Category: Life in America

Morning Prayer: Wed, 05 Oct – Psalm 119:17-24; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Luke 4:1-13 ~ deliver me

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:17-24 (NLT)

Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me! I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed. Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws. Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees. Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

Reading: 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NLT)

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Reading: Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

The Temptation of Christ Eric Armusik, 2011
The Temptation of Christ
Eric Armusik, 2011

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”

Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”

Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

Prayer

In the steep common path of our calling, be it easy or uneasy to our flesh, be it bright or dark for us to follow, be Thou a shield to us from the wiles of the deceiver, from the arch-destroyer with his arrows pursuing us, and in each secret thought our minds get to weave – be Thou Thyself on our helm and at our sheet. – From Carmina Gadelica

Under the protection of the King of life, a protection that will not betray us,
May the Holy Spirit come upon us, may Christ deliver us, bless us.

+ Jesus, I call on Your name, to shield me in the battle to come.
+ Jesus, protect me, accompany me, be near me ever.

Jesus, only Son of the Father and High King, Your name is above every name,
In the name of Jesus let no evil be welcome in our hearts, or in this place. Amen.

“You Deliver Me” – Selah

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

35 Days of Prayer for America – “… I will forgive their sins”

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

Prayer to Forgive America

Heavenly Father: with godly sorrow, I ask for Your mercy instead of Your judgement for the sins of America.

godforgiveamerica-2

On behalf of my all Americans, I confess and repent of:

+ Serving other gods – the false gods of money, sex, and power;
+ Indifference toward the erosion of Christan religious liberty in America;
+ Dishonoring our Judeo-Christian heritage in government, schools, courts and the military;
+ Removing the Bible and Christian prayer from public schools and events;
+ Allowing our government and the courts to infringe on our God-given rights of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, property, and conscience;
+ Aiding and abetting deceitful, crooked people instead of people of good will in politics;
+ Acquiescing in our national sins of Abortion, Unjust wars, Covetousness, Homosexuality, Adultery, and related Sexual sins;
+ Participating in the occult, sorcery, and witchcraft;
+ All other sins known to You.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. – 1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)
_____

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. – 1 John 2:1-2 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Tue, 04 Oct – Psalm 119:12-16; Nehemiah 8:11-12; I Corinthians 14:14-15 ~ listen to understand

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:12-16 (NLT)

I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

Reading: Nehemiah 8:11-12 (NLT)

listen-to-understand

And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.

Reading: I Corinthians 14:14-15 (NLT)

For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.

Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

Prayer

Softly as the dew-fall of heaven, may the Holy Spirit come upon me to aid me and to raise me, to bind my prayer firmly at the throne of the King of life.

+ Lord, I have heard Your voice; guide my steps to You.
+ Lord, I have heard Your voice; guard my way to You.
+ Lord, I have heard Your voice; keep my heart for You.

God’s will would I do, my own will bridle; God’s due would I give, my own due yield; God’s path would I travel my own path refuse.

All whom I love, into Your safe keeping; all that I am, into Your tender care; all that I will be, into Your perfect will. Amen.

“Give Me, O Lord, an Understanding Heart” – Arthur Blanch

Give me, O Lord, an understanding heart, That I may learn to know myself in Thee, To spurn the wrong and choose the better part, And thus from sinful bondage be set free.

Give me, O Lord, a meek and contrite heart, That I may learn to quell all selfish pride, Bowing before Thee, see Thee as Thou art, And ‘neath Thy sheltering presence safely hide.

Give me, O Lord, a gentle loving heart, That I may learn to be more tender, kind, And with Thy healing touch, each wound and smart, With Christly bands of Love and Truth to bind.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

36 Days of Prayer for America – “… I will hear from heaven”

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

Prayer: “O Lord hear our Prayer”

praying-american

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful me and answer me. My heart says of You, ‘Seek His Face!” Your face, Lord, will I seek. Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my helper.

Do not reject America or forsake Your people, O God our Savior. Though others abandon and mock us, You promise to receive us. Bring America home to You, O Lord, and teach us Your ways. Lead us in the path of righteousness – one nation, under God – through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

O Lord Hear My Prayer – Taize

+ In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Mon, 03 Oct – Psalm 119:9-11; Nehemiah 8:9-10; Romans 12:2 ~ seal it in my heart and mind

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:9-11 (NLT)

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Reading: Nehemiah 8:9-10 (NLT)

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Reading: Romans 12:2 (NLT)

in-it-but-not-of-it

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Prayer

“Just as the young branches can easily be corrected and bent, so can beginners who are obedient.” – Abba Isaiah (Desert Father)

+ Lord, I have hidden Your word in my heart. Guide my steps to You, Lord, guide my steps to You.
+ Lord, I have hidden Your word in my heart. Guard my way to You, Lord, guard my way to You.
+ Lord, I have hidden Your word in my heart. Keep my heart for You, Lord, keep my heart for You.

Lord, I have hidden Your word in my heart – may I be strengthened by Your word, and filled with joy. Continue changing me into Your likeness and continue to cleanse me of my ingrained sinful habits and willfulness. Give me the malleability of a child – through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

“Seal It In My Heart and Mind” – Johnny Cash

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!