fbpx

A Prayer about Fighting Disease

by | Jan 13, 2023 | body, Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Fighting Disease

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Psalm 107:13

Almighty God, 

We lift up friends, family, and strangers,  

any who are fighting Covid, cancer, or chronic disease.

Bring rest to their bodies 

as they fight off the destructive invaders 

Seeking to do them harm, 

bring clarity to their minds as they face 

a dizzying array of medical procedures 

and medicinal protocols, 

bring hope to their hearts 

as they fend off the despair 

that can envelop us when our bodies languish.

As our friends and family suffer,

bring the soothing of your Spirit 

and the comfort of your faithful presence. 

Draw our eyes to see Jesus, 

the best doctor, 

ministering his merciful healing 

to bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. 

In his healing name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 107:1-21.

A Prayer about the Lord Who Delivers Us

by | Jan 9, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering, worship, gratitude

A Prayer about the Lord Who Delivers Us

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7

Rescuing Lord, 

As we continue praying through Psalm 34, 

we see even more reasons to bless your name “at all times” 

as we prayed about yesterday: 

We were sprawled out on the sofa, 

choking on sobs 

of grief, of regret, 

of disappointment, of frustration, 

and you heard us. 

You heard us. 

And when you hear, you respond: 

you “saved [us] out of all of [our] troubles” (Psalm 34:6). 

Not some of our troubles. 

All of our troubles. 

You send your angel to “encamp” around us. 

We shouldn’t picture a chubby blond cherub 

or a pale-faced long-haired lady  

when we think angel. 

We should picture warrior of light, 

powerful, fearsome, 

mighty, messenger. 

And though Psalm 34 just mentions one angel, 

we should probably picture a whole army of angels 

setting up this camp around us 

to protect us, to deliver us. 

Yes, indeed, we do “taste and see that you are good!” 

And we do proclaim with David, 

“Blessed is the man [or woman] who takes refuge in you” (Psalm 34:8).

In Jesus’ delivering name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 34:6-7; Matthew 28:2; Hebrews 13: 2; Daniel 10. 

A Prayer about the Day of No More Tears

by | Jan 7, 2023 | aging, dying, and death, Daily Prayer, Grief, kingdom living, Suffering

A Prayer about the Day of No More Tears

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and 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

Healing Lord,

Today we pray for all who have lost loved ones in the past year. 

We are camping out in the hope 

of the Day to come 

when there will be no more death, 

nor mourning, nor crying, 

nor pain. 

In these remarkable final chapters of your Word, 

you give us a glimpse of what that day will be like:

We will live in safety and our identity secure in you,

because you will dwell with us (Revelation 21:3).

We will see Jesus face to face, 

and his name will be engraved on our forehead (Revelation 22:4).

We will drink for free and we will drink freely 

from the river of the water of life. 

We will dine lavishly

 on the fruit of the tree of life (Revelation 21:6; 22:1).

We will marvel at your majesty, 

and we will long to serve you and no other (Revelation 22:3).

We will enjoy peaceful community 

of people from every tribe and tongue and nation (Revelation 21:4; 22:2).

There’s more, so much more, 

to that day 

which will last forever. 

We believe your promise, 

“Surely, I am coming soon,” 

and we cry in response, 

“Come, Lord Jesus.”

In your hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Revelation 21-22. 

A Prayer about Abounding in Hope and Joy

by | Jan 6, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Grief, Joy, Suffering

A Prayer about Abounding in Hope and Joy

May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and hope in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

God of Hope,

Thank you for the good news this verse offers:

You are the God of hope, 

and you are the one who fills us with all joy and hope.

Though first days back at work or school after the holidays 

may have filled us with dread or despair, 

though lonely days of missing friends and family 

who were with us this time last year

may have filled us with grief and sorrow, 

you are pouring joy and hope 

into our hearts as we believe, 

as we trust in the good news 

that Jesus Christ was born to redeem 

all sin, sorrow and suffering. 

We thank you that it’s not up to us 

to fill ourselves with hope, 

but by the immeasurable power 

and endless energy of the Holy Spirit, 

you are continuously pouring your hope 

into our hearts. 

Help us today to see and name 

all the reasons for our hope:

[Name some ways you see God of hope filling you with joy and hope in believing]. 

In Jesus’ hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Romans 15:8-13. 

A Prayer about Suffering with the Savior

by | Dec 30, 2022 | Christmas, Christmas, Daily Prayer, Grief, Suffering

A Prayer about Suffering with the Savior

Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword shall pierce your soul also)…Luke 2:34-35

Comforting Father,

As this year draws to a close,

I know many look forward to a new year, 

hoping that it will soften the harsh edges 

of last year’s grief, looking forward to new joys. 

May it be so. 

And yet, as we consider the words of Simeon 

to Mary and Joseph, 

we see that the call of a Christian 

is to know the abiding joy of our salvation 

even as we suffer piercing swords in our souls. 

Jesus was born to die. 

We are called to be reborn to die—

to our consuming agendas, 

to our self-salvation strategies, 

to our demand for certainty and control. 

Like Mary and Joseph, 

we are always richly blessed 

by our Savior. 

Like Mary and Joseph, 

we will at times endure piercing pain 

as we follow our Savior.  

May we embrace our calling 

with hearts of hope, 

knowing that our Savior 

“endured the cross” 

“for the joy set before him,” 

the joy of making us your beloved children. 

In the name of our Suffering Savior, Jesus, 

we pray. Amen.

Read Luke 2:33-35.

A Prayer about Waiting at Christmas

by | Dec 15, 2022 | Advent, Christmas, Christmas, Daily Prayer, Seasons & Holidays, Suffering

A Prayer about Waiting at Christmas

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

 Coming Savior,

In this season of “advent,”

 as we remember your first coming, 

we anticipate many things, 

some eagerly, some anxiously. 

Some of us are waiting eagerly for family members to arrive 

or to give a special surprise we have long planned 

or to sing Silent Night at the Christmas Eve service. 

All of those are sweet things to look forward to. 

Others of us are quite literally in waiting rooms 

as a loved one undergoes surgery 

or in waiting seasons wondering when we will get a new job 

or weeping as we continue to mourn a lost loved one 

and wondering when the pain will pass. 

Whether we are anticipating the many joys of this season 

or weeping as we wait for renewed hope, 

may we never forget that we are waiting for you to come again. 

May we be strong in your strength, 

may we take heart in your consolation, 

knowing that you are “coming soon,” 

and that when you come,

 you will bring the perfect peace and joy 

this season is really all about. 

We will know intimacy with you and with others 

as we have never known before. 

We will know the rest of never struggling with sin again. 

We will know the joy of serving you 

in the best work you’ve designed us for—

to multiply your glory forever and ever. 

Today, we will focus our hearts 

and our hopes on the horizon, 

looking for your next appearing.

In your en-couraging name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 27; Revelation 21 and 22.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.