Intercessory prayer is the purifying bath into which the individual
and the community must enter every day.
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
and the community must enter every day.
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Before You Ask
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8)
Many people think their prayers won’t work if they don’t utter them clearly enough, or fail to explain to God exactly what they mean, or don’t speak loudly enough to him with sufficient earnestness. But when this happens, prayer becomes so exaggerated that our Savior even forbids it.
Obviously Jesus does not want to discourage us from praying. His point is that when we pray we must have a sense of proportion. Once we have prayed, we must be quiet. We need to be like the farmer who has sown his seed. Help will come only when you are quiet in faith. Also in your sickness or with other needs, learn to be still and look to the Kingdom of God.
We can share our needs with the Father in a few words, without making a fuss, and rest assured that God already knows what we need and what he will do to help us. We don’t have to explain our requests in great detail to God, or try and make quite sure that he knows our needs. God knows about even the smallest matters and takes them straight into his heart. We can turn to him by glancing Heavenward, with no words at all. We can do this even when we pray about something concrete and tangible, or about something that specifically troubles us. We may realize that what we thought we needed is actually not necessary and that we can find a way right in the midst of how things are now.
This doesn’t mean that we just let things happen – as if everything will come of its own accord without our longing for it. Nor should we just cast a brief and hurried request at God’s feet. When this happens, we too easily lose sight of God, assume that everything comes to us without his help, and we forget to thank him. Then we cease to have a believing heart and are consequently not true children of God.
Jesus said, “Before you ask him.” Therefore we do need to make our requests known to him, otherwise many things will not be given that could have been given. It never displeases God when we come to him with our heartfelt requests. A real child asks for everything, knowing God has an ear for him. We should bring all our burdens and needs to him, for at the very least this helps to make us ever more aware that in all things God is the giver.
God always has our interest in mind. He carries our various needs with fatherly concern, eagerly waiting for us to come to him. He has not forgotten us. And when we feel tempted to think so, then all the more we should remember that he knows it all and cares for us. In fact, he knows much more about us and our needs than we do. Simple, childlike prayer is enough to move his heart, give you something out of the fullness of his compassion, and save you from all sorts of fear and trouble.
(Johann Christoph Blumhardt)
(The God Who Heals, Words of Hope for a Time of Sickness)
Request a prayer and pray for others
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You may add your prayer request to this prayer wall using the form below. Once your prayer request is received, I will share it according to your instructions. Feel free to submit as many prayer requests as you like!
Julia
A Prayer For Quietness
Grant unto us, Almighty God, that quiet mind and patient waiting to which your comforting Spirit comes, that we may do your will and have our hearts prepared for your peace that passes understanding; which, if we have, the storms of life will hurt us but little, and the cares of life vex us not at all, in face of which death will lose its sting and the grave its victory, and we in calm joy walk all the days of our appointed time until our great change shall come.
Amen.
(Author unknown)
Received: July 30, 2018
Julia
A Prayer about Nature and God's Creation
Loving Father and Creator of all we come to you today deeply grateful for your creation. As we look around us we are amazed at the greatness and majesty of all that you have made. Nature around us speaks of your greatness – the vast expanse of the sky, the mountains, trees, lakes and streams speak of your great design. You have given us such beauty in the colors of the rainbow, the beauty of flowers and fields. Words cannot adequately express the magnificence of all you have created. We join in praise with the writer of the psalms when he says, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth." May we show our love and reverence to you, our Lord, by caring for all that you have created. We humbly give you praise and thanks. Amen.
(Thoughts About God)
Received: July 23, 2018
Julia
A prayer for signs and wonders.
“And now, Lord, grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29–30)
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the Earth bore its fruit. (James 5:17–18)
Heavenly Father, You are our God; we earnestly search for you. Our souls thirst for you; our bodies long for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Lord, we have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how we praise you! We will praise you as long as we live; we will lift up our hands to you in prayer. You are more satisfying than the richest feast and we will praise you with songs of joy. Father, we thank you for manifesting your mighty miracles throughout the body of Christ. We thank you for salvation, which is the greatest miracle of all. Thank you for blessing us with your presence.
Father, according to your own will, you ministered with signs and wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we expect miracles to manifest during our times of worship. Lord, just as you brought Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, so we believe that you will manifest your glory in our lives. Lord Jesus, as you performed so many miracles during your ministry, we rejoice that you said that we would do greater works than you did because you were going to the Father and were sending the Holy Spirit. We confess that we, the body of Christ, will do what Jesus did and we will move to the “greater things.” Lord, just as you turned water into wine, spoke and healed the ruler’s daughter, touched the casket and the dead man rose, called Lazarus from the dead, cast the demons out of Legion and healed the woman with the issue of blood; so we expect to have personal encounters with you in our public and private lives. We decree that your marvelous works will follow us so that people will come to you confessing Jesus Christ, as their Lord and redeemer. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimonies, so Father, we thank you that every member of the body of Christ will have a one on one encounter with you so that they will have a testimony of your power, authority, love, grace, healing, and deliverance.
Father, forgive those people who have doubted your Word and works, especially our leader(s) in the Gospel. Forgive those for operating in fear and unbelief. Forgive those who have not taken the time to say “thank you” for the miraculous works you have done in their lives. Forgive all of us for not comprehending with all the saints the breadth, length, depth, height, and love of Christ which passes all understanding and knowledge. Holy Spirit, remind us all of those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive.
Holy Spirit, help us not to yield to temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
Amen.
(The Prayer Institute)
Received: July 23, 2018
Julia
Prayer for Charity in Truth
Father, your truth is made known in your Word.
Guide us to seek the truth of the human person.
Teach us the way to love because you are Love.
Jesus, you embody Love and Truth.
Help us to recognize your face in the poor.
Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.
Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world.
Empower us to seek the common good for all persons.
Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(USCCB)
Received: July 23, 2018
Julia
This week’s prayers
Jesus said to the disciples, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:31-34)
Amid the chaos and confusion, the demands on our time and attention, we long to hear you call us away for a time of rest and renewal. God of Grace and mercy, the news weighs heavy on our hearts. Sometimes we don’t even know where to start, how to make an impact in this world. It can feel as though everyone we encounter is a sheep without a shepherd. Fill our hearts with the compassion of Jesus, that we might both find the rest we so desperately need, and the strength and courage to do the hard work of mercy, justice and reconciliation.
God, we pray for all those in political offices that they might lead with the best interests of the people, and the planet, in mind. We pray especially for the leaders of Israel and Palestine, that they might make steps toward a sustainable peace.
We pray for researchers seeking to detect and cure cancer and other diseases, as Australian researchers may have developed a blood test which can detect melanoma at an early stage, and may lead to saving many lives.
We pray for police, first-responders, EMTs, and all public servants, as they serve others in difficult and trying situations. We pray especially for the firefighters who are battling overwhelming wildfires in Sweden, and for the neighboring countries that are providing much-needed resources.
We pray for all those who labor, sometimes working in nearly unbearable situations, to afford us the comforts we desire. We pray for miners and all who work in dangerous professions as five miners have died in a South African copper mine.
We pray for business leaders, that they may realize the impact their decisions have on families, and on the environment we all share. We pray for just and fair trade practices as leaders in Japan and the European Union have recently come to a significant trade deal.
We pray for families, that parents are able to provide the needed support and be the role models our children deserve. And, we pray that all children would have their basic needs met, especially when their parents are unable or unwilling to meet those needs.
And God, we pray for ourselves, that we might hear your voice, discern your will for our lives, and have the courage and strength to work for justice. And may we find peace and rest so we might be empowered to show the compassion of Christ to all those around us.
Amen.
(World In Prayer)
Received: July 23, 2018
Julia
God's Mercy
Merciful Lord, it does not surprise me that you forget completely the sins of those who repent. I am not surprised that you remain faithful to those who hate and revile you. The mercy which pours forth from you fills the whole world.
It was by your mercy that we were created, and by your mercy that you redeemed us by sending your Son. Your mercy is the light in which sinners find you and good people come back to you. Your mercy is everywhere, even in the depths of hell where you offer to forgive the tortured souls. Your justice is constantly tempered with mercy, so you refuse to punish us as we deserve. O mad lover! It was not enough for you to take on our humanity; you had to die for us as well.
Amen.
(Catherine of Siena)
Received: July 23, 2018
Julia
Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty
O God our Creator, from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O Heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome—for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us—this great land will always be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(ThoughtCo.
Received: July 20, 2018
Julia
Deliver your servants, The Preborn, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set them free from every bond; that they may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Priests For Life)
Received: July 18, 2018
Julia
Intercessions For Those Involved In Abortion, with special intention for Kenya
For those who are tempted by abortion, that God may plant in their hearts a love for the treasure of life and the strength to protect it; we pray to the Lord.
For all doctors, that inspired by their oath to protect life, they may know the grace of repentance, serving others as true disciples of the Gospel of Life; we pray to the Lord.
For all nurses, that inspired by the gentle compassion of Mary, the mother of God, they might serve as guardians of life in every moment of its existence; we pray to the Lord.
For all hospital administrators, that with wisdom and respect for life, they might lead those who work with them, for the nurturing and protection of all life; we pray to the Lord.
For parents who have lost a child to abortion and whose hearts are closed to the mercy of God, that they might know the grace of repentance, confession, and the healing embrace of the Father; we pray to the Lord.
For parents overwhelmed by grief and remorse at the loss of their child to abortion, that Jesus, the shepherd, so rich in mercy and compassion, might heal their broken hearts; we pray to the Lord.
For all who counsel the parents of aborted children, that God might reward them for the crosses they bear and grant them the words of wisdom to lead lost souls home to him; we pray to the Lord.
For each child aborted from his mother’s womb, that from their place in Heaven they might intercede for their mothers and fathers, for peace and healing and the gift of true repentance; we pray to the Lord.
Thus says the Lord:
In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning, of bitter weeping!
Rachel mourns her children,
She refuses to be consoled because her children are no more.
Thus says the Lord:
Cease your cries of mourning, wipe the tears form your eyes.
The sorrow you have shown shall have its reward.
There is hope for your future.
Amen.
Received: July 17, 2018
Julia
Pray for Nigeria
Pray with Nigerian Christians for their protection, particularly for women at risk of being abducted and forced to marry Muslim men.
Pray for comfort for the thousands of displaced Nigerian Christians and for wisdom for those who serve these communities.
In the northern states of Nigeria with a Muslim majority, Christian communities are neglected and often left without clean water, clinics, and roads. Ask God to provide for their physical needs.
Amen.