A Daily Prayer

Father, since the church is a living organism it brings about many changes, both positive and negative, from day to day, year to year.  The account of the Israelites proves there’s a continual moving story as they respond, often unfavorably, to the various challenging circumstances in their wanderings in the desert and later in Canaan.  We think of the leaders, some very strong in their faith, and others who weakened during times of temptation and testing.  Father God, thank you raising up the Aarons and Hurs in our churches who hold up the feeble arms of our pastors during times of spiritual battle.  Help us to walk together heart to heart and hand in hand.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

Jesus, when I chose to surrender my life to You it was not simply an emotional response that would last for a short season.  I asked You to be my Lord and Master and to rule my heart for ever and ever.  Though there have been trials galore that would assault my faith and countless remarks that would attack my faith I choose to walk in Your name forever and ever.  In the good and bad of life You will always remain my only Lord and Master.

Father, we do want to stand firm in Your will, maturing in our faith, and in the full assurance that You will lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.  Just like Epaphras who had a devoted heart to wrestle in prayer for his brothers and sisters in the faith, help us to wrestle in prayer for our loved ones, and for our brothers and sisters in the faith who wage war against the enemy. Our intercessory prayers are not waging war against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  And yet we powerfully declare, “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world!”

Father, we recognize and thank You that little is much when You are in it.  Your grace is measured out to us in the gift(s) You develop in our lives.  Help us not to bemoan or draw comparisons with the gifting You’ve entrusted to us, for that would bring about resentment and jealousy.  Instead we want to cultivate our gifting and bring glory to Your Name as we also edify the body of Christ. Help us not to look to the gift but to You the Giver of all good things.   Anything we accomplish in this life is a result of Your empowering and enabling us to carry it out, and we do so in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Father, there are so many hurting people in our world, our community and even in our own family, that it can be very difficult to know just where You want us to help.  As we see the need and prayerfully seek Your leading, we want to help bear another’s burden.  Not only can we bless another in need but we can find fulfillment in caring for others the way we’d like to be cared for in our hour of need.  We pray that You would help us to move forward as we reach out in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Father, You’ve given us so many venues in which we have opportunity to prove ourselves faithful.  In our relationships, our work, our ministries and the marketplace we want to be faithful in the responsibilities entrusted to us.  When tempted to compromise due to seemingly insurmountable pressures we face, help us to remember that faithfulness to You is the greatest reward.  To hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” are the most joyous words of affirmation we will ever receive!  Keep us faithful, Lord Jesus, for it is in Your name that we pray.  Amen.

Father, Your reign is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting.  Though millions have heard this powerful message there are still so many people groups who have not heard this glorious life transforming truth. As You call dedicated believers to go to the ends of the earth, You also fit them with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. May they fearlessly make known the mystery of Your gospel to all who will listen.  In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

Our Father and God, help us to live our life in a way that does not gratify our flesh, but rather feeds our spirit that is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  You have given us opportunity to make a positive difference in this degenerate world.  May we, by word and example, bring light into this darkened, sin-indulged world.  May the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, be evident in our lives so that these attitudes bring about good deeds which glorify You, Father.  Others will look at our lives and see beyond our human frailties to recognize the Spirit of God that is at work in us.  We pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Father, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.  Without it we would walk in darkness and be led astray.  We want to give attention to Your Word, respect its message, and follow its instruction so that we will not drift from the truth.  In the name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.