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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To pray for others, look below the form to see what prayers have been requested.
You may add your prayer request to this prayer wall using the form below. Once your prayer request is received, I will share it according to your instructions. Feel free to submit as many prayer requests as you like!
Julia
We thank God for the football project at Harsham Camp, set up by Dr. Sarah Almed. We pray that through the generosity of its donors it will be able to continue to be funded. Amen.
(Foundation For Relief And Reconciliation In The Middle East)
Received: June 28, 2018
Julia
Paradox Prayer
We trust in God, living in the paradox of being purposefully lost, deliberately uncertain and resolutely confused. Our hope is in God alone. Amen.
(Celtic Daily Prayer, Book Two)
Received: June 28, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for Relief of Stress and Anxiety
Lord Jesus, the stresses in my life often reach a dangerous proportion—or so it seems. My body, mind, and spirit struggle to keep up physically, mentally, and yes, spiritually. Some days anxiety stalks me like a deceitful predator, and the temptation to worry draws me in. I know better, but some days the challenges outweigh the truths buried inside. My trust in you fades into the background, giving fear and concerns permission to discourage me.
In those moments of apprehension, help me remember that I belong to you, and that you are not the author of fear or anxiety, but the giver of love and a sound mind. Teach me your ways to respond to problems by giving thanks in them. Your Word assures me that you are always there with me. You are the Blessed Controller of all things, and nothing escapes your attention in my life. You have given me every tool and spiritual blessing to fight against those things that try to steal my peace. You’ve promised that when I’m stressed and burdens are trying to weigh me down, I can come to you. You will give me sweet rest!
Whether the anxiety stems from work, parenting, finances, physical issues, or even world conditions, you are there, Lord, to shoulder the weight. Teach me to recognize the stressful trials as tools for you to shape me and rearrange me. Through those difficult times, you will teach me patience, enlarge my faith, and help me see things I couldn't see earlier—if I will only let you. When I'm clueless as to what to do, Lord, I want to turn to you first, not last.
Forgive me for trying to handle things on my own, Lord. The need to be in control sometimes gets a stronghold on my life. That only makes things worse. I want to trust you more and see things from your perspective, not my own. No one makes me feel uptight, angry, or stressed, and no one forces me to react negatively. I choose to respond according to my beliefs. Do I believe you are in control? Do I believe you created all things and hold all things in your hand? Do I believe you are truly good? When an anxious thought creeps in, help me to stop and relax, to take that thought captive, and to turn apprehension into a calm prayer for deliverance. Revamp my belief system, Lord. Show me a new way to handle life according to your way.
No matter what issues I am dealing with; no matter how big the problems or situations, I'm laying them all at your feet today. Turn these potentials for stress into lessons for growth and trust. When I can't see any possible solutions, I choose to believe that you are working things out for my good—in your own time, as you have in the past. Show me what to do, or what not to do. As I focus on you, remembering your promises and your words, I believe you will fill me with a peace that is beyond all understanding.
In Your precious name,
Amen.
(crosswalk.com)
Received: June 27, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for Peace in the United States
Almighty Father, we thank you for blessing our nation with your provision and protection throughout its history. We thank you for being faithful to your covenant towards humankind, even when we have not been faithful to you. Thank you for extending your mercy and grace in spite of our actions towards you and our neighbor. You are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. We praise your great and awesome name. Your name is Holy! You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. You created all things and they exist because you created what you pleased.
Loving Father, bend down and hear our prayer. Please answer us, for we need your help. Countless lives are being destroyed and our communities are in need of your divine presence, wisdom, and guidance. In Jesus’s name, we destroy the wicked plans of the devil to divide the citizens of our nation. We cancel the assignments of the demonic spirits of murder, division, hatred, and violence.
Peace, be still in our nation!
Peace, be still in every branch of government!
Peace, be still in our law enforcement and judicial systems!
Peace, be still in the hearts of our citizens!
We command justice to run down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream with the hearts of every American.
Holy Spirit, increase your wisdom, knowledge, and discernment in every leader as they collaborate to calm the unrest in our country. Guide parents of every ethnicity on how to talk with their children in a way that will not instill hatred, fear, anger, and unforgiveness
Merciful Father, forgive our nation for all acts of fomenting violence. Forgive those who know the truth, but remain silent. Father, please have mercy on our country.
Holy Spirit, bring all of us to be forgiving and to love each other. Help all of us not to yield to temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
Gracious Lord, you alone are God. You are the First and the Last. You laid the foundations of the Earth; your right hand spread out the heavens above.
Amen.
(The Prayer Institute)
Received: June 27, 2018
Julia
Prayer For Our Supreme Court Justices
“There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as President, but I expect to find the solution to those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God.” (Woodrow Wilson)
Let us pray for:
The salvation of each Supreme Court Justice and their entire families.
Their ruling and decisions to line up with the word and will of God.
Right judgments in every matter brought before them.
A standard of justice and balance be set in place that honors God.
The setting aside of political agendas within the Justice Department.
A mindset towards righteousness no matter the cost or consequence.
God’s influence in any and all future appointments.
Amen.
(Bethel Pentecostal Fellowship)
Received: June 27, 2018
Julia
Prayer About Immigration
O Lord, please remember all those involved with illegal immigration in our country and have mercy on them all.
O Lord, please show to the citizens of this country and the world that those who govern this country are working hard to resolve all the issues involved with this problem.
O Lord, give us all the answer to how to treat all people humanely, including those American citizens whose lives have been impacted by the actions of illegal immigrants.
Father Lord, reveal to us the righteous resolve of this problem and dissolve all barriers to its enactment.
Amen.
Received: June 27, 2018
Julia
Pray for our leaders at the federal, state, and local levels
1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and reverence.
Pray:
That our leaders know God and serve him;
That God would give them wisdom and surround them with Godly counselors;
That they stand boldly and courageously in the face of evil, without backing down from righteousness; and
That they would have ears to hear God's instruction and eyes to see his strategies.
Amen.
(iBelieve.com)
Received: June 27, 2018
Julia
Pray for South Sudan
Dear Lord, you have watched the birth of so many nations throughout the ages. Grant wisdom to the leaders of South Sudan as they face many challenges at this early time in their country’s history. Amen.
(World Vision)
Received: June 26, 2018
Julia
A Prayer For Trees, with special intention for the illegally harvested trees in the Congo Basin forest where the trees are the lungs of our planet:
Creator God,
Out of chaos you brought order.
Out of nothingness you brought life.
In the middle of all life stands the tree.
Trees provide the air that nurtures all your creation.
Birds make them their homes.
Cats climb them for protection.
Trees recycle life that has come before.
Bless the trees of this word, loving God.
Remind us to serve as their caregivers and protectors.
Give them long limbs and long life.
The gift of their breath is as special to us as the breath of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie)
Received: June 26, 2018
Julia
Prayer for the victims of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria:
In the wake of unrelenting terrorist attacks in Nigeria, we stand in solidarity with our friends. We pray for relatives of those murdered, displaced, kidnapped, and injured. We particularly remember those bereaved and badly affected by the ordeal. We ask that you Lord will reach out to the despondent, fearful, and abandoned; may they be assured of your great love and compassion. We ask for wisdom, commitment, and prompt actions by the leaders in the region in curtailing the terrorist attacks and bringing peace to this troubled region. Amen.
(Methodist Church)