Encourage the afflicted one, Lord! We pray for those who labor in you and fight the great war of the Gospel. Lord, our labor is not in vain. Build your house despite the contention that comes against it. Send laborers and strengthen laborers.

Lord, would you give us a mind for it: s mind that is set on your Kingdom? And keep us from discouragement as we fight, study, pray, wrestle – despite difficulties and interruptions. You have defeated the enemy and brought him to open shame. Greater are you in us than the evil one in this world.

Let our belts be tightened and secured for this battle, and may we stand and watch your victory in action. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Lord, remove every vestige of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. And you are. Thank you. It is you who is at work in me and may you find me faithfully working out your wondrous salvation gift in my life. My labor in you is not in vain.

Father, Holy Spirit, would you lift the discouraged, the downcast, those who are dismayed and feeling directionless? Let me be a vessel to lift them up, to pray for them. May they stand firm in all your will for their lives, with full assurance.

Today, would you keep us from taking the easy way out – the comfort and distraction that this world is always ready to provide? May we not taste of its vinegar as we suffer. Keep our hearts free from embitterment that we may serve you freely.

Father, your heart amazes me; especially if my eyes see the desperation of my own. But my eyes are on you. You are glorious without comparison; your glory stands on its own. And we see your glory in Jesus, who is the radiance of your glory. He is the light, he is you.

Lord, would you change us from glory to glory into your likeness? Let us be new in you, for we are new creations, created in your likeness for your glory. You make all things new!

You are our righteousness, let us walk in a manner worthy – in line with who we are, in line with your calling of us, in line with your beauty – giving glory to you and bringing needed light to a dying world.

Let not my heart be arrogant. Let not my thoughts be puffed up. Let my words be kind and my behavior gentle. Let me not stray from you, humble Jesus, gentle and lowly.

Father, I am limited in strength and prone to weakness. It is a grace to know this and a privilege to come to you. Would you not only expand this heart but strengthen it as well.

You care for the birds that light upon the trees outside my window and you care for me. My heart rests, my heart repents. I wait on you gentle Savior of my wretched soul. Come again Holy Spirit and renew.

Amen.

Father, I confess, waiting is hard. How long, O Lord? It’s a question that has risen in many of our hearts. But let us stand on your truth and in your power as we wait. You have been good to us.

Lord, would you give us, your people, your body, eyes of faith to see and understand your salvation? Coming, done, and now: your powerful kingdom. Your good news has brought us peace.

When we despair, you look on us with compassion, knowing our frames of dust, and lift us from our pit. You deliver us from the snare of the fowler when, instead of soaring, we find ourselves lighting upon the dirt of this earth.

I praise you Lord, for your great love and constant goodness to me. I will praise you my God in the midst of the storm and thus honor you!

Father, you have given us all that we need to live godly lives in this life. We have come to know you, Jesus, and yet I see that I need to know you more, to grow in grace and the knowledge of you.

So, Lord, would you grow us up into you, he who is the truth, and may we know you accurately, correctly, so that our words and behavior would glorify you. Tear down our mind-idols, destroy every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of you.

That we may know you! The One who bore our sins on the cross, who loves us with an undying love. We were lost and now we are found. Though we have at times forgotten you, our Maker, never have we been abandoned from your thoughts or remembrance, faithful God.

Lord, you have promised that in our battles of the mind and faith, you, the One who is in us, are greater than the lying spirits of this world. I pray you would strengthen my brothers and my sisters – you know them all by name – across this globe and keep them from discouragement.

Give us the heart of a fighter, a trusting Gideon, an exulting David. Uphold us with a steadfast spirit. May we, like the paralytic’s four friends, press in beyond earthly barriers and proper behavior, to you, our answer.

And for those who do not know you, who have not received you into themselves, would you convict, draw to yourself, and rescue? Gentle and Lowly One, bring all men to yourself.

Thank you, Lord, and Amen.

Lord, the days fly. And you will return. Fill our hearts with this hope. May our eyes be fixed and our hearts steadfast. We love your gospel; may we share it in hope and sincerity.

Give us a wrestler’s heart and mind in prayer for our friends, our brothers, our sisters, and keep us unstained by this world. May we rise as your people, on our knees. You have seated us in heavenly places. Hear our cry; you do! And you encourage us in this; only let us greatly know that encouragement.

Let our words, our prayers, be filled with words that would bring your people to stand firm in the whole will of God for their lives. Let us walk as Jesus did, in constant connection with you.

Father, you see all things: injustice, oppression, our affliction; and you know our desires. You consider all these things to take them to hand, and still, you encourage us to pray, for you hear our prayers.

So, Lord, we pray for the afflicted, those oppressed, the wounded, the hobbling, the paralyzed, the bitter ones, the poor and needy. And some of us are such. Nothing is hidden from your eyes and you care, so we pray, “Move into action Lord!”

Break the strength of the oppressor, the enemy who attacks and hates your beautiful creation. Rescue the hurting and raise them up, unite them with Jesus, and seat them in heavenly places where there is joy and freedom.

Lord of joy, you keep our hope alive.

Refuge, protect our families. Judge of all the earth, ruling from your throne, crush the plans of our dark enemy. Confuse and dismay his troops and bring to nothing his attacks. You are Lord, Jesus – Captain and Victor over all the power of the enemy.

Sustainer of our strength, come and ignite our joy, for our joy comes from you and gives us strength. We stand satisfied knowing we can, with grateful hearts, do all things through you Jesus, resisting the devil by your presence in us, standing firm in your love and faithfulness as we wait on you.

Empower us, Lord, to walk in this truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Father, again I come, and it does not weary you, my Father. I come, and lay my heavy heart before you, offloading the burdens that weight it down, presenting my cares and observations to your ability knowing you are willing.

I see around me a world lost, broken, and burdened. I see around me the struggles of your people. I see wandering, I see distractions, I see hurt, confusion, and addiction. I see idol worship; I see people feeling comfort in that which does not provide comfort. Oh Lord!

And then I realize, you see it too – and more. You love far greater than I do. This is not my discovery, but your burden for those in a self-broken world. So, Lord, save! Jesus, you are salvation! Convict, draw, rescue, make alive, enlighten, humble all men, all women, that none may perish.

Father, there is nothing hidden from your sight. Nothing. Darkness is light to you and you, the Righteous One, know our hearts and minds completely. You judge us to refine us and in you we are not condemned. You have hidden our life safely and we dwell in safety.

Thank you for loving us as a Father. We lay down before you today our cares, concerns, fears, and worries. These have no place – and we should make no room for them – in our hearts, for they only weigh us down. Rather, make your way straight before us by renewing our minds – align our thoughts and attitudes with your mind, your way.

It is a great mercy that you would do that for us and we are grateful.

It is a grace from you Lord that you would reveal to us our wickedness – that you would speak so clearly to address our ugly and dark places. You are light and you are good.

Let us not become discouraged at your loving discipline and kind rebuke. It is out of your love for us that you save us. And now we come before you, to your throne of grace, great God, Father of all mercy, to receive your mercy and find your grace given to us richly, flowing without restraint. We receive this now in our time of need.

I am humbled Lord, and in that there is hope, for he who humbles will exalt in due time. So, I wait, I wait for you, for your love, in hope.

Amen.

Father, in our daily dealings and during our lifelong journey, may we release our desire, comfort, mission, and security to uphold the way of your kingdom, being those who care for those around us, not for what they can do for us, but for what you would do for them through us.

For the leaders, pastors, elders, those in position in your church, we pray that their hearts would be not to sustain their ministry but to build your kingdom. Remove any guile and let them be true shepherds who care for your people. Let them speak your words and walk in your ways.

Father, we release our desires and plans into your hands; your will be done and your kingdom come.

Lord, may our hearts trust you steadfastly, running from temptation, being drawn instead to you. Rid us of all bitterness and jaded attitudes. Restore our souls.

We, at our ends, are strong in you and in your powerful might. Empty us of us and fill us with you, making us the restored reflection of you, our Creator, renewed in mind to the image of our Father, our God.

Our ugly is ugly – it shocks and jaw-drops. But we lay it before you that it might be dealt with properly. Not by our might or thinking or plans or power, but only by your Spirit, Lord. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; and we seek your liberty.

Thank you, Lord, for the grace that covers and enables. When we are weak, it is then that you are strong – your power perfected in our inability. This humbles us but exalts you. Thank you, Lord!

Today in all that we do, may we honor you. In our work, in our words, in all our action. You have enabled us to hear, to work, and to walk in your ways. Lord, grant us a willing spirit, sustain us, that we may wholeheartedly serve you.

Keep us free from that which would weigh us down, from the entanglements of this world and the deceit of sin. Lord, we look to you and come to you alone.

Lord, we welcome you today. We receive your joy and delight in your grace. May this day be for us a day of making the most of opportunities, of the ministry of your Holy Spirit. We worship you, Lord.

Let all we do today be done in the humility of Jesus, and may he be exalted. Not to us, O Lord, but to you be all praise! You rule over the nations; your enemies will soon be your footstool. We rejoice in your victory.

Thank you for your mercy to humble us and minister to us. We rejoice in you and delight in your grace.

We are grateful Lord, for your mercy, for hearing our pleas and seeing our tears and calming our fears. You give us peace in the night and refreshment in the morning. Let our hearts trust you always, steadfast in all times.

We don’t know what a day may bring, but we know you bring the day and preserve our life, for our life is hidden in you, Jesus. Let us know that and may this truth ever be before us – how great is your love for us.

I praise you, Lord. Let me walk in your way – the path set before me made straight. And may I always trust in you.

Father, may we live a life of love. Daily, day in, day out. In boredom, in excitement. Whether the relationship serves us or doesn’t. May our lives, like Jesus’ life, culminate into a fragrant offering, formed over a lifetime. May we live for you and may we die for you.

Let us love one another.

Forgive me Father, of the ugliness in my heart – the pride, the selfish ambition, and the stench of self-righteousness. I see the ugliness in my heart and confess. Jesus, make me more like you!

You are at work in us. Lift us from the pit of self and let us bless you always. 

In your name, amen!

Lord, without you I can do nothing. Only by your great mercy do I approach your presence. You have carved a way – an established path for us. You make a way where there is no way.

Strengthen these weary hands Lord, and still my soul – it is in turmoil. But I do remember, you are good. All that I care for, you care for, for you are compassionate, God, Father, Abba, Dad.

My eyes look to you – restorer of my soul – and I wait. I lay down my burdens and I wait and rejoice in you. I delight in your grace.

Refresh and awaken us, Lord, to walk in your light and power that we may be light to a dark world.

I lay my requests down before you, Father, and I wait in hope and expectation for your provision. You have honored my waiting, and trusting in you has brought salvation.

Enable me to walk in your paths, in your ways, Lord. You come to bring justice to the taken-advantage-of and the disadvantaged, the poor and the broken. You show your favor to us and you are a shield protecting all that we care about.

You said, do not be afraid. I confess my fear to you for you are holy and I often do not reflect you. Yet you call me and say, do not be afraid. You are with me. You are the refiner’s fire, a launderer’s soap, and you work in and prepare me. Here I am, Lord.

I lay down my requests and wait in hopeful expectation of you.

Lord, you grant rest and peace to your people. Like Jesus, may we lie down in peace, knowing you alone make us dwell in safety. You lead us by still waters and calm the frothy sea of our emotions.

Let not anger grip us but let us be led in peace. May we trust you in all we do and may all that we do be done wholeheartedly; may all we do glorify you Jesus.

Though we are surrounded by evil and evil men who hate the truth and love to push their falsities on others, may we reflect on you in our own hearts and respond in godly ways, honoring you in whatever surroundings we find ourselves.

Jesus, Lord of creation, who could have done what you did and not have been God? Majesty, Christ, I worship you.

In your presence the miraculous happens, hearts are refined, brokenness is healed. Lord, always may this heart submit to you and never fight you. Let me be as Peter, Zacchaeus, the woman who poured perfume on you – always humble, childlike, broken of my awful pride.

Lord, save a world of sinners; put us on the mission. Enable your people. May we bring life to the robbed, power to the needy, salvation to the lost. And may you be glorified, Lord.

The voice of the enemy is loud. He accuses, he lies. But my God is greater. He is the strength of my soul and a protective shield guarding that which is weak and in danger. I rest knowing that not only is the Lord my portion, but that he is also my protector.

Lord, free your people from lies, distractions, and discouragements. Give us hearts that are steadfast and sure in you.

Though we walk through surrounding evil and darkness of the age, we will be confident in our deliverer Jesus – soon to come, soon to free us.

Amen.

Father, our Father, you are the God of endurance and encouragement. These come from you, in whom there is no instability, or variation, or questionability, but rather true light and true life with no shifting shadows.

I pray for those called to ministry, to the task of service to your body. They feel the pressure, the weightiness, the seriousness of their calling – even before entering fully into it. Lord, my heart bears the burden of this weight that your future and present servants sense and carry.

Jesus, grant endurance and encouragement to them! I lay this burden of your servants down at your feet and pray that you would bring the refreshing wind of hope to your children. The task is great, but Lord, you are greater.

Remember your servants.

Father, let us carry the content heart of your Son Jesus in our chests. Jesus, we can do all things through you, our supply of great strength. Whether by honoring you in our riches and supply or by trusting you in our dryness and need. By your gracious strength we can honor you through our contentment.

Thank you for your working, thank you for the season of your strength and thank you for your supply. In it all we see you there. You will supply all our needs according to that richest supply we have in being united with you, Jesus.

Father, give us hearts like your Son, Jesus – humble, unassuming, not privileged, presumptuous, or entitled. We are content servants and you are our portion and provider.

Be our joy Lord!

I praise you Jesus! In your faithfulness you afflict. Your woundings remove the poisons of sin and your discipline leads us in a good way. You do not bring difficulty to annoy, dissuade, or discourage. No, you train my hands for war and prepare and refine me. Thank you, Lord!

Help us to see each trial, each roadblock, each difficulty as we should: gifts of grace from your hand – your hand upon us – keeping and guiding us. You are faithful. Let our hearts submit to the trials. May we not fight them, but rather submit ourselves to your grooming.

Jesus, build your church! Let us edify one another. Build your church.

Lord, your people are a free people. Let not that freedom be stolen by the hands of men with lying tongues. Spirit of the Lord, where you are, there is liberty. Keep us, your people, free, Holy Spirit. All praise to you, glorious Lord, living Savior.

You have forgiven us all our sins and set us free to serve one another in love, freed from the bondage of sin and self. I praise you loving Father.

It was for freedom that you set us free Jesus. Keep us from the bondage of fear and the striving producing dead works. We approach you now at the wonderful throne of grace and mercy in your glorious light. Set our hearts free and let us know your nearness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Lord, would you give me your strength to carry your heart into my hurt. I hurt by the wounds of others – but you say forgive. I can only do this by your help.

My anger does not achieve your righteousness – and I am now angry – release me from its sticky grip. Lord of mercy, I confess this to you.

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; these are the clothes you have given us to put on. Lord, help me to dress in this beautiful attire!

You have forgiven me and I forgive my offenders.

Amen.

Father, I know you are concerned with that which concerns me. You carry my burdens and see my cares; let there be no anxious thought within me. All things you work together for your called ones, and I am called, called from eternity.

May my heart beat as yours does; may I be concerned with that which concerns you. Your will be done and your kingdom come.

Lord, you see a broken world here, and you are close to the lowly, the broken, and contrite. Put your hands and feet into action, into this harvest. Enable, activate, and strengthen us, your body, for such a time as this.

Amen.

The Lord hears our prayers. I asked for wisdom, and the Lord gave it. He gives that we might be a blessing. Glory to you Jesus, who became a blessing for us – the ultimate blessing.

Father, thank you for the rich flow of your unending mercy. It is new each morning and abundant in Jesus. Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Lord, would you keep our hearts soft, unhardened by sin’s deceitfulness and hurt’s damaging effects? Keep us from being friends of the world, but let us be close to you as friends.

Lord, our hearts are weak! Our frames are but dust. Have mercy on our wanderings and renew a right spirit within us. And thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the honor of knowing you more and more.