The Ten Commandments -
John 3:16 -
The Lord's Prayer
23rd Psalm - The
Golden Rule! - Sermon on the Mount
|
A Prayer for everyone visiting this Website: "Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity, and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you." - Amen |
Why Does God Ask Us to Pray?
|
Prayer shows our trust and faith in God. He does not
need our prayers, but we do. They are a source of grace. So in His
infinite love for us, God wants us to receive this grace that we can only
get by a voluntary act of will, a free choice to make the effort to show
our belief in God through prayer. Frequent prayer will strengthen our
faith and trust and lead us to heaven, and that is God's goal. |
How should I pray? What words should I use?
|
Talk to Him wherever you are; prayer is not reserved for
church. It is your own words. And it goes beyond words: it is living our
life in Christ, and is a bond of love and trust. |
PRAYER
SQUARE
Rev. Donald M. Meekhof, Author
Pray for our Military
Please pray for our troops around the world. "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."
Pray for those in authority
Please pray for those in public office and those now running for government offices of authority. May the Lord give honesty, wisdom, control and kindness. May things not be said that later will be regretted.
Pray for our Military Service personnel. God, may we be peacemakers and peacekeepers. Pray for teachers, professors, and administrators as they prepare to go back to school.
We are suggesting 30 ways you can pray for people in authority. Please keep these and remember the thousands of elected officials, appointed judges, lawyers, police officers, military officers, business executives, those involved in church leadership, educators, medical practitioners and hospital executives.
1. That they be God fearing and recognize that they are accountable to Him for each decision and act (Prov. 9:10).
2. That they be granted wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Jas. 1:5).
3. That they be presented with the gospel and a loving Christian witness (Ro. 10:14).
4. That, if unsaved, they be drawn to a saving encounter with Christ; if born-again, they be strengthened and encouraged in their faith (I Tim. 2:4, Eph. 1:17-23).
5. That they recognize their own inadequacy and pray and seek the will of God (Prov. 3:5-8, Lk. 11:9-13).
6. That they be convicted of sin, transgression, and iniquity (Ps. 51:17, Jn. 8:9).
7. That they heed their conscience, confess their sins, and repent (Prov. 28:13, Jas. 4:8).
8. That they read the Bible and attend prayer meetings and Bible studies (Ps. 119:11, Col. 3:2).
9. That they value and regard the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ (Ps. 19:7-11, Jn. 8:31-32).
10. That they respect and honor their own parents if living (Eph. 6:2-3).
"Blessed Lord God, we all live under some kind of authority. This is not by chance but by design. Help us to realize that over and above all authority is your Lordship. Lord God, help us to be obedient, humble, responsive, and diligent in our work and play.
We pray for those who are placed above us in work, community, church, school and home. Fill the deep needs in their lives and give them success in what they do.
Where there are sins and inadequacies, where there is oversight and meanness, please bring it to their attention, and show them the way to forgiveness and freedom.
Lord God we pray for those who are abused and despitefully used. Thank you that your leadership is filled with compassion and mercy. We praise you Lord, that you are our Heavenly Father. In Christ's name, Amen."
Pray always for your Pastors
As pastors we need your prayers. Thank you for remembering us before the Lord. Pastor Thomas F. Fisher identifies "Seven Deadly Sins of Pastors." Could these be yours as well?
1. The sin of control.
2. The sin of repressed feelings.
3. The sin of externally-based self esteem.
4. The sin of confused and enmeshed identity.
5. The sin of lack of self-worth.
6. The sin of inappropriate caretaking.
7. The sin of perfectionism.
"Blessed Lord, forgive us when we control by interrogation, intimidation, self pity, or aloofness. Help us to be aware of our real feelings. Help us to feel loved by what you have done for us rather than by our own performance. Let us know how to set appropriate boundaries. We don't have to play God in others' lives. Dear Jesus, help us not to be vindictive. Help us to know that we are 'care-givers' but you are "The Care-giver." Thank you, blessed Lord, that we are forgiven and don't have to be perfect... we would never make it. We praise you for the blessed redemption we have in Christ Jesus. Amen."
Prayerful Attitude and Spirit
What kind of attitude and spirit is helpful when we pray? George Muller was a person of faith and prayer. he speaks of five grand conditions of prevailing prayer:
- Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only ground of blessing (John 14:13-14, 15:16).
"Gracious God, we live because of Jesus Christ. Without His grace, love and forgiveness this world would have been meaningless or gone by now. Thank you that He is now at the right hand of God interceding for us. We need it! Lord, we need cleansing every day. Take away our cold and callused hearts. We claim Your promise of unconditional love. We need your promise of wisdom. We depend on Your promise of salvation. Help us to have the courage to step out into the light that You give us. In Jesus Holy Name, amen!"
Prayer For a Stray!
How do you pray for a straying family member, children, or friend? Lucinda Alorman of Brookville, PA has some good ideas in "Pray" magazine.
1. Surrender the loved one to God remembering that He created them and loves them even more than you do.
2. Surrender your will for them. God's plans for them may differ from yours. God's are better.
3. Ask God to do whatever it takes to draw the loved one back to Himself.
4. Petition God to prepare you spiritually, financially and emotionally if He calls you to help this person. Avoid the temptation to get angry with God when things go wrong.
5. Ask God to guard your tongue and actions. Most likely your child or loved one already knows what you believe.
6. Pray for God to influence the friends in your loved ones life.
7. Pray that God will send a Christian to influence him or her.
8. Ask God to give a distaste for his or her present lifestyle...and a homesickness for Him.
9. Ask God to help you discern when to compromise and be flexible.
10. Honor God for granting that person free will. Allow them to bear the consequences of their actions without prying or criticizing.
11. Assure the loved one that you pray for their well being...for their best.
12. Pray that God will show you ways to love these dear ones unconditionally. Open your heart to notice even small signs of hope.
Lift One Another Up in Prayer!
We know it is good to pray for non-Christians, but much of the praying in the New Testament was on behalf of those who were already believers. We should lift one another up in prayer. As one person said: "More believers on their knees praying will result in more Christians on their feet evangelizing."
As Christians we need to pray for other believers that:
"Blessed Lord, we thank you for brothers and sisters in the faith. How we need each other! Many times another person encourages us in our walk. May we also lift others up who might be weighed down with heavy burdens. Lord, be with our pastor, Woody, and his family as they grieve the death of Woody's Mom, Fran. Minister to his Dad, Bud, and to his sister. Thank you that Fran is safe, secure and transfigured in Your presence. Give us all a peace as we commit ourselves and our loved ones into Your hands. In Jesus name, amen."
A personal testimony from Don Meekhof:
If you are anything like me, you need all the help you can get with prayer. We are not in bad company. Even Jesus' disciples requested: "Lord, teach us to pray." I love the Lord and yet I find that my priorities get pretty messed up. I need help and maybe you do also. May I share a couple of things that help me out.
First, I have found it helpful to very quickly write out a prayer letter to the Lord first thing every morning. This fixes my attention on Him.
Second, about six years ago a dear friend, Betty Dorsey, gave me a "Personal Prayer Journal." This journal has wonderful prayer suggestions and a space for every day during the year. Incidentally, every year since that first year, Betty shows up with a new Prayer Journal. She gets her copies from the Billy Graham World Wide Press, but there are others at the local Christian Supply Book store.
Here are some of the things I pray about daily:
1. My wife and myself, our one young person in Spokane and the school that she goes to, then for Woody and Stephne, and Kevin and Karen;
2. Next I pray for our two married children and their spouses, I remember to pray for the authority that is over them, like my son-in-law's school and my son's boss;
3. Then I pray for our seven grandchildren and any future grandchildren;
4. Next, for the ones that I have promised to keep in prayer: pastors, government officials, seminary students, missionaries, people of color, friends, and relatives.
5. Next, I pray for my neighbors and people that I know who are not Christians yet;
6. Finally I pray for the people that I know I will meet during the day.
The Ten Commandments - John 3:16 - The Lord's Prayer
23rd Psalm - The Golden Rule! - Sermon on the Mount
"We pray that your visit will refresh you in your walk with God."
WebServant: Ron.Fandrick
mailto:Ron.Fandrick@verizon.net
