The Gift of prayer... powerful connection

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/4cb06040/the-gift-of-prayer-powerful-connection-holy-spirit-who-or-what-no10

Prayer is a gift, and I never say 'no' to someone who asks for prayer. Which means I often have the privilege to put my hand on someone's fore arm to pray, or bow my head even as I pray over the phone for someone far away.

Admittedly, I hate technology, but then it allows us to connect with someone across thousands of miles and time zones, and go before God together. And.that.is.amazing.

Fact is, we need God today, but some of us are new at the Christian faith, others just cracking the door open again, still others 'tapped' beyond capacity by current circumstances. Sometimes, a little borrowed creAtivity is in order. 

So, here is a prayer for you, my friends--you can pray it again and again:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I stop and try to focus and pray, I look to you. Honestly, I know I really need you, but sometimes I do not even know what to say to you or how to start. Guess I will just start with the prayer you taught the disciples to pray.

Our Father who art… Ah yes, my Father in Heaven, I bow my knee to you.

Hallowed be your name … Lord, your name is holy--it is reverent and powerful, beyond any name I know here on earth because you are mighty and without equal. I want to connect with you today, God, because I know that you are not just mighty, you are also good. I need and want you in my life--even when I go about my daily life as though I don’t. Come, Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit of God, be near, be present.

Thy kingdom come …It is clear this world isn’t going to last forever, and you are going to have your say, you are going to have your way, and so I say even

now, ‘Come, Lord Jesus! Draw me closer to you, draw other people to yourself. Draw my loved ones to You.’

Your will be done - May we learn what it is to walk with you daily, God, for that is your will for all of us.

Won’t you please be merciful to those who are overwhelmed by life right now? [Instantly, I see familiar faces... names, and besides, I know of parts of the world that are under siege, like the Middle East, persecuted Christians in Nigeria and India, O Lord. . . and to those whose lives have been rocked by mental illness, addiction, economic ruin. How we need You!

On earth as it is in heaven - God, draw our leaders, our public figures, professional athletes' and other cultural influencers' hearts toward you. Cause them to stop and consider their mortality, what is most important ... to think about You and reach out to You.

Give us this day our daily bread - While I will not lack food today, I know that millions of others will. Show me where I can give to them. And right now, I think of the Yemenis, Moroccans and other people running for their lives. O God, have mercy! I know that every human being has a daily need of you, as do I. So I look to you that I might receive from you this day what I need to live my best for you. [For each who is praying, the daily need looks a little different--guidance, peace, joy, strength, assurance, hope, purpose . . . O God, give to each of us what we need, I pray Thee]

Father, would you grant me your wisdom and blessing?

Would you prompt me to look for you, and allow me to hear your voice?

Slow me down to listen.

Lord, I lift up those I know who need healing from you ____, _____, _____

(write their names, pray specifically)

I ask you to draw my family members to yourself. O God, step into their paths just like you stepped into the apostle Paul's so they will see that in you alone truth is found, show them their need of you and how meaningful life is with you.  (names!)

For the person who is losing hope, feeling all alone, grieving, make your presence known.

For the one who needs a miracle, O God, make it so!

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors - Lord, please forgive me of my sins…idle words spoken; bitter, unforgiving thoughts, things I ought 

have done, but did not - things you prompted me to do, but I did not do them. And 

then remind me that in order to be forgiven, I must forgive.  Forgive me for getting caught up in different priorities than those that matter most to you.

Please refill me with your Holy Spirit - with your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Hmmmm...

Lord, I have need of your hand in my life; I am not as strong or loving or peaceful when my mind is not set on you. So thank you for being interested in everything I even think about! Thank you, God, for your generous gifts starting with creation ... the ever-changing Artists' canopy of the skies, birds, rivers, oceans, mountains, tall trees, flowers, children, pets . . . 

I thank you, Lord, for hearing this prayer. It is in your mighty name I pray all of these things, 

Amen

so be it.



There is Power in Prayer because the God to which we pray

is all powerful, loving and creative; like any loving parent,

our Father longs to give his children good gifts.



"My Prayer for You", in song: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj_0pvIGkks&list=RDhj_0pvIGkks&start_radio=1

So thankful to be on the journey with you,

Christine

Holy Spirit: who or what? no.10