Christian Prayer

Back to School Prayer

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

Heavenly Father, thank you for this time of the year when many young people are going back to school. Let us not forget the privilege that is ours in America to be educated in many different fields of study.

I want to bring to You my loved ones and friends who will be in school this year. I ask You to give them the ability to comprehend what is being presented and discernment and wisdom to know when something is being taught that is not in agreement with the teaching in Your Word. “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“ James 1:5.

Put a hedge of protection around students and teachers to keep them from the influences of wrong theories and teaching. I ask for what Jesus said in the second half of John 17:15. “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ”

As these young people face many kinds of temptations in school, encourage them to daily spend time in Your Word for direction. 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.”

If any do not have a relationship with Jesus as their Savior, make that the highest educational priority for them this year.

I bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hearing From God

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Lord, thank you that You are willing to listen to me, and even more important, that You want me to have the blessing of hearing from You. “Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.“‘

In the midst of all the competing voices in the world today, make it clear to me that most of what I hear from You will be from Your Holy Word, the Bible. As in the story in 1 Kings 19:9-13, most of the time You do not communicate with me in a loud and boisterous way, but by “a still small voice.”

Since You reveal Yourself in quietness and meekness, show me ways to be physically and mentally still so that I can hear You clearly. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” This being so, I open my heart and mind to You and ask You to direct me in discerning what needs to happen in my life through every situation.

Lord, as I listen, “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.” Psalm 25:4-5

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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.

 

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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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.

 

Contentment in the Lord

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Photo taken in Colorado.

 

Written by Elton Streyle, photography and editing by Ali

Heavenly Father, thank you for being my Shepherd and for all that it entails in my relationship with You. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” Psalm 23:1.

Forgive me for the times when I struggle with being content and find myself in the desire of wanting more. You have promised to give me all that I need for a life of godliness and praise and worship to You. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.  Enable me to be content with You alone and not be tempted to look for contentment in the worthless things of this world that many times only money can buy.

Lord, give me a good understanding of the teaching in Your Word that happiness is not based on my circumstances in life, but rather that real contentment and joy comes from knowing Jesus more and more.  Like the Apostle Paul, show me how to be accepting of my status in life. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” Philippians 4:11. Shift my focus from the things of this world to Jesus, Your ultimate Gift, realizing that all true contentment comes from Him. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name.

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.