Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A Prayer for Those in Prison

Father in Heaven we pray for all who are in prison and ask that they would repent of their wrongdoing and thus be freed from the bondage of their sin and shame .  We pray for courage and faith for each of them.  We also pray for all who are affected by their imprisonment.  May they not lose hope.  May we all learn to follow God's instructions to forgive each other, do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.  Amen

A Prayer to Put on the Whole Armor of God

Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you because you are God.  I am honored to be your servant and I take my stand today against the devil and his schemes against me, my family and my ministry.  Father, as I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on me.
I take up the shield of faith and extend it over myself.  It extinguishes all the fiery darts of the evil one.
I put on the helmet of salvation, which protects my mind from the enemy's attacks.  I have the mind of Christ. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, which covers my body with the righteousness of God.  In Christ, every foothold of evil has been washed away and I am clothed in righteousness!
I gird my loins with the belt of truth.  Your word, O God, is truth.  Father, sanctify me according to your word and remind me through the Holy Spirit of the truth that destroys the lies of sin.  
I shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.  I have peace with God through the blood of Jesus.  I have favor with God and with man.  I walk in my inheritance as an adopted son of God and have authority over evil in Jesus' name.
I will use the Sword of the Spirit by speaking the Word of God as it applies to whatever situation I may face today.  Father, please remind me of your Word via the Holy Spirit.
I will continue to pray in the Spirit throughout the day, and intercede for all Christians as the Holy Spirit prompts me.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is interceding on my behalf according to my prayers.    
Thank you, Father, for the whole armor of God.  Please surround me with your hedge of protection as I move forward on the spiritual battlefield today.  I praise and worship you now and forever, Amen."

Prayer for a Pastor's Wife

Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for my pastor's wife. I thank you she loves you and serves you so faithfully. I pray very specially for her today. I pray You will help her cope with all the unexpected things that come into her day. Help her to accept the interruptions as opportunities to serve. Help her to support her husband and learn to go with the flow of his full life. Help her to manage her household well. Just fill her with yourself today. Help her to allow your Holy Spirit to have full control of her life and may she take strength from you as she meditates on You and Your Word. Give her a hug today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Prayer for a Pastor

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of leadership you have given to our pastor. It is a holy calling. It's a calling to watch over himself and the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made him overseer. The church has been bought with the blood of your son, on the cross. The responsibility you have given to our pastor is awesome. He too is tempted and tried by the enemy. He has many responsibilities be it in his family or in the community and so it is our prayer that he would be kept from the evil one and that you would empower him to live a godly life, so that out of his fullness he would share the message of the gospel boldly. Help our pastor this week as he searches the Word and Your will for the congregation. Will you grant him the health and strength he needs to share your message in humility and with clarity. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

A Prayer for When You are Down-Sizing (Moving)

Lord, I really don?t what to move. I like it here - there are so many memories. I am comfortable here because it is familiar. I know it is to large for me (us) now ? to much work, but I have such mixed feelings. I don?t like the thought of all the changes.
I am so glad you never change. You are and always will be a constant in my life. Help me to remember that when I am packing and unpacking. Amen.

A Prayer for our Children and Grandchildren

Lord, I am so glad that you know each of our children and grandchildren by name. Thank you for sending a whole hedge of angels around each child. Thank you for protecting them all today. Father, would you please turn their minds and hearts toward You and pleasing you. Thank you!

A Prayer before Meals

Bless us oh Lord and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, through thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord...Amen

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

For health and strength and daily food, We praise your name, O God. Amen

A Prayer for Conflict Resolution

Dear God, when your son Jesus died and rose from the dead, He broke down walls of hostility. Father, you know the conflict I am having right now. I don't know how to resolve it. You are our Savior. Please save and restore this relationship. Amen

A Prayer for a Dream

Father, Once I had such big dreams, so much anticipation of the future. Now no shimmering horizon beckons me: my days are lack-luster I see so little of lasting value in the daily round. Where is your plan for my life?
You have told us that without vision, we perish. So, Father in heaven, knowing that I can ask You to deposit in my mind and heart that particular dream, the special vision You have for my life.
And along with the dream, will You give me whatever graces, patience, and stamina it takes to see the dream through to fruition? I sense that may involve adventures I have not bargained for.
But I want to trust You
enough to follow even if you lead along new paths.
I admit to liking some of my ruts.
But I know that habit patterns
that seem cozy nests from the inside,
from Your vantage point
may be prison cells.
Lord,
if you break down
any prisons of mine
before I can see the stars and catch the vision,
then, Lord, begin the process now.
In joyous expectation.
Amen.

A Prayer When You Feel like You have Failed.

Dear God, The little plans I tried to carry through Have failed. I will not sorrow. I'll pause a little while, Dear God, And try, again, tomorrow.

A Prayer When You Want to be Reflecting Christ

Lord, make my life A window for Your light to shine through and a mirror to reflect Your love to all I meet. Amen.

A Prayer for When You Need more Faith

Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will govern all. Amen.

A Prayer for Others

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love's sake. Amen

A Prayer for the Young Women of the World

Father God, thank you for all the young women in the world. Give them dreams that are bigger than themselves--so they will have to trust you to make their dream come true. Give them a will and heart to be all you created them to be. Help them to work hard and be successful.
Enable them to be generous to those who are less fortunate. Give them hearts full of love and compassion.
Give them the strength to say "no" to activities that they would later be remorseful about--that they would do what is right for them and for the world around them. Help them to be kind to others.
Protect them from people who would harm them physically, emotionally and mentally.
Let them know that allowing You to direct their way is the smartest thing they can do. In Jesus wonderful and powerful name. Amen

A Prayer for When You are Weak or Ill

Father, I am feeling lousy today. I ache all over and feel very weak. You said that your grace was sufficient for me. Please strengthen me. Give me joy in spite of how I feel physically. Amen

A Prayer for Success

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what he requested. I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV 

A Prayer for When You Need Wisdom and Direction

Father God, there are so many decisions to make and I don?t seem to know what is the best for now or for the future. You said if we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask you. I really need you to pour wisdom into my mind today. Thank you!

A Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, Lord . . . for the things we have done that make us feel uncomfortable in Your presence. All the front that we polish so carefully for men to see does not deceive You. For you know every thought that has left its shadow on our memory. You have marked every motive that curdled something sweet within us.
We acknowledge--with bitterness and true repentance--that cross and selfish thoughts have entered our minds; we acknowledge that we have permitted our minds to wander through unclean and forbidden ways; we have toyed with that which we knew was not for us; we have desired that which we should not have.
We acknowledge that often we have deceived ourselves where our plain duty lay.
We confess before You that our ears are often deaf to the whisper of Thy call, our eyes often blind to the signs of your guidance,
Make us willing to be changed, even though it requires surgery of the soul and the therapy of discipline.
Make our hearts warm and soft, that we may receive now the blessing of Your forgiveness, the benediction of Your "Depart in peace . . and sin no more." Amen

A Prayer about Commitment

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. For it is your business, not mine. You will know every shade of my suffering; You will care for me with your perfect fatherhood.

A Prayer - When You are Fearful

Father God, I am feeling fearful today. Life seems to be uncertain and out of control. I recall that the Bible tells me ?Perfect love casts out fear?. You alone are Perfect Love, so would you please cast out the fear I feel and replace it with confidence in your sufficiency.
Psalm 121 tells me that you never slumber or sleep, so I will trust you to take care of me - moment by moment, day by day. In Jesus name. Amen

Benediction Prayer

Therefore, may the blessing of the LORD be upon you, and may you know the joy of putting his name upon others.  For indeed, blessed are those who walk in the light of God's face. AMEN

A Daily Prayer

All through this day, O Lord, by the power of Thy quickening Spirit, let me touch the lives of others for good, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I speak, or the life I live.  Amen

A Morning Prayer

"Dear Lord, I give you my hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me - love the Father and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, Lord, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen."

Prayer of Commitment to Marriage

Heavenly Father, thank you that you love each of us and want us to experience wholeness and hope in our lives. You see when we fail to live according to your ideals and instead find ourselves in a broken relationship. Help us to be willing to accept our own responsibility in this and be willing to ask for forgiveness and to extend forgiveness. May we never retaliate when we feel wronged, but help us to make choices that would show that we have made a commitment of love which we will keep. May we never take this commitment lightly but choose to work at our marriage. May we also realize that sometimes renewal of relationships takes time. May each of us determine to demonstrate patience, kindness and love in how we interact with each other. We ask this in the name of our loving Lord. Amen.

Graduation Prayer

Father,
I have knowledge, so will You show me now,
How to use it wisely and find a way somehow
To make the world I live in a little better place,
And make life with its problems a little bit easier to face.
Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days,
And show me how to serve Thee in effective ways.
So my education, my knowledge and my skill
May find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Thy will.
And may I ever be aware in everything I do,
That knowledge comes from learning, and wisdom comes from You.
Amen.

Prayer of Personal Renewal

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father as we come to the end of our time together we thank you for what has been accomplished here today. May the matters discussed serve as a catalyst to move us forward and cause us to advance and see growth in all areas of our lives. May we leave here recognizing You are the God of all wisdom and You are willing to lead us forward. This we pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen

Opening Prayer

Loving heavenly Father we come to you this hour asking for your blessing and help as we are gathered together. We pray for guidance in the matters at hand and ask that you would clearly show us how to conduct our work with a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. Give us the desire to find ways to excel in our work. Help us to work together and encourage each other to excellence. We ask that we would challenge each other to reach higher and farther to be the best we can be. We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen

A Prayer for Protection

Lord God,
Thank you for all the positive influencers in my life today.
Thank you for everyone who has ever prayed for me
And for anyone who will pray for me in the future.  Thanks
especially for the people of strong faith that you have placed
in my path and the positive impact they have had on my character.
Insulate me from experiences that compromise my full potential. Move me away from distractions, diversions, and temptations.  Keep my thoughts fixed instead on what is true, pure, excellent and worthy of praise.  I know that nothing guards my heart more than being in your will.
Protect me, Father, from any person or relationship that would slowly prod me down the wrong path.  Cause me to become hypersensitive to the people in my life and the sometimes subtle influence they are having on my spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical habits.  Bring wise, genuine friends into my life, and dissolve any ties with those who may weaken my relationship with you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Birthday Prayer

Father in heaven we come to you today thanking you for (insert name). We are glad that you have brought us together and allowed us to know (insert name). On this day we ask for your special blessing and a day filled with hope, joy and optimism. We pray that this coming year might be one that will bring personal success and fulfillment and accomplishment for (insert name). Father we know that you delight in blessing your children and so we ask for this. May we all be grateful for your goodness. This we ask in the name of our loving Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Prayer for The Sick

Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Amen.

The Prayer "Thank You God"

For all You have given,
Thank You God.

For all You have withheld,
Thank You God.

For all You have withdrawn,
Thank You God.

For all You have permitted,
Thank You God.

For all You have prevented,
Thank You God.

For all You have forgiven me,
Thank You God.

For all You have prepared for me,
Thank You God.

For the death You have chosen for me,
Thank you God.

For the place you are keeping for me in heaven,
Thank You God.

For having created me to love You for eternity,
Thank You God.

Prayer for Students

Under thy patronage, dear Mother, and calling on the mystery of thine Immaculate Conception, I desire to pursue my studies and my literary labors: I hereby solemnly declare that I am giving myself to these studies chiefly to the following end: that I may the better contribute to the glory of God and to the promotion of thy veneration among men. I pray thee, therefore, most loving Mother, who art the Seat of Wisdom, to bless my labors in thy loving-kindness. Moreover I promise with true affection and a willing spirit, as it is right that I should do, to ascribe all the good that shall come to me therefrom, wholly to thine intercession for me in God's holy presence. Amen.