Category: 2020 Prayers

Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

Music teacher AJ Showalter
dismissed his class one day in 1887
and returned home in Alabama.
There he found letters from two
former students, each with a similar
story: both had lost their wives.
Showalter began writing letters of
condolence. The scripture that came
to mind was from Deuteronomy,
the assurance of God’s “everlasting
arms” supporting us. Then he wrote
a third letter to Elisha Hoffman to
write a hymn on that theme. Hoffman
responded quickly with three stanzas
and Showalter supplied the music.
With God’s arms beneath us and
His love surrounding us, we can find
strength even in sorrowful situations.

Lord, we seek Your Everlasting Arms:
There is no one like the God of Israel.
He rides across the heavens
to help you, across the skies in
majestic splendour. The eternal God
is your refuge and His Everlasting
Arms are under you… Then Israel
shall dwell in safety… Happy are
you O Israel! Who is like you,
a people saved by the Lord, the
shield of your help (Deut 33:26-29)

Lord, You are almighty & You are
my safe refuge from the storm.
Help me to find rest in You for
the battle belongs to You Lord.
No matter whether the battles
are with finances, relationships,
health or obedience, I know that
because of Your presence in my life,
I’ll not face those challenges alone.
For I depend on Your Everlasting
Arms and strength, not mine. Amen

Lord, there is no one like You; for
You will ride across the heavens
in majestic splendour just to
help us when we cry out to You.
Let us experience You as our refuge
and sense Your Everlasting Arms
of protection and love holding us.
And we adore and praise You for
Your faithfulness & mighty power.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace
is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
What have I to dread, what have
I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord
so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

Nearer My God To Thee

Sarah Adams had to say farewell
often. Her mother died when she
was only five. At 32, as an actress
in London’s Richmond Theatre, she
bid farewell to stage due to failing
health. When Adam’s pastor asked
her and her sister to prepare a
hymnal, the two responded with
62 new tunes. As the sisters were
finishing their work, their pastor
told them he was planning a sermon
about Jacob’s dream of a ladder
ascending to heaven and needed
an appropriate hymn; Adams soon
completed Nearer My God to Thee.

Lord, we Come Nearer to Thee:
Jacob found a stone to rest his
head against and lay down to sleep.
He dreamed of a stairway that
reached…up to heaven. And he saw
the angels of God going up and
down the stairway (Gen 28:11-12)
The Lord said… the land on which
you lie I will give to you… Behold,
I am with you and will keep you…
I will not leave you until I have done
what I have spoken to you (v13-15)
Jacob rose early in the morning
and took the stone that he had put
at his head, set it up as a pillar and
poured oil on top of it. He named
that place Bethel which means
house of God (v18-19). Amen.

Lord, thank You for this hymn
that draws me to You my Maker.
As I grow older, I find I want to be
nearer to You and this hymn assures
me God is nearer than I can imagine.
As I draw near to God, You draw
near to me. Your light exposes me
but at same time,Your love comforts
and brings hope of Your will. Amen.

Lord, through the trials of life,
You God wants to be nearer to me.
Help me to recognise Your presence
in ordinary & extraordinary places
and help me to have eternity in view.
Some are weary to sing this hymn
because they say it’s a funeral song.
But that’s not so for true believers
in Christ, for Phil 1:21 says: For me
to live is Christ & to die is gain.Amen

Lord, Nearer my God to Thee,
nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
that raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be,
nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee,
nearer to Thee.
There let the way appear
steps unto heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me
in mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me
nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee,
nearer to Thee. Amen.

Jehovah Jireh My Provider

Backgrounder: In Genesis 22,
Jehovah-jireh or Yahweh Yireh
was a place in the land of Moriah.
It was the location of the binding
of Isaac, where God told Abraham
to offer his son Isaac as a burnt
offering. Abraham named the
place after God provided a ram
to sacrifice in place of Isaac.
The song Jehovah Jireh My Provider
was composed by Merla Watson
in 1974 & published under Universal.

Lord, You Will Provide Our Needs:
And Abraham stretched out his hand
and took the knife to slay his son.
But the Angel of the Lord called…
Do not lay your hand on the lad…
for now I know that you fear God,
since you have not withheld Your
son, your only son from me. Then
Abraham lifted his eyes and looked,
and there behind him him was a ram
caught in its thicket by its horns.
So Abraham went and took the ram
and offered it up for a burnt offering
instead of his son. And Abraham
called the name of the place: The
Lord Will Provide (Gen 22:10-14).

Jehovah Jireh, my provider, thank
You for health, finances, housing,
food, love; ultimately come from You.
Even at those times when I have
experienced lack, You have come
through to meet my needs and
bless me to let me know You care.
And even for difficult trials, they
strengthen my spiritual muscles
and draw me closer to You. Amen.

Jehovah Jireh, forgive me for
many times I have looked to
something else as my source
when You alone are my provider.
Everyone else is merely resource,
yet I still go elsewhere for what
only You Lord can provide.
Let me see You on mountain-top
of my struggles. Come through
for me as You did in providing
Abraham’s sacrifice. Amen.

Jehovah Jireh My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh My provider
His grace is sufficient For me
My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me,
for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me. Amen.

Praising God thro Classic Hymns

We have been utilising Scripture 
        to   form prayers so that we learn
        to think as God thinks; and pray
   within His will thus pleasing Him.
For 2019, we mediated thro the Word
 on Thanking God & Hearing God. 
   And we begin the first full week of
the new decade with our new series
on Praising God thro Classic Hymns.

From the earliest days of the church,
the singing of hymns has been an
integral part of Christian worship.
In the book of Acts we find Paul
and Silas praying and singing
hymns to God (Acts 16:25) while
chained in the Philippians jail.
And it was the Apostle Paul who
urged believers to “sing psalms
and hymns… to the Lord” (Eph 5:18)

But the tradition of singing in worship
is older than Paul & the early church.
Many centuries earlier, Moses and
His sister Miriam led the nation of
Israel in song after their miraculous
escape through the Red Sea. And
it was King David who composed
numerous psalms expressing both
personal and corporate praise.
And centuries later translations
of the psalms inspire English hymns,
and from there to the rest of world.

Hymn singing is a means for all
believers to express praise to their
Creator and Saviour. It is a way for
all of us to communicate with God
using more than just words. For
it allows us to pour out the grateful
feelings of the heart. So friends,
let’s join the chorus of believers
throughout history as you express
praise and commitment to God.
We’ll be covering 100 classic hymns,
sharing the story behind the hymns,
the scripture that inspires lyrics,
besides prayer response. Look for it!

Be Faithful & Prayerful Disciples

With His gaze fixed in Jerusalem 
    Band the consummation of his
  earthly ministry, Jesus intensifies
     His final training of the disciples.
 Stewardship is the central theme for
the disciples will soon be entrusted
with the message of the gospel.
Jesus outlines the duties of a servant
and underscores importance of
prayer that is persistent & humble.

Lord, thanks for lessons in Lk13-18
where U intensify training of the 12.
Help us be Compassionate to those
in need and have passion for the lost.
Help us Be Faithful Stewards.
Help us Look to You with Faith.
Help us Pray Persistently.
                    We seek your enabling so that we
can be Your worthy disciples. Amen

Lord, we will Be Faithful Stewards:
  Use your worldly resources to
    benefit others and make friends…
Unless you are Faithful in Small
Matters, you won’t be faithful in
large ones… (So), if you have not
been Faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, who will commit to your
trust the true riches? (Luke 16:9-11)
Lord, help me to be a Faithful
     person, one who keeps my word.
Help me to live life by your Word
 rather than by the way of society.
  Help me to be a faithful steward
doing the work You call me to do. 
  Help me to Be Faithful in the Small
Things as worship before You. Amen.

Lord, we will Look to You with Faith:
And the apostles said to the Lord:
Increase our faith. So the Lord said:
If You had faith even as Small
 as a mustard seed, You could say
to this mulberry tree: May you be
 uprooted and thrown to the sea, 
and it          would obey you (Luke17:5-6)
Lord, Your Spirit will give us the
necessary faith and we need just
 to act upon it. Help us to pray
 with perseverance, trusting You
to move even things that look
 immovable      and impossible.
For faith come from looking at
 God and not at the mountain.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, we will Pray Persistently:
          One day Jesus told his disciples
 a story to show that they should
 always pray and never give up…
There was a widow; and she came
to the judge, saying: Get justice for
me from my adversary… And shall
God not avenge His own elect who
 cry out day & night to Him(Lk18:1-7)
Lord, sometimes in prayer, we may
feel like the widow, being ignored.
 Help us Lord to be like the widow
 to keep knocking in spite of how
 discouraged we may feel. For
 prayer is not overcoming God’s
 reluctance but laying hold of His will. And we’ll find our Father has
 indeed heard. For Lord You are
cour hope and our salvation. Amen.

Emulating Compassion of Christ

Teaching that is to the point is
bound to produce a response.
Christ’s sermons are no exception.
Never attempting to make God’s
truth merely palatable, Jesus call
for repentance. But there’s tender
side to His teaching as well. The
love of the Saviour for lost sinners
permeates Luke 15, where 3 times
He states that the heavens rejoice
over one lost sinner who repents.

Father, thank You for Your concern
for our wholeness and for giving
Your Son to be our Lord & Saviour.
Thanks for Luke 13-15 where Jesus
shows compassion for weak & lost.
Lord, we will Seek Things Eternal.
Lord, we will Be Compassionate.
Lord, we will Care for the Lost.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Seek Things Eternal:
A man had a fig tree planted in his
vineyard & he went to look for fruit
on it, but did not find any. So he
said to the man who took care of 
the vineyard. For three years now
I’ve been coming to look for fruit
on this fig tree & haven’t found any.
Leave it alone for one more year
and I’ll dig round it and fertilise it.
If it bears fruit next year, fine !
If not, then cut it down (Lk 13:6-9).
Lord, you are compassionate and
patience but also holy. We realise
that judgment day is coming but
it is being graciously held back
for a time to allow repentance.
Help us make full use of current
time of grace to share the Gospel
before the door is shut. Amen.

Lord, we will Be Compassionate:
Jesus asked the Pharisees: Well,
is it permitted in the law to heal
people on the Sabbath day?
When they refused to answer,
Jesus touched the sick man and
healed him and sent him away.
Then he turned to them & asked:
Which of you doesn’t work on
the Sabbath? If your son falls
into a pit, don’t you proceed at
once to get him out (Lk 14:3-5).
Lord, forgive us when we follow
legalism instead of following You.
Help us practice the heart of
Christianity: to love You God and
to love others. Help us Lord to be
compassionate to those in need.
And help us to live in such a way
that others will see You. Amen.

Lord, we will Care for the Lost:
His father said: Look dear son,
you have always stayed by me,
and everything I have is yours.
We had to celebrate this happy day.
For your brother was dead and
has come back to life! He was lost,
but now he is found (Luke 15:31-32)
Lord, You truly seek & save the lost.
Do what You must to bring to their
senses those who are far away
from You, seeking satisfaction
in everything else apart from You.
If things have to get worse in their
lives, then give them patience and
faith that You are at work. Amen.

All Things Will Be Made New !!

Following judgments of the 7 vials,
John sees the doom of Babylon.
And   a great multitude sings praises
ahead of the marriage of the Lamb.
   A white horse emerges, mounted
by the King of Kings who destroys
the beast and the false prophet…
setting the stage for a new heaven
and new earth, where God and His
people live in intimate fellowship.

Lord, You will Restore All Things:
I saw a new heaven & a new earth…
I saw New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-2).
And I heard a loud voice from the
throne saying: Look God’s dwelling
place is now among the people,
and He Will Dwell with them…
And God will wipe every tear
from their eyes. There will be no
more death or mourning or pain…
… I am making everything New!
… these words are trustworthy
and true (Rev 21:3-5). And …
the glory of God illuminates the city
and… the nations of the earth will
Walk in its Light (v23-24). Amen.

Father, when I am sad, keep me
from despair; and remind me that
Christ has defeated sin and death.
Grateful Lord that the day is
coming when the world will be
put right and all sorrow will cease.
Thanks for the promise of making
everything new and of making
heaven a place of infinite joy for us.
Praise Yr mighty & holy name. Amen

Lord, help me to see not just the
present challenges, but also the
future that You have planned for me.
Flood my mind and heart with Your
light. Grant me wisdom and help
me find my way out of dark places.
Illuminate Your Word and assure
me that a wonderful future awaits.
Help me to take the long-term view.
Keep me from impatience and
faithlessness. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Lord, Thanks for illuminating Your
Word, taught me & comforted me.
Even as Your light has changed
my life, grant me wisdom and help
me find my way out of dark places.
Look forward to the day when we
can walk in a city where the Lamb
is the light. And look forward to
see that light fully and to bask
in the light of Your glory. Amen.

All Things Will Be Made New !!

Following judgments of the 7 vials,
John sees the doom of Babylon.
And a great multitude sings praises
ahead of the marriage of the Lamb.
A white horse emerges, mounted
by the King of Kings who destroys
the beast and the false prophet…
setting the stage for a new heaven
and new earth, where God and His
people live in intimate fellowship.

Lord, You make All Things New:
I saw a new heaven & a new earth…
I saw New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-2).
And I heard a loud voice from the
throne saying: Look God’s dwelling
place is now among the people,
and He Will Dwell with them…
And God will wipe every tear
from their eyes. There will be no
more death or mourning or pain…
… I am making everything New!
… these words are trustworthy
and true (Rev 21:3-5). And …
the glory of God illuminates the city
and… the nations of the earth will
Walk in its Light (v23-24). Amen.

Father, when I am sad, keep me
from despair; and remind me that
Christ has defeated sin and death.
Grateful Lord that the day is
coming when the world will be
put right and all sorrow will cease.
Thanks for the promise of making
everything new and of making
heaven a place of infinite joy for us.
Praise Yr mighty & holy name. Amen

Lord, help me to see not just the
present challenges, but also the
future that You have planned for me.
Flood my mind and heart with Your
light. Grant me wisdom and help
me find my way out of dark places.
Illuminate Your Word and assure
me that a wonderful future awaits.
Help me to take the long-term view.
Keep me from impatience and
faithlessness. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Lord, Thanks for illuminating Your
Word, taught me & comforted me.
Even as Your light has changed
my life, grant me wisdom and help
me find my way out of dark places.
Look forward to the day when we
can walk in a city where the Lamb
is the light. And look forward to
see that light fully and to bask
in the light of Your glory. Amen.

Being Ready for Victory Over Evil

Following judgments of the 7 vials,
John sees the doom of Babylon.
And a great multitude sings praises
ahead of the marriage of the Lamb.
A white horse emerges, mounted
by the King of Kings who destroys
the beast and the false prophet…
setting the stage for a new heaven
and new earth, where God and His
people live in intimate fellowship.

Lord, we’ll Be Ready for Judgment:
Then I saw an angel…with the key
to the bottomless pit…He seized
the dragon who is the devil & bound
him for a thousand years(Rev20:1-2)
The Devil who betrayed them was
thrown into the lake of fire… joining
the beast and the false prophets…
And I saw a great white throne, and
I saw the One…sitting on it (v10-11).
I saw the dead… standing before
God’s throne. And the books were
opened, including Book of Life (v12)

Lord, the revelation on end times
reassures us good will ultimately 
triumph over evil and gives us hope
when faithfully enduring struggles 
though we are wavering in faith.
Grant us courage and strong heart
to keep pressing on & fix our eyes
on Christ Jesus. And we will rejoice,
knowing that You Triumph Over Evil
and that You are in control. Amen.

Lord, You are sovereignly on the
throne, You have already overcome
the enemy and You are the victor.
Living in the end times, help me 
spend less time worrying about
a defeated enemy and more time
concerned about those who need
the truth. Help me remember time
is limited & help me play the game
of life to make a difference. Amen.

Lord, I pray in faith that when You
open the books, what You find will
not bring condemnation but will
be confirmation that all my dear
friends & loved ones are all Yours.
I pray that it will not be a record
of their fleshly works, but only of
the righteousness of Christ, both
imputed by grace and imparted
through the grace of the Spirit’s
sanctifying power. In His name,Amen

Being Ready for Victory Over Evil

Following judgments of the 7 vials,
John sees the doom of Babylon.
And a great multitude sings praises
ahead of the marriage of the Lamb.
A white horse emerges, mounted
by the King of Kings who destroys
the beast and the false prophet…
setting the stage for a new heaven
and new earth, where God and His
people live in intimate fellowship.

Lord, we’ll Be Ready for Judgment:
Then I saw an angel…with the key
to the bottomless pit…He seized
the dragon who is the devil & bound
him for a thousand years(Rev20:1-2)
The Devil who betrayed them was
thrown into the lake of fire… joining
the beast and the false prophets…
And I saw a great white throne, and
I saw the One…sitting on it (v10-11).
I saw the dead… standing before
God’s throne. And the books were
opened, including Book of Life (v12)

Lord, the revelation on end times
reassures us good will ultimately 
triumph over evil and gives us hope
when faithfully enduring struggles 
though we are wavering in faith.
Grant us courage and strong heart
to keep pressing on & fix our eyes
on Christ Jesus. And we will rejoice,
knowing that You Triumph Over Evil
and that You are in control. Amen.

Lord, You are sovereignly on the
throne, You have already overcome
the enemy and You are the victor.
Living in the end times, help me 
spend less time worrying about
a defeated enemy and more time
concerned about those who need
the truth. Help me remember time
is limited & help me play the game
of life to make a difference. Amen.

Lord, I pray in faith that when You
open the books, what You find will
not bring condemnation but will
be confirmation that all my dear
friends & loved ones are all Yours.
I pray that it will not be a record
of their fleshly works, but only of
the righteousness of Christ, both
imputed by grace and imparted
through the grace of the Spirit’s
sanctifying power. In His name,Amen