Refiner’s Prayer

January 23, 2022 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Sovereign God,

All praise and honor be to you, because you created all that is, was, or will ever be by your sovereign word and declared it to be good. Nothing in heaven or on earth can contend with you or harass us because of your almighty power and your creation of us in your image.

We confess that we act as if we were orphans, not under your protection and grace. Forgive our arrogant and neglectful sin when we fall short of your will for our lives. Forgive us when we tarnish your image in ourselves and others. Forgive us when will focus on circumstances and forget your untarnished image.

We give thanks for the many blessings that you have given us: life, health, family, work to do, and the community of faith to sustain us. Thank you especially for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that allows us to approach your mercy seat with confidence.

We lift up our families, communities, and country, plagued with besetting sins and moral corruption. In the power of your Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts and draw us back to you. May the cure not kill the patient. Teach us the discipline of obedient children that we might grow stronger every day in your image.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Refiner’s Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/HNY__2022

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Holistic Prayer

January 16, 2022 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Spirit of Truth,

All honor and praise to you for your Triune unity unites heart and mind in undergirding law and modeling mercy, grace, patience, love and truth. May we be and do no less.

Forgive our divided hearts and minds, our disrespect for law and our willingness to practice mercy, grace, patience, love, and truth when it suits us. Be our guide; be ever near.

Thank for the example of Jesus of Nazareth who in life modeled a sinless life, who taught us about your heart and mind, and who died on the cross that we might draw closer to you as sons and daughters.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, may our daily disciplines become habits, and our habits grow into holy lifestyles that model your image to all those around us.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Holistic Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Christ_2021

Image and Illumination, Prayer

Heart and Mind Prayer

January 9, 2022 1 Comment

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Father God,

We praise you for your consistency in heart and mind. Your immutable character is eternal and unchanging with the seasons. Your judgments enforce justice and your mercy supports life itself. Help us to model our behavior after yours.

We confess that we are like reeds blowing in the wind, sinning when it suits us, and when we find advantage. Forgive our sin and teach us to live without it.

We thank you for the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who redeems us from bondage to sin and gives life meaning. Help us to accept his love and learn from it.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to model ourselves after you, to pattern life on earth with that in heaven, and to show mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness to those around us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Heart and Mind Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Christ_2021

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Mirror Prayer

January 2, 2022 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Holy Father,

All praise and honor be yours as you created us in your image to bring your light and rule sovereignly as your regent in a dark world.

Forgive our unwillingness to be light, to stand up to evil, and reflect your goodness where there is none.

Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, to mirror your character and to save us from ourselves.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, be ever present in our lives, grant us spiritual gifts to serve your church, and to empower us for ministry.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Mirror Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Christ_2021

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A Visual Prayer

December 26, 2021 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Beloved Lord Jesus,

All praise and honor be to you, light of the world, who has been with us since the creation and set us apart from the beasts of the field safe in a well-watered garden.

I confess that I am anxious being alone in person and with others when all are silent and I do not feel up to the task of reflecting your divine image, being the designed adult in a world of adolescents. Forgive our timid nature.

Thank you for your sovereign example of humble strength in creation and ministry, even to the point of death on a cross.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, strengthen us in dark moments and scary places when we are alone with our fears. Be ever near.

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

A Visual Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Christ_2021

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Restoration Prayer

December 19, 2021 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Blessed Lord Jesus,

We praise you for embodying the restoration of God the Father’s divine image in human form, for your humility, self-sacrifice, and death on our behalf.

We confess that we are unwilling and unfaithful stewards of the blessings that you have bestowed on us in thoughts, words, and deeds. We have broken every commandment and, but the intervention of your Holy Spirit, would be unable to recognize our own sin. Forgive us.

We thank you for the many blessings of this life: our health, our families, and our resources. Teach us to be better stewards and give us hearts to extend your love.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, make us whole again. Worthy participants in extending your divine image to those around us.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Restoration Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/Christ_2021

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Prayer by Example

December 12, 2021 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Most Magnificent God,

All praise and honor are yours, creator of the universe, for you fashioned us out of the earth and when our time is complete, you return us to it.

Forgive us when we focus on things other than you; save us from our folly. Bring us back to you.

We give thanks for the example of your son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, suffering on the cross, and died for our sins.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, draw our attention to Christ that we might be made whole and become the people of God.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer by Example

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/GiveThanks_2021

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Confession of Sin Prayer

December 5, 2021 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Sovereign Father,

All praise and honor are yours, creator of the universe, who fearlessly creates all things and declares them to be good.

Forgive our disrespect, our intensification of evil, and open rebellion. Lift up the symbol of our rebellion and accept our confession that we might participate in your forgiveness, worship only you, and break the chains of sin that bind us to Satan.

We give thanks for the example of Jesus of Nazareth, who lived a holy life, was crucified for our sin, died on the cross, and was raised from the dead. May we accept his sacrifice and learn from it.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, break the power of sin in our lives that we might be free in Christ to live within your healthy, spiritual boundaries.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Confession of Sin Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/GiveThanks_2021

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Identity Prayer

November 28, 2021 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Sovereign Father, Beloved Son, Spirit of Truth,

We praise you for our creation, our identity in you, and our redemption.

Forgive our failure to seek your guidance and act on the advice we have.

Thank you for your mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness.

Open our hearts; illumine our minds; strengthen our hands in your service

that we might always rest in you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Identity Prayer

Also see:

The Who Question

Preface to a Life in Tension

Other ways to engage online:

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

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

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/GiveThanks_2021

Image and Illumination, Prayer

Imaging Prayer

November 20, 2021 No Comments

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By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for being present in our lives, available when we are in need, and call us into relationship.

Forgive us when we remain distant from those around us, hide when others need us, and forgo healthy relationship. Forgive our unwarranted anxieties and fear that keep us from loving those around us.

Thank you for your example of a holy life in Jesus Christ, who loved us enough to sacrifice himself on a cross.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, grant us the courage and strength to be good stewards of the love, life, and resources that you have given us. May we mirror the mercy, grace, patience, love, and faithfulness that we first saw in you.