Father of mercies, we come to you with grateful hearts, overflowing with appreciation for all that you have done in our lives. You have set us free from the bondages of life; but not only that, you have set us free eternally by giving us eternal life, ζωή (zoe), true life, real life, sourced in you.

May our hearts not swell and crash with the ups and downs of this life, for you have not given us “the good life”, but abundant, eternal life. Hope in this life alone provides only misery – nothing lasts forever. Even so, you keep track of our wanderings and lovingly care for us! We appreciate the substance of your provision and even enjoy it, but it is not our hope; for our life is not in our abundance of temporal provision.

Help us to remember that and to hold loosely to what we possess and to always use it for your kingdom.

Jesus, you are the Advocate who sets us free from the crippling oppression of the adversary, Satan. I pray for those who are under the burden of self-focus, guilt, and shame; I pray they would know their value and who they are: children of the Most High in you.

Lord, I pray you would set people free from the oppression of the oppressor: those who would manipulate and control, the proud and self-serving who uphold religious legalism in their self-righteousness and pride. Father, would you come and rescue and shut that down!

We have all sinned but now we are adopted children of the King, sons and daughters of our heavenly Father who loves us to the greatest lengths, widths, heights, and depths. Lord, set us free – and you have – by calling us who we are: sons and daughters.

Father, would you grant to your people across all nations and continents a peace that goes deep and stabilizes, a peace beyond understanding or view of circumstances. And I pray that this peace would be witnessed and appeal to the lost, a witness your Spirit may use to draw others to yourself.

Lord, Jesus, we are grateful for the blood you shed on the cross for us to buy that peace. Even though we may despair of hope at times, this blood reaches to the lowest valleys to bring peace and joyous strength at your hand.

Praise you, Lord! Son of God, Holy One to be worshiped and adored. I love you; you love me!

Amen!

Thank you, Lord, for the peace that calms and stills my soul: the solid joy that abides with your presence. Your face shines upon us. Thank you for the faithful prayers of your saints, my friends, my brothers and sisters. And thank you for my children and wife who attend to my needs in prayer and company and encouragement.

You are good and I am blessed.

Father, I pray for all those who face challenges today – surgeries, life decisions, the pain of waiting on outcomes, tragedies, unjoyful occasions. We, Father, all will face life today; would you strengthen us in whatever comes our way?

You are the God of hope; fill us with joy and peace as we trust in you. We can trust in you because you have shown yourself faithful and will bring to realization the hope you have cast into our midst. We can trust you.

Strengthen us according to your glorious might and be our shield against every attack from the enemy. In the midst of it all, we serve you for you have freed us.

Our hearts are grateful. Thank you for promotion and new challenges. We stand firm in all your provision; help us to remember and apply this in our lives.

Lord of our salvation, Lion of Judah, we are in the midst of a great battle. Let our hearts rest placidly in this battle for it is a spiritual battle and it belongs to you.

We interact with those around us who have lost their senses and are captured by the devil to do his will. Would you remind us to gently instruct, avoid quarrels, and speak truth in the hope that you (this is your work, Lord) would bring them to their senses. Repentance is a gift from you.

I am honored Lord that you have promoted us to this place where we can share the truth of Jesus; where we can share you freely, backed by your power. It all comes from you and depends on you.

Now grant to us to speak the truth in love with gracious and uncompromised words. We pray this for all opportunities that shall come. And break the lies of the enemy over people’s lives, pulling back the veil, and setting them free from their captive state.

Father, my Father, you are the God who calls and who keeps and you will keep me strong to the end, to that day, when I shall stand blameless and see Jesus. On that day I will be made complete, changed into his image, for I shall see him as he is; I shall see you Jesus, as you are: brightly shining and clearly, without any shadow or dimness of vision.

You call and you keep because you are faithful to the end. Oh, that my soul would rest in that always and be free from the burden of worry and doubt. Bless the Lord, oh my soul! He has done great things – great things for you because his love for you is higher than the heavens and deeper than any trial or mood could ever go.

Praise God for the power of his keeping love! Amen.

Father, would you ignite in us hearts that serve one another in wisdom, with compassion, and in kindness. Let us manage what you have given us and called us to with good stewardship, with integrity, and with care for your kingdom and your people.

Keep us from the careless and self-serving spirit of Hophni and Phinehas who took advantage of your people to their own gain and indulged their desires with disregard for your holy heart.

Let us be ready and excited for your return. Our hope is laid up in heaven, not on earth. Keep us from worldly attachments and draw us near to the good pleasures at your right hand. You are our portion, our desire, and all that we are yearns for you. Truly.

Our eyes are on you as we wait for your sweet embrace and strengthening presence.

Lord, I pray your Holy Spirit would rise up in me, dwell freely, and transform me from faint-heartedness to lionheartedness. I am not bold or resolute in my nature, but I am looking to you to transform and sanctify, in your wisdom, my natural tendencies into the supernatural fruit of your Spirit. Here I am. Remind me, move me, enable me. Clothe me with power from on high.

This mirror, this view into my sin, if I am left staring at it, disables me. So let my eyes be cast upon you, Gracious One, and according to your might, strengthen me. My eyes are on you, I wait for you.

Father, you are good. You give good gifts to us, your children, and are pleased to give us the kingdom. Remove from our hearts any evil thoughts that would steer our minds away from who you are. You love me and I love you, Lord!

Father, you have provided the tools for strength and might in this faith fight we are engaged in. Jesus, you are head over all things: thrones, powers, dominions, and authorities. And you are given to us, your church.

May your truth, your word, and your promises, wrap around all aspects of our lives and be that which holds us together even when feelings run contrary. Let our vitals be guarded by your righteousness and may we walk in a manner worthy of and aligned to your calling. As we walk this life, may we be prepared to stand against the accusations of the enemy – for we have peace with God through Jesus our Lord.

Let us lift the gift of faith as we stand against the enemy’s schemes. You have saved us both eternally and from the patterns of this world. Let us remember your full salvation. And may we wield the truth of your word and cut down the lies that constantly fight against us.

All this we pray, asking for a constant attitude of prayer, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, our eyes are on you. Moved by your Word as your Spirit inspires, looking towards the heavens, we rest in Jesus. Who else do I have in heaven but you? And my eyes are lifted by you to the One who never leaves or forsakes: my helper, my shield, my protector.

Lord, if I were left to my own devices, how quickly I would fall. But you keep me, you strengthen me, you show your goodness and mercy which is from everlasting to everlasting. You have sent your salvation, the way of escape, in Jesus, and He is our rescue.

And now we rest in you. Let our hearts be still, our anxious thoughts be quelled, and your peace be present to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Lord, our eyes are on you: Author, Beginner, Starter, Finisher, Completer, Keeper of our Faith. We wait on you in hope.

Lord, even though great mountains of impossibility rise to cast shadows of deep darkness on my soul, my feelings will not rule, for you dwell in me and are greater – greater than the enemy, greater than any heart condemnation, truer than any feeling opposing or lacking. You are my Shepherd.

I fight battles from without and turmoil from within; but peace, be still, Jesus has overcome this world and its dynamic, its corruption and death, and I am kept in Him, by Him, and for Him.

I will fear no evil Lord, for you are with me. What a glorious Lord you are, seated high above all things, placing me with you in the heavenlies, sealing me for the day I will be changed, keeping your child until that glorious revelation.

Now Lord, fill our cups, for they often run dry. Give us rest in the midst of this war-torn world. And revive our hearts with hope, the hope of forever dwelling with you.

Jesus, keeper and giver of that which is true life, let us not worry about that which is temporary life. For abundant life, that which is everlasting, comes from you, for you are the source of eternal life. In you we find all that is truly good and everlasting.

There are those, though, who do not even have the basis of earthly sustenance, and for those we pray that you would engage and mobilize your hands and feet – us, your body – to bring to the poor. Lord, let us remember the poor.

And not only that Lord, but as their essential needs such as food and clothing are met and increased, may their greatest need, their eternal need for you, who is true life, be met as well. May we freely communicate the gospel to them – that the sin that has brought their current state upon them has been defeated and that the hope of abundant life has been promised and awaits those who will receive it.

Lord, would you birth in us integrity: wholeness of heart, single-minded sincerity, earnestness in our actions? May we live out what we proclaim, divinely groomed by you, a work of your hand. In this regard you are faithful to not let us escape; you are wonderfully relentless in your formation of us.

And so, I submit to your process; may it have its full effect and benefit. May love be the fruit, along with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control – all a work of your Spirit.

Forgive, Lord, the stubbornness of my heart and slowness to learn; oh how patient you are! You are more patient with me than I am with myself. Master Carpenter, I am a wonderful work of your hands and I rejoice in the gloriousness of your working.

Lord, I pray for the body of Christ. Where there is hurt, would you bring healing? Where there is disconnect and mixed signals, would you bring peace? Where love is lacking, would you pour out your Spirit? And where there is weakness, would you bring strength?

Let your people arise and shine and leave behind darkness in all its forms. You are indeed purifying your people, “purging” your body of the worldly infiltrations. Let true righteousness come, that which we have in you.

Let us serve one another in freedom and love, looking not to our own needs, but considering others more important than ourselves. How I have fallen short of that, Father. I seek your mercy and grace. I seek you. I come to you and find mercy and grace so readily available. I receive it.

Let all that we do, be done in love.

When my words fail to come and my thoughts are gone, when I am uninspired, you are here. And we have this promise of hope, that you are with the humble in their suffering; let them know this, Lord, let us know. You are close to those who are crushed in spirit and you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds; let healing come, Lord.

As Tolkien wrote in “Return of the King” speaking to Aragorn, “Elfstone, through the darkness you have come to your hope, and have now all your desire. Use well the days!” Let hope come quickly and let us use well the days you have blessed us with Lord.

You have shown grace, let us show grace; you have given mercy, let us give mercy. Comfort us that we may comfort others. And let our hearts be submitted to your will and excited for your kingdom.

Amen.

Lord you are just. You are good. All your ways towards us are perfect and loving. Who can understand your reasonings and great depth of wisdom? Your ways are far above our ways. You are the Father of mercies.

Would you open our eyes to your great mercy and give your people wisdom from above and renewed understanding. Forgive us our rebellion, our pride, and our unspiritual thinking. Can any man blame God? Forgive us Lord for faulting you. You are above all blame and reproach and have lifted us, your children, to be blameless and above reproach.

We are your servants: unworthy but called, sanctified and set apart, chosen, and dearly loved. We embrace this.

Lord, in your mercy, would you align our thoughts to your thoughts? And would you bring repentance to those who don’t know you? Boldly we come to receive mercy and find grace and we wait on, hope in, and trust you.

Lord, Provider, you meet all our needs and we are content with your provision. Keep us from the fret that leads to sin, the sin of ingratitude, self-provision, and discontentment. All I have needed, your hand has provided, and great is your faithfulness.

You are relentless in your pursuit of us. To the very end you will work on us and form us into your image, breaking down our stubbornness of will and misconceptions of who you are. Though at times we may seek relief from such pursuit, we welcome it and thank you for it.

You are our Father and you care for us. In your gentle and loving dealings with us, not one stone is left unturned. How merciful you are. You have our hearts, yes Lord, and we are engraved forever on the palm of your hand.

Father, would you grant to us sincerity and remove from our hearts all sense of superiority. May what people see when they see us, be who we truly are in you. Remove falsehood and the dangerous and insidious yeast of hypocrisy. Love does not puff up, it builds up.

You see it all, Father: our depths, our thoughts, our secret whispers in the dark inner rooms of our hearts. And all will come to light, so let us walk honestly and sincerely before you in the light – not hiding, not trying to cover up, not trying to self-justify; simply being honest and real before you and one another.

We are accepted in the Beloved, engraved on the palm of your hand and no one will snatch us from you. I believe that. It is by your doing that I am in Christ, and in Christ I am safe. So let me live out of that; let us live out of the comfort and power of this powerful truth.

Amen.

Father, would you steady our hearts and give us rest? Let us not be moved by urgent or worry-filled emotions; instead, speak peace to our deepest depths. Divide the spirit from the flesh, the bone from the marrow, and let us walk in you; let us follow steadily after you.

You have made us emotional beings but let not our living be built on those emotions; may we learn instead to simply enjoy them. You are our Rock and our soul-satisfier. Be our center, be our anchor, be our safe harbor.

Lord, I praise you! For your goodness and humility, for your holiness and lowliness, for your grace – you leaning into us to show us favor and benefit. My heart is filled; you fill the desire of the poor and hungry. May I always long after you as my portion and soul-satisfier.

Deep calls to deep; what a beautiful exchange.

I lift my hands and worship the One I was created for, the Holy One, the King on high, through whom all things were created and are sustained. Jesus, you sustain me, hold me together, provide, give the deep desires of my heart. Let all that I am bless his holy Name.

Lord, may your glory cover this earth, and your name be praised and honored as holy. Feed the poor, save the lost, guide the confused, and bring the lost sheep home. Let us shepherd the hearts of the broken. In your wisdom we win their weary souls.

Thank you for the good works you have prepared for us, the opportunities given.

Let our hearts continually recount your goodness and remind us throughout our days of your great acts to the sons of men, to the humble. And we are grateful. I love you, Lord!

Lord, we pray and you answer. We ask for opportunity to love, to serve, and you provide. Freely we have received, now, please help us to give well, with a single eye, a generous heart, a super-willing spirit.

You raise every valley. Raise the poor, those without, and let our hands and feet be the hands and feet to accomplish this. We are your body, your church, a light in the dark. Let our light shine!

Father, Lord of the harvest, would you please send laborers into the harvest: the fruit trees, the grainfields, the pastures. Here I am Lord, my hands, my feet, my mind, my ears, my heart, my eyes, I offer them to you.

Only you bring a man to a pure place. Send your Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, the one who refines. Let it be in the lowliness and gentleness of your heart, for I am a man easily discouraged. But may I not be, for you love and accept me. I am accepted in the Beloved.

Amen.

Forgive us our sins, Lord, Father. We err, we sin, we acknowledge that we need your pardon, the grace of forgiveness. And you have given us that, for you have forgiven us all our sins; past, present, future.

You are near to the brokenhearted, the humble whose spirits are crushed. Cause us to soar as we wait upon you, in hope, in expectation. Keep our focus on things above, where the victorious King Jesus sits having accomplished all to purchase us with his blood and wash us of our sins. And we are grateful and we praise you Lord, risen from the dead, firstborn among us, your children.

Keep us from the stupor of guilt and let us rise from the slippery pits we at times descend. We are counting on your lovingkindness. I am counting on your faithful love, stamped at the cross as a testimony to us.

Amen.

Lord, into your hands I commit my life: my day, my actions, my work, my play, my submission, my self-will, all that I am, speak, and do, into your faithful hands. You do all things well.

How do I express my heart to you, but to listen and hear your heart for me and in grateful response give back to you the praise and gratitude of my heart. You are good and you do all things well and in love.

Father, Jesus, would you by the tender workings of the Gentle Counselor make us vulnerable. Remove from us the fear of intimacy. Let us build one another up with the tools of love and use knowledge only to that end.

Let us be humble with one another and take our rightful place as children, humble servants of you, friends of the King, conveying the depths of your heart and kingdom to one another.

Lord, I don’t know what to pray; help me in my weakness. I lack wisdom; give me wisdom. Lead me Father, by your Spirit; lead me Jesus.

I have in heaven an advocate and here with me an intercessor. How I need you Lord, daily, hourly, minute by minute, breath by breath.

If you were to hold my sin against me, to bring me to account for my wrong, I could not stand; but you bring me before you clean, above reproach, free from accusation – and this glorious truth remains for all eternity.

So, strengthen me to stand in integrity and in love, held up and held by your Spirit. Lord, you are risen! And that same resurrection power lives inside of me. To you alone be all the glory forever and ever.

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness in the night; reminders and words given by your Spirit. My mind instructs me in the night and I rest in peace.

You have promised and you are faithful. You will never leave me and never forsake me. Never. Though I sit in darkness, doubt, failure, or fear, you do not leave me to my own desires. You are faithful.

If I am in the storm, then I rest in the bough with you. If I am in the belly of the fish, then I wait patiently, bearing the loving yoke of your discipline. I wait for you.

In all this, you are good and my heart rests in you until this passes. Your will be done Father, not mine.

And so now I take my rest in you, for you are my strength and my song and my salvation. All your ways are perfect and all your words truth. Keep my heart from the bitterness of this life and from the striving it requires and give me your rest Lord Jesus.

You, Lord, are good and all that you do is good. You discipline us because of your love for us and acceptance of us. Hardships come from your hand and from your well-intentioned and completely wise heart, to humble us and cause us to depend on you alone. Thank you, Jesus!

I am in control of nothing, and you, my Lord, rule over all things as they hold together in you. Your beauty is multi-dimensioned. It is a joy to search the depths of you who are: unfathomable.

Thank you for the Holy Spirit, the Gift, the One who distributes his wisdom, power, and sanctifying knowledge; the One who refines our hearts. Forgive me Lord for grieving your Spirit at times. Thank you for your patience and mercy.

You have sealed us by your Spirit, you have filled us, let our hearts cry out with joyful assurance, “Abba! Father! Dad!” You have bought us with a price and we are yours.

Amen.

Father, Dad, Papa, we need your forgiveness, for we sin and carry around with us this body of death. So, we confess, we acknowledge, that our need for forgiveness is real.

And we also acknowledge and declare the truth that you have, through the work of Jesus, forgiven us of all our sins! Those daily, hourly, habitual, secret, unknown, pervasive, old nature sins that so easily entangle us. Past, present, and future; all forgiven!

Lord, would you give us great understanding in this? So that we will overflow with a gracious and forgiving heart to others; forgiven much, loving much.

You invite us to prayer, to come boldly, shamelessly; so, we come. Remove from us, by the sanctifying power and work of your Spirit, all anger, lust, blindness, and poverty. Renew us in knowledge and form us in the image Jesus your Son.

Jesus, all things were created through you, by you, for you, and all things hold together in you. You are the Name above all things, sovereign Lord, God my Savior, God the Son, and I worship you.

When I consider all that you have done, your faithful works towards men, the calming of my seas, your abundant faithfulness and overflowing grace, my heart overflows with thanks and praise that acknowledges and points to you. You are high above the heavens and highly exalted.

Thank you for your words, expressions to lavish you with praise, and proclaim your wonder. Though they fall short, they are what you have given to us to give you credit and a proper elevated place. So, we return the gift of words to you.

Let us remember. Let us recount. Let us rejoice. And in all this you are glorified. Let the whole earth be filled with your glory.

Lord, would you fill our hearts with your word? Inspire us Holy Spirit; remind us of the words of Jesus. Bless the Lord, my soul, for he has done great things for you! His kindness has flowed in my darkness and his strength has lifted my soul from the depths. By you, Lord, I can overcome great obstacles and fight the battle, the good fight, according to your power and might. Lord Jesus, you are the mighty God and you are awesome.

And now my praise turns to pleading and petition for those who have yet to praise you, those whose souls are cast down, whose spirits are crushed and lowly. Lord, would you revive them? Would you heal them? Would you send the comforter and laborers into their lives to encourage and build up? Lord! lift up the downcast soul!

You have been good to me. I pray that you would show that same goodness to the lowly and downtrodden that they may praise you as well!