of service and kindness to all that we meet.

Cause us to be agents of your love, your mercy and your grace to the wounded.

Give us hearts to bring salvation to hurting neighbors and friends in need of Christ.

In all we do, we pray that our lives will point the way to Jesus and your kingdom. Amen.

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a prayer to start our day

We begin our day alone,

honoring this life, with all its potentials and possibilities.

We begin our day with trust,

knowing we are created for loving encounters.

We begin our day with hope,

knowing the day can hold

love, kindness,

forgiveness and justice.

We recall our day yesterday,

May we learn, may we love.

We pray for all whose day will be difficult,

May we support, may we listen

may we change.

We make room for the unexpected.

Help us to embrace possibilities,

respond graciously to disappointment

and hold tenderly those we encounter,

Help us be fully present to the day.

We welcome the people who will be part of this day

We welcome God in ordinary and extraordinary moment alike.

God be with us.

Christ before us,

Christ behind us

Christ over us

Christ under us.

Christ all around us.

Amen

Adapted from Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community

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help me to let go

Help me to yield to your spirit Lord.

Teach me the power of letting go.

I release my anxiety and confusion to you.

I cast my cares and my burdens on your shoulders.

In these dark times, I open my eyes to angels in my midst.

When things are hard, have mercy on me.

Help me to yield to your spirit Lord.

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to love and trust as a child

Our Father,

Help us to love as you love. Teach us to care as you care.

Give us child-like hearts that we might trust as a child trusts his parents.

Cause us to see with inner vision. Bless us to see as you see.

In all of life, lead us as your children and guide us as your followers.

We pray and say amen in the name of your Holy Child Jesus.

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Good News in a Bad News World

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NIV)

" ..... I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, ....2 By this gospel you are saved, .....3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"

Thank You Father that in this world of chronic bad news and events that drive people beyond despair that there is the glorious gospel of hope, help, healing, forgiveness and abundant and eternal life through faith in Jesus our Savior.

Father, help us to proclaim this gospel from the house top with courage and boldness. And to stand with the Apostle Paul when he says: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Thank You Father that in a bad news world we has the glorious good news of the gospel.

I sing with the Psalmist:

¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

³ who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Psalm 103:1-4 (ESV)

Amen.

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help us to listen

Dear Lord,

In times of trouble and pain, help us to quiet ourselves and listen for your voice.

When confusion comes and the way is not clear, teach us how to wait.

Calm us. Guide us. Cause patience to arise from the depths of our being.

We commit ourselves afresh to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

In his name we pray and say amen.

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