Letters to God

A Prayer for America

2011-07-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

I said a prayer for you today.
I hope you didn't mind.
I asked the Lord to comfort you
and put your tears behind.

I prayed for peace and mercy, too,
to help you through this day,
And for His loving guidance
as He leads you on your way.

You need not walk this path alone
so I prayed He'd hold your hand,
and offer you some guidance
in a way you'll understand.

I asked Him for little miracles
and to bless you today.
Keep searching for the Rainbows -
and let Him light your way.

Dear God,
Please bless America.

Prayer: How important is it?

2009-08-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

I mailed this letter to many of my friends. The cost was great so, many others of you did not receive the letter. We live in troubled times and prayer should always be imperative in our lives. I have looked at the subject of prayer for some time because many of my friends have asked for prayer during their times of trouble. So, allow me to refresh our thinking about the importance of prayer.

The lesson of the Old Testament tells us that our God is a God Who hears and answers prayer. That makes our personal responsibility in prayer more crucial and consequential if we claim to have fellowship with God. " Prayer-hearing" is one of His attributes as a part of His nature. Therefore, praying should be an attribute of the child of God. God inspired the Psalmist to call Him…
"Thou that hearest prayer" (Psalm 65:2).

He selected that title for Himself and delights to be called the God Who hears and answers prayer. We find in that same Psalm (verses 9-13) that God wants to provide all of man’s needs. The Psalmist goes on to say…

"Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing."

The Psalmist seems to say that the God that loves to answer man’s prayers has anticipated so many of his needs. God has watered the ground that was dry and has given to the hungry flocks the pasture and has covered the valleys with corn for man and beast and these pastures and valleys shout and sing of the benevolence of a loving and merciful God. The theme of Psalm 104 is God’s care for the cattle of the earth and for mankind through nature.

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart" (Psalm 104:14,15).

And he continues…

"The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies" (verse 18).

And he continues…

"The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God" (verse 21).

And then of the beasts of the sea we are told that…

"These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them, they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good (verses 27,28).

This Psalmist recognizes that the God that made the animals makes food for them also. The God that made the plants causes the rain to fall for them and the sun to shine upon them. The God that made honeybees, made flowers for them. For every living thing there is a place, food, protection and provision from the hand of an infinite God. The question comes again, if we pray, for what should we pray? And do not these things show that where there is want, need and desire, God wants to fill it? Where there is hunger, God wants to satisfy it. Is His nature to do it before we pray?

Biology teaches us that an all-providing care begins as soon as a child is born. Before the baby is born God prepares the mother’s breasts and then a few hours after childbirth the mother’s breasts begin to prepare milk. The instinctive seeking of the little puckering lips for food is satisfied in the mother’s arms and over the mother’s heart.

Medicine teaches us that God has provided in nature every kind of food to balance the diet and supply the needs of man. Insulin is in supply for the diabetic person. There is no need of the human body but that God has provided it. It only awaits the discovery and applying of mankind.

History tell us that as soon as there begins some shortage of wood on earth, man discovers that the bowels of the earth are full of coal that God has laid by for man’s use. By the time man has invented an internal combustion engine (the ordinary gas or gasoline engine) it is discovered that infinite lakes of petroleum have been stored up for man’s need. When man needed iron for tools, he discovered it was already provided and then learned that God had provided alloys to make the hardest steel. And now that man longs for a lighter metal, rust-proof, it is discovered that there are giant stores of bauxite, the ore from which aluminum is made. The earth proves that God answers the needs of man already. The question arises again, should we pray?

Science tells us that the whole earth shows it was deliberately planned by infinite wisdom, just to fit man’s needs. Suppose that the diameter of the earth had been 10,000 miles instead of 8,000 miles. Then the mass would have been almost doubled and gravity would have been about twice as great. A man who now weighs 170 pounds, of exactly the same size and with the same muscles, would weigh 332 pounds. His muscles would not be strong enough to lift himself. His stomach would not be big enough to hold enough food to provide strength. Life would be intolerable or impossible. Or if the diameter of the earth were only 6,000 miles instead of 8,000, only 2,000 miles less, the gravity would be so much less that air would be much lighter and rarer. Instead of weighing 14.7 pounds to the square inch, the air pressure (and density) would be only 6.2 pounds. But men cannot live without an oxygen tank where the air is less than 7.3 pounds to the square inch. Life would be impossible on this earth if it had not been tailored exactly to fit man’s needs. God made it just the right size. Or if three-fourths of the earth’s surface were covered by land instead of by water as now, then the earth would be simply a giant desert, with fringes of vegetation around the seas; and the variation of temperatures would be so great it would be impossible for mankind to live. Or if God had made the surrounding atmosphere with another element instead of oxygen, neither animal nor man could breathe. And if the water were not made of oxygen and hydrogen, there would be no living thing in seas and lakes and rivers. Do not these things suggest that God is a God Who in His very nature longs to provide what mankind needs? Then, do we need to pray to such a loving and caring God?

Nature does not tell of Calvary and redemption but it does point to an infinitely merciful, benevolent, loving God, Whose heart is open to mankind. He Who clothes the lilies of the field and notes the fall of the sparrow is the God Who hears and answers prayers of those who diligently seek Him and who trust Him. James says,

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).

God never varies, in any age, nor with any people, from His constant watchfulness to give what men need, what their hearts cry out for, what will make them happy and good. And does not that mean that by very nature God is predisposed to hear the cry of men and is lovingly concerned about whatever want or desire or need is felt by any contrite heart who seeks God’s face.

Then if He is a God that hears and answers prayer, let us pray. Prayer, then, becomes the most compelling Christian duty. Being a singer, God never commanded me to sing without ceasing. Being a preacher for over 50 years, God never commanded me to preach without ceasing, nor give without ceasing, nor work without ceasing. However, He did say,

"Pray without ceasing" (1st Thess. 5:17).

The apostles after Pentecost demanded the selection of deacons that the apostles might give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Not first the preaching, but first that they should give themselves to prayer.

When Solomon built the temple at Jerusalem and dedicated it to God, God did not say He would be listening for the songs of the antiphonal choirs, nor watching for the smoke of the altars where many sacrifices should be offered; but God said,

"Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place" (2nd Chron. 7:15).

Then In Isaiah 56:7 God said,

"For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."

And Jesus quoted this scripture as recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke because the temple was primarily a house of prayer for all people. Back of all the preaching, praying, prophesying, singing, religious observances, God intended there should be a living faith in a God Who hears and answers prayer and thus that men should call upon the name of the Lord. There is no pleasing of God without prayer. God is the God Who hears prayer. Hebrews 11:6 says,

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

So, the answer to whether or not we should pray is found in the idea that prayer is simply talking to our Father about things, people, His will and thanking Him for His goodness and love. Prayer is not a time of asking the Father to do what He has already done or what He promises to do for His children. We don’t need to ask Him to bless us when Ephesians says that He has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). We don’t need to ask Him to help us for we understand that all things work together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). We don’t need to ask Him to supply our need for He is constantly supplying because of His care for His children.

Money is a world-wide problem and God’s word says that "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1st Timothy 6:10). However, covetousness is a most respectable sin of sins and is found in the best of families. God hates that sin and Paul calls it idolatry (Col. 3:5). In Ephesians 5:5 Paul says that a covetous man is an idolater. Asking God for money to make our lives more exciting and comfortable would be off base in prayer to a caring God.

Peter tells his audience that the fellowship of husband and wife in the home is so important that a broken fellowship could hinder prayer reaching the ear of God (1st Peter 3:1-7). Unresolved debts, unforgiving attitudes and unsettled arguments are the reasons for unanswered prayer. So, with a contrite heart, full of faith, willing to resolve all problems, let us come to God in prayer… for He cares.

The key problem with the way many of us pray today is that we focus our prayers on ourselves instead of on God. The purpose of prayer is not to get healed, get a job, get our house sold, or get whatever else we want and feel is the greater need at the time. It is to get "the life of God in us." Prayer nourishes the life of God. The life of God is the most powerful property of the believer’s possessions. Our Lord nourished the life of God in Him by prayer; He was continually in contact with His Father. We generally look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves, whereas the biblical idea of prayer is that God’s holiness, purpose and wise order may be brought about through us.

May the God of Grace and Benevolence bring us into conversation with Him Who is the God that answers prayer.

An Irish prayer

2009-03-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Childrens prayers

2009-01-11T15:16:00.000-08:00

Children's Prayers

A mother was teaching her 3-year-old the Lord's prayer. For several evenings at bedtime she repeated it after her mother. One night she said she was ready to solo. The mother listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer. "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us some e-mail, Amen."

A woman invited some people over for dinner. At the table she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" The girl replied, "I wouldn't know what to say." "Just say what you heard Mommy say," the mother answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?

A 5 year old boy was sitting down to eat when his mother asked him to pray for his meal. He replied, "Mom we don't have to. We prayed over this last night." His mother had prepared leftovers from the day before.

A 4-year-old boy who was asked to return thanks before Christmas dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited. After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"

A daddy was listening to his child say his prayer "Dear Harold," At this, dad interrupted and said, "Wait a minute, "How come you called God, Harold? The little boy looked up and said, "That's what they call Him in church. You know the prayer we say, "Our Father, who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy name."

One night Mike's parents overheard this prayer. "Now I lay me down to rest, and hope to pass tomorrow's test, if I should die before I wake, that's one less test I have to take."

A five-year-old said grace at family dinner one night. "Dear God, thank you for these pancakes." When he concluded, his parents asked him why he thanked God for pancakes when they were having chicken. He smiled and said, "I thought I'd see if He was paying attention tonight."

A little boy's prayer: "Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess."

Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer. "Fine," said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave," said Johnny. I asked Him to help you put up with me."

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if You can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am!"

A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers with his mother: "Lord, bless Mommy and Daddy, and God, GIVE ME A NEW BICYCLE!!!" Mom: "God's not deaf, son." Boy: "I know, Mom, but Grandma's in the next room, and she's hard of hearing!

Little Johnny was softly saying his night prayers kneeling down, and his mother was beside him. "Say your prayers louder, darling, I can't hear you," Said Little Johnny's mother. "But I'm not talking to you" was the instant reply.

One Sunday in a Midwest city a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

And this particular four-year-old prayed: "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

Christmas meditation

2008-12-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
The world is like an INN; the world-to-come, like Home!A CHRISTMAS MEDITATION
WHO was this who was born on that far-off CHRISTmas Day? What manner of CHILD was this whose first bed was a rude, dusty manger? Did anyone know?

Yes! Miryam (Mary) knew. Scarcely more than a child though she was, her soul was exalted beyond our imagining as she listened to the announcement of the angel, "That HOLY CHILD which shall be born of you shall be called the SON OF GOD!"

Joseph also knew, direct from an angel. The wise men knew. . . drawn from the far corners of the earth as by a magnet. The angels knew, and all the wide golden streets of heaven were crowded with them, their faces shining with joy, and their chorus of rejoicing rising again and again, "Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!" Even the living stars knew. And, one of their number was appointed to hang in luminous beauty over the spot where the YOUNG CHILD lay.

The world, the one most concerned, the world - - then as now before HIS second coming, went blindly on its way. But, thanks to ETERNAL GOD, you and I not only know, but incredible wonder of wonders, we have a personal relationship with that PERFECT ONE WHO left HIS ivory palaces and the glory which HE had with ALMIGHTY GOD before the earth was, and walked here awhile in humiliation.

We know that ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF spoke from heaven saying, "This is MY BELOVED SON, in WHOM I am well pleased!" SON OF GOD, KING of kings and LORD of lords! The GREAT DESIGNER and CREATOR of the Universe, for without HIM was nothing made that was made. Our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, ever living to make intercession for us. SIN-BEARER, and yet future JUDGE, for all judgment is committed unto the BELOVED ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON; the CAPTAIN of our salvation, the AUTHOR & FINISHER of our faith, the BRIGHT & MORNING STAR, the RESURRECTION & LIFE!

As instructed, Miryam (Mary) called HIM, "Y’SHUA (SAVIOUR..."for besides Me, there is no Saviour, says Yehowah" – Isaiah 43.11)" – HIS NAME is also called: "WONDERFUL (PELE: secret, mysterious, a marvel, extraordinary, a wonder, a hard to understand thing), COUNSELOR (YAH'ATS), MIGHTY GOD (GIBOWR'EL), EVERLASTING FATHER (AD AB), PRINCE OF PEACE (SAR SHALOWM)." [Isaiah/Yeshayah 9. 6]

"NO ROOM FOR HIM AT THE INN!" Could any inn contain the LORD OF GLORY? The wonder is that the walls of that small stable did not part and stretch far, far away to the ends of the universe in a vain effort to make a dwelling place vast enough to house INFINITY!

Yet this same sinless, INCOMPARABLE, UNSURPASSED ONE suffered indescribable tortures because of HIS great love for you and me! For long dreadful hours the LORD JESUS hung upon the cross, bearing the guilt and shame of my sins and the sins of all the world. HE conquered death and hell for me. . . HE walks the earth with me. . . HE has given heaven to me!

It is too much, I cannot grasp such amazing depths of love. I can only remove the shoes from off my feet and bow in silent adoration at the door of that little stable in Bethlehem and worship my SAVIOUR and my GOD, MESSIAH YESHUA, my LORD & KING!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
As we bid farewell to Shabbat, may our lips ever declare praises the LORD JESUS our KING, HELPER, SAVIOUR & SHIELD for HIS loving kindness is mighty over us.
Have a Joyous & Peace-filled CHRISTmas! – May the LIVING ETERNAL GOD, blessed be HE, hold you close, may HE hold you ever so close in the palm of HIS mighty hand and watch over you. Have a great week remembering the HOLY ONE WHOM we celebrate and adore every SeaSON!

prayer for pets

2008-11-24T16:57:00.001-08:00

Prayer for Pets

Dear Lord there has to be a place that you have set aside
For all your precious animals to go to when they've died.
You know how much I love them, Lord,
And when they pass away,
My heart just breaks as I pray that I
Will see them again some day.
Dear Lord there has to be a place for animals to go
Where they can have eternal life
For you love them too, I know.
Our pets are such a blessing, Lord,
And they know no sin,
So I can't imagine Heaven
Not letting them come in
To a place where they can run and play
And fences are obsolete;
Where they can sit beside the throne
Or lay at Jesus' feet.
When I get to Heaven, Lord, I pray that I will see
Every pet that I have loved
Come running up to me,
The way they did when they were here
So full of life and love,
Then we'll live with you in Heaven
In our new home above.

Origen on Prayer

2008-08-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

by Origen [c.185 - c.254]

Again I believe the words of the prayer of the saints to be full of power above all when praying 'with the spirit,' they pray 'also with the understanding,' which is like a light rising from the suppliant's mind and proceeding from his lips to gradually weaken by the power of God the mental venom injected by the adverse powers into the intellect of such as neglect prayer and fail to keep that saying of Paul's in accordance with the exhortations of Jesus, 'Pray without ceasing.' ... For the saying 'pray without ceasing' can only be accepted by us as a possibility if we may speak of the whole life of a saint as one great continuous prayer.
— from Chapter VII

What is prayer?

2008-07-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

What is prayer? Is it asking God to give us our daily bread, or is it fellowship with God? Is the aim to get health and happiness from God or to grow into conformance with his will? Is it a public, vocal practice, normally done in a worship service, or a private, internal matter? Or both? Classic writings on prayer can be very illuminating on what people have thought about prayer and how they have practiced it over the centuries, and perhaps it can shed light on limitations of thinking and practice in our era. For the next few months, I hope to highlight certain classic writings on prayer.

The first classic is On Prayer by Tertullian (155-222 A.D.), who has been called the "great founder of Latin Christianity." For Tertullian, prayer replaced temple sacrifice. It was essentially spoken petitions. Individual petitions could be added to the Lord's Prayer; the more diligent also added Psalms. Prayers were apparently normally to be said standing, with hands raised, though for modesty not too loftily elevated, nor the sound of the voice too loud. Those praying should kneel or prostrate themselves, at the least in the first prayer of the day. Women were to dress modestly and have a covered (veiled) head. And no prayer was complete if divorced from the kiss of peace, "which is the seal of prayer." No particular daily hours for prayer have been prescribed, according to Tertullian, though he says that the third, sixth, and ninth seem in scripture to be more solemn than the rest.

For Tertullian, prayer is essentially a worship service or liturgy. There is no mention of prayer as private, continuous, a means of fellowship with God or sanctification, or the like. (Future classic writings will vary greatly on this view.) I wonder if there was a notion of a "private devotional life" in the early church?

For those who are interested in reading and discussing the classics on prayer that I highlight, we have set up a discussion thread.

A Father prays

2008-06-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

A Father's Prayer

This is the best dowry of hopes, wishes and prayers I would be able to offer:

May God give you the grace of wit and wisdom to understand that rainbows are only the result of showers, dust, and hope.

May you always have joy in the morning and trust in the evening and may your sorrows be short and without scars.

May your lives have a spirit neither bent by belligerence nor broken by failure; may you simply love each other.

May you share with each other spring flowers, dirty dishes, music, rain, death, mushrooms, a measure of boredom, strawberries, and God.

May that God never make you immune to the wonderful afflictions of real love, making you instead farsighted to each other's faults, tongue-tied to criticism, and short of memory to petty hurts and slights.

May God provide the confidence and serenity that comes only from the assurance of each other's fidelity and the tolerance, as years go by, of wrinkles and gray hairs, short tempers, curlers, and Monday mornings.

May no one steal from you laughter at the top of the stairs or giggles and whispers in a dark room.

May you keep a hunger for each other, the appetite to taste tomorrow, and deep knowledge of and devotion to your past, heritage and families.

May you perpetuate trust, the radiation of vitality, kind answers to sharp questions and sharp humor to unkind attitudes.

May your fights be fierce and short, and may each truce be warm and long and held in each other's arms before the sun comes up.

May you walk with wise men, sing loud songs at late hours, share secrets, have healthy children, and provide smiles for lonesome strangers and prayers for those without hope.

May you never forget small things; smiles, birthdays, holding hands, family, old friends, the neglected, and the simplicity of saying please and thank you.

May you keep a warm, generous, and happy house where love is the insulation and God is present. May your children be friends of God's child, Jesus.

May your union bring a smile to the face of the Holy Spirit and may he live in your pots and pans, in your hope and aspirations.

illness prayer

2008-04-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

Prayer During Illness

Eternal and most glorious God... Thou alone dost steer my boat through all its voyage, but has a more especial care of it, when it comes to a narrow current, or to a dangerous fall of waters. Thou has a care of the preservation of my body in all the ways of my life; but, in the straits of death, open Thine eyes wider, and enlarge Thy Providence towards me so far that no illness or agony may shake and benumb the soul. Do Thou so make my bed in all my sickness that, being used to Thy hand, I may be content with any bed of Thy making. Amen

- John Donne

prayer

2008-04-12T16:40:00.001-07:00

prayer for April 1

2008-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

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.

Prayer for a Better World

2008-02-17T15:42:00.000-08:00

O God,
You who art the source of creation, ever-present in the changes of this world, be present with your people who cry to you for help. Empower us with vision and strength to enable the peoples of this earth to acquire the skills and resources necessary to a growing world. Enable those from countries with plenty to share their lives, funds, and resources with those in need. Embolden those with vision to proclaim new ways of creating communities of responsibility. Engage us in learning from one another and in valuing the unique gifts that you have given to the people of every land. Bless your people, O God, who cry to you. Amen.

Listen with your heart

2008-01-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who need You to lead them through the decisions they're making...

Help them to live in dependence on You, as dependent sheep in the flock of their shepherd, willing to follow You and not be led astray. Help them to keep their eyes on Jesus, to listen for Him, to hear and recognize His voice. (Psalm 77:20; Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 12:2a; John 10:3–4)

May they listen with their hearts and hear You say, "This is the way, walk in it." Guide them in Your truth; teach, counsel, and watch over them. When it seems like they're walking in the darkness and have no light, help them trust in You and Your name, confident that You'll lead them along paths they haven't seen before. (Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 25:5a; 32:8; Isaiah 50:10b; 42:16)

Lead and guide them for the sake of Your name. May they know their lives are in Your hands. Direct their steps and clear the way for them. (Psalm 31:3, 14–15a; Proverbs 20:24a; Psalm 18:36)

May the Spirit of truth lead them and teach them all things. Guide them in the way of wisdom and lead them according to Your will. ( John 14:16-17; Romans 8:14; John 16:13; 1 John 2:27; Proverbs 4:11)

Keep them from wrong choices.

Mark 13

2008-01-19T15:50:00.000-08:00

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25. And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven”

[Mark 13:24-27].

The only essential difference in this group of verses and those of Matthew 24 is that the expression “from the uttermost part of the earth” is left out of Matthew’s account.

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29. So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away”

[Mark 13:28:31].

At the mouth of two or three witnesses, everything is to be established, even to the point of the death penalty.

“

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” [Mat. 18:16].

“

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established

” [2 Cor. 13:1].

“

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses”

[1 Tim. 5:19].

“

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses

” [Heb. 10:28].

It did not take a jury of twelve of the criminal’s peers to put one to death.

We now have two witnesses. Matthew and Mark agree. Yahshua used the word “ye” when referring to the apostles to whom He was speaking almost 2,000 years ago. “They” would see the things of which were being spoken.

Then in v-30, Mark repeats what Matthew 24:34 says.

“

Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

This generation, not some future generation would see all these things accomplished.

The two witnesses said that the things that happened in Matthew 24 and the same things that happened in Mark 13 would happen in the contemporary generation in which Yahshua lived biologically in the flesh. It was all done by 70 AD. See the more extensive notes on Matthew 24:32-34.

Two witnesses told of the exact timing – in the first century before all of those living at the time of Yahshua had died. Therefore the timing was “established” by Yahweh. Do we dare disregard the words of Yahweh, His Son and the “other” two witnesses? Four witnesses should be enough. Is it not time that we quit putting the fulfillment of these chapters into our time or a future time when God witnessed against such? [CONTINUED TOMORROW]

Please Father,

2008-01-18T15:42:00.000-08:00

Prayer for the Chronically Ill

O Lord, through the passion of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I beseech Thee to watch over and guide all those who suffer from chronic illness. Grant to us the courage to face our situations so that others may see Your perpetual light shining through us, as a beacon of strength that overcomes setbacks, and reaffirms Your Precious Love for ALL the sheep among Your flock. We are all Your children in spite of our physical situation, and Your Loving Son shepherds those of us who believe. Grant us the spiritual and mental strength to endure so that we may live in Your Divine Shadow. In the name of Jesus Christ, King of Kings, please hear and bless this prayer O Heavenly Father. Amen

ATONEMENT PRAYER

2008-01-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . ."Fear the LORD and the king. Do not join with the rebellious, for disaster and destruction comes sudden from those two that are given to change; who knows the doom and calamity they can bring?" [Proverbs/Mishle 24. 21 – 22 Tanakh, Kethuvim] ...the perfect proverb for political candidates, it comes with warning for those subject to "change"!

ATONEMENT PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare YOUR praises. YOU are blessed, O LORD our GOD and GOD of our fathers, GOD of Avraham, GOD of Isaac, and GOD of Jacob, the great, mighty and revered GOD, the MOST HIGH GOD, WHO bestows lovingkindness, and possesses all things, who remembers the pious deeds of the patriarchs, and in love will bring the REDEEMER to their children’s children for YOUR NAME’S sake.

Remember us unto life, O KING, WHO delights in life, and inscribe us in the BOOK OF LIFE, for YOUR OWN sake, O LIVING GOD. O KING, HELPER, SAVIOUR & SHIELD. Blessed are YOU, O LORD, the SHIELD of Avraham. YOU, O LORD, are mighty forever; YOU quicken the dead, YOU are mighty to save.

YOU sustain the living with lovingkindness, quicken the dead with great mercy, support the falling, heal the sick, loose the bound, and keep YOUR faithfulness to them that sleep in the dust. Who is like YOU, LORD of mighty acts, and who resembles YOU, O KING, WHO kills and quickens, and causes salvation to spring forth?

Who is like YOU, FATHER OF MERCY, WHO in mercy remembers YOUR creatures unto life? Yes, faithful are YOU to quicken the dead. Blessed are YOU, O LORD, WHO quickens the dead. YOU are holy and YOUR NAME is "HOLY" and holy beings praise YOU daily. . . Selah

The Gift

2007-12-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

Jesus is the Gift

Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart

and it is with His love that all celebration starts.

We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth

and thank God for sending His only Son to earth.

His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill

where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will.

He freely laid down everything so that we could live,

and there is no greater treasure anyone could give.

Like a scarlet ribbon His love wrapped around the cross

and He offered it to us all at the greatest cost.

So each time that we give we remember what He’s done

and honor the perfect GiftGod’s one and only Son.

— Holley Gerth

Hanukkah Candle-Lighting Prayers

2007-12-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

Hanukkah Candle-Lighting Prayers

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by his commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav, ve-tzivanu le-hadlik ner shel Hanukah.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam she-asa nisim la-avotenu ba-yamim ha-hem ba-zeman ha-zeh.

On the first night only:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam she-hecheyanu, ve-kiyemanu, ve-higiyanu

Help Us to Hold Fast

2007-11-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

Oh, Lord! Help us to hold fast all together to Your path, even in the shaky times. Lord! You have promised to help us in our time of trouble and need. We rest upon Your word.

For the Homeless

2007-11-27T14:47:00.000-08:00

Prayer for the Homeless

O God, as Naomi and Ruth journeyed from one land to another seeking a home, we ask your blessing upon all who are homeless in this world. You promised to your chosen people a land flowing with milk and honey; so inspire us to desire the accomplishment of your will that we may work for the settlement of those who are homeless in a place of peace, protection, and nurture, flowing with opportunity, blessing, and hope. Amen.

EYES OF THE LORD

2007-11-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Every time you speak, your mind is on parade.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro over the entire earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those who are wholeheartedly loyal to Him." [2 Chronicles (Dibre Hayamin Bet) 16. 9 Tanakh, Nevi’im]

Gentle Reader,

Though "GOD is spirit" and His "worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" [John 4. 24], it is wonderful to know that our Loving Creator is also omnipotent (all powerful, invincible, unstoppable), omniscient (all-knowing, insightful, profound knowledge) and omnipresent (all-present, completeness, pervasive, all-encompassing). And we can know assuredly that "he who formed the eye, shall he not see?" [Psalms (Tehillym) 94. 9 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good." [Proverbs (Mishle) 15. 3 Tanakh, Kethuvim] HIS eyes saw each step of HIS creation, that "it was good." [Genesis/Bereshith 1] GOD saw Adam and Eve sinning in the Garden, HE saw Cain kill Abel, and HE saw the people building the tower at Babel, and HE came down to observe it. Nothing is done without HIS knowledge, all is seen by the Almighty ONE.

The Prophet Zechariah reminded us not to "despises or scorn a day of small beginnings" for they will be examined and scrutinized by "the eyes of the Lord, ranging over the whole earth." [Zechariah (Zecharyah) 4. 10 Tanakh, Nevi’im] When "the Lord saw how great was man's wickedness on earth, and how every plan devised by his mind was nothing but evil all the time" and "the earth was corrupt in God'S sight and was full of violence." [Genesis 6. 5, 11 Tanakh, Torah] "But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord" [Genesis/Bereshith 6. 8] and he and his family were saved through the awful flood that encompassed the entire world.

We are encouraged by the psalmist’s words that Peter quoted, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." [Psalms (Tehillym) 34. 15 Tanakh, Nevi’im; 1 Peter 3.12] It is reassuring and comforting to know that one of the names of our Great God is "El-Roi (God of Seeing)" [Genesis/Bereshith 16. 13], and conduct ourselves responsibly and fittingly, being fully aware that our God & Heavenly Father is watching us with deep love and concern.

PRAY for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Welcome Sabbath! – Queen of the week! Enjoy the peace and harmony of Shabbat! Praised are YOU, YEHOWAH, our GOD, SOVEREIGN of the Universe, WHO makes us holy with YOUR mitzvoth and favours us with the Holy Shabbat, lovingly and graciously given to us. Remember, HE WHO keeps Israel neither slumbers or sleeps!

thanks

2007-11-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you

O Gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us. Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here. Thank you for our health, our work and our play. Please send help me those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering war and violence. Open my heart to your love. We ask your blessing through Christ your son. Amen. and Amen

Prayer of Despair

2007-11-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

I have been rejected and despised;
I am hurting and destroyed by the pain.
I am angry with others and with you, O God,
for there is no comfort, none anywhere.
I call your name and you are absent.
I wonder why you let me suffer so.
My cries echo in the universe
and ring in my ears
and I am weary of the taste of my tears.
Hear my plea, O God of love.
Let me not be destroyed
by this agony on the brink of death.
I am like a broken reed,
fragile and crushed.
Hear my plea, O God of love.
Let me not be destroyed.

Nighttime Prayer

2007-11-04T14:26:00.001-08:00

My Father,
I love You with all my heart. I thank You for having kept me safe this day. Pardon me the evil I have done, and accept the good I have done. Take care of me while I sleep and deliver me from all danger. May Your grace be always with me and with all my loved ones. Amen.

GFor Stewardship of Creation

2007-10-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

For Stewardship of Creation
O merciful Creator, thy hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us, we beseech thee, ever thankful for thy loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

need healing?

2007-10-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Prayer for Healing
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
- Revelation 21:4

Comfort in Christ

2007-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Comfort in Christ

Christ is shepherd over you,
Enfolding you on every side.
Christ will not forsake you, hand or foot,
Nor let evil come near you.

For Every Living Creature

2007-10-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

For Every Living Creature

May I be a protector to those without protection,
A leader for those who journey,
And a boat, a bridge, a passage
For those desiring the further shore.

May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.

May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed.

Just like space
And the great elemets such as earth,
May I always support the life
Of all the boundless creatures.

And until they pass away from pain
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space.

Every Minute

2007-09-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

[turn on side to see the praying rock]

Through every minute of this day, be with me, Lord!
Through every day of all this week, be with me, Lord!
Through every week of all this year, be with me, Lord!
So shall the days and weeks and years be threaded on a golden cord.
And all draw on with sweet accord into thy fullness, Lord, that so,
When time is past,
By grace I may, at last,
Be with thee, Lord.

this storm will pass

2007-09-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

THIS STORM WILL PASS AWAY, TOO

IF I CAN SURVIVE FOR A MOMENT
WHEN MY WORLD IS SO SHAKEN AND TORN,
AND MUSTER THE COURAGE TO "STAY WITH THE SHIP"
REGARDLESS HOW ROUGH BE THE STORM.

IF I CAN REMEMBER THAT SONG IN MY HEART,
WHICH SUSTAINS ME FOR ALL I'VE BEEN THROUGH,
THAT COMES FROM MY FATHER AND JUST BE CONTENT
THAT THIS TEMPEST WILL PASS AWAY, TOO...

THEN, I HAVE NO REASON TO WORRY
THAT MY FATHER WILL CEASE TO PROVIDE.
OR, THAT "IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH"
HE'S WALKING WITH ME BY MY SIDE.

FOR HE KNOWS MY STRENGTH AND MY WEAKNESS
AND WHAT I AM ABLE TO BEAR,
AND, NOTHING CAN COME WHICH HE DOESN'T ALLOW.
FOR I'M UNDER HIS OWN SPECIAL CARE.

SO I MUST CONTINUE ON LIVING
WITH THAT SONG IN MY HEART AND A SMILE,
LAMENTING NOT OVER THE REASON
I FACE THIS PARTICULAR TRIAL,

AND LOOK FOR MY FATHER'S DIRECTION
THROUGH PRAYER, AND HIS WORD THAT'S SO TRUE.
KNOWING ALL STORMS LAST BUT FOR A MOMENT,
AND THAT THIS STORM WILL PASS AWAY TOO.

A Hebrew PRAYER of ATONEMENT

2007-09-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
"Turn back to the LORD your GOD, for HE is gracious and compassionate, abounding in love." [Joel (Yoel) 2. 13 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

PRAYER of ATONEMENT
"O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare YOUR praises. YOU are blessed, O LORD our GOD and GOD of our fathers, GOD of Abraham, GOD OF ISAAC, GOD OF JACOB. YOU are the GREAT, MIGHTY & REVERED GOD, the MOST HIGH GOD, Who bestows loving kindnesses, and possesses all things, Who remembers the pious deeds of the patriarchs, and in love will bring the Redeemer to their children’s children for YOUR Name’s sake.

Remember us unto life, O King, Who delights in life, and inscribe us in the BOOK OF LIFE, for YOUR OWN sake, O ETERNAL LIVING ONE. O KING, HELPER, SAVIOUR & PROTECTOR. Blessed are YOU, O LORD, the SHIELD OF ABRAHAM. YOU, O LORD, are mighty forever. YOU quicken the dead, YOU alone are mighty to save.

YOU, O LORD, sustain the living with lovingkindness, quicken the dead with great mercy, support the falling, heal the sick, loose the bound, and keep Your promise to them that sleep in the dust. Who is like YOU, LORD of mighty acts, or who resembles YOU, O KING ETERNAL, who kills and quickens, and causes salvation to spring forth?

Who is like YOU, FATHER OF MERCY, WHO in mercy remembers YOUR creatures unto life? Yes, faithful are YOU to quicken the dead. Blessed are YOU, O LORD. YOU are holy and YOUR NAME is holy, and holy beings praise YOU daily. There is none like YOU, INIMITABLE HOLY ONE! Selah

Now, therefore, O LORD our GOD, impose YOUR awe upon all YOUR works, and YOUR dread upon all that YOU have created, that all works may fear YOU and all creatures prostrate themselves before YOU that they may all form a single band to do YOUR will with a perfect heart, even as we know, O LORD our GOD, that dominion belongs to YOU, strength is in YOUR hand, and might in Your right hand, and that YOUR Name is to be feared above all that YOU have created.

Give then glory, O ETERNAL ONE, unto YOUR people, praise to them that fear YOU, hope to them that seek YOU, and free speech to them that wait for YOU, joy to YOUR land, gladness to YOUR Holy City, a flourishing horn to David, YOUR servant, and a clear shining light to the SON OF JESSE, YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, YOUR ANOINTED - speedily and in our days.

Then shall the just also see and be glad, and the upright shall exult, and the pious triumphantly rejoice, while iniquity shall close her mouth, and all wickedness shall be wholly consumed like smoke, when YOU make the dominion of arrogance to pass away from the earth.

YOU, O LORD, shall reign! YOU alone over all Your works on Mount Zion, the dwelling place of YOUR glory, and in Jerusalem, Your Holy City - as it is written in YOUR HOLY WORD, "The LORD shall reign forever, your GOD, O Zion, for all generations. Hallelu'YAH." [Psalms (Tehillym) 146. 10 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

YOU, O LORD GOD are holy, and dreaded is YOUR NAME, and there is no GOD beside YOU, as it is written, "The LORD OF HOSTS is exalted by judgment, the HOLY GOD proved holy by righteousness and retribution." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 5. 16 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

YOU have chosen us from all peoples, YOU have loved us and taken pleasure in us, and have exalted us above all tongues; YOU have sanctified us by YOUR commandments, and brought us near unto YOUR services, O LORD our KING, and have called us by YOUR GREAT & HOLY NAME. Blessed be the GLORIOUS NAME OF OUR LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT. Amen"

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
"There were fools who suffered for their sinful way, and for their iniquities. All food was loathsome to them; they reached the gates of death. In their adversity they cried to the LORD and HE saved them from their troubles. HE sent HIS WORD and healed them; HE delivered them from the pits of death. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for HIS steadfast love, HIS wondrous deeds for mankind” [Psalms/Tehillym 107. 17–21 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

prayer for teachers

2007-09-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

To Have Devoted Teachers

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who have children or teenagers still in school...

Raise up Christian teachers for these young people, and help their teachers serve and teach as they are gifted by the Spirit. Give them instructors who genuinely care about the students for whom they're responsible. (Romans 12:4–8)

May their teachers set an example for all the kids they teach through the lives they're living in Christ; help them to live above reproach. Whatever subject or age they're teaching, may they always speak Your truth and not be carried away by or promote the ideas or opinions of men. (1 Timothy 4:12; 3:2a; Hebrews 13:7a, 9a)

May others who have responsibilities over these young people, such as coaches, band directors, and others who supervise them, never grow tired of doing what's right, for You will not forget their work or the love they show these kids. Keep their teachers strong in the Lord, and may Your Word live in them. (2 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 6:10; 1 John 2:14b)

May their teachers devote themselves to teaching, giving themselves fully to it as the work You've given them to do. (1 Corinthians 16:15b; 15:58a)

Cold Prayer

2007-09-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

My Prayer Is But a Cold Affair

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.

- St. Anselm

Able

2007-09-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Eph. 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

I am able to do more
for you than you
could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(NIV Bible)

Think of your most extravagant thought and then try to think of something way beyond your wildest dreams. Even if you have a vivid imagination, there will still be a limit to what you are able to comprehend. However, your Father does not have the same limitations that you have. He says that He is able to do immeasurably MORE than anything that you could ask or imagine. The sky is the limit as far as He is concerned. He knows no earthly barriers or boundaries that will keep Him from fulfilling the best plans and purposes for His children.

We can choose to live our lives in the confines of our own natural understanding and perceived limitations, or we can choose to believe what God has promised for us�That He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us! Our Father is the biggest, strongest and most wonderful Dad in the universe and He has promised that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or imagine!

PRAYER
Father, I know that You love me and You have a plan for me that is immeasurably more than I could ever possibly imagine. Thank You for giving me Your precious Holy Spirit who is at work in me to fulfill all that You have purposed for me. Help me to believe You for greater things in my life than my own human limitations can comprehend. In the name of Your beloved Son Jesus I pray, AMEN.

ROSH HA’SHANNAH PRAYER

2007-09-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

ROSH HA’SHANNAH PRAYER
Our Rosh ha’Shannah prayer for you and your family is that ALMIGHTY GOD, blessed be HE and blessed be HIS NAME, will make the coming days of this year, 5768, happy ones...
...Not by shielding us from all sorrow and pain, but by strengthening us to bear it if and when it comes.
...Not by making our path easy, but in making us strong enough to tread any path. Not by granting unbroken sunshine, but by keeping our face bright even in the shadows.
...Not by making our life always pleasant, but in showing us where MESSIAH and HIS cause needs us most; and by making us zealous to do HIS perfect will.
...Not by keeping us from conflict and war, but by bringing us off every field of battle more than conqueror through the LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH WHO loves us most.

humble

2007-09-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Although fate presents the circumstances, how you react depends on your character.

HUMBLE PRAYER
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'GOD, be merciful to me a sinner!'" [Luke 18. 13]

"Mercy and propitiation/atonement" (Hebrew: "checed" / "kaphar") are interrelated words that are closely interconnected. The mercy of the HOLY GOD, blessed be HE, is not all that the tax collector was asking for, he was humbly asking for reconciliation to be made for him. Thus, he was speaking of the saving work of MESSIAH YESHUA, the ONE WHO came "to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people." [Hebrews 2. 17]

The true story told of the proud Pharisee and the humble publican is set in the context of the Jewish Temple worship, where sinners would bring their sacrificial offering to cover their sins, knowing that "the life of the flesh is in the blood; it is the blood, as life, that makes atonement for the soul." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 17. 11 Tanakh, Torah] Such sacrifices were completely worthless, however, if offered in a spirit of religious pride or self-righteousness. . . like the self-important attitude of the Pharisee. There must be repentance and faith in ALMIGHTY GOD's promise of forgiveness through the death of an innocent substitute which pre-figured the TRUE LAMB OF GOD WHOSE coming death would truly make eternal reconciliation for the sins of the people. The publican prayed in this manner and his sins were forgiven, covered completely.

Since the cross, a sinner's prayer for forgiveness must express the same humble attitude: "MERCIFUL and HOLY GOD, be my PROPITIATION on the basis of the death and resurrection of YOUR SON, YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, for my sins." Such a sincere prayer made in complete repentance and faith in the ETERNAL HOLY ONE's promise will bring justification. We can be like the tax collector who "went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." [Luke 18. 14] I bow low in honour and worship of GOD my KING.

Sha’alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
LORD, help us to break down the barriers which keep us from YOU. . . falsehood & faithlessness, callousness & selfishness, injustice & hard-heartedness.

Prayer for Peace

2007-08-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times

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.

Humility

2007-08-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

To Be Humble in Spirit

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 and amen .

Always Pray

2007-08-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

Father, I'm praying for myself and others (add your names here) in my circle of family and friends to grow in our prayer lives...

May we be people of prayer, asking not only for our daily needs to be met but praying for others. May we ask, seek, and knock with right motives, living lives of obedience that are pleasing to You so we may receive whatever we ask. (Matthew 6:11; 1 Samuel 12:23; Matthew 7:7–8; James 4:2–3; 1 John 3:21–22)

May our prayers be set before You like incense as we pray without ceasing, praying always without giving up—boldly and with persistence. Help us come before Your throne of grace with confidence and be able to pray as Elijah prayed—fervently, effectively. May we be watchmen on the wall, standing our ground in prayer. (Psalm 141:2a; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1–5; 11:5–8; Hebrews 4:16; James 5:16b; Ezekiel 33:7; Ephesians 6:10–18)

Help us pray in faith, believing we have received what we've asked because we've prayed according to Your will. May our faith be so strong it amazes You! (Mark 11:22–24; 1 John 5:14–15; Matthew 8:5–13)

Help us to grow strong in prayer. In Jesus' name, AQmen and amen.

messengers of Christ

2007-08-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ye messengers of Christ,
His sov'reign voice obey;
Arise and follow where He leads,
And peace attend your way.
The Master Whom ye serve,
Will needful strength bestow;
Depending on His promised aid,
With sacred courage go.

Mountains shall sink to plains,
And hell in vain oppose;
The cause is God's and must prevail,
In spite of all His foes.
Go, spread a Savior's Name,
And tell His matchless grace,
To the most guilty and depraved
Of Adam's num'rous race.

Contemplating Suicide

2007-08-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

For Those Contemplating Suicide

Most loving and forgiving Father,
hear our prayers for all
who seek to end their life
by their own hand.
The despair is too great,
the loneliness is unbearable,
the inability to share
thoughts and feelings overwhelming,
the seeming lack of options a dead end.
Bless them with the strength of love
to meet each day with new courage;
friendships to bring moments of joy
in their days of anguish;
and hope for the future.
Amen and Amen

Prayer for a Newborn Child

2007-08-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

We are humbled by the awesome power of this moment.
From our lives we have brought forth life.
Through our love we have fashioned a child of love.
May our child be a blessing to all he meets.
And may he count us among his blessings as well.

- Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro
NoteAccording to Rabbi Scheinerman's "Tallit Talk," the tallit (also pronounced tallis) is the most authentic Jewish garment. It is a rectangular-shaped piece of linen or wool (and sometimes, now, polyester or silk) with special fringes called Tzitzit on each of the four corners. The purpose of the garment is to hold the Tzitzit. The purpose of the Tzitzit is to remind its wearers of God's commandments.

The Tzitzit is tied in what Scheinerman calls a form of macrame. When done correctly, the Tzitzit will have 7-8-11-13 winds between double knots. The numbers have various interpretations, one of which is that they spell out the Tetragrammaton, God's name. The four windings together can be interpreted to say, "God is one."

The gold-colored neckband, called the Atarah, is emboidered with the blessing one recites when donning the tallit.

For widows

2007-08-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

Most loving God,
You know the pain and sorrow of death; mercifully hear our prayer for those who mourn the death of their beloved. The nights are lonely and the days are too long. Comfort them and bring an end to the days of tears. Bless them and bring an end to their days of sorrow. Renew them with the joy of life and bring to an end their days of mourning. Let the bond of love which you have for your people be the foundation of their hope that love never ends and that precious moments with our beloved are forever held dear in our hearts.

Amen.

Generous Hearts

2007-08-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

To Have Generous Hearts

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to be generous people...

May their generosity begin with You as they give You their tithes and offerings, believing Your promise that as they do, You will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that they'll not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:8–10)

Help them grow in the grace of giving, giving to others as much as they are able, willing to give even beyond their ability because they trust in You and have given themselves to You according to Your will. May they be generous, always willing to hear the cry of the poor and willing to share. (2 Corinthians 8:7b; Romans 12:6, 8b; 2 Corinthians 8:2–5; Proverbs 21:13; 22:9; 1 Timothy 6:18)

May they sow generously and reap generously—pressed down, shaken together, and running over! Help them be cheerful givers to those in Christian service, and then supply all their needs from Your riches in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 9:6; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:15–19)

Help them to give beyond their means. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Forgive your friends

2007-08-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Prayer for Friends

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.

Decide to forgive
For resentment is negative
Resentment is poisonous and devours the self
Be the first to forgive, to smile and to take the first step,
And you will see happiness bloom
On the face of your human brother or sister.
Be always the first
Do not wait for others to forgive.
For by forgiving,
You become the master of fate,
The fashioner of life, the doer of miracles.
To forgive is the highest,
Most beautiful form of love.
In return you will receive
Untold peace and happiness.
Here is the program for achieving a truly forgiving heart:
Sunday: Forgive yourself
Monday: Forgive your family.
Tuesday: Forgive your friends and associates.
Wednesday: Forgive across economic lines within your own nation.
Thursday: Forgive across cultural lines within your own nations.
Friday: Forgive across political lines within your own nation.
Saturday: Forgive other nations.
Only the brave know how to forgive.
A coward never forgives. It is not in his nature.

The goodness of God

2007-08-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335-c.394)
You truly, O Lord, are the pure and eternal fount of goodness; ... who did curse, and did bless; you did banish us from Paradise, and did recall us; you did strip off the fig-tree leaves ... and put upon us a costly garment; you did open the prison and did release the condemned; you did sprinkle us with clean water, and cleanse us from our filthiness. No longer shall ... the flaming sword encircle Paradise around, and make the entrance inaccessible to those that draw near; but all is turned to joy for us that were the heirs of sin; Paradise, yea, heaven itself may be trodden by man, and the creation, in the world and above the world, that once was at variance with itself, is knit together in friendship: and we ... are made to join in the angels' song, offering the worship of their praise.

Our refuge

2007-07-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .

Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes burning desire. Vision looks upward and becomes faith.

God Is Our Refuge

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

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;

Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah

There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, at the approach of morning.

Nations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

HaShem of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah

Come, behold the works of HaShem, who hath made desolations in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.

'Let be, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'

- Psalms 46: 2-11

Jewish
source: Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)

Help, Lord

2007-07-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

A PRAYER for HELP.

Dear Lord I have reached the end, I have no hope,
I’ve reached rock bottom, I cannot cope,
I’ve spent my life and now I’ve come,
To this stage, Ican go no further, unless you are the one,
Who can hear my plea and pity me.

I once was young and had big plans,
To beocme the best in all the land ,
At what I did, the world was my oyster,
Not for me, being in some office cloistered,
But up and away, I would have my day.

Being brilliant, the best and when put to the test,
Would rise above all others, to be a shining star,
To be seen in all my glory but alas, I crashed,
And now all my dreams are smashed,, my hopes are dashed,
I am nothing, just a shell and my life is shot to hell.

It started with the in crowd, you know the ones, who talk aloud,
Scoffing at others hopes and fears, with snide remarks and jeers
Expressing disdain , feigning to know so much better,
Than those who try to teach morals which is no mean feat,
In this day and age,, common sense, why was I so dense.
I now have nothing to say in my defense.

Thrills, excitement, they were all the rage, until I trached the stage,
It all became banal, new thrills were my need and so I took no heed,
Of advice given, no matter how sage, I had reached the stage,
Of wanting more, more than anything could give, I needed to live,
The high life, so came the quest, for what I thought best

For in seeking that adrenalin rush, my higher plans had turned to dust,
And now all I wanted was that ever present high,
Which only druge could satisfy, they let me fly,
Higher and faster, with a whirling madness, replaced by sadness,
For I no longer found what I sought, Nothing came, there was nought,
To takes its place, emptiness just empty spage

So now here I am at last, when all is past, ,
Weakened, ravged by diease, sinking to my knees,
Nowhere else to turn, all my bridges burned,
Just here now all alone, how can I atone,
Lord Please pity me and hear my plea.

Experience Your Blessing

2007-07-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

Father, I'm praying that (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends will be blessed in living for You...

May they live in such a way that they'll be blessed. Protect them from keeping company with those who openly sin or from following their advice. Help them find their pleasure in obeying You, in thinking of Your Word day and night. (Psalm 1:1–2)

May they seek You, finding their refuge in You, being willing to keep their hands clean and their hearts pure. May they worship You, giving You the glory due Your name and walking in the light of Your presence. May they fear You with reverence and awe, living upright lives in unity with others. (Psalm 119:2b; 2:12b; 24:4–5; 29:1–2; 89:15; 112:1–2; 133:1, 3)

Help them not to try deceiving themselves or anyone else about their sins—least of all You—but to confess them, knowing they'll be forgiven. Help them to trust You alone, living in humility, without loving or trusting anyone or anything more than You. (Psalm 32:1–2; 1 John 1:8–9; Psalm 40:4)

May they be kind and help the weak, choosing to live in Your presence, praising You, setting their hearts on finding You. (Psalm 41:1–2; 84:4, 5b)

Bless them for Your kingdom purpose and glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer of Repentance

2007-07-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Merciful God,
we have sinned
in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done
and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry.
We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ's sake,
and renew our lives to the glory of your name.

Prepare Them Spiritually

2007-07-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Father, I'm praying for these (name them) who are serving in ministries or are on mission for You...

There are many involved in every ministry and mission—some who go and some who serve locally. There are often those behind the scenes who help with planning, financial support, and prayer, as I'm praying now. We're all part of their service, directly or indirectly, and I'm sure none of us feels worthy to be used in such a way. Yet this is one of the good works You've prepared for us to do, and we're grateful. (Ephesians 2:10)

Help us to live worthy of such a calling; keep our hearts prepared for the amazing things You plan to do. Give us pure hearts, sensitive to sin and willing to confess everything You bring to mind, knowing You are quick to forgive. Forgive us when we sin without being aware, and keep us from sinning willfully. Help us not to let any sin rule over us. (Ephesians 4:1; Joshua 3:5; Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 19:12–13a; Romans 6:11)

Protect our time with You. Don't let busyness keep us from prayer or being in the Word daily. Help us to live according to Your Word and not neglect it. (Matthew 6:6; John 17:17; Psalm 119:9, 16)

In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer for Hurricane Season

2007-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.

Originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957.

- Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA

Help, please Father!

2007-07-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

[We are] destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and [we are] taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
( 2 Cor. 10:5)
Father, so often my thoughts make a wasteland of what you are wanting to
plant there. Help me this day to let every one of them be captive to your
leading. In Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer for those in despair

2007-07-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Father,
Send your life-giving Spirit
upon those who despair of living,
O generous and loving God.
If it is your will,
let them find rest from their labors
that they may have peace.
If there is a call they have not heard,
open their eyes and ears to know it
that they may find the joy of abundant life.
Grant them your blessing this day
and every day.
Amen.

May We Appreciate and Remember

2007-07-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

Father,
Today may we appreciate this food and remember those who are hungry.
May we appreciate our family and friends and remember those who are alone.
May we appreciate our health and remember those who are sick.
May we appreciate the freedoms we have and remember those who suffer injustice and tyranny.
Peace on earth.

Spouse with Chronic Illness

2007-07-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Saint of God,

Accept the state of your body today, this instant, and turn to God. If you wake feeling strong and vibrant, be that, and turn to God. If you wake in pain and fear, accept that, and turn to God. Gently let your spouse know that you cherish him/her for the goodness of his/her heart, but that you free him/her from having to assume your burden, because you have given this burden to God.

Thank You for This Amazing Day

2007-07-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

Thank You for This Amazing Day

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginably You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

- e. e. cummings

Blessing of fruit

2007-06-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the tree.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam borei pri ha-etz.

Prayer for Those With Alzheimer's

2007-06-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Father,
My prayer is for all who bear the crosses of Alzheimer's and other dementias. Society values the intellect so much that it forgets to value the whole person. May God bring strength and joy into the lives of people who suffer from these devastating diseases.

Prayer for focus

2007-06-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

Keep My Mind Focused on Good Health

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.

Prayer for a Summer Day

2007-06-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Long warm days...
The pace of life slows...
A time for picnics and rest in the shade...

Lord,
help me to rest a while in the cooling shade of your presence.
Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all your people.
Amen.

Lord Help Me Prayer

2007-06-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

We are not moved by what we see, hear, smell, touch or taste. We are not moved by reason. We are only moved by Your Spirit and Your Word and we know Your Voice, and we hear Your Voice and we refuse to follow strangers according to John 10:27. Our seed is mighty upon the earth according to Psalms 112:2. Lord Jesus, I ask you to expand my territories; to fill me and increase me in the Holy Spirit and anointing with power.

I ask You to lead me in paths of righteousness for Your Name’s Sake.

I Bless You, Praise You, Worship You, and commit all that I am to You, that Your perfect will be done through me.

I ask that You help me to cease from my own labors. I do so by faith.

I ask that You cause me to enter Your Rest now, in Jesus’ Name and I receive that.

I ask You to release my warring and ministering angels to minister and war on my behalf.

I ask you to fill this, Your temple; with as much Shikinah Glory as possible.

Help me to bear the cross You have prepared for me and help those in my family.

I ask that the Holy Spirit speak to my heart through Your Word.

I ask that You prepare me with reverence and worship, and with humility through Your Holy Spirit.

I ask that You take out of me, add to me or do to me; anything You want.

I ask that the Word I read would be engrafted into me and become part of me; spirit, mind, will and emotions.

I declare by Your power; You are helping and causing me to be bold, dauntless, fearless, confident, intrepid, valiant, steadfast, faithful, true and loyal for Your Name’s Sake.

I ask You to deliver me where I am blind, wretched, naked, and poor. I ask for your help.

I ask You to help me not be the accuser of the brethren but to teach others in gentleness, to be a help in season, to edify, to exhort and comfort others.

I ask for Love and Grace for others and Grace from You Lord. I ask for help that Your Love and Grace in me; flow and be administered to others by Your Spirit in me, to manifest Your Presence in and through me.

I release all things into Your hands and commit myself unto You, trusting You.

I ask for help, that You give me the Word that You want me to give to others.

I ask that You would send those that would receive the gift of salvation to me, that I may witness to them. Let them ask and receive, Father!

I ask that You give me a clear mind and thoughts toward You, clear will toward You, and clear of all emotional clutter. (This is all about You. Hearing You is easier than thinking!)

I ask that You cause me to hear You louder and clearer, and rest in You.

I ask You to release Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, with long-suffering, and self-control to flow over and in and throughout my life.

I ask You Father for a clear, sharp, and healthy mind and body in You.

Heavenly Father, I ask for Your perfect Will being worked out through my life and the lives of those that my life touch; as You direct me.

I ask You for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to comprehend and receive what the Holy Spirit has to say.

I ask to speak and to do Your perfect will in this life; for You, for me, and for my family.

I ask You to guard me and my family with many angels and that they manifest as needed.

I ask You to make me alert, awake, sharp and attentive in Your thoughts and ways.

I ask that I may prosper in what I put my hands to do for You.

I ask you to renew my youth like the eagles.

I ask for a heart like Yours and growth and maturity to walk in it to the fullest with You; in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Holy Spirit have Your way with all of me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Heavenly Father, I declare Your faithfulness to the heavens and Your loving kindness and tender mercies anew every morning. Amen!

Heavenly Father, I ask that my mind, will and emotions do not deceive me in hearing Your Voice and be still in Jesus' Name.

Heavenly Father, I ask that You shut any doors that need to be shut and open any doors that need to be opened in the spiritual and natural realms in Jesus' Name. Heavenly Father, I plead the blood of Jesus over those doorways and ask that the enemy be rendered powerless and harmless so they can not come back through those doorways ever again; to me, ____, ____, and ____, our houses, lands, properties, vehicles, work places, schools, and finances in Jesus' Name. Amen!

Families Torn by Addiction

2007-06-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

We pray, O God of hope,
for all families
whose lives are torn and disrupted
by drugs and alcohol.
Enable them to identify the illness.
Strengthen them to seek help.
Bless them with the power of your love,
which imparts transformation and wholeness
to those who trust in your name.
Grant that as they walk this tortured road,
they may journey together
and bound close in the bond of love.
Amen.

God's Love

2007-06-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

Loving God,
there are times in each life
when there is no one.
No one with whom to share
a word,
a laugh,
a sad remembrance,
a gentle touch,
a fond embrace,
a kiss of love.
Bless each one who suffers
from such loneliness.
Enrich life with a friend
or gentle stranger
who will spend a moment
noticing
and loving.
In those times
your love shines through,
the world is reborn,
and Christ is known.
So be it!
Amen.and amen

Hurt?

2007-06-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

A major problem in the church today is people living their lives with hidden hurts inside. These hurts are sealed up in nice little bags that cause us to look okay in public. However, when we open this baggage to our friends, it stinks!

Have you ever stopped to think that most people don’t want to hear about your hurts? Yes, there are problems in our lives that can hurt us, but they can only hurt us if we receive the hurt. John 10:10 says that the thief is a destroyer. He wants to destroy you. He is relentless and he shows no mercy. If he can’t destroy you with attacks from the outside, then he will attempt to destroy you from the inside. He does this by bringing hurts and offenses your way and tempting you to bring them inside. You can stop this cycle by not receiving them into yourself.

The choice is yours. Will you rehearse the hurt or will you confess the victory? What you say is what you’ll get. Instead of saying, "I’m so hurt," say "I’m set free!"
Thanbk you Father, For taking away the hurts for me life!

oh, God

2007-06-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.

- Isaiah 26:3; 30:15

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
GOD hides Himself in His manifestations and shows Himself in His concealments.

Prayer for Young People

2007-05-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Father, we pray and beseech you
to guide and protect young people
from the dangers that are ever present in our world today.
Be with them, as they experience both sickness and health,
sorrow and joy,
loneliness and friendship,
success and failure.
Gracious God,
give to them the courage and strength
to make the right decisions
as they journey through life.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
may they come to know and experience your loving care.
We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Thank you, Lord

2007-05-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Lord we thank you for another beautiful day. We are alive and breathing.
Thank you for finding us worthy of your grace and love when we were in our
ugliest. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins when we would not forgive
ourselves. You gave us the right path to walk on and gave us a chance to
work it all out until we were seasoned enough to stop the sin.

Thank you for the sound of the garbage truck outside and for the paper man
placing the newspaper in my door right now. Bless them both for doing their
jobs and serving the people Lord. Thank you for the birds that sing in
harmony early each morning while the dew is still on the ground.

We bless you Lord God for loving the unlovely and giving us power to tread
on serpents. We echo, "bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within
me bless His Holy name."

You are a great and mighty God, the one and only God. The beginning and the
end. No one can claim that they helped you do anything. No one can say
that you are a creation of their finite reasoning, and we thank you for that
Scientists are just now coming out of the closet and admitting that there
is no possible way that the Big Bang Theory could exist.....and we thank you
for that as well.

Cause us to walk in your ways, will and statutes today. Cause us to keep
our heads up and our pride low. Cause us to be greater examples of your
Love and Kindness in the eyes of all those who are looking for you. Help us
to keep the Old Man down and to rise up early in the mornings in the newness
of the day. New day, new mercies.

Thank you for praying for us Jesus instead of just sitting up there and
letting us do our parts' by ourselves with no help like the fleshly 'gods'
do down here.

Bless the Lord o' my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy name!

In Yeshua's name, amen.

The Armer of God

2007-05-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Put on the Whole Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

- Ephesians 6: 10-17

Open heart open mind

2007-05-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Father, I pray that we may at all times keep our minds open to new ideas and shun dogma; that we may grow in our understanding of the nature of all living beings and our connectedness with the natural world; that we may become ever more filled with generosity of spirit and true compassion and love for all life...

I pray that we may learn the peace that comes with forgiving and the strength we gain in loving; that we may learn to take nothing for granted in this life; that we may learn to see and understand with our hearts; that we may learn to join in our being.

Dear Father

2007-05-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

Father, I love you and thank you for your blessings of mercy and
forgiveness each day. Lord First off, I thank you for the forgiveness of all
of our sins. Lord, thank you for washing us white in your precious
blood and making us new creation. In the name of Christ Jesus I ask you to
touch every request and need and petition. Father, touch the hearts of
every group member and meet every emotional need, and the needs in their
households that are financial. Lord, give each of them a miracle that
would bless them exceedingly ..

Father, help us to keep walking in your ways and increase in us the
desire to love you and serve you .. Father we love you and exalt you .. in
your name we pray and thank you. We thank you also for miracles of healing.
through the name of Jesus. Amen and amen

Prayer

2007-05-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Some Christians don’t have-
God’s provision, God’s healing, or God’s blessing in their lives because they have not asked for it.
I am not saying that God will give us everything we ask for.
But I am saying that many of us are going through life missing out on many of the things God has for us.

The Bible says, “You do not have because you do not ask”.James 4:2.
Some Christians pray only as a last resort, when everything else fails, after they’ve called all their friends and all their relatives.
When no one can help them, they say, “What else can I do? All I can do now is pray.”

Prayer should not be a last resort!
It should be the first thing we do!!

As the old hymn says:
“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saints upon their knees.”

The devil doesn’t want you to pray.
He will do everything he can to keep you from it, because he is afraid of the power that can be exercised through prayer.
He whispers:
“Don’t pray.
Try this.
Try that.
You are not worthy to pray.
God won’t hear your prayers.”
He will do anything to keep you from approaching the throne of God.

Prayer is a privilege that is given to the child of God.
God will hear the prayer of an unbeliever who calls out to Him for forgiveness!
But only a person who has put his or her faith in Christ can have a prayer life.

So pray with fervor!
Pray with energy.
Pray continually.
Don’t give up!

God hears and will answer your prayer!
Hundreds of prayer partners will for your needs at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/myprayergroups

Sanits or sinners

2007-04-29T10:48:00.001-07:00

Are you one or the other?

Gentle Reader,

We find ourselves surrounded by what I call plausible denial.

That is when I read in the Book called Ephesians written over 2000+ years ago by a Rabbi called Paul (the apostle = messenger) His first words were "EPH 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: It seems to me that there may be two different groups being addressed one group (the larger of the two called "saints" which in the Greek is holy or in this sense [separated out or perhaps called out like an assembly] And Then we have a much smaller group called "The Faithful in Christ Jesus" Now it’s for you to decide if I’m right or not, but if I am them which group do you belong (one of the many that are called or one of the few that are chosen?)

And while we’re at it lets not forget as we wind around the internet and read the many 100's of blogs that make fun of Christians, or come right out and blame Christians for all the world’s problems, from mental illness to global warming and everything in between. What is going on Gentle Reader? Perhaps we are coming to the next Holocaust where it will be the Christians turn to be caught, captured and exterminated. Let me remind you once again while I can.

2Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2TI 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2TI 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2TI 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2TI 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

And so Gentle Reader, run or turn and fight for you have a choice (flee, fight) while you can as the days are evil and Grace will not always be there for those who reject God.

I am as always just one beggar showing another where to find bread.

Love, Denis

A Thought

2007-04-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
No secret causes GOD concern, He knows all. HalleluYAH!

For God hath no give us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a
sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SOUND MIND Fear can infest us
early in life until eventually it cuts a deep groove of apprehension in all our
thinking. To counteract it, let faith, hope, and courage enter your thinking.
Fear is strong but faith is stronger. The Bible tells us "... And he laid his
right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not..." (Revelation 1:17) His hand
is always upon you, too.

May God give you Peace in your going out and your coming in and your laughter and your leisure until we all come into that day when there is mo dawning and no tears.

Perfect

2007-04-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Perfect Prayer

I do not ask in behalf of these alone,
but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me,
and I in You, that they also may be in Us;
that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:20-21

There are prerequisites for answered prayer. We know them. We incorporate them into our personal prayer life. Pastors will preach and teachers will teach that sometimes our prayers are hindered because of something we have done or have not done . . . a prerequisite that we have not met. And we don't really argue about this. We realize our imperfections and are constantly asking the Lord to search me and show me if there are things in my life that are disappointing to you and lead me in the right direction.
Well, there has been one perfect Person and we are confident that the Father heard His prayers and answered them--no prerequisites necessary. That Person is Jesus, of course. But did you know that He prayed for me? for you? for every person who would believe? I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word . . . There I am! There you are! Believers. And what did He petition the Father to do for us? To make us one with Him just as He was one with the Father.
That's Romans 8:28-29: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . .." Becoming one with Jesus that we might become one with the Father.
God is busy about answering that prayer right now in my life and in your life. He isn't really asking our opinions or requesting our permission:
What is our plan on becoming one with my Son? or
Do you want to go through this time of stress now? or
Can you endure this situation at this time? or
Do you have a better idea?
No. He is directing His efforts to bring about the answer to His dear Sons prayer for you . . . and in the fullness of time we will understand and be amazed at His wisdom, His plan, and thrilled at our likeness to His Son.
Dear Father, please make this truth acceptable to us, not that we must fully understand, but that we will be willing to trust You fully to bring the prayer of Jesus to completeness in us.

Thank you!

2007-04-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Father, thank you for my life on this earth, however challenging or not.

Thank you for giving me free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions, to learn from my mistakes, to laugh when I am happy, to cry when I am sad.

Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, my colleagues, and for every other living creature I meet along my journey.

Thank you for giving me strength to overcome adversity, to do what's right for the benefit of the greater good, to rise above negativity.

Thank you for giving me hope for an end to world suffering, pain, and war, for a beginning of a world filled with light and everlasting love.

From: The apostle Paul

2007-04-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Nag Hammadi Library

The Prayer of the Apostle Paul

... your light, give me your mercy! My Redeemer, redeem me, for I am yours; the one who has come forth from you. You are my mind; bring me forth! You are my treasure house; open for me! You are my fullness; take me to you! You are (my) repose; give me the perfect thing that cannot be grasped!

I invoke you, the one who is and who pre-existed in the name which is exalted above every name, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the King of the ages; give me your gifts, of which you do not repent, through the Son of Man, the Spirit, the Paraclete of truth. Give me authority when I ask you; give healing for my body when I ask you through the Evangelist, and redeem my eternal light soul and my spirit. And the First-born of the Pleroma of grace -- reveal him to my mind!

Grant what no angel eye has seen and no archon ear (has) heard, and what has not entered into the human heart which came to be angelic and (modelled) after the image of the psychic God when it was formed in the beginning, since I have faith and hope. And place upon me your beloved, elect, and blessed greatness, the First-born, the First-begotten, and the wonderful mystery of your house; for yours is the power and the glory and the praise and the greatness for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Paul (the) Apostle.
In Peace.
Christ is holy.

Forgive Us, Oh Lord

2007-04-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Forgive me my sins, O Lord; forgive me the sins of my youth and the sins of mine age, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, my secret and my whispering sins, the sins I have done to please myself and the sins I have done to please others. Forgive those sins which I know, and the sins which I know not; forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all of Thy great goodness. Amen

Adopting a Child

2007-03-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Prayer for a Couple Adopting a Child
We have waited for so long
for this child of choice.
Bless us
with an abundance of your love
that we may be good parents,
that we may create a home of blessing,
that we may encourage this child
to the fullness of his/her potential.
Bless our child, O God.
Give her security in our family,
the joy of laughter in our home,
and the courage to face
the challenges ahead.
Let our child know the love
we feel so deeply for her,
and let this love be a strength
to confront the opportunities of life.
Amen.

A prayer for all

2007-03-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Glorious and Dear Father... thank you for this day This is Your Day Lord.. as is everyday... we shall rejoice and be glad in it...and in you. Lord, be with each member of this group and their families also lead, guide, and direct us all in Your pathways Father.. Thank you for your guidance.. without You we are nothing Lord God..
Also Dear Father bless and help those who are in trouble, and in need.Fatehr heal those are sick .. thank you God Father for You and You alone are the great healer and provider of everything. Amen and Amen

Prayer for Chronic pain

2007-03-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Gracious God,
I feel, at times, as if the ache in my body will never go away. I try to keep a positive attitude even in the midst of this chronic pain, but there are times when I am so weary that my spirit begins to feel as troubled as my body.

A wave of darkness settles over me and I wonder if there will ever be any relief, any light emerging on the horizon. I do not know why I am confronted with this thorn in my flesh, and I wish for nothing more than to be released from it. I pray that your healing will wash over me and bring peace to the frayed pockets of my body that know no peace. I pray also that your great grace will gather like gentle wind and restore my soul to joy and hope. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.

St Patrick

2007-03-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Prayer of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Forgive us, Lord

2007-03-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

O LORD God Almighty, forgive us and help us change our ways. I confess
that the church today is all too often worried about placating those
who are already saved and are fussy about how they want things in their
church.Let us see Lord the sick are outside the Church walls. While we stay
in the ones who needs us the most are in the Highways and in the streets. Pour
out your Holy Spirit in a special way among your people,gripping us with a
deep concern about those who do not know Jesus and have no hope in his grace. Let
us commit to each one reach one. Just think Lord if we all reached one the
whole world would come to your saving knowledge. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. And Amen

Prayer for Forgiveness

2007-03-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

Reports

2007-03-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

<"I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me." --Psalm 3:5
Systematic prayer for all nations
Population:
22.4 million
Religion:
Christian 63%
Muslim 16%
Indigenous beliefs 21%
Government:
Constitutional Democracy
President:
John Agyekum Kufuor

In 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan country in Africa to gain its independence. After the ban on political parties and the third constitution in 1981, a new constitution and a new form of multiparty politics surfaced in 1992. Since that time, the country operated as a constitutional democracy. Major crops and industries that account for income range from cocoa, rice and coffee to lumbering, mining and small commercial ship building. In 2006, Ghana received a Millennium Challenge Corporation grant that will assist in increasing the agricultural export sector. Pray for wisdom over the individuals that will oversee the MCC grant money and project management, and the ongoing stability of Ghana's democracy system.

Ghana has a low life expectancy rate due to AIDS. Pray that the government will find ways to combat and prevent this disease from taking more lives. Ghana's tropical environment also houses major infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and meningitis. Please pray that appropriate healthcare would be available to those individuals that are native to the country and those that may travel there. Call for united prayer
Jakarta, Indonesia - An intense earthquake hit Jakarta this past Tuesday. Seventy people have been reported dead from the 6.3 quake. Aftershocks could be felt in Sumatra island; an island hundreds of miles away from Singapore. Please pray for comfort for those that lost family members. Pray for direction over the hospital staff that they may operate in a quick and efficient manner.

Go to the prayer session page!

Praise reports from the team
Pain in the stomach for 8 months. no relief with medicines. Lord please in your mercy heal me. Thank you Jesus.
My pain has decreased tremendously though occasionally I still get. Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayer and for the mercy on me. Bless those who prayed for me.
- T -- India
Prayer to cover my husband and I as we travel this evening to go for my sons court in the morning. God would give us strength, patience with one another, have a unity like never before. Give us peace, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment.
The presence of the Lord was with us. We had favor every where we went. We had one of the best times of ever being together. Thank you so much for prayer, please keep us lifted as we come through the deliverance of our children.
- G -- TX, United States of America
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Some thots

2007-03-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the
end...

It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not
mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Here are some men and women who mocked God:

JOHN LENNON: During his interview with an American
Magazine, he said: "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have
to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too
simple. Today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying
that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil): During the Presidential campaign, he
said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him
from Presidency. He got the votes, but he got sick a day before
being made President, then he died.

CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet): During a show in
Caneco ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out
some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you." He died at the age
of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.

THE MAN WHO BUILT TITANIC: After the construction of Titanic, a reporter
asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: "Not
even God can sink it." The result: I think you all know what happened to
the Titanic.

MARILYN MONROE: She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a
show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After
hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: "I don't need your Jesus".
A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.

BON SCOTT: The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:
"Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell". On
the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead. He had been choked
by his own vomit.

CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005: In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to
pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried
about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the
daughter-holding her hand, who was already seated in the car: "MY DAUGHTER,
GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU." She responded: "ONLY IF HE (GOD)
TRAVELS IN THE TRUNK, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL." Hours later,
news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had
died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but
surprisingly, the trunk
was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained
intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs. None were
broken.

Christine Hewitt: a Jamaican Journalist and entertainer, said the Bible
(Word of God) was the worst book ever written. In June 2006 she was found
burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle.

Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that
was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only
Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.

P.S: If this had been a joke, you would have sent it to everyone. So are
you going to have courage to send this?. Jesus said, "If you are
embarrassed of me, then I too, shall be embarrassed of you before my
father."

What benefit does it have, if a man gains the whole world but loses his
soul? What can man give in exchange of his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Prayer of Thanks to God

2007-02-21T08:14:00.000-08:00

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.

- George Washington

Give us, Father,

2007-02-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

Give Us, O Lord, a Steadfast Heart

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Thomas Aquinas

Help Us Grow in Love

2007-02-15T12:40:00.000-08:00

(Everything grows better in Ireland)

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.

No retreat no surender

2007-02-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

Don't Retreat"

"... And having done all to stand." Ephesians 6:13b

This is not the time to retreat. It may look like the battle is lost; it
may look like there is no hope for victory; it may look like you are
defeated; it may look like the odds are against you... But it's not time to
retreat. Your opponent may look bigger, wiser, stronger, but it's not the
time to retreat. The evil may be pressing in on every side, but it's not
the time to retreat. As children of God, we either face the situation "head
on" or we "stand", but we don't run-- we don't retreat.

Whatever you are facing today--- keep standing. The scripture above means
to get a good footing then dig in your heels to support yourself and don't
move. Don't move today from your position-- from your stance. Dig in your
heels a little deeper if you have to, but don't run from it... Don't retreat

Prayer for Protection

2007-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

Blessed are thy Saints, O God and King, who have traveled over the tempestuous sea of this mortal life, and have made the harbour of peace and felicity. Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage; and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in thy mercy thou hast set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at length to the quiet haven of our heart's desire, where thou, O our God, are blessed, and livest and reignest for ever and ever.

- St. Augustine

Unrest in my SOUL!

2007-02-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

O My Father,
I have moments of deep unrest -- moments when I know not
what to ask by reason of the very excess of my wants. I have in these
hours no words for Thee, no conscious prayers for Thee. My cry seems
purely worldly; I want only the wings of a dove that I may flee away.
Yet all the time Thou has accepted my unrest as a prayer. Thou has
interpreted its cry for a dove's wings as a cry for Thee, Thou has
received the nameless longings of my heart as the intercessions of Thy
Spirit. They are not yet the intercessions of my spirit; I know not
what to ask. But Thou knowest what I ask, O my God. Thou knowest the
name of that need which lies beneath my speechless groan. Thou knowest
that, because I am made in Thine image, I can find rest only in what
gives rest to Thee; therefore Thou hast counted my unrest unto me for
righteousness, and has called my groaning Thy Spirit's prayer. Amen.

Morning Prayer

2007-02-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

O Lord, grant that my heart may be truly cleansed and filled with Thy Holy Spirit, and that I may arise to serve Thee, and lie down to sleep in entire confidence in Thee, and submission to Thy will, ready for life or for death. Let me live for the day, not overcharged with worldly cares, but feeling that my treasure is not here, and desiring truly to be joined to Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom, and to those who are already gone to Thee. O Lord, save me from sin, and guide me with Thy Spirit, and keep me in faithful obedience to Thee, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord.

- Rev. Thomas Arnold (1795-1842)

today is for grief

2007-01-31T14:32:00.000-08:00

God, make me brave for life: oh, braver than this.
Let me straighten after pain, as a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life; much braver than this.
As the blown grass lifts, let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing Thy way is wise.
God, make me brave, life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight;
Help me to see aright
That out of dark comes light

A Prayer for Today

2007-01-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

God, help me to understand clearly the reason You created me and gifted me the way You have, so I can fulfill my purpose and experience the joy and victory that comes from being in Your will. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the
whole staircase, just take the first step." - -- Martin Luther King Jr.

Prayer for Marriage

2007-01-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

Most gracious Father,

We give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life.

We thank you, also, for consecrating the union of man and woman in his Name.
By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon this man and this woman.
Defend them from every enemy.
Lead them into all peace.
Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads.
Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death.
Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Always there!

2007-01-16T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hello God, I called tonight
To talk a little while
I need a friend who'll listen
To my anxiety and trial.

You see, I can't quite make it
Through a day just on my own...
I need your love to guide me,
So I'll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep,
My family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
For whatever fate they're bound.

Give me faith, dear God, to face
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can't change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home
And listening to my call,
For giving me such good advice
When I stumble and fall.

Your number, God, is the only one
That answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
Never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God, for listening
To my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night, God, I love You, too,
And I'll call again tomorrow!

Today's travel prayer

2007-01-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

Be Mindful, O Lord

Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by land, by sea, and by air; of the old and young, the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing, the afflicted, the captives, the needy and the poor; and upon them all send forth Thy mercies, for Thou art the Giver of all good things.

A native Indian prayer

2006-12-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

That They May Face the Winds

Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather,
all over the Earth the faces of living things are all alike.
With tenderness have these come up out of the ground.
Look upon these faces of children without number
and with children in their arms
that they may face the winds
and walk the good road to the day of quiet.

- Black Elk (1863-1950)