7 Prayers That Work

  Come, Holy Spirit, Fill our hearts this Christmas. Speak to us, and help us hear you. You called Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents to your Son , and you told them not to be afraid, even though the calling was overwhelming. You promised them blessing and direction and hope . You filled Mary; you planted a God-man inside of her, a miraculous conception. Then you breathed destiny over her life. You filled Joseph with love, courage, and wisdom to protect Mary and Jesus from harm. You allowed Elizabeth to become pregnant with John the Baptist, who would point a nation toward the Messiah they'd been waiting for. You filled her with words of praise and encouragement for Mary. You filled Zechariah with joy, and he prophesied power and influence over his son. You directed unlearned shepherds to leave their flocks to find a new baby in a stable. They believed that he was their Savior, and they worshipped him and spread the news throughout their sleepy village. You led astronomers ...

In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant back to Ur, the country of his origin, to find a wife for his son Isaac.  Abraham instructed his servant: 1. Don't take my son away from here (the Promised Land--where God had called them to be) 2. Don't find a wife from here (because this is a pagan culture) 3. Go back to our people for his wife 4. God will send an angel ahead to prepare her Pretty cool idea. So here's a prayer for your son or daughter's future spouse -- Lord God, I have already dedicated my child to you. I trust you with him/her. You created this child in the womb, perfectly crafting every part of him/her, just as you wished, because You have a special calling and mission for him/her. You want him/her to love and serve you all his/her life. You are protecting, providing, and disciplining him/her, molding him/her into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus. You love this child more than I do, which is saying a lot. You know what is best an...

Holy Spirit, Give me the faith to pray big prayers. I want to experience you working miracles, healing my emotions, transforming my mind, softening my heart, directing my destiny. Give me courage to fight for others instead of against others. I want to see you reconciling races, restoring relationships, reuniting families, bringing closure, healing wounds, saving souls. Give me the confidence to believe your timing is perfect. I want peace while believing in a future, accepting disappointment, striving for faith, enduring hardship, conquering temptation. Give me You. Amen.

Dear Lord of all, I can't stop thinking about Cuba. I see them in their churches, with hands raised in worship, arms thrusting the air, feet moving, bodies swaying, lost in their love for you. I see them speaking to neighbors, telling people about Jesus, the answer to everything. I see them calling down the Spirit, crying over people, ushering in your healing power. I see them being Jesus everywhere. Lord, keep them safe. Strengthen them in their love for you. Increase their resolve to reach their country for you. Protect them from complacency. May your Spirit roar over them like fire. Move through them like wind. Alight on them like a dove. Holy Spirit, descend on Cuba. Oh, Lord God, give me just a taste of their passion for You! Amen.

Dear Father, My heart is heavy with worry and anguish over the hate and fear building in this country. Even among Christians, the pressure to retaliate and fight confuses my desire to be a light in this dark world. Why am I afraid? Because I look around me and see sinful men and sinful reactions. I see fear everywhere, and I know that when I am afraid, my trust in You vanishes like the morning mist. I pray now against fear and anxiety. God, make me brave. Make me strong and courageous. Then give me a passion to love others. Give me confidence in YOU and in the weapons you command me to use--praying in the power of the Holy Spirit and speaking the Word of God, which is sharper than any sword. Pierce me first, then pierce the darkness of this culture with the Light of the World. In You I trust. You are my deliverer, my safe haven, my stronghold. I will wait on You. I will not be afraid what men can do to me. In Jesus' holy and powerful name, Amen.