7 Prayers That Work

Oh, Lord, My spirit is so heavy .  I feel sad, even while I look around at your beautiful world and thank you for your provision. You have given me so much. Your love and grace isn't lost on me. And yet... I'm human. Circumstances are often painful. People are often cruel. The future doesn't always look bright. So how can I keep my mind in a state of thankfulness and hope? I will praise you. I will count my blessings . I will remember how you have never failed me, how you have protected me, blessed me, and called me. That gives me hope, and that drives out sadness and discouragement. You alone are great and powerful. Nothing in this world can interfere with your blessing and calling on my life. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." ( Psalm 43:5 )

Oh, Lord,  I could have been born anywhere-- Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, North Korea, Argentina, Afghanistan, India, Mexico.... But I was born in the United States. I don't know why you gave that to me; the privilege and responsibility overwhelm me with gratitude. My country is not perfect. It's not the Promised Land.  It's not heaven on earth. But I am free. I have opportunity . I can speak out. I can vote people in or out of office. Thank you , Lord. I'm grateful for this privilege. I don't discount it. I will not malign what you've given me  or demand more, as if I'm entitled  to this freedom, prosperity, and support. I deserve much less. And so many millions around the world don't have a fraction of what I do. Thank you for my freedom. Thank you for my voice. Thank you for my vote. I promise to use each to honor and glorify your name. In Jesus' name,  Amen. " You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your  freedom  ...

Lord, God, We grieve at the latest school violence! How horrible and offensive to you and to our children that two school shooters harmed and killed high school students this week , so soon after they returned to school! Protect our children , God! Oh, Lord, change our culture! Change our hearts as a people! Comfort our children  who are traumatized. Rescue those kids who feel that violence is the answer to their fear and pain. Lord, change our country : our government, public health, and school systems so that we can correct the environment and affects of violence and despair. Forgive us for our prejudices, our hatred, our insecurity, all of which come from a wrong view of you and a wrong view of God.  I confess the violence of our youth and our citizens. Lord, reign your mercy down. Hold back your vengeance and share your healing. May we accept and live out your salvation . In Jesus' name,  Amen. "Bring to an end the  violence  of the wicked and make the ri...

  A WORD: Don't ever be afraid of the truth. Not the truth about yourself, your heart, your emotions, or your spiritual strongholds. Not the truth about those you love. Not the truth about God's commands or will. Please don't walk away from truth, even when it's hard. It will literally save you. Again and again. "There is no fear in  love . But  perfect   love  drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made  perfect  in  love ." ( 1 John 4:18 ) If finding out the truth about yourself or something terrifies you, then you have a clear sign that the devil is working against you. Whenever we love, we welcome the truth. We won't re-shape it, twist it, or wield it. We will protect it and cherish it. Truthful lives point towards God, not toward ourselves or our own abilities. "A  truth ful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful." ( Proverbs 14:25 ) But what if we can't tell the difference? ...

,   Dear Lord, You know I've got a big couple of weeks coming up.  My children are leaving the nest in a variety of ways.  Whether first time, second time, or last time--it doesn't really matter. There is a stabbing pain when my kids move away. Release, pride, gratefulness, worry, and then loss,  which tries very hard to morph into panic and desperation. (Smothering and helicopter-ing seem like options, even though I condemn it but secretly want to do it.) My emotions are going crazy, so I know that my feelings and thoughts cannot be fully trusted. I must lean into you only. Worry makes me assume the worst. Loss makes me feel rejected. Panic pushes my loved ones away. (Read a blog about losing your kids to college  here .) Control my thoughts, Lord. Speak truth to me, and help me hear you. Help me to focus on your love and grace to me, not my feelings of loss or worry. You've got this. You've got me. You always protect, always draw near, always speak to those wh...

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." ( Proverbs 4:6-7 ) Dear Lord God,  I need your wisdom . I'm afraid of what it will cost me to learn, but I want it anyway. It's the only way to survive this life and live it for you. I'm beginning to understand that godly wisdom is expensive  to get. The more I seek you, the more I become a target . The more I want you, the more the world tries to lure me in. It's wisdom I need and wisdom that will save and protect me. Surround me with your mighty angels. Fill me with your powerful Spirit. Anoint me with your calling . Humble me so I recognize where you're at work and when I'm interfering with your work. Help me walk in your Spirit and hear your voice. Give me your wisdom-- don't allow me to attain intelligence or cunning instead. Then I will have wisdom in all my deci...

  "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of  bitterness  grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." (Hebrews 12:15) An observation: If we care for one another,  God gives us grace . If we don't care for one another, we don't get grace from anyone. Bitterness is a weed that overtakes a garden until it has choked out every plant that was once beautiful and productive until the garden becomes useless and ugly. Bitterness prevents blessing . A prayer: Oh, Lord, I confess my bitterness  and my lack of trust in you to direct me in all things. I've resented you allowing weeds into my life. My heart has not been fertile or  productive lately. It has been a garden of weeds instead of a garden of flowers. Please forgive me and help me develop the courage to rip out every weed and prune back every thought and habit that doesn't honor you . I confess holding grudges, distrusting your care, and pr...

  Oh, Lord, I bless you name and your promises. You are great, and you act justly in my life. You don't withhold good things from me, and you lead me in the path that you want me to take. You bless me abundantly. I don't deserve your grace ,  but you give it freely. I will praise you to everyone. When I go to sleep praising you, I wake up praising you. May you always be on my heart and mind-- when I'm working, struggling, relaxing, worrying. When I praise you, I am aware of how much you give me! How enormous is the sum of your blessings on my life! They are more vast than the stars in the sky. I cannot count them all. Give me the perspective and grace to bless my family , my church, my government, and even my enemies . Fill me with your magnitude of your presence, and may I always sit in awe of you and the astonishing actions you perform on my behalf! In Jesus' name, Amen. "I will bless the  Lord  who guides me;  even at night my heart instructs me." ( Psalm...

*Praying Parent Tip: Click on the links below to find 20 additional prayers for parents to pray over their children. The Challenge: We can do more than pray for our children to have a good day or pray God's protection over them. We can pray for them to feel conviction. We can confess their sins. We can cover them with blessing. We can give grace for their failures and trust God with their futures . We can offer them up as living sacrifices every day because they belong to God, and we are parents merely to steward their souls and disciple them in Christ. We must stand in the gap for them, to raise them up in the Word, to lead them to Jesus, to model faith., to pray for their growth. This is Christian parenting . The Example: " Early in the morning he [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering  for each of them, thinking, 'Perhaps my children have sinned  and cursed God  in their hearts.' This was Job’s regular custom." ( Job1:5-6 ) The Prayer: Lord God, You are a Fa...

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...

"If any  of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,  who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." ( James 1:5) Wisdom is a super-helpful characteristic. It keeps you from saying things you shouldn't. It keeps you from making the wrong decision . It gives you courage to say and do things that are hard but right. It helps you anticipate the future and adapt accordingly. Wisdom is valuable. It's not luck.   “Take hold of my words with all your heart;  keep my commands, and you will live.    Get wisdom, get understanding  do not forget my words or turn away from them.    Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;  love her, and she will watch over you." ( Proverbs 4:4-6 ) This is what the Apostle Paul told one of his churches: "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding , in order that they may know...

Lord Jesus, How can I serve someone today? How can I be YOU to someone else? Maybe a stranger needs a smile and friendly hello. Maybe a neighbor needs flowers from my yard. Maybe my community needs my participation . Maybe my child needs encouragement instead of correction. Maybe my spouse needs affirmation and appreciation instead of my complaints. Maybe that person who hurt me needs to hear that I've forgiven the offense. Lord, you have put people all around me that need to see you in me. How is that so easy to miss? You have put me here to serve others, not make a better life for myself. Lord, forgive me for my selfishness, resentment, and criticism . I want to serve someone today because that's what you do. I want to be Jesus today. No one needs to thank me, notice me, or appreciate me. Only let them think about your great love . Thanks for calling me to serve. In Jesus' name, Amen. "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your serant, and whoever wan...

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?

Oh. Lord, There's been another mass shooting. I can't imagine how your heart hurts to see your creation turn on itself. End the violence in our country. I intercede, Lord, for the victims and the victimizers that live in this country and call themselves Americans. I am sick of the violence, shamed by it, grieved by it, astonished by the normalization of mass shootings. We have blood on our hands. We may not have personally committed these atrocities, but many times we have shaken our heads, cast judgment, and gone about our day anyway. Lord, show each of us how we can help change this problem. Massage our hearts toward compassion, justice, and care. Give us discernment about the gun-violence problem, the sin-problem, and the mental-health problem that must be addressed and corrected. We are a country--and a world--filled with desperate people  who cannot find a way to solve their own heart and mind issues except to lash out against one another. We gossip, we malign, we injure, ...

                       Dear Lord, I messed up again . I let someone's words and attitude anger me, make me defensive, and feel upset. I didn't lose my temper or act rudely-- but I wasn't gracious, either. I  said things  that were unnecessary--and who's to say that I wasn't offensive? I wasn't kind because I didn't put myself in their shoes. I didn't  empathize . I didn't ask questions. I just challenged, argued my point, and decided to view them as  arrogant, stubborn, or at best, difficult. But I was all those things. I see that now, and I regret it. Sin is so subtle and tricky-- it seeps in through insecurity and pain  and defends my right to feel offended by another person's words or actions. Sin makes me guard myself and defend myself even when I'm not in danger. It makes me feel misunderstood, alone,  abandoned, and discouraged. Probably like this person felt. Being  wounded  i...

  Lord God, Creator and Regenerator of all things new , Bring newness and freshness into my life through the power of your Holy Spirit. Keep me from looking for a new fix through new relationships, new church , new causes, new addictions, new distractions, or new indignations. This is not the newness you want growing in my life. May I pursue righteousness because you are doing something new in my life. You want to change me-- to make me new , each and every day -- by offering up my pride and my insecurities to you and letting you change anything you want, introduce anything you want, tear down any idols you want. That's how you make me new. You save me, then you keep redeeming my carnal mind and heart every day if I stop fighting you. If I stop protecting all the things I don't want to change, all the comfort, all the traditions, all the safety nets, all the presuppositions. As long as I hold on to these things, I will never be made new. I will just change what I want to an...