Category: 2019 Prayers

Thank God for Spiritual Gifts

Paul in 1 Cor 11-14 addresses
public issues: importance of the
Lord’s Supper, the use & abuse of
Spiritual Gifts and orderly worship.
Spiritual Gifts must be exercised
in love for the building up of
the body of Christ; for only then
is the church of God properly
worshipping the God of the church.

Lord, we Desire Spiritual Gifts:
There are different kinds of Gifts
but the same Spirit distributes them
for the common good (1Cor 12:4-9)
Pursue love & desire spiritual gifts,
especially that you may prophesy.
(For) one who prophesies is
helping others grow in the Lord,
encouraging & comforting them.
Ask God for those (gifts) that
will be of real Help to the whole
church (1 Cor 14:1-3 & 12) Amen.

Lord, Your Word says that You give
your people special gifts that they
can use to build your kingdom.
Thank you for the different kinds
of gifts that the Spirit has given me.
Give me wisdom & discernment
as well as opportunities to use
them so as to help accomplish
Your will here on earth.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, Make me aware of the
creative ways You may speak.
May I never place limits on what
I expect You to say. Instead open
my mind to that’s on Your heart.
Teach me to ask: What are U saying
before I ever think: Why is this
happening? And help me to hear
Your voice in others; to see past
their flaws and to recognise what
You are saying thro them. Amen.

Lord, I ask You to give me
the spiritual gifts that You know
will be of Real Help to the church
and will fulfil Your purpose.
Thank you for creating me with
particular interests and talents.
Help me to see opportunities
to use them to serve other s,
to fulfil your destiny for my life
and glorify Your name. Amen.

Thank God for Providing Way Out

Backgrounder on 1 Cor 7-16:
The Corinthian Church had sent
Apostle Paul a list of questions
on marriage, morality, liberty,
worship & resurrection. And Paul
answered them in a way meant
to correct abuses in the church
and to show how important it is
that they live what they believe.

Lord, we will Resist Temptation:
We should not lust after evil things.
Therefore let him who thinks
he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken
you except what is common to
mankind. And God is faithful; He
will Not let u be Tempted Beyond
what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, He will also
Provide A Way Out so that u can
endure it (1 Cor 10:6,12-13) Amen.

Lord, it is a tough world out there,
with temptations lurking around
everywhere. Whilst U don’t promise
to protect us From temptation,
You clearly do promise Your help
In Resisting temptation when
we face it. Thank you for your
promise that No Temptation
will ever be So Strong that
we can’t stand up against it.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, thank you for your promise
in 1Cor 10:13 that those who
love God Can Always Escape the
temptation that comes our way.
We trust You O God to keep any
temptation from becoming so
strong that we have to give in.
We can trust You to provide a way
out even if it’s at the last minute.
Help us Lord to Resist or Flee
from temptation for altho it’s not
always easy to escape temptation,
it is always possible. Amen.

Lord, at times we may feel that
temptation is overpowering or
impossible to resist. But thank You
for Providing A Way Out; for the
Spirit show the way to escape.
Help us O Spirit to recognise
each tempting circumstance.
Help us stay away from every
activity we know that is wrong.
Help us consciously choose
to do only that which is right.
Help us O Lord for apart from
You we can do nothing. Amen.

Respecting & Obeying Holy God

As the Israelites march to Canaan,
they defeat three enemies, the
Canaanites, Amorites & Bashanites.
But on the heels of victory they
suffer defeat at the hands of a
persistent foe: grumbling. Because
of people’s constant complaining,
God sends fiery serpents to
chasten His rebellious nation. The
threat of Israel’s advance prompts
neighbouring pagan nations to hire
Balaam to bring down a curse upon
God’s people. But instead of curse,
Balaam delivers a sweeping witness
to the glorious future of Israel.

Lord, when Israelites complained
against You God and rebelled
against Moses, that led to disaster.
Help us to Be Careful when under
difficult and confusing situations.
Help us to Beware Grumbling and
Bitterness but focus on blessings.
Help us to Respect U & be careful
with words when under pressure.
Help us respond in faith, trusting
You & Obeying Your Instructions.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Beware of Grumbling:
There was no water for the people
to drink at that place, so they
rebelled against Moses and Aaron.
The people blamed Moses & said:
Why have you brought (us) into this
wilderness to die, along with all
our livestock? Why did you make
us leave Egypt and bring us here
to this horrible place? This land
has no grain, no figs, no grapes &
no water to drink! (Num 20:2-5).
Holy Spirit, help us to be watchful
of dissatisfaction and beware
of complaining and bitterness
over our present circumstances,
which can turn us against God as
they lead to resentment & rebellion
Help us O Holy Spirit to choose a
better attitude and focus on what
God has done & blessings. Amen.

Lord, we will Respect U at all times:
Speak to the rock before their eyes
and it will yield its water. So Moses
took the rod from the Lord & Aaron
gathered people before the rock,
and he said to them: You Rebels !
Must we bring water for you out
of this rock? Then Moses lifted
his hand and struck the rock twice
with his rod and water came out
abundantly… Then the Lord spoke
to Moses & Aaron: Because you
did not believe Me, to hallow Me
in the eyes of the children of Israel,
therefore you shall Not bring this
assembly into the land which
I have given them (Num 20:8-12).
Holy Spirit, help us be gracious &
Careful with our words when under
pressure or when we’re frustrated.
Help us not to trust and rely on our
past experience but instead Trust
You by obeying your instructions.
Help us Honor U as holy God.Amen

Lord, we will Obey Your Instruction:
The people came to Moses & said:
We sinned when we spoke against
the Lord and against you. Pray that
the Lord will take the snakes away
from us.. So Moses prayed for the
people. The Lord said to Moses:
Make a snake & put it up on a pole;
anyone who is bitten can look at it
and live. So Moses made a bronze
serpent and put it on a pole; and
so it was, if a serpent had bitten
anyone when he looked at the
bronze serpent, he lived (N21:7-9).
Lord Jesus, I look to U as Saviour
& to what U accomplished on the
cross as guarantee of my salvation.
Thank You for paying the price for
my sin. Forgive me if I’ve spoken
against You in any way, or have
been motivated by fear & doubt.
I come to You in Faith, believing
that You will answer my prayer.
Help me to always Obey U. Amen.

Choose Faith In God, Not Doubt

Following the Lord’s instructions,
Moses selects one representative
from each of the 12 tribes to form
a scouting party. Their assignment:
to spy out the defenses of the
land and bring back a sample
of the produce grown there.
The 12 return with a divided report!
Ten see only the obstacles while
two see opportunities. The nation
disheartened & faithless, threatens
to stone Moses and return to Egypt
rather than face what lies ahead.
As a result, God condemns that
unbelieving generation to forty
years wandering the wilderness.
Lord,help us see thro Eyes of Faith.
Help us not treat U with Contempt.
Help us Not to Doubt You. Amen.

Lord,we’ll Choose Faith Not Doubt:
Two of men who had explored the
land, Joshua and Caleb, said to
the community of Israel: The land
we explored is a wonderful land!
And if the Lord is pleased with us,
He will bring us safely into that land
and give it to us… Do not rebel
against the Lord and don’t be
afraid of the people of the land…
The Lord is with us (Num 14:6-9).
The Lord said to Moses: How long
will these people treat me with
contempt? Will they never believe
Me, even after all the miraculous
signs I’ve done among them (v11).
I have forgiven them as you asked.
Because these men who have seen
My glory and the signs I did in
Egypt and in the wilderness and
have put Me to the test 10 times
and have not heeded My voice,
they shall not see the land which
I swore to their fathers (N14:19-23)

Lord, open my spiritual eyes to
see those exceedingly good things
in my path. Forgive me for focusing
on the problems around me.
As I keep my eyes on You and
the purpose You’ve put before me,
may I go forth in faith, not in fear,
so that I don’t miss the beauty
and blessings each day. Amen.

Lord, it is so easy to let our
hearts be affected by negativity.
And I confess that I tend to live
by sight and not by faith. Please
help me reverse that tendency.
I purpose to hang on to Your truth,
even when it may contradict
the visible world and circumstance.
For I want to be a believer in
every way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God, just as U delivered Your pple
out of Egypt, and You forgave them
and provided what they needed
every step of the way, I turn to You
for deliverance & forgiveness & ask
that You will provide for my needs.
Help me to never doubt that
You will always give me the
light I need for each step I take.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpqBEEY6as

Thank God for Transformation

What u believe affect how u behave
For 11 chapters Paul has set forth
the doctrine of the Christian faith.
The balance of his letter moves
into the practical outworking of
that faith. For every assignment,
there is a enablement from God:
Serve one another using the gifts
God gave you; be subject to higher
authorities; be sensitive to needs
of weaker brothers; be united
in purpose & have mind of Christ.

Lord, we will Be Transformed:
Give your bodies to God. Let them
be a Living Sacrifice… When you
think of what he has done for
you, is this too much to ask?
Don’t copy the behaviour and
customs of this world, but let God
Transform you into a new person
by changing the way you think.
Then you will Know what God
wants you to do, and you will know
how good and pleasing & perfect
His will really is (Rom 12:1-2) Amen

Lord, I don’t really know what
these days will hold, but I offer
myself to U as a Living Sacrifice.
Fill me with Your spirit of love, joy,
peace and patience. Renew and
transform my mind with your truth.
Gently make me a new person, and
show me what You want me to do,
the person U want me to minister.
And all glory be unto You. Amen.

Lord, help me grow closer to You.
Help me understand the difference
between what You desire and
what the world offers. Teach me
not to apply the behaviours and
customs of this world but Be
Transformed into a new person.
As I seek to follow You, let me know
Your will. And help me stay on the
right track as I purpose to take
small steps of faith each day. Amen

Lord, I offer my life to You
Everything I’ve been through
Use it for Your glory.
Lord I offer my days to You
Lifting my praise to You
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer You my life.
Things in t past Things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that
are yet to come true.
All of my hopes & all of my plans
My heart & my hands are lifted to U
Lord, I offer my life to You. Amen.

Thank God for Freedom From Sin

Paul begins by describing the
helpless condition of humanity. A
rebellious nature has led to rejectn
of the Creator & worship of creation
God in turn has permitted the
sinful nature of human beings
to express the fullness of its
corruption and the whole human
race stands helpless before God.
Truly, all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God (R3:23).

Lord, we’re Grateful for Your Mercy:
All have sinned; all fall short of
God’s glorious standard. Yet now
God in His Gracious kindness
declares us Not Guilty. He has
done this through Christ Jesus,
who has Freed Us by Taking Away
our sins. For God sent Jesus to
take the punishment for our sins…
We are made right with God
when we believe that Jesus
shed his blood, sacrificing his
life for us (Rom 3:23-25). Amen.

Father,thanks for loving us so much
that You make us right with You.
Because You are a just God and
could not simply overlook our sins,
You sent Your Son as the perfect
sacrifice to take the punishment
our sins required. Grateful your
Son not only Take Away all my sins;
but also remember them no more.
Because of Jesus’ death, You God
declares me Not Guilty; and sees
Christ’s righteousness instead of
my sin. Thanks for giving the Spirit
to empower me not to sin. Amen.

Lord, praise You for being Merciful.
And thank You for not giving me
the eternal death that I deserve;
instead I am given life in Christ.
Jesus had said blessed are the
merciful for they shall obtain mercy
Teach me to Be Merciful also by
overlooking the wrongs of others.
And grant me grace to be lavish
and willing to bless those who
don’t deserve blessing. Amen.

Lord, challenge us to Sow Seeds
of kindness so that people’s
hearts be softened & open to the
gospel which can set them free.
Open our spiritual eyes that we
might see those in our life who are
hurting & open to the Good News.
And grant us Courage to seize
every opportunity and share
the gospel message with them.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Thank God for Being Always Near

Backgrounder on Acts 16-18:
Paul’s second missionary journey
begins with a new companion
– Silas. The team soon doubles
in size as Timothy and Luke are
added. Initially given a warm
reception in Philippi, Paul & Silas
soon experience flogging and
imprisonment for disrupting the
profitable soothsaying business.
But God uses even this to bring
a jailer and his family to salvation.

Lord, You Are Always Near Us:
God decided beforehand when
(nations) should rise and fall, and
He determines their boundaries.
His Purpose was for the nations
to Seek After God and perhaps
feel their way towards Him and
find Him – though He Is Not Far
from any one of us. For In Him
We Live and move and have
our being (Acts 17:26-28) Amen.

Lord, help me to live with a strong
sense of purpose; and be open
to Your Purpose You have for me.
Help me to slow down enough
to see opportunities; not just big
things but also in everyday things.
Help me to be sensitive to people
and their needs; and be willing
to be Your hands and feet.
And help me fulfill the spiritual
assignment You have for me.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You may seem nearer to
us when we draw near to You.
But today’s passage remind us
that You are always Near us.
Help me Lord to notice Your
Presence & acknowledge You in
every situation, watching over me
and sharing Your heart with me.
Praise You for being my Provider,
Guide, Shield, Healer & Comforter.
And even when it seems U are far
away, U are actually Nearby. Amen.

Lord, we want You to be the one
In Whom We Live & have our being.
And we want to hear Your voice,
above all other voices in our lives.
But we get bogged down in routine
and things that want our attention.
And we relegate U to Sundays and
times when we need U to rescue us
Lord, with all our human failings,
make yourself known to us; and
help us recognize Your presence.
Challenge, inspire & make us into
the people U want us to be. Amen

Thank God for Power Source

With Jesus’ last instruction still
in their ears, the disciples go forth
speaking words of eternal life.
Visited by their resurrected Lord
and empowered by the promised
Comforter, they fearlessly follow
their marching orders in spite of
mocking, threats & physical abuse.
The advance of the gospel is soon
opposed by adversaries;but prompt
discipline & resolute commitment
only serve to enlarge the church.

Lord, we’ll Be Open to Holy Spirit:
On the day of Pentecost, seven
weeks after Jesus’ resurrection,
the believers were meeting in
one place… There was a sound
from heaven. And they were Filled
with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
In the last days… I will pour out
of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons
and daughters shall prophesy…
and whoever calls on the name
of the Lord shall be saved (v17-21).
They devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and to prayer… And the Lord added
to the church daily those who
were being saved (v42,47) Amen.

Lord Jesus, grant us the unity
and fervency in prayer that Your
followers had in the upper room.
We long to see Your kingdom
expand, Your Spirit Poured Out
in power and the accomplishment
of Your will & purpose in our time.
Give us hearts that take an active
role in laying the tracks for your
Spirit’s work in our generation.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Spirit, reveal any obstacle between
us or any change of heart I need
to make? Fill me and empower
me in concrete ways that I know
I will never be the same again; for
I’m open & have Your way in me.
Fill me with whatever gift You
may offer; for I want to experience
the reality of Your presence. And
may Your character & Your ways
rub off on me so that my heart can
become more like Yours. Amen.

Father, help me be diligent to the
study of Your Word and teach me
so that I understand it perfectly.
Help me to be in communion
with other believers so that
we can be in prayer together.
Help me make prayer priority by
setting aside time for it; for often
it gets set aside for other things.
Enable me to maintain that direct
line to You by praying constantly
as U bring things to my mind. Amen

Lessons in Facing Life Challenges

The time has come for the final
journey to Canaan. After a special
celebration of the Passover, the
people watch as the pillar of cloud
begins to move. It’s time to march!
But the thrill of expectation soon
gives way to tedium of travel. And
Moses is faced with numerous
problems: complaints about travel
conditions and food, longings for
the good old days in Egypt, greedy
hoarding of the quail God supplies
and jealousy by Miriam and Aaron
toward his position of leadership.
In spite of the difficulties, the
people finally arrive at Kadesh-
Barnea, on the doorstep of Canaan!

Dear Heavenly Father, You are a
Faithful God with good plan for us.
But like Israelites going through life
journey,we can still face challenges.
Help us Recognise Your Leading &
Follow Your Guidance in our life.
Help us to be Grateful & Thankful
for your provision and protection.
Help us Seek Help from You rather
than Murmuring and Complaining.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Follow Your Guidance:
Whenever the cloud lifted from
the Tent, the Israelites set out;
wherever the cloud settled, the
Israelites encamped… At the
Lord’s command they encamped,
and at the Lord’s command they
set out. They obeyed the Lord’s
order, in accordance with his
command thro Moses (N9:17-23)
Lord, guide me in my journey
thro life. Help me understand and
recognise Your leading in every
decision I make. Give me clear
direction so that I can stay on
the path You have for me. I know
following You doesn’t mean every
thing will be easy. Help me not lose
faith when the road gets tough.
For I want to always arrive at the
place You want me to be. Amen.

Lord, reminds us to Be Thankful:
Then the foreigners who were
travelling with the Israelites began
to crave the good things of Egypt.
And the people of Israel also began
to complain: Oh for some meat!
they exclaimed. We remember
the fish we used to eat in Egypt.
And we had all the cucumbers,
melons, leeks onions and garlic
we wanted. But now our appetites
are gone. All we ever see is
these manna! (Num 11:4-9).
Holy Spirit, help us not to grumble
by directing our attention on the
right things. Help us to be careful
not to let dissatisfaction reigns
when our attention shifts fr what
we have to what we don’t have.
We purpose to Be Thankful for
what God has given us & not allow
our unfulfilled desires to cause
us to forget God’s gifts. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Direct Complains to You:
Moses heard the people weeping…
So Moses said to the Lord: Why
have You afflicted Your servant?
And why have I not found favour
in Your sight that You have laid the
burden of all these people on me?
I am not able to bear all these
people alone because the burden
is too heavy for me. If You treat me
like this, please kill me here & now.
So the Lord said to Moses: Gather
70 men of the elders of Israel.
They will help you carry the burden
of the people so that you will not
have to carry it alone (N11:10-17).
God, I lift to You the areas of my
life that are overwhelming. I have
not come to You to complain, but
rather to seek Your help. Where
I have tried to handle everything
in my own strength instead of
depending on You, I ask Your
forgiveness. I pray U enable me
to rise above the challenges. Amen

Preparation For Life Journey

At Mount Sinai, Israelites received
specific directions for their life-
style in the new land God would
give to them. A census was taken &
the 2nd Passover was celebrated,
marking one year of freedom
from slavery in Egypt. The people
were now prepared to continue
their journey to the Promised Land.

Lord, just as You prepared the
Israelites, You also prepare us for
our life journey toward Your plan.
Lord, help us follow instructions
to Prepare and Take Inventory.
Help us Do the Right Thing; and
Thanks for Your Blessings. Amen

Lord,we’ll Prepare & Take Inventory:
A year after Israel’s departure from
Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses
in the Tabernacle in the wilderness:
Take a census of all the children of
Israel by their families; every male
from 20 years old and above –
all who are able to go to war in
Israel. You and Aaron shall number
them by their armies. (Num 1:1-3)
At transition points in life, it is
important to take inventory of our
resources for better organisation.
While You God do not want us
to trust in our material resources,
believe that You do want us to use
well what we have, then use what
U have given for Your glory. Amen.

Lord, we will Do the Right Thing:
When a man or women wrongs
another in any way and so is
unfaithful to the Lord, that person
is guilty and must confess the sin
he had committed. He must make
full restitution for his wrong, add
one fifth to it and give it all to the
person he has wronged (N5:6-7).
Holy Spirit, I pray U will show me
if I have hurt anyone in any way.
If I have, show me how I can
make it up to them so that things
are right between us. Help me
to apologise and to ask for that
person’s forgiveness. I want to
have a clear conscience so that
nothing will undermine the
closeness I have with You. Amen.

Lord, thank You for Your blessing:
The Lord said to Moses: Tell Aaron
and his sons to bless the people
of Israel with this special blessing:
May the Lord bless you and
protect you. May the Lord smile
on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show u His favour &
give you His peace (Num 6:22-26)
Lord, what a good God You are
to bless us, protect us, smile on us,
extend grace to us, show us Your
favour and give us Your peace.
Lord, may my tongue be an
instrument of Your shalom.
May I impart Your goodness to
others through my words, and
may Your Spirit inhabit those
words in mighty power. Amen.