Prayers

A Christmas Prayer

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Photo taken in Colorado.

‘”Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”‘ Matthew 1:23

Father, amongst the joy and excitement of presents, decorations, family, food, etc., give me a good spiritual understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

Thank you that Jesus’ coming provided a way of salvation for us to be with You in Heaven forever and eliminated the hopelessness of man. It is because of that first Christmas morning that the revelation in the Bible about Jesus’ coming was fulfilled.

Jesus, for more than twenty centuries, the world has heard Your teachings and has been influenced by them; thank you for being the Light of the world.

Let us remember to share the truth with unbelievers this Christmas season that unless they personally accept Jesus into their life as Savior and Lord, the good news of the Christmas message means nothing for them in eternity.

As we celebrate Christmas as believers, remind us of all the awesomeness surrounding Jesus’  birth recorded in Luke 2 and how it all happened just as it was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6-7 hundreds of years earlier.

Thank you for all the joyful memories You have given me of past Christmases and for all the current blessings of Christmas now.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Living in God’s Presence

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Photo taken in Colorado.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

Lord, 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.

May I be conscious at all times of the fact that I am living in Your presence. Encourage me to have a growing desire to live in a way that is pleasing to You. When the challenges of life come, direct me to get my focus off of my problems and onto Jesus.

As I invite You, Jesus, to be my defender and counselor, show me how You do not always immediately calm the storms in life but how You are always willing to calm me as Your child in the midst of the storm.

Isaiah 43:2-3 tells me, “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…”

I bring these praises and requests to You in Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer

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Photo taken in Colorado.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving Father, I thank You for the items You have listed in Psalm 103:3-5 that remind me of all you do for me: “[He] who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Thank you for the access I have to Your Word which gives me encouragement, joy, peace and the power to defeat the work of the flesh and of Satan.

What a blessing it is to know that “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Thank you for the promise of personal guidance that You have laid out for me in Isaiah 48:17 and Isaiah 30:21. You say to me: “…”I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go,”‘ and “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.”

Father, give me the wisdom to know that thankfulness is not just an act, but a life-style and that the peace You put in my heart and mind is much more valuable than all the physical blessings You provide on a daily basis.

I praise You, O Lord, by saying: thank you, thank you, thank you!

I bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Purpose in Our Trials and Suffering

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Photo taken in Florida.

“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” Philippians 1:29

Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise that You will ultimately restore, conform, strengthen and establish me despite any suffering I experience here on earth (1 Peter 5:10). Thank you that through the difficulties in my life I can come to a better understanding of the ultimate suffering that Jesus went through on the cross when He died for me.

Father, give me an understanding that I live in a fallen world and that therefore some stress and suffering is to be expected. Let me see the difference between suffering for Christ and suffering because of bad choices that I make. In either kind of suffering, show me how to experience the answer found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I ask that You will encourage and bless the many Christians throughout the world who are living with the daily threat of martyrdom for their faith in You.

Thank you that as I go through this life as a believer, I can look forward to having the reality found in Revelation 21:4 at the end of my life: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.“

In Jesus’ Name I come, Amen.

Election Prayer

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Photo taken in Virginia.

All-powerful and wise Heavenly Father, as we approach the upcoming election, I am 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, for forgiveness from our wicked ways. 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 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. The only perfect one is Jesus and He is in Heaven. Make it clear to us how You want us to vote to fill all of the positions in our government as well as how you want us to vote on all the other issues on the ballot.

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.”  Remind us continually that You are still on the throne. Also remind us of what You tell us in Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them” (NIV).

We bring this request in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God as My Fortress and Refuge

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Photo taken in Colorado.

“But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.” Psalm 59:16

Lord, thank you for the image this verse portrays of You being all around me. I praise You for being my strong anchor against all foes.

Thank you for the promise in Your Word: “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

What a wonderful comfort it is to know that as your child, I can always find refuge in You, my fortress. Teach me how to better grasp the concept of Your faithfulness and to experience it through Your Word.

You have told me many times in Scripture that You want to be my first line of defense. Therefore, I bring to You the following concerns:

*Insert your own concerns here (examples: rejection, illness, children, marriage, friends, travel)

I release these concerns to You so that I, by faith, may receive Your mercy, grace, and help in my times of need. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

I ask that believers in many parts of the world who are suffering from poverty, war, persecution and natural disasters would turn to You as their shelter and refuge as well.

Thank you that I can rest in Your powerful might, which is stronger than any method of self-defense I could ever devise.

I ask and pray these things to You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Praying for Children and Grandchildren Experiencing Temptation

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Photo taken in Florida.

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Thank you, Lord, for Your promise that You will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Help my children and grandchildren to be vigilant and aware of the ever-present temptations in their lives. If any are getting close to the dangerous territory of temptation and sin, have the Holy Spirit make it loud and clear to them that they need to seek protection immediately.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Lord, keep my loved ones constantly aware of what the Bible says about our bodies and remind them that we should not make provisions for the flesh. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Through the Biblical example of Samson in Judges 16:15-22, teach them what happens when we give in to temptation. Father, help them not to be like Samson; give them the strength to resist temptation and the eyes to see evil in whatever form it takes.

Thank you for providing a way for all of us to overcome: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15

I humbly come in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Living With the Joy of the Lord

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Photo taken in Kansas.

“‘These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.‘” John 15:11

Heavenly Father, thank you that the Word of God has within it the power to produce joy.

Thank you that when my life is closely in touch with You, You will walk with me through my difficult times so that I do not have to endure them alone.

In times of great prosperity, I thank You for keeping me from becoming prideful and complacent.

I praise you that when I walk with Jesus daily,  You give me the joy of being level-headed no matter what the circumstances are.

Nehemiah 8:10 says “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Father, since the joy You give far exceeds any human joy, I ask for an abundance of it. Please guide me in the choices I make and the actions I take so that I can experience all the joy You desire for me.

Direct me to understand that Your deep joy comes only to those who value You more than anything else.

Even in times of distress, You are the unchanging basis for joy.

I ask for the blessing Paul expressed in Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Unlimited Foresight

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Photo taken in Utah.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?’ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-36

Almighty and all-knowing Heavenly Father, thank you that in spite of all the chaos and insecurity around me, I can find peace and joy in knowing that You guide the affairs of the world and my life with infinite wisdom.

Thank you also that  in [Jesus] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3

Thank you for the may ways that You govern Your creation with Your unseen hand. For example: You are “…He [who] gives to all life, breath, and all things.“ (Acts 17:25) and You are “…He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food…” (2 Corinthians 9:10)

I praise you, Father, for giving me the ability and practical wisdom necessary to live on this earth. Help me also to recognize the fact that Your ways are much higher than mine. “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

In light of these Scriptures and many more, help me to take the situations in life which I cannot comprehend, put them into the “I do not understand” department and trust Your wisdom and foresight for the solutions. For Your Word says “[cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

I bring these thoughts and requests to You in Jesus’ Wonderful Name. Amen.

Fourth of July Prayer: the Restoration of America

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Photo taken in Nebraska.

“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.” 2 Chronicles 7:1

All powerful and wise Heavenly Father, I realize that this verse in the Old Testament was referring to Israel, but all the truths in it also apply to America today.

Thank you for doing for the United States what the phrase in the song America the Beautiful says: “America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

Father, forgive us individually and as a nation for taking Your blessings for granted and for turning to so many destructive ways that You disapprove of in Your instructions to us in the Bible.

Help us as believers to take to heart verse 4 in the song, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: “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.”

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, to ask for forgiveness from our wicked ways. Direct us to repent and turn back to You.

We ask that You pour out Your mercy and grace on our country so that we can continue to be blessed with America the Beautiful.

We bring these requests and praises in Jesus’ Name. Amen.