Christian Prayer

Intercessory Prayer for the Ukrainian and Russian People

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

All-powerful and wise Heavenly Father, we come in Jesus’ Name to intercede on behalf of the Ukrainian and Russian people during this horrific conflict. Most of us have no idea of the severity of the physical and emotional suffering that is happening. We ask you to direct the Christians in these countries to do what you told Jeremiah to do in Jeremiah 33:3. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

It has been reported that during and after the last war in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, many of these same people, especially Ukrainians, came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and have a strong faith in their new Christian walk. Being that some have lost loved ones, and many are injured, we ask that You will draw them close to what Jesus said in Mathew 11:28-30. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Your Word, the Bible, tells us to pray for our enemies. In Mathew 5:44, Jesus said, “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.” In light of this command, we lift up President Putin and all his military leaders, and ask You to release Your mighty hand of power against Satan’s control of them to stop this war against Your children. 1 John 4:4b “Because He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world.”

Thank you that intercessory prayer has no distance limitation, so at this time of feeling helpless, we can at least ask for Your power and wisdom to be directed to these people. We pray this prayer because we believe Matthew 19:26b. Jesus said that “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer About Abiding in Jesus Christ (Based on John 15:1-17)

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Photo taken in Kansas.

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

Heavenly Father, I come to You through the Name of Jesus Christ to thank You for the comfort of knowing that Your presence is ever with me, and for allowing me to constantly abide in You. This concept is very well illustrated in John 15:5. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” I acknowledge that without this close vine and branch relationship with You, I can do nothing good, right, or pure. I ask that You forgive me when I forget this truth and try to trust in myself rather than in Your perfect love.

Make clear in my mind and heart that not abiding in You is very detrimental to living a righteous life. John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” Thank you for sharing in Your Word (the Bible) that if I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, follow Your commandments, I can abide in Your love. John 15:10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.“

I ask You to direct and give me wisdom and strength to practice Your commandments on a daily basis with love, joy, and thankfulness. Thank you for my relationship with You, which began with You taking the first step of love that I never could, by sending Your Son to die on the cross for my sin. Develop Your great love in me in such a way that I can reflect that love back to You and to those around me. John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.“

In summary, I express to You the words in Psalm 119:73. “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Morning Prayer of Praise About God’s Wonderful Attributes

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I come to You this morning to praise and thank You for the encouragement that meditating on Your attributes gives me. When I start the day, it is a great comfort to rest in the fact that You are all-knowing. Psalm 139:3 “You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.” It is a great blessing to know You do not come and go at will, but are an ever-present God. There is not a time or place You are not near. Jeremiah 23:23 “‘Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “and not a God afar off?‘”

With so much evil, confusion, and heartache all around, it is good to know that You as my Heavenly Father are not limited as man is. You can change and correct anything You desire. You are Almighty God (all-powerful). 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.” I thank You that I do not have to be concerned that Your attributes will ever be modified or obsolete. Because You are immutable (unchanging), Your attributes are the same “yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Malachi 3:6a “For I am the LORD, I do not change.“

Direct me not to be surprised by situations in life and try to be in control of them, since You are in control and are not surprised by any situation. Thank you that I am a born-again child of Yours and thus have access to all these promises. With love, Amen.

Prayer About Valentine’s Day as a Reminder of God’s Love

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for the reminder this Valentine’s season gives about love. In spite of the joy of seeing so much around us about love made up of cards, flowers, teddy bears, and candy, it does not come close to the genuine, lasting love You have for us.

Your Word, the Bible, has many expressions about how much You love Your children. The ultimate expression is found in 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.”

So many times, my love is conditional. How great it is that Your love is unconditional. It is not based on who I am or what I say or do. I could not earn Your love no matter how hard I tried. It is wonderful that Your love is based on Your unfailing character. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

It is Your love for me, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in me, which allows me to have the privilege of loving others with a genuine love as expressed in John 13:34. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Thank you for the many Scripture passages in the Bible like 1 Corinthians 13 that give direction on what Christ’s love through me can and should look like. You point out in the Bible that there are many spiritual gifts, but love is one that we all have and should demonstrate.

As I go out in the world and see many different expressions of love, direct me to always put far more focus on Your love.

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for the powerful message in this little chorus: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Amen.

Prayer About Receiving and Giving God’s Love (Based on 1 John 4:7-11)

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, I come before You in Jesus’ Name, knowing that the only reason I am worthy to be in Your presence is because of the love and sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. My life was marked by the stain of sin from the moment I was born. I know that apart from Jesus, there is no love and hope. Thank you that when I professed with my mouth and heart to accept and believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I was also accepting Your endless love.

Sometimes it is hard to find words to express my joy and gratitude for Your love. I acknowledge that all the love that I have and give to others flows from You. Verse 7: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” Direct my relationship with You to be such that I can see the effects of the saving grace that Jesus has brought.

It is clear in the Bible that You love and care for people, otherwise You would not have created the human race. You gave me a free choice because You desire a loving response from Your people. Your love is seen into eternity by giving me, and all your people who have accepted Your Son Jesus Christ, eternal life.

Thank you for giving Your Holy Spirit to dwell in believers and empower us to love others. I ask that You give me a heart more like Yours, always ready to do good for those around me, reflecting the love that You have so generously given. Verse 11: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.“

In Jesus’ loving Name, Amen.

Prayer About God’s Protection When We Face Danger (Based on Psalm 91)

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

All-powerful Heavenly Father, I come to You today to give You praise and magnify Your mighty power. Thank you for being my refuge and my fortress. It is in You that I can have peace and protection from danger. Verse 2: “I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.’” It is a great blessing that I have no reason to fear the evil that is around me, because not one scheme of Satan can touch me when I dwell with You. Verse 1: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

It is significant to know that not only can I dwell in Your shadow, but that Your Word (in the Bible) also promises: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b.) Since You are the only true refuge in this world for my life, direct me to depend on You alone and not look to the world for comfort. Teach me more each day how to live in the shadow of Your mercy and grace so that I can experience what You promise in verse 15 any time I am near danger. “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.” Thank you that You have a great desire to teach me how to live righteously so that You can shower blessings on me. Amen.

Miniature Specific Scripture Prayers #38

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

Sleepless Nights

Comforting Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, when I can’t sleep at night, direct me to do like David did. Psalm 63:6-7 “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.“

Sins Forgiven and Forgotten

Forgiving Heavenly Father, in Your Son’s Name, thank you that when You forgive it is gone forever. Hebrews 10:17b ‘”Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.“‘

Love of the Father

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, direct me not to be overpowered by the things of this world. 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.“

Comfort During Crisis

Comforting Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for the comfort in Isaiah 41:10. “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.”

Our Father-Child Relationship with God

Loving Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for giving me a father-child relationship with You. 1 John 3:10 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.“

Holy Spirit’s Confirmation for Believers in Jesus Christ

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for the confirmation of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:9. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.“

Prayer About the Battle Belonging to the Lord

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

All powerful Heavenly Father, I come before You through the Name of Jesus. Thank you that You invite me to release any apprehension, tension, fear, and anger to You. I ask for forgiveness for the times I have tried to fight my own battles and forge my own way ahead. Remind me often that I am not strong enough to fight the battles, visible or invisible, that come against me. Without Your direction I have no hope, and the world will consume me in its evil ways.

Thank you that in Your Word (the Bible) You tell me that You are my protector. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Just as Moses comforted the Israelites during their time of trouble and trials, let me be comforted by the words of Exodus 14:14. “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Numerous times in Your Word, such as in 2 Chronicles 20:15b, You remind me that the battle is Yours. “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Direct me, when I am tempted to go back to fighting for myself in times of stress and anxiety, to trust in and practice Philippians 4:6-7. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Thank you for allowing me, in any circumstance, to have You as my advocate and protector. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

2022 New Year’s Prayer: Trusting in God’s Sovereignty for the Future

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

Lord, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for Your sovereignty over my circumstances. No matter what this new year will hold, or the difficulties I experienced in 2021, remind me that You are still God and You are still good. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Whether I am looking toward 2022 with excitement and anticipation, or with dread and anxiety, direct me to depend on You. John 15:4-5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.“

This year, guide me to become more like Christ in my conduct towards others and in my relationship with You. Like Jesus did, help me to love and pray for my enemies, as well as my friends, during this coming year. Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Just as Jesus made it a priority to pray during His life on Earth, direct me to prioritize conversation with You in 2022. Luke 5:16 “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

May this be the year that I let Your transforming power work in my life like never before. Open my eyes to see how You are already working, and expand my expectations of how You will answer my prayers. Like the prophet Habakkuk, my circumstances now or in the coming year may cause me to cry out to You and ask “why?” or “how long?” Habakkuk 1:3 “Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises.”

In such situations, direct me to be fully content in You so that I can say with confidence what Habakkuk said in Habakkuk 3:17-19. “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.“

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

2021 Christmas Prayer: God’s Special Gift of Salvation for Believers

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

Gracious Lord, thank you for giving me the best gift of all: the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Make the Christmas story come alive for me this year in ways that I have never experienced before. Direct me not to get so wrapped up in the details of presents, parties, decorations, and being with family and friends that I miss out on what You are wanting to speak to me about in this season.

Like the shepherds, direct me to see and respond to Your presence and direction with immediate action. Luke 2:15 “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” Like the wise men, give me the courage to follow You, even in a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile to the things of God.

Thank you for the many reminders the Christmas story brings about Your character. You can do the impossible (like causing a virgin to bear Your Son). You use ordinary, unexpected people and circumstances to accomplish Your plan (like Mary and the shepherds, and Jesus being born in a stable). You are Immanuel (God with us). You understand what my life is like (because Jesus was born and grew up on Earth, fully man and fully God). And You speak personally to me (like when you spoke to Joseph in a dream). Guide me to enjoy all the fun activities of the holiday season, yet keep You at the center of them all.

For those who find Christmas difficult because of the reminders of departed or estranged family members and friends, I ask that You will fill them with Your peace and joy, and allow them to connect with You and with fellow believers to make it through this emotional time. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Remind me of Your love for me, first presented in the form of a crying baby in a dingy manger, later fulfilled in that same baby’s sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection. Thank you for everything Christmas means, and for all of the traditions and celebrations that come along with it.

In Jesus’ holy Name, Amen.