Prayers

Mother’s Day Prayer of Tribute

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, I come into Your holy presence today through Jesus’ Name to thank You for my mother, and for the love and selfless compassion she gives and has given in the past. If she has passed on, I give praise to God for the pleasant memories of her. Show me how I can honor my mother on this special day.
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 the 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.
She provides:
Safety and shelter
forgives over and over again
guides her children to live for the Lord
gives comfort when a child is hurt physically or emotionally
protects her children from evil
provides answers to questions  that cannot be asked of anyone else
gives affirmation to her children
offers sympathy at just the right time
has intuition to know when something is wrong.
Thank you for a mother’s love, but even more for Your love, which is far greater. “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.
Thank you that I can bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The Power Of God’s Written Word

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Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali
All-powerful Heavenly Father, I approach You in Jesus’ Name to thank you for giving me Your written Word and for the privilege to read and  understand how it works in shaping my life. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.
We are living in a society where we are constantly encouraged to look at and do things that tempt us to live impure lives.  I ask You to direct me to be sensitive to the answers You have laid out in Your Word and live according to them. Give me the desire for the wisdom in Psalm 119:11. “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.“
When I am tempted, show me how to practice the same Scripture defense Jesus did in Matthew 4 when He was tempted by Satan. Three times while in the wilderness, He came back at the Enemy with the power of God’s Word.
Jesus said the first time in verse 4, ‘”It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.‘” The second time in verse 7, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.‘” The third time in verse 10, “‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”

I praise You that there is nothing in this world that can come against me that the power of Your Word can’t overcome.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Instruction for the Christian Life

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Photo taken in Hawaii.

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

All-wise Heavenly Father, I come to You in Your Son’s Name to thank you for showing me how to be successful in the physical world by giving me access to instructions, training manuals, etc. Far more importantly, you have provided me the manual to be able to live the Christian life (the Bible).

You have put instructions in the Scriptures about how to face any situation in life. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Since what I read in books and magazines and what I look at on television and the internet has a strong influence in my life, direct me to examine carefully what I allow into my mind.

Make Philippians 4:8 a reality for me. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”

Just as athletics, the arts, and most activities in life require constant repetition to get and stay in shape, encourage me to steadily repeat the spiritual exercises (prayer, reading the Word, confession, and worship) to stay spiritually strong.

Thank you that if I commit to the spiritual training You have laid out for the Christian life I can expect to receive your promise in Philippians 4:7. “And the peace of  God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Thank you that I can bring these thoughts and requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Easter Blessings

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“The Empty Cross.” Photo taken by Elton Streyle at the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, TX.

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

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross and for resurrecting Him on the third day. This means that Good Friday and Easter, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, reminds us of how we can have a special identity with Him.

These two events allow me to experience Galatians 2:20 and be taken from spiritual death to life. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who gave Himself for me.”

The historical event of Easter allows me to someday spend eternity in Heaven. “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.

Thank you that until my final day here on earth, I can live my life being filled and controlled by your Spirit living within me. “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18.

Lord, if there are any hindrances in my life to living righteously because of sin, show them to me so that I can confess, repent and be made clean.  I do not want any communication blockage between You and me. I ask that You will direct my life in such a way that Psalm 118:19 will manifest itself in and through me. “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD.”

Thank you that I can bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Influence of God’s Word in My Life

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Bible journaling by Sylvia S., photo by Ali.

 

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali, Bible Journaling: Sylvia S.

I come to You in Jesus’ Name, Heavenly Father, to thank You for the light that You give as I walk through dark areas of life. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” Psalm 119:105. “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” Psalm 19:8.

Father, empower me to comprehend the awesomeness of the fact that all Scripture is You speaking to me in written form. “All scripture is God-breathed” 2 Timothy 3:16.

Direct me to live my spiritual life in the same way as my physical life. Just as I can’t live without physical food each day, I need to have You give me a daily intake of Your Word and a time of quietness to hear from You. “Be still and know that I am your God” Psalm 46:10.

Show me how to mold my opinions and values around You and Your ways, not around the society that I live in. Thank you for putting in Your Word all the direction I need to be able to live a life of peace and joy. “Teach me your way O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11.

Father, thank you for allowing me to bring these praises and requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Unchanging Love

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Photo taken in Hawaii.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali
Loving and faithful Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank you that every day I can rest on Your promise that You are never changing, always faithful, and loving. Despite my failures and shortcomings, Your love never wavers, falters or comes up short. Your assurance that You will never leave or forsake me brings great peace and joy in my life. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” 2 Timothy 2:13.
Lead me to comprehend and take seriously what it cost You for me to be able to have a wonderful love relationship with You. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.
Direct me not to use Your grace and mercy as a means to simply do as I wish or as an excuse to sin.  Rather, show me how to use it as a platform from which to extend Your hand to others. Teach me to trust in the same promise You gave Israel in Isaiah 43:2-3 when I go through difficult times. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Direct my experiences and actions to be an example for others to see how You demonstrate Your love and faithfulness.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Living Under God’s Vigilance

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Your Son’s Name to thank you for the peace and comfort it gives me to know that You are everywhere present and that You see every situation in my life.

Even the events in my life that I do not understand are not a surprise to You. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

Direct me to be conscious at all times of the fact that I am living in Your presence. Have this give me a growing desire to live in a way that is pleasing to You.

When the challenges of life come, show me how to get my focus off my problems and back on Jesus.

I invite You to be my defender and counselor. Remind me how You do not always immediately calm the storms in life, but that You are always willing to calm me as Your child in the midst of the storm. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…“ Isaiah 43:2-3.

Thank you that I can bring these requests to You in Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.

Waiting on God’s Timetable

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Photo taken in Kansas.

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

Infinite Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name with thankfulness for Your presence in my life. You know me better than I know myself; You know what is best for me with perfect timing.

Nothing happens in my life or in the world apart from Your will, and You are never surprised. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.

Forgive me for those times when I get into a rush and take situations into my own hands instead of trusting in what You say in Isaiah 40:31. “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Make clear to me the times when You use waiting to have me grow in my relationship with You.

Thank you that waiting is not a form of dislike or punishment. Direct me to use my times of waiting to be quiet and go to the Scriptures to learn what You are trying to tell me. “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10.

I ask You to teach me how to fully trust in Your advice in Psalm 27:14. “Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!”
I bring these requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer on Hope and Trust

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

All-knowing Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the encouragement You give me when I read in Your Word about how You have my present and my future under Your control. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.

My hope rests in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and with You there are no hopeless situations. In my weakness, it is a blessing to hear You say, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Lord, direct me away from the danger of the misplaced hopes of the world that keep me from anchoring myself in You. Instead, continually show me how my hope is based on my relationship with You.

Give me confidence in Your promise that You are working for my good in all things, even the things I do not understand. “And we know that all things [illness, problems, failure, betrayal, etc.] work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Strengthen my confidence in You as I immerse myself in Your Word, believing who You say You are and worshipping together with fellow believers.

Give me the privilege of experiencing the truth of the prophet Isaiah, who said “…those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Thank you that I can bring these praises and requests to You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Blessing of God’s Love

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Photo taken in Virginia.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name as I see everything happening around me to thank You that Your love for me is unconditional and that nothing in all creation can separate me from Your love, revealed in Christ Jesus my Lord. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

It is such a blessing to know that the stronger my love relationship is with You, the easier it is for me to have a joyful love relationship with others.

Your Word expresses that obedience to Your instruction, as well as worship and praise, are ways for me to grow in my love relationship with You. “My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8

Please develop in me a strong desire for sincere praise and worship, along with a willingness to be obedient to the instructions in Your Word.

I ask that Your love be greatly evident in my life in everything I say and do and that it will overflow from me to others and encourage them to want a relationship with Jesus as their Savior, for 1 John 4:8 says, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Thank you that Your great love does not have to be earned, but is a gift to be received.

With all my love, I bring these praises and requests to You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.