Bonnie’s Prayer Affair Prayers

CONFESSION

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FAITH

Screen Shot 2016-01-11 at 3.58.22 PM“…faith is not a once-in-the-past action, but faith is always a way of seeing, a seeking for God in everything” Ann Voskamp (ref#130, p114).

FATHER, someone recently asked me to pray for strength and courage that they might live their life reflecting CHRIST’s image. This is what we all want; FATHER, this is what we all have trouble with! I feel like I’ve prayed this prayer into the ground for myself and my friends!

But, this is a prayer You will not answer, for You can do nothing more than You already have to prepare me to reflect CHRIST. FATHER, You have done Your part, I am required to do my part. I must begin.

“We have to battle through our moods into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus….All our fears are wicked, and we fear because we will not nourish ourselves in our faith” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Nov 13th).

Give me strength to step out and trust You. My reach must be further than my grasp (ref#7, May 2nd).

“He calls us to do impossible things or to become something we think we could never become. This is His way of teaching us how much we need Him. He breaks us to pieces so that He can put us back together in His image” Michael Card (ref#137, p85).

ADORATION

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CHRIST PROVIDES A WAY THEN CARRIES ME THROUGH IT

Screen Shot 2016-01-11 at 3.41.07 PM…FATHER, I am humbled before You that You sent CHRIST not to condemn my wrongs but to make me able to keep Your covenant that You set before me. You purpose that I walk with You in innocence and exact holiness. But, for me sin makes my part of the covenant so clogged with curses and wrath that I cannot take one step forward (ref#35, p 218). Every word that CHRIST spoke in His sermon on the mount (Matt 5-7), assures me I cannot live up to Your requirements. I must have a new way to walk if I’m to walk in holiness with You.

And CHRIST provides just that—a new and living way (John 14:6). But LORD even if CHRIST provides the way, I have no strength to enter the path, so it is not useful to me. Either I will give up on myself or sin will cast me down (ref#35, p218).

But CHRIST not only provides the path but sets me on it and walks with me. CHRIST sets me so firmly on the path that I cannot leave it unless I leave Him. Even if I am a fool, I shall not be able to stray (Isa 35:8). CHRIST will turn my darkness to light and make the rough places smooth enough that I can navigate them (Isa 42:16).

And with CHRIST I am more than a conqueror against my spiritual enemies.   Yes, even more than a conqueror! With Him, I experience more than simple victory, I do not just overcome and go on as before. I overcome plus I have my faith enlarged, my strength increased, and my love for CHRIST expanded (ref #16, [Rom 8:37]).

CHRIST enables me to enter Your path and walk triumphantly on it. I am able to do all things through Him (Phil 4:13). This is to the praise of Your glory.

 

 

SUPPLICATION

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THE PRICE JESUS PAID

[We all have friends and family that do not want anything to do with Christianity so it is up to us to pray for their salvation.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for them.  Fill their name in the blanks.]

Screen Shot 2015-12-31 at 12.33.46 PM“God is not unfaithful to forget the price which His Son has paid. He will not suffer His substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be;…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 4th AM).

CHRIST, Himself prays for the now ungodly who will someday believe. “Their names are on His breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 4th AM).

FATHER, ____ is in rebellion against You. (He/She) does not stay in Your path and is not acquainted with Your ways (Job 24:13). (He/She) is not mindful of the wonders that You perform—not realizing that You are ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and therefore, will not forsake (him/her) (Neh 9:17).

____ is deceived by the arrogance of (his/her) own heart (Jer 49:16). Thus is defiant and rebellious, revolting and departing from You (Jer 5:23), spurning Your counsel (Ps 107:11).

But You, FATHER, will break that stubborn heart and lay low that lofty spirit. Make conscious (his/her) wound so it brings (him/her) into contact with You, the Healer (ref#61, Oct 26th). I pray (he/she) be “broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent” (Ps 51:17 AMP).

“Who would refuse to drink the wormwood and the gall, if along this path only he could reach the sunlit spot where the smiles of a sin-pardoning God fill the heart with joy and gladness” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Oct 26th)?

THANKSGIVING

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TURNING EVERYTHING TO GOOD

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 1.06.31 PM…FATHER, no matter how bad the day I can always go back to my foundation of joy—You. You have chosen me—chosen me since the foundations of the world—and, since it’s since the foundations of the world, it’s not as a result of what I have done or not done.

The enemy has no ground to condemn—accusing me of being a bad Christian because of the bad day. CHRIST died for me so He not only saves me but loves and helps me. He knows just how I feel on bad days.

He experiences the bad day with me. How great it is not to have to experience it alone. Recognizing His presence I can talk with Him and we can even come to the point of laughing about the situation. His presence makes the bad day endurable but also joyful as I pay attention to Him and not the bad day.

All that happens to me “is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey and rejoice, knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p900, “Providence”). With gratitude my heart pours forth thanksgiving that all my providences, especially those days I deem “bad,” You turn to good (Rom 8:28).

CONFESSION

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CONFESSION ONLY THE BEGINNING OF CONFESSION

Screen Shot 2015-12-31 at 12.11.55 PM…FATHER, without Your SPIRIT I have no sense of what sin is. My natural conscience tells me that such things as murder and theft are wrong actions (ref#18, [John 16:7-15]). If I only confess my wrong action, repent of it, believing with a hoping-its-true faith that CHRIST makes me righteous again, I will remain unchanged.

And, being unchanged I will automatically use my own efforts to try to not sin in that way again. But that will only produce a merry-go-round scenario since my own efforts will fail and I’ll have to confess again, and again, and again. This circling process showcases my unbelief in JESUS. I believe my job is to stop sinning without the help of CHRIST. When I, in my own strength, attempt to change my actions my heart remains unchanged.

But, the supernatural work of the SPIRIT convinces me that the true reason why sin continues to reign in me is because I am not by faith united to CHRIST (ref#18, [John 16:7-15]). FATHER, I want to be filled with a sense of my weakness not of my own strength to overcome. Lead me away from this “repenting and resolving to do better.”

Prevail upon me to rest in the presence of CHRIST. Delay me until the SPIRIT can instruct me as to what to do during my confession time.

Without the SPIRIT, I only “act” as if I love my neighbor (Gal 3:3). Without the help of the SPIRIT, ordinary impulses control me and in that unrighteousness I attempt to demonstrate outwardly what I don’t possess inwardly. Waiting in the presence of CHRIST the SPIRIT has the ability to illuminate my heart and reveal its attitude.  He may prove to me I am jealous or have a critical spirit toward my neighbor (ref#100, p94).

“As we rest as sinners in that low place, Jesus pours into our hearts His own love for that other person, a love that will sometimes send us to that person to put things right with him, and He gives us a forbearance toward him that was never there before” Roy and Revel Hession (ref#100, p94).

FATHER, reinforce all Your will for me in confession. It is not only a time to confess but a time to be humbled and a time to rest until, in the presence of CHRIST, I comprehend the entire scope of my sin. Guide me to hold out for Your “love, patience, and victory” that will change my heart (ref#100, p94).

ADORATION

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CREATOR, SUSTAINER, and FATHER

 Screen Shot 2015-09-11 at 1.22.35 PM…SOVEREIGN CREATOR, You do great things past finding out, yes, marvelous things without number (Job 9:10). You form the mountains and create the wind; You make the dawn out of darkness, and tread on the heights of the earth (Amos 4:13). You make lightning for the rain, and bring forth the wind from Your storehouses (Jer 10:13). You determine and count the number of the stars; You call them all by their names (Ps 147:4). And You declare to me what is my thought (Amos 4:13)!

You are known for the “marvelous order and beauty” of Your works (ref#56, p868, “God the Creator”), yet Your purpose is not just to create. You are SUSTAINER, “whose eternal plan covers all events and destinies without exception” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p868, “God the Creator”), yet Your purpose is not just to create and maintain what You create.   Even though You are CREATOR and SUSTAINER, which reflects Your magnificence, You are also FATHER—ABBA FATHER, One who has created me for fellowship (1 John 1:3)!

CARING FATHER, You give up Your most precious possession—Your Son, sending Him to earth as the Savior (1 John 4:14). By my trust in CHRIST’s actions alone You adopt me into Your family. You make me no longer a slave of sin but Your child (Gal 4:7). Therefore You are CREATOR and SUSTAINER of the universe and also my DADDY.

SUPPLICATION

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RECALLING PROMISES

[Below is a general prayer for Christians in tribulation.  We all can think of a sister or brother experiencing  so much affliction they may not be able to pray for themselves.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for them.  Fill in their name in the blanks.]

Screen Shot 2015-12-30 at 12.41.08 PMFATHER, because of Your Word ____ knows of Your promises. And, because of Your SPIRIT, (he/she) will have (his/her) belief strengthened as (he/she) experiences this frowning providence.

I thank You for Your Bible. Your words have supernatural influence, motivating and guiding ____. They correct thoughts and are able to change unbelief to belief (2 Tim 3:16). Lead (him/her) to Your Scriptures that will strengthen (his/her) belief.

You GOD, in Your steadfast love will meet (him/her) (Ps 59:10). You are faithful and will never let ____ be tempted beyond (his/her) ability to endure but, with the trial, You’ll provide a way so that (he/she) can endure it (1 Cor 10:13). You will make sure (he/she) can triumph over every enemy (Ps 59:10).

LORD, turn the darkness before (him/her) into light, making the rough places into level ground. Give (him/her) the understanding that You guide (him/her) and will never forsake (him/her) (Isa 42:16)—that You have plans for (him/her), plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give (him/her) a future and a hope (Jer 29:11).

Cause (him/her), FATHER, to tremble at Your Word, not tremble in fear at this calamity. Before You LORD, may (he/she) humble (himself/herself); O LORD, see (his/her) broken and wounded spirit. When (he/she) is ground to pieces, melted down to nothing before You, then look please, at (him/her) and regard (his/her) lowly state (Isa 66:2). Come to (his/her) rescue.

Give ____ rest now in Your perfect peace. You alone, O LORD, will make (him/her) to dwell in safety. Tonight, may (he/she) lie down and sleep knowing You will care for (him/her) (Ps 4:8).

 

THANKSGIVING

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MUTUAL INTERCHANGE OF KIND SERVICES

Screen Shot 2015-12-30 at 12.28.49 PM…FATHER, I thank You that I can see Your greatness and love in every flower I look at. But, by that relationship I only comprehend the distance between us—Your power and my inabilities.

But, with the riches of Your grace You have recovered me from a state of enmity to a state of mutual communion and fellowship. You have done this by uniting me together in a covenant of peace ratified by the blood of JESUS. By Your giving and my receiving we can fellowship with each other. Your covenant-giving and my affections toward You binds our wills together (ref#35, p94).

Out of Your vast ocean of love You continually pour out extravagant gifts. You offer such things as a wilderness with entire fields of flowers that bloom without any eye seeing. And You give extravagant gifts to me personally. These gifts make me long to continue to taste Your sweetness and excellencies looking to experience the fullness of Your provided salvation (ref #35, p94). Your kind service to me is Your gifts, my kind service to You is my offerings of praise.

 

“How precious…are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them,

they would be more in number than the sand;…” (Ps 139:17-18 NKJV).

 

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Ps 139:14 ESV).

“…I will celebrate your kindness…” (Ps 101:1 CEV).

“…Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Ps 139:14 ESV).

“I have seen your power and your glory…”  (Ps 63:2 CEV).

CONFESSION

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THE WORK OF CONVICTION

Screen Shot 2015-12-30 at 12.21.13 PM…FATHER, the discovery of my sin is a part of the wisdom that is hid in CHRIST and made known to me through the SPIRIT (Col 2:2,3). If I am not attentive to the SPIRIT I only have a sense and knowledge of sin that is revealed by my conscience; it is the general knowledge of good and evil. But, it’s obscure so I notice my own faults only if they are very obvious or I sin in such a way that they are particularly embarrassing to me (ref#35, p200).

Familiarizing myself with the laws set down in the Old Testament helps me recognize more of my corruptions. But even laws do nothing to make me see my deep personal sin (ref#35, p202).

The work of conviction, from Your SPIRIT, gives me the best knowledge of sin. This knowledge is so useful that it reveals sins that I, on my own, do not have the ability to detect; these sins must be made real to me by Your SPIRIT—a source not connected with my native nature (ref#35, p202).

I thank You FATHER, for Your SPIRIT’s conviction. I am not offended when I recognize His voice, instead, I’m humbled. He has the ability to convince me of sin in such a way that I’m unable to deny His words and am ready to repent. I thank You, FATHER, that Your SPIRIT not only is able to point out my sins but has the ability to accomplish in me the sorrow for sin which leads me to the obedience You require. So, search me, O GOD, and see if there is any grievous way in me and then lead me in the right way (Ps 139:23-24).

ADORATION

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REASONS FOR WAITING FOR GOD

Screen Shot 2015-12-28 at 3.47.57 PM…Because You plant eternity in my heart—a sense of purpose which nothing under the sun but You can satisfy (Eccl 3:11), I will wait for You.

Because my blood is costly in CHRIST’s sight and because He has pity on me (Ps 72:13-14), I will wait for You.

Because You confirm and make me steadfast and established and endue me with the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT (2 Cor 1:21), I will wait for You.

 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life (Ps 63:3), I will wait for You.

 

FATHER, expand these four scriptures. Make me more than aware of the truth in them. Animate them so they engulf my being providing me the ability to be forever changed by them.

I desire to remain in meditation until these four truths bubble over and cause such a splendid experience that it becomes my irrepressible joy.