Intercessory prayer is the purifying bath into which the individual
and the community must enter every day.
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
and the community must enter every day.
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Before You Ask
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8)
Many people think their prayers won’t work if they don’t utter them clearly enough, or fail to explain to God exactly what they mean, or don’t speak loudly enough to him with sufficient earnestness. But when this happens, prayer becomes so exaggerated that our Savior even forbids it.
Obviously Jesus does not want to discourage us from praying. His point is that when we pray we must have a sense of proportion. Once we have prayed, we must be quiet. We need to be like the farmer who has sown his seed. Help will come only when you are quiet in faith. Also in your sickness or with other needs, learn to be still and look to the Kingdom of God.
We can share our needs with the Father in a few words, without making a fuss, and rest assured that God already knows what we need and what he will do to help us. We don’t have to explain our requests in great detail to God, or try and make quite sure that he knows our needs. God knows about even the smallest matters and takes them straight into his heart. We can turn to him by glancing Heavenward, with no words at all. We can do this even when we pray about something concrete and tangible, or about something that specifically troubles us. We may realize that what we thought we needed is actually not necessary and that we can find a way right in the midst of how things are now.
This doesn’t mean that we just let things happen – as if everything will come of its own accord without our longing for it. Nor should we just cast a brief and hurried request at God’s feet. When this happens, we too easily lose sight of God, assume that everything comes to us without his help, and we forget to thank him. Then we cease to have a believing heart and are consequently not true children of God.
Jesus said, “Before you ask him.” Therefore we do need to make our requests known to him, otherwise many things will not be given that could have been given. It never displeases God when we come to him with our heartfelt requests. A real child asks for everything, knowing God has an ear for him. We should bring all our burdens and needs to him, for at the very least this helps to make us ever more aware that in all things God is the giver.
God always has our interest in mind. He carries our various needs with fatherly concern, eagerly waiting for us to come to him. He has not forgotten us. And when we feel tempted to think so, then all the more we should remember that he knows it all and cares for us. In fact, he knows much more about us and our needs than we do. Simple, childlike prayer is enough to move his heart, give you something out of the fullness of his compassion, and save you from all sorts of fear and trouble.
(Johann Christoph Blumhardt)
(The God Who Heals, Words of Hope for a Time of Sickness)
Request a prayer and pray for others
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Julia
A Prayer for the Feast Day of Benedict of Nursia
Almighty and everlasting God, whose precepts are the wisdom of a loving Father: Give us grace, following the teaching and example of thy servant Benedict, to walk with loving and willing hearts in the school of the Lord’s service; let thine ears be open unto our prayers; and prosper with thy blessing the work of our hands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Received: July 11, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for the Central African Republic: Sharing Abundance
O Creator of all living things: We are all hungry in a world full of abundance. The possibilities of food for bodies and souls overflow in this beautiful world. We ask for the grace to see the abundance of our world and enough awareness to acknowledge our sins of greed and fear.
Give us openness of soul and courageous, willing hearts to be with our sisters and brothers who are hungry and in pain.
We ask for your intercession on behalf of every person hungry for Earthly food and hungry for the taste of the Spirit of God. We give thanks that we can be part of that intercession.
This world is blessed with enough food of the Earth for every person to eat and be satisfied. We all can feed on the bread of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, as God makes a home in our hearts.
We come together in awe and wonder at the Creator who loves us so much that we are invited and urged to be co-creators with God in the care of our brothers and sisters.
In the name of the tender Mother-Father of all people who hears every cry, Amen.
(Ann Case)
Received: July 10, 2018
Julia
Prayer For An End To Violence in South Africa
O Loving God, we read the articles about torture, murder, and marginalization of the farmers in South Africa.
Wrap all and each of these your people in your love. Let them hear: “Come to me you who suffer and are burdened and I will give you rest.”
Amen.
Received: July 10, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for Peace in the DR Congo
A fragile calm rests over Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For months government forces and supporters of the opposition have clashed, leaving over 150 people dead in Kinshasa and other parts of the country. The presidency of Joseph Kabila ended December 19, 2016. He refused to step down, however, and he refused to hold elections. The people were not happy about that.
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all people may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer)
Received: July 10, 2018
Julia
Rain, Mosquitoes, Malaria: Kachipo (South Sudan)
As the rains come, so do the mosquitoes. Pray for those who are vulnerable for serious cases of malaria, that God would heal them and they would be given opportunities to know the Gospel during their lifetime. Amen.
(Pray Africa)
Received: July 10, 2018
Julia
Prayer for flood victims
Almighty God,
We come to you with a heavy heart for Japan. While it’s tempting to ask you “Why did this happen?” we humbly submit to your will and instead ask, “Lord, please become a beacon of hope among the wreckage.”
Grant safety to the men, women, and little children navigating the dangerous flood waters. Bless the first responders and the volunteers working to keep people safe.
For the considerable fear and anxiety haunt those in affected areas, grant unshakable peace and rid this storm’s victims of the spirit of fear. Show us all how to respond to the needs of those struggling with frustration and fear, that we may serve you well through your son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Received: July 9, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for Haiti
Most Holy Creator God, Lord of Heaven and Earth, we bring before you today your people of Haiti.
It is you who set in motion the stars and seas, you who raised up the mountains of the Massif de la Hotte and Pic La Selle. It is you who made her people in your very image: Their gregarious hearts, generous spirits, their hunger and thirst for righteousness and liberty. It is you, O Lord, who planted the rhythms of konpa, Twoubadou, and zouk in the streets of Cite-Soleil. You who walk the paths outside of Jacmel and Hinche. Your people, O Lord, cry out to you.
Haiti, O Haiti: the world’s oldest black republic, the second-oldest republic in the Western world.
You are a God who answers the cries of the suffering. You are a God who sees, frees, and redeems your people. “I too have heard the moaning of my people,” you spoke to Moses. Now, Lord, speak to the Haitian people. Speak now, O Lord, and comfort them. Raise up your people from the ash heap of destruction and give them strong hearts and hands, shore up their minds and spirits. Help them to bear this new burden.
As for us, Lord, we who are far away from the poverty and the suffering, the sobbing and the moans, but who hold them close in our hearts, imbue us with the strength of Simon the Cyrene. Help us to carry the Haitian cross; show us how to lighten the yoke with our prayers, our aid, our resources. Teach us to work harder for justice in our own country and dignity in Haiti, so that we may stand with integrity when we hold our Haitian families in our arms once again. We ask this in the name of Jezikri, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
(Rose Marie Berger)
Received: July 9, 2018
Julia
Prayer Requests: Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in The Episcopal Church for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach them in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide them to perceive what is right, and grant them both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1979 Book of Common Prayer, adapted)
Christ, in your mercy, pray for:
Zeke, who has cancer, grandmother Cheryle, and their whole family Messages for them may be sent to Frankie
For Godwin and his unspoken need
Elisa, as she reaches out to a family member to help him start a new life, guidance, support and resources, as well as God’s hand over the relationship
Letisha, trying to bring up two sons after losing a third, God’s comfort and support, and that the cycle of incarceration in the family is broken
Favor and guidance for Coty for a good reentry and new life
Vimari, who hopes to have a successful second chance bringing up his children after his release
Larry’s healing from unknown health problems and serious pain – messages may be sent through Frankie
A man struggling with making the transition to life on the outside after being in prison
Theresa’s emotional and financial support while husband Jacob is in prison
Ben, as he struggles to overcome addiction and reconnect with his 10-year-old son
Aaron, a recent convert to Christianity, for support, lasting change, and knowledge that he is forgiven
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (1979 Book of Common Prayer)
(CelticAnglican)
Received: July 9, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for a Child’s Protection
Father, I thank you that you invite us into your protection; that when we seek you and make you our God that you promise to command your angels to watch over us. (Psalm 91:9-12)
I pray now that you would protect all children as they go throughout their days. Hem them in behind and before and lay your hand upon them. (Psalm 139:5) Do not let any harm come to them. Keep each child safe beneath your wings and guard them against any plots that are meant to harm or bring ruin to them. Be close to all children, Lord, surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12)
I pray you would protect them in all the ways they walk; in their coming out and their going in. Guard them against diseases of the mind and body, accidents, predators, and kinds of evil and evil-doers. Anoint every child with your favor and protection, letting them rest safely between your shoulders. (Deuteronomy 33:12)
Father, as children walk through their days, I pray you would give them clear direction in doing your will, so they may remain within your protection. Give them wisdom to know when to shy away from potential harm, both physically and spiritually. Then help them courageously walk away from it. May the blood of Jesus ash over all children, covering them as they walk through this day and every day of their lives. In Jesus’s mighty name, Amen.
(Kaylene Yoder, adapted)