Tag Archives: prayer

A Prayer Prompted by Luke 16

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Dearest heavenly Father,

You have so constructed this world that it has become, for us, a place to prepare for eternity.  Help us to get our hearts in the right place and keep them there – focused on you and not on ourselves, our possessions or our worldly pleasures.  Help us to use what material goods we have to serve you and prepare ourselves treasure in heaven.

Help us to see our trials as a gift from you, especially designed to train us and lead us to Jesus.  Your servant James once wrote (James 1:2-4) that we should, “Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

That’s what we want to be – “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  To the extent that we must endure trials, experience pain and undergo suffering, let it be for your glory and the honor of the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

A Prayer Prompted by Luke 15

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Heavenly Father,

We have sinned against you and are not worthy to be called your children.  Yet that is what you call us once we put our faith in Christ.  Thank you for receiving us into your family.  Thank you for receiving us, like lost sheep, back into the fold.  

We thank you further for seeking us out as the shepherd would seek the lost sheep or the woman would seek the lost coin in the parables.  You show us how much you value us that you did not leave us in our lost state, but sought us out so that we might turn to you.

Help us to appreciate the joy that fills heaven over each sinner that repents.  Help us to share that same joy.  Help us, now that we are walking with you, to be among those who join you in bringing other lost sheep back into the fold.  We know that there are many other prodigals much like ourselves who need to return to you.

Please give us the privilege of seeing the lost found and returning to you.

In Christ,
Amen

A Prayer Prompted by Luke 14

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Dear Heavenly Father,

Let us begin by humbling ourselves before you and accepting the invitation that you give to any and all who are willing to come to you.  We need your grace for our salvation and beyond – to live this Christian life from day to day.

Further, we know that discipleship is costly, but we also remember that any price we might have to pay will be worth it in the end.  We bring no merit of our own to this commitment. Help us to serve you well and serve you faithfully – to take up our cross, remembering that our lives are not our own but that we belong to you.

Finally, we also remember you as our healer – the one who has all power over all sickness and disease.  For those who are sick and for those who are working on their behalf, we pray for your grace and extra amounts of help from you at this time.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

 

A Prayer about Heavenly Treasure Prompted by Luke 12:32-34

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Dear Father,

Our hearts are too often here on earth, while we know from all that you have said that they should be in heaven.  Help us to change our focus.

Moreover, thank you for telling us what to do in order to change it.  Let us intentionally use our lives, our energy and our possessions to store up treasure where it really belongs – in heaven with you.  Remind us when we are working too much or too hard for the things of this world.  We fully expect that as we work for true, imperishable riches, our hearts will follow the treasure that we store up.  

Help us to live our lives in such a way that treasure in heaven will be provided as a result.  Our hearts belong with you and that is where we want them to be.

In Christ,
Amen