Month: June 2022

2022 4th of July Prayer

/ timewithourcreator / Leave a comment
Photo taken in Nebraska.

Author: Ali, Contributor: Elton Streyle and Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, Lord of all nations, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the freedom I have here, in the United States of America. Especially in light of what has been happening in the world lately, I am grateful that I live in a country that allows me to worship You freely. Thank you for the reminder in Psalm 22:27-28 that one day all nations will recognize Your authority over them. “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.“

As I celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, I ask that You be present with us. Direct me to give all glory and praise to You for the significance of this holiday, which is to be grateful for the many who have lost their lives or were injured defending our nation. Thank you for the people You have given me to celebrate our freedom with. Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!“

Although there is much I love about my country, I confess, like Daniel did, that we have sinned greatly against You, and this grieves my heart as a believer in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Daniel 9:4a, 5 “I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed…we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.” Please bring the people of the United States back to loving You and each other. Show me how You want to use me to begin that change. Remind me that You have the power to transform our society, and that You will stand with me against a culture of ungodliness. May our flag, which stands for freedom fought for, always be raised high and honored.

To God be the glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Perfect Gifts for a Believer in Jesus Christ (Based on James 1:17)

/ timewithourcreator / Leave a comment
Photo taken in Nebraska.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I come to thank You for blessing me with good and perfect gifts. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” It is a blessing to know when difficulties and trials come that You have not changed but are still good. You are still and always will be the source of all good.

Direct me to have the ability to recognize and praise You for all the good things coming from You–mercy, grace, compassion, kindness, peace, wisdom, love, etc. Thank you that You always have a plan for whatever happens in my life. Even when I can’t begin to comprehend and understand the situation. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Give me an understanding and appreciation of Your amazing gift of creation, how precisely everything works together in perfect timing not only for human beings, but also for all the animals and plants on the earth. Thank you for the blessings You have stored up for all of us that worship You and come to You to escape the unkind world. Psalm 31:19 “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear [honor and respect] You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” I honor You with gratitude for all that You are and do. Amen.

2022 Father’s Day Prayer

/ timewithourcreator / Leave a comment
Photo taken in Yellowstone National Park.

Author: Ali, Contributor: Elton Streyle and Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Perfect Heavenly Father, I come to You through the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ to express my gratitude for the father or father-figures You have provided in my life. If he is deceased, thank you for my memory of him. Thank you for the wisdom I have gleaned from my father, and how he has set an example for me in following You. If my father is not a believer, please use me or other believers in his life to bring him to You.

Just as You have designed mothers to reflect Your character to their children, You have designed fathers to do the same. Psalm 103:13 (ESV) “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” Thank you that even the discipline from my father is a result of his love for me. Proverbs 3:11 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” If this is not the motivation behind a father’s discipline, I ask that You would transform him to be more like You in this area.

Thank you for these specific attributes of my father: [insert your father’s attributes here]. Direct me to be more intentional about expressing my appreciation to him. If I have a difficult relationship with my father, I ask that Your Spirit would guide us to reconciliation, and if needed, that You would enable me to practice genuine forgiveness towards him.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer About the Apostle Paul’s Guidelines for Satisfaction With What We Have (Based on 1 Timothy 6:6-11)

/ timewithourcreator / Leave a comment
Photo taken in Florida.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Giving Heavenly Father, I come to You with joy and thanksgiving through the Name of Jesus Christ my Savior. In addition to the many spiritual blessings You have given to me, I very much enjoy the freedoms I have, ranging from the freedom to choose clothing and food for my body, and the breath in my lungs that enables me to do verse 8: “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” All that I have comes from Your hand and Your bountiful mercy and grace.

I ask for forgiveness for the times I fall into the trap of envy and jealousy over what I don’t have that others do, rather than finding satisfaction in what You have given me. When I look at what others have received, I can quickly become blind to my own blessings. Thank you for the Apostle Paul’s admonishment and teaching on this issue. Verses 6-7: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Direct me to have the mindset of contentment with what You have provided for me. Keep me from an evil desire of wealth and riches. Teach me to give generously from what I have and never desire more than what You have seen appropriate to give me. I ask that You set my mind on a course to pursue what is expressed in verse 11. “But you, O man of God, flee these things [unrighteousness] and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” Thank you for the promises You provide for Your children. Amen.

2022 Prayer for Graduates

/ timewithourcreator / Leave a comment

Author: Ali, Contributors: Elton Streyle and Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank You for enabling [name all graduates you know] to have the strength and discipline to make it to this milestone. I appreciate the knowledge You have given and allowed them to retain. Please direct the graduates I know to use what they have learned over these last years of school to represent You more effectively. 2 Corinthians 5:20a “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ.“

Remind them that apart from You, they can do nothing. John 15:5c, “For without Me you can do nothing.” Whether they graduate this year or have graduated in the past, all of their accomplishments are ultimately credited to You. Direct the graduates I know not to get so wrapped up in achievement that they forget their true purpose in life; to become more like Christ, bring glory to You, and share the Gospel with others. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain in. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.“

I ask that You direct all the graduates to grow closer to You during this time of transition. Have Your Holy Spirit empower them to live out Joshua 1:9b “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Give them the ability to trust You no matter what their future brings. I believe that Your plans for them are good, and I desire that they would believe that as well.

Thank you for all of the work You have done in these graduates’ lives so far. Direct them to look expectantly for the work You will continue to do in their lives. Philippians 1:6b “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.