Author: timewithourcreator

Prayer for Graduates

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Wake

Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for all the years that you have given to (graduate’s name), the privilege to go to school and learn all that is required to be a graduate, and also for the parents, loved ones, teachers, and friends who have had a part in this accomplishment. “…in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6

Father, I ask You to direct (graduate’s name) to take all the knowledge he/she has acquired in school and use it wisely for Your honor and glory. Most of all, since there are many challenges ahead in his/her life, direct him/her to comprehend the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Give him/her a good understanding of how there will be many spiritual battles in life, and teach him/her to handle them according to the Bible.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Thank you that as a child of God, he/she can know that “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 Encourage (graduate’s name) to live out the instructions in the following verse: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

Guide him/her to live with the understanding and comfort of knowing that “‘…with God all things are possible“‘ Matthew 19:26 and that by following God’s ways and receiving assistance by His power, any and all obstacles can be overcome. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

I bring these praises and requests in Jesus’ Wonderful Name, Amen.

Giving Thanks for a Mother’s Love

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IMG_9567

Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for our mothers. Show us how we can honor them on this special day. If she has passed on, give us the joy of remembering the pleasant memories we have of her. For most of us, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a reminder of our mother’s love. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Read these attributes about love and give thanks to God for any that describe your mother. Most mothers do many or all of the following

  • Protects her children from evil.
  • Provides food and a safe environment.
  • Forgives over and over again.
  • Guides her children to God and what He has for them
  • Gives comfort when a child is hurt physically or emotionally.
  • Gives affirmation in the early years of life.
  • Provides answers to questions that cannot be asked of anyone else.
  • Has intuition to know when something is wrong.
  • Offers sympathy at just the right time.

Thank you, Lord, for the joy of a mother’s love, but even more for Your Love, which is far greater. 

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Miniature Prayers #1

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Spring Leaves

Photo taken in Colorado.

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.”

_______________

From Old to New

Lord, thank you that I am a new person in Christ Jesus. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Living in the Spirit

Lord, direct me to experience the second half of Romans 8:6. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

God’s Teaching

Lord, thank you for the promise in Psalm 32:8. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

Praising God

Lord, show me how to have the joy of Psalm 29:2. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (NIV).

Renewing My Mind

Lord, I give my mind to You to be renewed. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2.

God’s Wisdom

Lord, thank you that through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the One “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” lives within me Colossians 2:3.

God’s Provision

Lord, lead me to trust in your promises in Philippians 4:19. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

My Position in Christ

Lord, thank you for making Ephesians 2:1 a reality for me. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Don’t Know What to Pray

Lord, thank for the promise you give me in Romans 8:26. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Sleepless Nights

Lord, guide me each night with Psalm 4:8. “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

 

Scripture #11

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img_5498

Photo taken in Florida.

Photography by Ali

“‘Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh [thank you]. Is there anything too hard for Me? [No!]” Jeremiah 32:27

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.” Proverbs 27:12

“For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us [thank you].” Isaiah 33:22

Humility in the Christian Life

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img_8956

Photo taken in Virginia

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

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Gracious Father, thank you for making it clear in Your Word what genuine humility is, how You feel about it, and how it affects the Christian life.

Thank you for showing that humility is not having a low self-esteem; it is the exact opposite if I recognize that all that I am and all that I have comes directly from You.

“…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.‘ James 4:6

All-Wise Father, I ask for wisdom on how to live my life with the proper humility and an understanding of the destructiveness of pride. Your Word says “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.

I thank You for the insight You gave Johnathan Edwards on the subject of humility when he said “Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.”

Show me how humility allows me to see that I am weak and in need of You in my life. Remove pride from my life, since it is one of  Satan’s greatest tools of destruction, and direct me to live out 1 Peter 5:6-8 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Lord, may You be glorified by this prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

 

Easter Thanksgiving and Praise

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IMG_8934

Photo taken in Virginia.

Author: Elton Streyle, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross for me and my sin, and for raising Him from the grave to prove He has victory even over death.

Thank you that by making the events of Easter personal and accepting the truth about Jesus, I am assured of a home in Heaven when I die.

“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.“ John 3:16

I am thankful for the positive change that Jesus has brought into my life. I am no longer controlled by the destructiveness of sin, but can live within the realm of God’s Righteousness. In Christ, I enjoy the peace of God that passes all understanding.

“and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7

Teach me by Your Word how to grow in my understanding of Your Majesty and Sovereignty. Thank you that with You nothing is accidental and no experience in life is wasted. Even though I don’t know what the future holds, I know and belong to the One who holds the future.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:2-4

“To God be the glory, great things He hath done,

so loved He the world that He gave His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin and opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord.”

-Song: ‘To God be the Glory’, by Fanny May Crosby

In Jesus’ Name, I give you thanksgiving and praise. Amen.

Contentment in the Lord

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IMG_9547

Photo taken in Colorado.

 

Written by Elton Streyle, photography and editing by Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for being my Shepherd and for all that it entails in my relationship with You. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” Psalm 23:1.

Forgive me for the times when I struggle with being content and find myself in the desire of wanting more. You have promised to give me all that I need for a life of godliness and praise and worship to You. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.  Enable me to be content with You alone and not be tempted to look for contentment in the worthless things of this world that many times only money can buy.

Lord, give me a good understanding of the teaching in Your Word that happiness is not based on my circumstances in life, but rather that real contentment and joy comes from knowing Jesus more and more.  Like the Apostle Paul, show me how to be accepting of my status in life. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” Philippians 4:11. Shift my focus from the things of this world to Jesus, Your ultimate Gift, realizing that all true contentment comes from Him. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name.

Peace and Joy for Believers Through Confession and Forgiveness

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tableleaf

Photo taken in Nebraska.

Written by Elton Streyle, photography and editing by Ali

Use this prayer variation for God to guide you to various sins in your life that should be confessed.

Lord, guide me to confession because I want to have an open line of communication with You. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Psalm 66:18

Please direct me as I go through the following process of confession for forgiveness and cleansing of my sin.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Mind: Reveal to me anything I have been thinking about that needs to be confessed…

Eyes: Reveal to me anything that I have been looking at that needs to be confessed…

Ears: Reveal to me anything that I have been listening to that needs to be confessed…

Mouth: Reveal to me anything that I have said that needs to be confessed…

Hands: Reveal to me anything that I have done that needs to be confessed…

Feet: Reveal to me any place that I have gone that needs to be confessed…

A Prayer by Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor:

“Father, when You forgive sins, You separate them as far from us as the east is from the west, bury them in the bottom of the deepest sea, and put up a sign for the devil to see that says “NO FISHING.”‘

Jesus, thank you for allowing me to put behind me all known sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

I bring these requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Quote #6

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Photography by Ali

“Prayer is… talking with God and telling Him you love Him… Conversing with God about all things that are important in life, both large and small, and being assured He is listening.” -C. Neil Strait

“It’s not the number of words you say, or how eloquent you are that counts with God. As we speak, it is the sincerity of our words that matter to God.” -John Maxwell

“Where there is much prayer, there is much power. Where there is little prayer, there is little power. And where there is no prayer, there is no power.” -Anonymous

God’s Wonderful Deliverance for a Believer

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treemoss

Photo taken in Colorado.

Written by Elton Streyle, photography and editing by Ali

Loving Father, thank you for the encouragement You give in Psalm 34. It is comforting that in the difficult times in life, You do not get tired of me coming to you with any and all of my problems. “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalm 34:6-9

In fact, You ask me to bring everything to You so that You will be glorified. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:15. It is a great privilege as a believer to know that You are more powerful than anyone or anything in the world that will try to hurt or destroy me. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Father, develop in me a clear conviction that I can’t live a spiritually reckless life and expect to continue receiving Your many blessings. However, I do thank You that when someone goes down the wrong road, You are always waiting for them to come back so that You can continue to bless them. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1  John 1:9.

On a daily basis, teach me how to grow in my personal relationship with You through Your Word, prayer, music, and Christian fellowship. Like David in Psalm 34:17, I call out to You to be continually counted among the righteous so that I can experience the power in Psalm 34:7, “the angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”

I bring these requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.