James

Prayer About the Brevity of Life (Based on James 4:14)

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Photo taken in Colorado.

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

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ with a solemn heart. Try as I might to live in the brevity of life, I am often reminded in Your Word, the Bible, and by the death of a colleague, acquaintance, or loved one just how fleeting life truly is. James 4:14 “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Direct me to recognize that this sense of life’s brevity can quickly change to an attitude of nihilism (the belief that life is meaningless) if I leave it unchecked. Thank you that like David in Psalm 38:15, I can cry out to You and be greatly encouraged. “For in You, O LORD, I hope; [Your assurance:] You will hear, O LORD my God.” It is You who provides purpose to my existence and meaning to my life. You have provided salvation for me, which is a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is because of His birth, death, and resurrection that I now have hope (assurance) for living this short life on Earth, and then eternal life with You in heaven.  Jesus said: “That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

It is a great blessing that during this short time on Earth, You provide the gifts of purpose and meaning for me. These can only be found in You. Since life on Earth is very short in comparison to eternity, direct me to use the little time I have wisely and for eternal good. Show me how to follow what Moses expressed in Psalm 90:12. “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.“

Thank you for hope (assurance), encouragement, and Your instruction that what is done today matters for eternity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

P.S. These prayers will only work if you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you need help understanding God’s plan of salvation for you (the way to heaven), go to this page on our site: https://timewithourcreator.com/2016/06/02/salvation/

Prayer Points for Drawing Close to God Based on James 4:7-12

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Photo taken in Tennessee.

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

All powerful and compassionate Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus who shed His blood on the cross for my sin. Thank you that in many places in the Scriptures, You show that You want to have a close relationship with me. You tell me in James 4:7-12 what I need to do to have that relationship.

First and most importantly, You want me to be near to You. For that to happen, You want my mind and heart to be clean. I know that this is impossible in my own strength, therefore I look to You for cleansing. Verse 8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.”

It is a blessing to know that Satan’s power is no match for You as he frequently tries to win me over to his lies and evil causes. Your answer for dealing with him is expressed for me in verse 7. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and He will flee from you.” I realize that this can only be done through the power of You Word, so please direct me to the Scriptures in the Bible to accomplish this.  Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”

Make me sensitive and aware of the effect that pride has in my relationship and communication with You, as well as with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Verse 10-11a “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.”

Thank you that in spite of my human shortcomings You reach out in love and give me worth and dignity. You give me power through Your Word and prayer to be able to communicate with You and receive Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.