A Prayer about the God Who Counts Our Tears

by | Sep 7, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering

A Prayer about the God Who Counts Our Tears

You have kept count of my tossing; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalm 56:8

Compassionate Father,

In these days of grief, 

when so many are mourning, 

whether it is loved ones lost to death, 

or homes destroyed by natural disaster, 

or the ongoing oppression of people based on their ethnicity,

We thank you for caring about our tears. 

Not only do you count and collect them, 

one day you will wipe them gently away 

even as you remove the reasons for our mourning: 

“death shall be no more, 

neither shall there be mourning, 

nor crying, nor pain anymore, 

for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). 

Until that day comes, 

may we bring all of our tears to you, 

and may we share your comfort with others.

In Jesus’ tear-shedding name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 56; Revelation 21:1-5.

A Prayer about How God Supplies Every Need

by | Sep 1, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, gratitude, Spiritual Growth, Suffering

A Prayer about How God Supplies Every Need

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Merciful God,

Thank you for your extravagant generosity to us. 

As we bring what we consider to be our needs 

before you today, 

may we trust that you will supply every need, 

not just one or two. 

We admit, sometimes we don’t understand 

why you don’t supply things we think we need—

like healing of our child’s illness 

or a long-desired spouse or child 

or a job that seemed just right. 

In those cases, 

turn our eyes upon your riches in glory—

the undeserved and over-the-top 

provision of glory in Christ Jesus. 

In him, we truly have everything we really need—

forgiveness of our sins past, present, and future, 

peace with you eternally, 

a meaningful kingdom life 

that has already begun 

and will continue forever. 

Help us to remember that

though you have already supplied those needs, 

you continue to supply daily, here-and-now needs, 

and you continue to invite us to bring our daily needs to you, 

because you are our generous Father. 

As we name those needs now, 

we pray “Thy will be done.” 

In Jesus’ glorious name. Amen. 

Read Philippians 4.

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

by | Jul 31, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Suffering

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

Even when I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I will not be afraid, 

for you are close beside me. 

Your rod and your staff 

protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Lord, our Good Shepherd,

As we walk through dark valleys, 

valleys that feel like death, 

valleys that lead to death,

[Name some valleys you are currently walking through or have walked through.]

We will not be afraid,

[Name any fears you have felt.]

For you are close beside us.

[Name how you have known God’s presence with you.]

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort us.

[Name the protection from harm and the comfort in grief and pain you have known].

In the name of our comforting Shepherd, Jesus, we pray.

Amen. 

Read Psalm 23.

 

A Prayer about Where to Turn in Danger

by | Jul 5, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Where to Turn in Danger

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. Daniel 2:20

Saving God,

Few of us have ever faced the threats

of a despot king as Daniel did,

but many of us have faced the threat

of danger

from an unjust boss,

a biased system,

or a dread diagnosis.

When we are faced with dark threats,

calm our minds and ease our panic.

Help us to do what Daniel did—

ask our friends to pray

and face our enemy with equanimity,

knowing the Lord who made heaven and earth

is our helper.

When you help us,

draw our hearts to bow before you

thanking you and praising you

as Daniel did:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen.

Read Daniel 2:1-24.

A Prayer about Help When We’re Vulnerable

by | Jun 28, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about Help When We’re Vulnerable

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1

Maker of Heaven and Earth,

Whatever makes us feel vulnerable, weak, frail:

Our jobs, our health, our finances,

our families, our relationships,

the steady stream of bad news that flits across our screens…

Send us to our knees,

send us to our Bibles,

to remember where our help comes from—

From you, our Lord, our God,

our Shepherd, our Father,

our King of Kings and Prince of Peace.

You just happen to be the Creator of all good things,

the warrior who defeated evil,

the Risen One who overcame death,

the returning One who will bring us

to live forever in your eternal city of light and love,

of healing and joy,

in the new heavens and the new earth.

Indeed, Lord, in our weakness,

we have every reason to hope,

for you keep our lives safe and secure.

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen.

Read Psalm 121.

A Prayer of Lament for the Abused and Betrayed

by | Jun 23, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering

A Prayer of Lament for the Abused and Betrayed

When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Psalm 142:3

Holy and Just God,

We use the words of Psalm 142

to cry out to you

on behalf of all who have suffered

injustice,

betrayal,

and abuse:

We pour out our complaints;

We tell you our troubles:

Too many children suffer harm at the hands

of those who are meant to show them your security;

Too many women suffer harm from the voices

of men who are meant to show them your tenderness;

Too many people of color suffer harm from the systems

that are meant to show them your protection.

For those who feel

“there is none who takes notice of me;

no refuge remains to me;

no one cares for my soul,” (Psalm 142: 3-4),

We cry out.

Show them that you are indeed

their “refuge,

[their] portion in the land of the living” (Psalm 142:5).

Deliver them from their “persecutors,

for they are too strong for [them]” (Psalm 142:6).

We urge you, Lord,

to make these wrongs right,

because you indeed are righteous,

and “you will deal bountifully with [us]” (Psalm 142:7).

In Jesus righteous name. Amen.

Read Psalm 142.