A Prayer for those who hate you

Merciful Father,

Today I pray for those who hate you. In some way, show them your love. Let us, your body, live our lives in such a way as to demonstrate your mercy and grace in real practical ways. Help us to see them through your eyes and have compassion for the things that have given birth to their hatered. Continue to put these people on our hearts and in our lives so that we might have a chance to change their perception of Christianity through the way we live, and that they might have a chance to see the truth. Reveal to us a portion of your heartache for them so that our pride will be pierced and our hearts softened.


In nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritus Sancti
Amen.


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Thanks

Dear God,

Thank you for great friends. I am truly blessed to have the people in my life that I do. I ask that you will give to them blessings far beyond what they could even ask for.

Amen.

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A prayer for wisdom

Dear Lord,

Tonight I pray for wisdom. I ask that you will guide me in my decisions and help me to discern what is right. Each day we are faced with so many choices - help me to make good choices that reflect your character. I also pray that I will be able to make my decisions with confidence and follow through with diligent actions. I am at a time in my life where the choices I make will influence the outcome of my future and I need your wisdom. Help me to always be learning and applying the lessons you've taught me to all the aspects of my life. I love you.

in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti,

Amen.   

A prayer for faith

Today I not only want to pray, but share something as well. (By the way, thanks for the encouragement to keep writing, I have been praying just not in written blog form... lol,  but it's time to get back in the swing of this whole blog thing)

A few weeks ago I heard an ad for a scratch off ticket with a top prize of $1000 a week for the rest of your life. Now, on a personal note, I have been struggling quite a bit lately with fiances and the idea of $48,000 a year for the rest of my life without doing anything seemed pretty appealing. I thought to myself, "If I could win that, most of the major problems in my life would be solved." It wasn't but a few seconds later that I believe God nudged my heart with something to the effect of, "How can you put your faith in the belief that a scratch off ticket to solve your financial problems, and not in the belief that I can? - Don't waste your faith"

Now, it's not that I did not believe that God could solve my financial troubles, but rather I was very quick to take all my faith and put it into a solution that seemed quick and easy. The bible talks about the fact that one's faith is a gift from God; it is the evidence of things unseen. Paul expresses the importance of faith many times in his writings stating things like,"For by grace you have been saved by faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God [...]" (Ephesians 2:8 NASB)  -If you would like to read more of my writings on this particular set of scriptures, my biblical exegesis paper from college can be found at http://tinyurl.com/scrogginspaper- 

So, if this ability to believe in things not seen, in miracles, in the supernatural, is a gift from the Almighty God who spoke the universe into existence, then how foolish it is to waste it on insignificant things. 

My Prayer for Faith:

Dear Father God,

Bless me with an abundance of faith. Help me to not waste my faith on the small things that I assume would fix everything. Strengthen my faith by continuing to provide for me and answer my prayers. Help me to not only believe when I see the results of your mercy, but also when I don't. When things look bleak and I feel that my back is against a wall - in those times, Lord, remind me that you are there. Bless my endeavors and help me to dilligently seek you in all that I do. I fully trust you; my life is in your hands.

in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti,

Amen.  

A Prayer for others

Father God,

It's so easy to continuously stay focused on oneself offering up only self-centered prayers. I know that You have a father's heart and want me to be blessed and taken care of, but there are so many other people out there that need your love and grace as well. Tonight I ask that you bless them. Answer their prayers. I pray that all those who cry out to you, from the homeless sleeping in the cold to the wealth seeking you in the warmth of their bedrooms, will feel your presence and be comforted by your spirit. 

Almighty Lord, unite your church. Help us to truly be one body united by your love. Bind us together and keep our focus not our self-centered problems and circumstances, but on your command to love one another as you have loved us. Teach me to be genuinely concerned for the well being of others, and not blinded by my own selfish ambitions. Create in me a social awareness of both physical and spiritual needs, and show me what I can do to help and demonstrate your character. Keep me humble.

in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti,

Amen.  

A time of refreshing

Dear Father,

Tonight I ask for a refreshing weekend. I ask that you will fill me fresh with your spirit - that I will feel you and that my energy would be renewed. Help me to truly relax and dwell in your presence. Give me a renewed passion for life and great expectations for my future. As I rest, please let the stress in my life dissolve away, if only for the weekend, and fill me with joy. I love you Lord, and I give you my life once again.

In nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritus Sancti

Amen.

The Irish Blessing

So I've been a slacker these last couple days and haven't kept up the blog (Jesus, please forgive me) : )
Tonight I want to share the traditional Irish blessing that my beautiful fiancé taught me. This is a prayer that was taught to her at a young age by her grandmother, and is one of her favorite prayers. I too have loved this blessing since she taught it to me - I think it is simple, yet very eloquent and touching. This is my prayer for you:

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon the turnings of your life
And until we meet again-
May the Lord keep you in the hollow of his heart
And hold you in the palm of his hand.

In nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritus Sancti
Amen.


-- Post From My iPhone

A prayer for dreams

Dear God,

Tonight I pray for heavenly inspired dreams. Both unconscience dreams as I sleep this evening as well as goal-setting dreams for my future. Help me to see the potential I have to succeed and impact my world. Give me big dreams and goals that seem unattainable, because with you all things are possible. Help me to continue to cultivate creative ideas and allow me the means to see them executed. Reveal to me your excitement for my future, and remind me daily of your promises. I rest in the peace and knowledge that you are my God. Bless me, Father, and may my life also bless you.


In nomine Patri, st Fili, et Spiritus Sancti
Amen.


-- Post From My iPhone

A good day

Tonight my prayer is short and simple.

Jesus, I pray for a good day tomorrow. I know that you delight in the happiness of your friends, so I ask specifically for good times throughout my day. I thank you for the freedom I have to pray; to bring my hopes and desires to you and know that you sincerely care. Above all else I desire your friendship. So be close to me tomorrow, and let me experience the indescribable joy of your presence.

My life is yours.

Amen.


-- Post From My iPhone

A Prayer for Change

Father God,

Today I pray for change. 

Change my attitude. Help me to focus on the positive things in my life and remind me of the good things you have for my future. As my attitude changes in these times of trouble, help me to be an encouragement to those around me. 

Change my situation. I am tired and feel like I've been fighting a losing battle. I'm ready for a change in my job and in my financial state. I ask that you help me, Lord, to faithfully do all that I can to follow your will and do my part in changing my circumstances. 

Change me. Help me to become more driven and to not procrastinate the things I need to get done. Help me to be assertive and proactive in all my endeavors. Help me to be self-confident and realize my potential.

Change me, so that in turn I can change the world.

in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti,

Amen.

A prayer for artists

This is a prayer that we say often at my church "Emanuel" (http://emmanuel-posts.blogspot.com) in Ballard, WA. I am an artist and love the poetic words of this prayer. Artist or not, be blessed by these words of grace. 

A PRAYER FOR THE ARTISTS

 

Lord, remember your artists.

Have mercy upon them and remember with compassion all those that reflect

the good, the ill, the strengths and the weaknesses of the human spirit.

 

Remember those who raise their voices in unending song,

those who pour their souls into music loud and soft.

 

Remember those who put pigment to surface,

carve wood and stone and marble,

who work base metals into beauty,

those building upwards from the earth toward heaven.

 

Remember those who put thought to paper by computer and by pen;

the poets who delve,

the playwrights who analyze and proclaim,

the dreamers-up of narrative,

all those who work with the light and shadows of film.

 

Remember the actors moved by Spirit and dancers moving through space.

 

Remember all these artists whom you have placed among us, for are they not,

O Lord, the fellows of your inspiration?Do they not, Lord God, bring to your people great proof of your divinity and

our part in it?

 

Remember your artists and show them mercy and compassion that they may

do the same and so uplift all your people.

 

That they may cry forth your praises, as we do here.

 

Amen! Amen! Amen!

To make a difference

Father God,

Today I make a brief but important prayer: help me to make a difference. I want my life to have a positive impact on the world even if it's in small ways. Help me continue to become a person of increasing value. My life is yours.

in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti,
Amen


-- Post From My iPhone

Thanks

I was recently told a quote that "Thankfulness precedes happiness." I think that especially in our current time of economic hardship everyone could use a little more happiness. 

A Prayer of Thanksgiving and worship:

Father God,

I come to you with a humble heart and give you thanks for all that you have done for me. It is your love and grace that gives my life meaning and purpose. No matter how tough life gets, I will trust in you because you are unchanged. You are I AM; the way, truth and life. 

I thank you for my wonderful and supportive family. Thank you for my faithful friends. 

As hard as it is to say, thank you for tough times because they are strengthening my character and developing perseverance. Thank you for going to the cross for me and rising from death as you said you would. 

I rest in the joy that you know the plans you have for me, and they are plans for good and not evil. Be blessed today, God, by the worshipful prayers of your thankful son.

in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti,

Amen.

My Hope

I believe that one of the most important things in one's spiritual life is prayer. My Christian faith is based on a personal relationship with my creator. I believe that prayer is the means by which one can freely communicate with God. Unfortunately, I have realized that my prayer life is more than lacking. Here's where the blog comes in:

My hope is to pray everyday. To some that is like breathing; to others (like myself) it takes effort. I don't believe that prayer needs to be something we feel we HAVE to do as Christians, but rather a powerful priviledge that benifits our lives emensely. 

With this blog I plan to write a daily prayer. I am telling you now that I will miss days, but your encouragement to keep praying and writing is very much appreciated. I invite you to pray with me and leave comments on how prayer is influencing your life. As a final note: this is not a place for religious debate and arguing. If you disagree with my beliefs and prayers feel free to start a new discussion blog : ) thanks for reading and I look forward to praying with you. 



-- Post From My iPhone