7 Prayers That Work

  Dear Lord God, Jehovah, I pray for peace and protection in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas ( Acts 1:8 ), for the Israelis and Palestinians and the age-old conflict between them. You love both groups of people. You walked their streets, healed their sick, and prayed on their hillsides. You understand the divisions and hostilities there, and you still long to draw every person to yourselves like a hen gathers her chicks ( Matthew 23:37 ). Help us, in the West, to pray for souls over governments . Give us compassion and mission for all people ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Convict us when we politicize oppression and applaud violence . I confess our ignorance and our judgment, our self-congratulations and pious condemnations. We are sinners who need you, just like everyone in the world. May we be a light to the whole world, not just the world we think we understand. Help us to pray for those who need your healing touch and protective hand. I want to serve you in the way that glorifies...

The devil is a thief, and he is robbing you of something that God intends to use for a great purpose. What has satan robbed you of? Do you want it back ? Mark 9 tells the story of a man who comes to Jesus because his child is demon-possessed. He says, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." What are you unable to overcome ? Has the devil robbed you of any of these gifts: courage to do something hard confidence to make decisions empathy for people you don't understand boldness to speak truth willingness to share yourself with the body of Christ faith to follow God's word over cultural norms compassion for the needy trust that God is working in someone's life conviction to share the gospel peace that God is caring for you humility t...

Lord Jesus, I'm so, so tired . You understand why and how and what's next. Please help me to endure with patience the task you've called me to. Your will doesn't seem attainable. I'm insecure and unsettled . I'm overwhelmed and uneasy. I don't know how to endure . I just want rest. And I want answers. Please fill me with your power instead of my own. Build my faith during this weary time. Take this emptiness  and use it to glorify yourself. It will be so obvious that you alone are at work through my life. I am incapable of greatness. You alone satisfy my desire, and you alone can create something meaningful out of weakness . Forgive me for trying to accomplish things in my own strength. Thank you for this exhaustion . I give it to you and ask you to resurrect me. In Jesus' name and because He is LIFE, Amen. "Let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, ...

Lord of heaven, Kick the devil's butt today. He's going to lose anyway. I mean it. I'm so tired of his work. I pray the Holy Spirit's power over my city, my church, and my family right now. I'm so sick of watching the enemy stir up trouble, use believers to spread dissension , and generate fear in his own people, who should be fearless under the powerful hand of God. Lord, hear my prayer . Wipe out deceivers. Shut up the complainers . Quench the rumors. Encourage the weak-minded. Empower the obedient to speak truth, fight evil, and more forward. Forgive our sins, Lord. The battle belongs to the Lord, today and every day. I pray that you stamp out the enemy of our souls. In Jesus' mighty name,  Amen. "... my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,   holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with re...

Dear Lord, I pray your blessing over mothers today. Mothers like me, who need your hand on us. I pray healing over the mothers who grieve, patience over those who are frustrated and discouraged , rest over those who are weary, joy over those who are sad, peace over those who worry, courage over those who fight, wisdom over those burdened with decisions, direction over those who feel lost, discernment over those who feel confused, protection over those who are endangered, endurance over those who suffer. Give Christian mothers victory over the devil's schemes and grace to grow, in Jesus' name. Keep us from striving for perfection . Stop us from damaging emotional spirals. Strengthen us in our spiritual walk. Bring us laughter. Help us catch every moment. Make us prayer warriors. Hold us up when our children disappoint or when they hurt us deeply. You understand. Gather us under your wings. We need you, and we worship you, Jesus. We--the mothers of the world--are so blessed by...

Lord God,  Defender of our souls and our Conquerer, I shout praises to you because you are holy , righteous, just, merciful, and fierce . How awesome are you wonderful works on my behalf! Your enemies cringe before your power. Why am I afraid ? Why do I think you haven't got things well in hand? You have raised the dead ,  held back waters, brought dead bones to life, healed the sick, given sight to the blind, defeated the devil. Nothing is too hard for you in my life or anywhere. Pour out your power on me. Hold back my stormy seas. Work a miracle in me and through me. I pray Jesus' name over the destruction that's coming against my life . In Jesus' name, Amen. "Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf." (Psalm 66)

Oh, Lord, I don't now what's going to happen next, but there are some scary options sitting in front of me, taunting my thoughts and terrifying my heart. I feel like I'm wilting on the inside: My spirit grows faint within me and my heart feels dismayed ( Psalm 143:4 ). I know that you are good and that you only do good to your people. I remember your faithfulness-- you do not bring judgment down on us like you should;  no one stands before you righteous ( Psalm 143:2 ). I trust you because you have always protected me. I remember all the times you have rescued me and comforted me. I reach out for you like a thirsty soul in the desert ( Psalm 143:5-6 ). Lord, come to me and satisfy my longing. Quench my fear. Renew my spirit. Do not hide your face from me. Every morning, remind me of your unfailing love ( Psalm 143:7-8 ). Show me the way I should go. I only trust you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Holy Spirit, level the ground before me and lead me into ...