Prayer over Culture

January 13, 2019 No Comments

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Heavenly Father,

All praise and honor be to you our mighty role model who is merciful, gracious, patient, loving, and faithful (Exod 34:6) even when we are not.

We confess our sin too rarely, cling to our idols too tightly, and seldom make room in our lives for your divine intervention–forgive us.

We thank you for your willingness to accept us and blot out our sin in the name of Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life, died on a cross, and was raised from the dead.

Resurrect these dead bones again (Ezek 37) and breathe your breath of life into us again for winter is upon us and cannot save ourselves.

No music, no magic words, no technology can save us from our selves; only you can.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

take pity on us from the depths of your mercy and raise up your church amid the fashions of death that grip us.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer over Culture

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Advent_Mas_2018

Prayer

Prayer for a Steady Hand

January 6, 2019 No Comments

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

All praise and honor be to you,

my rock, the foundation on which I stand

in the storms of life when none other will do.

For my own knees are weak and my ankles wobble like a blind man walking on ice,

leaving every step tentative and ungracious when others need my help.

Thank you for the example of Jesus Christ

who boldly spoke the truth and gave his life that we might hear it.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

strengthen my knees and bind up my ankles that I might step out in faith.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for a Steady Hand

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Advent_Mas_2018

Prayer

Prayer for Clear Thinking

December 30, 2018 No Comments

Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Spirit of Truth:

Thank you for the new day

when the sun shines brightly and

I rise fully awake.

I am tired of the clouds and

the dark shadows that persist

even after coffee and a trip to the gym.

Without a doubt,

I am guilty of working too hard, too long, and with too much intensity

that is neither good for me or for my relationships.

Forgive me. Help my family also to forgive me.

Teach me to relax, to take Sabbath seriously, and

not to find find excuses to swap one intense activity for another.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

grant me strength, grace, and peace one more day.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Clear Thinking

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Advent_Mas_2018

Prayer

Prayer Over This Place

December 23, 2018 No Comments

Mural of Old Centreville By Stephen W. Hiemstra”

Almighty Father, Gentle Son, Spirit of Truth,

In the name above all names

to whom “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given” (Matt 28:18 ESV)

we claim this time and this place for the Risen Christ–

make our time your time,

make our place your place.

In doing so we confess that we are unworthy of the call and

have need for forgiveness–cleanse our hearts and renew a right spirit among us. (Ps 51:10)

For we have been blessed to bless others (Gen 12:1-3) and

can only claim our salvation by extending it to those around us.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

come Lord, come quickly.

May our eyes only see what you would have us see,

may our ears only hear what you would have us hear,

way our voices speak only what you would have us speak.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer Over This Place

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Advent_Mas_2018

Prayer

Dinner Prayer

December 16, 2018 No Comments

Red Candle By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Merciful and Gracious Father,

All praise and honor be to you,

father of our faith and

forgiver of our sins

for you began in creating light (Gen 1:3) and

have sent us yourself, the light of the world.(John 9:5).

Forgive our sin and draw us to yourself this day

that we might enjoy your special presence

among friends and family at your dinner table.

Thank you for your infinite love and tender mercies (Rom 12:1)

that accepted us as we were,

but did not leave us to wallow in our sins.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

bless the food before us and us to your service.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Dinner Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer for Positive Results

December 9, 2018 No Comments

Red Roses By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father, Great Physician, Sustaining Spirit,

All praise and honor be to you

for you know our wishes before we do

and yet

desire that we share them with you,

like a caring parent.

Forgive us for hiding our fears and

thinking that we can live without you.

We thank you for your presence and

health and family that care for us–

for it is a fearful thing to be alone in pain and affliction.

Be especially present as we undergo medical tests and keep our doctors busy.

Guard our hearts and minds when our energy flags and

the tempter comes to visit.

For we know that our only hope is in you.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Positive Results

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

Newsletter:http://bit.ly/Give_Thanks_2018

Prayer

Advent Prayer 2018

December 2, 2018 No Comments

Red Candle By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Merciful Father, Lover of My Soul, Gracious Spirit,

All praise and honor be to you,

for you have honored us above all things–

above all roses and vineyards,

above the puppies and kitties,

above the birds of the air and the fish of the sea,

and you have loved us enough

to send your Son to die on a cross for our salvation.

Even as we have not returned your love,

obeyed your law, or

lived within your grace.

We give thanks for your presence among us–

coming to us as a baby

to grow up and suffer for our sins,

grievous and endless and heinous

in every way.

Open our eyes and unstop our ears

that we might learn to love as you do,

beginning in this holiday season.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Advent Prayer 2018

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Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer 2018

November 25, 2018 No Comments

October table setting of praise and thanks By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Heavenly Father,

All praise and honor be to you

Father of all Creation

for you have created us in your image,

an image that we can spend a lifetime growing into.

We confess that we are

unworthy of being your children

unwilling to give up our favorite sins and

unable to approach you, but for the blood of Jesus.

Yet, we thank you

for coming to us in spite of our broken and polluted state,

for granting us many talents and gifts, and

for making our salvation possible.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

forgive our division and hostility to one another,

cleanse and unite our land, and

draw us closer to you day by day.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer 2018

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Prayer

Prayer for Leaders

November 18, 2018 No Comments

Stephen W. Hiemstra, Christine's Wedding By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty God,

All praise and honor are yours

for you have led us

out of the wilderness of life and

into the Promised Land.

Your salvation begins here and now, and extends into eternity.

We have unfortunately not often accepted your leadership.

We have strayed from the path of life into the jungle of our own desires and

sought refuge in a thousand idols.

Forgive our militant stubbornness, murderous pride, and unlimited insolence.

Thank you for your patience, unrelenting guidance, and your many spiritual gifts.

By the power of your Holy Spirit,

save us from ourselves–our thin skin, laziness, and pride–and

raise up Godly leaders in our land.

who will turn to you in their pain and follow your lead.

Teach us humility before we destroy ourselves.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen

Prayer for Leaders

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

Newsletter:http://bit.ly/Give_Thanks_2018

Prayer

Prayer for Community

November 11, 2018 No Comments

Ceramic church By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Merciful Father, Beloved Son, Holy Spirit,

All praise and honor are yours

for you poured out your Holy Spirit at Pentecost

to create the church–

a pillar of faith in an faithless word,

a light in the darkness,

the aroma of your Holy Spirit in a barren land.

We confess that even as we gather

around your communion table

called out from the world and called to faith

we are broken and sinful and without merit

except for the blood of Christ.

Thank you nevertheless for your place of refuge and strength

amid the confusion of life.

Bind us together in unity;

teach us to follow your ways;

bless us that we may bless those around us (Gen 12:1-3).

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for Community

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Books, Films, and Ministry

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

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2018_Character