Prayers

Prayer notes for 21 November 2010

There are times in our lives when we see the extent of our own ability and know we need a deliver or a helper. We cannot save ourselves.... and we know from all our encounters with God and from the testimonies of others that God can be trusted to help us.

I would like to begin by using some of Jonah's prayers as a springboard to allow us to acknowledge our own weakness and need of God and then I will give an opportunity for those who want to, to build up our faith by acknowledging a truth of who God is.

Sometinmes I feel as though I have been banished from your sight, Lord.
I sink down;
and it seems as though the earth beneath is caging me in forever
and my life seems to be ebbing away.
Then I remember you, Lord.
and my prayer rises to you.
In my distress I call to you Lord.
and I know you will answer me.
From the depths of the grave
I call for help,
and you listen to my cry.
You bring my life up from the pit.
Forgive me Lord.
Forgive me when I have let fear and worry direct my actions
leading me down stormy paths
away from the security and peace of your ways.
O Lord my God, You are my saviour. Salvation comes from you and my hope is in You.

Add you proclaimation to mine. Honour God by praising him something you know to be true about him.

Father we thank ou that you have stuffed our lives full of blessings, but our hearts are heavy for those who are caged in the earth like Jonah was in the sea and the sea monster.For any who are in this situation and still alive, we pray that you will be near them guiding their thoughts. Prompt them to call out to you in their distress Lord, answer them as you did Jonah. Have mercy on them and let them hear your voice. Deliver them from the depths of the grave and from the pit. Bring them up from the mire with a testimony of thanksgiving to you. Comfort their families and reveal your true character to them.

Let the predicted second mine explosion in New Zealand come to nothing and do no harm to the men.

As you have broken the drought on the land, break the drought of your word in the thoughts of all the inhabitants of this land and particularly of this city. Interrupt our thoughts with the refreshing rain of your wisdom. May your words come like a flood washing us away from the byways of our own paths and onto your ancient highway. Interrupt our thoughts so that we may escape the temptation to practice the wickedness that is in each of our own hearts. You know what we are like Lord.

Have mercy on us and let us hear your voice abundantly too.

Jeremiah prophesied that if the people had stood in Your council then they would have announced your words to your people and would have turned them back from their evil ways. Forgive us Lord for the times we have neglected your council which is so readily available to us - we have bibles and your Spirit - You are only a prayer away.

Lord have mercy on us. You know what we are made of. We have no good apart from you. We ask you to continue to protect this city from any calamity that is devised against it. Intervene Lord so that we may continue to bless you.

let us see a reduction in the crime rate. Hold back and thwart those who want to devise laws and rules contrary to Your good and ancient ways. Limit the power of evil to grow its roots in our governing bodies, bills and thibnking. Put a protective hedge around our leaders to protect them from the temptations that ruin and spoil. Give them the help they need to lead the way in integrity too.

Thank you Lord that our government does support the united nations millennium goals and is working towars increasing financial giving. We pray that you will inspire those who are in positions of influence with practical ways of achieving the goals....reducing the poverty, increasing gender wequality, improving health and education and ensuring environmental sustainability. Show us all how we too can wisely care for the environment and others. Save us from being self centered Lord.

In the last days it is written that people will be "brutal." Lord, we pray about the things that will contribute to this state of heart. Raise awareness in all of the dangers of those things that can harden our hearts. Research has shown that watching violence increases violent reactions. Prompt us to say "no" to watching violence that can harm in this way.

Lord I ask you to influence the media so that they begin reporting acts of kindness so that we may be inspired and encouraged to do likewise.

Lord show us how we can seek the welfare of the city we live in, for the ACT. For the welfare of the place we live in, is our welfare too. Jeremiah knew this and prophesied in his time. He knew that no-ones life was insignificant. Everyone contributes to each others welfare. Remind us Lord when we are about to let selfhishness, greed or fear influence our actions. Remind us that we can be generous because you love us and provide for us in timely and sometimes miraculous ways.

We bring to your notice Lord, those who we know are sick among us.

O Father, let the enormity of your compassion be seen in healings for those among us who are sick, especially for...............

Thank you for the prayers you have already answered.

Now I give you the opportunity to pray outloud or silently for anyone or anything that I have failed to pray for, or that you feel burdened about.

Thank you Lord, for knowing us and loving us and for the opportunity to pray together like this. Amen