A Short Prayer of Thanks

Lord, we praise you and thank you for the wind that blows within our soul… the wind of the Holy Spirit carrying your whispers from eternity. For each trial through which we keep our longing for you alive in our hearts. For being and remaining the same, even though our own imperfect eyes often distort your image. For becoming wound to heal our wounds. For not leaving us hungry and frozen in the cold, but warmly inviting us to your dinner table. We thank you, Lord, for, by your living, you sanctified life. By your dying, you conquered death. By your suffering, you gave meaning to suffering. By your loving, you showed us the true measure of love. For becoming a spring of living water in our hearts, so that we no longer have to thirst ever again. For the certain knowledge that you will complete the work you've started in our lives.

Amen

The Royal Way

When people hate you and despise you
And distort every word you say,
Don’t fight or curse them, don’t get even,
Forgiveness is the royal way.

When burdens are too hard to bear
And pain knocks down your house of clay,
Don’t moan, don’t give in to despair,
Endurance is the royal way.

When you see suffering and fear,
When others turn their face away,
Tend to the wounds and wipe the tears,
Compassion is the royal way.

And whether you meet kings or beggars,
Great saints or sinners gone astray,
Serve all as if they were your brothers,
Humility’s the royal way.

Whatever this world has to offer,
And in your journey come what may,
You’ll conquer all if you remember
That Jesus walked the royal way.

Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold

When conflict’s in the air
And hatred rules the world,
When no one seems to care,
Don’t let your love grow cold.

When people curse and scream
And tragedies unfold,
When hope seems just a dream,
Don’t let your love grow cold.

When clouds darken the sky
And evil calls good old,
When everyone cries “why?”,
Don’t let your love grow cold.

When faith crumbles like glass
Remember we’ve been told
These things will have to pass,
Don’t let your love grow cold.

And even if they tell you
There is no God above,
Cling to your highest value.
Fear not and choose to love.

Our Greatest Treasure

You taught us not to be afraid,
And what great strength we found in you!
Today, when all things have been said,
Your words are still so deeply true.

You promised you would be with us
And never let us walk alone.
Now, when two thousand years have passed,
Your faithful promises still hold.

For us you prayed, you cried, you died
Though mercy was your only crime,
Now, after all things have been tried,
Your love still stands the test of time.

Kingdoms and rulers come and go,
And nation rises against nation,
But when most things have said their ‘no’,
Your ‘yes’ is still our sweet salvation.

The world is older, but no wiser,
As we move closer to the end,
But when we seek you in our trial
Today, as always, you’re our friend.

Today we fly across the sky
And we invent the world anew,
But when it’s time to say goodbye,
We still have no one left but you.

We dream and learn, and go astray,
We gather riches beyond measure,
But when all things have had their say,
You still remain our greatest treasure.

Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace

A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

Short Prayer of Surrender

Father God, to you we give everything we've got, everything we are. We already belong to you, but we surrender ourselves again, so that we can honor you with our choice just like you honored us with the gift of free choice. Help us use this gift wisely - always as a return ticket to you, for whom our hearts long, who gave us life and being and in whom our souls can find perfect peace. Amen

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Prayer for God's Strength

Lord God, it is in our weakness that your strength shines through, for nothing reveals your power more than the way you deal with our brokenness. For you do not discard what the world has discarded and you do not despise what the world has despised. You take the broken vessels and put the pieces back together and you fill them with living water until they overflow, and from their abundance they quench the thirst of many souls. Father, because you love us in our weakness and your love never fails, let your strength in us be our foundation for a new life and a new beginning. Ground us in you, so that from you we can draw our nourishment and never become hungry again. AMEN

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The Prayer of Jesus for Us

From the series "Bible Prayers" or "Famous Prayers in the Bible"

Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus prayed for us. In actual fact, he was the first one who prayed for us, long before we were born into this world. Even if no one else had ever prayed for us ever since, his prayer would still be enough. All we have to do is acknowledge it, recognize it is for us and ask God to listen to it.

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17 (NLT)

Prayer for Financial Blessing

Note: Many people have requested prayers for financial blessings and help for coping with financial difficulties. This prayer is for them and for all those who turn their eyes to the Lord in their time of need.

Great God of love and mercy, you know not only the depths of our hearts but also every situation and turn of circumstance in our lives. You know your children who are struggling with financial difficulties, inability to pay their debts, unemployment, frustration for not being able to provide for their families, and painful uncertainty as to what tomorrow might bring. You know their tears and their prayers and none of them is forgotten before you.

For all these people I pray, and especially for those who read this prayer and feel it is for them. Bless them, Father, bless them with prosperity and abundance, so that their heart can rejoice and be grateful. Bless them with a miracle, so that they can praise you wholeheartedly and tell everybody what an amazing God you are. Take the burden of worries and struggles off their shoulders, so that they can enjoy and share the full blessing of having a perfect Father like you.

Lord God, you know each and every one of those whom I am praying for. They are your children and you love them dearly. Provide for them and for their families. Provide in wonderful ways, for you are a God of miracles and the source of all goodness. Bring before them the right people and the right circumstances so that they can get the help they need and make best use of the gifts you have given them. Bless them generously, for out of your infinite richness you give and your treasures never end.

Lord God, look upon your children who are struggling with financial problems, look upon the person who is reading this prayer right now, and provide for their every need. Work in their lives in ways full of power, in ways that reveal your glory and love. For wherever you outpour your blessings, there is fulfillment and every good work is made complete.

Do not let your beloved struggle for too long, for you delight in being good and giving good gifts to those who seek you. Do not let anyone in need walk away from this prayer without fruit, without a positive change in their lives. Let their voices be heard. Let their faith be rewarded. Let their tears of frustration and sorrow turn to tears of gratitude and joy. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Jonah's Prayer

From the series "Bible Prayers" or "Famous Prayers in the Bible"

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, "I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’

“I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

Jonah 2:1-10 (New Living Translation)

Prayer for Overcoming Temptations

Lord God, you know the temptations I'm facing. You know how they weaken my will, distress my heart and wound my conscience. For my temptations make me so painfully aware of my own weakness that sometimes I find it difficult even to come before you in prayer, knowing how unworthy I am of your goodness.

But you are a God of love and forgiveness, a God of strength and hope, and our faith in you is our rock in times of trials. That's why I lift my eyes to you and I pray with David: "From the end of the earth will I cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Though the waves of temptation threaten to overwhelm me, bear with me, faithful God, strengthen my heart and sharpen my will until the storm passes and the sea is calm again. And even if I stumble on the way, do not let me fall, but stay by my side until all my stumbling blocks are torn to pieces and I can find peace in my soul again.

Just like you were with your son Jesus in the wilderness, be with me in this trial and use this temptation for my growth. You have the power to turn even evil into good. It's not in my own strength, but in yours I trust, my Lord. This is your battle, not mine. Fight it for me and let me rejoice in your victory.

AMEN

Prayer in time of Depression, Doubts and Confusion

Father God, in this world of conflict and confusion, my mind is torn apart by questions and doubts that steal my sleep at night and rob me of my peace during the day. But you are my light, the One who lights my flickering candle and keeps it burning. You know all the darkest corners of my soul, the things I try to hide even from myself, and you love me as I am. The stench of my sins did not drive you away from me, but you filled my heart with a strong desire to be healed and a deep longing for you. 

That's why I come before you today and I pray with all my heart: show me the way out of this labyrinth, don't let go of my hand, so that even if I walk through a dark tunnel, I can still feel the warm touch of your hand guiding me. You are the light that gave light to my eyes, the love that gave love to my soul. In you I lack nothing, in you nothing can harm me, in you my victory is complete. Bring me to you and keep me by your heart.

Father, I know I am weak. My weakness is my pain and my torment. I can feel it every day, it's like a poison coming from inside and I am so weary of fighting it. But I am yours and that is my only consolation, the thought that gives me rest and strength to carry on. I am yours and to you I pray: Father, take care of what is yours. Take this burden off my shoulders, don't let me carry it alone.

I have put my soul in your hands, keep it safe. Release me from the grip of my own mind, protect me from my own destructive thoughts. I cannot do it without your help. You have walked this way of thorns yourself and you have carried the cross until the end. Help me do the same and never forsake me. You alone know what lies ahead. Remain in me, so that I can overcome the world and taste the joy you have prepared for your beloved.

In the name of our beloved Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Prayer for Guidance and Meaning

My Lord, to you we surrender our souls and everything we've got, guide us safely to a place where love casts out all fear. Fulfill your work in us and bring your kingdom in our hearts. Stir us and awaken us from our deep sleep and help us remember who we really are. I do not ask you to take away every pain and worry in our lives, but to show us their meaning and with every new meaning, to help us love you even more. I do not ask you to grant us our every wish, but to bring us to a point when our wishes coincide with your will. Keep our candle burning in any weather and never let us forget what a great treasure we have in you. Amen

Prayer for Worry and Anxiety

Dear Lord, my worries overwhelm me and their burden presses hard on my shoulders. The future seems clouded in uncertainty and any attempt to predict it fills my heart with painful anxiety. But you know all these things, Father. You hold the strings of my life. That’s why I turn to you and I place my present and my future in your hands. Take the burden of my worries off my shoulders and renew your love in me.

You have taken care of me so far and you have protected me from all devastating evil. You’ve fulfilled my needs and comforted me in every pain and trial. Today I put before me the words of your Son, Jesus Christ, who told us not to worry, for nothing happens on earth or in heaven without your knowledge and your will. Let me never forget this lesson and live my life in accordance with it.

When I look at my past with the eyes of the present, I realize how much suffering I would have been spared of, had I listened to these words and followed your advice. I know it is too late to change what has already been but, starting from this moment, I choose to put everything in your hands and live as you want me to – in faith, hope and love.

I know that sometimes I will be tempted to fall back to my old ways and the spirit of fear, worry and anxiety will try to take possession of my soul once more. In those moments of grievous temptations, remind me I am yours and bring me back to you. Never let me forget that I am a new man in Christ, that in him my soul has peace and salvation - heavenly treasures that nothing and nobody can take away from me. Help me to live my life in the light of this truth and never let anything separate me from your love.

AMEN

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

by George Matheson

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.