Prayer about Money and Possessions

July 15, 2018 No Comments

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Most Generous Father,

We praise you for your abundant generosity that was obvious in the wedding of Cana, the feeding of the five thousand, and the provision of fish to the disciples.

We confess that we have not always emulated you in our own dealings with time, talents, money, or possessions.

We thank you for remembering us with health, family, and blessings too numerous to even list.

Forgive our tightfistedness, our numbness to the needs of others, and our willingness to fight for what we think is ours alone. In the power of your Holy Spirit, teach us to be godly stewards of our time, money, and talents, and to know when enough is enough. In Christ, may we reflect the generosity that you have shown us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer about Money and Possessions

Also see:

Giving Thanks

A Place for Authoritative Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Hebrew_Heart

Prayer

Prayer for the Local Church

July 8, 2018 1 Comment

Ceramic church By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty and Loving Father,

We praise you for the pouring out of your Holy Spirit to establish the church on the day of Pentecost.

To you and you alone be the glory, now and always.

We confess that as your church, we are broken and sinful, yet in Christ we are also forgiven.

For your forgiveness, we are truly grateful. We are also thankful for the many blessings that you have poured out on us as a church. For in Christ, we are able to undertake ministry that would be impossible for us as individuals.

We ask now, Lord, for your strength to carry on with the mission that you have given us, even as many changes are taking place. As Jesus said: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21 ESV)

In the power of your Holy Spirit, protect us from being diverted to other missions and especially from the spirit of the day who harries us relentlessly.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for the Local Church

Also see:

Giving Thanks

A Place for Authoritative Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Hebrew_Heart

Prayer

Collect for a God Who Listens

July 1, 2018 No Comments

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Ever attentive father,

We praise you that you care enough to listen,

that you concern for the immigrant, the orphan, and the widow is foremost (Exod 22:21-27),

even when we focus on our own concerns and play politics with the welfare of others.

We confess that we are cold-blooded and hide behind walls and rules and policies

that we blame on others even as we seek our own benefit before offering relief.

Forgive us our deaf ears; rid us of our addictions; and heal the wounds

that we have needlessly provoked.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, give us listening ears

that we might learn from your example even as your wrath pours out on us

and that in our learning we might also share in your salvation.

Through Jesus Christ and in his name, Amen.

Collect for a God Who Listens

Also see:

Giving Thanks

A Place for Authoritative Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Hebrew_Heart

Prayer

Prayer Against Dark Shadows

June 24, 2018 1 Comment

FPCA Avian-Spirit Cross By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

We praise you for your love in creating us in your image,

confess that we are unworthy of this high honor, and

thank you for the faith that you have given us to endure suffering knowing that until you return in glory “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 5:3-4 ESV).

Knowing also that for those whose faith is weak you are ever-present and offer us dominion over every creeping thing (Gen 1:28),

we claim this promise in the strong name of Jesus Christ,

who died on the cross and was raised from the dead.

In Jesus’ name, we bind every dark shadow,

break the power of every curse, every abuse, every evil thought, and

cast every spirit of self-destruction and resignation into the fiery pit.

We raise up the cross and say: no more, be gone.

Fill every heart with your Holy Spirit, that life might echo your joy, your light,

and every child confess that Jesus is Lord until you return in glory.

In his holy name, Amen.

Prayer Against Dark Shadows

Also see:

Giving Thanks

A Place for Authoritative Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Hebrew_Heart

Prayer

Prayer for the Co-Dependent

June 17, 2018 No Comments

Frank and Gertrude Hiemstra, Grave By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Loving Father:

We praise you for the many blessings of this life: for family, good health, and your provisions.

For we know that they are gifts that are given to some and withheld from many.

We confess that we are unworthy of your generosity and do not always act like your children, harboring unclean thoughts and acting out of unsavory motivations.

Yet, we thank you for remembering us in our fallen state and raising us from death to life in Jesus Christ by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for our freedom to live in the love of Christ.

Remember also those that are unable or unwilling to live in your light. Turn their hearts through the power of your Holy Spirit and grant them the strength to accept your mercy. Let them not live in fear depending on the strength of others, but grant them legs to stand on that they might be whole again.

In the strong name of Jesus Christ who died on the cross and was raised from the dead, we come against any family curses and cast out any lingering spirits of fear, abuse, guilt, shame, addiction, condemnation, territory, or disease. We bind the spirit of the child and cast it at the feet of Jesus to remain forever bound. We ask the Holy Spirit to enter this person’s heart and bind them to Christ Jesus, now and always.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for the Co-Dependent

Also see:

Giving Thanks

A Place for Authoritative Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Transcendence_2018

Prayer

Prayer for the Innocent

June 10, 2018 1 Comment

Red Roses By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Merciful father,

Have mercy on innocent young people

who are being gunned down daily in our schools.

Banish the images of horror; of bodies bloodied;

of students running with their hands in the air;

and of stories of what might have been.

Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.

Cast us me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from us. (Ps 51:10-11)

Let us not bend our hearts with electronic fantasies of power

or hide ourselves from those around us.

But in the power of your Holy Spirit,

Be Thou our vision, O Lord of our hearts;
Naught be all else to us, save that Thou art;
Thou our best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence our light.[1]

In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/ns/345

Prayer for the Innocent

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Transcendence_2018

Prayer

Prayer for Congruity

June 3, 2018 No Comments

Winter Trees by Sharron Beg (www.threadpaintersart.blogspot.com)

Merciful father,

How long must I wait to see your face more clearly?

To feel your hand on my shoulder and know that I have served you well?

My soul longs to hear your voice over the chaos of life

and to sense your passion over creation.

Be especially present in this time and place.

Open hearts and minds in this dismal land.

Save us from the stupor of a life lived poorly and out of harmony with your will for us.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, grant me strength for the day; grace for those I meet; and peace,

the peace that passes all understanding.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Congruity

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Transcendence_2018

Prayer

Prayer for Rest

May 27, 2018 1 Comment

Doldrums, Sand Dune in Ocean City, Maryland Lord of the Sabbath,

Teach me to rest.

Disconnect me from the Internet; take away my phone; transport me go off the grid.

That I might rest with you.

That I might be truly present with others.

That I might once again cherish my time not working.

Calm my nerves; cleanse me of fear; let me not care what others think.

That I might recognize the man in the mirror.

That I might care for my kids and my parents

That I might be your servant without reservation.

Forgive my absence in mind and body; grant me your presence; fill my empty heart with your Holy Spirit

Breath life into these bones.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Rest

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/Transcendence_2018

Prayer

Prayer for the Holy Spirit

May 20, 2018 No Comments

Almighty father,

Praise be to you, Oh Lord, for your infinite wisdom, mercy, and grace.

We praise you because our limits are ever more pressing and our strength too often fails.

For we are weak kneed and our hearts bleed for every vile manner of evil.

We yield to the slightest temptation and bow before idols that our minds churn out day after day.

But we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and calm our hearts

and give us the strength needed to walk in your ways.

Be now our constant companion, a helper in our daily struggles.

Grant us peace in this turbulent world and peace in our hearts,

that we may grow to reflect your image more closely day by day.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for the Holy Spirit

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/2018_Ascension

Prayer

Mother’s Day Prayer 2018

May 13, 2018 No Comments

Hazel Hiemstra in 1954 — Mom and I, 1954

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for my mother

who brought me into this world, raised and encouraged me.

Thank you for your ongoing presence and encouragement.

Be especially present in her life today.

Though many years have passed between us,

may each and every day be a blessing.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

may she continue to walk with you

and serve you as well as she has served me.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Mother’s Day Prayer 2018

Also see:

Giving Thanks

A Place for Authoritative Prayer

Other ways to engage online:

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

Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/2018_Ascension