Sunday Praise and a Prayer the Lord Will Be Glorified

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You. We praise Your magnificence, Your glory, Your righteousness. You and You alone are God and You hold us, with grace, in the palm of Your hand. 

You have blessed us mightily over the centuries, providing for us in countless ways, teaching us and leading us out of sin, pouring out Your Holy Spirit for revivals, saving lost souls, and letting the light of your truth shine throughout this country. 

And in many ways we have taken so much of it for granted. We have taken the glory for ourselves instead of acknowledging You, instead of thanking You for giving us wisdom, strength, and the freedom to prosper, and the victory we’ve needed, over and over, to remain free.

Instead of acknowledging that it’s You who has allowed us to remain a nation with freedoms we enjoy every day and praising and thanking you for it, we have let the freedoms You’ve given us lead us into the bondage of sin, calling evil good and good evil.  

Father, we humbly ask for your forgiveness. 

You are a God of great grace and mercy, and we know your heart’s desire is that we repent and turn to You to live rightly because You know sin hurts and destroys us. You know what we need to turn back to you, and sometimes that is suffering.

Father, may we turn to you quickly. For those who know You, may we boldly and without fear proclaim Your name, glorifying You with grateful and loving hearts that we may be salt and light to the world around us.

Please pour out your Holy Spirit for revival again, to soften hearts and open the spiritual eyes of those who are lost and those who are backslidden so they will turn to You in repentance, acknowledging and receiving You as Lord, glorifying and praising You, so we can be one nation, united, under Your grace, protection, and blessing. 

Our hope is in You.

In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, amen.

 

Further Update for The Return

Hello Friends. I wanted to share with you the link to the updated schedule for the event The Return, as the times have changed just a bit since I last posted. 

The main event is this Saturday, September 26, but there will also be an event this Friday afternoon/evening, and a time of worship Saturday afternoon/evening, depending on your time zone.

You can watch it live from the website. Please remember all times listed are for Eastern Standard time, so please adjust accordingly. 

What is The Return?  Pastor Jonathan Cahn explains it like this:

“A movement, an appointed time, and a specific day set apart for one purpose – the return to God, that there be a coming before His presence in humility, in sincerity in prayer and repentance, that there be intercession for America, for each other, and for oneself, for God’s mercy, for salvation, for healing, for revival, for restoration, and for the fulfillment of God’s purposes for America and all who dwell within it.”

Along with Jonathan Cahn, there are many speakers and prayers scheduled, and I expect this to be a powerful time of repentance, of awakening and returning to the Lord.  

Heavenly Father, you are the Righteous and Holy One. We are in desperate need of your grace and mercy and forgiveness through your Son’s sacrifice on the cross.  We pray you would anoint these speakers and prayers, that your Holy Spirit would fill them to speak your will, that you would draw countless people to watch this event, to hear of your love and offer of forgiveness, and that you would bring a powerful revival within each of us, and throughout our country and our world. In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, amen. 

Sunday Praise and a Prayer to Be Wise Stewards

Dear Heavenly Father, we love you and praise you. We are so blessed to call you our Father, and to know that we can put every ounce of faith in you and you alone. You are our Provider, our Redeemer, our Hope and our Comfort.

Father, you are our Rock. Whenever everything else around is shaky, we stand upon you, the immovable, unshakeable, unchangeable Rock. 

Help us remember to be wise stewards of the grace and time you’ve given us, putting into practice the words of Christ, building upon the foundation you’ve laid through Him so we can remain steadfast in our faith no matter what comes. 

May we continually stand upon the Rock of our salvation, shining a light of hope and encouragement for believers and unbelievers alike, that through it all you will be glorified. 

Thank you, precious Lord. In Jesus’ holy and worthy name we pray, amen. 

Sunday Praise and a Prayer to Hear the Right Voice

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you.  You are righteous and holy and mighty, and we lift up the name of Jesus Christ as the only name by which we can be saved. 

Father, there is a constant, seemingly endless number of voices in our ears, trying to tell us what to think, what to believe, and what to do.  

But we know only you have the wisdom we need to live this life according to your will, and only you have the Holy Spirit we need to carry out your will.  

Father, we ask that you would anoint our ears to listen to only your voice and to carry out your wisdom no matter what the world tries to tell us. 

Help us remember the importance of spending time in your Word, the source of all truth and wisdom, and to do that daily.  Please open your Word to us and give us understanding and speak to each of our hearts what we need to hear to live lives that glorify you. 

Help us not be swayed by the words of the world, or by words of any who may sound compelling, but are not of you. 

Please lead us through this valley of the shadow of death, so that we come through victorious, matured followers of Christ, having had the privilege of bringing glory to the eternal King of kings. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

Update on The Return

I published a post about upcoming prayer events seeking the Lord on behalf of our nation. At the time I couldn’t find any definitive times for The Return, the prayer gathering led by Pastor Jonathan Cahn at the National Mall in Washington D.C. and will be simulcast, on September 26. 

I contacted the organization and apparently the times haven’t been confirmed yet, but the following is the tentative schedule. If I hear of any changes I’ll let you know.

9 AM – 9:45 AM (EDT)

  • Welcome 
  • Worship 
  • Prayers of Repentance 

9:45-10:15 AM – Repentance of Pastors and Ministry Leaders 

  • Scripture Reading 
  • Prayer 
  • Worship 

10:15-11:30 AM – Repentance for the Church 

  • Scripture Reading 
  • Prayer 
  • Worship

11:30-12 PM – BREAK 

12 PM – 3:30 – Repentance for America 

  • Scripture Reading 
  • Prayer 
  • Worship 

3:30-5:25 – Repentance for the Nations 

  • Scripture Reading 
  • Prayer 
  • Worship 

5:25-6:00 PM BREAK 

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Prayer and Worship 

Gathering Together in His Name


“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I will them.”  Matthew 18:18-20

Jesus gave His disciples this hope and confidence to prepare them to go out into the world and face trials and tribulations far above anything they had the power or understanding to deal with.

No matter what our views about all that’s taking place in our country, I think we can all agree that our nation is in serious trouble, far beyond our power to sort it out ourselves. 

We need the LORD.  

So today I want to share with you a few prayer events that are coming up where we can join with our brothers and sisters in Christ to seek the Lord and His mercy for forgiveness, repentance, healing, and revival. 

First, an event called The Return, lead by Messianic Jewish Rabbi and pastor Jonathan Cahn. A time for private prayer will be from September 18-28, which coincides with the dates for the Biblical Feast of Trumpets and ending with the Day of Atonement.

And on Saturday, September 26 there will be a gathering of God’s people at the National Mall, or wherever you are, praying for the return to God’s presence to seek repentance and healing. The website can be found here, and this is Pastor Cahn’s video explaining the event:


Also on Saturday, September 26, Franklin Graham will be leading a prayer march beginning at the Lincoln Memorial, across the National Mall, and ending in front of the U.S. Capitol.  The website and video for this corporate time of prayer is here.

And one week later, on Saturday, October 3, Anne Graham Lotz will be giving a special message on Effective Prayer for Such a Time as This. You can find the link to this streaming event here.

I believe this will be a powerful time of gathering together in person and in spirit to go before the Lord Almighty, letting our prayers rise to Him, and beseeching Him to do what only He can do. 

***

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you and pray that you would reveal anything in us that would keep our prayers from being effective. Please forgive us for our sins, and prepare our hearts to enter into this time of prayer, to be in agreement with our brothers and sisters for the repentance, healing, and revival of the people of this country, and throughout the world.

We pray your Holy Spirit will fill these leaders with the humility and wisdom they need in order to lead us in prayer according to your will. We trust you will be in the midst of us and will do a powerful work in our own hearts and in the hearts of many who will come to know you as their own Lord and Savior.

May you have mercy on us, Lord, and may you, by your great and unending love, continually fill us with your power and boldness to keep proclaiming the Name of Jesus Christ as the only Name by which we can be saved. In His precious and holy name we pray, amen. 

 
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

The Believer’s Speech

My son was at the store the other day standing in an aisle searching for what he needed when he overhead a couple of employees near him deep into a very colorful conversation deriding this group and that one. Their conversation disturbed him so much that he found another employee to let her know what was going on, and then he called me. 

Of course it was disheartening to hear that that kind of divisive and hateful talk was going on, let alone by two employees who are supposed to be working, and that some of the hateful comments were directed toward Israel. 

But it shouldn’t be surprising. 

1 John 3:13 tells us

“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” 

The world doesn’t only hate believers, though. It just hates. And the hate seems to be revving up. Or at least people seem to feel more free to speak their hatred out loud, joining in the chorus. 

Hate seems to be the speech of the day. 

But it should never be our speech. 

The speech of believers ought to be prayer. 

Jesus said

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:43-44

As I talked to my son, empathizing with him, that yes, this was a terrible thing that people were talking this way, and even worse that it was in their own place of business for any customer to hear, the Lord put on my heart to tell him that maybe God put him in that aisle, at that moment in time, so that he could hear their hateful words and pray for them. 

Is there anyone who needs prayer more that someone whose heart is filled with hatred? Is there anyone who needs the redeeming grace of God more? 

I told him God’s given him an opportunity to pray for these men. Maybe, just maybe, God wants to save them and give the world two more souls who love instead of hate.

Praying for them also protects our hearts from unforgiveness and bitterness.

I hear a lot of believers talking about the terrible sins going on in the world, but how we talk about it much of the time is no different than the world. I hear speech that is hateful, mocking, divisive. 

Friends, that is not God’s way. Yes, it’s our natural instinct and gut reaction to the sin we see, but being in Christ we should hate the sin because we know that the people caught in it are people loved by God and made in His image, and are being swallowed up by it. That should grieve us just as it grieves the Lord. 

But if we act like the world instead, how do we expect it to see the love of Christ and know there’s a better way? How do we expect to be walking, breathing testimonies of His love and grace? How can we hate in one breath and in the next talk about God’s love? 

As we let God’s love mature in our hearts, we’ll see with His eyes of mercy, our speech will always be gracious, seasoned with salt, and we’ll understand the privilege and responsibility we have to pray for the lost souls God puts in our way. After all, we were all lost once. 

The world has enough hate. It needs our love and it needs our prayers. 

 

Father, forgive me for the times my speech has not been glorifying to you or edifying to those around me. Set a guard over my tongue, and give me eyes that see with your grace, that I might pray and do your will.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

Sunday Praise and a Prayer for All the Saints

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you.  We lift up your righteous and holy name above all names as the one true God, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who created us to have relationship with you, to know you, to commune with you, to be a grand part of your creation that would glorify your goodness and beauty and grace. 

Father we pray for all the saints. We pray you would consecrate us, that we would understand you have made us a holy people that are meant to be separate from the world, that is, to live in a different way, to have a different perspective, to see people and circumstances through your eyes rather than as the world sees. 

We pray you would lovingly convict each of us of any sins we’ve allowed as we’ve become complacent, and that we would repent, turn, and do the right thing, live the right way so that we would honor the calling you’ve so graciously given us. 

As we do that, let us be a light in the darkness, shining brightly for the world to see what true love and grace and forgiveness are so that many come to know you through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We pray you would encourage us and fill us with joy that we might have strength in the face of the enemy, and with your peace that passes all understanding no matter what storms rage around us. 

We pray we would be one just as you and your Son are one, and that we are all one in you. 

We pray we would be filled with the Holy Spirit, that we would worship you in Spirit and in truth. 

Let us remember who we are in you, Lord, that we are children of the King, holy and righteous because, through your Son, you have made us so. 

Sanctify us that we might live as your chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that we might speak of the praises of the One who has called us out of darkness into your marvelous light.  

May we empty ourselves and let you fill us up with your Spirit who gives us everything we need to live in these hard times, and not only to live, but to prosper and to be victorious. May we come together and live for you and you alone, and bring you all the glory due your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Sunday Praise and a Mother’s Day Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you. We praise you for your goodness and love, for your heart full of grace and mercy.  Thank you for showing us your character in the love of a mom. That in her we see your unconditional love, your tender nurturing, your amazing grace. I pray for moms everywhere, that no matter what situation they’re in today, they would feel your love. I pray you would continue to strengthen them and give them wisdom. I pray you would comfort those who are grieving. I pray for all of us, that no matter what stage of motherhood we’re in, we would look to you and draw on your character that we might be moms who give you glory, and leave a godly legacy for our children.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Deep Calls to Deep

“Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
All your waves and breakers
Have swept over me.”
Psalm 42:7

 

 

There is something about an 80 foot swell that can get our attention. That’s how it can feel when the trials of life come over us, one, after another, after another.  We feel almost as if we could drown under the weight of it, so we stop, lift up our hands, and call on the Lord to save us.

He calls to us in the trial, and from the depths, we call back. Spirit calls to spirit, deep calls to deep. 

On this National Day of Prayer, let’s lift up our hands to worship in spirit and in truth. Let’s come boldly before the throne, lay our hearts bare, and call to Him to is able.

Let’s let the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts, reveal our sins for confession, and intercede on behalf of our country, our leaders, our neighbors, our business owners, our pastors, our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and for those who are still lost. 

Let’s stop, and hear the calling of the Lord in the trial, in the waves of suffering, and let Him have His glorious way in and through us. 

 

Oh Heavenly Father, please forgive us for wandering so far from you and for our many sins. Thank you for sending your Son to the cross in our place to take the judgment we deserve. 

Lord, we lift up our country, and every country, and pray for your mercy. We pray you would bind the enemy, that you would allow spiritual eyes to be opened, repentance of sin granted, and that multitudes would believe on your Son as Lord and Savior for the conversion of their souls. 

We pray for revival, for salvation and the filling and power of your Holy Spirit, in and out of the church. We pray for your wisdom for our leaders, we pray for healing from this virus that has caused loss of life, inundated the healthcare system, and shut down the livelihood for so many.

We pray you would comfort those who are grieving, heal those who are sick, strengthen those who are working so hard, provide for those who are out of work, and we pray for every business to be open and fully functioning again.

We pray you would strengthen and speak through our pastors. We pray we would be mindful to be witnesses and examples of your love wherever we go, that the world would know we are your disciples by our love for one another, and that love would draw people who are thirsty for love to your fountain of grace.

We pray our trials are never wasted, Lord, and that your will is done through it all. In the midst of all the chaos that can so easily grab our attention, help us to focus on you and to be about your business, functioning in the gifts you’ve given each of us for the benefit of the Body and to bring you glory. In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, amen.