Category Archives: Prayers

Prayers

Rest

Father, I am worn out, fed-up, ticked-off and totally exhausted. I confess I have tried everything to succeed at this Christian walk. I have followed all the counsel my colleagues have given; I have been to dozens of conferences; read hundreds of books; bought hundreds of tapes. I have tried, and tried and tried, and now I feel at the total end of myself.

Thank you for bringing me to the complete end of my own ideas and efforts. Thank you, Lord, for letting me walk right into burnout. You really do know what you are doing and you really are a God of love. Now, my Lord, please help me to understand the concept of resting. Please make Matt. 11:28 far more clear to me. Teach me and coach me regarding rest in your spirit, and allowing your spirit to lead, guide and direct me in every thought, action and reaction. Help me to relax in your power and strength. Help me, Lord, to compelety allow your spirit to build holiness, righteousness and character into me.

Father, the world and even the church has its methods, techniques, steps, formulas, and recipes for success. Help me to move beyond that kind of “religion” into true New Covenant living - resting in your spirit. Help me to crucify my human nature that wants to be the hero and raise my hands in the air and shout, “I did it!” Grant me ever deepening humility and surrender to your spirit so I can rest and shout, “Jesus did it!”

Father Matt. 11:28 is a great key for me to understand better. Please reveal more of this wonderful truth to me, Lord. Thank you, Lord, thank you. Now, help me to give you every worry and frustration right now, and walk away to a far more carefree day. I love you, Jesus.

Praying the Scriptures . . .

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30 NIV)

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken (Psa. 62:1-2 NIV)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust. (Psa. 91:1-2 NIV)

What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. (Ecc. 2:22-23 NIV)

Prayers

Forgive My Anger

Father, some days I do well and feel ok, and I worship you and love you, but on other days, the anger deep inside of me boils to the surface. I hate the ministry some days. I hate your people even more on some days. And, as you well know, Lord, there have been days when I have screemed my lungs out at you in rage and discouragement.

Thank you, my Lord, for being so patient with me. It hurts when your children attack me and treat me this way. I have learned over the years that religious people are the meanest people on this earth. You, Lord Jesus, certainly found that out. I praise you for all the strength you have given me over the past several weeks. Thank you for your love and kindness despite my desire, like David, to have all my enemies destroyed. Thank you for your forgiveness toward me, and your patient work with me to help me see my errors in this situation.

Lord Jesus, I give you my anger and rage and feelings of murder, and I ask for your peace. I ask you for your joy as I surrender to rest in your spirit, and forgive all my enemies. Help me with forgiveness and to pray prayers of blessing upon my enemies. Thank you so much for understanding, Jesus. You are so great. I love you, Lord.

Praying the Scriptures . . .

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? (Matt. 5:44-46 NIV)

Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults. (Psa. 19:12 NIV)

In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah
Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD. (Psa. 4:4-5 NIV)

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psa. 30:5 NIV)

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (Psa. 37:8-9 NIV)

Prayers

Feeling Rejected

Lord Jesus, you certainly know what it feels like to be rejected. I thank you for your example and how you endured persecution knowing what eternity is truly like. I am comforted by your example and I ask that you strengthen me, Lord Jesus, with the same vision of the Kingdom and fellowship with the Father, so I can hang in there through all this rejection.

If you, the corner stone, experienced rejection by the builders, we can expect no less. Help me, Jesus, with these ideas in my head and heart that want this life to work. I realize from your perspective this life does work. It builds character and trust for you into us. There is a part of me that wants all aspects of this life to work, and yet you tell me so clearly that I will experience persecution and rejection. Help me to accept this treatment and endure unto the end just as you did.

Perhaps the hardest part is being rejected by the church and those I have given my life for in service of you, Jesus. These religious type people are the same ones who rejected you. I need to accept that in my heart and realize my relationship to you is far more important. Men will always judge and reject, and that is part of this life. Thank you, Jesus, for your strength and endurance that you give to me through your Spirit. I love you, Lord.

Praying the Scriptures . . .

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matt. 5:11-12 NIV

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matt. 5:44-45 NIV

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:20 NIV

Prayers

Father, I Feel So Alone!

Father, I feel so alone. My church, my friends, my colleagues, have all dropped me like a hot potatoe. At a time when I really need help and love, the very people I thought I could look to for strength have stepped away from me. Yes, I have made mistakes, Lord Jesus, but now is when I need friends and encouragement.

I thank you, Lord, that you are here for me. I don’t always feel you are close. My discouragement and even depression sometimes overwhelm me and you seem a thousand miles away. But I know you are here. I know you experienced the feelings of betrayal and rejection during your darkest hour on this earth. You know exactly how I feel at this moment.

Lord Jesus, I give you thanks that I can experience your sufferings. I don’t like it, but I know this is changing me for eternity. To feel what you felt at the hands of the church is going to bring me closer to you in a far more realistic way. You are working with me every second of this hell, and I praise you and ask you to comfort me. Please bring me into contact with those who will share your love with me. Thank you, Lord. I love you.

Praying the Scriptures . . .

. . . “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 NIV)

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. (Psa.119:28 NIV)

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:31 NIV)

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety. (Psa. 4:8 NIV)

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psa. 62:1-2 NIV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt.11:28-30 NIV)