Adult Prayer

September 16, 2018 No Comments

Dad_SWH_SRAH_2012b Most Merciful Father,

We give thanks that you are:
“merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exod. 34:6 ESV), an example to the rest of us.

We confess that too often we are short tempered, ungracious, impatient, unloving, and unfaithful.

But for your example, we would be worse, but we are thankful that have provided us role models in the church that follow you day by day.

We remember and thank you for our heroes from September 11, 2001 who gave their energy and, in some cases, their lives to protect us from evil men. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.

We pray for more adults in our life, community and country to lead us to follow your example. Nurture and protect them that we might benefit from their example and guidance and follow you more fully each day.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, grant us strength to meet the challenges of each new day with grace and a peaceful heart.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Adult Prayer

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_Trans

Prayer

Praying for Cooler Weather

September 9, 2018 No Comments

Stephen W. Hiemstra, Photograph of Boxing Gloves By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

We praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit,

who provisions, sustains, and guides us

when cooler heads do not prevail.

We confess that this has been a long, hot summer,

fires burn in our forests, but also in our hearts.

Thankfully, you are God and we are not.

You protect us when we act like mythical lemmings–

running off cliffs when stressed by competition and deprivations.

Teach us to model ourselves after Jesus Christ,

who taught self-sacrifice and unity

when the world taught war and division.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

save us from ourselves and

turn our hearts and minds to you.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Praying for Cooler Weather

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_Trans

Prayer

Praying for Fruit

September 2, 2018 1 Comment

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Ever-Present Spirit.

I praise you

for your model of a life well-lived

in your son, our savior, Jesus Christ.

May his example remain ever-present before my eyes,

his voice ever sounding in my ears, and

the touch of his hand ever-warming my shoulder.

I confess

that I am too easily seduced

by the works of the flesh—

“sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Gal 5:19-21).

They are continuously before my eyes in the media and

I am slow to turn my head in revulsion—

forgive my sloth.

I give thanks

that you are a God of second chances and

third chances and fourth chances—

may I soon stop trying your patience.

I ask Lord,

kindle in me the fruits of your spirit—

“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, [and] self-control” (Gal 5:22-23)

that I might inherit your kingdom and

walk in your ways

all the days of my life.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Praying for Fruit

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_Trans

Prayer

Prayer Journey

August 26, 2018 1 Comment

Arizona Snow By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Precious Savior,

Stay with me this morning

as the snow is all around and

I am not sure where to go.

Is it snow or is it just the morning fuzz in my eyes

fuzz that seems to take hold of me and hem me in

until I shake it off in the gym

Stay with me this afternoon

as I wander from task to task and from chat to chat.

Deepen my thoughts.

Raise my awareness.

Help to become a better companion.

Someone helpful on the journey, not someone just taking up space.

Stay with me this evening

as my strength flags and

my desire to push on grows extreme.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

grant me that strength

and insights to create and cherish and share

before the night takes its toll

and I fade with the light.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer Journey

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/Sabath_2018

Prayer

Baptism Prayer

August 19, 2018 No Comments

Manassas baptism, 2017 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Merciful Father,

We praise you for the day of our baptism

when Jesus washed away our sins and

we experienced the miracle of restoration and rebirth.

We confess that our salvation rests on nothing less that Christs death and righteousness. Forgive our weakness and sin.

We thank you for the many blessings of this life and the hope that you have given us through Jesus Christ.

Through the power of your Holy Spirit,

bring us back into communion with our true selves in Christ, even when we forget.

We ask you now that new souls will hear your call and submit to the baptism waters

that have given our souls rest and advance the day when you shall come again in victory.

In Jesus´precious name, Amen.

Baptism Prayer

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/Sabath_2018

Prayer

Prayer Against Entropy

August 12, 2018 1 Comment

Doldrums, Sand Dune in Ocean City, Maryland By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Merciful Father,

I praise you for your unchanging character,

your immutability in the face of erosion, pain, and death

for your love conquers all foes,

from the sting of war to the impurity of common dust

that brings disease and biting insects and filth.

I confess that I pale in the present of even tiny obstacles

and fear is a constant companion.

Forgive my timidity, my cowardliness as strength fails me.

In the power of your Holy Spirt,

Instill in me your wisdom and strength to face the day

that I might minister to those around me

and grant me courage to live the life that you intended.

In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Prayer Against Entropy

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/Sabath_2018

Prayer

Prayer for a Steady Hand

August 5, 2018 No Comments

Target practice By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty father,

All glory and honor are yours, Lord,

for you are my fortress

and your presence the hand on my shoulder.

Why do I fear? Why does my grip falter?

I confess that my faith hangs by a thread

for I know that some day my strength will fail

and my only hope is in you.

Thank you for a new day and the opportunity to serve in your name.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

grant me the strength to be the person that you created me to be

and to be fully present to those around me, each and every day.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer for a Steady Hand

Prayer

Petition for Full Presence

July 29, 2018 2 Comments

Doldrums, Sand Dune in Ocean City, Maryland By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty, Ever-present Father,

I praise you for you continuing presence in my life.

Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from your love through Jesus Christ (Rom 8:38-39).

But I confess that I have trouble being fully present in the lives of the people around–too often I am tired, I am distracted, I am inattentive to reflect your example.

Thankfully, you are patient with me and speak to me gently when I stray.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, teach me once again what I must do and grant me the strength to follow your footsteps. May your grace shine through me and may I experience the peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7).

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Petition for Full Presence

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

Disappointment Prayer

July 22, 2018 No Comments

Stephen W. Hiemstra, www.StephenWHiemstra.net — Stephen W. Hiemstra, 2017

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Heavenly Father, Beloved Son, Spirit of Truth,

All praise and honor be to you,

Lord of my coming and going,

the one in who I can truly trust.

I confess that some days my heart is broken

and none but you will do

for my sins are too numerous

and my trust in others is too fleeting for my heart to bear.

Thank you for giving me a new day and bearing me up

so that I can face new trials and know that you are closer than my beating heart.

Be my North Star once again.

In the power of your Holy Spirit,

grant me strength for the day, grace for those I meet, and peace.

In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Disappointment Prayer

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 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.