Author: timewithourcreator

Responding to God’s Instruction

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, teacher and guide, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank You for all the wisdom and direction You set forth in Proverbs 15:1-5. Direct me to internalize the precepts and concepts in this portion of Scripture as I pause for a few moments after reading each verse.

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stir up anger.”
Lord, show me any area in my relationships with others where I am failing to live out this verse. Give me the grace I need to make any corrections.

Proverbs 15:2 “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge  rightly, but the mouth of fools
pours out foolishness.” Keep me alert so that I can wisely use the knowledge You give and direct me to never be a part of foolishness.

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Thank you that one day You will balance everything by punishing the evildoers and rewarding those who do Your will. I ask You to direct me how to grow in my ability to follow Your will.

Proverbs 15:4 “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” May my words always build up, and never violate or crush anyone’s spirit.

Proverbs 15:5 “A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent.” Give me the grace to accept reproof from You, my Heavenly Father. Thank you for the Godly wisdom You have instilled in my life through my parents from childhood to the present.

I thank You that I can bring these requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

**To further understand this theme, finish reading Proverbs 15**

New Year’s Prayer 2019

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the blessing of being able to complete another year. Some of the events I have experienced have not necessarily been enjoyable. But according to Your Word (the Bible) nothing has happened by accident. As hard as it may be to understand and accept some situations, direct me to trust in the truth of 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.”

I welcome Your encouragement expressed in Isaiah 41:10 where You promise to be with me in whatever this coming year brings. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” As I enter this new year, I ask that You will direct me to be even more conscious and grateful of Your presence in my life. I praise You for the encouragement ​I receive as ​Your child, and for being able to rely on the following divine attributes of Yours:

You are all powerful. Nothing is too difficult for You. Jeremiah 32:17 “‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too Hard for You.”

You are all knowing. You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3 “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and you are acquainted with all my ways.”

You are always loving, merciful, compassionate and gracious. 1 John 3:1a “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”

You are always unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Malachi 3:6a “‘For I am the LORD, I do not change.“‘

Thank you that I am able to greet the New Year with courage because of Your unlimited resources available to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Christmas Prayer 2018

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

Lord, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the hope, joy and light that the Christmas season brings. I praise You for the blessing of Your Son Jesus and for the time that is set aside to celebrate His birth and coming to earth. Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

What amazing love You showed when You sent Your only begotten Son to be humbled in the form of a helpless baby. A few years later, You again showed Your love for me when Jesus died on the cross carrying all my sin. This provided a way of salvation (by believing and accepting Jesus in my life) for me to be with You in heaven forever after leaving this earth. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Direct me to make the celebration of Your tremendous love for me the center of this holiday season. Show me how to block out all the distractions and sometimes, chaos, that can accompany this time of the year so that I can focus on Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas. I ask that by the time the festivities stop, I will be rejuvenated and refocused on Christ my Savior. Encourage me throughout the next year to often meditate and rejoice on the words of this Christmas carol:

Joy to The World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Thank you for allowing me to experience the great joy of Christmas. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Miniature Prayers #14

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

These very short, Scripture-based prayers can be used throughout the day to help take you to your next more extended prayer time and assist you in being able to keep in an attitude of prayer. These prayers can also be useful in emergency situations because of the power that comes through praying God’s Word.

How to use these prayers: print them or save them on your phone and use them as reminders to talk to your Heavenly Father throughout the day.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

_______________

God’s Promise for Strength

Lord, I come in Jesus’ Name for the promise of strength in Isaiah 40:29. “He [God] gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”

Knowing God Better

Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to ask for what You express in Ephesians 1:17. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

The Washing Away of Sin

Lord, I come in Jesus’ Name to ask You to direct me often to practice 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Delivered From Hell

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name, as a believer, to thank You for the gift expressed in Psalm 86:13. “For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol [Hell].”

Hearing And Obeying God

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to ask You to show me how to better live out Isaiah 30:21. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

Inner Peace From God

Lord, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to ask You to direct my life so that I can receive the blessing of Psalm 128:1. “Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways.”

 

 

Christian Love for Others

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name, asking You to guide me in my Christian walk. I want my life to demonstrate John 13:35. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Thank you for the example You gave me through Your Son. He (Jesus) gave His life for me, and for every person on earth, and there is no greater love than this. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” Philippians 2:8.

Since You have called me to love all those who I cross paths with, show me how to let Your light shine through me to them. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.

Thank you that ​no matter how different I might be from my brothers and sisters in the faith, I can know that we share a connection deeper than this world can give, a love for Christ Jesus.

I need You to give me grace and encouragement to fulfill the love You have commanded me to have in Mathew 5:44. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Remind me often that the best witness I can be for You is to show the love of Christ to the lost around me. Give me the courage to share with them about ​the sacrificial love He showed when He died on the cross for us.

Thank you for hearing this prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Living Under the Sovereignty of God

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Photo taken in Utah.

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

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I thank you for taking an interest in everything about me. In Psalm 139:1-3, Your Word says, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.”

Thank you for the encouragement and peace that I can find even while living in this troubled world by recognizing some of Your many attributes:

You have no limitations

“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” Jeremiah 32:17.

You are unchanging at all times

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8.

You promise to always be with me

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall hold me, and your right hand shall hold me” Psalm 139: 7-10.

Direct me not to be living in anxiety and fear. Instead, may I wholly trust in Your sovereignty over my life, and know that You are in control and nothing can defeat Your purpose or derail Your plan for me.

Show me how to rest in the truth of Proverbs 19:21. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (NIV)

I bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wisdom Given by God

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Photo taken in Virginia.

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

Lord Almighty, giver of all true wisdom and understanding, praise be to You that I can come to You in prayer today through the Name of Jesus. Thank you for the promise in Proverbs 2:6-8 ​that during these difficult, complicated, and uncertain times we are living in, “the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.”

Direct me to comprehend that my judgments are nothing compared to Your infinite wisdom. Your foresight and wisdom are perfect in every way. Thank you for the peace and comfort it gives me if I rest on Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you…” (NIV).

Since the Scriptures make it very clear that any attempt that I make at gaining wisdom on my own is futile, I ask for forgiveness for the many times I try my own wisdom first. Show me how to daily practice James 1:5-6. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.​”

Since You are the sole source of truth and through You comes all understanding, I ask ​that, like Solomon, that You will give me “…wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore” 1 Kings 4:29.

Thank you for allowing me to bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer 2018

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Crystal

Cranberries and water droplets.

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

I come to You today, Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, to give You thanks for this coming national day of thanksgiving. Show me how to have this day be more than just a day of holiday cheer and festivities. Direct me to have this day serve as a reminder of Your faithfulness and just how much I should be thankful to You. Lamentations 3:22-23 “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

No matter what place I find myself in today, encourage me to give thanks to ​You. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This year, teach me to give thanks not only for the things You have given, but also for the things You have withheld. Blessings can come not only from abundance, but also from the lack of it. Your plan is always perfect even if I don’t think so sometimes. Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (NIV).

Most of all, I want to thank You for the precious, amazing gift of salvation through the birth, death, and resurrection of Your Son. I can never thank You enough for the gift of life found in You through Jesus. I ask that You show me how to extend this season of thankfulness far beyond just the holiday, but into all of life, as is expressed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.”

Thank You that I can bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Miniature Prayers #13

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

These very short, Scripture-based prayers can be used throughout the day to help take you to your next more extended prayer time and assist you in being able to keep in an attitude of prayer. These prayers can also be useful in emergency situations because of the power that comes through praying God’s Word.

How to use these prayers: print them or save them on your phone and use them as reminders to talk to your Heavenly Father throughout the day.

Bring these short prayers in Jesus’ Name.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

_______________

Worshiping With Fellow Believers

Lord, I ask in Jesus’ Name that You guide me to see the value of having Psalm 122:1 be a high priority for me. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”‘

Prayer for God’s Chosen People

Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to ask You to remind me often to do Psalms 122:6. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you.”

Permanence Of God’s Love

Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank you for the promise in Romans 8:39 that nothing “…shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Time Of Trouble

Lord, I come to you in Jesus’ Name to show gratitude for what You express in Psalms 124:8 about difficult times. “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

God’s Desire For Man

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the desire You show in 2 Peter 3:9b. You are “longsuffering [toward us], not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (KJV).

Resting in the Lord

Comforting Heavenly Father, I thank You in Jesus’ Name that I can claim Psalm 4:8. “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

 

Prayer for 2018 Election

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Photo taken in Nebraska.

All-powerful and wise Heavenly Father, we come in Jesus’ Name as we approach the upcoming election, being reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” I realize that this verse in the Old Testament was referring to Israel, but many of the truths in it are applicable to America today.

As Your children, remind us daily that it is our responsibility to cry out to You and seek Your face, both individually and as a nation. We need to constantly seek forgiveness from our wicked ways. This could be the most important election in the history of our country in order for us to keep the freedoms we enjoy. You tell us in James 1:5, “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

In light of this verse, we ask that You will give us an understanding in this coming election that there is no perfect candidate running and that there never has been and never will be. The only perfect ​ruler is Jesus and He is in Heaven. Direct us to look at the positions of each candidate and make wise decisions as we vote. Show us how to base our decisions not on the superficial, but on the biblical principles you lay out in your Word.

Thank you for allowing us to have a free nation so that we can have a part in selecting our leaders and approving some of the laws of our land. We ask that You pour out Your mercy and grace on our country so that we can continue to be blessed as “America the Beautiful.” No matter what the result ends up being, remind us that You are still on the throne. Let us not forget the truth found in Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (NIV).​ We bring this request in Jesus’ Name, Amen.