Gleanings — 5 (Prayers)
Prayers
It is straightforward to talk directly to the Lord from our hearts and simply speak out what comes. But when words elude us, written prayers often get us going, like priming a water pump or pulling out the choke to help a sluggish engine turn. May my conversations with God encourage your own.
Note: Every breakthrough of love flows through vast invisible networks of relationships. Love binds and winds the human community together. Prayers without love are not from God; they destroy others and us. Pray always with love. Seek love before beginning to pray.
Father, I don’t have much love for ________/myself right now. Forgive me, please. Help me forgive them thoroughly—like Jesus did up on the cross. Give me Your love for them. Show me how to pray. Help me pray always with love.
Heal ________/me so that he/she/they/I can love securely, freely, honestly, openly, innocently—with the wisdom and discernment of Heaven.
Father, please transform all our discouraging, unloving relationships, into restorative encouraging, loving ones. If these others (____,___,___) in our lives are resistant to Your change, please cut the negative bonds between us. Please dissolve and deliver us from every tie and influence that is not from You.
Father, You are the God of second chances and fresh beginnings. Please wash clean and restore _______’s/my cup of spilled opportunities, of failures to love. Make it whole, without cracks or chips; fill _______, me, us anew with Your never ending rivers of faith, hope and love.
Father, please help me and help __________, to be more sensitive. I repent of insensitivity, of passivity, of being selfishly wrapped up in my own survival and fulfillment. Help me/us to actively step out to see and do all You ask—in being and living in humility, honesty, mercy, forgiveness and love.
Father, Lord, Holy Spirit “You know my heart, my thoughts, you see how I mess up and fall short of Your good love. I’m tired of denials and rationalizations. Jesus didn’t mess up, did He? Faith in His blood, willingly given to atone, to make amends and reparation, for human sin, is my only defense, my only plea. Hanging on the cross, He felt in His own body the dark consequences of all the bad choices I’ve made, of all that separates me from You. Forgive me. O God above all Gods; forgive me. I’m trusting in Jesus. Forgive me.
I’m accepting the truth that Jesus Christ of Nazareth died for me and for all who believe. That He took our penalty of sin and death upon Himself. Take away all the wicked unloving selfishness in my heart and please give me a new heart, His heart of forgiving, freeing love.
Father, I’m surrounded by enemies— attacked by opinions and judgments on the outside and inundated by useless thoughts within. Father God, I do, I do, I do believe that because Jesus Christ of Nazareth willingly and lovingly offered His innocent body and blood, like that of a Passover lamb, He has overcome every enemy of life and love. He has conquered sin and death for all who put their trust in Him. I choose to put all my trust in Him. Please fill me with His Holy Spirit. Please teach me, give me His strength and authority against the enemies of life, love and truth.
I do choose to believe that Jesus Himself is truth and that He can and will break up and get rid of every cloud of deception that surrounds me (that surrounds ____________). Trusting in His perfect love, I now ask You, Father, to please, to break off of me/and of ________ every accusation, every human prediction, false prophesy, and ungodly agreement or lying deceptive word influencing me /________ that is inconsistent with Your nature and Your highest and best. Please clear the atmosphere around me/_____ so that I/we ______will walk in the light of Your love and know Your truth.
I ask You, please, to order my/ ________’s steps and relationships and choices in accordance with Your plan. It is for the freedom of love, of loving and worshipping You in Spirit and truth and for loving others with Your unfailing love that You have set us free.
