Thanksgiving Prayer

The In Touch devotional today gave some components of prayer. They were: intercession, petition, confession, praise, and thanksgiving. 

     The example of the Lord’s prayer places praise for God and who He is at the top of my prayer list. Next, especially since this morning is Thanksgiving, I want to be extremely thankful. Looking back on the past year, I have so very much in which to be thankful. Intercession, the act of praying for others, petition for something, and confession are all a part of my prayer this morning, and to God be the glory!

Prayer Example

When it comes to prayer, there is no better example than given in Matthew 6: 

 

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it in in heaven.

Give us (me) this day our (my) daily bread.

And forgive us (me) our (my) debts as we (I) forgive our (my) debtors.

And lead us (me) not into temptation, but deliver us (me) from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen

 

I also read another prayer with the author unknown to me which I share here to help me start my day. 

 

Dear God, (My Father) 

I thank You for giving me a new day to start. 

I pray that You watch over me, my family, and everyone in need of Your grace. 

Protect us (me) guide us (me), and fill our (my) heart with Your peace. 

Forgive me for my weaknesses, and strengthen my faith in You. 

Where there is faith, there is love.

Where there is love there is peace. 

Where there is peace, there is God. 

And where God is, nothing is missing. 

Lord, 

I place this month (day) in Your hands.

Your plan is always perfect, and Your love never fails.” 

Prayer's Continued

Yesterday, I talked about The Lord’s Prayer which is a wonderful example given me in Matthew 6 on how to pray. There are other prayers given in scripture that are also good examples. I especially like the prayer Jabez prayed in 1 Chronicles 4:10:

 

“Oh, that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not greive me!  And God granted him that which he requested.” 

 

     I love this prayer. It tells me that it is okay to ask for God’s blessings although I must continue praying for others and their well-being. I am, however, a little afraid to pray the next part about enlarging my coast, because God may give me more to do than I want, but this is part of being a child of God; He is my Shepherd! "He maketh me lie down in green pastures. He leaders me beside still waters. He restores my soul." 

     The third part of Jabez's prayer is asking God to be with me and protect me from going astray. What a wonderful feeling it is to know with confidence that God is my Protector and Shepherd! I have to note the assurance in the last sentence, “And God granted Jabez his request.” I cling to those words, knowing God will grant me my request, if they are within His purpose for me. 

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Prayer Template

Some people are gifted with elegant prayers and can go on and on. I am not one of them. My prayers are often short and vocally lacking, but God hears the words in my heart. 

     I have attempted to pray the scriptures, and also searched and found some of my favorite prayers. Of course, the very best example is the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. 

 

vs. 9 “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (This tells me to recognize the name of my Father first and give His name the place of honor.  I also like 2 Corinthians 1:3 as a beginning for prayer, “Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”)

 

vs. 10 “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (This is such a good way to start the day by asking the Lord to let His will take place in my life and remove my own self-will. It is submission to God.)

 

vs. 11 “Give us this day our daily bread.” ( I like to make this more personal by changing it to: Give me this day my daily bread. This is me telling God that He is my daily nourishment.)  

 

vs. 12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Here again, I want to make it more personal by using “I” instead of us and we. I am truly asking for God’s forgiveness, but also telling God I will be forgiving, as well.)

 

vs. 13a “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Again, insert I, but also this is an acknowledgement to God that I know I am weak and I need His help keeping me away from Satan’s powers during the day. Having asked this of God, I have assurance of His protection.)

 

vs 13b “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen”

(Just as in the beginning of this prayer where I am giving God honor, the ending acknowledges His power and His Kingship over my life.)

 

The Model Prayer

God gives us the model prayer in Matthew 6: 9-13. In breaking it down I see a few good points:
1. We know to whom we speak and are giving God our adoration. 
2. We are asking for God's will.
3. We are expressing our needs.
4. We are asking for forgiveness.

5. We are asking that we do not fall under the influence of Satan's ways

6. We are acknowledging that God has power over all things. 

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen"

The Lord's Prayer

     Prayer is powerful!  It is actually a simple conversation with God which anyone can do.  We do not have to have the gift of speech.  God just wants to hear our heart.   

     Matthew 6: 9-13 gives us a sample of how to pray.  As I read it this morning, I decided to break it out to show more of my heart to God.   

(Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.)

My Father, Holy is your name.     

To honor it upon my lips is my aim;

Within my thoughts, let it be the same.  

 

(Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.) 

Until your kingdom comes, for which I yearn,

I pray your will within me learn; 

Let it burn.

 

(Give us this day our daily bread.)

Thank you for the day and provision; 

Protection from collision;

More than I could envision.

 

(And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.)

Forgive the sin for which I’m inclined. 

Let me forgive, in kind, for peace of mind; 

Animosity to leave behind.

 

(And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.)

And, deliver me when I stray. 

Keep the evil one away. 

Help me run from temptation, this day. 

 

(For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen!)  

You, O Lord, designed the Universe; 

All things within your power to disburse.

Into your glory forever, willingly, I immerse.   

                                     Amen!

 

                 Mary Crisp Jameson  1/11/2022

Prayer

     There is much that can be said about prayer; how it makes us feel, and what can be achieved.  Personally, when I miss my prayer time in "A Friendly Shade," I often feel lonely, like something is missing in my life.  Actually something is missing; the guidance of my heavenly Father, because I have not asked. 
     You know, even Jesus prayed during His life on earth.  He prayed with strong crying and tears and was heard. 

Hebrews 5:7 "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared."

     Prayers can be given at any point in time during the day.  We find one timely example in Mark 1:35.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."   

      Another time, after the crowd that Jesus had been  ministering to was dismissed, Jesus needed a time of rest, just as we often need a time of rest after a long, stressful day at work.  What better way to refresh our souls and bodies than to spend time with the Lord?

 Matthew 14:23 "After he had dismissed them, he went up on  a mountainside by himself to pray.  When evening came, he was there alone."   

     Again, as the Son of God was teaching, healing, and being accused wrongfully by those seeking to find fault,  Jesus found He needed a time of prayer.

 Luke 6:12 "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into  a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

      We are even given an example of how and where to pray.  Most refer to this as the Lord's Prayers. 

 Matthew 6:9-13 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen   

      Notice here, that we are to have a quiet, solitary place to pray, and we are to start off by praising God and although we make requests, ask for His will to be done in all things.

     Scriptures let us know that throughout Jesus' walk on earth He prayed.   He needed the closeness of His Father who heard Him at all times just as He hears us today. 
     In prayer, we find rest for our souls, peace, comfort, and God's will for our lives.  However, the best answers to our prayers come when we let our hearts truly forgive others.

 Mark 11:25 "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. 

Matthew 6:14, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."     

     Jesus did not fail to leave us an example of this type of forgiveness.  In Luke 23:34 as He was on the Cross dying for our sins He prayed.

 "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  

  

       

HIS NAME

     One of the Ten Commandments is not to take the Lord’s name in vain.  There are so many more scriptures in the Bible that tell us to honor God’s name.  Psalms 111:9 tells us  “…holy and reverend is his name.”  In the example of the Lord’s prayer, it starts off as “Hallowed be your name.”   Yet so many Christians use God’s name either as a swear word or just plain cussing.  The tongue can be a powerful weapon and can show dishonor in so many ways when we use God’s name inappropriately.  Not only can our words either lift God up or tear down our ministry for Him, but it also can affect how we build our own homes. 
     The will of God is to be honored and praised.  Matthew 7:24, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.        

HIS NAME

The heavens declare His glory!

In a loud voice the angels announce, “Behold the Lamb!”

What a story!

Power, praise, and honor are given by His name.

To lift Him up should be our aim. 

 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-

The Creator, Savior, Living Spirit- giving life upmost; 

To use His name in vain

After so much gain!

Your name, Oh Lord, your name-

To hear it used in vain should set your people aflame.

The sweet, sweet name of Jesus,

A man who died for us;

To use your name in vain

After your blood, your death, your pain;

The Son, Jesus, our Savior’s precious name-

Used in vain? Oh, what a shame!

 The holy name of God-

Our Father, Maker of all, the Creator!

Who in all the world is greater?

To violate His name?

The One who sent His only Son, to die He came –

The Trinty, Three in One-

Father, Holy Ghost, and Son.

Why, oh why use their name in vain?

What good?  What gain? 

 Rather, declare as do the angels-

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty”

   Giver of grace, let us honor thee. 

                                                                                               Mary Crisp Jameson

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  Exodus 20:7 

 

 

A Warrior's Prayer

A Warrior’s Prayer

Arm me Lord-

  Shield me in the midst of this raging war.
  Sharpen my sword
  Until I enter a newfound door.
  Make me a mighty warrior for the king
  Throughout the dreary winter and into a fresh new spring.   

The battle is hard, the uphill climb-steep.

   Help me to wear this heavy helmet well.
   I pray for a restful sleep;
   Stay near - lighten my path when I stumble and fail.

Protect me Lord-

  Restrain those who plot against me.
  Open my eyes to your strategic plan; draw me aboard;
  Keep me safe from the storm of deadly shells until I can flee.
  Oh thank you, Lord, for your loving touch,
  Letting me know the battle I fight will not be too much.      

You Lord, are the calm;
  The One I seek;
  The One who keeps me safe from harm,   
  Who carries me across the raging waters and trickling creek,
  You are my strength and mighty shield.
  Who gives me abundance from what the fields will yield.

Thank you for encouraging me for the fight ahead,

  Wisdom for the journey, healing for the wounds, joy through it all.
  Help me not leave your Word unsaid,
  Though the enemy lurks outside my protective wall. 

Arm me, Lord!

  Keep this soldier strong
  With your clear, directive Word-
  May your ever-dwelling Spirit restore my soul with a heartfelt song. 
                                                                       AMEN!