Prayers for Healing America and Turning to God.....

 Prayers for Healing America and Turning to God

God, We Need You

As a nation, God, help us to desire righteousness more than rights, and to mirror sacrifice more than selfishness. You know us well, and You understand our flaws. Turn those weaknesses into strengths; bathe us with Your grace and mercy, though none of us deserve it. Fill us with the boldness to choose the kind of freedom that will benefit all, rather than a few. Open our eyes to see others as You do—with godly potential and value. But help us, too, to recognize our own pride in trying to elevate ourselves and others above You and Your purpose for our lives.

We need, You, God. Oh, how we need You! You have exercised nothing but faithfulness and fairness in Your treatment of our country, even when we've turned our back on You and forgotten Your goodness to us. Your discipline at times is hard, but You are just. Your purpose is always to draw us close to You, to bless us, and to make us a great nation who honors You. You are a good, good, Father—and Your love for us has a proven track record. - Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Prayer for An Awakening in America

Dear God,

Thank you for your great power. We praise you for your Truth. We’re grateful that you have set us free from the clutching grasp of sin and death. Would you be with your people, extending your grace, granting your freedom, providing your protection, and empowering with your strength. We ask that you'd bring about an awakening of your presence as never seen before. We ask that your Name be proclaimed, that all plans to silence the Name of Jesus would be thwarted and crushed. We pray that many would come to know you as Lord and Savior, we pray that many would see your Light, that you would open blind eyes and release those still imprisoned. - Debbie McDaniel

A Prayer for America's Future

Make us a great nation, yes. But more than that, make us good, Lord, with a heartbeat that wants every person of every creed and color to know Your love, Your goodness, and Your worth. Make us wise as serpents, but gentle as doves. Turn our fears to faith, as we look to You and You alone for the future of our country. Give us God-confidence that no matter what happens, we will believe You are not only in control, but that You know exactly what is needed to accomplish Your purpose. Help us not to second-guess Your moves, but to move at Your command, always without hesitation.

Forgive us for wanting our own way and making our own paths—often the ones paved with least resistance. Forgive us for fence-walking, or for ignoring completely the truths that can so easily set us free. Deliver us from mindless quarrels and destinations that lead us nowhere, but away from You. Free us from divisiveness, and melt our hardened hearts to love, not hate, and to heal, not debate.  - Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Prayer for Justice and Healing 

We may look different from each other, but we have one big thing in common -- we’re all your image-bearers Lord, which means we all have equal value, we all have purpose, and we are all part of your plan. Father, you know the injustice that has occurred for thousands of years, in different countries, with races of color and classes of people. I pray for justice in ongoing racism, which is still found here in America. I pray that these wrongs look very wrong to everyone who views these situations; make it clear to everyone God, that races of color are beautiful, valuable, and worthy.

You are the author of justice Lord, we ask that you would rain down justice in the form of convictions, law changes, police training, transformed mindsets and hearts, and continued racial reconciliation. Help us to look to you…and your Word to remind ourselves of what justice should look like. You know what injustice is like God; every sin committed is an injustice against you. Lord help us to fight injustice in the right way, may we always look to you as the solution. Oh Lord, that there would be more and more hearts transformed by your grace. May this time of injustice produce opportunities for conversation to talk about your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. May we seek you in our quest for justice, and may we continue to pray in your name for justice to be served when lives are taken and hateful actions are committed. In your name Jesus, amen. - Liz Auld

Prayer for Unity in America

Father God,

We pray that you would unify your people for the glory of your Name that all who call themselves Christians would rise up, believing your great Truth. Wake us up Lord! Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, to listen to your words, to be willing to make a difference in this land. We pray for all those in authority, that you would give them your wisdom and discernment as they lead. We ask that you would appoint strong, faithful men and women to serve this nation and our people.- Debbie McDaniel

A Prayer for Leaders to Rise Up in America

Lord God, we desperately need your wisdom. You have given us a great country, founded on principles and truths from Your Word. We need men and women who will honor You, trust You, and lead us once again back to You. We pray for servant leaders who love the things You love and who care more about others than themselves.

Raise up leaders with the greatest potential of godly leadership, those who can ease confusion, expose illusion, and heal delusion. You alone hold the power to turn the hearts of leaders, but You listen and use our prayers to move them into right action. Help us to be faithful to care and to pursue Your heart in prayer. - Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Heal our Land

We pray for your great healing on our land. Shine your face on us dear God. We need you now, more than ever before. Our times are in your hands. Thank you that you are rich in mercy and full of grace. Thank you that you are forgiving and merciful. Thank you that you are strong and mighty. Thank you that you are for us and that you fight for us still today. Bring honor to your Name, Oh Lord, for You alone are worthy. - Debbie McDaniel

Prayer to Love Others

Lord, help me to see the issues around me in my community. Help me to be the person who goes out of my way to meet them. Lord, my heart has gotten hardened. I haven't wanted to love people the way you love them. I've only loved those that think and act the way I do. Help me love people the way you love them. Help me to love enough I'd be willing to lay down my life for them. Amen. - Michelle Lazarek

A Prayer for Those Who Protect America

Lord, police officers’ days are filled with uncertainties and unknowns as they make quick and often life-changing or life-threatening decisions. Help them to be wise and invoke all their training and experience before moving or speaking. When they have the opportunity to investigate a situation before taking action and engaging, give them patience not to rush to judgment or anger.

Give them compassion when they determine there is no ill intent but also a keen awareness for deception. Remind them that they may not have all the evidence to make a final decision. Help them to see the good in people, and don’t let their hearts become hardened and calloused by the challenging situations they encounter daily. Amen.

The Holy Spirit's Guidance.....Streams in the Desert

 The Holy Spirit's Guidance 

     Streams in the Desert

They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia (Acts 16:6).

It is interesting to study the methods of His guidance as it was extended towards these early heralds of the Cross. It consisted largely in prohibitions, when they attempted to take another course than the right. When they would turn to the left, to Asia, He stayed them. When they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia, again He stayed them. In after years Paul would do some of the greatest work of his life in that very region; but just now the door was closed against him by the Holy Spirit. The time was not yet ripe for the attack on these apparently impregnable bastions of the kingdom of Satan. Apollos must come there for pioneer work. Paul and Barnabas are needed yet more urgently elsewhere, and must receive further training before undertaking this responsible task.

Beloved, whenever you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one. Say, "Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear Thy voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left."

In the meanwhile, continue along the path which you have been already treading. Abide in the calling in which you are called, unless you are clearly told to do something else. The Spirit of Jesus waits to be to you, O pilgrim, what He was to Paul. Only be careful to obey His least prohibition; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with enlarged heart. Do not be surprised if the answer comes in closed doors. But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting.
--Paul, by Meyer

Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.

Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait--for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.

Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.

Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees 'tis best,
Will give it THEE.
--Anonymous

Follow God’s Plan, Not Your Own..... By: Kristine Brown

 Follow God’s Plan, Not Your Own

By: Kristine Brown

“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Had we made a huge mistake? We’d prayed about this job opportunity. We’d sought wise counsel from a trusted friend. Then we prayed some more. After two trips to the hospital with our newborn and six weeks of sleepless nights, it looked like this open door for a different job was an answer to prayer. Not only would it bring us close to our home church again, we’d also have friends and relatives around to help out. We could finally breathe a little easier. But after loading up the family and hauling everything we owned 700 miles to our new home, we never expected to face this.

The start-up company that offered my husband the job closed its doors. This turn of events hit hard, leaving us with the uncertainty of unemployment while providing for a new baby. It caused me to question: how could we have been so sure this was God’s will? If He really brought us here, why would this happen? I wondered whether or not I even knew how to follow God’s plan. But through our experience, I discovered life-changing truths in God’s Word to help me understand His plan for my life, and how to follow it with confidence.

When you ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, trust He will.

Sometimes we will not hear God’s audible voice offering the direction we seek. In the quiet waiting, it’s easy to let our minds wander into a whirlwind of questions and concerns. When this happens, we need to remember the moment we invited Jesus Christ into our lives. Because of His deep love for us, He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide. John 16:30 says,“The Spirit will guide you into all truth.” So even if I don’t have a definite answer, I can trust that the Spirit in me provides what I need to make any decision with clarity and a steadfast heart.

Instead of making it complicated, focus on the simplicity of God’s will.

God’s Word offers simple steps to follow for those who seek His will. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. These three actions will cast aside all the distractions of our runaway thoughts. When we bring our focus back to the simplicity of God’s will for us, we suddenly lose the urgency of having to decide right now. Our focus becomes how we live our lives for God, not how He answers our prayers.

Know God’s plan may go against what makes sense to us.

Instead of giving time and energy to the what-ifs, we can remind ourselves that an unsure outcome opens the door for God to be glorified in our situation. And isn’t that what we desire most? God amazes me again and again with His faithfulness through circumstances that seem impossible. During our 10 months with no income, we never missed a meal. Our family had a place to live, our needs were met, and loved ones who surrounded and supported us. God works in ways so that we cannot find comfort in our own works. We don’t need to worry about how it will all work out; we only need to trust God through it all.

Understand even the bad stuff may be part of the plan.

The familiar words in Jeremiah 29:11 bring us a sense of anticipation. When we hear that phrase,“I know the plans I have for you,” we smile with hope for the adventure ahead. But what about when the next step isn’t so exciting? What about those times when anticipation is replaced with dread for what’s to come? We may not feel excited through life’s darkest times, and that’s okay. God doesn’t expect us to fake a smile when we’re facing trials and turmoil, but He does offer us His presence for peace and comfort. He also promises this.“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” (Romans 8:28).

Remember that God’s plan has a greater purpose.

My family’s next step resulted in an extended time of trusting God on a deeper level than before. Each day I had to redirect my thoughts back to God. I purposed to give thanks and find joy in everyday moments instead of dwelling on our situation. Keeping my mind stayed on God drew me into a closer relationship with Him. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

At the end of our unemployment journey, God provided a new job even better than the one before. It involved another move, but from our experience we learned to walk through that door with newfound assurance. We may never know if we made the right decision for our family that fateful day, but we continue to see God’s promises fulfilled.

Ephesians 1:11 reminds us God’s plan has a greater purpose than what we see.“...  for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” When we show God our willingness to trust Him in every situation, we become a part of that greater purpose.

A Prayer to Be Delivered from People Pleasing..... By: Victoria Riollano

  A Prayer to Be Delivered from People Pleasing

 By: Victoria Riollano 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. - Colossians 3:23-24

For years, I worked hard for everyone. In my home, I loved my children in hopes of giving them a good childhood. I gave my all to my career to be promoted. In ministry, I worked tirelessly to not let down the pastor or leave the church in need. My friendships became a full-time job as I could not imagine the idea of creating boundaries. Although these actions were valiant, I was often left disappointed by the response of others and exhausted from trying to please those around me.

It took countless moments of betrayal and heartache to realize a change needed to be made. During this time, I started to lean into Colossians 3:23 which encouraged me, “Whatever you do, work at it with your heart as working for the Lord, and not for people.” It became clear that much of my heartbreak reflected my own disposition. Instead of living a life that would honor God, I only wanted to be approved by those around me. I had become a slave to the expectations of others.

Doing things unto the Lord requires a shift in thought. Much like the famous phrase, “What would Jesus do?” My actions should also reflect, “How can I do this for Jesus?” Serving the community should come from a desire to help God’s people. Caring for my children should be a reflection of wanting them to experience God’s love through me. Working hard in my career should reflect wanting to be a good ambassador the Lord. In other words, every action should signify wanting to serve God wholeheartedly.

We must also realize, that whether we like it or not, there will be disappointments. There will be times when the love we give won’t be reciprocated and the honor we deserve won’t be granted. For this reason, Colossians 3:24 is a gentle reminder that our inheritance comes from the Lord. Unfortunately, man will always disappoint (Psalm 146:4). However, God never will. We may not see the immediate benefits of serving those around us, but the Lord ensures that we will be rewarded.

Jesus encountered a similar issue when it came to His dealings with people. Judas would betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Peter would deny Jesus when faced with persecution. The same community that He would minister to, heal, and deliver, would turn him over to be hung on the cross. Yet, He forgave them (Luke 23:34) and remembered His why. Honoring the Father in every action was His goal. In doing so, He was keenly aware that not everyone would be pleased with or appreciate His choices. Truthfully, when we are serving the Lord wholeheartedly, there may be some who don’t understand our actions. Yet, we can act confidently knowing that God is well pleased and will see to it that we are taken care of.

Today, let us seek to honor the Lord in all that we do. Otherwise, we will become trapped in pleasing others who may never have our best interest in mind. Our motivation for doing good things shouldn’t come from selfish ambition or making other people happy. True peace comes from knowing that every action is lead by the Lord and for His glory!

Let us pray:

Lord,

I ask that you deliver me from people-pleasing. Teach me to no longer be a slave to other people’s opinions and expectations of me. Instead, let my actions honor you and reflect your heart.

I thank you that you see it all and that your rewards far outweigh what any person could give me. Lead me Lord to act in accordance with your will.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Setting Sail for a New Year..... Pastor Adrian Rogers

 Setting Sail for a New Year

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:18

Helen Keller was born with sight, but became blind as a young child. Yet she had vision. A reporter asked Miss Keller, “Is there anything worse than losing your sight?” “Yes,” she said, “It is to have sight but no vision.” Do you have a vision for your life at the threshold of a new year? On New Year’s Day, I review the goals for my life. These are spiritual, relational, intellectual, physical, and financial goals. I pray over these and ask for God’s will to be done in each one. I hold them in an open hand and ask that God would give me wisdom as to the direction He wants for my life. I don’t want to be a man without vision. I don’t want you to be one, either.

Begin to think about some goals you would like for your life. Pray and seek the Lord’s face as you ponder the future.