Day 11 - Prayer for America

21. Pray for the leaders, churches and Christians of Maine and Maryland.

22. Pay for the President and Vice President, that their hearts would be guided by God, that their decisions would be wise, and that their leadership would be principled.

My Prayer:

Father God,

I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to be a "lame duck" president. How it must hurt to know that very little will be done to effect change at this time. Jesus must have felt this way, God. He KNEW that he had to die for our sins, but was there EVER a time when he felt like the "lame duck"? Did he think, "No matter what I do, it will all be worthless in the end."? No...He didn't because he believed in You, and knew that there was only one way to You. God, give our President and Vice President the COURAGE to stand, and continue to stand, for what they believe to be true...and to stand in Your name. Continue to give discernment to them, for they are still leaders until next year.

I pray for the states of Maine and Maryland. May the leaders of these states live by the principles that You set forth in their lives. If they don't know You, may those who who DO know You actively seek to show Your will to them. Let them be strong in conviction, but weak in fear...give them strength for commitment to You.

I ask this and all things in Your sweet name.

Day 10 - Prayer for America

19. Pray for the leaders, churches and Christians of Kentucky and Louisiana.

20. Pray for the children and youth of America, that God will grant them protection of body, soul, mind and spirit and fill them with godly desires and true hope.

My Prayer:

Oh Heavenly Father,

Jesus said once, "let the little children come unto me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these"...we need to let our children SEE who Jesus is...who YOU are, God. I pray for a hedge of protection around these little souls. That they are careful what their eyes see...that they are mindful of what their hands do...that they are vigilant of what their minds think...that they know where their feet go...because You are their guide, and if they are careful and follow You, they will know redemption and grace...and hope beyond the ages! Hold every single child close and near to Your loving heart - give them the spirit to stand up to those who don't believe in You. Let them show how Your son's sacrifice of life works in their hearts daily to make the world a better place. They are our FUTURE, God...help US to not screw it up for them!

Be with the leaders in Kentucky and Louisiana, God. Let everything be set aside that is not important. Let the churches and Christians of these states come forward and say that they will not be swayed by politics, but by what is good and right for their states. No matter what anyone says, religion is forever entwined in the politics of this country, and only soulless people want these separate for ever. Let those who can, lead those who can't....

In your name I pray...

Day 8 - Prayer for America

15. Pray for the leaders, churches, and Christians of Illinois and Indiana.

16. Pray for candidates for public office, that they would be moved by God to see what is honorable, just and moral.


My Prayer:

Oh Lord my God,

Today, I am here in front of You in thanks for all You have done, and what You are about to do in all the lives of the candidates running for all the various offices in this country. Be it local office, state, or national office, all of these people think they will do what is best...but for whom? God, I ask that they seek discernment to know what is true and just...to do what is best for all the people, and not just a few. The vocal minority must not win over the silent majority. The silent majority must now speak for what they believe to be true. When the candidates for office listen to the people, they will hear Your voice.

Be with those Christian, leaders and churches in Illinois and Indiana. Give the Christians and churches a voice...a prodding to step outside the box of comfort...to speak the words of truth that You have given them. Give the leaders the wisdom to make the proper decisions for their states so that all will benefit from what the states can give.

Father, thank You for this opportunity to share You with so many - I pray that people find this blog and read through the previous prayers and choose to share this with many others.

And all God's people said,
Amen.

Day 7 - Prayer for America

Sorry - thought I'd posted this yesterday...guess the song really hit my brain hard and I hit save instead of publish!

13. Pray for the leaders, churches and Christians of Hawaii and Idaho

14. Pray for the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Guardsmen (I'm also adding Reservists and Coasties here - they are not on the original prayer list), thanking God fir their service and asking Him to bless them with strength.



My Prayer:

Father God,

I humble myself before You tonight. There are so many people in this country who are confused and hurting, Lord. They don't know where to turn...they are unsure of who is leading them. Father, be with the leaders in the states of Hawaii and Idaho. Guide them to the strong and proper choices...not only for them, but for their states, their constituents and for You, oh Lord. Give them strong guidance...give them the knowledge they need to make the right choices, choice that will honor You.

Father, thank You SO MUCH for the rights and freedoms I enjoy. I am blessed that this is a free country, founded on Your principles. And these freedoms have not come without a cost. Father, the military might of our country is sorely being tested. Our men and women are in danger all over this world, and yet, when they know You are with them, they are not afraid. They stand in courage for the rights and freedoms they so strongly believe in...and they are the backbone of this country. Father, thank You for giving our country so many men and women who volunteer to join our military...that they do this willingly and without expecting a hero's return. Be with all of those who have left our shores to go to danger...in order to prevent danger from coming here. Thank You for showing so many Your light, when they are there...I see pictures of baptisms and I know that it is "one more for Jesus"! Thank you for my loving husband who serves, and for the many friends and families who also serve.

God, I ask that you be with 2BHCT that just deployed...specifically Vincent, Z, Nelson, Beckert, Vermeesch, and so many others. I raise these names in particular because I know them personally...but God, You know them ALL. Guard every hair on their heads, and bring them home safely. I ask that you also be with Fitzpatrick...he's been there for a bit, but he's been there over and over. You know, because You Are, that he is strong, and he will do what needs to be done...but protect him Lord, and be with his family. Give all the families strength, day by day, to make it through without their loved ones.

In Your sweet name I pray.
Amen

Day 6 - Prayer for America

11. Prayer for the leaders, churches and Christians of Florida and Georgia.

12. Play that the Church will deepen its commitment to prayer and never cease to call upon God. (Psalms 5:3; 55:17; Isaiah 62:6).


Oh Father in Heaven,

See the people in Florida and Georgia...deep in the south, in the heart of the bible belt. Be with them, God, as they begin to prepare for the upcoming elections. May they be steady in their faith as they choose the future leadership for their states and for this country. May they be prepared to stand up in Your name, to call upon You and Your Holy Spirit and Your Son...so that they can further Your cause and Your righteousness. Prepare the hearts of the states' leaders...make them see what is good and right and what is best for the people of Georgia and Florida. May the churches and leaders of the churches in these 2 states put in an altar call, asking all the people in the churches to stand and be heard in Your glorious name.

My God...I pray that all of those churches in this country see who You are...I pray that they daily remind themselves that the church is not about them and not a place to hang out and drink coffee on Sundays. Make the church the body that reaches out. Let them see what it is to be a church on purpose...to the ends of the earth. Our biggest mission in life, for You, oh God, is to TELL...to tell about Your works and Your glory...to share with those who don't know You what You can do for them. But we can not do that as a body without the arms, the legs, the heart for You. We can not reach out to others until we ourselves know what You can do for us. Let those who know show those who don't. Let those who can, reach out of the building and to the unchurched, the unloved, the unwilling....let ME be a shining light and example of being the church.

I humble myself before You in adoration. Amen.

Day 5 - Prayer for America

9. Pray for the leaders, churches, and Christians of Connecticut and Delaware.

10. Pray for those who serve as police officers, prosecutors, defenders, judges, and Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, that they would be vigilant in service and wise in judgement.


My Prayer:

Oh Father God,

You are the light and salt of the earth. Your salt...it makes us thirsty and makes us want MORE of what You can give...it adds flavor to an otherwise dull life...it keeps us coming back for more of You. Your light...it shines and guides...the beacon in the ultimate darkness, God. Thank You for these wonderful and amazing gifts. God, I pray that You be with the leaders of Connecticut and Delaware. As election time gets closer, every state leader must be convicted to do what is right, not only for the state, but for Your glory. Give each state leader discernment to do what is loving and right in Your eyes, Heavenly Father. Help the churches and Christians to reach out to those who may doubt You or Your existence...let them be the beacon...the light of Your love shining through them to guide and attract...let them be the salt that makes everyone crave to be more like You.

Protect our law enforcement...help them to do what is right and avoid what is wrong. Give them strength and guidance. Keep them safe, Lord. Use them in whatever way You would have them be used to help, not harm. Give the prosecutors, defenders and judges the proper discernment to do what is right and help make this country a righteous place.

In your name I pray.

Day 4 - Prayer for America

My apologies for not posting this...thought I did, but couldn't find it!

7. Pray for the leaders, churches and Christians of California and Colorado.

8. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin and draw Americans to faith in Christ (John 16:8).


My Heavenly Father,

I raise in prayer to you today, the states of California and Colorado. God, give the leaders of these states the guidance to do what is right for the people. To lead by example, to be strong leaders and models of society so that their constituents can see the shining example of You in their lives. There are many decisions that have been made in these states that are not what You would have, so give discernment to the people in CA and CO to elect the leadership that will honor and glorify You. I pray that the Christians and Churches in these states continue to seek You and honor You and actively set out on missions to bring new believers into Your presence.

Our sins are heavy Lord. You give us the chance to unburden ourselves by taking up Your yoke. Your yoke may, at first sight, seem so heavy, but when we surround ourselves with the mantle of Your shining light in our lives, the light lifts the weight away. Give all of those who have not yet met You a chance to feel the lightness of Your Shining glory by opening their eyes, and softening their hard hearts, so that they may turn to You and receive the free gift You offer to all.

In Your sweet name I pray.

Day 3 - Prayer for America

5. Pray for the leaders, churches and Christians of Arizona and Arkansas.

6. Pray for all of our Representatives and Senators who serve in the U.S. Congress, that they will govern with God-honoring discernment and preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

My Prayer:

My Heavenly Father,

To You I come, and I raise my hands in glory and honor for all You have done. I praise You for the works you have done across this land, and this world. You know, because it is all Yours, what there is still to do. I bring the leaders of Arizona and Arkansas to you today, God. Be with them, guide them, give them the ability to see beyond their own needs and greeds, and let them be spiritually guided to do what is necessary to give their states the BEST that they can.

Our Representatives and Senators have been in the forefront of our thoughts these last few days. Our financial crisis can not be solved unless these people come together and do what is RIGHT. Not what will help their individual states...but what will be the best for the ENTIRE country. Lord God, guide them...give them the discerning spirit to approve or turn down this bill...but to do it with a spiritual heart and not out of greed or deed. May You be forever the shining light in all our lives as we watch Your story unfold....

In your name, I pray.

Day 2 - Prayer for America

3. Pray for the leaders, churches and Christians of Alabama and Alaska.

4. Pray that Christian leaders across America would seek God's heart for vision, wisdom and direction. (Jeremiah 33:3)


My Prayer:

Father God,

Today I lift the states of Alabama and Alaska to you. Hear the petitions of the people in those states, Lord. They are your children, and they are asking you for help. Give all the people in leadership positions in those states...the Governors, the Senators, the Representatives...the Judges...the city government leaders....give them all the wisdom to do what is right for their constituents. Be with Alaska as their Governor is part of the Republican Presidential Campaign. Give their Lieutenant Governor the guidance to continue to run that state with You in mind. Let Alaska continue to be on the mind of the Governor, that she may continue to lead from afar. Be with all the leaders in Alabama as they are preparing for their elections. Cover them all with Your grace and love.

As I continue to pray, I ask that you bring the leaders all across America together - to run this country as they know it SHOULD be run...not for THEIR profit, but for the people...and for YOUR glory. Open the ears of those who aren't listening to what is being said...soften the hearts of the hard-hearted - that they may see You in all they do.

In your name I pray.

Day 1 - Prayer for America

1. Pray for a great outpouring of God's Spirit on America (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).
2. Pray for the President and Vice President, that their hearts would be guided by God, that their decisions would be wise, and that their leadership would be principled.

My prayer:


Father God,

We turn to you today to bring our country to you in prayer. Our country is a nation that is hurting right now. There is so much going wrong and so much that needs to be done. No one wants to take that first step in faith...and so I am praying that you will guide each and every soul in this nation to look to You for your guidance to do what is right and forgo what is wrong.

I lift President Bush and Vice President Cheney up to you Lord. Wrap your loving arms strongly around them and guide them to choose what is right for our country. The crises we face right now are many, but simple faith in You can change this. I ask that you give discernment to President Bush to aid our financial crisis - that he makes the right choices to protect our financial institutions without causing everything else to suffer. Give him and all our other leaders the guidance to make the right choices.

Please Pray...

for my friend Cindy Lytle and her family. I just found out that Cindy was killed in horrible car crash today.

I met Cindy at Stevens Creek Community Church. Her smiling face drew you in, and she had a wonderful sense of humor, which she used on The Creek's drama team. She played keyboard and piano for the praise team. She was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. She is survived by her husband Rob, their children Suzanna and Jonathan, and his wife Ruthann, along with 2 grandsons.

Here is her bio, from the Stevens Creek Website:

Cindy Lytle was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. Cindy has also lived in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Somalia, East Africa, and currently lives in Georgia. Cindy attended Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing in Amarillo, Texas where she received her nursing degree. Cindy is currently a part-time psychology student at Augusta State University.

Cindy worked briefly at Church of the Harvest in the early 1990's and returned to The Creek in October, 2002 where she works as a receptionist.

As of October, 2002, Cindy has been working part-time as receptionist in the SCCC office while she is also a student at ASU.

Cindy and her husband Rob Lytle have a son, Jonathan and a daughter, Suzanna, as well as a daughter-in-law RuthAnn and two grandsons. Kelly, the dog and Midnight the kitty complete their family. Cindy takes great delight in playing piano or keyboard for the music team as well as participating in the drama team where she both acts and writes.

Pray for Heather

This is a LONG blog to read - Heather has suffered much in her life. But by God's grace, she has been blessed with so much more than her suffering. There's a lot on this blog - about her daughter who shouldn't have lived but is still alive; the story takes yet another turn with the diagnosis of a brain tumor.

So PRAY.