Christian Prayer

God’s Interest in My Future

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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 through the Name of Jesus to thank You for the promise in Your Word that You have full and total control of my life. You say in Jeremiah 29:11, ‘”For I know the plans I have for You,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV). I know and trust that Your ways are perfect and so much more complete than my own. There are often things in my life that I don’t understand, yet I know that Your plan never fails or changes. You knew the path of my life before I was even born.

Because of these truths, I ask that You give me Your eyes and Your heart. Give me the peace to know that I can, “cast all [my] anxieties on [You] because [You] care for me” 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV).

Pause to give the Lord all Your anxieties and burdens.

I ask that the process of giving these burdens to You be a daily one and not just happen when all else has failed. With all the chaos and uncertainty in the world, thank you for the peace and comfort conveyed in the following quote: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future” ~Anonymous.

I bring this all in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

God as Counselor

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Photo taken in Nebraska,

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

Almighty and wise counselor, I come to You in Jesus’ Name. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I thank You for living within me through the Holy Spirit ​and for the wise counsel you offer through Jesus. ​In Colossians 2:3, Jesus ​is described as the One “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Forgive me for the times when my mind gets so caught up in the need to make decisions that I go to friends and family members for council instead of coming to You, the most important advisor. Direct me to come to You first and base my decisions on Your wisdom rather than on worldly insights.
Give me discernment to know that sometimes You use other people to show me what and how You want something accomplished in my life. “Where there is no counsel,  the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” Proverbs 11:14.
I recognize my need to depend on You. I ask You to continue to shape and mold me into the person You created me to be. Direct me to always do like the children of Israel did when they were in difficult situations: “then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God…”  Judges 20:18.
Thank you for Your ever present hand in every situation in my life, and for allowing me to bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer in Extreme Circumstances: A Prayer Based on Proverbs 3:5-6

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

 

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for inviting me to practice Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart“ (vs. 5a). It is with love that I come to You to ask You to direct me in getting my mind off of my situation and on to You, all-loving God.

“And Lean not on your own understanding“ (vs. 5b). As I look around and think about it, there is no other place to turn ​but to You. All human solutions ​to my problems are inadequate. I turn to You because I believe that what You tell me in Your Word, the Bible, is true. In Mark 10:27 You are shown to be all-powerful. “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” In Psalm 139:1-2 You tell me that You are all-knowing and everywhere present. “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.”

“In all your ways acknowledge Him“ (vs. 6a). In this specific situation I come to You, resting in what You tell me 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.”

“And He will direct your path” (vs. 6b). In closing I am going to put my trust in Your promise in Psalm 50:15.”Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Thank you for allowing me to bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Prayer for the New School Year

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Photo taken in Hawaii.

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

 

Heavenly Father, I come to You through the all-powerful Name of Jesus to thank you for this time of the year when many young people are going back to school. We want to bring to You all our loved ones and friends who will be in school. I ask You to give the young people the ability to comprehend what is being taught. I ask that You give them discernment and wisdom to know when something is being shared that is not in agreement with the teaching in Your Word. James 1:5 says, “if any of You lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.“ 

In the school environment we have today, I ask that You put a hedge of protection around the students and the teachers to keep them safe from the ways of the evil one. I ask for what Jesus said: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” John 17:15.

As these young people face the many temptations in school, encourage them to daily spend time in Your Word for direction and guidance. Make the words in Psalm 119:9 a great desire of theirs. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” I especially ask that if any do not have a relationship with Jesus as their Savior that You would direct them to make that the highest priority this year.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer Quotes to Think About #13

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Quote Selection: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography: Ali

“If I try to pray for people or events without having God’s Word in front of me, guiding my prayers, then severe negative things happen. One is that I tend to be very repetitive… I just pray the same things all the time. Another negative thing is that my mind tends to wander.” ~John Piper

“If we pray without reading the Word, we shall be ignorant of the mind and will of God, and liable to be blown about by every wind of doctrine.” ~D.L. Moody

“Dare not live without prayer.” ~Charles Swindoll

“A. Establish the priority of prayer, B. Rearrange your schedule to meet this prayer, C. Plan your prayer life.” ~Dr. Sidlow Baxter

“Prayer is not only a comfort in times of need; it is essential for survival. It guided Jesus through His life. Let it guide you.” ~Charles Stanley

“Instead of telling God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big God is.” ~Anonymous

Overcoming the Destruction of Pride

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Lord, I come to You today through the holy, blameless name of Jesus. Thank you for the information in Your Word about what pride is and the devastating effect it can have on a person. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” Proverbs 16:18.
Direct me to always be aware of ​my tendency to take credit for the many things You do for me. I know that nothing good can come from a prideful heart and attitude. Due to the fact that pride is involved in most sin, I ask You to apply Psalm 139:23-24 to me to ​destroy the roots of ​my sin. Give me the courage to  ask for the forgiveness and cleansing that is needed. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.“
Direct me to be constantly aware of the worldly idea of self reliance​, and keep me from it. Instead, keep me leaning on You.
Show me how to make the message of the following song a reality in my life:
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
by Elisha Hoffman
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace of mind leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Thank you for allowing me to bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer Based on Psalm 23

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Photo taken in Kansas.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the peace, comfort and joy that I can gain from this Psalm. You promise all-encompassing provision in my life and that I will lack nothing. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

I ask You to guide me along the right path, to provide me with comfort and refreshment. In Your Name is where I can find peace, joy and a more fulfilled life. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

It is such a blessing that no matter what destruction and chaos the evil one will bring my way, I do not need to fear because I know that You are with me ​and Your protection is unfailing. This continually brings me comfort. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

I appreciate the fact that wherever I am, You provide and bless me beyond what I could ever understand. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

Thank you that I can know that Your goodness and love towards me will never end. When You call me home I will join You in glory, praising Your Name forever and ever. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Direct my relationship with You ​to be like ​that of a sheep to his shepherd, ​where I rely on You in total trust for everything in ​my life at all times.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Miniature Prayers #11

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

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.”

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Holy Spirit Providing the Christian With Power

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit’s power described in Zechariah 4:6. “‘…Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Trustworthiness

Heavenly Father, direct my life in such a way that I can be trusted. “…But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgement.” James 5:12.

Directions for Peaceful Living

Heavenly Father, thank you for the advice for peaceful living in 1 Peter 2:11. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”

Instructions on How to Treat Others

Lord, direct me to achieve the standard set in 1 Peter 3:8. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”

A Christian’s Future Life

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance in John 3:15. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him [Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life.“

God’s Graciousness

Gracious Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank You that when we do wrong things, like the Israelites did, You treat us like them as recorded in Nehemiah 9:17c. “But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.”

Being Obedient to God

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I thank You for the fact that as Christ lived in obedience to the Father, I too can firmly trust You by faith to enable me to live a life of love and obedience. “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.” John 15:10

Therefore, since obedience is such a key towards great blessing in my life, I ask You to guide me in the following areas:

HEART: That I will be able to love You more than any other relationship, activity or possession.

WILL: That I will be able to commit myself completely to You.

MIND: That I will know and understand Your Word, so that it affects everything I think and do.

BODY: That I will be appreciative for You giving me all my strengths and abilities for work, pleasure, and fulfillment.

MONEY: That I will use it wisely for my physical needs and for the development of Your Kingdom.

FUTURE: Show me how to be obedient to Your Holy Word because the long-term rewards of obeying You are greater than anything else in the world.

Father, thank you for Your Holy Word giving me lessons from the past, instructions for the present and information about the future. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” John 6:63. Guide my life to bring glory to You, for You deserve all the glory.

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

4th of July Prayer in Appreciation of Our Freedoms

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Photo taken in Nebraska.

Author: Elton Streyle, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, it is through the pure Name of Jesus that I come today to thank You for the opportunity to celebrate the amazing freedoms that You have bestowed on the United States. We have had the privilege to celebrate many 4th of Julys since the first one many years ago. Unfortunately, many in this country have turned from You and have instead turned to destructive ways. I am sorry that some are not showing any appreciation for the blessing of living in a free country.

In spite of all of this, You are still sustaining this country and its freedoms. We ask that You forgive us individually and as a nation for taking Your blessings for granted. Thank you that just as Israel had the opportunity to turn back to You, we in America also have the possibility of turning to turn from our wicked ways and return​ing to you.

Encourage us as a nation and individually to practice 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.”

Thank you for the joy of all the different aspects ​of celebrating with our family and friends this great freedom we have. Most of all, remind us often to give thanks to the One who provides everything we have. Lamentations 3:22-23 says “through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

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