Over the past few months, I have come to love my friends here at SearchWarp in a deeper way. In fact, I consider you my extended family and you have become a permanent name on my prayer list.
I have long since gone from sincere prayer to down right supplicating on your behalf. It makes me chuckle thinking about it because the first article I posted on SearchWarp is entitled "Prayer and Supplication: What's the Difference?" I was so happy to have received three stars! Hmm--I just might have to go back and see what I can do to make it four. I know, I know, it's not always about me.
As I was saying, today is no exception and I have a feeling it will never be the same. Many of you have openly shared your trials, fears, and doubts. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, they have not fallen on deaf ears and like you, I have received personal emails with well wishes and prayers and am eternally grateful.
For this reason, I feel compelled to share my heart's prayer--hoping you will be encouraged even more and maybe even learn to pray the Scriptures yourself if this is something you have yet to do.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your lovingkindness, thank you for your faithfulness, thank you for the shed blood of your Son that makes it possible for me to come before your throne of grace with boldness.
Father, I thank you for those you have made family even though I've never met them personally. I thank you that nothing get's by you. That nothing is a surprise to you. Father you have a perfect will for our lives and yet we stray so far away.
We are impatient, we are fearful; we are tired. And in this, we chose our own solution, we make choices based on what we feel is right instead of consulting your word first. And then we wonder why we are in the mess we are in. Father, I ask your forgiveness. Lord, you sent your Son to die, that I might be your child and in that, you paid the price for all my sin and I am grateful.
Father, with a humble heart I come to you and I lift up all the concerns of the hearts of my friends, you know each situation. There is sickness, there are financial struggles, there is divorce, there are those working on their marriage, there are those trapped in a cycle of sin and they do not know the way out. There are those who are bitter and angry toward you. There are those who are bound by the deception of the enemy and there are those who are searching diligently for a closer walk with you.
I ask now in the name of Jesus that you would break the chains that bind, set captives free, comfort the faint in heart, soften the hard heart-turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Bring forgiveness and healing. Open eyes and ears to hear your sweet voice calling them. Bring a mighty miracle for each situation.
Restore relationships, Light the fire that once burned bright and clear. Pour your Holy Spirit on those who do not know you, those who are trying to understand.
Lead those who need a job to the one who is hiring, Father meet each person right where they are, may they feel your loving arms around them and give them peace. Father, we need you, I need you. Even now Lord, as I pray, may your Spirit move. I look forward to answered prayer. Lord your will be done, and may your truth rule and reign in the hearts of your people. Father, I pray for those who are fighting you-they know you are speaking to their heart, even now Lord, bring them to their knees in sweet surrender. Lord Jesus, you told us that anything we ask in your name in accordance with the will of the Father shall be done. And this I know, that you came to seek and save the lost. So I ask Father once again that you would open eyes and ears. Have your way in the lives of my friends and in me. I wait in humble expectation for the praise reports that will come as I continue to seek your face on behalf of my friends. In the most powerful and precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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Alternatively, this is how the Apostle Paul put it in "The Message".
"My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by His Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength--that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly in love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full of the fullness of God. God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! " (Ephesians 3:14-19.)
If praying for others is new to you, Ephesians 3:14-19 is a great place to start. Over time, as God works in you--you will be able to make it your own. Other Scripture references are: Hebrews 4:16, 1John 1:9, Ezekiel 11:19-20,and Psalm 34.
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The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26.)
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