Prayer for Shelter

April 5, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

I praise you for your enduring presence and manifest glory all around. Your glory wakes me in the morning; its sustains my days; and it protects me during the night.

Empty me of all despair and bitterness that deflate my life. Help me to confess my weaknesses, my brokenness, and my sin to make room for your glory, your mercy, and your love.

Heal me with your presence when only your presence will do. Bind up my wounds; give me hope; and guide me in your ways that I might see the new day that you have prepared for me.

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

Prayer for Shelter

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

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Hopeful Prayer

March 29, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Lamb of God,

Thank you for the hope that comes in the midst of life and death.

Be especially present with those that grieve—grieve over the loss of a loved one, grieve over a life not lived according to plan, grieve over sin and brokenness and shame.

Show us the road to recovery, wholeness, and restoration; show us the plans that you have laid out for us—plans for welfare, not evil, for a future, and a hope in you.

Grant us godly grief that produces repentance and redemption and new life in joy.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, wipe away our tears so that we might behold the Father.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hopeful Prayer

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

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

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Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for Presence

March 22, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Compassionate Father,

Be especially near me this morning—blot out my guilt; hide my shame; cover up my sin.

Though I am unworthy, share an intimate moment with me. Remind me of better times.

Grant me a new day in the sunshine of your mercy—a day when I could lose myself in your love and extend your love with abandon to those around me.

Open a bridge over the gaps that separate us—time and holiness and power—that I might spend more time with those around me, might share in your holy affections, might overcome my own weaknesses and bitterness, and turn to you, instead of into my pain, that I may experience godly, redemptive grief.

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

Prayer for Presence

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Meet_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for Joy in Sorrow

March 15, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

God of All Compassion,

Draw near to me in my grief, oh Lord. Let me not mourn alone, but instead turn to you. I remember how you walked with me during sunny days—days when the trees were bright with leaves and the flowers bloomed along the beach and the hills and the forest.

Now that autumn has come and the days grow shorter, be ever near as a I walk along stormy paths that wind through the shadows and under leafless trees.

Forgive my aloofness, ever at a distance, thinking that the sun would always shine and warm breezes would stay near. Forgive my tight-fisted attitude, grasping at time, grasping at resources, grasping for myself.

Grant me a clear mind, a generous heart, and helpful hands through your Holy Spirit, Almighty God. That I might be like you—now and always.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Joy in Sorrow

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Lent_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for Humility

March 8, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Humble Father, Loving Son, Ever-present Spirit,

We praise you for your mercy shown through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Walk with us day by day and grant us a humble spirit that we might enjoy your blessing, forgiveness, and healing.

Keep us focused on your mission, not our own.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Humility

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Lent_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Sabbath Prayer

March 1, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Lord of the Sabbath,

We praise you for creating us and placing us in a beautiful world, for enabling us work to support our families, and for allowing us time to rest.

In this weary world, teach us to rest and to offer hospitality to those around us.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to be humble like salt, that flavors, preserves, and graces every table and to radiate your light when darkness threatens to overwhelm.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Sabbath Prayer

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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/Lent_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Fulfillment Prayer

February 23, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Father God, Beloved Son, Holy Spirit,

We praise you for your example in life.

In you, the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled, not in words, but in actions.

We are no longer without hope—good news is preached; broken hearts are healed; and liberty is proclaimed to the captives.

In you, there is jubilee; in you, there is comfort; in you, death is forever banished so that we may never mourn again.

Amen and amen

Fulfillment Prayer

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

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

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Lent_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for the Poor in Spirit

February 16, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Oh dear Lord,

I give thanks that you are ever near to me—not too proud to linger with your servant and call me friend.

Bless me with your spirit of humility and generosity—generous in time, generous in friendship, and generous in sharing yourself.

Keep me safe from bad company; keep me safe from pious arrogance; keep me safe from my own sinful heart.

Let me always be ever near to you, now and always, through the power of your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for the Poor in Spirit

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

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Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net, Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Corner_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer and Blessing

February 9, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Spirit of Holiness,

We praise you for blessing us with life, a vision of how to live it, and a family to share it with.

We praise you for your faithful presence on good days and not so good days.

Forgive our pride and willfulness.

Forgive us for sins against you and sins against those around us.

Plant in us the seeds of forgiveness and the patience to watch them grow.

Plant in us the desire to follow you and to prosper your kingdom.

Let us use our blessings to bless others (Gen 12:2–3)—blessing not only those easy to love but also those who need our love.

Grant us strength for the day, grace for those we meet, and peace in all things.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer and Blessing

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Corner_2020

Life in Tension, Prayer

Prayer for Others

February 2, 2020 No Comments

Life_in_Tension_revision_front_20200101 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Holy Spirit,

We praise you for being willfully present in our lives—teach us to be willfully present in the lives of those around us.

We confess our need for holiness—may your example shine through us.

We confess that we are often attracted more to culture and less to you—teach use how to live faithfully in tension with the world around us.

We confess the need to be reconciled with those that pain us and those we pain—teach us how to live sacrificially in your name.

We thank you for the life and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, and for many spiritual gifts showered on us by your Holy Spirit.

Grant us strength for the day, grace for those we meet, and peace.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Other

Also see:

Believer’s Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net, Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Corner_2020