Last revised: January 17, 2006

Back to Distinctive Church Collection

PRAYER SQUARE
ARCHIVES - Part II.
Donald M. Meekhof, Author

PRAYER SQUARE

by Rev. Don Meekhof

---

A Prayer for Those in Harm's Way to Pray
(Especially Military Folks in Iraq and Afghanistan)

The Psalm says: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

        Lord, to be born is to enter this valley.  There is a time set for our lives.

        For some of us, to walk this valley is a march under orders...

        for others, it is a call to service...  for others, it is a cloud of injustice...

        for still others, it is an act of love... or maybe all these. 

                "He who seeks to save his life will lose it,

                but he who loses his life for My sake will find it."

 

The Psalm says:  "...walk through the valley..."

        Lord, this valley is not a permanent dwelling; it is only temporary.

        The shadow of death is a dark cloud.  Going through means coming out of it as well.

        The other side is the call to eternal life.  This gives me hope in the darkness.

 

The Psalm says:  "I fear no evil, for Thou art with me."

        Lord, your presence makes all the difference in the world.  I am not alone.

        Your Word says, "Fear only the One who can destroy the soul,"  

        and "Perfect love casts out fear." 

        Thank you, Blessed Jesus, for walking with me through it all and loving me there.

 

The Psalm says: "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

        Lord, your rod is the sword of the Spirit. It strikes deeper than any two-edged sword.
        Your staff is the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Who is with me always.

        You protect and guide me through the darkness and You never leave me. Praise God!

 

The Psalm says: "Thou preparest a table before me...."

        Lord, the bounty on that table is unbelievable.  A feast!  To partake gives life:

        love and mercy, courage and strength, forgiveness and grace piled high.

        May I always focus on Your provision day after day and hunger after You.

 

The Psalm says:  "...in the presence of my enemies."

        Why this, dear Lord?  Why not in the presence of my friends?

        "Yes, there too, My child.  But when you are in the midst of enemies, I want you to
         focus, not on the enemies, but on the bounty on the table.  Your enemies will

         empty you; My provisions will fill you.  They are more than enough.

 

The Psalm says:  "My cup overflows."

        Yes, Lord.  May Your cup overflow in me.  May what I am and what I do be unto You,
         Lord Jesus.  You are worthy of all that I am and all that I do.  You have already
         forgiven me and prepared me for your Kingdom. 

 

"Blessed Jesus, you are my Good Shepherd.  You never leave me nor forsake me.  You walk with me on mountain peak and deepest valley, in familiar surroundings and islands of unease.  Your presence surrounds me. 

 

Gracious God, thank you for walking before me into foreign lands with strange tongues, customs and foods.  Prepare the way for me in Iraq and Afghanistan, Palestine or Southeast Asia.  Wherever I or my brothers and sisters are called, be our constant Companion.  I know not what the temptations or anxieties will be, but You, Blessed Lord, are relevant. 

 

Guard, guide, protect, and grow in us with words of faith and encouragement.  And give all of us the peace and confidence that we are in Your hands whether in life or in death.  This is but the shadow; the cloud will pass away, and the eternal sun will shine in Christ. 

 

-------------------

Reveal Yourself, dear Lord, to all our military men and women and to servants of Yours throughout this world. 

 

 In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen!

  

---

HELPFUL PRAYER ATTITUDES

"When we pray to God, we are simply children walking and talking with our Father at hand." There are certain attitudes which help us when we pray.

1. Gratitude. Thankful that we have someone who is interested in being with us and listening to us.

2. Awe. We are constantly amazed at who God is and that he would even allow us to address him as "Father."

3. Helplessness. We are convinced of our own inability to accomplish the thing for which we are praying to God. We come to Him with our requests.

4. Faith. Without faith our helplessness would only be a vain cry of distress in the night.

5. Confidence. The essence of faith is our confidence in God's ability to do what he has promised.

6. Persistence. In Matthew 7:& Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." This shows us the importance of persistent prayer, of continuing to bring our prayers to God.

"Gracious and loving Heavenly Parent, I am so thankful for you. I could have never imagined a God like you, so loving, powerful, just, wise and yet available to me. I stand amazed at your abilities. On the one hand, I feel frightened by your hugeness and power, on the other, I feel warmed by your presence and intimacy.

Lord God, I bless you and humble myself before you. What an Awesome God you are! Blessed Jesus, we walk hand in hand with you because you walked this dusty trail. You know what we think, feel, experience, and fear. You are so relevant to our anxieties. You are there with us in our valleys. You know the secret sins and the desires of our hearts, and yet you claim us as your friends.

Thank you Lord Jesus. We bring the emotions of Christmas, New Years, and the New Millennium to you. Holy Spirit wrap your arms around us and help us to rest in your presence. In Christ's name, Amen."

---

UNUTTERED PRAYER
by Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard (1861-1921)

My God, sometimes I cannot pray.
Nor can I tell why, thus I weep;
The words my heart has framed I cannot say,
Behold me prostrate at thy feet.

Thou understandest all my woe;
Thou knows't the cravings of my soul;
Thine eye beholdest whereso'er I go,
Thou can'st this wounded heart make whole.

An oh! While prostrate here I lie,
And groan the words I fain would speak;
Unworthy though I be, pass not me by,
But let Thy love in showers break.

And deluge all my thirsty soul,
And lay my proud ambition low;
So while time's billows o'er me roll,
I shall be washed as white as snow.

Thou wilt not quench the smoking flax,
Nor wilt Thou break the bruised reed;
Like potter's clay, or molten wax,
Mould me to suit Thy will indeed.

Amen!

---

"Blessed Lord Jesus Christ we are so privileged. It is beyond description. You are light, wisdom, forgiveness, restoration, encouragement, affirmation, salvation, joy, and truth. You bless my soul, enlighten my mind, forgive my sins, lift my burden, give energy to my step, and shoot adrenaline into my soul. Blessed Savior you are the beginning, middle and consummation of our hope. We love, praise, and honor you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Amen!

---

"Blessed Lord, how we thank you for your love for us. We praise you that you left us an example of how to live the Christian life and you also gave us the power through the Holy Spirit. Forgive us when we forget to pray Whisper into our souls and let us know how important this is.

Dear God, if your own dear Son felt that it was necessary to pray, how much more significant it is for us. Blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we praise and honor you. We lay ourselves before you and ask you to shine the light of your forgiveness and grace upon us. How often we get tired and grouchy and we need a new attitude toward you and life, our jobs, and families. Touch us, Blessed Lord, with your healing. Help us to remember that we are your personal representatives in the world. May our light so shine that we may give glory to our Father in Heaven. Amen."

 

• Jesus was in perfect union with the Father, yet He deeply desired prayer. How about you?

  • Jesus needed time alone with the Father...Mark 1:35

  • Jesus needed to hear from God...Luke 9:35

  • Jesus needed God's strength in temptation...John 6:15

  • Jesus needed to overcome His own will...Matthew 26:46

  • Jesus needed to pray for what lay ahead...Luke 23:46

  • Jesus inferred prayer at his baptism...Luke 3:21-23; Matthew 3:16-17

  • Jesus inferred prayer when the crowds gathered...Mark 1:35-39

  • Jesus inferred prayer when He was criticized...Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11

  • Jesus prayed for assurance...Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:11-12

---

"Blessed Jesus, we lift up to you our students, parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff. Gracious God, protect against violence, deceit, injury, and injustice. May our schools be safe places, and may teachers and students respect each other. Bless our city and county officials. Give them desire to work together for the good of the people. Bless, Lord, all people, of your sight. may we honor one another as you have honored us in Jesus Christ. Amen."

---

• Seek the face of God not only His hand! Contemplative prayer: to contemplate is to gaze intently at something. In contemplative prayer, we set our hearts to gaze into the face of God through quiet hours of meditation, listening, recollection, and adoration.
• The Psalmist, David, writes "my heart says of you 'seek His face.' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (Psalm 27:8) how does one build contemplative prayer into ones life? Consider these steps offered by Tricia McCary Rhodes in her book, "The Soul at Rest: A Journey into Contemplative Prayer" (Bethany Press):

1. Establish a time and a place for undivided attention each day.
2. Keep your purpose clear of seeking the face of God.
3. Be still and quiet. Relax and breathe deeply. Thank Him for stillness.
4. Meditate on Scripture. Read a small portion and ask Him to reveal Himself in it to you.
5. Journal your prayers. Write daily love letters to God.
6. Prepare for wandering thoughts. Jot down things you need to do later.
7. Don't fear drowsiness. It is no sin to fall asleep in the arms of God.
8. Infuse intercession with contemplation. When you need to ask for God's hand to act, do it and then return to seeking His loveliness.

---

• I like this reminder that came across the Internet from Vince Ellwood of Dallas, Texas.
  "How to Beat the Summer Heat:
  ~ Refresh your mind by reading the Bible
  ~ Face the billowy breeze of the Holy Spirit
  ~ Shower yourself with God's bountiful blessings
  ~ Drink from the Spring of Living Waters
  ~ Break the ice with one against whom you hold a grudge
  ~ Create a pleasant climate in your home where joy can grow."

  ---

• "Blessed Lord Jesus, I thank you for your heavenly 'air conditioning'. Your forgiveness and constant grace continuously cleanse the air of my existence. How stuffy my life becomes when I always put myself first and become suspicious and protective of my own rights. Thank you, blessed Lord, that you superseded all my rights with your death and resurrection for my sins and your promise of Heaven. Lord God, I am grateful. May my gratitude show today by my attitudes toward my family, my work mates and others. Help me especially to be kind, understanding, and helpful to the less fortunate. In Jesus name, amen."

  ---

  There are at least six ways that God answers prayer:

  • "Yes! I thought you would never ask."

  • "Yes! But not yet."

  • "No! I love you too much." or "No, but something better."

  • "Yes! But different from your thoughts."

  • "Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed."

  • "No! Not until you deal with that song you are holding on to!"

  It is wonderful to know that God's wisdom and God's desires for us are higher, deeper and broader than we can imagine. When we finish our prayers: "...in Jesus' name," we are actually saying "may Christ's authority and will supersede our praying and asking. "We do not know the consequences of our request but He does and we want His grace and eternal understanding to overshadow our finiteness, and selfishness. Even Jesus prayed: "Thy will be done."

  • Thank you, blessed Lord, that You are a God that neither 'slumbers or sleeps', that You guard us from every evil. You guard our very life. 'You guard us when we leave and when we return.' (Psalms 121) Thank you, that we can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn to us. We are deeply blessed and literally listened to. Even the unspoken desires of our hearts are heard by You. We praise You. Amen.

  ---

  Prayer has the power to reduce anxiety. The apostle Paul says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." (Philippians 4:6)

  1) Prayer reduces realistic anxiety. God is present, all knowing and all powerful. When you get in a real tight spot concentrate on the fact that you are not alone. God knows right where you are and He cares.

  2) Prayer diffuses neurotic anxiety, those floating fears that come to all of us. The Bible says "turn your care over to me for I care for you." (I Peter 5:7) Only God knows every detail -- nothing is impossible with Him.

  3) Prayer forgives moral anxiety. When we don't live up to the standards we have set for ourselves, or when we think God demands perfection from us before He can love us, then we experience moral anxiety. The Bible says: "In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) His forgiveness absorbs moral anxiety and helps us live more obediently.

  4) Prayer gives perspective to existential anxiety. This worry comes on us when we sense our life is moving by fast and we have not accomplished what we think we should have by now. Prayer puts our lives in the large perspective in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ not what we have done for Him. Salvation is by Grace and not by works.

  It is no wonder we feel overcome by worry when one of these four anxieties builds on another. Take time along with God and figure out where your major worry lies. Visualize the eternal God in Jesus Christ coming into our mind and heart and surrounding you and your anxiety with His light and resurrection power. Hear Him say, "cast all your cares on me, for I care for you, you are deeply loved. Nothing you can do can make me love you less. Nothing you can do can make me love you more, my present love encompasses you right now. Rest in my love."

  ---

"Gracious God, we focus our attention on you at the beginning of this new year. You are worthy of all honor and praise. You hold the stars in their courses. You monitor the temperature of the oceans and the tilt of the earth. You know the minute details of the butterflies wings and the orchids flower. Blessed God, we trust you for life and breath and everything else. Thank you that you have exalted the risen Christ and put all things at His feet. Thank you that He is our Lord and Savior. Thank you that He is the hope of the world. Absorb our fears into your greatness Lord and give us a courage and purity that will astound the world. Bless our church family and help us to be a blessing. In Jesus name, Amen.

• Please hold our Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate in your prayers. These are very significant times and we need the Spirit of Christ lest we on the one hand become too judgmental or on the other hand become too hypocritical. Pray for the position of the presidency and for the president himself. Uphold all who are in public office. Pray for sanity and sanctity. Only the purity of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can cleanse us and set us on a straight and wholesome path.

• Commit this new year into the hands of the Lord. "He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day." Ask Jesus Christ to guide, protect and encourage your family, your neighborhood, your church and yourself each day.

WebServant: Ron.Fandrick
mailto:Ron.Fandrick@verizon.net