Jesus----the way to the Father

Scripture: …Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by whom we must be saved.” ---Acts 4:12

Prayer: Father God Most High, I know You love me. I’m learning that I cannot get into heaven simply by being good. You, O God, out of Your love for me; sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins. The Holy Bible says, “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.“¹ The Holy Bible also tells me, that if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord” and I believe it in my heart that God raised him from the dead, then I will be saved.^2a It is written, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”^2b

O God, I confess that I am a sinner; I know that Your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins. I believe in my heart that You raised him from the dead. I pray that Jesus Christ, Your Son will come into my life and become real to me and start directing my life. I want to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

O God, I thank you, for loving me so much. The Holy Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”³

In the Holy Bible, it says that, Jesus answered someone’s question by stating. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”⁴

O God, I pray that Jesus will become the gate in which I can pass through to come into Your grace and peace. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
Romans 3:23¹
Romans 10-9,^2a 10^2b
John 3:16³
John 14:6⁴
 

Rejection

Scripture: Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.        ---Psalm 102:1-2

Prayer: O God strip me of my sinful pride that I might come to You for a closer relationship. Your son bore all my sins so that I might have a closer relationship with you. Jesus knew what it felt like to be rejected by other people and He would not want me to feel hurt and rejected. I know Jesus can help me. Jesus told his disciples to call to a blind man, “so they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you,”¹ O LORD, I want to hear your voice too. I want to cheer up. My LORD, just as the Bible tells me that You are my strength and my salvation and I don’t need to be afraid because You are my fountain of life.² I can draw water form your well of salvation.³ O LORD, heal me of my suffering, loneliness and emptiness. Refresh me with the joy that I can receive from drawing near to You.

I then can be joyful and praise You O LORD, just as the Bible says “shout for joy to the LORD… Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever…”⁴ In Jesus’ name. ---Amen

Scripture References:
Mark 10:49¹
Psalm 36:9²
Isaiah 12:2-4³
Psalm 100:1-2,5⁴

 

On Eagles Wings

Scripture: …those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary… ----Isaiah 40:31

Prayer: O LORD the Bible tells me that those who belong to You, know You, and You know them.¹ I thank You, because I have seen for myself how You lifted me up as if I were on eagles wings and You brought me close to yourself, by Your infinite love for me.² You lifted me up and saved me form despair, affliction, and sorrow. You protected me just “like an eagle that …hovers over its young…”³ O LORD I was weighed down by my afflictions, but in You I have found hope. Thank You, O LORD for healing the one You love. You have renewed my strength. My hope is in You, O LORD. I thank You for renewing my strength.

I find comfort and encouragement because Your Word says, “…the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”³ O LORD I place my hope and trust in You. For Jesus’ glory. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
John 10:14¹
Exodus 19:4²
Psalm 32:10³
 

In Union with Christ, I Suffer

Scripture: We are…heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory,---Romans 8:17

Prayer: O LORD let my sufferings purify me and lead me into a deeper union with Jesus. I am learning that my character is being strengthened through my suffering. My faith has become stronger and more grounded in Your love. The Bible says, “…After that You have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong…”¹ I pray my suffering, and the turmoil I feel in my life will somehow bring blessings to You; because my true and deep feelings of love for you are real and earnest. I don’t believe I could have come to know You so intimately without this pain I have had to endure. The Bible says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”² Three times Jesus fell on His way to Calvary; this teaches me that I shouldn’t get discouraged and that I should keep trying. I pray Your Holy Word, “…renew a steadfast spirit within me.”³ “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”⁴

O LORD if I fall short in how I handle this day, then I pray You will help me start again tomorrow with a new hope and with a stronger determination. I can feel O LORD that my sufferings are humbling me and I am being beckoned into Your loving embrace.

O LORD, I hold on to this passage, “…great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.”⁵ My comfort has indeed come from getting to know You better through Your Word. Thank You O LORD, my God for bringing me comfort and peace to my heart. In Jesus’ name. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
1 Peter 5:10¹
Romans 8:18²
Psalm 51:10³
2 Corinthians 1:5⁴
Psalm 117:2⁵
 

Shine Glory Shine

Scripture: …”Let there be light,” and there was light.---Genesis 1:3

Prayer: O God, shine Your glory upon me. That’s what I’m thinking LORD, as I look at the morning sun beams of light filtering through my bedroom window. I know I live each day by Your grace. I know I didn’t accomplish anything in my life on my own. You have opened doors and You have written the chapters in the book of my life. Forgive me of my unbelief in Your total power over my life. I ask You to transform me into a person that is more forgiving and caring in the welfare of others. As I think about Your glory, I also think about the words in the Bible, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”¹ As I rise to meet this new day, I ask You to bless me. I pray that Your hand will be over me and that Your Spirit will guide and encourage me throughout my day. I pray You will place Your angels around me and keep me safe from all harm. Help me this day to bring every thought into captivity to Your obedience,² so that I may not offend others by what I say. Fill my heart with joy, that I might bring joy to others. As I step into this new day, I ask You to walk with me, so that together we can meet any challenges that come my way. “Glory to God in the highest…”³
In Jesus’ name. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
Isaiah 60:1¹
2 Corinthians 10:5²
Luke 2:14a³
 

Under God’s Protection

Scripture: Give us help from trouble… ----Psalm 60:11 “NKJV”

Prayer: O God, please listen to my concerns, protect me and hear my prayer! As it is stated in the Bible,”… The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust… My stronghold and my refuge… I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”¹ Fear resides in me because of what others might think about me concerning what I say and do in obedience to You. I have fear of facing the hardships of sickness and death when it comes to close to me or my family. Some days just listening to the horrible events on the daily news, is enough to make me feel fearful to start my day. I need Your reassurance that I am going to be alright. Help me to enter into Your calming presence. I place my trust in You. The Bible says that, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.”² Your Holy Word says, “for the LORD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”³ Thank You, God for protecting me, I trust in You to help me in my times of trouble, fear and uncertainties. I know I am safe in Your hands.
In Jesus’ name. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
2 Samuel 22:2-4¹ “NKJV”
Psalm 91:15² “NKJV”
Deuteronomy 20:4³ “NKJV”

 

A Child’s Thanks

Scripture: “Let the Little Children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”---Matthew 19:14

Prayer: You, were there heavenly Father, when I was scared and alone in the dark. You were there for me to run to and hide behind, when my foes were too powerful. Just as it says in the Bible, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”¹ You told me when to face my fear and when to grab it by the horns. In this seemingly loveless world, which is full of hate and pain I can always find a hug and comfort in your arms. You have at all costs always helped me. My pain has always been Your pain, only I know it hurts You more. I am undeserving, arrogant and defiant, it’s what I am, but instead of turning Your back on me, You love and cherish me. How can a Father love His child so much, just for being His? Thank You Father for loving me, Your unworthy child. In Jesus’ name. ---Amen.

Scripture Reference:
Psalm 23:4¹
 

Encouraging Words

Scripture: …by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.---Ephesians 2:8, “NKJV”:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I read in Your Holy Word, that when someone is in Christ, he becomes a brand new person inside.¹ He is not the same any more. A new life has begun! O Heavenly Father, as a Christian and a part of the body of Your church, I am excited about my new life. How fantastic it is to realize that You offer me an opportunity to know You and to be loved by You, as my heavenly Father. Help me to recognize Your loving presence that encompasses me. I pray You will use me in some way to help bring others to know you. I pray that You will fill others with the want to search You out and to receive Your amazing love. I pray You will become known by those who earnestly seek You. Your holy Word tells me that You want everyone to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth² and “that there is one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”³ I give You praise heavenly Father and thank You with a very grateful heart that I am in Christ and part of Your Holy Church. To Jesus be the Glory. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 5:17¹
1 Timothy 2:4²
Ephesians 4:6³
 

Deliverance

Scripture: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”---Matthew 11:28

Prayer: Almighty God, my Father in heaven, my burdens seem so heavy. I know that in the midst of my sorrows, pain and struggles, You want to provide me with support and comfort. I pray that You will show me how to share my burdens with You. I’m trying to understand, that sometimes I have to endure hardships as discipline. In the Bible it ask, “what son is not disciplined by his Father?”¹ If this is one of those disciplining times, then I pray that You will strengthen my feeble arms and weak knees. The Bible teaches us that our burdens may come to us to help us grow in our faith. Our struggles remold us, so that we might become more Christ like in our nature. Is this a burden placed on me to grow in my faith, or to strengthen my character or teach me perseverance? The Bible says, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance,…”² With Your help, I surrender my will to Your purpose. I trust and wait patiently for You to deliver me from my heavy laden struggles. You are exalted, O God, “ for Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds.”³ Praise be to You, Almighty God and I pray this prayer in Christ’s name. --- Amen.

Scripture Reference:
Hebrews 12:7b¹
Romans 5:3-4²
Psalm 108:4³ “NKJV”
 

Imprisonment

Scripture: After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison…Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. At once all the prison doors flew open…
--- Acts 16:23a, 25, 26b

Prayer: O God, like Paul and Silas I am thrown into a confining circumstance, which is beyond my control. It seems like there is no escape; but, even in this dark moment I know I can pray and give You loving praise. O God, I am confident that You will shake the foundation of my prison.¹ In fact I believe that the earth itself trembles in Your presence. O God, as I pray to You and give You praise in this time of darkness; I ask You to free all those who will believe in You through my actions and works, that their binding chains will come loose as well. God, teach me how to pray and give You praise the way Paul and Silas did. I want Your all powerful presence in the circumstances of my life. Almighty God, I pray You will shake the foundations of my earthly prison walls; open the doors of my heart and set my soul free to dwell in Your awesome presence.
 In Jesus’ name. ---Amen.

Scripture Reference:
Acts 16:26¹
 

I Pray to be Humble

Scripture: “Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”---Matthew 18:4

Prayer: O God You have given me many gifts. But the ones I want most in my life are humility, modesty and submission. I am surprised I am asking for these type of gifts, but I so much want to be wise and knowledgeable in Your eyes. I think if I conduct my life with humility, You, O LORD will be honored. I know all I own comes from You, even my life is a gift. Help me LORD to share Your generosity to others by being more charitable. O LORD, let Jesus be my example; He showed the greatest act of humility by the way he suffered and died for my sins. O LORD I sacrifice my will and submit it to You. I whole heartedly praise You.
I pray You will equip me with everything good so that I may do Your will, You may work in me what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.¹ ---Amen.

Scripture Reference:
Hebrews 13:21¹
 

Faith

Scripture: “…no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”--- 1 Corinthians 2:9

Prayer: You O God, have given me a testimony; that in which, You have given me eternal life. This eternal life is in your Son.¹ Your Word informs me that those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts.² I love You LORD because I have felt Your love for me. I have learned O LORD that the Bible is Your Book of Truths. I have confidence in the things that I know by faith. Help me O LORD to trust and hold on to your promises. Help me to know that Your power sustains me everyday no matter what my circumstances are. O LORD give me the confidence and courage to keep my eyes focused on things above. Thank you for Your love and support. In Jesus’ Name. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
1 John 5:11¹
1 John 5:10²
 

Sometimes it’s hard to Pray

Scripture: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial…James 1:12

Prayer: O God, in my grief and sorrow I cry out to You, my LORD. My first instinct today is to crawl back into bed. I know running to you in prayer is the right thing to do, but it hard. There is an ache in my heart, and I’m finding it hard to be honest with you, concerning, that which is making me hurt. I’m aware of my sins and the burdens they have caused. I feel like my presence might disgust You right now. I feel like I don’t deserve Your grace. I remember Jesus’ words, “ It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”¹ Therefore, perhaps in my guilt and shame I should run to Jesus’ feet rather than hide and sleep. Help me O LORD, to persevere in prayer, help me to unload my burdens on You. I need to know that You understand what I am feeling. I need to know that You love me. I even feel a need of forgiveness for wanting to turn away from you. It’s really hard to seek You right now; I’m trying the best I can, please hear my feeble prayer. At this time of soul searching I find it hard to rise from my sleepy mood, just as the disciples did when Jesus agonized in the Garden; they too were found sleeping from grief.² I feel that sleepy heaviness today and I find it hard to arouse myself to prayer. I need to feel Your love, and grace in my life, this moment. I’m earnestly seeking Your forgiveness and comfort. O God, Please, for my good and for the sake of Jesus I pray You will help me.---Amen.

Scripture References:
Matthew 9:12-13¹
Luke 22:45²
 

Thirsty Soul

Scripture: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.---Matthew 5:6

Prayer: O Lord I feel a sadness welling up inside me and I feel tears beginning to stream from my eyes. I am not sure why; could I be spiritually thirsty? The Bible says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.¹ I pray the following scripture, “never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst…For the Lamb…will lead them to springs of living water.”² Help me to surrender to You, so that I might be filled with Your living water. I pray You will fill me with Your refreshing, healing presence. Your Word states, “But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”³ O Lord You know our every thought and our physical wants; our cravings; even our moods. We struggle daily trying to express our wants to You. You hear, and feel and even sympathize with our frustrations of what we want or don’t want in our lives. You understand that in our pleadings we are actually saying we are thirsty. Fill me up with Your grace and love and fulfill my true needs. Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.”⁴ Just as Jesus knew what it felt like to thirst for us in His life; I now know what it feels like to thirst for Him in my life. For Jesus’ sake. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
John 7:37¹
Revelation 7:16-17²
John 4:14³
John 7:37b⁴
 

I’m Lost

Scripture: …he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. ---Psalm 106:8

Prayer: God, I know out of Your love for me, You have pulled me out of many perplexing situations. I seem to be in one of those situations now because it feels like I’m in a rut and I’m not sure what direction my life is leading me. Nothing seems to be going right for me. Please be mindful of my needs. You know what is best for me. Place me on the path You want me to take. I know there are times that You allow me to go through times of uncertainty. I know that You can restore my life.¹ You are good and merciful. Please help me, to see a solution for my dilemma. O God, shine your light of hope and new inspiration upon my life and put within me a new confidence. I know You care about my future and that You love me, so I place my trust in You.²

I will rejoice in You, the Son of the Most High,”³ who “… came to seek out and to save that which was lost.”⁴ ---Amen.

Scripture References:
Psalm 71:20¹
Nahum 1:7²
Luke 1:32a³
Luke 19:10⁴
 

Hear my Prayer, O LORD

Scripture: …Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.---Psalm 105:3

Prayer: “Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Incline Your ear to me…”¹ Your Holy Word tells me, You will regard the prayer of the destitute, and You will not despise their prayer.² Your Holy Word also says, “The children of Your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in Your presence…”³ All who believe in You and Your Word will be blessed. O LORD please hear my prayers for myself and my family and bless us.

I remember the wonders You have worked for us in the past. I thank You in behalf of my family and I will call on Your name and I will tell of all Your wonderful acts in my life. I give Glory to Your Holy name and I look to You for my strength.⁴

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”⁵

I praise and give thanks to You, the LORD, for You are good; Your love endures forever.⁶ In Jesus’ name. ---Amen.

Scripture References:
Psalm 102:1-2,¹ 17,² 28³
Psalm 105:5, 1-4⁴
Psalm 19:14⁵ “NKJV”
Psalm 106:1⁶