A prayer to grow in virtue

‘May thy grace, O Lord, which hath appeared unto all men, and appeared to me with such glorious evidence and lustre, effectually teach me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly.

Work in my heart that godliness which is profitable unto all things; and teach me by the influence of thy blessed Spirit, to love thee, the Lord my God, with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength.

May I entertain the most faithful and affectionate regard to the blessed Jesus, thine incarnate Son, the brightness of thy glory, and the express image of thy person.

Though I have not seen him, may I love him; and in him, though now I see him not, yet believing, may I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and may the life which I live in the flesh be daily by the faith of the Son of God.

May I be filled with the Spirit, and may I be led by it; and so may it be evident to others, and especially to my own soul, that I am a child of God, and an heir of glory.

May I not receive the spirit of bondage unto fear, but the spirit of adoption, whereby I may be enabled to cry, Abba, Father. May he work in me, as the spirit of love, and of power, and of a sound mind, that so I may add to my faith virtue.’

reference: Philip Doddridge: A Practical View of Christianity (1797)

Romans 7:7–25 (ESV)

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

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a prayer for protection and church family

In this prayer, at the end of each sentence, consider your own reality, your own feelings and your own church family. Complete the sentence based on your own situation, your own people, and consider what your church is going through and pray with them in mind.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world

but that you protect them from the evil one. (John 17:15)

Heavenly Father, I long for the day when your glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. This great hope moves me to worship you as the God of ...

Father, I am so thankful Jesus is coming back to our world to finish making all things new. As I think about our coming life in the new heaven and new earth, I'm most looking forward to ...

But as I look at our broken world and the presence of so much darkness and evil, I confess, Father, that sometimes I feel ...

Lord Jesus, knowing you have defeated Satan, I pray with great joy and confidence, but realizing the devil remains a roaring lion seeking to devour many, I pray with earnestness for the following missionaries and ministries ...

Jesus, I join you in praying for our church family, knowing how much Satan would love to create havoc in our midst. In particular, I pray that you will ...

Amen.

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a prayer for wisdom and guidance

Dear Lord,

I come to you seeking your wisdom and guidance.

Teach me how to pray, how to connect with you more deeply.

And as I pray, help me to understand your will for my life.

Help me to discern how to love and show compassion.

Thank you for all the blessings that I experience every day.

I praise you for all that you are and all that you have done.

In Jesus' name, Amen

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a prayer to find contentment

God of all Peace,

I come to you seeking wisdom and guidance for my life.

I struggle with wanting more and feeling discontent with my circumstances.

Help me to learn contentment and to release control of my life.

Bless me to not lean on my own understanding but trust your Spirit within me.

Remind me that peace and fulfillment come from you and not from the things.

Help me to focus on your care, your goodness and your provision in my life.

I will rest in you. You are greater than my pain and my problems.

Amen

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Let Nothing Disturb You

I have found that Saint Teresa's call to focus on the goodness of God when I need to discern helps me fight the demons of despair, self-rejection, and fear, and has overcome the powers of darkness with the power of God many times. I have often prayed the prayer of Saint Teresa, “Solo Dios basta, God alone is enough,” when I have needed to discern whether what I was hearing and experiencing was of God or not.

Praying these words slowly and out loud can help me enter into God's presence, where there is peace and certainty that God is always with me and loves me.

Let nothing disturb you

Let nothing frighten you.

Those who cling to God

will lack nothing

Let nothing disturb you

Let nothing frighten you

God alone is enough.

Henri Nouwen

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.”

- Joshua 10: 25

“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient.”

― St. Teresa of Avila

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Prayer for strength

"Lord, when I feel weak and weary, be my rock and fortress. Strengthen me with Your mighty hand, and uphold me with Your righteous right hand. May Your presence be my source of unwavering strength and peace. Amen."

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New in Christ

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor. 5:17)

Dear Jesus, my favorite and most eternal address is "in Christ." In you, I have more than I need and realize and everything I want and could ever hope for.

When God rescued me from the dominion of darkness and hid my life in you, I became a part of the new creation era. Every promise in the Old Testament finds its emphatic "Yes!" in you. Every vision of the Messianic age will be fully realized because you completely fulfilled the work God gave you to do.

You are the Lamb of God who took away my sin; the Lord of Lords, who is making all things new; and the Lamp of the New City, whose glory will radiate the new heaven and new earth. Hallelujah, what a Savior you are! Hallelujah, what a salvation we have in you!

Amen

(From Every Season Prayers by Scotty Smith)

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a prayer in times of sorrow

Lord of all hope,

In times of darkness ...
may we see your light on the path ahead.

When the road we walk is confusing ...
may you always hear your voice within.

When times are really hard ...
may hardness not make our hearts hard.

When the shadows fall and the way is sad ...
may we always remember that we do not walk alone.

Thanks for being in our lives God.

Amen.

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a prayer for stretcher bearers

Dear Father,

Thank you for those who have been stretcher bearers in our lives.

These have been instruments of your compassion and care to us.

We are grateful for their presence in our midst.

Grant them the strength and stamina needed to minister your mercy.

Help them to carry the medical, emotional and physical burdens of others.

Fill us each with empathy and understanding.

That we may see and help with the needs of those around us.

Bless us all to be servants and provide care to those who need us.

Help us to all work together as a team, helping each other to help others.

May our actions reflect your love and may we be a source of comfort and hope.

In your name, we pray.

Amen.

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How are we to pray?

Question 185

How are we to pray?

We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, (Eccl. 5:1) and deep sense of our own unworthiness, (Gen. 18:27, Gen. 32:10) necessities, (Luke 15:17–19) and sins; (Luke 18:13–14) with penitent, (Ps. 51:17) thankful, (Phil. 4:6) and enlarged hearts; (1 Sam. 1:15, 1 Sam. 2:1) with understanding, (1 Cor. 14:15) faith, (Mark 11:24, James 1:6) sincerity, (Ps. 145:18, Ps. 17:1) fervency, (James 5:16) love, (1 Tim. 2:8) and perseverance, (Eph. 6:18) waiting upon him, (Micah 7:7) with humble submission to his will. (Matt. 26:39)

The Westminster Larger Catechism: With Scripture Proofs. 1996. Oak Harbor, WA:

Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Genesis 18:27 (ESV)

27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

Luke 15:17–19 (ESV)

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’

Luke 18:13 (ESV)

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Samuel 2:1 (ESV)

1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

1 Corinthians 14:15 (ESV)

15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Mark 11:24 (ESV)

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Psalm 145:18 (ESV)

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

James 5:16 (ESV)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

Ephesians 6:18–19 (ESV)

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

Micah 7:7 (ESV)

7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Matthew 26:39 (ESV)

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

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God of COMFORT

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Free from Performance-Based Living

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power

is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4:7)

Gracious and loving Father, it feels so good to be done with"doing more and trying harder." It's so liberating to know that far from denying and despising my limitations, the gospel actually calls me to accept them. Take this "jar of clay" and release the aroma of grace through me today-in all of my relationships and everywhere you send me. I'm done with trusting in my "grit"; I will rely on your grace for the power I need to live and love to your glory.

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Cor. 12:9 NLT)

Lord Jesus, if your power works best in my weakness, then I gladly humble myself before you today, with palms up in praise and surrender. You are my righteousness and sufficiency; my help and my hope; my life and my freedom.

Work in me and through me to your glory today. Free me from any need to be noticed and appreciated. I love being loved by you and living as a conduit of your life-giving grace. Amen

(from Every Season Prayers by Scotty Smith)

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a prayer when hope seems lost

Dear God

I come before you today, seeking hope in the midst of my circumstances.

I look to you for help even as hope fades and my life grows hard.

Replace my distress with peace, and strengthen me in my weakness.

Today I place my trust in you, your grace and your mercy.

Bless me with the confidence that comes from knowing you.

Help me to know your better and to understand your ways more.

In you I will hope. In you I will rejoice. It is you I love.

I commit myself, and my ways, to you afresh.

Amen.

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What are things we need to pray for?

Question 184

For what things are we to pray?

We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God, (Matt. 6:9) the welfare of the church, (Ps. 51:18, Ps. 122:6) our own (Matt. 7:11) or others, good; (Ps. 125:4) but not for any thing that is unlawful. (1 John 5:14)

The Westminster Larger Catechism: With Scripture Proofs. 1996. Oak Harbor, WA:

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Matthew 6:9 (ESV)

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Psalm 122:6 (ESV)

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

Matthew 7:11 (ESV)

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Psalm 125:4 (ESV)

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!

1 John 5:14 (ESV)

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

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Savior and LORD

Oh LORD, help us today to dig deep into the WORD and have a true ENCOUNTER with You. Help us to desire and yearn for an experience that will REVEAL the TRUTH of who You are in our lives and then totally transform who we are. May we know You as Savior and LORD. And may we always desire to GLORIFY You with all that is within us…

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a prayer for when the season changes

God of all Seasons,

Thank you for the beauty and lessons of the past season.

As I sense a shift into a new season, I pray for wisdom and understanding.

Help me to recognize it and to embrace your purposes in it.

For this next chapter in my life, bless me with spiritual vision.

Help me to let go of what is ending and to embrace what is beginning.

With faith and courage I pray in your name.

Amen

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a prayer for endurance

Dear Father,

I am weary and worn out these days.

I ask for your strength to press on and to not give up.

When the path ahead seems hard and unclear give me the will to endure.

Help me to find the courage to keep moving forward.

Guide me, step by step, as I trust in your Spirit to lead me.

Fill me afresh, renew my spirit, and give me the power I need.

Bless me with resilience to face whatever challenges come my way.

In Jesus' name, Amen

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a prayer to live free

Dear God,

You created each of us to be free.
Free from the shackles of discrimination, fear and repression.

Free from cages of persecution, bias and assumption.

Free to live our best and most loving lives in peace and in joy.
We pray for all humans to live in freedom.

That we might be free in spirit, in soul and in body.

Amen.

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Praying with power by praying based on the promises of God

Lord, help me to learn to pray with power by focusing on Your promises in the Bible.

Give me the faith to believe as I pray.

Give me the diligence to study Your Word and understand Your promises.

I ask this in Christ's Name

Amen

Some promises to consider

God promises that all things will work out for good for His children (Romans 8:28). He has a plan that we may not be able to fully comprehend yet.

God promises that He will comfort us in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He has a plan, and one day our difficult experiences will be a source of comfort to others because we will experience His comfort.

God promises us every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Our inheritance is reserved for us (1 Peter 1:4).

God promises to finish the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6). We may not see the full results now, but we will in time

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