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I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming.
From Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”
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Nothing is clearer than that prayer has its only worth and significance in the great fact that God hears and answers prayer.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
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The Divine wisdom has given us prayer, not as a means whereby to obtain the good things of earth, but as a means whereby we learn to do without them; not as a means whereby we escape evil, but as a means whereby we become strong to meet it.
Pray till prayer makes you forget your own wish, and leave it or merge it in God’s will.
These quotes come from Frederick W. Robertson, English preacher and Christian author.
From Psalm 31:24: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”
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Immense weight of the world
Resting on our shoulders
Crying out to our Lord
Pebbles fall like boulders
Darkest thoughts undermine
Harshest mental torment
Hidden physical foes
Hopeless, stuck in cement
Our Lord hearing, He cares
Listening to whole hearts
Filling with confidence
Piercing conflict, like a dart
Forever with our Lord
His refuge, without fuss
His righteousness delivers
Strong fortress, saving us
Cities under fearful siege
Virus shadows each street
Lord, lead us and guide us
Your goodness won’t retreat
Our Father’s steadfast love
Covers our affliction
Blessed be our Lord God
Faith, hope . . . our conviction
Trusting in the Father
Facing vicious disease
Your face shines upon us
We pray upon our knees
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From Psalm 3:8: “Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessings be on your people.”
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It is mid-morning on a nearly empty street corner in a remote, medium-sized town when Milt runs into one of his best friends, Fred. Little do these two men know, but their improbable rendezvous will bring both of them inner strength and hope.
Both men are in their eighties, but each is blessed with good health. Being retired, they don’t always have a chance to catch up on news.
Milt is a widower, who lost his beloved Sharon several years back. Fred’s lovely wife, Judy, struggles with many chronic health concerns.
The two friends continue to visit on the deserted street corner. Milt tells Fred, “I am really concerned about this virus news.” As he speaks, both men realize they need to stand a bit farther apart due to reminders in the news about social distancing.
Milt replies back, “Me, too. I guess we have lots of company.” Both men have been overly cautious about being safe with their exposure to the disease.
Fred shares news from home about his bride of 61 years. He continues talking to Milt, “I am really worried about Sharon. Her health is very fragile, and I hope she can weather the storm ahead with this virus out there.”
Milt looks across at his friend, and he sees the deep worries of concern and anxiety in Fred’s face. Milt asks, “May I pray for you?” Milt nods in agreement.
In closing the prayer, Milt shares a special prayer with his long-time friend: “God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Before the men depart and continue with their day’s journey, Fred shares a verse from one of his favorite Psalms (27:1): “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
The Serenity Prayer was originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The most common version of the prayer was published in 1951, but Niebuhr used variations of the prayer in sermons as early as 1934. In the story, Milt adapted the prayer to fit the situation.
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Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.
From Proverbs 15:29: “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
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Morning arrives quietly with much on one’s mind
Reaching out to the Father, with a prayer to find
Psalms surrounding one’s inner soul with a frame
Blessing God the Father, blessing His Holy name
Thoughts move to life’s trials, several filled with sin
Asking the Lord for patience and forgiveness again
The Lord redeems this wayward life from the Pit
Seeking to be closer to Him, finding a place to sit
God fills all with His steadfast love and praise
Helping everyone make it through life’s maze
The Lord is merciful, gracious, and forgiving
Praying to Him deepens a person with living
This time of prayer offers much humbleness to the Lord
Slow to anger and abounding with so much love in store
A prayerful moment prepares a heart with much to say
Spending moments with God, like a potter molding clay
From James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
The words of this poem are inspired from some of my prayers for family, friends, and acquaintances here on WordPress. Being a prayer warrior is an important element of my faith and witness.
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From Psalm 86:5-6: “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
Praying for others through God’s love . . .
Praying with patience and care
Asking God with nothing to spare
Witnessing son’s lasting love for his Dad
Time spent together, making both glad
Bringing empathy and care to a young boy
Cancer rages, but medical staff deploys
Waiting for prodigal children to return
Inviting God, His lessons will be learned
Watching a lost mother, now showing love
Children feeling God’s mercy, from above
Allowing time to heal a brother’s relationship
Now picking up the phone, full of friendship
Battling health problems for years and years
Faithfulness and hope carry on, without fear
Nurturing a relationship, despite great distance
Love flourishes, with God’s constant assistance
Finding life no longer survives through a bottle
Weekly AA meetings turn up a man’s throttle
Moving to a new city, with its new demands
New job arrives, life settles in God’s hands
Feeling empty loneliness, each and every day
Woman discovers love, with so much to say
Revealing unconditional love toward a spouse
Love carries on, refilling this blessed house
Sacrificing His Son for our sinful ways
God offers Jesus, with Salvation today
Praying for others through God’s love . . .
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From Psalm 62:1: “My soul waits in silence for God only.”
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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
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From Romans 12:11: “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.”
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Being a Christian with benevolence residing in my heart, I pray daily for America. With a positive outlook, let us never forsake our nation or any nation. Because we can learn and apply many lessons from America’s roots; may we, as a nation and as a global community, reach out with renewed hope.
Some proclaim America is drifting away
But God is great, He will point the way
He totally understands our weaknesses—yes!
From them come God’s strengths—no less!
God sees our miscalculations and missteps
Our Lord observes the discord we’ve met
God hears and sees all, He lets out a sigh
May He fill us with His wisdom from high
The Lord hears harsh words, we regret
They are but, an utterly empty breath
God will not forsake us or any nation
He won’t abandon our grave situation
The righteous experience the arrival of hope
Those upright in hearts, follow God’s scope
When our nation’s footing continues to slip
God’s steadfast love marches, without a skip
Look up, always trust, and continue to believe
Allow Christ’s assurance to shine and please
God reigns faithfully, compassion so awesome
His love prevails with Spirit, always to blossom
We, like Christ’s Disciples, occasionally lack faith
Recall the feeding of five thousand on that date
Jesus brings the Gospel forward, front and center
Soften our harsh rhetoric, allow the Gospel to enter
God’s House shall not be divided, nor torn apart
United, a nation stands resilient, God in its heart
The Lord is our stronghold, gather together
Allow His safe refuge to be our rock forever
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Big Sky Buckeye 