March 9, 2021 Prayer - Psalm 71 Prayer for our Children

God of the Children, 

You are our rock in whom we take refuge; our shield, the horn of our salvation, our stronghold and our savior who saves us from violence. Today we call upon our Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and ask your protection of our children. Many have had their lives uprooted and upended by the events of the past year, and we pray that your hands of protection would be upon this generation of children, teens, and young adults.  You said that children are 

a love-gift from you; they are heaven’s generous reward.  Help us to treat our children well, knowing that they are precious in your sight and you love them.  Help us as a society, as families, and as churches, to teach them diligently to love you and to keep your commandments.  Help us to declare your power to the next generation that they would each come to know you as Lord and Savior and would serve in your Kingdom.  Your word tells us not to hinder them from coming to you, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these, and to train them up in the way they should go so that even when they are old they will not depart from your Goodness.  Today we pray against any and all spiritual forces of darkness that are trying to come against these generations.  In the name of Jesus we rebuke spirits of depression, suicide, despair, hopelessness, abortion, poverty, loss, miseducation, abuse, fatherlessness, lawlessness, and other wickedness.  In you, Lord, we put them into refuge and pray that in your righteousness you would rescue and deliver them. Be their rock of refuge; deliver them from the hands of the wicked and the grasp of evil and cruelty.  You have made them see many great and bitter troubles this year, yet, we believe you will restore their lives again and comfort them.  Defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy.  Crush the oppressors of this generation.  May the praise of children be a stronghold against their enemies, silencing their foes and avengers, so they always have hope.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen. 

"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.

2 

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear to me and save me.

3 

Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

5 

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth.

6 

From birth I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
    I will ever praise you.

7 

I have become a sign to many;
    you are my strong refuge.

8 

My mouth is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor all day long.

18 

Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

19 

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,

    you who have done great things.

    Who is like you, God?

20 

Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

21 

You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more." (Psalm 71 NIV)

"My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." (2 Samuel 22:3-4 ESV)

"Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward." (Psalm 127:3 TPT)

"For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west." (Isaiah 43:3-5 NIV)

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths]..." (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 AMP)

"Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:16 NIV)

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea....See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:6,10 ESV)

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

"Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2 NIV)

"May he defend the afflicted among the people

    and save the children of the needy;
    may he crush the oppressor." (Psalm 72:4 NIV)

March 8, 2021 Prayer - Psalms 69-70 for the Downtrodden

 God of the Downtrodden,

With all the universe, the high heavens and everyone on earth, we praise you! We praise your name in song and glorify you with thanksgiving.  Thank you for the goodness of your love and how, in your great mercy, you turn to us and hear our prayers.  Come quickly to save those you love.  Some of us are struggling with a variety of earth-bound struggles, but others of us have hearts torn in two for the state of our nation.  The floods of trouble have risen higher and higher.  The waters of trial are up to our neck and it seems we are about to drown in the storm; we sink into the mud with no place to stand.  We are weary, exhausted with weeping.  We are waiting for you, God, to come through for us because we are misunderstood, insulted, scorned, or even maligned because of our zeal for you and your Kingdom.  When we are afflicted and in pain, falsely accused, and even persecuted, remind us that you hear the needy and do not despise your people.  Instead turn the attacks of our accusers - especially the enemy of our soul - back on them.  May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see and their backs be bent forever.  Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.  May those who want to torment us, either as individuals or as a nation, be put to shame and confusion; may all those who desire our ruin be turned back in disgrace. We believe you will renew our strength and restore the weary, broken places in our individual lives and the life of this nation as we seek your power and glory.  Pour out your Holy Spirit for a Great Awakening in this nation and for revival, renewal, and reformation in our individual lives and your Church. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

" These floods of trouble have risen higher and higher.
    The water is up to my neck!
    I’m sinking into the mud with no place to stand,
    and I’m about to drown in this storm.
3 I’m weary, exhausted with weeping.
    My throat is dry, my voice is gone, my eyes are swollen with sorrow,
    and I’m waiting for you, God, to come through for me.

Let all the universe praise him!
    The high heavens and everyone on earth, praise him!

    Let the oceans deep, with everything in them, keep it up!" (Psalm 69:1-3, 34 TPT)

"I am a foreigner to my own family,

    a stranger to my own mother’s children;

for zeal for your house consumes me,

    and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

When I weep and fast,

    I must endure scorn...

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;

    in your great mercy turn to me...

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
    all my enemies are before you...

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,

    and their backs be bent forever.

Pour out your wrath on them;

    let your fierce anger overtake them.

For they persecute those you wound
    and talk about the pain of those you hurt...

But as for me, afflicted and in pain—

    may your salvation, God, protect me.

I will praise God’s name in song

    and glorify him with thanksgiving." (Psalm 69:8-10, 16, 19, 23-24, 26, 29-30 NIV)

"Hasten, O God, to save me;

    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May those who want to take my life

    be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

    be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

    turn back because of their shame.

But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

    “The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;

    come quickly to me, O God.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    Lord, do not delay." (Psalm 71 NIV)

"Though all your wanderings wearied you, you never said, ‘I give up.’ Your strength was renewed so that you did not faint." (Isaiah 57:10 TPT)

March 7, 2021 Prayer - For the Mountain of Government

King of Kings, Lord of Lords,

You are exalted, for you dwell on high, filling your people with justice and righteousness.  You are the sure foundation for our times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.  You are our Judge, Lawgiver, King and the One who will save us. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, we thank you that you are in control of all aspects of our civic lives.  You are our true tower of strength, our safe place, our hideout, and our true shelter when the world seems crazy.  You call us to be obedient, ready for every good work, speaking evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.  So we pray that your love may abound in us more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.  We know that when we do not speak or act against the face of evil, our silence is in itself evil and you will not hold us guiltless. So help us to discern, pray, speak, and act from a pure heart - to overcome evil with Good - with the intention of standing up for your goodness and grace in our society.  Your Word calls us to submit to the governing authorities that you have appointed, but also calls us to have nothing to do with corrupt rulers who pass laws that empower evil and defeat what is right.  You given to our citizens the choice of our rulers and we recognize that it is the duty, as well as the privilege, of our nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.  Yet, so many of our elected and appointed leaders seem so far from Christ.  So, in this day and time when evil seems to have won so much, we declare NO MORE to the wicked people and ideas currently controlling much of our governments.  We know that their evil plans and plots will eventually boomerang back onto them and seal their own doom.  We pray in the name of Jesus that you would set people around those in authority to witness your Truth and Righteousness to them. Set their minds on you and your ideas, not the ideas of the flesh or the enemy, so that they are not hostile to, but can submit to God. In the meantime, we pray you would thwart all the enemy's plans in every level of government for harm of this nation. Your wisdom is profound, your power is vast; you move mountains of evil without their knowing it and overturn them in your anger. And where there are godly, Spirit-led political leaders, help us to submit with joy to their authority, knowing that they will have to give an account to you for the decisions they make. Help us to live in peace with everyone and to be holy. Today we pray for godly city council members, school board members, county commissioners, judges at all levels, state house and federal representatives and senators, state Attorney Generals, Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, Governors, the President and Vice President of the U.S., their Cabinet and other officers. We pray that those filling these positions will be men and women whose hearts and minds are surrendered to you, Jesus Christ, who are filled with the Holy Spirit, who have character that reflects the heart of Christ, and who are diligent in Bible study and prayer.  We pray for righteous leaders to be raised up in our nation who will honor God and His ways.  All this we pray in the strong name of Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen!

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;

    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.

He will be the sure foundation for your times,

    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;

    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

For the Lord is our judge,

    the Lord is our lawgiver,

the Lord is our king;

    it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 22:5, 6, 22 NIV)

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." (Titus 3:1-2 ESV)

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." (Philiippians 1:9-10 NIV)

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” - attributed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21 NIV)

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ... (Romans 13:1-7 ESV)

"It’s obvious to all; you will have nothing to do

with corrupt rulers who pass laws that empower evil

and defeat what is right.

For they gang up against the lovers of righteousness

and condemn the innocent to death.

But I know that all their evil plans will boomerang back onto them.

Every plot they hatch will simply seal their own doom.

For you, my God, you will destroy them,

giving them what they deserve.

For you are my true tower of strength,

my safe place, my hideout, and my true shelter." (Psalm 94:20-23 TPT)

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17 ESV)

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14 NIV)

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot." (Romans 8:7 ESV)

"But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29 ESV)

"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV)

"His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.

   Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?  

He moves mountains without their knowing it 

   and overturns them in his anger."  (Job 9:4-5 NIV)

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. It’s the duty as well as the privilege of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” - John Jay (first U.S. Supreme Court judge)

March 6, 2021 Prayer - Psalm 68 - Refreshment and Revival

Reviving God,

We sing to you, our God, to the Lord, who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice.  We proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over us, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; you give power and strength to your people. To the fatherless you are a father; to the widow you are a champion friend. You make lonely part of families and lead the prisoners out with singing.   You have given us this nation to steward - her resources, her people, and the ideals on which she was founded.  Help us to be protectors of those things.  Send the Awakening of Holy Spirit to renew, revive, and reform this country.  Send the reviving rain of Holy Spirit upon your weary people, especially those who seek to honor what we have inherited.  You are a glorious God who gives salvation.  Every day you carry our burdens and we praise you for that.  Thank you that you reign over the mountain of this nation and you hear our prayers for her.  May all those who worship you, the Sovereign God who saves, be built up in the most holy faith.   We pray in Jesus's name, Amen. 

   

"God! Arise with awesome power,

    and every one of your enemies will scatter in fear!

Chase them away—all these God-haters.

    Blow them away as a puff of smoke.

    Melt them away like wax in the fire.

    One good look at you and the wicked vanish.

 

But let all the righteous be glad!

    Yes, let them all rejoice in your presence

    and be carried away with gladness.

    Let them laugh and be radiant with joy!

Let them sing their celebration-songs

    for the coming of the cloud rider whose name is Yah!

To the fatherless he is a father.

    To the widow he is a champion friend.

    The lonely he makes part of a family.

    The prisoners he leads into prosperity until they sing for joy.

    This is our Holy God in his Holy Place!

    But for the rebels there is heartache and despair.

O Lord, it was you who marched in front of your people,

    leading them through the wasteland.

Pause in his presence

 

The earth shook beneath your feet; the heavens filled with clouds

    before the presence of the God of Sinai.

    The sacred mountain shook at the sight of the face of Israel’s God.

You, O God, sent the reviving rain upon your weary inheritance,

    showers of blessing to refresh it.

So there your people settled.

    And in your kindness you provided the poor with abundance.

 

God Almighty declares the word of the gospel with power,

    and the warring women of Zion deliver its message:

“The conquering legions have themselves been conquered.

    Look at them flee!”

    Now Zion’s women are left to gather the spoils.

 

When you sleep between sharpened stakes,

    I see you sparkling like silver and glistening like gold,

    covered by the beautiful wings of a dove!

When the Almighty found a king for himself,

    it became white as snow in his shade.

 

O huge, magnificent mountain,

    you are the mighty kingdom of God!

    All the other peaks, though impressive and imposing,

    look with envy on you, Mount Zion!

    For Zion is the mountain where God has chosen to live forever.

Look! The mighty chariots of God!

    Ten thousands upon ten thousands,

    more than anyone could ever number.

    God is at the front,

    leading them all from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary

    with the radiance of holiness upon him.

 

He ascends into the heavenly heights,

    taking his many captured ones with him,

    leading them in triumphal procession.

    And gifts were given to men, even the once rebellious,

    so that they may dwell with Yah.

What a glorious God!

    He gives us salvation over and over,

    then daily he carries our burdens!

Pause in his presence

 

Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over!

    For the Lord, Yahweh, rescues us

    from the ways of death many times.

 

But he will crush every enemy, shattering their strength.

    He will make heads roll

    for they refuse to repent of their stubborn, sinful ways. 

I hear the Lord God saying to all the enemies of his people,

    “You’d better come out of your hiding places,

    all of you who are doing your best to stay far away from me.

    Don’t you know there’s no place to hide?

 

For my people will be the conquerors;

    they will soon have you under their feet.

    They will crush you until there is nothing left!”

O God, my King, your triumphal processions

    keep moving onward in holiness;

    you’re moving onward toward the Holy Place!

Leaders in front, then musicians,

    with young maidens in between, striking their tambourines.

And they sing, “Let all God’s princely people rejoice!

    Let all the congregations bring their blessing to God, saying,

    ‘The Lord of the fountain! The Lord of the fountain of life!

    The Lord of the fountain of Israel!’ ”

 

Astonishingly, it’s the favored youth leading the way:

    princes of praise in their royal robes

    and exalted princes are among them,

    along with princes who have wrestled with God.

Display your strength, God, and we’ll be strong!

    For your miracles have made us who we are.

    Lord, do it again

    and parade from your temple your mighty power.

    By your command even kings will bring gifts to you.

 

God, rebuke the beast-life that hides within us!

    Rebuke those who claim to be “strong ones,”

    who lurk within the congregation

    and abuse the people out of their love for money.

    God scatters the people who are spoiling for a fight.

 

Africa will send her noble envoys to you, O God.   They will come running, stretching out their hands in love to you.

Let all the nations of the earth sing songs of praise to Almighty God!

    Go ahead, all you nations—sing your praise to the Lord!

Pause in his presence

 

Make music for the one who strides the ancient skies.

    Listen to his thunderous voice of might split open the heavens.

Give it up for God, for he alone has all the strength and power!

    Proclaim his majesty! For his glory shines down on Israel.

    His mighty strength soars in the clouds of glory.

 

God, we are consumed with awe, trembling before you

    as your glory streams from your Holy Place.

    The God of power shares his mighty strength with Israel

    and with all his people.

    God, we give our highest praise to you!" (Psalm 68 TPT)

"May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;

may his foes flee before him.

May you blow them away like smoke—

    as wax melts before the fire,

    may the wicked perish before God.

But may the righteous be glad

    and rejoice before God;

    may they be happy and joyful.

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,

    extol him who rides on the clouds;

    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

    is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families,

    he leads out the prisoners with singing;

    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

When you, God, went out before your people,

    when you marched through the wilderness,

the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,

    before God, the One of Sinai,

    before God, the God of Israel.

You gave abundant showers, O God;

    you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Your people settled in it,

    and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.

The Lord announces the word,

    and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:

“Kings and armies flee in haste;

    the women at home divide the plunder.

Even while you sleep among the sheep pens,[e]

    the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,

    its feathers with shining gold.”

When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,

    it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,

    Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,

why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,

    at the mountain where God chooses to reign,

    where the Lord himself will dwell forever?

The chariots of God are tens of thousands

    and thousands of thousands;

    the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

When you ascended on high,

    you took many captives;

    you received gifts from people,

even from[h] the rebellious—

    that you, Lord God, might dwell there.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,

    who daily bears our burdens.

Our God is a God who saves;

    from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,

    the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.

The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;

    I will bring them from the depths of the sea,

that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,

    while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”

Your procession, God, has come into view,

    the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

In front are the singers, after them the musicians;

    with them are the young women playing the timbrels.

Praise God in the great congregation;

    praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.

There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,

    there the great throng of Judah’s princes,

    and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

Summon your power, God;

    show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.

Because of your temple at Jerusalem

    kings will bring you gifts.

Rebuke the beast among the reeds,

    the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.

Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.

    Scatter the nations who delight in war.

Envoys will come from Egypt;

    Cush will submit herself to God.

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,

    sing praise to the Lord,

to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,

    who thunders with mighty voice.

Proclaim the power of God,

    whose majesty is over Israel,

    whose power is in the heavens.

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;

    the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!" (Psalm 68 NIV)

"But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith

and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait

for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (Jude 20 NIV)

Prayer for March 5, 2021 - Tenacity, Restoration of the U.S.

Tenacious God,

We your faithful people sing the praises of the Lord, for we know your anger and our weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing comes in the morning.  Thank you that you go before us and never leave us or forsake us.  Thank you that we do not fear or suffer discouragement because you are our God.  Father, we ask you for the fulfillment of the dreams you have given to tell us your plans for this nation.  We ask for a tenacious spirit to be imparted to the Spirit-led Church in America. Give us fervent passion to see Your kingdom come, Your will be done in this nation. May we fight for Your purposes as we would fight to save our lives. Bring fresh revelation of Your plan to use America as a strong voice on earth for the gospel of your Kingdom. We pray that this would be revived in our day. We are not of those who turn back. We have put our hand to the plow and we will persevere until we see the total restoration of America. We will plow, Father, until we see the fires of revival burning across this nation and other nations of the earth. We decree over Washington D.C. that the evil strategies of darkness will not prevail. Those who do not want us to be a nation that follows God and His Word, will not succeed in stealing America’s destiny. We ask You, Father, for a complete overhaul of our nation’s capital. We ask for righteous leaders who boldly honor You and Your ways, who love life and protect the babies. We ask for leaders who honor Your definition of marriage and covenant keeping. And we petition You for government leaders who believe in and speak Truth. We pray these things in Christ’s name. Amen.

“God’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls!

His laws lead us to truth, and His ways change the simple into wise.

His teachings make us joyful and radiate His light; His precepts are so pure!

His commands, how they challenge us to keep close to His heart!

The revelation-light of His word makes my spirit shine radiant.

Every one of the Lord’s commands is right; following them brings cheer.

Nothing He says ever needs to be changed.” (Psalm 19: 7-9 TPT)

"Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;

    praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment,

    but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

    but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:4-5 NIV)

“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62)

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

...never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.  Do not let us speak of darker days: let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days; these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race.” - Winston Churchill

* adapted from https://www.givehim15.com/post/march-4-2021

March 4, 2021 Prayer - Leaders and Helpers in the Church

Empowering God,

Praise be to the Lord, for you have heard our cries.  You are our strength and shield; our hearts' trust is in You who helps us.  Our hearts leap for joy, and with our songs we praise you.  You are the strength of your people, a fortress of salvation for your anointed ones. Thank you for your call on our lives to be your disciples and to follow you with our full hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  Thank you for your Church - the Bride you have created to love and that you use to show your Power and Grace in this world. Thank you for the leaders you have set within the church - apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists, healers, and many others whose gifts help to further the ministry of your Church.  It is good to be part of the red-hot platoons of fire-baptized helpers who crowd around God's heroic leaders. Show us your most excellent way - your Way of Love - as your Church serves you.  Clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Help us to bear with each other and forgive one another when we have a grievance against someone else - to forgive as you have forgiven us. May we be unified, peaceful, and thankful as we live in relationship with each other.  Whatever we do, whether in word or deed, may we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, and under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen. 

"Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one." 

(Psalm 28:6-8 NIV)

"And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.  And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 12:28-13:1 NIV)

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17-21 NIV)

O! the infinite value of the humble gospel helpers. Thousands of people who have no gifts as leaders, are number-one helpers. How grand revival works moves along when red-hot platoons of fire-baptized helpers crowd around God's heroic leaders of the embattled hosts." - William Godbey

March 3, 2021 Prayer - Pour out your Love and Spirit in a Great Awakening

Loving Messiah,

We kneel humbly in awe before you, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  You are perfect in all your ways.  Thank you for the gift of grace you give to us through the Son.  Thank you for the gift of Holy Spirit we receive as we know you as Lord and Savior and seek first your Kingdom.  Thank you for every gift you give us that comes down from the One who is Light and immutable.  We pray for deep and abiding faith so the life of Christ is released within us and we, your People and your Church, will the resting place of Love for this world.  Thank you for your astonishing love; how deeply intimate and far-reaching, enduring and inclusive is that love.  Thank you that, when we ask, you pour into us your extravagant love until we are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God.   We pray that you would unveil the unlimited riches of your glory and favor until we are flooded with your supernatural strength and explosive power.   Cause us to achieve infinitely more than our greatest request, our most unbelievable dream, our wildest imaginations because of your miraculous power within us.  Pour out your Spirit so all will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, so that the sick will be healed, the blind see, the lame walk, the captives freed, and your signs and wonders are acknowledged by believer and non-believer alike.  God, pour out a Third Great Awakening in this time and place - awaken the spiritually dead to Life, those living in darkness to great Light, and those who are enslaved to evil and wickedness to New Life lived in the fullness and freedom of your Love and Grace.  We give to you all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. In Christ's name we pray, Amen!

"I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.

Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.

Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!"  (Ephesians 3:14-21 TPT)

" Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17 NIV)

"This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." (Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV)