Evening Lament

September 27, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Blessed Lord Jesus,

Place your hedge of protection around me, Lord, for I am confused and afraid.

My strength fails me; my body aches; my children are yet lost; and it is night, when jackals run freely and the hyena contends with the lion over much carrion.

Have mercy on the children, Lord.

Spare me their voices in the night; spare me the weeping of souls forgotten and lost—be they familiar, near, and dear.

For the workman cannot save them from folly nor tell them what ears will not hear.

Yet, you God hear our prayers; your blessings blossom beyond measure daily.

Since the days of my youth, you have comforted me and given me life and hope and joy—to sing and dance and clap hands for the joy of your salvation which is near.

But now, let me rest securely until the new day awaits in morning sun with blessings and hope of rest with you, now and always.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Evening Lament

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer of Praise

September 20, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

God of All Wonders,

The heavens declare your glory and we are witnesses to it.

Our eyes have seen and our ears have heard of the splendor of your creation.

We give testimony to the love that you showered on us when Jesus died a cruel death in our place and for our salvation he rose from the dead.

How can our lips then be silent?

We are citizens of heaven and sojourners in this land.

Teach us, Lord, to testify in humility to your love for us; to abstain from the passions of this life that wage war on our souls; and to share your passion for our lives and salvation with gentleness and respect.

If we then should suffer, then may it be for your kingdom and your righteousness and not for our own sin.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to be salt and light.

In Jesus’ precious name and for his glory. Amen.

Prayer of Praise

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/TestWater_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Rodney’s Prayer

September 13, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. HIemtra

Loving Father,

We give thanks for the life and death of Jesus who lived a humble life and bore our sins on the cross.

Help us to practice humbleness and hospitality with all people.

Help us to put on Christ’s righteousness and defend your honor, not ours.

Help us to pay our bills and our taxes, to turn the other cheek, to treat our enemies with love and respect, and to judge the actions, not the intensions, of those around us.

In all we do, help us to practice racial, ethnic, class, and gender equality.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, may conflict and bickering and gossip end with us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rodney’s Prayer

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for Righteousness

August 30, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

We give thanks for the many blessings that you have given us.

Among these gifts are your presence, your name, your covenantal grace, and our salvation in Jesus Christ.

May we continue to be blessed and bless others (Gen 12:1-3).

Sanctify us in your righteousness that we might be fit stewards of your grace.

And if our sanctification includes persecution, grant us the strength to bear it with dignity and grace.

And may we ever remain in your love and share it with others until we meet you again in glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prosecute Righteousness

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Norm2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for God’s Peace

August 23, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Holy and Gracious God,

In the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to separate ourselves from sexual immorality, impurities, sensuality, idolatry, and sorcery, fleeing from enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, and envy, refusing to engage in drunkenness and orgies.

Through the example of Jesus Christ, bid us to pursue the fruits of the spirit by practicing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:19–24).

Crucify the passions of the flesh that naturally grow in us.

May peace on your terms grow to become peace on our terms and may we share it with those around us.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Peace on God’s Terms

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Norm2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for Shalom

August 16, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Great Physician, Prince of Peace, Lord of the Sabbath,

Where can we find shalom but with you? Holy Spirit grant us your peace. As our bodies are at war within us . . . We want to be filled with your peace, but impatiently fill our stomachs beyond need, imprudently pop pills for the slightest ailments, and tirelessly talk about religion without making room for you in our busy schedules. Heal our hearts, bodies, and minds; grant us your peace.

Where can we find shalom but with you? Gentle Father grant us your peace. As we neglect our fellowship with you . . . We want to be faithful worshipers, servants, and ministers. We serve you but we focus more on getting our own way, unfaithfully constructing idols of things great and small, hoping in total foolishness to bribe and control you. Forgive our sin; look beyond our transgressions; pardon our iniquity.

Where can we find shalom but with you? Jesus grant us your peace. As our relationships are in tatters…We want to be faithful children, parents, and spouses—not demanding more from others than from ourselves. Heal our families and relationships; grant us your peace.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Shalom

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Petition for Forgiveness

August 9, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,

Oh Lord, to be like you—strong and wise and patience and peace loving.

Oh, to be a covenant keeper, dependable and steady, a pillar against the wind.

Oh, to offer mercy and grace and patience and love and truth to all who come near: hospitality in the desert; peace amidst confusion; security when uncertainty tears at the soul.

Oh Lord, to be like you; to be like you.

Remember us, Lord, but forget the sin that depletes our strength, leaves us foolish, makes us impatient, and creates dissension.

Remember us, Lord, but forgive our transgressions.

Remember us, Lord, but wipe away our iniquity that leaves us judgmental and arrogant and at odds with all things good and true.

Remember us, Lord, lest we forget ourselves. In the power of your Holy Spirit grant us a new day and the strength to live it in a new way following the example of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Petition for Forgiveness

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

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Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Obituary_HFH

Life in Tension, Prayer

Autumn Prayer

August 2, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Compassionate Father,

I give thanks for the walks that we have shared through summer days of my youth: the forest trails that we journeyed together; the mountain peaks that you showed me; the sandy beaches that went on and on. You held my hand, but let me lead and comforted me throughout—I worried only about the getting too much sun or avoiding the rain or just how best to have fun—thank you. As the years went by, you never left me—thank you. Teach me now how to take walks again in the autumn of my days: to travel paths yet untraveled with young hands eager for the journey; to offer peace and security and comfort and hospitality at odds with my nature but not with yours.

Be ever near through the power of your Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Autumn Prayer

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Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer of Many Confessions

July 26, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Eternal God,

We praise you for the beauty of the earth, the freshness of the wind, the crispness of the sea, and the warmth of dry earth. You have created heaven and earth for your glory and our benefit—thank you.

We confess that too often we say one thing and do another. Save us from our own hypocrisy.

We confess that too often we have overlooked the needs of our neighbors and preached about their shortcomings. Convert our hearts to your truth that we might display your grace.

We confess that too often we have acted too quickly out of prejudice and veiled your mercy. Grant us gracious hearts and open minds. We confess that too often we have focused on ourselves and sheltered ourselves from others. Teach us hospitality.

We confess that too often we have resisted change out of stubbornness and neglected the needs of our own youth. Give us eyes that see and ears that listen.

We confess that too often we have judged too quickly and judge imprudently. Grant us the mind of Christ.

Forgive us our many sins. Guide us in making recompense. Heal the wounds that separate us from one another and restore us to your kingdom.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer of Many Confessions

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Believer’s Prayer

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Soldier’s Prayer

July 19, 2020 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father.

Spare us, Lord, from a divided heart, an indecisive mind, and conniving spirit.

Prune the eye that sins, the hand that grasps, and the ears that itch to hear anything other than your word.

Intensify our love of your law and apply that love in gracious hearts and discerning minds.

Instill in us your Holy Spirit, holy affections, and sanctified thoughts that we might be truthful to ourselves, to others, and, most of all, to you.

Grant us your whole armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, and sword of your word (Eph 6:13–17).