Praying with the Scriptures - 11 April 2021

 

(I pulled these prayers from my prayer journal. I read Scripture and then turned a small portion into a prayer for myself, my family, my church and my friends. Each one is from a different day in the last three weeks)

“Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted” (Psalm 89:15-16). Ah, Lord, may our day-in-and-day-out lives be illuminated with the light of your uplifted face – to know your smile, feeling its warmth and glow. May our hearts meet you by being lifted up to exult in your name, your honor. And in your righteousness may we be exalted. O Lord, hear our prayer. 

One of your trademarks, your traits, O God, is to care about the oppressed, to rise up on their behalf to defend them (Psalm 103:6). Please do so, Lord. Show forth your righteousness and justice so that those who see it may know it was you and give you praise; so that the oppressor may stop and realize it is you who stood up against him (…). O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Lord, there are a few we have been praying for who have been feeling down, feeling darkened, feeling somewhat despondent (…). Oh, be with them. Bring them to know down to their livers and spleens that they have come to you, the living stone that was rejected by men, but is chosen and precious to the Father. That they are being built up on you and squared to you. Therefore, it is guilt by association (rejected by men) but glory by association (chosen and precious to the Father). Therefore, “whoever believes in him will not be put to shame”! The honor is to them who believe! The honor! Dear Lord, ignite the slow burning embers in their hearts that will warm them. May your love begin to glow in them to make them smoke-ascending incense of thanksgiving and praise (1 Peter 2:4-12 and Exodus 37:25-28). O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Ah, Lord, fortify us that we might be self-controlled (sophronasate) and sober-minded (napsate) for the sake of our prayers. And as a top priority, may we keep on loving one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Give us energy to show hospitality to one another without grumbling. And as we have received gifts from you, may we use them to serve one another as good stewards of your varied grace. All of this so that you may be glorified through our Lord Jesus Christ, for to you belong the glory and dominion forever (1 Peter 4:7-11). O Lord, hear our prayer.

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