Category: 2020 Prayers

Bringing In the Sheaves

Bringing In the Sheaves is a
metaphorical image of harvesting.
The words were written by Shaw
Knowles in 1874. The song was
based on 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 well worth it.

Lord, we’ll Persevere in Your Work:
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! (Ps 126: 1-3).
       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 me. Just like God’s people
 returning from exile, I 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 and say:    
“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 hope, Your word promises
          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 U God will not
waste the seed we have obediently
scattered. And one day we will
          see the fruit of our labour. Amen.

Sowing in the morning,
sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide
and the evening tide
Waiting for the harvest,
and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing,
bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves,
bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing,
bringing in the sheaves (2x)

Thy Word: Light Unto My Path

Amy Grant and Michael Smith wrote
this hymnal song 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 & 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
& wrote the verses to ‘Thy Word.’”

Lord, we’ll feed & Follow Yr Word:
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. I have taken
an oath and confirmed it, that
I will follow your righteous laws…
Preserve my life, according to
Your word… Though I constantly
take my life in my hands, I will not
forget Your law… Your statutes
are my heritage forever; they are
the joy of my heart. My heart is
set on keeping Your decrees to
the very end (Ps 119:105-112).

Lord, Your Word is perfect and
it makes us wise. Thank You for
giving us the Truth thro Your Word. 
Thank You for giving us the
blueprint on what to follow and
what to believe in this fallen world.
Help us read and meditate on
Your Word daily so that we be
transformed to be more like Christ.
Help us delight in Your Word and
to commit to walk in its light. 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.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid,
think I’ve lost my way
Still You’re there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end. (C)
I will not forget
your love for me And yet
my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus be my guide,
hold me to Your side
And I will love You to the end.

Open My Eyes That I May See

Clara Scott was a music teacher
who composed a great deal of
instrumental and vocal music.
She became known for her book
of anthems which was published
in 1882. Her productive life of
composing and teaching at the
seminary in Iowa is evidence that
her eyes and ears were open to
the Lord’s leading and that she was
ready to share what God gave her.
We should be ready to do the same.

Lord, we’re open to Listen to You:
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 Your commandments.
Your Word I have hidden in my heart
that I might not sin against You…
Be good to your servant, that
I may live and obey Your Word.
Open My Eyes to see wonderful
truths in Yr instructions (Ps119:9-18)

Lord, help me see the value of purity
& desire it in all areas of my life for
I want to live in a way that honor You.
Grant me the wisdom to seek You,
the discipline to get into Your Word
as well as the discernment to apply
Your truth to everyday situations,
especially when I go thro difficulties.
Reveal me Your deep truths so that
I’ll be totally dependent on U. Amen

Lord, Open our eyes and grant us
wisdom to see and understand
the wonderful truths in Your law.
Help us not take Yr Word for granted.
Help us meditate on it day and night.
Forgive us in our busy lives we often
miss the promptings of Your Spirit.
Forgive us for we tend to say: “I’ve
have more important things to do.”
Lord, may this hymn calls us to
watch & listen, and then go act
on what we have seen and heard,
and sharing it with others. Amen.

Lord, Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine! Amen.
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear
And while wave-notes fall on my ear
Ev’rything false will disappear. (C)
Open my mouth, and let it bear
Gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere.
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.

Respect God to Finish Well

If you expect a climactic finish
to the book of 1 Kings You will be
disappointed. Today you will read
about the conclusion of Ahab’s
wicked reign in Israel & take a brief
look at Jehoshaphat’s righteous
reign in Judah. Ahab’s life is one
long illustration of a man with no
heart for God. In spite of God’s
powerful display on Mount Carmel,
and two heaven-sent victories
over the Syrians, Ahab shows utter
disregard for God’s commands.

Fighting against God is dangerous.
Ahab tried it and it cost him his life.
God made Himself known to Ahab
many times. Patiently & persistently,
He showed Israel’s king that the
God of heaven rules in the affairs of
men. But in spite of fire from heaven,
two divinely victories over superior
foes, and the ringing declaration
of the prophets, Ahab would not
be swayed from his wicked ways.
Disregard for God’s commands
prophetically finally ends his life.
Lord, we will Follow Your Instruction;
Lord, we will Obey Your Law; and
Lord, we will Seek Yr Counsel. Amen

Lord, we will Follow Your Instruction:
Then a man of God spoke to the king
of Israel: Because the Syrians have
said: The Lord is God of the hills,
but He is not God of the valleys,
therefore I will deliver all this great
multitude into your hand and you
shall know that I am the Lord…
So on the seventh day…Israel killed
100,000 Syrian soldiers(IK20:28-29)
Ben-Hadad said: The cities which
my father took from your father I will
restore… Then Ahad said: I will send
you away with this treaty (v34).
Thus says the Lord: Because you
have let slip out of your hand a man
I appointed to utter destruction,
so your life shall go for his life (v42)
Lord, cause us to remember Your
might and faithfulness so that we
will put our trust in You, carry out
Your instructions and not take
matters into our own hand. Amen.

Lord, we will Obey Your Law:
Ahab said to Naboth: Let me have
your vineyard… I will pay you what-
ever it is worth. But Naboth replied:
The Lord forbid that I should give
you the Inheritance of my ancestors.
So Ahab went home sullen & angry…
Jezebel… said… I will get you the
vineyard of Naboth… So she wrote
letters in Ahab’s name… she wrote:
… seat Naboth in a prominent place…
But seat two scoundrels opposite him
and have them testify that he has
cursed both God and the king…
So they took him outside the city
and stoned him to death… Jezebel
… said to Ahab… take possession
of the vineyard (1 Kings 21:2-15).
Lord, Jezebel had no regard for
God’s law and needs of the poor.
And Ahab listened too readily to
the advice of his unrighteous wife.
Help us avoid those who will tell us
what we want to hear and look for
those who tell us what’s right. Amen

Lord, we will Seek Your Counsel:
Ahab turned to Jehoshaphat and
asked: Will you join me in fighting
against Ramoth-gilead? And
Jehoshaphat replied: Of course!
You and I are brothers… But first
let’s find out what the Lord says. So
King Ahab summoned his prophets…
They all replied: Go ahead! The Lord
will give you a glorious victory. But
Jehoshaphat asked: Isn’t there a
prophet of the Lord too? King Ahab
replied: There is still one…but I hate
him. He never prophesies anything
but bad news (1 Kings 22:4-9).
Lord, cause us not to be like Ahab
who was reluctant to seek Your
guidance and resentful when Your
Word was given. Gear us instead
to be like Jehoshaphat who seek
Your Counsel. And cause us to be
sensitive & obedient to Your voice
and to turn to You for help. Amen.

Prayer of Faith to Faithful God

From 1 Kings 15 to end of 2 Kings,
the writer traces the parallel stories
of two nations in spiritual decline,
taking time to highlight a prophet
or a king who contributes greatly
to the spiritual rise or fall of one
of the nations. Today’s reading
centres around Elijah the prophet
who courageously faces a heathen
king and 850 pagan prophets of
Baal, only to flee for his life from
the murderous Queen Jezebel.

In the book of James (5:17-18),
Elijah is held as a model of prayer.
When anxious, his reaction was to
take it to God in prayer. Remarkably,
he also prayed inconvenient prayers.
For instance, he prayed for drought,
resulting in drying up of his source
of water. His constant prayer was:
“God do something great… and
I am available if You need me.”
Lord, Thanks for the lessons from
the ministry of Your Prophet Elijah.
When in challenging situation,
help us to Take First Step of Faith;
help us to Pray Expectantly; and
help us to Believe U In Control. Amen

Lord, we take first Step of Faith:
Elijah said to her: Don’t be afraid!
Go ahead & cook that “last meal”
… For this is what the Lord says:
There will always be plenty of flour
and oil in your containers until
the time when the Lord sends
rain and the crops grow again.
So she did as Elijah said and she
and Elijah and her son continued
to eat from her supply of flour…
For no matter how much they used,
there was always enough just as the
Lord had promised (1Kgs17:13-16)
Lord, thank You for Your constant
care in uncertain times. It’s so easy
to worry and do what seems most
reasonable rather than trust You
and simply follow Your leading.
Give me the assurance that Your
way is the best. Remind me of Your
amazing provision for Elijah & the
widow because they followed Your
way instead of their own. Amen.

Lord, we will Pray Expectantly:
At the customary time for the
evening sacrifice, Elijah walked
up to the altar and prayed: O Lord
answer me! Answer me so that
these people will know that you,
O Lord, are God and that You have
brought them back to yourself.
Immediately the fire of God flashed
down from heaven & burned up the
young bull. And the people cried
out: The Lord is God (1K18:36-39)
Lord, grant me strong faith to
believe You will do great things
in response to my prayers.
Your Word tells of miraculous
things You have done for people.
And You are the same today and
the future as You were in the past.
I believe You can do magnificent
& miraculous things in response
to my prayers as well. Amen.

Lord, we Believe You In Control:
And a voice said: What are you
doing here Elijah? Go to Damascus
& anoint Hazel to be king of Aram.
Then anoint Jehu to be king
of Israel, and anoint Elisha to
replace you as my prophet.
Anyone who escapes from Hazael
will be killed by Jehu, and those
who escape Jehu will be killed
by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000
others in Israel who have never
bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:15-18).
Lord, grant us the grace of faith
and the strength to press on with
what You God has called us to do
though we may feel discouraged.
For we know that You the Almighty
God is always In Control. Amen.

Praise to the Lord the Almighty

The author of the original German
text is Joachim Neander (1650-80),
who studied theology in Bremen.
Neander’s life was tragic, a life
of great potential cut short by
tuberculosis.But he wrote 60 hymns.
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
      is based on Psa 103. It was also
inspired by the beauty of the hills
and rivers that Neander experienced
on his walks through the German
countryside. We also owe a debt of
gratitude to Catherine Winkworth,
who translated this & other German
hymns during the 19th century.

Lord, we Praise Your lovingkindness:
Let all that I am Praise the Lord,
with my whole heart,
I will Praise His holy name.
Let all that I am Praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good
things He does for me.
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from
destruction, Who crowns you
with lovingkindness and
Who satisfies your mouth
with good things (Psa 103:1-5).

Lord, You are worthy of praise,
for You do countless Good things
for Your children. Forgive us for
the times we fail to acknowledge
Your blessings in our lives.
Forgiveness, healing, rescue,
love, mercy – You fill our lives
with undeserved blessings.
Teach us the wonderful habit
of counting our blessings. And
thanks for being Merciful and
Gracious, full of unfailing love. Amen.

Lord, we praise You for Your
lovingkindness, and thankful
for providing all that we need.
In times of difficulty, we will Ponder
anew What the Almighty can do. 
For our mighty God is not limited &
He sustains us with wings of eagle.
And he is our friend and defender.
Praise the Lord – The ALMIGHTY!
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Praise to the Lord,
The Almighty, the king of creation!
O my soul, Praise Him,
For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, Who doth
prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness
And mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew 
What the Almighty can do, If with
His love He befriend thee. Amen.

God Will Take Care of You

Rev Stillman Martin had been invited
in 1904 to preach at a New York City
church a few hours away from home.
But his wife became ill that Sunday
morning, and he was about to
cancel his speaking engagement.
Then his young son spoke up:
Father, don’t you think that if God
wants you to preach today, He will
take care of mother while you are
away? Martin made the trip, and
when he returned home later that
day he found that his wife Civilla
had written this hymn in his absence
inspired by Psalm 91:1-2. That
evening he composed the music.

Lord, we will put Trust In You:
Those who live in the shelter
of the Most High will find rest
in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my
place of safety; he is my God,
and I trust him (Psa 91:1-2).
If you make the Lord your refuge,
         if you make the Most High your
 Shelter, no evil will conquer you…
      He will Order His Angels to protect
 you wherever you go (v9-11) Amen.

Lord, thank you that in the midst of
life’s storms, I have Your Protection
when I come and dwell with You.   
Send Your Angels to protect me
so that I’ll live in freedom and not
in fear, no matter what I may face.
As a mother bird shelters her young, You will cover me with Your wings    and Shelter me.
 Keep me safe and     be a Shield 
and Shelter for me, for    my life
 is in Your very hands. Amen.

Lord, thanks that You will take care
of us when we put our trust in You.
We will come & live in the shelter
of the Most High and find rest
in the shadow of the Almighty.
We will give all your worries to
you God, for You Care about us.
Thank You Lord for inspiring
Be Not Dismayed for it is a real
great hymn of encouragement.
It assures us in times of need; God
will take care of His people. Amen.

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you.
Thro every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you. Amen.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Just A Closer Walk With Thee was
one of the favourite American gospel
hymns of the 20th century but the
origin remains a mystery. The widely
held belief is the song predates the
Civil War. Some African American
histories recall slaves singing as
they worked in the fields a song
about walking by the Lord’s side.
The song gained popularity in 1930s
when African American churches
sang it at musical conventions.
And by the 1940s, the hymn was
featured at most gospel rallies.

Lord, we will Walk With You:
Teach Me Your Way, O Lord;
I will WALK In Your Truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God,
with all my heart, and I will
glorify Your name forevermore…
You O Lord, are a God full of
compassion and gracious,
longsuffering and abundant
in mercy and truth (Ps 86:11-15).

Lord, grant me an undivided heart
for its tendency is to slip from You.
Warm my heart with affection to You.
for it can be cold and indifferent.
Guide my mind away from what
makes me to be double-minded.
Grant me strength to choose good
when my affections are divided.
And lead me to Walk with You
and to stay close to You. Amen.

Lord, teach us Your way and we
will Walk With You & in Your truth.
Teach us what it really means
to walk by faith and not by sight.
Grateful to have a loving Heavenly
Father as in parable of prodigal
son who longs to Be with us:
to Keep us from all wrong,
to Bless & keep us satisfied,
to Share our cares and burdens,
to Guide us to kingdom shore. Amen

Lord, I’m weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long, As I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily, walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord,
none but Thee. Amen.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Just A Closer Walk With Thee was
one of the favourite American gospel
hymns of the 20th century but the
origin remains a mystery. The widely
held belief is the song predates the
Civil War. Some African American
histories recall slaves singing as
they worked in the fields a song
about walking by the Lord’s side.
The song gained popularity in 1930s
when African American churches
sang it at musical conventions.
And by the 1940s, the hymn was
featured at most gospel rallies.

Lord, we will Walk With You:
Teach Me Your Way, O Lord;
I will WALK In Your Truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God,
with all my heart, and I will
glorify Your name forevermore…
You O Lord, are a God full of
compassion and gracious,
longsuffering and abundant
in mercy and truth (Ps 86:11-15).

Lord, grant me an undivided heart
for its tendency is to slip from You.
Warm my heart with affection to You.
for it can be cold and indifferent.
Guide my mind away from what
makes me to be double-minded.
Grant me strength to choose good
when my affections are divided.
And lead me to Walk with You
and to stay close to You. Amen.

Lord, teach us Your way and we
will Walk With You & in Your truth.
Teach us what it really means
to walk by faith and not by sight.
Grateful to have a loving Heavenly
Father as in parable of prodigal
son who longs to Be with us:
to Keep us from all wrong,
to Bless & keep us satisfied,
to Share our cares and burdens,
to Guide us to kingdom shore. Amen

Lord, I’m weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long, As I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily, walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord,
none but Thee. Amen.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Annie Hawks, a homemaker from
Brooklyn, was busy with household
chores when the words came to her.
She later wrote: I was so filled with
a sense of nearness to my Master
that, wondering how one could live
without Him in either joy or pain,
these words, ‘I need Thee ever
hour’ were flashed into my mind.
Seating by the open window in
April 1872 and inspired by Ps 86,
the words were penned to paper.

Lord, hear me for I Need Your Help:
Bend down O Lord & hear my prayer:
Answer me, for I Need Your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to You.
Save me, for I serve You & trust You.
You are my God. Be merciful to me,
O Lord for I’m calling on U constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord, for my
life depends on You. O Lord, You
are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who
ask for Your aid. Listen closely
to my prayer, O Lord; hear my
urgent cry. I will call to You
whenever trouble strikes, and You
will answer me (Ps 86:1-7) Amen.

O Yahweh, holy & sovereign God,
I humbly come before You again
and not claiming any innocence
having fallen from time to time.
Be merciful to me Lord for You
are so good and ready to forgive.
I also ask You to hear my urgent
cry because of Your unfailing love.
I come as a servant calling on my
Master to address my need. Amen.

Lord, we humbly come before Thee
thanking You for Your peace & joy,
for our soul is in need of Your grace.
I need Your strength to overcome
temptations and face challenges.
I need You to save and deliver me
for I serve You and trust in You.
I need Your blessings so that I can
be source of blessings to others.
I need Thee Lord in every way,
so bless me now my Saviour,
even as I come to Thee! Amen.

Lord, I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry Hour I need Thee! Amen.
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee. Amen.