May 26: A Prayer for Our Artists and Athletes

Holy Father, thank You for creating us in Your image, and gifting us with the desire and ability to create artistically and to perform athletically. Thank You for giving us talents and physical strength. The scope of all that we can create and do through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, has yet to be realized. Thank You for the disciplines of these areas.  Lord, Your Name is holy.  You are our hiding place.  It is You who protects us from trouble and surrounds us with songs of victory.   With all of our hearts, we give thanks to You.  We praise Your Name for Your love and faithfulness.

 

Magnificent Father, we know that whatever is good and perfect comes to us from You, O God, who created all the lights in the heavens. You never change or cast a shifting shadow. The Arts and Sports are a blessing to us.  We believe that they are for our pleasure, and increase our quality of life. Your Word tells us that You richly give us all we need for our enjoyment. This is not only for us, but for our children. Therefore, as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven, we confess that art programs and sports will be recognized as a crucial part of our children’s development and education and will increase in number and in excellence across the world. We declare that these arts and athletic programs will give them a platform to explore and embrace their creative selves and abilities. We decree favor and provision for these programs right now!  We confess that a spirit of excellence will arise in the Arts, as well as the sports industry and that through them, Jesus Christ will be lifted up from the earth, drawing all people to Himself.

 

Holy Spirit, what are my creative talents and athletic abilities?  List and thank God for them:

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Holy Spirit, give us an increase in creative thought and athletic strength and skill. Help us not to become lazy and apathetic, unwilling to experience new things. Remove from us the fear of being different, and help us to realize that we are called to be distinctive in our way of life.  Remind us that we are a chosen people; royal priests, a holy nation, God’s own possession. Teach us to carry ourselves as kings, and queens, and lords, especially in the use of our creative abilities and athletics. Help us as parents and guardians in the community of faith to encourage our children and youth in the proper use of their artistic gifts and athletic abilities. Teach all Your people the importance of putting our financial and social support behind libraries, museums, theaters, and schools of art for the sake of future generations.  Enlighten the legislators worldwide who have been close-minded about the Arts to understand that they are an important and necessary part of creating balance and cultural harmony.  Lead them as they make decisions about the amount of funds to appropriate to the Arts.  Give coaches and general managers the ability to properly train and equip our athletes at our schools and universities.  Please protect our athletes from personal injuries.

 

Awesome Father, forgive us for taking the beauty of the arts and athletic programs for granted. Forgive those who have tainted the Arts and Sports through their acts of ungodliness.  Forgive those who condemn the teaching and expression of the Arts, not regarding them as a form of worship. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed).  Holy Spirit, remind us all of those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive.  As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show you names or faces of people that you may need to forgive.  As He shows you, say aloud, “I forgive name of person(s).”  Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)

 

Holy Spirit, help our artists and athletes to not yield to temptation; but deliver us all from the evil one.

 

Lord, You are great! You are robed in honor and majesty. You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens. Lord, what a variety of things You have made!  In wisdom You have made them all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Scripture References for the Written Text:  Psalm 32:7, Psalm 138:1-2, Genesis 1:26, Isaiah 64:8, Genesis 1:1, 31, Psalm 66:4, James 1:17, I Timothy 6:17, John 12:31, I Peter 2:9, Matthew 6:13, Psalm 104:1-2, 24

 

A Prayer for the Victims of Natural Disasters

A Prayer for the Victims of Natural Disasters

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 19, James 2

 

Reflections of the Heart:

The Lord is our light and our salvation, so why should we fear?  The Lord protects us from danger, so why should we tremble?  It is assuring to know that our lives are hidden in the Lord!

Scriptural Prayer:

Father, there is none like You.  You are great and Your Name is great in might.  Who would not fear You, O King of the nations, for this is Your rightful due.  Among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.  You are the true and living God and the everlasting King.  The earth trembles at Your wrath and the nations are not able to endure Your indignation.  Lord, we thank You for demonstrating Your loving kindness and tender mercies towards humanity.  Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem humankind from the power of the evil one.  Thank You for sending relief to the persons who have been affected by the natural disasters.  Lord, even though there are tragedies, yet You are still good and Your mercy endures forever.

Father, by using the authority given to us, we speak to the fires in California and Colorado and to the flooding in Iowa and we command them to cease.  We command the ground and vegetation to be dampened by rain, in the Midwestern United States.  We speak to the natural processes, such as hurricanes, weather systems, and snowmelt, which cause flooding and we command that they align with the perfect will of God.  Our nation has been devastated by the fires and flooding, and many families have been affected.  Lord, it is Your will for us to pray for those who are suffering.  We pray because You want us to weep with those who weep.  We pray for the victims of these natural disasters in our nation.  Lord, it is Your desire that all of humankind call on Your Name and worship You.  You do not want any person to live without You.  Like a mother hen, You desire to protect and care for Your creation, therefore, we expect relief for the persons who are in need.  Lord, we believe that You will regard and not despise the prayers of the destitute.  Lord, we confess that we will continue to pray for these persons and help them with our giving when there is a need to be met, for faith without works is dead.

Today, using the authority that Jesus Christ has given you, go outside and speak specifically to the weather in  California, Colorado and Iowa  and command the fires and flooding to cease:

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Father, please extend Your mercy and grace to the victims of these natural disasters.  Comfort these persons and protect them.  Please continue to provide food, clothing, shelter and employment for them.  Continue to touch the heart of our nation and world to give.  Holy Spirit, touch the hearts of local, state, and federal government officials to properly rebuild the levees, dams and drainage systems within the communities of our nation.  Protect the firefighters, public service workers and volunteers who are serving and let Your everlasting love be felt overwhelmingly by the people.  Lord, help the body of Christ to demonstrate Jesus’ love through acts of giving and compassion.  Lord, we ask You to send Your laborers to share Your Gospel and to gather Your harvest.

Father, forgive us for being insensitive to the needs of those persons who have been affected by these natural disasters.  Forgive those persons who do not acknowledge You as the only true and living God. Forgive them for all acts of sinfulness.  Lord, help them to forgive.  Lord, please have mercy!

 

Lord, lead them not to temptation; but deliver them from the evil one.

Lord, You are the King of glory.  You are the Lord, strong and mighty.  You are the Lord, invincible in battle.  The earth is Yours and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to You.  You are worthy, Lord our God, to receive glory, and honor and power.  You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture References for the Written Text:  Jeremiah 10:6-7, 10, Lamentations 3:22-23,Psalm 136:1, Romans 12:15, II Peter 3:9, Luke 13:34, Psalm 102:17, James 2:14-17, I Timothy 2:1, Matthew 9:38, Matthew 6:13, Psalm 24:8,1,  Revelation 4:11

 

 

 

A Prayer for Recovery and Restoration in Japan

A Prayer for Recovery and Restoration in Japan

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the nation of Japan and its people.  Thank You for being Jehovah Shalom, the Lord God of peace. Thank You for watching over the nation of Japan and for sending people to help them to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami.  Lord, we, Your children, long for You as the deer longs for streams of water.  We thirst for You, the living God. Father, all that is within us will wait quietly for You. You alone are our rock and our salvation.  You are our fortress where we will not be shaken. Our victory and honor comes from You alone. Lord, You are majestic and we bless Your holy and righteous Name.

Eternal Father, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in Japan. Today, we cry out for the nation of Japan. As the people of God, we know that Your arm is not too weak to save the Japanese people from this devastating disaster.  We expect Your divine intervention because we are praying. We confess that through the recovery process the people of Japan will realize that You so loved them that You gave Your one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. Using the authority given to us by Jesus Christ, we speak to the radioactive iodine levels and command them to decrease so that the water and food supply is safe for public consumption.  We declare that human radioactive contamination will not increase.  Lord, You have not given the Japanese people a spirit of fear so we cancel the assignment of fear that is preventing tourists from visiting the resorts and businesses that have been restored. We call forth justice to run down like water and righteousness like a stream for the families who make a living in the fishing industry in Japan. We call forth adequate compensation for those whose businesses have been stalled because of the contaminated sea water. We decree that Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) CEO Masataka Shimizu will listen to wise counsel and receive instruction as they co-devise recovery strategies.  We command the necessary funds for rebuilding to come forth!

Holy Spirit, thousands of people are still missing, please guide the efforts of the rescue teams in their recovery efforts.  Give peace to those families who are still waiting for word about missing loved ones. Continue to give the TEPCO engineers wisdom as they work on rebuilding the damaged reactors.  Reveal any breaches to the facility structure.  Protect and watch over the workers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station as they perform their daily duties. Touch the hearts of the global community to continue to assist Japan in this extraordinary recovery effort. Lord, touch the hearts of world leaders to continue to provide the necessary support Japan will need to rebuild.

Merciful Father, please forgive all of us for our many sins. Forgive us for disobedience, rebellion, unbelief, forms of idolatry, shedding of innocent blood, and the rejection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive those who prey on people in tragic circumstances. Forgive the people in Japan who have not been sensitive to Your leadership. Forgive those Christians who live among the people in this part of the world for not adequately praying for this nation and for not consistently sharing Your love and Your Word.  Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed.)  Holy Spirit, remind the residents of Japan of those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive.  As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive.  (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show you names or faces of people that you may need to forgive.  As He shows you, say aloud, “I forgive name of person(s).”  Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)

Faithful Father, help the residents of Japan to not yield to temptation; but deliver them from the evil one.

We worship You, O Great Deliverer! All praise belongs to You. You are the Lord God of Israel who alone does such wonderful things.  We will praise Your glorious Name forever.  Let the whole earth be filled with Your glory, Amen and Amen!

Scripture References for the Written Text:  Judges 6:24, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 62:5-7, Matthew 6:10, Isaiah 59:1, John 3:16, II Timothy 1:2, Amos 5:24, Proverbs 20:18, Matthew 6:13, Psalm 72:18-19

© Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.   ©2011 Caldwell Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved — No reproduction of the material is permitted without the expressed permission of CMI

 

A Prayer of Appreciation for the Beauty of God’s Creation

A Prayer of Appreciation for the Beauty of God’s Creation

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 148, Psalm 19:1-6

Reflections of the Heart:

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” ~ John Muir

Scriptural Prayer:

Precious Father, thank You for allowing us to benefit from the beauty of all that Your hand has created. Thank You for our seas, forests, and skies. Thank You for all the beautiful and fragrant plants, and for the power and wonder of every animal. Thank You for the seasons and the rains that keep our earth reproducing. We will wake the dawn with our song. O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic Name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. When we look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars you set in place; what are mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them? The highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to You. We are blessed to be the recipients of all the beauty that surrounds us and testifies of Your awesome glory. We will sing to You as long as we live. We will praise You until our last breath! May all our thoughts be pleasing to You, for we rejoice in You, Father.

Holy Father, we, the Body of Christ, decree that You have made us only a little lower than Yourself and crowned us with glory and honor. You have given us charge of everything You made. All things – flocks and herds, wild animals, birds, fish, and everything that swims in the ocean – is under our authority. But, we will not boast in our authority, but in the fact that our names are registered in heaven. We confess that we will not defile the land that You have given us, but we will guard against wasting our natural resources. Lord, we will adopt better, cleaner practices and teach them to our children so that we can bless the earth for future generations. We declare that we will obey the laws of the land when we enjoy the outdoors, and we will not fail to give You glory for the beauty of all that You’ve created. It is our honor and privilege to care for all the creatures of the earth and we will respect and value all that Your hand has made.

Take a moment to reflect on all that you love about nature and praise God for it right now:

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Holy Spirit, keep us always aware of how we treat the Father’s creation. Help us to find the amazement we once had as children when we look at the awesome beauty of our world. Show us, once again, the simple joys of walking barefoot on a sandy beach, playing in the rain, and touching the cool earth with our hands. Remind us to share these joys with our children and to teach them to value all that the Father has made so that generations to come can benefit from these things, too. Help us to make the most of opportunities to experience sanctified times of solitude while enjoying the peacefulness of nature. Help us to keep the Lord’s commandments to preserve the earth and care for all that is in it. Teach us to regularly do our part to respect and protect all living creatures as an act of love and gratitude to our Heavenly Father.

Father God, forgive us for our sins against nature. Forgive us when we flippantly complain about the weather. Forgive us for being lazy and refusing to participate in recycling and conservation efforts. Forgive us for being critical of those who have been appointed to lead the charge in promoting a return to conservatory practices. Forgive us for overlooking and trampling underfoot even the most delicate flower. Forgive us for failing to teach our children the importance of showing appreciation and giving thanks for everything thing the earth offers to sustain us. Forgive us for borrowing from their future with our selfish greed.  Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that You have committed). Holy Spirit, remind us all of those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show You names or faces of people that You may need to forgive. As He shows You, say aloud, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in Your soul caused by unforgiveness.)

Blessed Father, help us all to not yield to temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.

Sovereign Lord, You made the earth by the power of Your Word and preserve it by Your Wisdom.  With Your own understanding You stretched out the heavens.  When You speak in the thunder, You announce that the heavens are filled with water.  You cause the clouds to rise over the earth.  You send the lightning with the rain and release the wind from Your storehouses.  Holy, holy, holy are You the Lord of Heaven’s Armies; the whole earth is filled with Your glory!  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture References for the Written Text: Psalm 8:3-4, Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 104:33-34, Psalm 8:5-8, Luke 10:20, Numbers 35:34, Genesis 2:15, Matthew 6:13, Jeremiah 51:15-16, Isaiah 6:3

Today I will trust God to:

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© Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.   ©2011 Caldwell Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved — No reproduction of the material is permitted without the expressed permission of CMI.