Category: 2019 Prayers

Resting in God’s Peace (Jun 6)

Philippians is a joyful letter, written
by Paul from a prison cell in Rome
to one of the churches he founded
on his second missionary journey.
It is a letter of encouragement in
the midst of persecution. There
is much for Paul to rejoice about:
the Philippian financial assistance,
the hope of visiting them soon, and
the church’s sharing of the gospel.
Though that testimony is threatened
by divisions in the church, Paul is
confident unity will be restored
as they imitate the humility and
servanthood of Christ. And Paul
urges: Rejoice in the Lord always.

Believers can have contentment,
serenity and peace no matter what
happens; for this joy comes from
knowing Christ personally and
from depending on His strength
rather than our own resources.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times because
we know You & You are in control
and help us to Rest in Your Peace.
Help us Lord Focus on the Goal;
help us Pray & Give Thanks; and
help us Fix on Positive Thots. Amen

Lord, we will Focus on the Goal:
I am still not all I should be, but
I am focusing all my energies on
this one thing: Forgetting the past
and looking forward to what lies
ahead, I strain to reach the end
of the race and receive the prize
for which God, through Christ
Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:13-14).
Lord, help me to keep my eye on
the goal, where You’re beckoning
me upward and onward to Jesus.
Keep me from being distracted
by the past; for my sins and
wrong choices have been
washed in the blood of Christ.
Grant me grace and strength not
to turn back; and help me keep
my eyes in the eternal prize. Amen.

Lord, we will Pray & Give Thanks:
Do not be anxious about anything
but by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7)
Lord, help me not to be anxious
or worried about anything & help
me to pray and intercede instead.
Enable me to worship in the face
of whatever that opposes me.
And then help me to bring every
concern before Your throne.
Help me to refuse to think what-if
thoughts; and fill me with Your peace that passes all understanding so that
my heart and mind will be protected.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Fix on Positive Thots:
Finally, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praise-
worthy – think about such things.
Whatever you have learned… or
seen in me – put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be
with you (Phil 4:8-9). Amen.
Lord, You have told us that sin
begins with thoughts. So, cleanse
me of evil and negative thinking.
Give me the ability to think as
You think, so that I will be able to
dwell on what is true,noble & right.
Help me to focus on what is
pure, lovely and admirable. And
Help me to celebrate You Lord
for You are excellent and worthy
of all praise and worship. Amen.

Resting in God’s Peace (Jun 6)

Philippians is a joyful letter, written
by Paul from a prison cell in Rome
to one of the churches he founded
on his second missionary journey.
It is a letter of encouragement in
the midst of persecution. There
is much for Paul to rejoice about:
the Philippian financial assistance,
the hope of visiting them soon, and
the church’s sharing of the gospel.
Though that testimony is threatened
by divisions in the church, Paul is
confident unity will be restored
as they imitate the humility and
servanthood of Christ. And Paul
urges: Rejoice in the Lord always.

Believers can have contentment,
serenity and peace no matter what
happens; for this joy comes from
knowing Christ personally and
from depending on His strength
rather than our own resources.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times because
we know You & You are in control
and help us to Rest in Your Peace.
Help us Lord Focus on the Goal;
help us Pray & Give Thanks; and
help us Fix on Positive Thots. Amen

Lord, we will Focus on the Goal:
I am still not all I should be, but
I am focusing all my energies on
this one thing: Forgetting the past
and looking forward to what lies
ahead, I strain to reach the end
of the race and receive the prize
for which God, through Christ
Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:13-14).
Lord, help me to keep my eye on
the goal, where You’re beckoning
me upward and onward to Jesus.
Keep me from being distracted
by the past; for my sins and
wrong choices have been
washed in the blood of Christ.
Grant me grace and strength not
to turn back; and help me keep
my eyes in the eternal prize. Amen.

Lord, we will Pray & Give Thanks:
Do not be anxious about anything
but by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7)
Lord, help me not to be anxious
or worried about anything & help
me to pray and intercede instead.
Enable me to worship in the face
of whatever that opposes me.
And then help me to bring every
concern before Your throne.
Help me to refuse to think what-if
thoughts; and fill me with Your peace that passes all understanding so that
my heart and mind will be protected.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Fix on Positive Thots:
Finally, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praise-
worthy – think about such things.
Whatever you have learned… or
seen in me – put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be
with you (Phil 4:8-9). Amen.
Lord, You have told us that sin
begins with thoughts. So, cleanse
me of evil and negative thinking.
Give me the ability to think as
You think, so that I will be able to
dwell on what is true,noble & right.
Help me to focus on what is
pure, lovely and admirable. And
Help me to celebrate You Lord
for You are excellent and worthy
of all praise and worship. Amen.

Rejoicing in Suffering & Serving

Philippians is a joyful letter,
written by Paul from a prison cell
in Rome to one of the churches
he founded on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16).
In spite of Paul’s adverse
circumstances, Philippians
is a letter of encouragement
in the midst of persecution.
There is much for Paul to rejoice
about: the Philippians’ repeated
financial assistance, the hope of visiting the Philippian believers
soon, and the church’s steadfast testimony for the gospel.

Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times for
we know You & You are in control.
Help us Lord to be joyful in every
circumstance, even when things
are going badly and even when
we feel like only complaining.
Help us Lord to Pray In Faith;
Help us to Humble ourselves;
Help us to Obey Your Will. And
Thank You for the promise that
You will Complete the Good Work
that You have started in us. Amen

Lord, we will Pray in Faith:
I thank my God every time
I remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with
joy because of your partnership
in the gospel… Being confident
of this, that he who began
a good work in you will carry it
on to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:3-6).
Lord, I am eternally linked to You
by grace through faith; for I’m part
of Your body as You are the head.
On reflection, thank You that
my needs are fully met in You.
Forgive me for the times I think and
act as though You are not enough.
For You will bring to completion
the good work that U began. Amen

Lord, we will Humble ourselves:
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make
a good impression on others.
Be humble, thinking of others
as better than yourself. Don’t
think only about your own affairs,
but be interested in others too…
Your attitude should be the same
that Christ Jesus had. Though He
was God, he did not demand His
rights as God. He made himself
nothing; (and) took the humble
position of a slave (Phil 2:3-7).
Lord, work in me the desire to please
You rather than to impress others.
Forgive me for selfishness, focussing
just on my needs and problems.
Help me Lord to also care more
about others and their needs.
Help me to have a servant’s heart
so that You Lord can do Your work
through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, we will Obey Your Will:
Therefore my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed…
– continue to work out your
salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you
to will and to act in order to fulfill
His good purpose (Phil 2:12-13).
Lord, help me remember all that
I have learnt and to put my faith
into action in every part of my life.
Help me obey You with reverence;
for You Lord promise to work in me, helping me to obey, even when I can’t
sense the desire to do what is right.
Grant me new desires, give me
the power to live as I should; and
help me to hold on in faith. Amen

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of the Twelve Minor
Prophets is to focus on warnings
of impending judgment, teachings
on righteous living, encouragement
to the faithful and oppressed and
prediction of God’s future plans.
This week we understand God better
thru His revelation of names, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from Hosea 2
about God who Cares for You.
On Tuesday, we learn from Hosea 11
about the Holy One who is Faithful.
On Wednesday, we learn from Joel 2
about God who Restores Past Loses.
On Thursday, we learn from Obadiah
about God who Protects His People.
On Friday, we learn from Jonah 3/4
about God who is Compassionate.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

God who is Compassionate

God calls Jonah to warn Assyrian
city of Nineveh of impending
destruction. However the brutal
Assyrians are Israel’s bitter enemies
and Jonah both fears and despises
them. Instead of heading to Nineveh
Jonah sets sail in the opposite
direction. A storm ensues, Jonah
is tossed overboard & is swallowed
by a great fish. After three days
the fish deposits Jonah on dry land.
Jonah then goes to Nineveh and
preaches as God had instructed.
When the people repent, Jonah’s
resentment grows until God must
teach him a lesson in compassion.

Lord, we will Deliver Your Message:
The Lord spoke to Jonah a 2nd time.
Go to the great city of Nineveh and deliver the message of judgment…
This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command… He shouted to the
crowds:Forty days from now Nineveh
will be destroyed! The people of
Nineveh believed God’s message
and from the greatest to the least,
they decided to go without food and
wear sackcloth in sorrow (Jon 3:1-5)
Then God said: Is it right for u to be angry because the plant died? Yes,
Jonah retorted: even angry enough
to die! Then the Lord said: You feel sorry about the plant, though you
did nothing to put it there… But
Nineveh has more than 120,000
people living in spiritual darkness…
Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such
a great city? (Jonah 4:9-11).

Lord, learnt from passage that
Jonah was to preach only what
You told him: a message of doom.
Those who bring God’s Word
to others should not let fear
of people dictate their words.
For we are called to follow the
Spirit’s leading and preach/share
God’s message and His truth, even
though it may be unpopular. Amen.

Lord, I know there are people all
around who need to hear Your
message of hope and truth –
people whom I might not even
notice, but whom You love deeply.
Reveal them to me so that I can
pray for them and perhaps speak
an encouraging word to them.
Prepare their hearts to receive
word from You through me. Amen.

Dear Lord, we acknowledge Your
Sovereignty & You are In Control.
Help us not run away from doing
Your purpose in the world but
instead to Deliver Your Message.
Help us to Be Compassionate,
including those who are different
from us in race or background.
Help us not be inward looking but be
Your missionaries wherever we are.
Help us to share the Good News for
people truly Need the Lord. Amen.

God who Protects His People

Obadiah is given the unenviable
task to confront two members of
a feuding family. The Jews in Judah
(descendants of Jacob) and the
Edomites (descendants of Esau)
were blood brothers but with
little visible love between them.
When the enemies of Judah attacked
the capital city of Jerusalem, the
Edomites rushed to help the enemy!
As a result, God sends Obadiah
to predict doom for the nation for
refusing to be its “brother keeper.”

Lord, You’ll Protect Your People:
The Lord says to Edom: I will cut you down to size… You’ve been deceived by your own pride because you make your home high in the mountains. Who can ever reach us way up here? you ask boastfully. But even as you build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down (Obad 2-4)
Now you will be destroyed…
for you deserted your relatives
in Israel during their time of
greatest need. You stood aloof,
refusing to lift a finger to help
when foreign invaders came (v10-11)
The day is near when I the Lord
will judge the godless nations!
As you have done to Israel, so it
will be done to you… But Jerusalem
will become a refuge… And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance (Oba 15-20)

Lord, we realise the Bible warns
that pride leads to destruction.
And placing one’s security in any
thing other than God is foolish.
Only God is strong & trustworthy;
only You can supply true security.
Help us O Lord not to rely on self
but instead recognise vulnerability
and find security in U God. Amen.

Lord, Your Word says in Jas 4:17
that if one withheld help from
someone in time of need, this is sin.
So sin includes not only what
we do that is wrong; but also
what we refuse to do that is right.
Help us Lord not to be like the
priest or the Levite who ignore
or refuse help to those in need.
Help us be more compassionate
like the Good Samaritan. Amen.

Lord, You will judge and fiercely
punish all who harm Your people.
We can be confident in Your
final victory; for You are our champion and we can trust
In You for help and justice.
Help us not despair nor give
up hope for You are In Control
and the confidence placed
in You Lord will not be in vain.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

God who Restores Past Loses

Addressing hearts that have grown
cold to the things of God, Joel
confronts the people of Judah.
He reminds them of the destruction
brought by a plague of locusts and
warns of the castastrophe to come.
Unless the nation repents, it will be
destroyed by an army from the north
The only hope of escape is for
the people to repent. If they do,
then God will divert judgment and
will deliver unparalleled blessing
and the gift of peace to Zion!

Lord, You Restore Past Loses:
I Will Repay you for the years
the locusts have eaten… my
great army that I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be
satisfied, and praise the name
of the Lord your God, who has
dealt wondrously with you…
Then you shall know that…
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other. And My
people shall never be put to shame.
It shall come to pass afterward that
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh..
Whoever Calls on the name of the
Lord Shall Be Saved (Joel 3:25-32)

Lord, thank You that it is never
too late to turn to You and see
Restoration happens in our life.
Even though there has been time
wasted when we didn’t live fully for U,
pray that You Will Redeem the time
and help us to make up for it.
Restore everything that has been
lost, wasted or ruined so that
we can testify of Your glory. Amen.

Lord, there’s times when we ignore
the still small voice & make mistakes.
Though discipline may come our
way but You promise to give back
the years the locusts had eaten.
Grateful that You Lord not only forgive but Your mercy is great.
Help us learn from our mistakes
and grow even closer to You Lord.
And thank You that You will redeem
our past and guide our future. Amen.

Lord, thank You for Your Word
that everyone who calls on
Your name Will Be Saved. Thank
You for the promise to hear
and answer my cries for help.
Your rescue of me may not end
up looking like what I imagine
but You do promise to deliver.
Grant me the faith to believe this
promise with all my heart. Amen.

Holy One who is Faithful (Jun 1)

After repeated postponement of
Israel’s day of reckoning, the time
to settle accounts has come at last.
Barrenness and bondage will
replace prosperity and peace.
Because of unchecked sin, Israel
will be removed from the land in
a tragic blast of judgment & death.
Destruction, famine and forced
labour will befall God’s people in
these terrible days of recompense.
And yet, though the nation
deserves to be utterly destroyed,
God will keep His promises.
God is holy and just, but He is also
loving and gracious. God must
discipline, but because of His
faithfulness and endless love
He will ultimately save and
restore His wayward people.

Faithful Lord, we adore You:
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called My son…
My people are bent on backsliding
from Me. Though they call to the
Most High, none at all exalt Him.
How can I give you up Ephraim?..
My heart churns within Me;
My sympathy is stirred. I will not
execute the fierceness of My anger…
Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit;
But Judah still walks with God,
even with the Holy One who
is faithful (Hosea 11:1, 7-9, 12).

Holy Lord, let Your holiness manifest
itself in us; and may it transform
our thoughts, speech and actions.
You have purchased us our purity
at such a great cost; & we don’t
want it to be wasted in our life.
Help us honour You in all we do
& help us focus on Your holiness.
And empower us to live a life
that is set apart to You. Amen.

Lord God The Holy One, do Your
holy work of Sanctification within me.
I want to honour You with my life.
I want to resist sin each day. But
at the same time, I confess some
thing within me is attracted by evil.
Keep me blameless. Give me
Lord a deep love for You and
the zeal for Your glory that will
surpass any impure passion. Amen.

Faithful Lord, I believe my deepest
longings will ultimately be fulfilled.
I have brought them to You to do as
You please. Use them to accomplish
Your purposes; and I’m believing that
You will get me where I need to go.
I am available Lord to work
out the calling You have for me.
I know Lord that You are faithful
and that You will do it. Amen.

God who Cares For You (May 31)

To Israel, a land steeped in idolatry,
God sends the prophet Hosea,
whose name means salvation. Just
as God foretold, Gomer deserts her
husband for other lovers -a graphic
depiction of Israel’s faithlessness
in response to God’s loyal love.
When Gomer sinks to the level of a
slave, Hosea is commanded to buy
her back, for she is still his wife.
In the same way the God pledges
His continuing love for His people,
even though their spiritual adultery
will result in captivity & enslavement
at the hands of the Assyrians

Lord,thanks for Hedge of Protection:
I Will Fence her in with thornbushes.
I Will Block the road to make her
lose her way. When she runs
after her lovers, she won’t be
able to catch up with them.
She will search for them but
not find them. Then she will say:
I will go and Return to my first
husband for then it was better
for me than now (Hos 2:6-7).
I Will Win her back once again…
I Will Be Faithful to you and
make you Mine (v14, 20). Amen.

Lord, I ask You to build a Hedge
of thorns to separate my friends
and loved ones from any
influence not ordained by You.
I pray that those who are a bad influence will lose interest and
flee and that my loved one would
lose interest in them as well.
And may that Hedge of thorns
defend against any contact with
those who are out of Your will. Amen.

Lord, You are holy and want us
to walk straight and narrow paths.
Put a hedge around us who can’t
see the destructive path or the
discipline to keep away from it.
Teach us Lord to pray with faith
and perseverance, knowing that
nothing is impossible to You Lord.
Help us to wait trusting You and
expect for breakthrough. Amen.

Lord, Thank You for Your nature
to Love Your people relentlessly.
Thank You for Your Care through
Your people, the caring community.
Thank You for showing Your love
through object lessons, as well as
those who provide practical help,
expertise, prayers and presence.
Thank You Lord for showing so
clearly Your love and that it’s indeed
great to be in Your family. Amen.

God of Wisdom & Revelation

The first 3 chapters of the book
describe the spiritual integrity
of Daniel and his three friends.
Selected for government service,
they resist the pressure to conform
to their pagan environment and
instead take a stand for God.
Whether in diet, truthfulness or
spiritual discipline, the four young
men live out their convictions.

Lord, grant us Your Revelation:
During the Night the mystery was
revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then
Daniel said: Praise be the name of
God… wisdom are His (Dan 2:19-20)
He Reveals deep and mysterious
things and knows what lies Hidden
in darkness… I thank and praise U
for You have given me Wisdom and
strength. You have told me what
we Asked of You and Revealed to us
what the king demanded (v22-23).
The king answered Daniel and said:
Truly your God is the God of gods,
the Lord of kings and a Revealer
of secrets, since you could
reveal this secret (Daniel 2:47).

Lord, it seems that in the middle of
the night problems appear larger.
At those times I am reminded that
You never sleep and I can come
to You and cling to Your presence.
I pray that at those times You will
give me the treasures of darkness,
as You have spoken in Your Word.
I pray You will fill my darkness with
Your light and give me peace. Amen

Lord, I praise Your mighty name
for You are the God who has
all wisdom and power, the One
who guides even world events.
You give wisdom to the wise
and You know what is hidden
in darkness and all mysteries.
Grant me Lord Your wisdom and
strength to handle the tricky
situations each day. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, we purpose not to lean on
our own understanding; but instead
to look to You the All Knowing One
for understanding and wisdom.
There are things we can’t know by
seeing or hearing are known by God
& U are willing to reveal them to us.
For no eye has seen,no ear has heard
& no mind has imagined what God
has prepared for those who love Him.
For Your Spirit searches out all things
and shows us God’s deep secrets.
So Lord, Reveal to us those things
which only You are custodian. Amen.