Tuesday, February 28, 2017

For Jewish Community Centers

Dear God,

I pray for the Jewish Community Centers in our country. I pray that you would change the hearts of those threatening them, and I pray that no one would seek to harm anyone in them. That everyone there would be safe, and would not need to live in fear. I pray that President Trump will be a president for every person, including those threatened in the recent weeks.

I pray this in Jesus' name,
Amen

Monday, February 27, 2017

Dear God,

Please guide President Trump as he seeks a way to repeal and replace the ACA, and please help everyone depending on that care.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Gracious King and Good Shepherd

This prayer is from our service this morning, I pray it tonight for President Trump.

Our Gracious King and Good Shepherd, You alone can order our unruly wills and affections. Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace, that we may do your will with joy during the day, and when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks. Give us grace in the power of your Holy Spirit to love what you command and desire what you promise, that in all the changes and confusion of this age our hearts may be surely fixed where true joys are found: in Jesus, who reigns at your right hand with pleasures forevermore. Amen.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

for your presence as we work

Dear God,

Thank you for your presence with me. Help me to know how I should be spending my time, my energy, my effort. Help me to love you better every day. Thank you for a safe and beautiful place to live. Help me to focus more on the people around me than on myself, to love better, work harder, focus on what you want me to focus on.

I pray all these things for President Trump as well.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Friday, February 24, 2017

For the safe use of bathrooms

Dear God,

You show compassion and grace to people endangered and outcast from society, touching lepers, healing those bleeding for twenty years. I pray that you could continue to care for the least glamorous needs of the people of this world, that no person will be harmed or threatened in a bathroom. I pray that President Trump work to uphold this basic dignity, and that the people of this country would not fear those different from themselves.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Power is yours

Dear God,

The people in this world only have power because you allow them that power. Guide Donald Trump. Take away his bad advisors. Help him to lead the people of the USA with honesty, without partiality, and with truth.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

basic vanilla

Dear God,

Please be with President Trump today and always. Guide him in your truth. Endow him with your wisdom. Help those who advise him to bring out the best in him, and help with the conflict in the world. I pray for mutual understanding and love in this country. I pray that we would listen to each other. I also pray that I would have the courage to do what you would have me do for this country.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

For the arts

Dear God,

I pray for President Trump, that you would give him wisdom and grace when considering the budget, including but not limited to the NEA and NEH, and the benefits they provide to all people in this country.

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Monday, February 20, 2017

for the future of this earth

Dear God,

Forgive us for the harm we have done to the world you've created. Help us to care for this world as a gift from you, and to be good stewards of all you've entrusted us with.

Be with President Trump. Help him to make decisions for the good of all in this country and of the world. Don't let him be swayed by appealing lies, or by easy answers to hard choices. Let him be concerned not with the time he is in power, but with the country he's leaving for his grandchildren and their grandchildren.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Sunday, February 19, 2017

congregational prayer

This is a prayer from church this morning

Leader: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia!

Everyone: Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Alleluia!

Leader: With joy let us pray to our Savior, the Son of God, who became one of us. O Christ, let your gospel shine in every place where the Word of life is not yet received. Draw the whole creation to yourself, that your salvation may be known through all the earth. God of all mercies...

Everyone: ...hear our prayer.

Leader: O Christ, Savior and Lord, extend your church to every place. Make it a place of welcome for people of every race and tongue. God of all mercies...

Everyone: ... hear our prayer.

Leader: O Christ, Ruler of rulers, direct the work and thoughts of the leaders of nations, that they may seek justice and further peace and freedom for all. God of all mercies...

Everyone: ...hear our prayer.

Leader: O Christ, Master of all, support of the weak and comfort of the afflicted, strengthen the tempted and raise the fallen. Watch over the lonely and those in danger. Give hope to the despairing and sustain the faith of the persecuted.

Everyone: The grace of God be with us all. Amen.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

For our relationship with the world

Dear God,

Thank you that you are the ruler not only of our country, but of the whole world. Please be with President Trump as he interacts with diplomats and with the politicians from around the world that he will do so with wisdom and without giving offense. I pray that there would be peace in this world. For the situation in Congo, for the water crisis in Mexico, for unrest in South Korea, and for trade negotiations in Europe-- Let it be done to your glory.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Friday, February 17, 2017

For peace between the administration and the media

Dear God,

Thank you for the rights and privileges we have in America, especially for the freedom of the press. I pray that you would work through this current situation. Let there be mutual understanding between the president and the press. Let conflicts that don't need to be conflicts dissipate, keep everyone from taking offense where none is meant, and let real contentions be clear and open.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Thursday, February 16, 2017

For the sick

Dear God,

Giver of life, great physician, comforter of sorrows, and healer of all ills, I pray for this country. I pray for those who are sick and whose lives swing in the balance of these political debates. I thank you for all the good that has been done in this country in recent years, all the lives transformed and saved, babies born and families held together because of affordable health care. Please continue to watch over this country, to help those in need, to provide for those who are sick, or in pain, or expecting a new child. Please direct president Trump as he guides policy, that he would act in the best interest of all Americans.

I pray this in Jesus' name,
Amen

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Forgiveness and Peace

Dear God,

I've been reading a story about forgiveness leading to peace. I pray that I would know the true nature of forgiveness, and that you would lead me to your peace. I pray also for President Trump, that you would lead him as he leads this nation, that he would not stir up conflicts or hold onto grudges.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

leadership.

Dear God,

I pray for President Trump. I pray that he would follow the examples of good leaders from our past, and good leaders from around the world today. I pray that he would not use the power he has for his own gain, but for the benefit of others. Give him wisdom. Give him grace. Lead him in your truth.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Monday, February 13, 2017

Like George Washington

Dear God,

I pray for our forty-fifth president that he may learn from our first, that he would "seek truth, and pursue it steadily." I pray for all those who report on the events of this country, that you would give them balance and fairness, that they would also seek truth, and that they would find it, and share it. Help me also to share your truth in my life.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Compline Prayer

On behalf of all people in this world, and especially President Trump, I pray:

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Generosity

Dear God,

Thank you for your many blessings. Today I am especially grateful for employment, and for your generosity to me giving more than I need, enough to buy unnecessary things like houseplants, and curtains.

I pray that I would use your gifts for other people, not only for myself, and that I would consider others needs before my own. I pray for those who are living in this country without documentation, and who are living in fear. Comfort them in their distress, keep them safe, now and in the future. I pray for the refugees, especially those coming to our country right now-- work in the hearts of the people around them, so that they would be shown your love.

I pray for President Trump, that he would act according to your laws, and your truth, upholding the dignity and sanctity of life of every person.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Friday, February 10, 2017

Eye twitching

Dear God,

I find myself today so stressed that my eye seems to be twitching uncontrollably. I imagine President Trump's life is a great deal more stressful than the trials of grad school. Give him peace. Give him rest. Allow him to work hard and well. I pray all this for myself also.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Short one.

Dear God,

Please be with President Trump. Help the fruit of the spirit to grow in him, and in me.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Rooted and established in love

Dear God,

Today, again, there is so much to lament in the news. Thank you for being the God who gathers our tears.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen President Trump with power through his Spirit in his inner being, so that Christ may dwell in his heart through faith. And I pray that he, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that he may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Amen.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

For his use of words

Dear God,

I pray for President Trump. Set a guard over his mouth; keep watch over the door of his lips. Let his mouth be a mouth of the righteous, uttering wisdom, and his tongue speaking justice.

I pray this for myself also. Give me wisdom in my words.

In Christ, through whom all things are possible,
Amen

Monday, February 6, 2017

For the President, and for those who teach.

Dear God,

Your followers referred to you as their teacher, and still you teach us today. You teach us how to love, and whom to love: yourself first, and through that love for you, loving our neighbors. Be with the senators making decisions tonight about confirming an authority over those who will teach. Be with President Trump-- I pray that our country will learn from him in ways that honor you. That we will learn to be better citizens under his authority. That we will not be passive. That we will take on our own responsibility for teaching in the areas of our lives where we teach.

Help us to learn more and more your truth and your grace.

In the name of the great teacher,
Amen

Sunday, February 5, 2017

A prayer

Dear God,

I'm afraid these prayers will get less interesting as I go, but I'm trying to be faithful, so here is my prayer. Please be with President Trump. Help him to see that the power he has is from you, and help him to use it well. Give him wisdom. Give him good advisors. Give him the strength to do what is right, even when that is hard. Help him to lessen oppression, and assist those in need. Show your providence in this world, and be merciful to us,

for the sake of your son,
Amen

Saturday, February 4, 2017

That he may judge wisely

Dear God,

I pray for President Trump, that he would look with your eyes. Let him not hold too tightly to the power he's been given. Keep him from bitterness. Guide him in your wisdom. In your justice. In your truth. Help him to judge wisely and to listen to those equipped to judge, and surround him with wise voices for him to hear. Let him listen to them.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Friday, February 3, 2017

For a loving marriage

Dear God,

You are the Lord and giver of love, please be with our President and first lady as their marriage takes on all the added stress of the presidency. Protect them and their son from hatred, and let them grow in love for each other. Give them laughter together, over skype or the phone or however it goes as they deal with time long distance. That is a difficult thing, and I pray that you will give them the patience and the grace to handle it well.

I pray in Jesus' name,
Amen

Thursday, February 2, 2017

That we may honor one another, and serve the common good

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may
be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal
your glory in the world.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, especially our president 
Donald Trump, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice 
and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation,
that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others
and to your honor and glory.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant
that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he
loves us.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or
spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and
bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours
of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and
chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

A prayer of thanksgiving

Dear God,

Thank you for America. Thank you for a country where we are free to worship you in safety and in peace. Thank you for a government full of checks and balances, so that it is not easy for any one person to overturn it. Thank you for the home America has become for so many from so many parts of the world. Thank you for the blessings you've given us in diversity of people from so many parts of the world, and thank you do how much we can learn from each other. Thank you for the men and women who have fought and still put their lives in danger for the sake of the freedoms we enjoy. 

Please help us to give the benefits we are so grateful for ourselves, the blessing of freedom from religious persecution, that we would do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Please help me to know what to do to be a blessing here, and bless those working to protect our rights and freedoms. Please be with President Trump this week. Help him follow your word not by putting legal preference on Christians, but by doing what you ask of your people.

Leviticus 19:33-34- “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

In Jesus' name,
Amen