LEAN INTO LENT DAY 20
(Ephesians1:18-21) I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him…
Paul, writing to the church at Ephesus, continued in prayer for Christians there. This is but one example in Scripture of the practice of praying for others. Christians call this Intercession. After Christ ascended to heaven, we are told He sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us, bringing our prayers to the Father. We are called to pray for others, including our church leaders and government officials, and to bring prayers for others to You as part of our daily routine.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that I can become a prayer warrior, interceding for the needs of others. Help me to bring prayers for help, health, and gratitude to You, especially for those in authority over us, that You will keep them strong in the faith. Help them to govern as You would govern. Help us to write encouraging notes to those who serve us—our police, firemen, teachers, medical personnel, caregivers, and others who deserve our appreciation. Praying to You is my privilege as Your follower, and may I record answers to prayer as means of strengthening my faith. In Jesus’ Name.Help my survivors to read thank you notes written to me. Amen.
From my book Restore My Soul Psalms: Rhetoric
MY PSALM 323 RHETORIC
O Lord of the Universe,
I come with humble heart before Your throne,
Knowing that in Your mercy, You hear my pleas,
Prepare my paths, provide for my every need.
You created the heavens and the earth
And pronounced them good
And I echo that,
Admiring the light that shines by night
And the sun that warms the day.
I thank you for Jesus, the Light of the World
And the Light of eternity,
For without You in my life,
I would know darkness and despair.
Precious Holy Spirit,
I ask You to be part of every conversation in this day,
To guide me in pathways of Your choosing,
To provide a barrier
Against sin of thought, of motive, of speech, of action,
Keeping my mind, body, soul, and spirit pure in Your sight.
Almighty God, Three in One,
Through the mercy of Christ’s sacrifice,
Thank you for Your provision and protection for me
And for my loved ones, the hedge that surrounds us all.
Be present at every conversation.
Be alive in every Word of Scripture
In every lyric of music today
To strengthen my faith.
Be ahead of my every pathway,
Leading me to those You want me to touch
With Your hands of mercy,
Influence through my words,
Bring to Your Throne in prayer,
And love through my actions.
Protect those who need You in a special way today,
The poor, the insensitive, the sick in body, mind, and soul,
And help me to be a beacon of light in dark places,
Soften my rhetoric,
Call to my mind songs of praise and thanksgiving
And passages from Your Word
For You are the source of my strength,
And in You I have my being, my purpose, my mission.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen
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