Category: 2019 Prayers

God Knows & Cares for His People      Inspiring Hymn: Search Me O God

In 1936, at the age of twenty-four,
evangelist Edwin Orr wrote this
hymn during an Easter evangelistic
campaign in New Zealand. During
that campaign, revival fell on the
people of New Zealand. As Orr
was about to leave New Zealand,
four Maori girls came and sang
him their native song of farewell.
Impressed by the tune and still
stirred by the revival he witnessed,
Orr scribbled the stanzas of the hymn on the back of an envelope as he waited in an NZ post office.
Search Me O God was inspired
by Psalm 139; which is about the
infinite knowledge & unceasing
presence of the almighty God.

O Lord, You have searched
me and You know me…
You perceive my thots from afar…
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely (Ps 139:1-4)
Where can I free from Yr Presence?
If I go to the heavens, U are there;
If I settle on the far side of the
sea, even there Your hand will
guide and hold me fast (v7-10).
Search me O God, and know
my heart; test me and know my
anxious thoughts. See if there is
any offensive way in me, and lead
me in the way everlasting (v23-24)

Lord, thank You that You know
everything about me & You still
love me. You know my thoughts
and my mistakes and You still
call me Yours. Thank You that
You are always with me – teaching
and guiding me, comforting and
restoring me; and I am not alone.
You Lord know me better than
I know myself. Help me to know
You better too. In Jesus name.

Lord, praise You for Your Omni-
presence and good plans for me.
You promise in Your Word that I can
never get away from Your presence.
Wherever You take me each day,
Guide me with Your hand, and
Support me with Your strength.
For apart from You I can do nothing.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Search me O God and know my
heart today; Try me O Saviour,
know my thoughts I pray.
See if there be some wicked
way in me; Cleanse me from
every sin, and set me free…
Lord, take my life, and make it
wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart
with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion,
self and pride; I now surrender
Lord – in me abide. Amen !!

God Promises With His Name

Psalms 135-139 as a group is
essentially about praising God.
Sometimes it’s easy to praise
the Lord simply by recalling the
past (Ps 135-136); at other times
memories of the past produce
more pain than praise (Ps 137).
But even times of trouble & tears
can be cause of praise (Ps 138)
as you think about the infinite
knowledge & unceasing presence
of your omnipotent God (Ps 139).

Lord,we receive Yr Caring Promises:
I will give thanks to Your Name for
Your unfailing love & faithfulness,
because Your Promises Are Backed
by all the honour of Your Name.
In the day when I cried out,
You answered me, and made me
bold with strength (Ps 138:2-3).
Though the Lord is great,
He Cares for the humble (v6).
Though I walk in the midst
of trouble, You will revive me…
And Your right hand will save me.
The Lord Will Perfect that which
concerns me; Your mercy Lord
endures forever (Psalm 138:7-8).

Father God, thank You for Backing
Your Promises by the honor of
Your Name. It’s indeed a mighty,
powerful and trustworthy name!
And I am grateful to You for Your
unfailing love and faithfulness.
Help me Lord to move forward
under Your direction in the light
of Your firm, binding and unfailing
promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, no matter what’s challenges,
You will perfect that which concerns
me; for You Care deeply for me, for
Your lovingkindness endures forever.
Lord Jesus, I revere Your Name:
for You are the Bread of Life;
for You are the Good Shepherd;
for You are the Great “I Am.”
And I declare my confidence
in all Your Promises that are
fully backed by Your Name! Amen.

Lord Jesus in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live
for You and glorify Your Name.
Your Name
is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name
is a shelter like no other
Your Name,
let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power
to Save but Your Name!! Amen.

God Loves His People Enduringly

Sometimes it’s easy to praise God
by recalling the past (Ps 135-136).
At other times memories of the past
produce more pain than praise (137).
But even times of trouble can be
cause for Praise to God (Ps 138).
This is so as you meditate about
the unceasing presence of Your
omnipotent God (Psalm 139).

Lord, we’ll Revere In Your Love:
Oh give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good! Oh give thanks
to the God of gods! For His mercy
endures forever (Ps 136:1-2).
To Him who alone does grt wonders.
For His mercies endures forever…
To Him who laid out the earth
above the waters, For His
mercy endures forever (v4-6).
Who remembered us in our lowly
state,for His mercy endures forever.
And rescued us from our enemies,
for His mercy endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh,
for His mercy endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures (v23-26).

Lord, we’re grateful for Yr Goodness
as well as faithful love towards us.
Were it not for Your faithful love,
we will have no hope. We see in
Psalm 136 Your love in the rescue
of redemption, the rest of provision,
and the warm of being remembered.
Your faithful love endures forever.
Let us Lord never lose sight of Your
great enduring love for us. Amen.

Lord, nothing can stop You from
loving me; for Your love can work
Wonders thru situation these days;
just as Your faithful love carried
Your people Israel in days of old.
Lord, I can trust Your love today,
tomorrow and for the rest of my life
Thank You that Your love endures
forever. In Jesus’ mighty name.

Lord, You remember us in our lowly
state, and are waiting to show love
and compassion to Your people.
You are the loving and faithful God;
why should I look elsewhere for help.
Strengthen my faith in You even as
I wait for Your deliverance in my life.
Lord, I will Revere In Your Love;
I will Abide In Your Presence and
I will Hold to Your Promises. Amen.

God’s Word Provides Direction

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm
and the longest chapter of
the longest book in the Bible.
And through its 176 verses,
it provides the multifaceted
Word of God. And it also inspired
Amy Grant & Michael Smith to write
the hymnal song ‘Thy Word’ in 1984.
Michael came up with the melody &
some words for the chorus straight
from David’s Psalm about being
a light into my path. But as Michael
had no idea what the verses were
supposed to say, he gave it to
Amy and told her to finish the tune.
So that night she starts walking
back to her cabin,” Michael said.
Caribou Ranch is 8,000 acre and
it’s very dark, and she got lost.
“She finally saw a lamp & started
walking towards that light, didn’t
realize that that was her cabin.”
“And she walked into that little cabin
and wrote the verses to ‘Thy Word.’”

Lord, Your Word Directs Our Path:
How can a man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to
Your Word. With my whole heart
I have sought You. Oh let me not
wonder from Yr commandments.
Your Word I have hidden
in my heart that I might not sin
against You (Psalm 119:9-11).
Be good to your servant, that
I may live and obey Your Word.
Open My Eyes to see wonderful
truths in Yr instructions (v17-18).
Your Word is a lamp for my feet
and a Light for my Path. I have…
confirmed that I will keep Your
righteous (laws). I am afflicted
very muvh; Revive me O Lord
according to Your Word (v105-7).

Lord, even as I Hide Your Word in
my heart, help me Keep From Sin.
Grant me the wisdom to seek You
and to hide Your Word in my heart.
Grant me discernment to apply
Your truth to everyday situations.
Grant me the perseverance and
faith to trust Your Word when l am
going through difficult times. Amen.

Lord, Open our eyes and grant us
wisdom to see and understand
the wonderful truths in Your law.
Help us not take Your Word for
granted; but instead help us
to meditate on it day and night.
Lord, may the hymn: “Open my
eyes and let me see” spur me to
be watchful & listen to Your Spirit.
And then proceed to go act
on what I have seen and heard,
and sharing it with others. Amen.

Lord, we thank You that Your
Word lights the path at our feet
so that we don’t have to wander
in the wilderness. Thank You that
Yr Word acts as spiritual compass
to guide and direct our paths.
Help us to remember that we
can always count on Your Word
to guide, lead and keep us on
the right track. Thanks to You Lord
for Your wonderful Word. Amen.

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

Psalms Book Five (107 to 150)
mainly written by David is similar
to the book of Deuteronomy.
Just as Deuteronomy touches on
God & His Word, these psalms are
anthems of praise and thanksgiving
for God and His Word. Most of
the psalms were originally set
to music and used in worship.
We can use these psalms today
as were used in the past, as a
hymnbook of praise and worship.
This is a book that ought to make
our hearts adore & sing to the Lord.

On Monday, we learn from Ps 108/9
to Praise God Faithful & Merciful.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 118
that the Lord Backs and Helps us.
On Wed, we learn from Psalm 119
that God’s Word Provides Direction.
On Thursday we learn from Ps 121
that God Helps and Protects us.
On Friday, we learn from Ps 126
that God Restores His People.
On Saturday, we learn from Ps 127
that God Builds and Gives Rest.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are Faithful and Merciful;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Help, Direct & Protect us;
For You Restore Your People
as well as Build and Give Rest.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Builds and Gives Rest

Psalms 120-127 are part of a group
of psalms called Songs of Ascent.
These psalms were songs which
pilgrims sang as they made their
way up the paths to Jerusalem
to celebrate the Jewish festivals.
And Ps 120-127 deal with topics
dear to the heart of travellers
far from home: peace (120, 122);
provision (123, 124, 126); and
Protection (121, 125, 127). As you
read these “hymns of the highway”
imagine yourself on a journey of life.

Lord, You Build and Give Rest:
Unless the Lord Builds a house,
the work of the builders is useless.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries
will do no good (Psalm 127:1).
It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late
at night, anxiously working for
food to eat; for God Gives Rest
to His loved ones (Psalm 127:2).

Lord, thanks for the reminder that
while progress is good, it must be
seen in the light of Your provision.
Whilst human striving can provide
benefits, it can also be destructive.
For only by conforming our efforts
to God’s will & plan will our efforts
construct anything worthwhile.
And we trust You God to prevent
our work from being wasted. Amen.

Lord, I acknowledge that without
dependence and trust in You, all
my work is in vain & effort wasted.
I need and want You Lord to be
the foundation of my life, my family
and my ministry so that the work
of my hands will bear fruit that
honours You. And I will be able to
enjoy the rest that You give. Amen.

Lord, thanks for the promise that
You Give Rest to Your loved ones.
For You God didn’t wire us to work
like machines 24/7 all the time.
In Your goodness, You God has
promised to Give us Rest so that
we can also have balance in life.
And we can Trust You God with
the results for You are Almighty
and You are a good God. Amen.

God Will Restore His People; and       Inspiring “Bringing In the Sheaves”

Bringing In the Sheaves is a
metaphorical image of harvesting.
The phrase written by Shaw Knowles
in 1874 as part of the hymn, was
inspired by Psalm 126:5-6 which
can be applied to serving the Lord.
A similar encouragement is given
to us in Galatians: Let us not grow
weary while doing good, for In due
season we will reap if we do not
lose heart (Gal 6:9). These passages
remind us there’s hard work involved
in our service to the Lord, with heavy
burdens and perhaps even tears.
But the end result is worth it for the
Lord rewards & restores His people.

Lord, You’ll Restore Your People:
When the Lord Brought Back
His exiles to Jerusalem,
it was like a dream!
We were filled with laughter,
and we sang for joy. Yes,
the Lord has done amazing things
for us! What joy! (Psalm 126:1-3).
Restore our fortunes, Lord, as
the streams renew the desert (v4).
Those who plant in tears
Will Harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant
their seed, but they sing as
they return with the harvest,
Bringing In the Sheaves (v5-6).

Lord, thank You for not giving up
on Your people and thank You
for doing amazing things for us.
Just like God’s people returning
from exile, we will praise You for
Your grace that Brings Restoration.
My heart is filled with the joy of
knowing that You hold out a loving
hand saying: “Trust me! Try again
and know that I am with you.” Amen.

Lord, when we plant the seed
of God’s Word in the hearts of
those we love; Your promise
is that the harvest is coming.
One day we will see many of
those seeds come to fruition.
Help us not to despair but instead
keep on planting. For God will not
waste the seed we sow obediently.
And one day we’ll see the fruit of
our labour. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, Going forth with weeping,
sowing for You Master,
Though the loss sustained
our spirit often grieves.
Waiting for the harvest,
and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing,
bringing in the sheaves. Amen!!

Thank God for Help & Protection:
Psalms 120-127 deal with topics
dear to the heart of travellers
far from home: peace (120, 122);
Protection (121, 125, 127);
and provision (123, 124, 126).
As youbread these “hymns of
the highway,” imagine yourself
on a journey of life with your destination now in view.

Lord, You Help and Protect us:    
I will lift up my eyes to the hills-  
from whence comes my help?
My Help Comes from the Lord,
who made the heavens & the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall;
the one who Watches over you
will not slumber (Psalm 121:1-3).
The Lord Himself Watches over you!
The Lord stands besides you
as your protective shade (v5).
The Lord Keeps you from Evil
and preserves your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you
as you come and go
both now and forever (v7-8).

Lord, I will lift my eyes to You
for our Help comes from You,
who made the heavens and earth!
Because You hold me, I will not
stumble and fall. Because You
watch over me, I will not fear
for my security is in You my God.
Thank You for watching over me
and for caring about my situation.
Thank You I am not alone for You
are with me and helping me. Amen

Lord, I pray for protective covering.
And thank You for Watching over
and protecting my loved ones!
What peace it gives me to know
that You never slumber or sleep.
And that I can confidently entrust
those I love to Your care & keeping.
Bless and keep my family coming
and going both now & always.Amen

Lord, Your assurance to Your
followers is that You Will Keep
them from all Evil. Thank You
Lord that though evil may come,
it has no real power over me.
I believe that You will, as promised
preserve my life. I want to live
with confidence that I am safe
in You. And I purpose to trust You
and not worry over things; even
as I lift my eyes up to You. Amen.

God’s Word Provides Direction

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm
and the longest chapter of
the longest book in the Bible.
And through its 176 verses,
it provides the multifaceted
Word of God. And it also inspired
Amy Grant & Michael Smith to write
the hymnal song ‘Thy Word’ in 1984.
Michael came up with the melody &
some words for the chorus straight
from David’s Psalm about being
a light into my path. But as Michael
had no idea what the verses were
supposed to say, he gave it to
Amy and told her to finish the tune.
So that night she starts walking
back to her cabin,” Michael said.
Caribou Ranch is 8,000 acre and
it’s very dark, and she got lost.
“She finally saw a lamp & started
walking towards that light, didn’t
realize that that was her cabin.”
“And she walked into that little cabin
and wrote the verses to ‘Thy Word.’”

Lord, Your Word Directs Our Path:
How can a man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to
Your Word. With my whole heart
I have sought You. Oh let me not
wonder from Yr commandments.
Your Word I have hidden
in my heart that I might not sin
against You (Psalm 119:9-11).
Be good to your servant, that
I may live and obey Your Word.
Open My Eyes to see wonderful
truths in Yr instructions (v17-18).
Your Word is a lamp for my feet
and a Light for my Path. I have…
confirmed that I will keep Your
righteous (laws). I am afflicted
very muvh; Revive me O Lord
according to Your Word (v105-7).

Lord, even as I Hide Your Word in
my heart, help me Keep From Sin.
Grant me the wisdom to seek You
and to hide Your Word in my heart.
Grant me discernment to apply
Your truth to everyday situations.
Grant me the perseverance and
faith to trust Your Word when l am
going through difficult times. Amen.

Lord, Open our eyes and grant us
wisdom to see and understand
the wonderful truths in Your law.
Help us not take Your Word for
granted; but instead help us
to meditate on it day and night.
Lord, may the hymn: “Open my
eyes and let me see” spur me to
be watchful & listen to Your Spirit.
And then proceed to go act
on what I have seen and heard,
and sharing it with others. Amen.

Lord, we thank You that Your
Word lights the path at our feet
so that we don’t have to wander
in the wilderness. Thank You that
Yr Word acts as spiritual compass
to guide and direct our paths.
Help us to remember that we
can always count on Your Word
to guide, lead and keep us on
the right track. Thanks to You Lord
for Your wonderful Word. Amen.

The LORD Backs & Helps Us

Backgrounder on Psalms 111-118:
Praise permeates nearly every
line of these eight psalms. God is
praiseworthy for His care (Ps 111),
His commandments (Ps 112),
His name(Ps 113), His power(Ps 114)
His uniqueness (Ps 115),
His Deliverance (Ps 116), His truth
(Ps 117) and His mercy (Ps 118).
What other response could
there be than to Praise the Lord.

Lord Almighty, You are For Us:
Give thanks to the Lord for He is
good & His Mercy endures forever…
Let those who fear the Lord say: His
mercy endures forever (Ps 118:1-4).
In my distress I prayed to the Lord
and the Lord answered me
and rescued me. The Lord is
On My Side, I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Yes, the Lord Is For me;
He Will Help me (Ps 118:5-7).
I thank You for answering
my prayer and saving me…
This was the Lord’s doing…
This is the day the Lord has made.
We’ll Rejoice & be glad in it (v21-24)

Lord, thankful Your goodness and
mercy will bring me through trouble.
You are my ally and my hero with
strong arm giving me confidence.
You are my impregnable fortress,
my unconquerable tower of safety.
You are my shield to protect me
from harm; and as I take refuge in
You, I don’t have to be afraid. Amen.

Father God, as Your child, Nothing
can separate me from Your love.
Thank You Lord for answering
and helping me in my distress.
Thank You Lord for the truth
that You are For me, for it is
assuring of Your concern for me.
Help me to resolve not to be afraid
because the Almighty Lord of the
universe is On My Side. Amen.

Lord, this is the day You have
made, a place of new beginning.
No matter what may happen,
help me to rejoice and be glad
in the day that You have made.
Help me to see Your goodness
and lift up my head and rejoice.
And help me to see my problem
as one more great opportunity
to depend on You Lord. Amen.