Prayers

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To Have Strong Families

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to have Christ-centered families...

Help them train their children in the way they should live, and give the children hearts to honor and obey their moms and dads. May the fathers not exasperate their children but bring them up to understand how You want them to live. (1 Corinthians 11:3; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:1,4)

May every husband love his wife as he loves himself, as Christ loved and was willing to give Himself up for the church. Help husbands not be harsh with their wives but be considerate, treating them with respect so their prayers won’t be hindered. (Ephesians 5:33a, 25; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7)

May each wife respect her husband and submit to him as to the Lord, as the church submits to Christ. As all of us are to do, may they submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, each looking to the interests of the other. (Ephesians 5:33b, 22, 21; Philippians 2:4) Keep their families strong and together; help them to be givers and not takers.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Springtime Prayer

Ralph Waldo Emerson

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet,
For song of bird, and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

For blue of stream and blue of sky,
For pleasant shade of branches high,
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

 

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Teacher's Prayer for Snow

John Hillen

Oh Lord, let it snow.
Let it drift and let it blow.
In the morning, no real fuss,
Just enough to stop the bus.
Enough to make the county say:
"There will be no school today."
Let the radio report:  "Snow's deep!"
And I'll roll over for more sleep.
Then later on, say maybe ten,
I'll turn the radio on again.
Just in time to hear them say:
"It's strange, the snow has gone away."
And then I'll know, You made it stop.
So I can go to the mall and shop.
Please Lord, just hear my teacher's plea,
And make it snow for the kids and me.

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23rd Psalm for Recovering Alcoholics

Author Unknown

The Lord is my sponsor, I shall not want.
He makes me to go to many meetings.
He leads me to sit back, relax, and listen with an open mind, He restores my soul, my sanity, and my health.
He leads me in the path of sobriety, serenity, and fellowship for my own sake.
He teaches me to think, to take it easy, to live and let live, and do first things first.
He makes me more humble and grateful.
He teaches me to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can, and gives me the wisdom to know the difference.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of despair, frustration, guilt, and remorse, I will fear no evil.
For Thou are with me, your program, your way of life, your twelve steps, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: rationalization, fear, anxiety, self-pity, resentment.
You anoint my confused mind and jangled nerves with knowledge, understanding, and hope.
No longer am I alone, neither am I afraid, nor sickened, nor helpless, nor hopeless.
My cups runs over,
Surely sobriety and serenity shall follow me every day of my life, one day at a time, twenty-four hours at a time.
As I surrender my will to You and carry Your message to others, I will dwell in the house of Higher Power, as I understand him, one day at a time, forever and ever.
Amen

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Prayer for Meaningful Work

Vienna Cobb Anderson

Loving God, you made us co-creators in the process of your creation, blessing us with wisdom, reason, creativity, and skill. Bless all who seek meaningful employment that they may provide for the well-being of their families. Let those who have more than they need for life's necessities be moved to use their wealth to create new opportunities for others. Let those who have skills be open to sharing the riches of their knowledge with those who seek the opportunity to learn. Let us all learn from one another, for you have blessed every human being with a gift for the benefit of the common good. And thereby enable us by the power of your Holy Spirit to build up the body of Christ on this earth that your name be proclaimed and blessed through the good work of all; in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

 

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Blessing for Many Occasions

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

 

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To Be Strong Leaders

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying for the pastor/clergy (name those you know) who serve in my church and the churches of other family and friends...

Help them to lead with—

the heart of David (Acts 13:22b),
the wisdom of Solomon (2 Chronicles 1:10–12),
the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:12),
the purity of Joseph (Genesis 39:10–12),
the steadfastness of Daniel (Daniel 6:10),
the vision of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:17; 4:9; 6:15),
the courage of Joshua ( Joshua 1:6; 11:23),
the strength of Caleb ( Joshua 14:10–12),
the obedience of Noah (Genesis 6:22),
the meekness of Moses (Numbers 12:3),
the determination of Paul (2 Corinthians 4:8–9),
and the servant heart of Christ ( John 13:14–15).

May they clearly instruct those they're responsible for in the way they should live to please You. May they shepherd whatever group You have given them with integrity of heart, and lead them with skillful hands. (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Psalm 78:72)

In Jesus' name, amen.

 

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Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times

Beliefnet member gfry

Dear Lord, in these troubled times make your presence known to all the peoples around the world so that they may see peace as the only way to salvation. Replace the anger and violence in our hearts with joy and tranquility and help us to seek the good in everyone. Cause us all to realize that without you we can do nothing that will bring us peace and joy. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen.

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Prayer for a Woman Who Has Had a Miscarriage

Vienna Cobb Anderson

O God of love, source of life,
hear our prayers for _____.
Her baby died before it ever came to birth.
The blessing of your love
was torn from her body,
leaving her empty and devastated.
Comfort her now in her sorrow.
Restore her hope for a child to come.
Give her courage and new delight
in the days ahead.
In good time, grant her a new life
that her soul may rejoice
and her body give birth;
in Christ's name we pray. Amen.

 

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Prayer of Thanksgiving

Psalms 118: 1-5

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

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Prayer for My Child's Independence

Marian Wright Edelman

Lord help me not to do for my children
what they can do for themselves

Help me not to give them
what they can earn for themselves

Help me not to tell them
what they can look up for themselves.

Help me to help my children stand on
their own two feet and to grow into
responsible, disciplined adults.

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My Prayer Is But a Cold Affair

St. Anselm

My prayer is but a cold affair, Lord,
because my love burns with so small a flame,
but you who are rich in mercy
will not mete out to them your gifts according to the dullness of my zeal,
but as your kindness is above all human love
so let your eagerness to hear
be greater than the feeling in my prayers.
Do this for them and with them, Lord,
so that they may speed according to your will
and thus ruled and protected by you,
always and everywhere,
may they come at last to glory and eternal rest,
through you who are living and reigning God, through all ages.

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Prayer After a Therapeutic Abortion

Vienna Cobb Anderson

 

God, Mother of us all, we ask Your blessing upon _______.
Bless all who face the choice of abortion. Thank You for granting them the wisdom to make their choice and the courage to act upon it, all the while embracing the knowledge of Your love. Grant unto all women the support and love we offer unto ______ this day and always. Bind us close in Your love and keep us faithful in our friendships. Hear our prayer, O God, our Mother and grant us mercy and forgiveness upon all our lives. Amen.

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Prayer for Those Who Mourn

Vienna Cobb Anderson

Bless those who mourn, eternal God,
with the comfort of your love
that they may face each new day with hope
and the certainty that nothing can destroy
the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful,
their days enriched with friendship,
and their lives encircled by your love.
Amen.

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Prayer for All Who Are Abused

Vienna Cobb Anderson

You chose, O loving God,
to enter this world
quietly, humbly, and as an outcast.
Hear our prayers
on behalf of all who are abused:

For children,
who suffer at the hands
of parents whom they trust and love;
for spouses,
beaten and destroyed
by the very one
who promised to love
and to cherish them forever;
for all people
ignored, hated and cheated.
by the very neighbor
who could be the closest one
to offer your love.

Hear the cry of the oppressed.
Let the fire of your Spirit fill their hearts
with the power of vision, and hope.
Grant to them empowerment to act,
that they may not be passive victims
of violence and hatred.
Fulfill for them the promises you have made,
that their lives may be transformed
and their oppression ended.

Turn the hearts of the oppressor unto you
that their living may be changed
by your forgiving love;
and their abusive actions
and oppressive ways brought to an end.

Amen.

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The Lord Is Thy Keeper

Psalms 121: 1-8

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help [cometh] from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord [is] thy keeper: the Lord [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,
and even for evermore.

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Show Me the Path to Health

Heather Kopp

Dear God,
I admit that I have come to both love
and hate the word "diet."
On the one hand, it represents hope for change.
On the other, it's like a sign flashing "Failure ahead!"
I don't want to embark on another faulty plan, Lord.
I want to embark on a journey with You
that is led by You and depends on Your power.
I can do nothing on my own!
Show me the path that will enable me to change.
Show me, as only You can,
what works for me, what is healthy for me.
I want to think of this venture in positive terms, Lord --
not that I am signing up to be miserable or in want.
I want to learn to feed my body what it truly needs when it truly needs it.
And to feed my soul with the Bread of Life -- You!
Today I place my future, my failures, my setbacks,
all of my hopes and plans into Your hands.
There alone will I find meaning
and true success in my life.
Amen.

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Grace Before Meals

Anonymous

Lord bless this food to our use and us to Thy service, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others. Amen.

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In the Face of Fertility Challenges

Jennifer Saake

Lord, help me to know that You are enough. Take my eyes off of myself. Take my eyes off of the child I desire. Help me to delight myself in You. Mold the desires of my heart to be in line with Your will. I don't want to need to be a mother more than I need to be your humble, obedient child. I don't want wanting to have a baby to be a stumbling block between You and me anymore.

Lord, I want to give this desire, this drive, this ache up to You. Help me not to snatch it back as I so often do with the burdens I place in Your hands. Help me to be truly content with Your will and Your timing.

Lord, You know that I still desire a baby - someone to mold, teach, train, shape, guide, and help to grow in You. But until the day You give me that joyous blessing, help me to grow in You. Let me reach out to those around me. Let me witness and minister to the children You place in my path.

Lord, if adoption is the path You would have us take, prepare our hearts, and prepare the child who will share our home. If adoption is not Your will for our lives, keep me from pushing ahead of Your plan. Help me to stay submitted to my husband's will, and to Your will. If we are headed in the wrong direction, change our hearts.

Thank You for lifting my burden. Help me to keep You first! Let me seek Your face daily, and let me know that You are enough!

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Please Forgive Me

Anonymous

Dear Father God,
I know that I've done wrong through my thoughts, my actions, and the things that I've said, sometimes by mistake and sometimes on purpose. I have gone my own way and not put you at the center of my life. I am very sorry and ask that you please forgive me. I thank you that I can ask you this because I truly believe that your Son, Jesus, died in my place and, through Him, I have access to you. Please help me to follow you more closely every day and live a life which gives glory back to you. I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

 

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Jesus, Be Our Companion

Anonymous

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.

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Bedtime Prayer

Anonymous

There are four corners on my bed,
There are four angels at my head.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
Bless the bed I sleep on.

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Prayer for Friends

Vienna Cobb Anderson

You have created us to live in community,
O God of love;
bless our friends who provide us
with the grace and love of an extended family.
Endow them with the riches of your blessings:
good health, sight, and mobility,
that they may enjoy the wonders of your creation
and share their delight with others.
Bless them with keen minds and compassionate hearts
that they may create a better life for all.
Guard them from injustice, oppression, and evil
that they may know freedom and hope lifelong.
In their waking and in their sleeping,
in their laughter and in their tears,
surround them with your love
until the end of their days;
and so bring them to eternal life in peace.
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

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To Be Humble in Spirit

Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family or friends to know the importance of humbling themselves...

May they choose to humble themselves before You and before Christ, for we know You detest the proud of heart. You live in a high and holy place and with those who are contrite and humble. (Daniel 10:12; James 4:10; Proverbs 16:5a; Isaiah 57:15)

May they desire to be like Christ, gentle and humble in heart, living in harmony with one another, compassionate and sympathetic, loving each other—not trying to pay back hurts or insults but instead responding with blessings. May they be willing to submit to You and each other out of reverence for Christ. (Matthew 11:29b; 1 Peter 3:8–9; James 4:7; Ephesians 5:21)

May they be willing to humble themselves before You, for if they will, Your Word says You will guide them in what is right and teach them Your way, giving them grace and esteeming them in Your sight. Help them to show true humility toward all people, to clothe themselves with humility. (Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 3:34; Isaiah 66:2b; Titus 3:2b; 1 Peter 5:5b)

Make them daily more sensitive to pride in their lives, that they may confess it as the sin it is. In the power of the Spirit, may they choose humility over pride at every turn. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

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Bring Me Home to Thy Fold

Jerome (c. 342-420)

O good shepherd, seek me out, and bring me home to thy fold again.
Deal favorably with me according to thy good pleasure,
till I may dwell in thy house all the days of my life,
and praise thee for ever and ever with them that are there.