7 Prayers That Work

Oh, Lord, I don't have the words for what I'm feeling right now. Or what I should say. Or if I should say anything at all. Words are tricky. They tend to pop out. Help me to pray YOUR words about MY words: Make the words of my mouth pleasing and acceptable to you. (Psalm 19:14) Give me gracious words, sweet like honeycomb and healing to the bones.  (Proverbs 16:24) May my mouth speak wisdom and my heart be filled with understanding.  (Psalm 49:3) Purify my words like silver, burn off the dross in your crucible. (Psalm 12:6) Whenever I open my mouth, give me the faith to speak the gospel fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19) Help my speech to be as beautiful and valuable as apples of gold in pictures of silver.  (Proverbs 25:11) Your words are true and faithful. They will prove to be true. May I speak them! (Psalm 33:4) I want to take hold of your words, obey your commands, and live! (Proverbs 4:4) Lord, may all of my words be just. Keep me from speaking perverse words...

Lord God of the Universe, Thank you for loving us and dying for us. Thank you for using us to spread the gospel throughout the whole world. I pray right now for the missionaries in Costa Rica and the dear people they minister to. I pray for the girls and boys in the Child of Hope Schools, for them to come to believe and trust in Jesus. I pray for the after-school programs for the Chicas and Chicos, for these kids to find spiritual mentors and friends. I pray they would see a difference in their Christian leaders and learn to hope for a better, brighter future. I pray for you to protect these children from abuse, from drug and alcohol addiction. I pray they would finish school and find careers and most of all, answer your calling on their lives. I pray for the women we met there, that you would fill them with hope and courage. Provide for their physical and emotional needs. Protect them from abuse--may they be bold enough to stop it. Encourage them in their spiri...