Father, remember our children as always before you. You have not misplaced them. They are sheep amongst wolves. For my children, the children of my friends, and the children of this generation I pray. You hear my prayer.

Keep them safe from the banquet of ideologies – tasty morsels that would bring shallow satisfaction and scratch itching ears. Lord, let the gospel remain untainted, uncompromised, and powerful in its wonderful simplicity and zero cost.

Let not our children be deceived! You know, Lord, the anguish of my soul in this matter. I will hope in your love, for because of your goodness, love, and righteousness, I can trust in you. I commit into your hands the children.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let all that is within me, my whole heart, what makes me, me, bless your name. I was created for worship. You have filled my mouth with praise because you, the God of the universe, are a personal God, the God who sees and relates to me.

How wonderful is this truth, that you, the Creator of all that we see, would come to humbly serve and give yourself as a fragrant offering for me. You saw my value and you knew my need. You know me, best and worst.

So, I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made – knit for your glory, made free for freedom’s sake. My heart swells with appreciation for you my Father and the provision of your Son, my Lord and my God, and for the Gift, the Seal, your Holy Spirit.

Father, let us be wise, not gullible, not naive, not deceived by men who operate as the gentiles, exercising control. May no man take your place in our lives and may you be the only Lord of our lives.

We live amongst wolves; protect your children. This cry is raised for those under the control of abusive and deceptive men and women who would rob people of the freedom you offer. Lord, set these bound ones free in heart and mind.

Here am I Lord, one you have freed and continue to free. Let me bring this good news of grace and acceptance wherever I go, grace and acceptance in you, Jesus. Set the prisoner free!

Lord, unless you help me, I am unsafe. Unless you hold me, I wander. Let this heart not be weighed down by either anxiety or pleasure, worry or escapism. Let this heart be securely tethered to you.

Restore to me, to us, to your people, the joy of your salvation. May we find our strength and satisfaction in you alone. All good things come from you, Father of blessing, and we acknowledge your goodness to us.

Guard our hearts from misunderstandings, from words not meant for us. And let our eyes never leave you, but always look to you, our Master, Lord, and Savior.

Peace over your people, Lord. Let your people know true peace. For all people, let your house, your church, be a place of refuge for all tongues, tribes, nations and peoples. May we be salt and light and be the open arms of Jesus for all who would come to you.

Let truth – good doctrine, solid teaching – be in your church. May not falsity have a place to exalt itself; may we not give lies and untruth an opportunity to tickle itching ears.

May our words be words that edify as we speak the truth in love. May our hearts lean in to others and let us truly put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience for all our brothers and sisters.

Thank you, Lord, for the treasure of your people and the establishment of your church.

All glory and strength is yours Lord; even the strong must say it. All strength comes from you and to you alone goes the glory.

Father, as a faithful Father, you grow us up, you urge us on to maturity. You, Holy Spirit, are leading us to that higher calling. And by your grace and your strength, we are able to walk in it. Help us Lord, to walk in it.

Father, keep us from the insanity of fighting your plan for us, and give us grace to walk faithfully in the path that leads to your purposes for us.

May we not stumble in it, and if we do, you will raise us up, you will lift us up when we are bowed down.

Here I am Lord; my words are few, my thoughts are scattered. This morning the cool September breeze blows through my office window and I am reminded of the times of refreshing you bring. And that is on my heart for your people: weary, in need of rest; busy, in need of stillness.

Lord Jesus, would you still the busy hearts of your weary people and bring them rest? May my prayer be in the service of your saints. May they sit at the table and find their cups to be overflowing. The purpose of the enemy is to accuse and wear down, to steal our joy.

But, Lord Jesus, you have defeated the enemy and your joy is our strength. Let us love one another, encouraging, comforting, and urging one another on to godliness.

Grace and peace to my brothers and sisters.

Lord, would you give us a servant’s heart? No matter how great the position we hold, may we see others as greater than ourselves and serve them at the table. May we, in all humility, take the low place at the table of service and put all others before us, for you give praise and exalt in due time.

Let us not exalt ourselves or think, “we are great, for we serve.” No, our commendation comes from you. Now let the gifts and callings you have entrusted to us be used to serve one another in holiness, blamelessness, and righteousness – in your will and in your name.

Our eyes are on you.

Remove from us the worldly mentality of power, position, and prosperity and let all we do flow in the flow of your kingdom dynamic. We are unworthy servants.

Lord, tester of our hearts, only you can bring change to a heart. And I know that I am a new creation, created in Jesus. You have supplied love; let me wear it. You have given humility; let me be clothed in it. You see my struggle against this sin nature, but only you rescue my feet from the snare, therefore I look to you.

Father of mercies, in my weakness, I depend upon you. You strip me of my strength and show me my great need that I might come to you and that your power may be perfected in my weakness. I praise you for this Lord, God Almighty.

And now I rest in you Jesus, my only hope, my only salvation. Less of me, more of you.

Father, during the day in and the day out, the seemingly menial and repetitive, would you fill our hearts with joy that comes from hope? Our hope is not in this life only, but our hope rests in the eternal life we have in you. Spark joy, Lord!

We will not deny your abundant provision and grand blessings; these are but things that come from your hand and remind us that you provide all good things. Yet, “all abundance I have that is not you is poverty,” as your servant Augustine confessed.

Today, as in all days, may we honor you, Jesus, the Lord Christ whom we serve. Whether it be work, volunteering, family, friendships, church, or even vacation. May we find joy and strength and encouragement to live for and honor you. May we live among those surrounding us as Paul did: holy, blameless, and righteous.

Jesus, in our weakness your strength is made perfect. You lived out this important truth, giving us the example and model of complete dependence upon the Father. And even in trying to follow you in this, we are weak with pride and self-sufficiency!

So, we come and we confess how deeply we need you. Keep us from the blindness of self and self-reliance. We need you Lord, oh, how we need you.

And so, we wait on you for the enabling power of your Holy Spirit. Spirit, may we depend on you for words and the power to release this treasure we have in our earthen vessels – the glorious gospel. We cannot do it on our own. Clothe us with your power from on high!

Lord, through you all things were created and all things are yours, but not all has come into relationship with you. We see it, it is obvious – broken lives filled with sin, a rebellious nature ruling in the hearts of the unredeemed.

Lord, have mercy on all that is yours!

I know that one day you will make all things as they should be and I know that you have established redemption. Jesus, draw all men to yourself as you have promised. Put your creation in a place of softness to receive you the great king.

Give us words and hearts of compassion for the lost. You desire than none would perish but that all men, all tribes and tongues, would come to know you and worship on your mountain.

Jesus, would you give us strength of heart in the midst of opposition? We can feel it, the demonic push back as we move to serve and honor you. Clothe us in your armor and train our hands for war. We need your insight and direction.

Lord, thank you for grace! Thank you for mercy abundant and overflowing. My cup overflows as I sit in the presence of my enemies.

Would you unite your people, Lord? The body, the church, which you are the head of, Jesus. Grow us up into unity of faith, into the head Jesus. And cause us to cast off the unfruitful deeds of darkness and bad doctrines which weaken your people.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

Lord, you are the vine and we are the branches. Oh, how we need you! Without you we accomplish nothing of lasting worth, but with you we want for nothing, Shepherd.

Would you anoint us with fresh oil, Lord, the anointing that repels the buzzing flies and keeps infection at bay? You, Jesus, are the Lord our healer.

Help us, Father, being led and guided by your Spirit, to use the resources, giftings, and callings, in accordance with your will. May our lives be always presented to you as living sacrifices, pleasing you.

You have gifted us, now let us use those gifts for the building up of your church.

Lord, you allow us to be stretched, challenged. You use these trials to build in us perseverance and hope. Help me to submit to your testings and trainings that I may come forth as gold.

And let my words be gold, life to others in this world who are hurting. And may I give in resources and time. You have blessed us that we may be a blessing.

And in all things, be exalted. May the name of salvation, the name of Jesus, be exalted.

And thank you for those miracles, those answered prayers that bring comfort and assurance.

You are rich in mercy, tender Savior, lowly and loving, patient and caring. Involved. Near. Arms open wide to the sinful and heart free from bitterness or offense. You welcome us. Daily.

Lord, I pray your gospel, the gospel of your goodness towards man, and rescue of man, would spread, take root, and bear fruit. Much fruit. Here I am, purify – you do and you are – and use me.

Father, would you give me your heart, the heart on display in Jesus: who he was and who he is? And may that heart see and love. For to this I am called.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We live not in the fear of man, but in the pleasing of you, Lord. You, by your divine power have provided for us what we need to please you, to live godly lives, and to honor you in our jobs, our family, our church, and in all of our interactions. It is you we serve, Jesus, and may we do that with purity and sincerity of heart – with excellence.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for reminding us of your ways and your work in our lives. You comfort, you teach, you are the Gift from the Father. Amen.

Father, you test our hearts and so may we live to please you. Father, drive the ugly out! My attitudes, my anger, harbored bitterness and unforgiveness, doubts, fears – all of the things that you have caused me to despise.

And I will yet praise you for your faithfulness and divine power in my life.

Lord, I pray for a heart of mercy to replace lack of mercy. I ask for a heart of love where selfish ambition and pride exist. Renew a heart of compassion where there is self-righteousness and judgment. Remove every attitude of contempt and dismissiveness. For in myself I see all of these and come asking for mercy and grace in my time of need.

I am bought with a price and I am yours. And you always receive your own, even in their desperation. So, I come; I come to you, as I am, seeking your hand of help, seeking your face.

You discipline those you love and scourge everyone you receive as a son, as a daughter. I see my fault; my sin is ever before me. Yet this I know, you have forgiven me of all my sins; now let my heart dwell there, not on the spotty mirror that misrepresents me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation.

Lord, prepare our hearts for your return. May we have great endurance given by hope in you as we labor in love and work the works you’ve prepared for us; works done in faith. Faith, hope, and love; may these remain with us and dwell and thrive in our lives as we wait for your return and the reward you bring with you.

Keep us from the dullness of heart that love for this world produces and give us the passion of your presence. We seek you, King Jesus! Keep us from riding the fence and also from asceticism, and let our hearts rest in you, our Deliverer.

We wait on you; we trust in you, the One who is even now working out your will in our lives and giving us the strength and desire for our good.

Lord, sometimes it takes more than me trying; I need a miracle. You uphold us. When we are falling and when we find ourselves bowed down like your daughter who was bent over in infirmity and oppression, you raise us up (Luke 13:10-17). Raise us up Lord!

I see my faults, my sins, the utterly evil attitudes that crop up out of what seems to be nowhere. You refine. Keep me from being bowed down or falling because of these awful things that I am seeing. You see no stain upon me, for I am made righteous and holy and am beautiful in your eyes.

You call me son, for I am yours. In the deepest, darkest valley, you hold on to me and I am grateful. I trust you, Lord. Thank you.

God you are victorious, wonderful Savior, strong in arm and near in heart. You crown our days with good things and lean in to show us benefit. You renew our strength and keep us all our days. We praise you, Lord!

Bring salvation to the nations, Lord. Let them see your gift, the gift of Jesus, come in the flesh to this earth to love us and rescue us. Let us hold on to this good news and bear it with joy to others.

Lord, lift our hearts from the doldrums of this poor planet and its corrupting desires, and may our hearts and minds be set on your pure blessings. We put on love as a garment, a garment of grace bejeweled in beauty and appealing to the sin-sick heart.

In my weakness your strength is made perfect, so let me not be disheartened. Your power goes beyond ours, so let us walk in it. Lord Jesus, here we are; we present ourselves to you as living sacrifices.

Nearness, Jesus, nearness to you is what we ask for. Intimacy, friendship, freedom from walls of shame. In your presence is fullness of joy and all fear melts at the closeness of you. You are Lord of creation and friend of our hearts, the One who loves our souls.

So, I ask for myself and for all your saints that we would experience the closeness of your sweet presence, the presence of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit in us. Dwell among your people, within our midst: you our God and we your people.

You are my deliverer, the one who draws me to yourself. Therefore, I have hope in my distress and trust in your attentiveness in my affliction. I can trust you, Jesus, name of safety and strong redeemer-deliverer.

My prayer today is that you would draw and convict those who don’t know you so they would know you as I know you: friend and Father, God of abundant blessing and salvation.

Let not the weight and pain of life harden lost hearts, but rather, use tragedy to draw and humble and save. Only you are able to rescue, Lord. With you all things are possible.

Let the sap of your life push the dead things off of us and bring new life to that which is weary, worn out, and old. I wait in hope Lord Jesus for you to come, my deliverer.

Lord, restore joy to our souls, the joy of your salvation. Restore to us what the enemy has stolen, for he is a thief and a liar. Keep us from his temptations to despair and focus on us. Jesus, we simply come to you, our hope, and wait on you.

Forgive me Lord for allowing the burdens of this life to sap me of my joy and for holding high and unreasonable expectations that only lead to life-draining disappointments. You are my joy and my portion.

Rid my mind and root my heart of any thoughts, the lies, that would keep me from coming fully and unreservedly to you. I bring every thought captive to the obedience of you Jesus.

And now, rest, enjoyment in Jesus.

Lord, though I am weary, I know the end of this journey is in your hands and that this trial stops at you yourself perfecting, confirming, strengthening, and establishing me. You, yourself. Though I walk through this valley, you are with me, and this is truth.

There are many who oppose you, disregard you, and do not have faith in you. I pray for the miracle of salvation in their lives – only you can do that! And keep your people from the insidious ways and philosophies of this world. Let us embrace you, your ways, not the ways of this world.

Now I pray Lord, deliver me. Heal my mind; renew and bring joy. You know the desire of the afflicted and hear it. Now come, Lord, and break the arm of the enemy and smash his teeth.

Jesus, today we come to you. We cast all of our burdens on you: our sins, fears, anxieties, shame, doubt, cynicism, nagging worries, and disturbing thoughts. We come today and take on your yoke, your teaching, your truth, your rest.

Let not our hearts be closed but break down every wall that would keep us from full intimacy with you. Where we fight, let us receive. Where we resist, let us bend our knees. Where we fear, let the light of your truth dispel that darkness. Lord, we come; Lord we come.

You will make all things new and our hope is in the sight of you – seeing your face and being changed into your likeness. Let it be, Lord. Your children of the now say, let it be.

Lord, thank you for this beautiful, sunny day. You have made it, you hold it together, you are the life-giver. Amen.

I pray for rest for your people. We labor, we grow weary, but let us not grow discouraged. May we enjoy the reprieve when it comes, and the refreshing it brings. Our hearts can only find rest in you.

And so, we come, we stand and we wait, simply knowing your gentle presence throughout the day. We are soldiers, held by you. We fight, we wait, we rest. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, Spirit of Jesus, thank you for the encouragement. You are breath and life, and so I come to you. Jesus, you paid the highest price – your blood – and your blood has satisfied the Father with whom I am now at peace. So settle my heart Lord as you settled the storms – both before you took on flesh and while on this earth with us.

As you discipline us, let us not be discouraged, but instead, let us rejoice in your goodness towards us. It is you who is working in us, renewing us so that we will be like you.

Lord, guard your people. You have guaranteed that the gates of hell will not prevail over us, your church, your light that overcomes the world by our faith. So let our faith grow and let us grow up firm and mature into you Jesus.

Jesus, light of the world, light up my heart. Bring joy, Lord! Bring peace, Prince of Peace. Settle all matters of question, doubt, and confusion. You are my portion and my answer, so I wait on you.

I praise you my God in the midst of this storm. You have anchored my soul; bring full assurance. You see my heart; you know every part. I am yours, Master Carpenter, Skillful Potter. Form and make me.

Lord, draw us away from evil – from the easy way – to yourself, to intimacy and nearness with God, the Father. All things you are working together and you are in my life working.

Lord, it is against the enemy’s schemes that we stand; yet not alone! For you stand with us. You are found by us and we are still with you. Guard our minds with the helmet of salvation, Strong Deliverer. We look to you in the day of battle.

Father, we pray for the weak and downcast – those whose faith is weak. We do not look down on them but look up to you to be the lifter of our struggling brothers and sisters. Let us be the hand that brings encouragement and help.

Holy Spirit, you are our comforter, the One who speaks truth to our hearts and reminds our forgetfulness of your faithfulness. Renew us, Lord; refresh and soften and restore.

Thank you, Lord!