The burdening of our heart to pray for ourselves or for others is a special demonstration of God’s love.
From John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but will speak whatever He hears, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”
From Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Life’s journey suddenly growing cold
Living under clouds of uncertainty
No longer feeling confident and bold
Even confident people possess fears
Overcome by unplanned dilemmas
Feeling much like the rest of our peers
Our faithful prayers will be heard
God’s will scatters those stormy clouds
Never lose hope, listen to His Word
As neighbors, our love supports each other
Through our steadfast encouragement
Children of God, true sisters and brothers
Tackling problems on life’s clipboard
Filled with determination and courage
Walking in confidence with our Lord
From the words of German-Dutch Christian author, Thomas a Kempis: “Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.”
From Psalm 32:7: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”
With faces toward the rising sun
Lord, share your mercy and forgiveness
Coming to the Cross, with repentance
Humbly laying our transgressions there
On our knees, breaking bread together
In remembrance, Jesus truly cares
Coming to the Cross, seeking its hope
With reverence, looking to our Lord
On our knees, drinking wine together
Singing with praise to His perfect chord
Coming to the Cross, stained with red blood
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior
On our knees, praising God together
Walking with transforming behavior
With faces toward the rising sun
Lord, share your mercy and forgiveness
From Psalm 62:1-2: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.”
Anticipating in faithful silence for the One
From Christ, comes our Salvation He won
God brings deliverance from life’s trials
His steadfast love proclaims and smiles
Witnessing transformation by Christ’s renewing love
Pouring out our daily needs to the Holy Lord above
Witnessing the Apostles in their committed walk
Learning about Jesus as His words openly talk
God delivering His promise, acceptable and good
Trusting in our Heavenly Father, as we all should
As a single body with Christ, persevere in daily prayer
Meditating upon what lies deep inside, our daily cares
Trusting always, we come forth to pray
God standing as our rock, always stout
His fortress never shaken with doubt
Allowing the Holy Spirit, a welcome space to invade
Loving one another, because Jesus ultimately gave
Replacing negative thoughts with a positive way
Slowing down, counting blessings—let us pray
Spending less time, filled with our trivial worries
Praising God for His message of faithful courage
God’s kingdom depends upon His mighty hand
Feeling His promises, His will covers the land
Answering the great question for all to behold
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, so bold
Reveling in God’s glorious adventure, with trusting love
Allowing Him to assist, in sending answers from above
Trusting always, we come forth to pray
God standing as our rock, always stout
His fortress never shaken with doubt
From Romans 12:11: “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
From Ephesians 4:31-32: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Life’s battered bucket sometimes overflows
Facing daily challenges, too immense
One challenge standing apart from the rest
Using forgiveness seems much too intense
Our righteous Father teaches forgiveness
Extending His mercy through earnest hearts
Breathe every truth in its entirety
Receiving His grace with humble hearts
Take in God’s Word, His Holy Commandments
Burying bitterness, it lifts the heart
Always best to forgive, forget, move on
Beating with freedom’s light, opens the heart
As humans, reacting much too quickly
Expressing heated anger, fixing blame
Slow to forgive, even more to forget
Stepping now with humbleness, drowns the flames
No longer in the enemy’s darkness
Praying the sun does not set on one’s rage
With our Lord’s truth, filling with righteousness
Following God’s way, life writes a new page
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Jim Cymbala: “Looking back over my life, all I can see is mercy and grace written in large letters everywhere. May God help me have the same kind of heart toward those who wound or offend me.”
From Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
God’s people under attack
Roaring lion on the prowl
Looking for prey to devour
Evil presence brings a scowl
Days becoming the darkest
Running away from the Lord
But, hope waits like eagles’ wings
Holy Spirit comes aboard
Remaining strong with our Lord
Under His mighty power
Wearing protective armor
God’s Word will carry the hour
Our Father’s righteousness speaks
Spirit with us on this day
Withstanding what evil brings
Defeating darkness His way
Time to witness hope-filled faith
Praying daily for action
Quench evil’s flaming arrows
Calling for man’s retraction
Behind His truth, standing firm
Urging others to repent
Proclaiming Gospel of peace
Our Holy God will relent
From Psalm 85:6-7: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
When the dream of our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flows into us. At that moment, all of the spiritual resources of the universe are released to help us.
From Matthew 6:7-8: “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Reading from Psalm 38, one finds David’s words as he asks for God’s healing. This poem’s verses bring to the forefront an active voice with feeling, praying, finding, healing, praising, and seeing.
Feeling darkness
Feeling unknown
Feeling empty
Feeling alone
Praying with faith
Praying this Psalm
Praying for hope
Praying for calm
Finding God’s love
Finding what’s heard
Finding new life
Finding His Word
Healing these wounds
Healing this soul
Healing my heart
Healing me whole
Praising Father
Praising accords
Praising heavens
Praising my Lord
Seeing the Cross
Seeing the light
Seeing Christ’s love
Seeing God’s might
From Psalm 38:15: “But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”
Selected verses from Psalm 122 bring inspiration for this poem. America, as a nation, needs healing and reconciliation. The two verses of Scripture take us on a journey from where we have been to where we wish to go.
From Jeremiah 6:14: “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.”
Praying for peace in our city
Loving Jesus takes center stage
Welcoming peace into all hearts
Hearing love of God over rage
Listening to cries of anguish
Walking with Jesus protects all
Showing empathy for neighbors
Sharing His peace at every call
Stepping forward with trusting words
Treating these wounds with Jesus’ care
Saying “peace, peace” with conviction
Lifting hands high, love fills the air
Standing and feeding His lost flock
Replacing discord, Jesus comes
Proclaiming a new dawn today
Following Grace-filled, beating drum
From Isaiah 57:19: “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”
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The Bible is the letter God has sent to us; prayer is a letter we send to Him.
From Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”
Big Sky Buckeye 