Prayers

Overcoming Loneliness and Discouragement

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you that when I am lonely or discouraged Your Word tells me that as a believer I am never alone and that You are standing with me wherever I go and whatever I do.

Encourage me with the promise  in these two Scriptures: Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, [“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Psalm 118:6] So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

It is comforting to know that You are pleased to call me Your own. “For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people.” 1 Samuel 12:22

Lord, when I am lonely or discouraged, direct me to Your Word and saturate my mind with verses of Your promises and comfort. Give me the ability to discern what kind of music to listen to that will  help me get back on a positive track. Encourage me to find the ways You want to use me for the cause of Christ by doing things such as praying for, physically helping, spiritually encouraging, and comforting others through calls, letter writing, etc. “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2

The next time I am lonely or discouraged, remind me of the messages in these passages of Scripture. It is wonderful to be a child of Yours and to have Your Word to solve every situation in life.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Praying Words from the Psalms

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Photo taken in Kansas.

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

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the Psalms as a way to communicate with You. “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Like David, I am going to use some of the words in the Psalms to express my thoughts to You.

From Psalm 108:1-5, I say to You, O Lord, “O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations.  For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.”

From Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.“

From Psalm 119:33-37, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.“

And finally, from Psalm 25:1-5, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.“

Thank you, Father, for David’s expressions to You, that were led by the Holy Spirit, that help me to follow You.

I bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

4th of July Prayer

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Photo taken in Kansas.

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

Heavenly Father, thank you that in our country we still have the freedom to celebrate the 4th of July, the date of the adoption of the Declaration of  Independence. Much has happened since that day many years ago. We ask that You forgive us individually and as a nation for taking Your blessing for granted and turning to so many destructive ways that Your instructions in Your Word make it clear that You disapprove of.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 You tell us, “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 the truth in it can apply to America today.

As believers, remind us daily that it is our responsibility to cry out to You and seek Your face individually and as a nation. We ask forgiveness for our wicked ways. Direct us to repent and turn back to You.

We ask You to pour out Your mercy and grace on our country so that we can continue to be blessed with the phrase in the song America the Beautiful which says “America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

On this special 4th day of July, show us how to appreciate the message of verse four in the song Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory even more: “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was borne across the sea with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; as he died to make men holy let us die to make men free.”

We bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Receiving Grace From God

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace that gives salvation to all who respond to Your gift of Jesus dying on the cross, and His resurrection. I am reminded in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

It gives me joy to know that You will demonstrate Your power toward me in my times of weakness, and that You are able to constantly bring me peace by Your mercy and grace as You tell me in Hebrews 4:16. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Since Jesus came  to highlight Your mercy, love, and forgiveness, direct me to know Him better so that I can increase my understanding of Your will for my life.

Show me how to trust You every day for all of my needs and all of my Godly desires. “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

May my walk with You be such that I clearly recognize my need to confess my absolute helplessness to You, so that I may receive from You the fulfillment of the promise in 1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” Jesus, I want to thank You for Your unconditional love for me.

I bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Father’s Prayer

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timewithourcreator

Photo taken in Nebraska.

Author: Elton Streyle, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for the good influence many of our fathers have had on us. I know that there are some who have not had a good father-child relationship, but what a privilege that we can all have a wonderful relationship with You, our Heavenly Father, regardless of our past. “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

As a father and grandfather, I come to You to pour out my heart to You and ask forgiveness for the failures that I have had in being the kind of husband and father that is best for my wife and children.

I realize that I need You to direct me to be the kind of father You want me to be. Develop in me the ability to “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Thank you that even when things look impossible, all things are possible with You. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26.

I want my family life to be Bible centered. Show me all that I need to learn from Your Word to make this happen. I ask that You work in my children’s hearts and direct them to be accepting of my Biblical approach to being a father and grandfather.

I give You thanks and praise in advance for all that You are going to do. I bring these requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

God’s Morning Plan

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Thank you, Lord, that when I finish my day and rest at night I can look forward to Your promise that in the morning You will have for me new mercy, grace, and love for the day. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Your faithfulness has been proven over and over in believers’ lives. Impress upon me the significance that You place on the morning time and the impact that using the beginning of the day correctly can have on my relationship with You. Show me how it sets the atmosphere for the rest of my day.

“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8

Lead me to receive the joy You have for me by spending my first waking moments in fellowship with You. Remind me not to put my feet on the floor in the morning without greeting You and connecting with You first.

I ask that my prayer life will follow Jesus’ example in Mark 1:35 “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

Father, I bring these thoughts to You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Memorial Day Prayer

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Korean War Veterans Memorial. Photo taken in Washington, D.C.

Author: Elton Streyle, Photography and Editing: Ali

Compassionate Heavenly Father, thank you for the memories You have given me of loved ones and friends who have passed on and for how You have spoken to me through their example and actions while they were living. “The memory of the righteous is blessed…” Proverbs 10:7

I especially want to thank You for the men and women in the military as well as those in other organizations who have given their lives fighting for the freedom of our country. It is not a small thing to give your life for someone else’s benefit.

Most of all, I thank You for the memory You have recorded in the Bible in John 3:16 about Jesus dying on the cross and making a way for all who desire salvation: “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.”

Enable me to appreciate and honor the memories of all those who have gone before me. Bless the men, women, and their families who are serving our country to defend our freedom. Give healing and comfort to the families and loved ones who are recovering from the devastations of war and terror.

Thank you for sending Your Son to die so that all who choose a relationship with You can ultimately inherit Heaven and can now experience the reality of Galatians 2:20 “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 loved me and gave Himself for me.”

I bring all these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

 

Prayer for Graduates

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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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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.

Humility in the Christian Life

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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.