Prayer For Protection

Righteous Father, I ask for protection from all the hostile forces that seek to destroy me. But when I get indignant about the evil in this world and others, may I remember my own sin and look to the TEMPLE, the LORD Jesus Christ, and remember that He atoned for my sins and that I can only approach YOU by grace. How I need to hate evil and yet not become proud or feel morally superior to others. Keep me safe Father but keep me humble at the same time. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

~Timothy Keller [The Songs of Jesus, p.7]

Gratitude For Grace

This is a prayer I wrote in the 1990’s, almost 30 years ago. My inspiration was a little book published by LifeWay entitled Jesus By Heart. The prayer is mostly scripture [2 Corinthians 4] and when I went back and read it after all these years, it spoke to my heart.

Father, in light of the mercy you have shown me and in view the fact that I would have no life at all, spiritual or physical, if it were not for Your infinite grace, I present myself to You as a living sacrifice. This is for me and act of worship and my reasonable service. I am confident that You, who began a good work in me will perfect it until the day that Christ returns; for I am convinced that it is YOU Father who is at work in me both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. I believe that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that I have asked or even imagined and You are doing it according to the power of grace that is at work in me. With gratitude, I acknowledge that Jesus is LORD; that He and He alone is the ‘glorious light’ of the gospel and it is He who shines through our hearts into a world of darkness. I am amazed that You place such a wonderful treasure in a clay jar like me but I know it is so that You will get the glory from the light that You have placed in me. Although I have been afflicted–by Your grace, I have never been crushed. I have gotten discourage more times than I can count but by Your grace I have never given up. I have been confused, bewildered and have felt alone but I realize that I have never been forsaken. I have been knocked down more than once but Praise Jesus and His amazing grace, I have never been knocked out. You have constantly delivered me over to situations that called for the death of my old sinful nature so that Christ might be manifested in this mortal body. You are making me a mirror that reflects Jesus. I can see and even feel the transformation and it is all about grace. Therefore, my only response can be gratitude and praise.

Posted August 17, 2018

LORD, I Love You

Lord, I know I have failed You, misunderstood You and even misrepresented You but I love You. There have been times that I ignored You, avoided You and probably angered you…but You know I love You. Like Judas, I have betrayed You; like Peter, I have denied You…but I love You. I am the deficient one in this relationship. I am the one with faults, shortcomings, and character flaws…but You know I love You. Love covers a multitude of sin and I’m pretty sure it’s your love the scripture is referring to, but today, when You look at me, I pray that You not see all my faults and failures…I pray that my love for You might cover all of them. You restored Peter when he denied you three times. You asked him three times, “DO YOU LOVE ME?” Ask me the same question LORD. You know the answer…LORD, I love You.

~Greg Lane [My Morning Walks with God, page 115]

Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians

God, I praise You as the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ. Long before You created the world, You chose us to be your very own through what Christ would do for us. You decided long before we existed that we would be made holy–without fault– by the power of Your grace. Your plan has always included us because this is the way you wanted it. We praise YOU for Your wonderful kindness in taking our sins away by the blood of Jesus Christ, Your only begotten. You have showered us with spiritual blessings and they all come through Christ our LORD. Father, give us wisdom to see clearly what Christ has done for each of us. May our hearts be flooded with the light of Christ so that we can get a glimpse of our glorious future; so that we can understand how rich we are in Christ. Enable us to understand the incredible power that You have put within us, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and put Him at Your right hand in heaven. We praise You O God, for Jesus who has been victorious over sin and death and has been given a name above all other names with all things being put under His feet. All glory and praise to the Supreme Head of the church–which is His body–filled with Himself, the author and giver of everything everywhere. Amen!

 

Preacher’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed is your name and holy is your nature. You are infinitely good. You cannot sin nor be tempted to sin. You hate sin with a pure and perfect hatred. You have an eternal perspective: You see the end as well as the beginning. I am certain Father that you who began the good work within us, will continue this work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. You are working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Christ our LORD. I pray on my behalf and my brothers in the ministry, that utterance be given to us in the preaching of the word as we make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. Help us to faithfully exalt Jesus who said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” I pray for eyes to be opened and minds to be enlightened so that those who hear might come to know the hope of heaven and the assurance of salvation. May we be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. May we be counted worthy of our calling; may we fully execute our task. Help us to courageously stand for the truth. Now all glory to You Father, for your are able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. I pray that Your glorious, unlimited resources will empower us with inner strength through his Spirit; that Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. May our roots grow down deep into your love and keep us strong. May we have the power to understand, as all Your children should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ. Deepen our love for Him who first loved us and may we see others as Christ sees them. May we be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from Your Spirit. 

Now all glory to You Father, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to Christ Jesus, the head and Savior of the church. Glory to Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Glory to You Father, who is able to keep us from falling away and will bring us with great joy into Your glorious presence without a single fault. Help us to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Help us to stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for all believers everywhere. Father give us the right words so we can boldly explain Your mysterious plan that the Good News is for everyone.

Prayer For The Persecuted

Father we praise You as our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. You have been faithful to comfort us in all our troubles which have been few compared to others. We do pray for those in the body of Christ who are suffering persecution: some are in prison, some have lost their property and many are living in fear of oppression. May Your blessed Holy Spirit give them aid and comfort. These persecuted brothers and sisters are dear to us and we know they are very special to You, shower them with the comforts of Christ. Give them the patience to endure their suffering. Reward them with a deeper understanding of Your grace and a closer fellowship with Your Son; may they experience the power of His resurrection. Some are being crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability to endure; for these suffering believers, give them hope. Rescue them from their trials and temptations. Bless them with peace and courage. We know their confidence is in You. We lift them up in prayer knowing You will deliver them for their good and Your glory.

Douglas MacArthur Prayer

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him to pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master others, one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep, one who will reach into the future, and yet not forget the past. After all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he will always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom and the meekness of true strength. Then I, his father, will dare to Whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”

Saturday Night Prayer

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy is Your name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in my life as well as in heaven. Lead me to a place, overshadow me with Your GRACE, let Your word be heard and not mine. Father, I humble myself before Thee knowing that You have more than enough power to humble me if I don’t. I confess that PRIDE is a problem even though I have little success to boast about. It is a mystery to me but some how pride weasels into the mix. Help me to show mercy and grace to others as you have shown them to me. Please forgive my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against me and deliver me from my enemies especially the sinful self that lurks in the shadows of my heart. My I approach the pulpit in faith and have no reliance on the flesh. Help me flee all youthful lust. Anoint the messages that I deliver tomorrow. I offer them up to You as a whole burnt offering, consume them with your glorious power. Glorify Yourself in me, for it is your kingdom and the power and the glory belong to you.

[7/8/17]

A Simple Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank you, God for the times You have said “no.” They have helped me depend on You so much more.
Thank you, God, for unanswered prayer. It reminds me that You know what’s best for me, even when my opinion differs from Yours.
Thank You, Lord, for the things you have withheld from me. You have protected me from what I may never realize.
Thank You, God, for the doors You have closed. They have prevented me from going where You would rather not have me go.
Thank you, Lord, for the physical pain You’ve allowed in my life. It has helped me more closely relate to Your sufferings on my behalf.
Thank you, Lord, for the alone times in my life. Those times have forced me to lean in closer to You.
Thank you, God, for the uncertainties I’ve experienced. They have deepened my trust in You.
Thank You, Lord, for the times You came through for me when I didn’t even know I needed a rescue.
Thank You, Lord, for the losses I have experienced. They have been a reminder that You are my greatest gain.
Thank You, God, for the tears I have shed. They have kept my heart soft and mold-able.
Thank You, God, for the times I haven’t been able to control my circumstances. They have reminded me that You are sovereign and on the throne.
Thank You, God, for those people in my life whom You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth keeps my heart longing for heaven.
Thank You, God, that I have an inheritance in the heavenly places…something that this world can never steal from me and I could never selfishly squander.
Thank You, God, for the greatest gift You could ever give me: forgiveness through Your perfect Son’s death on the cross on my behalf.
Thank You, God, for the righteousness You credited toward me, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s a righteousness I could never earn or attain on my own.
Thank You, Father, that You know me, You hear me, and You see my tears. Remind me through difficult times that You are God, You are on the throne, and You are eternally good.
And thank You, Lord, not only for my eternal salvation, but for the salvation You afford every day of my life as You save me from myself, my foolishness, my own limited insights, and my frailties in light of Your power and strength.

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– Cindy McMenamin, Author

The Thanksgiving Song/Prayer

Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.
From far and near we travel home,
Blessed that we are able.
Grateful for this sheltered place
With light in every window,
Saying welcome, welcome, share this feast
Come in away from sorrow.
Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend and friendless;
All together everyone in the gift of loving-kindness.
Grateful for whats understood,
And all that is forgiven;
So thankful for Christ our LORD
Who made our life worth living.
Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend, and friendless;
All together everyone, let grateful days be endless.
Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.

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– Mary Chapin Carpenter – Thanksgiving Song Lyrics