Category: 2020 Prayers

Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him

Cecil Alexander (1818-1895) was
the wife of a parish minister in an
impoverished area of North Ireland.
She loved the people. From one
house to another she went. She
especially loved children and most
of her hymns were written for them.
“Jesus Calls Us” was one of the
few hymns she wrote for adults.
She wrote the hymn to accompany
a sermon her husband was preaching
about the calling of Peter & Andrew
by Jesus on the shores of Galilee.

Lord, we purpose to Follow You:
One day as Jesus was walking along
the shore of the Sea of Galilee,
he saw two brothers – Simon, also
called Peter, and Andrew -throwing
a net into the water, for they fished
for a living. Jesus called out to them:
Come follow me, and I will show
you how to fish for people. They
immediately left their nets and
followed Him (Matthew 4:18-20).

Lord, You call us to turn away from
our own selfish interests, to take up
our cross and to follow after You.
Grant us grace to trust You even if
the path is difficult to see, or heading
in a direction we will not choose.
Help us see with eyes of faith rather
than from our human point of view.
Teach us to follow without fear for
You are with us, leading the way.
Grant us grace to say “Yes” when
You come calling “follow me”. Amen

Lord, You are always making
this challenge to us: “Follow Me.”
But to follow You will also mean
bearing the cross and being willing
to die to our own ambitions, our
own strengths & make way for God
to work thro us. But in gratitude of
all that You Lord had done for us,
make us hear Your call to follow You.
Grant us grace to give our hearts
in obedience, so that we serve
and love Thee best of all. Amen.

Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea;
Day by day his sweet voice sound
Saying, “Christian, follow me.”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares & pleasures,
Christian, love me more than these.
Jesus calls us– by Thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear Thy call;
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve & love Thee best of all. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vir9cxM1FGs

Wise Words for Leaders

The final 11 chapters of Proverbs
contain sound counsel for those
in positions of authority. The key
hangs on Prov 21:2: Every way
of a man is right in his own eyes;
but the Lord weighs the hearts.
Today’s reading contains wise
counsel for anyone in a position
of responsibility, including parents.
Leaders need to know God’s
precepts if they are to direct their
charges into God’s honouring
paths of conduct and character.

Dear Lord, we recognise that You
put us in positions of authority. And
thanks for Prov 22-24 which give
pointers on how to live successfully.
Lead us to Ask You for Wisdom.
Lead us to Seek Wise Counsel.
Lead us to Listen to the Wise.
Lord, Grant us Wisdom & Grant us
Courage for the living of these days.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Listen to the Wise:
Listen to the words of the wise;
Apply your heart to my instructions.
For it is good to keep these sayings
deep within yourself, always ready
on your lips. I am teaching you
today, so that your trust may
be in the Lord (Prov 22:17-19).
Lord, You desire to teach us in
Your ways just as a loving earthly
father instructs his own children.
Plant Your truth deep within me
so that Your name and Your
precepts will always be on my lips.
And as we apply our heart and
mind to Your Word, bring us Lord
into a deep trust in You. Amen.

Lord, we ask for Your Wisdom:
Apply your heart to instruction,
and your ears to words of
knowledge (Proverbs 23:12).
Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and
understanding (Prov 23:12-23).
Lord, give us wisdom so that we’ll
lead a life of peace and blessing.
Give us wisdom that brings
guidance, security and confidence.
Grant us wisdom to save us from
evil & help us make right decisions.
And help us to live with discipline
and good understanding. Amen.

Lord, we will Seek Wise Counsel:
Thro wisdom a house is built and
by understanding it’s established…
A man of knowledge increases
strength; for by wise counsel you
can wage war, and in abundance of
counsellors there is victory & safety.
Prepare your work outside & get
your fields ready; and afterwords
build your house (Prov 24:3-6,27).
Lord, help us find good advisors
before making major decisions.
Help us carry out work in proper
order for it’s possible to lose
everything despite hard work if
the timing is wrong or resources
to carry it out are not in place.
Help us develop wisdom that brings
security and confidence. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hc7_GLCRLkIkttl

Wise Words for Wise Decisions

The purpose of Proverbs is to teach
people how to apply wisdom to daily
life & to provide moral instruction.
The varied statements of common
sense in today’s reading are
descriptions of the perils facing
both the wise and the unwise;
as well as value judgments upon
things which appear to be good
and things which are good.
Through it all, Solomon sees God
at work in the hearts and affairs
of people, helping them to avoid
flattery and falsehood and to
display obedient behavior instead.

Dear Lord, thank You for Prov 18-21
that help us Make Wise Decisions
in life and be obedient to You.
Help us Encourage Others by giving
the right words to Edify the listener.
Help us to Overlook Wrongs,
forgive others & resolve conflicts
with grace and measured words.
Help us Do What’s Just and Right
so that in our decisions we please
You and reflect Your character.
For we are Yours forever! Amen.

Lord, we will Edify & Encourage:
What a shame, what folly, to give
advice before listening to the facts!
Words satisfy the soul as food
satisfies the stomach; the right
words on a person’s lips bring
satisfaction. Those who love to talk
will experience the consequences,
for the tongue can kill or nourish
life (Proverbs 18:13 & 20-21).
Lord, keep me from jumping into
conclusions & be involved in folly.
Give me the right words to speak,
words that will satisfy the soul.
Let my words encourage and not
discourage those who hear them.
Help my tongue to nourish life and
not to kill it. Help me to encourage
others to be encouragers. Amen.

Lord, help us Overlook Wrongs:
People with good sense restrain
their anger; they earn esteem by
overlooking wrongs…Cease listening
to instruction, and you will stray
from knowledge (Prov 19:11, 27).
Lord, help me to forgive others
in light of the unconditional love
I have found in You. When others
wrong me, help me remember
the times you reached down and
covered my wrongs with Your mercy.
Help me see past my anger and
resolve disagreement with grace.
Help me to measure my words and
actions before I speak or act. Amen.

Lord, help us Do What’s Right:
Every way of a man is right
in his own eyes; but the Lord
weighs the hearts … The Lord
is more pleased when we do
what is just and right than when
we give sacrifice (Psalm 21:2-3).
Lord, in all the decisions and
choices that I face each day,
help me to walk in obedience
to You and thus walk in integrity.
Empower me by Your Spirit to
do what is just and right so that
I am living a life that pleases You
and reflects Your character. Amen.

Our God Like Refiner’s Fire

Brian Doerksen was inspired on
his song Refiner’s Fire while he
was on his way back to work in
church from a lunch break at home.
He had a God encounter, felt like an
electric current and heard audibly:
Purify my heart, let me be as gold…
And it was gone and started again.
When he reached church, he
quickly looked up the concordance
to help find the passages related
to refiner’s fire and gold, took the
guitar and wrote the rest of the
song in one sitting. Brian said the
song was purely the initiative of
God and he was just His instrument.

Lord, Purify My Heart:
Who can endure the day of
His coming? And who can
stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire…
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier
of silver; He will purify the sons
of Levi, and purge them as gold
and silver, That they may offer
to the Lord an offering in
righteousness (Malachi 3:2-3).

Lord, who can stand when
You appear? At Your presence
my knee shall bow and tongue
proclaim Your majestic name.
My hungry heart cries out for You;
for no earthly substitute will do.
Refiner’s Fire, come near to me
Your unveiled glory, let me see.
A heart like yours, my one desire.
Do Your work, Refiner’s Fire. Amen.

Lord, Your holy fire burns within
and purges every secret sin.
Your life in me ignites the fire
that fulfils my heart’s desire.
The Spirit’s work, my life made new
transformed within, ablaze with You.
A heart like Yours, my one desire.
Do Your work, Refiner’s Fire.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, Purify my heart
Let me be as gold & precious silver.
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will. Amen.

Our God: The Ancient of Days

In 1886, the city of Albany, New York
was celebrating its bicentennial.
Episcopal bishop William Doanne
wrote the hymn for the occasion,
and Albert Jeffery who was in charge
of music at the recently completed
All Saints Cathedral wrote the music.
That new cathedral was the setting
for the hymn’s introduction, and
Bishop Doane himself conducted
the singing. It was a memorable day
in Albany as it celebrated its own
“ancient days.” But the hymn draws
our attention further back, to the
majesty of the triune God, who
existed before all time began.

Lord, we worship as You Reign:
Daniel had a dream as he lie in bed…
I watched as thrones were put in
place and the Ancient One sat down
to judge. His clothing was as white
as snow, his hair like purest wool.
He sat on a fiery throne & a river of
fire was flowing from His presence…
O Son of Man, You will come with
clouds of heaven. In the presence
of the Ancient of Days, You will be
given dominion and… a kingdom,
so that people of every nation…
will worship U (Dan 7:1, 9-10, 13-14)

Lord Jesus, I Praise You for taking
on human form to accomplish light,
life and liberation. All people will
eventually worship You someday.
Today, I worship You for You are
my health and salvation. I choose
to worship You for I know You keep
Your promises of lovingkindness.
In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

O Heavenly Father, who has always
cared, provided and protected Your
children in all the ages, to You in
reverent awe our hearts are bowed.
O Lord Jesus, our Saviour and
Prince of Peace; to You we owe
with gratitude for blessed assurance
and the peace that still prevails.
O Holy Spirit, our Comforter
and Enabler, to You we owe the quickening power that gives peace and increase in all that we do. Amen.

Ancient of Days, who sittest
throned in glory,
To Thee all knees are bent,
all voices prayed;
Thy love has blessed the wide
world’s wondrous story
With light and life since
Eden’s dawning day.
O Triune God, with heart
and voice adoring,
Praise we the goodness
that doth crown our days;
Pray we that Thou will
hear us still imploring
Thy love and favour,
kept to us always.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5m04UJ6BCrI

There’s A Fountain Filled with Blood

William Cowper suffered from deep
depression for most of his life.
In 1764 he found himself in an
institution for mentally ill. There
he found Christ through reading
the Bible. Cowper is renowned as
one of England’s greatest poets.
This hymn written about 1770 is
based on Zech 13. Cowper would
be surprised that the work of his
“poor lisping stammering tongue”
has filled the mouths of millions
who claim the blood of Christ
as their atonement.

Lord, thanks for the Cleansing:
On that day a fountain will be
opened for the dynasty of David
and for the people of Jerusalem,
a fountain to cleanse them
from all their sins and impurity…
I will bring one-third through
the fire, will refine them as silver…
They will call on My name, and
I will answer them. I’ll say: This is
My people; and each one will say:
The Lord is my God (Zech 13:1,9).

Lord Jesus, we look forward to the
day when You reign as King on earth.
Meanwhile, our hearts are burdened
over the millions in our world who
have not yet come to the fountain.
Spirit, help us to bring them, out
of unbelief, out of hardness, out of
rebellion to the cleansing fountain.
This we desire because we know
You are not willing any should perish
but all should come to repentance.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, thank You so much
for Your sacrifice on the cross;
for without the shedding of blood
there is no remission of sin.
Thank You that because of Your
great act of love, we have our sins
washed away & receive restoration
of relationship with Father God.
Lord Your precious blood never lose
its power for it gives us power over
sin for we are saved to sin no more.
Spirit of Christ, we ask Your enabling
for apart from U we can do nothing.
And in appreciation we declare Your
redeeming love thro our lives. Amen

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins, And
sinners plunged beneath that flood,
Loose all their guilty stains, (x3)
And sinners plunged beneath that
flood, Loose all their guilty stains.
E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die, (x3)
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Thomas Chisholm (1866-1960) had
his share of disappointments in life.
His health had been fragile, forcing
him to resign as a Methodist
minister after only a year of service.
But he enjoyed writing submitting
his poetry to Christian magazines,
but seldom received any money.
He earned his meager living selling
life insurance. When he was 75, he
wrote: My income hasn’t been large
at any time due to impaired health.
But I must not fail to record the
unfailing faithfulness of a covenant
-keeping God & the many wonderful
displays of His providing care.

Lord, Great Is Thy Faithfulness:
The faithful love of the Lord never
ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh
each morning. I say to myself:
The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!
The Lord is good to those who
depend on him, to those who
search for him (Lam 3:22-25)

Father God, it is Your mercies
that we are not consumed,
for Your compassion fail not.
And Thank You Jesus so much
for sacrificing & redeeming me.
I may not have everything I want,
but You God has always provided everything that I have needed.
Thanks for Your providing care,
Your faithfulness & I love U. Amen.

Lord, quiet my heart and mind
so that I’m willing to wait on You,
not with frustration but with
assurance that You will do all
things well in Your perfect timing.
Give me patience and increase my
faith that you are working, even
when I must wait for your answer.
Help me recall all U have provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Amen.

Lord, Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God my Father,
There is no shadow
of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been
Thou forever with be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning
new mercies I see;
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided –
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me! Amen.

Have Thine Own Way Lord

Adelaide Pollard (1862-1934) was
trying unsuccessfully to raise support
to go to Africa as a missionary.
She wondered why the Lord could
burden her with the needs of Africa,
but not make it possible for her to go.
At this time of discouragement,
she attended a prayer meeting
where an elderly woman prayed:
Lord, it doesn’t matter what You
bring into our lives, just have Yr way.
That night Pollard read the story
of Jeremiah’s visit to the potter’s
house, and then wrote this hymn.
She said that she felt the Lord
was moulding her for His service.

Lord, Have Thine Own Way:
I found the potter working at his
wheel. But the jar he was making
did not turn out as he had hoped,
So he crushed it into a lump of
clay again and started over. Then
the Lord gave me this message:
O Israel, can I not do to you as
this potter has done to his clay?
As the clay is in the potter hand,
so are you in my hand (Jer 18:3-6).

Lord, like clay in the potter’s hand,
so we are to You Lord, ordinary &
imperfect. But You can mould us
into something beautiful & useful.
Lord, draw us into Your presence;
and guide us with the Holy Spirit.
Teach us dear Lord to live all
of our lives through Your eyes.
We may be pressured; but You
say: Fear not, for I am with you,
I AM Your God. I will strengthen you,
I will help you, I will uphold you. So,
Take us, mould us, fill us, lead us
and walk beside us as we give our
lives to U, the master potter. Amen.

O Lord and Sovereign God, we
acknowledge Your will is good.
Like a potter at the wheel You shape
us to the people You want us to be.
You want to reshape us into a
beautiful creation, when we allow
ourselves to become mis-shapen
by the acts of our own self will.
Holy Spirit help us to be soft
and receptive to Your hand on us.
As we yield to U God to shape us,
we ask for mercy and grace. Amen.

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and made me after Thy will
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me & heal me, Savior divine!
Have Thine own way Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only always living in me! Amen

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jSnBbgsecD4

Wise Words on Right Attitudes

A heart attitude controlled by
the Fear of the Lord is the key to
proper responses toward others.
Today’s reading contains numerous
proverbs designed to promote
peace, prosperity and justice in the
interpersonal relationships of life.
The range of topics is immense:
temper and tongue, paths and
pursuits, thoughts and motives.
In each case, your commitment
to godliness should be evident.

Dear Lord, we need Your wisdom
so that we will live right & live well.
Develop in us a deep Reverence
Fear of You and to be teachable.
Help us Develop Right Attitudes.
Help us Pursue Right Living.
Help us Speak Right Words.
Help us Foster Right Heart.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Pursue Right Living:
The Lord detests the sacrifice of
the wicked, but the prayer of the
righteous pleases Him. The Lord
despises the way of the wicked,
but He loves those who pursue
godliness…The godly think before
speaking; the wicked spout evil
words. The Lord is far from the
wicked, but He hears the prayer
of the righteous (Pr15:8-9, 28-29)
Lord, deeply grateful that You
see me as righteous because
of my relationship with Jesus.
But I know U also want me to
choose to Live Righteously as well.
Pray that my thoughts, words and
actions will always be pleasing
in Your sight so that my prayers
will be pleasing to your ears.
Enable me every day to do
what is right in Your sight. Amen.

Lord, we will Speak Right Words:
The heart of the wise teaches his
mouth & adds learning to his lips.
Kind and pleasant words are like
honey – sweet to the soul and
healthy for the body (Pr16:23-24)
Lord, give me kind words – Your
words of life – with which to bless
those around me. As my words
are born in my heart, Sweeten
my soul with your Spirit. And
Soften and expand my heart to
hold your love for others. May
my words be gifts of sweetness
to those around me today. Amen.

Lord, we will Foster Right Heart:
It’s painful to be the parent of a fool;
there’s no joy for the father of a rebel.
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s
strength (Proverbs 17:21-22).
Lord, I want to have a cheerful heart,
and not a broken spirit. Help me
to focus each day on You Lord,
and not on the circumstances
I see around me and even in me.
As You Lord help me to do that
by Your Spirit, I will know and
experience Your true joy in my
heart & life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wise Words on Speech & Counsel

The purpose of Proverbs is to teach
people how to apply wisdom to daily
life and to provide moral instruction.
One good way to learn a wise action
is to contrast it with a foolish one.
Most of the proverbs today contrast
the path of folly with path of faith.
The topics are varied and intensely
practical: how to use your mouth
and your money; how to be a good
neighbour; how to select friends;
how to conduct business; how to
resolve conflicts. They teach us
how to live from God’s perspective.

Dear Lord, thanks for Proverbs
teaching wisdom for daily living.
Help us have Right Attitude on the
proper and effective use of Words.
Help us to Speak Word of Life.
Help us to Speak Respectfully.
Help us to be Open to Listen.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Speak Word of Life:
The mouth of the righteous
is a well of life; but violence
covers the mouth of the wicked.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love
covers all sins (Prov 10:11-12).
(And) the lips of the righteous
nourish many (Prov 10:21),
Lord, fill my heart with Your Word
so that it overflows from my mouth.
Make my words speak healing.
Edit out any hurtful or damaging
words, and let my remaining words
be only a fountain of life. Lord,
Fill my mouth with Your words,
with meaning and hope and peace.
Inspire me to pronounce blessings
on those around me. Change the
atmosphere for the better and let
my word lead people to You. Amen.

Lord, we will Speak Respectfully:
It’s foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
a sensible person keeps quiet.
A gossip goes around telling secrets
but those who are trustworthy can
keep a confidence (Prov 11:12-13).
Lord, I have at times belittled others,
and shared things that were not
mine to tell even in the private.
Your Word named these things
as sin and I ask for divine help
to forsake this sin. Empower me
Lord to choose to bless rather
than belittle and to keep quiet
rather than to share secrets. Amen.

Lord, we will be Open to Listen:
A wise child accepts a parent’s
discipline; a young mocker
refuses to listen (Prov 13:1).
Lord, thank you for those who
share their insights with me.
Lord, thank You for people who
will be honest with me and even
correct me when I need them.
Help me to be receptive rather
than defensive so that I can grow
in maturity and in character.
Thank You for those who share
their insights with me. Help me
to discern what is helpful, to
examine instruction in the light
of your Word and to grow. Amen.