7 Prayers That Work

Lord God, I pray for my heart and mind to rest in peace . Help me to trust with the things I can't see and can't control. Forgive me for not paying attention to your words, not listening to your voice, not waiting in the quiet place for you. You say that if I pay attention to your commands, your peace will flow like a river over me. Your righteousness will wash over me without end. And you tell me that I will never find peace without your righteousness . I cannot give over my thoughts and emotions to the enemy's lies and feel comfort in your arms or hear your words of blessing. I will hear the noise instead. I will feel the anxiety that chaos brings. And I will think you've forgotten about me or can't protect me. Lord, protect me from this dangerous path toward unbelief ! If I want peace, I only need to crave righteous living. In Jesus' name, Amen. Isaiah 48:18, 22 "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a rive...

If you worry about what to pray or how to pray, try this prayer. It is filled with actual verses from the Bible about WORDS. Yes, God has so much to say about words themselves. In fact, Jesus calls himself "the Word." So don't worry about if you're praying the right way. Just speak Jesus' words back to him, and let him speak his words into you. Everything will change! What you believe. What you think. What you say. What you do. Everything! Oh, Lord God, the Word of Life-- I praise you for your words, for our holy Scriptures , and especially for the red letter words in the Bible.  Thank you for speaking to me, day after day, minute by minute, whether I'm listening or not. You're always there, speaking in a whisper , speaking life . Praise : Your words are sweet to me; they give nourishment and joy. I can always trust them ( Psalm 119:103 ). Your words are flawless--they are like gold refined by fire. I cannot improve on them ( Psalm12:6 ). Before time be...

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And the Lord said to Samuel, "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle." (1 Samuel 3:10-11) Lord of Heaven, You are standing here, right next to me,  waiting for me to recognize you. Speak, Lord, I'm listening now. I won't argue with you. I will obey whatever you tell me to do, no matter how frightening or impossible it seems. I'm listening . You are about to do something new that will make everyone stop and take notice . And for some reason,  you've invited me into the process. You want to use me. How can I say 'no' to that? You have all power and authority in my life. So tell me what you want from me. I'll do it. In Jesus' name, Amen. How is God speaking to you? What is he saying?

Speak to me, Lord. I'm listening. I'm preparing the sanctuary of my soul so you can enter and sit with me. And so I can hear you. I'm making room in my thoughts and beliefs  for you to change me and direct me. I need you. So I will sit here and wait to hear from you. Wait to feel you and know you. Wait until my heart transforms from cynical to celebrating , from afraid to expectant, from bitter to grateful. I will wait. Only through this silent waiting will I find the sense to shut out the noise of this world. Only in stillness can I can experience your love and wisdom. Forgive me for my self-focus and my judgment of others. Direct me toward the work you have for me today. Give me strength , patience, and courage to do it. Sustain my spirit, so I don't give up. Speak to me, Lord. Oh, please, don't stop speaking to me. In Jesus' name, Amen. For this is what the  Lord  says— he who created the heavens,     ...

Ahh! Here you are, God. Waiting for me in this quiet place. You've been calling to me all week, whenever I made time to watch the sunset or smelled the freshly-cut grass. When I took pictures of the cherry blossoms and admired the beauty of a lake shimmering blue and crystal under a bright sun, that's where you were. You were waiting in my moments of wakefulness and sleepiness, waiting as my first and last thoughts of every day. There your Spirit whispered prayers for me to the God of heaven. When I felt fatigue, you assured me that you would sustain me. When I felt fear, you whispered that you would protect me. When I felt worry, you promised you would make all things work together for good. All with your quiet, reassuring presence. You were waiting here, on a day I've singled out to meet you. Out here in the sun and the vastness of a quiet setting where I've made time to sit with you and hear what you have to say. And this is what you sa...