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
To request a prayer, click on the blue button below that reads, Share Your Prayer Request.
To pray for others, look below the form to see what prayers have been requested.
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 Refugees
God of the exiles, you cared for the Israelites through their captivity in Egypt and later in Assyria. Care for and protect every person whose home is no longer safe, who has been forced to flee, who is living in a crowded camp, not knowing whether they will be taken in elsewhere. Bring them to safety so that they can live in joy and peace, without fear. God of the exiles, hear our prayer.
God of all nations, you are the Prince of Peace, and you promise that one day nation will not lift up sword against nation (Isa. 2:4). Mediate the conflicts between governments and people groups that make whole countries unsafe for their citizens. Overcome evil with good, and bring an end to terrorism around the world so that people everywhere can know the goodness of your reign. God of all nations, hear our prayer.
God of our hearts, in Jesus Christ, you have broken down the dividing wall of hostility between humanity and you. We were once far off, but you have sought us out and brought us near, even while we were sinners and strangers to your grace (Eph. 2:13-14). By the power of your Spirit, transform us with your trust, love, and generosity. Help us to extend your grace to others, regarding them as we would regard Jesus himself, so that we can be faithful ambassadors to you and your gospel of reconciliation, and so that your kingdom would break in even now. God of our hearts, hear our prayer.
Amen.
(Reformed Church in America)
Received: July 17, 2018
Julia
Prayer for South Africa
Lord, we present the country South Africa before you. We exalt and bless your name for all the blessings, the graces, and love that you have given to this nation.
This country is now weighed down by various social, political, and economic problems. We ask you to join the people of South Africa in their boat to calm the storms there.
May your grace challenge this nation and its leadership to repent and turn away from the sin of greed and corruption, which is a result of the worship of money, (Matthew 6:24).
Protect all those who are speaking out against greed, patronage, and corruption.
Renew this nation and its leadership by the light of the Gospel.
Bless all the people of South Africa with the values and the graces of your kingdom.
In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.
(The Southern Cross)
Received: July 17, 2018
Julia
Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, who hast made us for thyself, so that our hearts are restless till they rest in thee: Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing thy will, no weakness from doing it; but that in thy light we may see light clearly, and in thy service find our perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (St. Augustine)
Received: July 17, 2018
Julia
Dear God, I want to thank you for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet, I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job, I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed, I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day’s difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I’m thanking you because Father, you haven’t given up on me. God is just so good, and he’s good all the time.
In your son Jesus Christ’s precious and holy name I pray.
Amen, and Amen.
(Amanda Muncy)
Received: July 16, 2018
Julia
Prayer Requests for the Seventh Sunday After Trinity
Please pray for the intentions of those here present and for those suffering physical, mental, or spiritual illness or distress:
Martha Ann Boyd;
Neal Taylor;
Paul Grisetti;
Paul and Mirta Mullis;
Cecelia Gyimah;
Carol Stanton;
Cherry Carnell;
Mary Cox and family;
Cheri Stanton;
Ginger Rhodes;
Lucia Abell;
Leslie Cahoon;
the Ridley Family;
Nina Harllee;
Jody Baldwin;
JoAnne Stevens;
Jack Sandlund;
Robert Barr;
David Narkevicius;
Michael Vigil;
the repose of the soul of A. Paul Amesse;
the repose of the soul of John Sayen;
and the repose of the soul of Jay Gould III.
Amen.
(The Church of Saint Andrew and Saint Margaret of Scotland)
Received: July 16, 2018
Julia
Prayer For All About To Die
Lord Jesus Christ, as you stood by the bed of good Saint Joseph and gently led him home to Heaven, so shepherd every soul about to die to a paradise of perfect peace. Let the tears we shed upon their passing stand witness to our love for them and the depth of our thanksgiving for the gift of their lives and the grace of a good death. For you are Lord, forever and ever. Amen.
(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Received: July 16, 2018
Julia
Prayer Requests for 7/15
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer 1979)
Christ, in your mercy, hear our prayers for:
Caroline, who has breast, brain and lung cancer;
Christians near Jos, Nigeria living with the aftermath of a Fulani attack;
Tiffany, working on efforts to repeal MO’s mandatory minimum sentencing law that affects her husband;
Tarina, who wants to prove her innocence, for comfort, justice, and truth.
(CelticAnglican)
Received: July 16, 2018
Julia
O Lord, it has been a while since I’ve walked on grass or seen the stars in the sky. So many silent and restless nights, so many long and boring days in a hospital bed. At first I was too sick to care, but now I am getting impatient to go home. I get upset about my dependency, my setbacks, my slow progress. At times even the people who are trying to do their best to help me irritate me and get on my nerves. It’s not really their fault. It’s just me, that I can only take so much and then I have to let it out. But since, O Lord, you have taken me this far, since you have given me enough patience to endure, I pray again that you heal that which still needs to be healed in me. May I soon breathe fresh air and enjoy the atmosphere of my own home. I ask this is Jesus’s name. Amen.
(Father Arnaldo Pangrazzi)
Received: July 16, 2018
Julia
Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus, we adore your cross which frees us from sin, the origin of every division and evil; we proclaim your resurrection, which ransoms man from the slavery of failure and death; we await your coming in glory, which will bring to fulfillment your kingdom of justice, joy and peace.
Lord Jesus, by your glorious passion, conquer the hardness of our hearts, imprisoned by hatred and selfishness; by the power of your resurrection, save the victims of injustice and maltreatment from their suffering; by the fidelity of your coming, confound the culture of death and make the triumph of life shine forth.
Lord Jesus, unite to your cross the sufferings of the many innocent victims: the children, the elderly, and the persecuted Christians; envelop in paschal light those who are deeply wounded: abused persons, deprived of freedom and dignity; let those who live in uncertainty experience the enduring constancy of your kingdom: the exiles, refugees, and those who have lost the joy of living.
Lord Jesus, cast forth the shadow of your cross over peoples at war; may they learn the way of reconciliation, dialogue and forgiveness; let the peoples so wearied by bombing experience the joy of your resurrection: raise up Iraq and Syria from devastation; reunite your dispersed children under your gentle kingship: sustain Christians in the Diaspora and grant them the unity of faith and love.
O Virgin Mary, Queen of peace, you who stood at the foot of the cross, obtain from your Son pardon for our sins; you who never doubted the victory of his resurrection, sustain our faith and our hope; you who are enthroned as Queen in glory, teach us the royal road of service and the glory of love.
Amen.
(Pope Francis)
Received: July 14, 2018
Julia
A Prayer for Unity in Our Church Family
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. (I Corinthians 1:10)
Our Father, we thank you for our church family. Thank you for calling each of us to serve your kingdom through this wonderful church. Thank you for using our individual gifts and talents to manifest your kingdom here on Earth as it already is in Heaven. Lord, we are thankful for the freedom to worship you, our God. Thank you for your bountiful blessings. Thank you for increasing your presence, power, anointing, and abundance in our church family. You are great and greatly to be praised. The Earth is yours and everything in it; the world and all its people belong to you. You laid the Earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.
Loving Father, we declare that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. As a church family, we confess that we will love one another, as ourselves. As your children, we proclaim that we have all put on Christ, like putting on new clothes and we will walk in unity and love with one another. It is because of this love that we exhibit for each other that people will know that we are your disciples. Your Word tells us that if we love you, we must also love our Christian brothers and sisters, too. Therefore, we declare that we will not look out only for our own interests, but we take an interest in each other’s needs. We declare that we will live in harmony with each other and resist division. We will be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. We declare that as a church family we will turn away from evil, and do good; we will search for peace and work to maintain it. We confess that we will encourage and build each other up. Above all things, we decree that we will put on love which is the bond of perfection.
Holy Spirit, we ask you to fill us with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Help us to walk worthy and fully pleasing before you. As a church family, help us to be fruitful in every good work and to increase in your knowledge. Teach us how to live together in unity. Walk us through the steps of rebuilding loving fellowship between us. Help us to continue to obey your command to “love our neighbor as ourselves” so that we will not self-destruct by backbiting and devouring one another. Give us a willing heart to allow you to guide our lives so that not do what our sinful nature craves. Show our leaders how to mend the broken relationships and restore balance to our church family. Please strengthen us and help us to represent your kingdom in the Earth. Holy Spirit, synchronize the heart of every church member and unify our spirits to receive and submit to the vision for our church. Please empower us to give of our talents, gifts, and resources to manifest kingdom change in our city.
Merciful Father, forgive our many sins. We admit that at times we have sinned against you and against one another. Forgive us for holding onto grudges and for seeking vengeance upon our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Forgive us for leaning toward our own understanding and failing to acknowledge you in all our ways. Forgive those amongst us who are being false witnesses, pouring out lies, and sowing discord in our church family. Forgive those of us who have stood by passively allowing sin and deception to go unaddressed. Forgive us for not heeding the warnings of the Holy Spirit and being hesitant to obey your commands. Lord, forgive us for all sins that we have committed. Holy Spirit, remind our church family of those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive. Help us to release past and present offenses and to be willing to forgive one another just as God has forgiven us. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive.
Noble Father, as a church family, help us not to yield to temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.
Sovereign King, You are the visible image of the invisible God. You existed before anything was created and you are supreme over all creation. Through you, everything was created in the Heavenly realms and on Earth. You made the visible as well as invisible things. Thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world were all created through you and for you. You existed before anything else and you hold all creation together! In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
(The Prayer Institute)