Christianity

Prayer About the Power and Danger of Enticement

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

All wise and powerful Heavenly Father, I come in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ to admit to You that in my own strength, I am weak and frail. Thank you that in my desperate times of need, I can come to You who has open arms waiting for me at all times. There are times I am enticed by the evils of this world to drift away from Your good and perfect plan for me. Sometimes I find myself straying from Your light, thinking about momentary pleasure and worldly gain. Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.“

However, my desire is to be in perfect communion with You, developing Matthew 26:41. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” It is a blessing that in my weaknesses and shortcomings, Your glorious perfection and grace shine through all the brighter.

How wonderful it is to know that even in my weakness, You will never forsake me. With each enticement, You provide a way of escape if I am willing to follow Your Word, the Bible. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.“

Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for a world filled with brokenness and enticement. He knows what I go through each day and has felt the same things I do. I ask that whenever I am having to wrestle with worldly enticements, You will direct me to come to You to overcome them. It is only through You that even what seems impossible is possible to accomplish. Matthew 19:26b “‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’“

To God be the glory. Amen.

Gaining Courage by Looking Back at God’s Past Actions (Based on Psalm 77)

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

All Wise and Powerful Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank You for the example for developing courage found Psalm 77. In the first 12 verses, the author shares about how sometimes, like I am, he was overwhelmed by the evil and despair in this fallen world. How quickly I can get my focus of off Your light and get lost in the consuming darkness of sin and suffering.

However, thank you that just like the author in verses 13-20 of this Psalm, if I change my thinking to focus on all of the positive things You have done for me in the past, it will encourage me to trust in Your promises for the future.

Verses 10-14 “And I said, “This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.”

Lord, I ask that You will direct me to turn my mind and my heart toward You who gives comfort and protection, not only in difficult times, but always. Remind me frequently that it is the reading of Your Word, prayer with You, filling my mind with Christian music, and fellowshipping with strong believers that will allow me the positive experience of Deuteronomy 31:6. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.“

Thank you for the encouragement and teaching from these verses. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Prayer About the Wonder and Beauty of God’s Amazing Grace

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, I come before Your throne of grace through the precious Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son. I am overwhelmed with praise and gratitude that by Your amazing grace, You have given me a seat at Your table as a son or daughter. You have stripped off my dirty rags and replaced them with robes of color.

It is because of Your grace, meaning undeserved favor, that my salvation and development of righteous living is not performance based. Both are a gracious gift from You. You want me to have Your grace because You love me, not because of what I have done. 2 Timothy 1:9 “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.“

I thank You for the old hymn Amazing Grace written by John Newton because it summarizes the wonder and beauty of Your grace.

Amazing Grace

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe this far, and grace will lead me home.”

Being a benefactor of the greatest gift and sacrifice ever made, I humbly come before you and like Paul, thank you for what Jesus expressed to him in 2 Corinthians 12:9. “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” Amen.

2021 School Prayer for All Who Are Involved in Education (Leaders, Teachers, Parents, and Students)

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

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for directing many of our schools this last year in working through all of the Coronavirus issues. This year, I come to ask You to direct school boards, teachers, parents, and students in evaluating all the curriculum and social changes that are being proposed. Direct all the leaders to look to You for wisdom in what is best for the students. 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 to him.“

Show the leaders how to evaluate everything in education from the past and current thinking. We have had a good education and moral standard for many years, however, that does not make it obsolete. Encourage them to accept what the Bible expresses about children and that it has the answers on how and what should be taught. Have them make decisions through the lens of Psalm 127:3a. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD.“

Show all who are involved in education that their most critical job is to do what is best for young people of all ages. Put a hedge of protection around school boards, teachers, and students to keep them from the influences of wrong theories, information, and teaching. I ask for what Jesus said in 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.“

Will You touch the hearts and minds of many teachers and students this year to make the most critical decision, regardless of education, which is to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Romans 10:13 “For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Amen.

P.S. If you need help with this decision, see the Salvation tab.

Christmas Eve Prayer and Meditation

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Prayer

Lord, I come in Jesus’ Name with thanksgiving, remembering the great love You gave to me in the form of the birth of Your Son, Jesus. How unimaginably perfect You are in all Your ways. Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Thank you for giving Your only Son to die for my sins and, since I have accepted Him into my heart and life, giving me eternal life with You in heaven.

Direct me not to be distracted from the true meaning of Christmas or be enticed by the calling of the world to make Christmas all about myself. This Christmas, encourage me to have everything I do point back to You and Your Glory. I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Christmas Story Meditation

Visualize the Christmas story by slowly and quietly meditating on this Christmas carol:

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, darkness flies, all is light. Shepherds hear the angels sing, “alleluia hail the King! Christ the Savior is born.”

Silent night, holy night, guiding star, lend thy light; see the eastern wise men bring gifts and homage to our King! Christ the Savior is born.

Thank you Lord, for all that this holy night represents. Amen.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Time With Our Creator! We pray you have a blessed holiday.

Prayer from Psalm 32 About the Blessing of a Pure Heart

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Forgiving Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I thank you for the opportunity to come to You for forgiveness and cleansing. I was covered in sin, but Your Son Jesus Christ, by dying on the cross, shedding His blood, and rising from death, has washed me and given me an eternal home in Heaven.

Until my entrance into Heaven, You daily forgive me of my sin as needed so that I can have the joy of a pure heart. Psalm 32:1-2 “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

As the Protector and Deliverer of my heart from the evil one, teach me to be receptive and sensitive to my need for the immediate confession and repentance of any sin that touches my life. It is a great blessing from You that, like David in the Bible, I have the opportunity to put my sin behind me. 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.”

Direct me to always be reminded of the serious, damaging affect that sin has on my relationship with You. In fact, You tell me in Psalm 66:18 that if I do not take care of my sin, You do not hear me. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”

My desire is to do whatever is necessary to deal with my sin so that I can accept Your longing to guide me with love and wisdom. Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for the privilege of being able to have a pure heart and mind. Amen.

Praying for Fellow Believers Using God’s Word

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Photo taken in Florida.

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

This prayer is an example of using portions of Paul’s prayers in Philippians 1:3-11 and Colossians 1:3-12 for intercessory prayer for others. Think of others as you pray…

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name I thank You for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and for the unifying spirit that You create between those who love and follow You. Philippians 1:3-5 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Since the Christian life is based on a correct understanding of Your Word the Bible, I pray Philippians 1:9 for ​my fellow believers: “and this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.” Your Scriptures in the Bible make it clear that You continually want to shape and mold Your children to be more like You and reflect Your love to the world. Therefore, I ask for the following believers, ____ (insert names here) Philippians 1:10-11. “That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

As followers of Yours, I ask for myself and those I am interceding for ​to experience the message of Colossians 1:11. Direct us to be “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” I ask that You teach me how to best love others and lift them up to You in prayer.

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for the role that fellow Christ followers have played in the development of my walk with You. Amen.

Prayer from Hebrews 12:1-13 About Accepting God’s Discipline as Part of His Love

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Photo taken in Utah.

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

Loving Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for Your multifaceted role as my Heavenly Father. Often I see You as Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, which is important and true about You. However, just as an earthly father does, You desire to be a big part of my life when it comes to directing and correcting me to do what is ultimately best for me.

Sometimes it can be difficult to see how You use problems and hardships as a loving correction rather than what sometimes seems like purposeless pain. Hebrews 12:6-7 “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”

I ask that You develop in me a good perspective of what is expressed in verse 11 about my times of trial and correction. May I accept it gratefully as the appropriate response toward a loving Heavenly Father. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

As difficult as some of these situations may be to develop Christian maturity in me, may all of Your loving training for me also be an example of encouragement for believers around me who may be weak and struggling to believe, follow, and mature in Christ.

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for conforming me more and more to the likeness of Jesus through Your loving process. Amen.

Prayer on Psalm 1: The Way of the Righteous vs. the Way of the Ungodly

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Photo taken in Hawaii.

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

Just Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ precious Name, thank you for Your Word (the Bible) and the truth in it. You make it very clear in Psalm 1 that there are only two roads I can travel: the way of the righteous or the way of the ungodly.

Verse 1 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Verse 4 “The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.”

Thank you that regardless of the situations I face as a believer, my salvation is secure. John 3:15 “That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

In regard to verse 2, I ask You to well up in me a deep desire to study and know Your Word and make it a delight. Give me the strength and the will to meditate on Your Word and to be counted among the righteous in Your sight. The more I know and understand Your Word, the more wisdom I will have to base my daily decisions and life on. Verse 2 “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

Remind me often about the seriousness of sharing the Gospel with unbelievers. Your Word describes their future as very devastating ​if they do not turn to You. Verse 6 “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for making it very easy, in Your Word, to understand what kind of life you want me to live as a Christian, and that You want to watch over all aspects of my life. Amen.

Prayer About the Power of Praise by a Christian

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Praiseworthy Heavenly Father, I come to bring You praise through the Name of Your Son. Thank you that I have the privilege to humbly bow before Your presence and proclaim that You are Lord over all. You reign high above all and no one compares to You.

You made me with the intent ​of having a worship experience with You through praise. You say in Your Word, the Bible, in Psalm 145:3, “great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.”

You want me to praise You for my spiritual development, not because You need my praise. Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.”

Thank you that if I get off the road of faith and onto the road of discouragement, focusing on praising You will help get me back on the right track.

It is a blessing that even in my hardest times and difficult situations, You encourage me to continue to spend time in praise centered on Your holy and perfect attributes. As hard as that may seem, it is a way that You refocus my heart and mind on Your love and goodness.

Direct me to always reflect on Romans 8:28 as one of the reasons to praise You because ultimately, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

In Jesus Name, I ask You to direct me to have the strength to praise You in all circumstances so I can build a solid confidence in You like Paul expressed in Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Amen.