Prayer & Praise: July 4-10
Calvin’s Morning Prayer
Grant that we may hear thy voice in the morning, since we have hoped in thee. Show us the way in which we should walk, since we have lifted our souls unto thee. Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord; we have fled to thee. Teach us to do thy will, for thou art our God. Let thy good Spirit lead us in the right way.
O God, our Father and Savior, who of thy goodness has watched over us during the past night, and brought us to this day, grant also that we may spend it wholly in thy service. Let us not think, or say, or do a single thing that does not tend to thy service and submission to thy will, that thus all our actions may aim in the glory of thy name and the salvation of our brethren. And as thou do give the light of the sun to this world, so enlighten our minds and hearts by thy Spirit that he may guide us in the way of thy righteousness.
To whatever purpose we apply our minds, may the end and the intention be thy honor and service. May we expect happiness only from thy goodness. Let us not attempt anything, O God, that is not pleasing to thee. Grant us also, Lord, that while we labor for the maintenance of this life and its concerns, we may raise our minds above them to the blessed and heavenly life, which thou hast promised to thy children.
Be please also, in manifesting thyself to us as our Protector, to strengthen us against the assaults of the devil, and deliver us from all the dangers which continually beset us in this life. But seeing it is a small thing to have begun well unless we also persevere, we entreat thee, O Lord, to be our Guide and Directors not only for this day for the days of our lives. Increase the gifts of thy grace until we wholly adhere to thy Son Jesus Christ, who is the true Sun lighting our minds. IN order that we may obtain from thee these great and manifold blessings, forget, and out of thy infinite mercy, forgive our offenses, as thou has promised that thou will do to those who call upon thee with a sincere heart. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Calvin’s Evening Prayer
O Lord God, who has given man the night for rest, as thou has created the day for his work, we ask thee to give our bodies a night of rest that our minds may awake to thee and our hearts be always full of thy love. Let us never forget thee, O Lord, nor thy goodness. Let the remembrance of thy mercy be always engraven on our minds.
Grant that our sleep may not be an indulgence but only serve to strengthen us that we may be more alert in thy service. Be pleased to keep us chaste in body and mind and safe from all temptations and dangers that our sleep may turn to the glory of thy name. But since this day has not passed away without our having in many ways offended thee through the proneness to evil, just as all things are now covered by the darkness of the night, so, O Lord, let everything that is sinful in us lie buried in thy mercy; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome Michael
I was wandering in cyberspace … aimlessly wondering what to do …
“O Lord, let everything that is sinful in us lie buried in thy mercy; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
My sin is buried in His mercy. Wow. That is beautiful.
Be in prayer for those unemployed….many have lost their benefits and many more are going to in the coming days.
Pray traveling mercies for Sarah and her family as they travel cross country to visit her parents.
Praying for the needs of my PP family.
Gods resources come in unexpected ways and follow obedience faithfully.
Gen 22:10-14
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.”
He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Please keep my Grandpa in your prayers and he continues to recover from complications from surgury and grieves for the loss of my Grandma.
Thanks.
“The father in the story of the prodigal son suffered much. He saw his younger son leave, knowing the disappointments, rejections and abuses facing him. He saw his older son become angry and bitter, and was unable to offer him affection and support. A large part of the father’s life has been waiting. He could not force his younger son to come home or his older son to let go of his resentments. Only they themselves could take the initiative to return.
During these long years of waiting the father cried many tears and died many deaths. He was emptied out by suffering. But that emptiness had created a place of welcome for his sons when the time of their return came. We are called to become like that father.”
Nouwen
Praise
I had a 4-5 hour surgery last Wednesday and came home Yesterday. Recovering well. My wife Debbie is amazing. The path report comes in Monday and we hope it confirms what the Doctor suspect, that mine is a low grade form of the disease. Thanks to you all for your prayers
Brother Steve, you continue to be in our prayers and hearts.
Michael, Thanks for the Nouwen comment on the father of the prodigal son. I am in a season like that for my three sons who are so very lost. I know God is faithful.
Gosh, I’m thankful for the return of the PP, this thread, our prayer group here.
Yes, we do pray for those who are unemployed. We are living in very difficult times.
Paigemom,
I’m glad you’re glad…it does my heart good to see you here.
UGM too…
Oh dear me..praying for Dave right now. Lord have mercy..
Hey all…just poking in to ask for prayer. I talked with Michael earlier today and he endured my venting đ We drove right at 24 hours of actual drive time to get here….and were met within an hour of arriving with the question of when we were leaving. A little frustrating. Mom is in a pretty high-anxiety stage, and pretty negative, aggressive stage. I still don’t know how my dad does this 24/7. He’s at the river with my husband and brother fishing right now, so that is good.
Anyway…just would appreciate prayers for patience more than anything. My boys are pretty aware….Zach has been asked who he is and who is mother is probably 50 times since we arrived Sat afternoon. He answers with a smile every time. Such a great kid.
Nate asked if Grandma had something in her that made her sick that made her mean and forgetful. He asked if everybody had that in them and would get that way when they get older.
So…it’s a tough lesson. Still, in the midst of it we’ve had roaring laughter as we get into our story-telling and Zach has been on the edge of his seat listening to his uncles. We’ve fished, we’ve ridden my 20 year old scooter all over the place, we’ve played soccer and we’ve been to a parade. Not bad all in all.
I’m here for 2 weeks and then my brother will drive us back to Nashville since Steve has to head back early for work. Prayers for travelling mercies and patience are hugely appreciated.
praying still
Sarah…you will have prayers, keep us posted.
Praying, Sarah…
Sarah – praying.
Sarah
praying for you and all those you love and that you will be blessed w moments of your mother having lucidity and clarity so you know she knows you still.
Praying with and for all listed needs.
Jesus be the Comforter that only You can be
The Healer that only You are
Hear our pleas for grace and mercy
Amen.
Tony!
It’s good to see you!
Tony, what Michael said!
you and yours often come to mind during prayer time
Michael/Em
Thanks. It’s good to be “seen” đ
It’s a long hard walk in the desert some times….
But never alone, eh?
TonyP.,
I did not know of PP when you were a regular here. However, when I first found the site near the end of last year, I got the chance to read through a good bit of the archives before the .com site went down. In doing that, I was able to read a lot of your posts and your heart and attitude was encouraging and a blessing.
I would sometimes selfishly wish that you were still around to provide that encouragement and would wonder where you had gone. But glad you’re back, if even only for a short stay.
Sarah,
Praying for your Mom and your family situation and that God would give you all patience and strength.
Kevin H,
Thanks for your kind words. I am glad that you were blessed in some small way.
praying sarah
Hi Tony! Geat to see you!
Hey nomans! Good to see you too! đ
I’m lurking today and avoiding heavy-lifting in reading that I’m supposed to be doing đ
Tony…really good to see you here.
Things are kinda going downhill. Today was the first day Mom did not know who I was. I was in the kitchen and she asked who I was, I told her my name and she asked why I was here and who I was with.
She has asked me multiple (probably 20x) times how long we are staying….or if we are leaving today. When I say we are staying for a week, she says she’s just not sure she can handle that. She asks for us to leave today.
It’s just a bit wearying today…..
sarah,
Thanks, praying for you guys and your mom.
On a day like any other, I call on Your grace
On a day like any other, I call on Your mercy
Be with those in need,
Be our light in the darkness,
Be our Lord and our Savior,
Remind us of Your overwhelming love for us
Thank You Jesus, for all that You have done
Amen.
Thank you all for your prayers. Today has begun better đ I’ll be trying to poke my head in here and stay in the loop for prayer requests.
Yesterday I had to run into town for a minute, and on the way back I was listening to Macy Gray’s “There is Beauty in the World.” Not exactly the deepest of lyrics, but the line that has stuck with me is “When you don’t know if you’ll make it through / remember God has given you beauty in the world.” That line keeps going in my mind…
Father…thank You for the beauty in the world.
In the midst of fears, in the midst of uncertainty, in the midst of sorrows, You have surrounded us with testimony of You.
The detail of the hummingbird, the glory of the sunset, the majesty of the mountains, the awe of the oceans.
Great and wondrous, small and intricate. Your hand is all around us, reminding us constantly of a God who pays attention. A God who created not only our minds and our souls and our beings, but who created color and sound.
Lift our heads when we are overwhelmed, and remind us of Your beauty in the world.
Lyrics to Rich Mullins’ song….
And the moon is a sliver of silver
Like a shaving that fell on the floor of a Carpenter’s shop
And every house must have it’s builder
And I awoke in the house of God
Where the windows are mornings and evenings
Stretched from the sun
Across the sky north to south
And on my way to early meeting
I heard the rocks crying out
I heard the rocks crying out
Be praised for all Your tenderness by these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green that fills these fields with praise
And the wrens have returned and they’re nesting
In the hollow of that oak where his heart once had been
And he lifts up his arms in a blessing for being born again
And the streams are all swollen with winter
Winter unfrozen and free to run away now
And I’m amazed when I remember
Who it was that built this house
And with the rocks I cry out
Be praised for all Your tenderness by these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green
Be praised for all Your tenderness by these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green that fills these fields with praise
Keep in Prayer:
EverstudyPlease keep my Grandpa in your prayers and he continues to recover from complications from surgury and grieves for the loss of my Grandma.
Dave Friend of Madisson*Bella’s who unexpectedly found a large mass on his brain. He had surgery on Tuesday to remove the mass. Please pray for healing and for no cancer.
Michael Pray for work to come soon, and for his health.
John & Debbie (DMW) Continue to pray for them as the deal with pain. Pray as well for John as he tries to find work that will be conducive to caring for Debbie and not too physically taxing on him.
Erunner’s brother-in-law Jeff Has had to go back on the ventilator, but he is responding to stimulation even though still in a coma. Pray for him and his wife (Erunner’s sister) Julie and their three children as they walk through this long trial.
Michael Whitman Pray for a job search for him that can provide while he pastors and the church is in tough times financially. Continue to pray for his family as they raise four foster kids along with their own children.
BrianD “Need prayer for a potentially bad situation at workâŠitâs not like I can get up and leave, so that option is not open to me⊔ Update: Continue to pray about his work situation, and also about plugging in to a new community group.
Nick Hurtado Nick is the nephew of a good friend of Jlo, she says, ” (he) is battling bone cancer, if the Lord prompts, please pray for him. His story can be found here.
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=135373@kcbs.dayport.com
Kerry JimB shares this: “Guys and gals, can I ask you to pray for a woman in our fellowship here who has partnered with us in this church plant pretty much from the beginning? Her and her husband are great servants and have been involved in lots of ministries through our church. She has been ill for a few months, and going through dozens of expensive tests and scans. Today, she received her diagnosis: MS. Please pray for Kerry. Thank you folks”
Glenn â caring for his mother
Captain Kevin âcontinue to pray for him as he deals with pain and with vertigo and lack of sleep because of the pain. Continue to pray for healing.
Steve H â cancer. He is waiting to hear the pathology reports this week. Pray as well for his family and church as they walk through this time with him.
Karen Stewart’s family Karen went home to be with the Lord on 6-2 after a long struggle with cancer. Be praying for her husband Jeff, and their three children as they grieve the loss of Karen.
Nate friend of Cap’n Kevins. Read the link…hard to give a concise update:
http://www.nathanjpelz.com/home/
Jerry F “God has been so good to me throughout the years and has ALWAYS gotten me through the very hardest of situations. Countrywide Home Loans was bought out through Obamaâs stimulus by Bank of America. In the switch I am hearing that a lot of folkâs home loans were âmessed upâ. Mine is one of them. A lot of details here but, I need prayer for the problem that is facing us right now. The bank wants us to come up with about $7,000.00 to come current, as they see itâthis is a wrong amount but, I think itâs better to give them the money than to fight it.
I am confident that our LORD is able â there is no doubt. I would like prayer though just the same. Thanks.”
Linnea“Would you all pray for my former colleagues, Patti, Karen, Lori and Andi, that they come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior?”
JaneFrom Linnea: “One more requestâŠwould you pray for Jane, who is dying of congenital heart failure? Her twin sister, Joan was my 2nd Mom when I was growing up, and the whole family treated me as their own.”
Dusty Her grandfather passed away on June 7th, and the hospital said they couldn’t find the body. Pray for peace and for Dusty’s heart in all of this.
KatrinaFrom Linnea: A prayer requestâŠa young friend of ours (Katrina) hit a tree at 60 mph in the wee hours of the morning. She is in critical condition, with burns on her legs requiring skin grafts and the likelihood that she will lose her toes on her left foot. Would you pray for her, her family and that they would come to know Him?
EMPLOYMENT
(see this link for more information: http://phoenixpreacher.net/?p=1741#comments )
Be praying for these who need work:
Mike
Michael
DMW
Nene
came2pass
Brian
London
Neneâs friend Mark
Isaiah56:1
PRAISES!!
âBehold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27 ***”
Erunner His granddaughter was born on May 29th!! Her name is Mikaela Paige Acosta. She had jaundice for a little while, but now is home with mom and dad!
Papias He got a job!!!!!!
Em’s Daughter She was spared from a bad accident driving home the other night…thankful for God’s mercies as no one was injured in what could have been a bad accident when a man in a wheelchair went out into traffic.
Praying, Holly.
Long-but-worth-it Post Alert:
Is God Almost Sovereign? by Chuck Swindoll
Just before Moses died, he spoke these words to God. Read them carefully:
âMay the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.â So the LORD said to Moses, âTake Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight.â (Numbers 27:16â19)
I donât know your circumstances today. I cannot be certain how God intends to use this episode from the life of Moses in your own life. But I do know what itâs like to be a shepherd . . . and so I can imagine some possible scenarios.
It may be that these words fall on a very hungry heart. Or perhaps you have been strengthened and encouraged with the thought that youâre exactly where God wants you to be. Or maybe youâre engaged in the challenging task of finding a man or a woman for a position that carries a huge weight of responsibility . . . and youâve been reminded that you are dependent on God, more than ever, to locate His âJoshua.â Or perhaps you are that Joshua, and youâve been asked to accept a responsibility broader than you ever dreamed.
Whatever your circumstances, I want to remind you that our heavenly Father cares about areas of your life that would seem insignificant to a distant deity. I know youâre aware of these thingsâyouâve preached them often. But may I remind you of what I often remind myself? Heâs never too busy to hear your hurts, to wipe away your tears, to whisper words of encouragement, and to put His big shoulder under your load. Heâs the God who cares about the details.
As I write these words, Iâm praying that our sovereign Lord might be a very personal comfort to you this week. I pray especially for you pastors who are wrestling with loneliness and discouragement. Even though youâre surrounded by people and their admiration, deep inside thereâs an ache. Believe me, my friend, God can meet your need as only He can, even as He did in the heart of Moses just a few hours before the great manâs death.
If youâre Godâs Joshua, you donât need to worry that youâll be forgotten. You neednât fear that the shadow of your predecessor will eclipse you and your ministry in the years to come. In fact, you donât need to worry about anything. If youâre Godâs Joshua, youâre right where you ought to be.
Remind yourself that He is sovereign. He has everything under His control. He will have His way in His time and for His glory. That includes your life, your position, your past, and your future. Worrying over any of that is a waste. Heâs got every detail covered.
Yes, every one.
Think of it this way: thereâs no such thing as God being almost sovereign.
how far is Borrego Springs from Lake Elsinore – every body ok down that way?
CK, praying for those pastors… for all our carping, we desperately need God’s men (& women) that He’s appointed to lead us
Cptn K – your post from Charles Swindoll was perfect timing, and deeply needed at this moment….muchisimas gracias!
CK,
Excellent post. Thanks.
Remember today that when you are in your hustle and bustle of life and you spare that moment of time to think of God, that He has had you on His mind ALL day.
His is the eye that sees
His is the ear that hears
His is the heart that aches
He loves you
“Think of it this way: thereâs no such thing as God being almost sovereign.”
Amen & amen.
Hebrews 4
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areâyet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
something just hit me as i was reading Hoestra’s morning devotion on 2Ti 1:12
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day….Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
by today’s definition (in churches, as well as in the Western world at large) our incredible gift from God, the Apostle Paul was a loser… just one of those momentary glimpses of Reality for me
God keep
Lord,
I want You on my mind all day long. I want to honor You and Bless You. I want to be a light in this much too dark world. I want to wipe away tears and hold hands. Thsnk You that even in this confined space we can do just that for one another. Bring a smile to a weary face. Lift the down cast spirit of a worried soul. Put a song on the lips of one who has no words. Make a way in the dark path for a traveler who passes this way.
I praise You^
amen, Lord, what Cheri prayed, amen – strengthen us to walk as those who heal, not those who wound… grant us discernment to use Your Sword only when called by You, but forgive and rebuke us when we do as Peter did at Gethsemane
Spurgeon on the Holy Spirit as Comforter:
And first, we will remark, that God the Holy Ghost is a very loving Comforter. I am in distress, and I want consolation. Some passer-by hears of my sorrow, and he steps within, sits down, and essays to cheer me; he speaks soothing words, but he loves me not; he is a stranger; he knows me not at all; he has only come in to try his skill. And what is the consequence? His words run o’er me like oil upon a slab of marbleâthey are like the pattering rain upon the rock; they do not break my grief; it stands unmoved as adamant, because he has no love for me. But let some one who loves me dear as his own life, come and plead with me, then truly his words are music; they taste like honey; he knows the password of the doors of my heart, and my ear is attentive to every word; I catch the intonation of each syllable as it falls, for it is like the harmony of the harps of heaven. Oh! there is a voice in love, it speaks a language which is its own; it has an idiom and a brogue which none can mimic; wisdom cannot imitate it; oratory cannot attain unto it; it is love alone which can reach the mourning heart; love is the only handkerchief which can wipe the mourner’s tears away. And is not the Holy Ghost a loving comforter? Dost thou know, O saint, how much the Holy Spirit loves thee? Canst thou measure the love of the Spirit? Dost thou know how great is the affection of his soul towards thee? Go measure heaven with thy span; go weigh the mountains in the scales; go take the ocean’s water, and tell each drop; go count the sand upon the sea’s wide shore; and when thou hast accomplished this, thou canst tell how much he loveth thee. He has loved thee long, he has loved thee well, he loved thee ever, and he still shall love thee; surely he is the person to comfort thee, because he loves. Admit him, then, to your heart, O Christian, that he may comfort you in your distress.
May we remember this truth.
amen, Tony
when will we learn that love is not an emotion – not God’s kind of love, at least
Em,
I know I forget that He is not at all like me. And praise be for that, cuz I am a fickle one!!!!!!!