Category: Prayer

A Prayer of Gratitude from 2 Samuel 7

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Samuel 7-8

I love using scripture as a starting point for my prayers. Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Who am I, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far? You saw me when I was running far and fast away from You, and You drew me to You. And yet this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord God. Nothing is impossible for You. No heart is too hard for You. No one is too far from Your reach. You know my heart and You have brought me to know Yours. You are indeed great! There is none like You. There is no God besides You. You are not like idols made up in human minds or fashioned with human hands. You are eternal. You are infinite. You are almighty. I pray that Your people Israel would confess Messiah Jesus and be saved. I pray that You would open the eyes of each Jewish person living in Israel and around the globe. May Your Name be magnified forever, saying, “The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,” and God over all creation, and Jesus Christ is Your Only Begotten Son and the Only Savior of the world. O Lord God, You are God and Your Words are true. Please bless my home. Bless my husband. Bless my children. Bless my parents and my siblings, my aunts and uncles and cousins. Bless my church. Bless my city and state and nation. Bless us that we might glorify Your Name as we humble ourselves before Your almighty throne. Use us, Your people, Your servants, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do all that You have commanded. It is in the Name of Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen.

Inquiring of the Lord: Thoughts from 2 Samuel 2

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Samuel 2

Even now in my fifth decade of life, I’m still learning every day. I’m definitely still learning about history and science, but I’m also still learning to be a better human. One thing I’m actively trying to learn is to ask questions. Maybe that sounds like an odd thing to need to learn, but in my sinful nature I find myself prone to pride and to talking more than listening.

I’m not only learning to ask questions when I’m with my family, friends, or strangers, but I’m also learning to ask questions of God. I want to be like David who inquired of the Lord, “’Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ And the LORD said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘To which shall I go up?’ And he said, ‘To Hebron.’” (2 Samuel 2:1)

  • Father, What do You want me to do today?
  • Spirit, What does this verse mean?
  • Lord, What should I say right now?
  • Spirit, How can I apply this passage to my life?
  • Father, What do You want me to write about from this passage?

I want to be a better asker and a better listener. I want to heed the inspired words of James 1:5.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 ESV

Heavenly Father, thank You for always being faithful to give wisdom and guidance when I come to You humbly in need. Help me to learn to ask, and help me to learn to listen. And, then, Father, help me to obey. I fear sometimes I don’t ask because I don’t want to obey. Forgive me and change me. I want to be more like Jesus who faithfully asked and listened and obeyed. I love You, Lord. You are worthy to be obeyed. Grow my faith. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Seek Ye First

A Prayer for my Children from Colossians 1

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Colossians 1

I’m so sorry for my absence. This Christmas break I have been enjoying sweet time with my daughter being home from college – in addition to five days spent with my two little granddaughters and the rest of my family. Blogging was the easiest thing to leave out of my schedule, but I have to admit that I miss it. Writing ministers to my own soul, and I hope that it ministers to yours, too.

On Monday I’ll be beginning the second year of my Read Through the Bible in 2 Years plan. Get more information here. I hope you’ll join me!

This week our family got to read through Colossians together. It has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible. Do you ever pray Scripture? Colossians is a great place to start.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending the Lord Jesus Christ for us. I thank You for the sure and certain hope that is laid up for us in heaven by faith in Him. I thank You for drawing my children to faith; this faith is a gift and I pray that You would strengthen it and give it roots and wings. I pray that each of my children will be filled with the knowledge of Your will with all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that they might walk in a manner worthy of You, Lord, living lives that are fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in their knowledge of You. Help them to study your word each and every day, that they know You better that they would love You more. May they be strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with hearts full of joy and gratitude for Your saving grace. If any of them have not yet fully trusted in You for salvation, I pray that You would deliver them from Satan’s domain of darkness and place them securely in the kingdom of Your Beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Strengthen them to continue in the faith, staple and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which they have heard from my own lips and from the pages of scripture. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Hears – A Prayer from 1 Samuel 3

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Samuel 3

Heavenly Father, You are the Lord, the only Lord, Supreme ruler over heaven and earth. I am Your servant. You created me. You redeemed me out of sin and out of the kingdom of the evil one. You bought me with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the unblemished, perfect Lamb of God. You own me. I am Yours.

Speak to me, Lord. Speak truth into my soul. Speak peace into my mind. Speak life into my weary heart. Speak to me.

You have said that Your sheep hear Your voice and they follow You. Make me an obedient, submissive, gentle sheep.

Help me to hear, to listen, to understand, to trust, and to obey. Keep my mind from distractions and confusion. Help me to be attentive to Your voice, especially when it is not much louder than a whisper. Give me discernment to clearly recognize Your voice in the midst of the cacophony of distractions that the enemy has buried like land mines all around me.

Thank You for the pure milk, the pure light, the pure water of Your Word. Fill me. Wash me. Guide me. For the glory of Your Name and the edification of Your body.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen.

A Prayer from Hannah’s Prayer in 1 Samuel 2

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Samuel 2.

Let’s pray and worship the Lord together with Hannah and believers around the world.

My heart rejoices in You, Lord, for You have raised me up from the ash heap and set my feet on the solid rock of salvation in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I rejoice in You, my God, for there is none holy like You. There is none besides you, Father. Indeed, there is no rock like our God.

Keep me humble, Father. Let me not become arrogant or proud. Help me to remember that You are a righteous judge, knowing and seeing all things, both visible and invisible. Help me to see the log in my own eye. Keep me on my knees in humility before Your throne of grace.

Increase my faith, Lord. You break the bows of the mighty, and You give strength to the weak. You make the full hungry and the hungry full. You give children to the barren, and You take children from those who have many. The number of every man’s days are held in Your hand.

You have given Your only Son, Jesus Christ, that we may be forgiven and redeemed and receive the gift of eternal life with You. Make us ambassadors for Your kingdom, sharing the good news to all four corners of the earth and making disciples of all the nations.

You, Father, are the giver of every good gift, of children and wealth and power and wisdom. Help us to be good stewards of these gifts. Make us instruments of Your peace, blessing the needy with all that You have blessed us, our time, talents, treasures, and testimonies.

The whole world is in Your hands, Father. We pray for the leaders of our nation and the nations around the world. Guide them. Grant them wisdom. Give them strength. Humble and exalt in Your perfect wisdom and timing, and help us to trust and worship You no matter the cost.

In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we pray. Amen.

Instruments of Your Peace

Who’s Fighting Your Battles? A Lesson from Gideon and Judges 7.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Judges 7

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

Judges 7:2 ESV

This passage has had a special place in my heart since one night about twenty years ago when the Holy Spirit convicted me about how often I used manipulation to get my husband to do what I wanted. That night, the Lord opened my eyes to the importance of trusting Him to fight my battles, rather than trusting my own skills of argumentation to get my way. That night, I decided to quit fighting against my husband and to start praying for him. That night, I finally recognized that I might be winning these marital battles, but I was losing the war for my marriage.

Can any of you relate?

Ask yourself what weapons you’re using to fight your own battles: Nagging and complaining? Threatening and yelling? Silence and the cold shoulder? Put those weapons away, friends. They’re not the Lord’s weapons; they’re the enemy’s.

If the Lord can cause the entire Middianite army to kill one another, giving the Israelites success by merely blowing their trumpets, then surely He conquer the heart of your stubborn loved one.

Put on the whole armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. And take up your weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and start praying in the Spirit, asking Him to fight for you. (Ephesians 6:12-17)

Join forces with the Lord.
Remember who your real enemy is.
Quit fighting your spiritual brothers and sisters
and start fighting the spiritual forces of evil.

Heavenly Father, we need You to fight our battles for us. Open our eyes to see the spiritual battle that we are in. Make us soldiers in Your army, wielding that Sword of the Spirit, your Word, with excellence and accuracy, praying without ceasing, and seeking Your face for direction day after day. Let us not grow weary of well-doing. Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Help us to root up those spirits of bitterness and selfishness. Protect us from pride and manipulation. Make us more like You. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Brother, we pray. Amen.

Rock of Ages

Inquiring of the Lord – Judges 1

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Judges 1

After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD,
“Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”

Judges 1:1 ESV

It is hard for me to go to God when I need direction. I’m much more likely to go to Google or a friend for guidance. I’m trying to learn to ask the Lord and then listen carefully for His answer. He has given me His Holy Spirit to be my counselor and guide. I want to trust, obey, and follow Him … but sometimes I’m running so fast that I’ve already made the decision before I’ve even inquired. Am I the only one? Do you struggle with this, too? 🙋‍♀️

Heavenly Father, I want to follow You, but it’s hard because I’m moving too fast. I’m running out front, asking for Your wisdom after I’ve already started the race. Please forgive me, Father. Help me to inquire of You first and to wait for Your wisdom before I start running. Thank You for Your mercy. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Thorn in the Flesh

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Corinthians 12

There are so many things that I used to be anxious about, especially the fear of death. I worried about fires, robbers, car accidents, and plane crashes. I am so thankful for God’s grace in freeing me from this fear. When I flew home from visiting my daughter, I was able to lay my hand on the shoulder of the woman sitting next to me, praying silently for her as she coped with her fear of flying by zoning out watching videos on her phone.

Yet, I still struggle with fears of physical illness, infirmity, or pain. Death is no longer the enemy, but … Pain … 🥹 Nope. Don’t want it.

But that is exactly what God knows I need to keep me humble. A broken foot, a hurting elbow, a sore back, a horrendous allergic reaction to poison ivy, these things keep me dependent on the Lord. They push me to pray and to ask others to pray, too.

Is there a thorn that the Lord has graciously given you to keep you humble? Rather than being angry with Him, thank Him.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for all of Your grace. I see Your grace in the thorns and Your grace in the roses. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances. Help me to fix my eyes – and my mind – on You. Help me to walk by faith and not by fear. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

The Love Chapter

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 13

If I choose all the strongest verbs and most descriptive adjectives and write the most compelling blog on the web, but have not love, I am no greater than a tabloid writer or paparazzi photographer.

If I study the Bible every single day and night and tell every person I meet on the street all about the good news of the gospel, but have not love, I am no greater than the Pharisees and prosperity preachers.

If I homeschool all my kids and feed them organic fruits and vegetables with every meal, but have not love, I am no greater than Elmo or the Jolly Green Giant.

If I teach preschoolers every Sunday morning and women every Wednesday night, but have not love, I gain nothing.

If I volunteer every Tuesday at my local food pantry and march every Friday at the abortion clinic downtown, but have not love, it profits me and my neighbor not one bit.

“Love is patient and kind;

Love does not envy or boast;

It is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way;

It is not irritable or resentful;

It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

As for prophecies, they will pass away;

As for tongues, they will cease;

As for knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 ESV

Heavenly Father, I love You, Lord, because You loved me first. You made the first move, the move of love. You pursued me while I hated You. Strengthen me to love others like that. Help me to love others as You loved me. Help me to love them while they are yet sinners for that’s how You loved me. You are love. All You do is love. Make me more like You. I am Your child. I want to live and move and have my being in You, that I might live and move and have my being in Love. To the glory and praise of Your Holy Name. Amen.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 9

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for the men that You have called to shepherd Your sheep. Please bless them with Your wisdom and peace. Please guide them on the straight and narrow path. Please encourage them when they are weary and faint.

May Your Word be a steady light to their path. May Your Spirit speak truth powerfully into their ears and convict them quickly when they begin to stray. Please provide for their every need to accordance with the riches of Your abundant glory in Christ Jesus. Carry their wife and children in Your everlasting arms and shelter them under Your Almighty wings.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, we pray. Amen.