Prayers

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Prayer for Courage During Illness

- Maureen Pratt

O Lord, even as I suffer from my illness,
I believe in your might.
Even as I am besieged by armies of pain,
I seek refuge in you.
Help me to feel your presence even more firmly
in my life.
Give me courage to face anything, to endure everything
--with you by my side.

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I Cannot Do This Alone

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

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20 Dangerously Powerful Bible Prayers

Here are 20 powerful prayers that these believers in the Bible prayed to summon the power of God!
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/ilovejesus/features/20-dangerously-powerful-bible-prayers.aspx

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Prayer for Rescue, Recovery, Rebuilding

- Barbara Crafton, Episcopal priest

O gracious God, we will never understand the sorrows of the world, but by your grace we will not turn away from them. Renew and sustain in us the spirit of love that crosses miles. Cheer and encourage those who labor to help the injured, the homeless, the hungry and those in despair. Bless and soften the hearts of those who would take advantage of tragedy for their own profit, that they may come to know where true joy is to be found. Unite us in prayer with all those who look for help, and use us to come speedily to them with the things that they need. We ask these things in your own most holy Name. Amen.

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Prayer for All Fools' Day

- Anonymous

Give me a sense of humor,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some pleasure out of life
And pass it on to other folk.

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As I Go From Health to Illness

- Maureen Pratt

As I go from health to illness, Lord,
I am fearful that I will not be able to withstand
the journey.
Help me to trust in you completely,
and be my support and strength as I let go
of all denial and accept my situation
so that I can do something positive about it.

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Bless Our Relationship

- Heather Kopp

Dear God,
You have defined my desire: to be of immeasurable value to my spouse. Guide me in the ways that lead to this richness in relationship, and be glorified in my every effort.

I want to honor my spouse--and you--through my behavior. How can I do that today? Please show me and empower me.
Amen.

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Keep My Mind Focused on Good Health

- Maureen Pratt

O Lord, I find it hard to remember what it was like
to be healthy.
Help me keep my mind focused on good health
and strength.
Let me be positive about the course of treatment
I am undergoing.
And let me always have faith, great faith,
in your presence in my life
and your glory in my health.

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Prayer for Victims of Terrorism

- Anonymous

Loving God,
Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism.
Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
Help us in our fear and uncertainty,
And bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love.
Strengthen all those who work for peace,
And may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts.

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Prayer for a Safe Pregnancy

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

This life you have given us
is so tiny, fragile, and vulnerable,
safe in the womb of flesh and hope,
yet subject to danger and death.
O God of love, creator of life,
hear our prayer.
We want this baby so much.
Please grant this child of ours
a full term of nurture,
the joy and mystery of life,
and the blessing of your love.
Grant us the fulfillment of our dreams,
a baby to cherish and protect,
a child to teach and guide,
a blessing to our family.
Amen.

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Prayer for Those Facing Surgery

- Maureen Pratt

O Lord, as I face surgery,
You know what my fears and worries are.
Please guide my heart and soul to trust in you,
to know that you are at my side and pouring your
protection upon me,
even through the darkest valley.

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The Great Invocation

- Anonymous

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men --
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

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Bless Our Relationship

- Heather Kopp

Dear God,
You have defined my desire: to be of immeasurable value to my spouse. Guide me in the ways that lead to this richness in relationship, and be glorified in my every effort.

I want to honor my spouse--and you--through my behavior. How can I do that today? Please show me and empower me.
Amen.

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Jesus, Be Our Guest

- Anonymous

Before the meal we pray:
Come Lord Jesus,
Be our guest,
And let these gifts
To us be blest. Amen

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Prayer for Autumn Days

- Author Unknown

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.

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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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An Evening Family Prayer

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded to us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.

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Prayer for Peace for the Victims of the Attack in Madrid

- Beliefnet member SONOFMAN2000

I pray for all those people whose lives were lost as a result of this terrorist attack and for their families left behind to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. May the Lord Jesus Christ give His Peace and Presence to them and the nation of Spain. May those responsible for the crimes be brought to justice soon. May Peace one day rule forever in our fallen world. Peace.

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Prayer for Those Who are Bedbound

- Maureen Pratt

O Father in Heaven, you are with me
even when I cannot move from my bed.
Help me to look upon my bedbound state
as an opportunity for coming closer to you
and my fellow sufferers.
Let my dreams take flight, and my health improve,
through blessed rest and cherished quiet.

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God Is Our Hope

- Psalms 46: 1-4

God is our hope and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof rage and swell,
and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.

There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

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Help Me Avoid Toxic Relationships

- Maureen Pratt

Heavenly Father, I sometimes get into relationships
that are not good for me.
Please help me better discern how I relate to
the people in my life
and give me the wisdom to know when a relationship
is not giving you glory and is harmful to me.
Bring me courage to avoid toxic relationships
and help nurture what is good and just in all things.

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Help Us Grow in Love

- Heather Kopp

Dear God,
I am thankful for the role I play in the family You have given us. Where I lack as a wife/husband, show me how to improve. And help us grow in love for each other and for You that you may bless us.
Amen.

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Prayer of Thanks to God

- George Washington

Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor.

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Prayer for Rescue, Recovery, Rebuilding

- Barbara Crafton, Episcopal priest

O gracious God, we will never understand the sorrows of the world, but by your grace we will not turn away from them. Renew and sustain in us the spirit of love that crosses miles. Cheer and encourage those who labor to help the injured, the homeless, the hungry and those in despair. Bless and soften the hearts of those who would take advantage of tragedy for their own profit, that they may come to know where true joy is to be found. Unite us in prayer with all those who look for help, and use us to come speedily to them with the things that they need. We ask these things in your own most holy Name. Amen.

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To Commit to Purity

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying that (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends will be committed to purity...

Keep their feet from every sinful path, from being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Help them not to associate with those who might be a bad influence, who might lead them into temptation. Turn them away from those intent on wrong living and from their own sinful ways. May they follow a path that swerves neither to the right nor the left. (Psalm 119:101; Proverbs 4:14; Acts 3:26; Proverbs 4:26–27)

Help them to trust that there's no temptation they'll ever face that is beyond their saying no, that You will never let them be tempted beyond what they can handle. When they're tempted, provide a way out—and give them the heart to run from sin in Your strength. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in their lives, especially the fruit of self-control. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Genesis 39:12; Galatians 5:22–23a)

Help them do what You want them to do, certain that every step they take is sure and right. Clear the way for them; hold them securely so if they stumble across temptation, they won't fall. (Psalm 37:23–24)

No matter what mistakes they've made in the past, may they now choose to live in purity.

In Jesus' name, amen.