Category: 2019 Prayers

Watchfulness for the Lord (Jun 27)

Paul has many pleasant memories
of the days he spent with the
infant Thessalonian church. Their
faith, hope, love & perseverance
in the face of persecution are
exemplary and Paul’s labours
as a spiritual parent to the fledging
church have been richly rewarded.
His tender affection is visible as
he encourages the Thessalonians
to excel in their faith, increase
in their love, and rejoice always
as they await the Return of the Lord.

Dear Lord, we are inspired by the
faithfulness of the Thessalonians
even in the midst of persecution.
Help us to remain Faithful and
live in the expectation that
Christ will return at any time.
Help us O Lord to live holy lives
ever watchful for Your coming.
Help us Hold On to our conviction;
Help us to Edify one another; and
Help us to Do Your Will. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Hold On to Conviction:
For since we believe that Jesus
died and was raised to life again,
we also believe that when Jesus
comes, God will bring back with
Jesus all Christians who have died.
The Lord himself will come down
from heaven with a commanding
shout… First all the Christians who
have died will rise from the graves.
Then together with them, we who
are still alive will be caught up in
the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And thus we shall always be
with the Lord (1Thess 4:14-17).
Lord, thank You that death has
lost its power because of Jesus
and that we have believed in Him.
Thank You that we can face death
with confidence, knowing that
whatever we face in this life,
that there is a greater future ahead.
Thank You so much for choosing
to love me, and letting me to
be with You Lord forever. Amen.

Lord, we will Edify one another:
Therefore comfort each
other and edify one another…
Be at peace among yourselves…
Warn those who are unruly,
comfort the faint-hearted,
uphold the weak, be patient
with all… always pursue what
is good both for yourselves
and for all (1Thess 5:11-15).
Holy Spirit, impress Your thoughts
on me and speak into the hearts
of Your people through me.
Father, give me the kind of love
and compassion that is like
Yours, so that when I reach out
to help others, may they see You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Do Your Will:
Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:16-18).
Lord, it is always Your will for me
to be joyful and pray often & give
thanks to You in all circumstances.
Help me to remember to do Your
will in this regard, even when
I don’t see answers to my prayers
the way I would like it to be.
For no matter what happens
I know You Lord are greater
than anything I am facing. Amen

Faithfulness to the Lord (Jun 26)

Paul has many pleasant memories
of the days he spent with the
infant Thessalonian church. Their
faith, hope, love & perseverance
in the face of persecution are
exemplary and Paul’s labours
as a spiritual parent to the fledging
church have been richly rewarded.
His tender affection is visible as
he encourages the Thessalonians
to excel in their faith, increase
in their love, and rejoice always
as they await the Return of the Lord

Dear Lord, we are inspired by the
faithfulness of the Thessalonians
even in the midst of persecution.
Help us to remain Faithful and
live in the expectation that
Christ will return at any time
and we will be with Him forever.
Grant us a Prayerful Spirit.
Grant us Your Word to work in us.
Grant us Abound In Love. Amen.

Lord, grant us a prayerful spirit:
We always thank God for all of
you and pray for you constantly.
We remember before our God
and Father your work produced
by faith, your labour prompted
by love, and your endurance
inspired by hope in our Lord
Jesus Christ (1Thess 1:2-3).
Lord, I thank You for the gift of
direct access to You in prayer
and for my loved ones & friends.
Bless them Lord, draw them
into closer relationship with You.
Help me be faithful to pray for them
constantly as long as I have breath.
Lord, real faith is demonstrated
by seeking after You. Give me
a sincere heart and a faith that
pursues You; for living for You
is the great hope of my soul. Amen.

Lord, let Your Word Work in us:
We never stop thanking God when
we receive His message from us,
you didn’t think of our words
as mere human ideas. You adopted
what we said as the very word
of God which of course; it is.
And this word continues to work
in you who believe (1Thess 2:13).
Lord, it’s Your Word that is needed
most in any situation, for Your Word
has the power to bring about
good as well as lasting change.
Lord, You know how to express
Yourself thru flawed human beings;
Fill us O Lord with Your Spirit
to speak forth Your Word of truth.
Help me see Your mind and heart in
anyone who speak Your word. Amen

Lord, abound us in love & devotion:
(Paul wrote): Night and day
praying exceedingly that
we may see your face and perfect
what is lacking in your faith…
And may the Lord make you
increase and abound in love
to one another… so that He may
establish your hearts blameless
in holiness (1 Thess 3:10-13).
Lord, grant that our hearts may
be so brought under the influence
of these divine truths that we will
yield ourselves in devotion to Christ.
May our longing to satisfy the
heart of God be the chief aim
of our lives. Lord Jesus breathe
Your Spirit into our hearts
for Your name’s sake. Amen.

Confident Hope In Christ

We start the Gospels, with
Matthew who presents Jesus as
the Christ, Israel’s messianic King.
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant
who gave his life for mankind.
Luke presents Him as the perfect
Son of Man saving the lost.
And John presents Jesus as
Son of God offering eternal life.
We have also covered Acts which
chronicles Growth of the church.

Turning to the Pauline epistles:
In Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.
In Galatians, Paul calls Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ.
In Ephesians, Paul strengthens
the believers in their faith by
explaining the purpose of the church.
In Philippians, strengthens believers
by showing that true joy comes
from Jesus Christ alone. And in
Colossians, Paul shows believers
have everything they need in Christ.

And Paul writes 1 Thessalonians
to encourage them. They were
being persecuted and he urges
them to persevere. Their city is
full of sensual temptation and
he exhorts them to hold to
Christian standards. Finally he
corrects some misunderstanding
about the return of Christ.

As the believers face growing
persecution, Paul writes 2 Thess to
encourage them God’s judgment
will eventually bring about justice.
He dispels the rumour that the
Day of the Lord has already come.
They had concluded they were living in the tribulation and quit their jobs.
Paul exhorts them to return to work
& stop burdening the body of Christ.
Instead they are to use the time
they have and not be weary in
well doing before Christ returns.

We will cover the two letters
to the Thessalonians in two weekends over four sessions:
1Ths 1-3: Faithfulness to the Lord
1Ths 4-5: Watchfulness for the Lord
2Ths 1-2: Hope in Christ’s Return
2Ths 3: Living in Light of His Return
Lord as we meditate, help us
be strengthened in our faith,
be remain faithful to the Lord;
be Prepared for Your Return.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of the Gospel according
to Matthew is to prove that Jesus
is the Messiah, the eternal King.
This week we understand God better
thru knowing His attributes, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from Matthew 1
about Immanuel, God With Us.
On Tuesday, we learn from Matt 4
about God who Gives Word & Light.
On Wednesday, we learn from Matt 5
about God who is Our Father.
On Thursday, we learn from Matt 6
about God who is Our Provider.
On Friday, we learn from Matthew 9
about the Lord of the Harvest.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Lord of the Harvest (June 25)

Jesus came to earth to begin his
kingdom & Matthew focuses on 10
miracles in Mt 8/9 demonstrating
Jesus’ power over disease, the
forces of nature & the spirit world.
Christ then bestows that same
power & authority on His chosen
apostles and sends them out
as ambassadors of the kingdom.
He first instructs them how to
act, then warns them of the
dangers they will face, as He calls
them to committed discipleship.

Lord, make us Compassionate:
The Pharisees said: Why does
your Teacher eat with sinners?
When Jesus heard that, He said:
Those who are well have no need
of a physician but those who
are sick… For I did not come
to call the righteous but sinners
to repentance (Matt 9:12-13).
Jesus felt great compassion for
the crowds that came because
their problems were so great and
they didn’t know where to go
for help. They were like sheep
without a shepherd. He said to
his disciples: The harvest is so
great but the workers are so few.
Ask the Lord to send more workers
for His fields (Matt 9:35-38).

Lord, we realise that You are
showing us that You desire us to
be merciful than make sacrifices.
Thank You for being my Great
Physician and for never being
too busy to attend to my needs.
Guide me to dispense to others
the good medicine that You have
given to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Lord, we pray that You will send
labourers who will bring Your
healing & transforming power to the
people who have yet to know You.
Let us not be self-centred but be
compassionate enough to be open
to join You in the harvest fields.
You are Lord of the harvest; and
let Your Kingdom come here as it
is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Almighty God, praise You for sending
Your Son Jesus to die for our sins
and to be our Master and King.
Lord Jesus, we Your people purpose
to make ourselves available to
fulfil the mission of Your kingdom.
Holy Spirit, make us more gracious,
merciful and compassionate so that
we be ready workers in the harvest.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God who is Our Provider (Jun 24)

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the king of the Jews. And Matthew
5 to 7 traditionally called the
Sermon on the Mount, essentially
presents His statement of heaven.
Relationship to God (rather than
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not outward action)
become the focus of His message.

Lord, we Lift Up Our Needs to You:
Do not worry saying: What shall
we eat…or What shall we wear?
For the pagans run after these
things and Your Heavenly Father
Knows that You Need them. But
Seek First the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you
as well. Therefore Do Not Worry
about tomorrow (Matt 6:31-34).

Lord, You promise and advise us
Not To Worry about basic needs
for You Will Provide them to us.
Grateful I don’t have to be consumed
with worry; but I can be consumed
with You Lord and Your kingdom.
For no need enters my life for
which You have already provided.
So, I choose to keep anxiety from
cluttering my heart and instead
let it be filled with You. Amen.

Lord, You are all-knowing and
therefore You Know all our needs.
Praise You for Knowing everything
about us and every detail of our
situation; for nothing surprises You.
For Your Word says You Know
our needs and Will Provide them.
And so we can live peacefully and
cheerfully each day when we keep
Your kingdom as key concern. Amen

Gracious Lord, Thanks for caring
for us, including being our Provider.
Help me to always Seek You First,
trust Your gracious promise and
keep from worrying about the future.
Give me Lord the right perspective
and not worry over issues beyond
my control. Help me to see the
difference between needs & wants.
And do transform my life. Amen.

God who is Our Father (June 23)

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah,
the King of the Jews. And you
will read in Matt 5-7 the Sermon
of the Mount, where He presents
His statement of heaven (Mt 5:3,10).
Relationship to God (not simply
adherence to ritual) and inward
attitude (not merely outward action)
become focus of Christ’s message
for a lifestyle of righteousness.

Lord, we purpose Be Salt & Light:
You are the Salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness,
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out…
You are the Light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp
and put it under a bowl. Instead
they put it on its stand & it gives
light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven (Mt 5:13-16)
Love your enemies! In that way, You
will be acting as true children of your
Father in heaven… Be perfect, just as
yr Father in heaven is perfect(43-48)

Almighty God, You sent Jesus
to save us from our sins; give us abundant life & be our Master King.
Lord, Your standards are lofty;
but in deep gratitude of what You
had done for us, we Your people
purpose to Live a Kingdom Lifestyle,
Adopt Kingdom Perspectives,
as well as Be Salt of the earth,
and Light of the world. Amen.

Lord it’s an awesome responsibility
to reflect Your image & Your glory
to the world; but it’s an awesome
privilege too. Give us opportunities
to do so & help us reflect You well.
Lead us Lord to what You’re doing
& use us to bear fruit in Your world.
Help us live in such a way as to
preserve biblical values and let
our light shine for Jesus. Amen

Lord Jesus, Thank You for dying
on the cross for us so that we
can be reconciled to the Father.
As children of the holy Father,
we realise the need to reflect
Your character and to do Your will.
We can do this only as we look to
Christ as our example. Holy Spirit,
empower us to be perfect for apart
from You, we can do nothing. Amen

God who Gives Word & Light

Backgrounder on Matthew 1-4:
Matthew begins his gospel with
the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Whilst Genesis traces the creation
of man, Matthew shows the advent
of Jesus begins a new creation.
From the call of Abraham, God
has been moving to accomplish
His great redemption plan. Jesus
the prophesied Messiah, fulfills
the OT promises in every facet of
His life: birth, boyhood & baptism.

Lord, Your Word keeps us from Sin:
Jesus was led into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil. And
when He had fasted 40 days,
He was hungry. Now the tempter
came to Him and said: If You are
the Son of God command these
stones become bread. But (Jesus)
answered: It is written: Man shall
not live by bread alone but by
every Word that proceeds from
the mouth of God (Matt 4:1-4).
That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by Isaiah the prophet:
The land of… Galilee of the Gentiles:
The people who sat in darkness
have seen a great Light (Mt 4:14-16)

Lord, thank You of the temptation
account that shows our need for
Your Word. Psa 119:11 says I have
hidden Your Word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
Grant me the wisdom to seek You
and to hide Your Word in my heart.
And grant me discernment to apply
Your truth to everyday situations,
especially in difficulties. Amen.

Lord, thank you for the Bible,
the word of God, which we can
use as the Sword of the Spirit.
Cause Your Spirit to enlighten
my mind to understand what
I read and how it applies to my life.
Help me draw that sword and
be ready when Satan attacks with
a lie, deviation or discouragement.
And give me Lord the wisdom to
use Your Word correctly. Amen.

Lord Thy Word is a Lamp unto
my feet and a Light unto my path.
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Nothing will I fear
as long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet
and a Light unto my path.
You’re the Light unto my path. Amen

God who Gives Word & Light

Backgrounder on Matthew 1-4:
Matthew begins his gospel with
the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Whilst Genesis traces the creation
of man, Matthew shows the advent
of Jesus begins a new creation.
From the call of Abraham, God
has been moving to accomplish
His great redemption plan. Jesus
the prophesied Messiah, fulfills
the OT promises in every facet of
His life: birth, boyhood & baptism.

Lord, Your Word keeps us from Sin:
Jesus was led into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil. And
when He had fasted 40 days,
He was hungry. Now the tempter
came to Him and said: If You are
the Son of God command these
stones become bread. But (Jesus)
answered: It is written: Man shall
not live by bread alone but by
every Word that proceeds from
the mouth of God (Matt 4:1-4).
That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by Isaiah the prophet:
The land of… Galilee of the Gentiles:
The people who sat in darkness
have seen a great Light (Mt 4:14-16)

Lord, thank You of the temptation
account that shows our need for
Your Word. Psa 119:11 says I have
hidden Your Word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
Grant me the wisdom to seek You
and to hide Your Word in my heart.
And grant me discernment to apply
Your truth to everyday situations,
especially in difficulties. Amen.

Lord, thank you for the Bible,
the word of God, which we can
use as the Sword of the Spirit.
Cause Your Spirit to enlighten
my mind to understand what
I read and how it applies to my life.
Help me draw that sword and
be ready when Satan attacks with
a lie, deviation or discouragement.
And give me Lord the wisdom to
use Your Word correctly. Amen.

Lord Thy Word is a Lamp unto
my feet and a Light unto my path.
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Nothing will I fear
as long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet
and a Light unto my path.
You’re the Light unto my path. Amen

youtube.com/watch?v=FS1LAc5DSCU

Immanuel God With Us (Jun 21)

Matthew begins his gospel with
the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Whilst Genesis traces the creation
of the universe and man, Matthew
now shows that the advent of
Jesus inaugurates a new creation.
From the call of Abraham, God
has been moving to accomplish
His great redemption plan. Jesus
the prophesied Messiah, fulfills
the OT promises in every facet of
His life: birth, boyhood & baptisms

Lord, You’re With Us Always:
An angel of the Lord appeared
to (Joseph) in a dream, saying:..
She will bring forth a Son and
you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from
their sins. So all this was done
that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the Lord thro the prophet saying: Behold the virgin
shall be with child and bear a Son
and they shall call His name
Immanuel, which is translated:
God With Us (Matt 1:20-23).

Lord Jesus, You promised your
followers in Matt 28:20 that
you will be with them always,
to the very end of the age.
Though my busyness & activities
often disconnect me from others,
it will never separate me from You.
Your promise is reliable in a world
where most promises are not.
And thank You for the permanent
nature of your promise. Amen.

Lord, help me see what is already
true – that You are here with me
right now; that You are a constant
companion throughout the day.
Remind me You are not far away
but that U are in the room with me.
Grant me holy imagination that
Father is looking into my heart
with love; that Jesus is sitting
beside with a smile and that the
Spirit is hovering over me. Amen.

Lord, You’ve come to bring peace,
to be love, to be nearer to us.
You’ve come, to bring life,
to be light, to shine brighter in us.
Oh Emmanuel God with us.
Our Deliverer, You are Savior;
In Your presence we find
our strength over everything.
Our redemption God with us,
You are God With Us. Amen.