Guided Prayer Podcast

Advent 2021: Presence of God [Scripture reference: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-24] Father God who is near, who is with me now. I welcome you, your presence here with me I invite you God to be near to me Help my heart to always welcome and remember your presence You are Immanuel, God with us. You are not sometimes Immanuel, God who is sometimes with us It's a name of yours Whether I feel it or not, you are here You are Immanuel, God with us I am tempted to forget that you promise to always be there Help me to remember Help me to see your heart for me, for your children “God is with you” is not a platitude or something to say, but rather a beautiful, powerful, truth of a God who loves his people so much that will never leave them You are Immanuel, God with us You've created man to be with God, you've made covenants with your people You've promised never to abandon them, you've promised to never abandon me You mercifully, humbly sent your son Jesus to Earth to be physically present among man on Earth A precious baby present in his mother's womb destined to one day leave Earth for the sake of our souls, but even then when his time had come, a holy presence remained The holy spirit indwelled in those who believe You are Immanuel, God with us You are so good to us, Lord Your heart and your mercy is a beautiful display of your love for your people, for me I pray your name Immanuel would be a peace and an encouragement to me always I rejoice in that because you are with me, I get to be the hands and the feet of Jesus to the people around me Hallelujah! Thank you for the opportunities you have already provided Would you bring more opportunities, especially in this Advent season, for me and our community to care for the people near to us -- in mind, body, and spirit It's in King Jesus' name that I pray, Amen ----- Music: https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

A prayer for hope: Our God in heaven, we enter this Advent season on the heels of yet another difficult year. I am weary of this world – of the struggles and challenges, of strife and conflict, of sickness and sadness. The fallenness of the world seems to be always in front of me, my disappointments and brokenness feel inescapable. I confess that I too easily set my mind on things of the earth, not on things that are above. I confess that I choose to walk in darkness or even sit there, instead of looking to the Light and running towards you. I confess that my trials and afflictions determine my heart's direction, instead of you. I confess that because of all these things, I lose hope. And I confess that my hope has been misplaced – and too small. I have put my hope in fleeting circumstances, instead of eternal truths. I have put my hope in small things, instead of You - the eternal God of the universe. Oh God of all hope, this Advent season will you restore my hope once more? Will you shine your Light once more into my dark heart? Will you help me to think on things that are above, not on things that are of the earth? Will you help me to prepare for a weight of glory through my light, momentary afflictions? Will you give me hope once more through Jesus? God of all hope, I thank you that my hope can be sure and certain when my hope is in You. I thank you that Your promises are Yes! And Amen! In your son Jesus Christ. I thank you, Jesus, that you have not left me to wander in the dark, but you have shone your light into my heart through your incarnation. By coming to this earth as the perfect Son of God, fully God, fully man, you have become my living hope. You entered into this dark world, and no darkness can overcome you. And now let this weary world rejoice – let my weary heart rejoice. Let me rejoice in the hope that I have, in the eternal inheritance that you have brought for me, in the eternal Light and glory that you are preparing for me. Let me look up and see You, let me stand on tiptoes and look around for Your presence, let me rejoice in the fact that I have a real hope that is bigger and better than anything else I could hope in. My hope is in you and you alone, Jesus. Thank you, in your name I pray, Amen. -- -- --  Forest Walk by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Prayer for the Grieving [Scripture references: Psalm 34, Isaiah 53, Revelation 21:1-5] Father, Comforter, Counselor, Creator of all, Dearest Friend, I come in sadness, in grief, to you now I come grateful that you are Lord who is near to the brokenhearted, and I bring my grief here with me, as I sit at your feet, Jesus Grief and loss, it can come in so many forms Being separated by a loved one through death Mourning the loss of hope, time, a dream An expectation for something that hasn't come Or, perhaps there's something in my heart that I'm grieving unknowingly Sometimes I am tempted to dismiss my own grief, To push it to the side, ignore it Heavenly Father, you don't dismiss my grief You don't encourage me to push it to the side, to ignore it You invite me to lay it all before you To come to you in my joys, sorrows, and everything in between You love to care for me, to love me, especially in these moments when I am needy before you, Jesus Help me now, Jesus, to set my grief before you To share it with you -- comforter and dear friend Even you, Jesus, were acquainted with grief Man of Sorrows You bore my grief, carried my sorrows It's what brought peace Hear me now, Jesus Would you move my heart toward peace now in these moments -- -- -- Jesus, my thoughts move to heaven A beautiful promise for a restored paradise A place with no loss, no grief Perfect fullness and union with you Even in my grief Here, in the in-between; the not-yet I can experience comfort and goodness A whisper of the paradise that's coming Oh Jesus, my heart leaps for joy at the thought of what you've promised My eyes are teary, my heart humbled and in awe of the truth in your Word that says: Revelation 21:1–5 (ESV) [1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” [5] And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” I pray in your name Jesus, the one who bore it all, through whom I hope and long for the promise to come, Amen

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Creator God, you are my Rock, you are my strength. In all my wanderings, You are still my path. When it is unclear, when I feel blind to the things that bring me security, You surprise me with Your assurance. You surprise me with your grace. You are constantly reframing my view, my heart, to see You and Your faithfulness more fully. Thank you for creating me so that I can have security in You, so I can find security in how you've made me. I don't need to look outward for assurance, I need to look inward, to remember Christ in me. Christ within me is my security. I confess my own insecurity is a lie, A lie I believe about myself and about You. I have continued to believe that I am still not enough and Your work is not complete. But it is done. You've said “It is finished”. I am enough, in Your eyes, enough. So forgive me for my insecurity. Forgive me for my striving or for my inaction because of the fears of my insecurity. Reclaim me as yours. Give me faith, make me brave, to step out of my insecurity and into the world, with Your hands gently guiding my steps. You've prepared a place for each step, you know my heart and my mind better than I do, You know us all individually. Continue to remind me of this fact as I contemplate Your faithfulness, and Your steadfastness in my life and in the life of our community. And let me not only do Your will, but ignite us all according to your imagination! Fill us with new imagination and wonder and eyes to see Your faithfulness everywhere. With the strength of Your security, You renew our energy to dream! Your people are not a stagnant, fearful people, but a creative, loving, kind people, joyful people who look to see You work everywhere they go. We are not afraid of life's disappointments, help us to embrace the opportunities to live fully unto You. Break us free from the chains of insecurities we hang onto, so that we can glorify your goodness. Break us free from ourselves, the crucified selves who have already died, let us live in the new identity You've named over us. Loved. Whole. Brave. Chosen. Forgiven. Friends. Children. Free! Enough. Your perfect love makes us whole. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Lord makes us perfect in your love.

Prayer for the Anxious [Scripture references: 1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 94:19; Matthew 6:34] Father thank you for being here For this space between us A space where I come as I am, vulnerable before you Thank you for your kindness to me in my vulnerability, in my messiness Lacking words to even say sometimes God, my mind feels so swirly Thoughts circling Foggy I can barely see what's before me And, the pieces that I can see just play on loop in my mind What ifs What thens Then whats The fog before me impairs my vision I often feel afraid of what I can't see Will I be safe there? What's coming? Can I at least prepare so I'm ready? What should I do? Will I be caught up in something I could have avoided? There are so many things I don't know, things I can't know And I'm distracted by these thoughts My mind and even my heart, God, can feel so captive I long for this fog to be lifted, for the path ahead to be clear And this- this is a result of my anxious heart My fearful heart My heart, my flesh, which longs to control To predict To plan To prepare To know To protect itself I confess, Father, that my heart is anxious I am tempted to fear what I don't know What I can't see, touch, understand God it can be so overwhelming So much ahead is uncertain Unknown F ather, calm my anxious heart Grow my heart into one of trust Of peace Of dependence Of surrender to your will What if I were able to be calm and at peace, even in the fog? Even as I move forward into uncertainty? It's possible, Father You invite me into rest Deep soul-level rest You still the swirl The circling thoughts calm and settle You console And, the fog lifts It lifts and, to my surprise, what's revealed is beautiful A calm oasis, a place that just looks like rest It's quiet, it's bright and beautiful Full of life Abundant, vibrant, growing life This peaceful place, this sacred space with you, it was here all along This place of beauty, it's what dependence and union with you feels like It's not perfect future circumstances, It's the refuge offered to me by you, my loving Father A beautiful invitation I couldn't see it before The anxiety was so great before me And now, here in your presence, your consolation brings me such joy (Ps 94:19) I come into your presence, Father, and I leave differently When my heart is anxious Help me savor, Father Be present in the moment To come humbly before you To notice To remember your faithfulness I know the fog will come and go (may it be quicker and quicker each time, Father) but help me to remember that I abide in your meadow Whether I can see clearly, whether anxiety causes me to doubt, I can be sure I am still in your loving arms Help me to trust you more, now You, the God of right now, is the God of the uncertain The God of the meadow is the God of the fog You are trustworthy; you are working all things together for my good and your glory And, I surrender before you, Father Would you increase, and I decrease I surrender In the name of our wonderful, kind, loving Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Prayer for the Workaholic Scripture reference: Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 23:4-5; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Psalm 127:1-2 Father, thank you for your presence. Thank you for never leaving me, for never forsaking me. Thank you that I have to do nothing to enjoy the peace your presence brings. How often do I forget this simple truth? How often do I spend my time trying to organize myself and others, Trying to create this perfect environment, This perfect household, This perfect community, This perfect church, This perfect body, This perfect mind, When you have already done the necessary work? Help me to cease my striving and lean into you. I surrender my love of money and success, Of notoriety, my love of importance, my love of control. Reveal to me the other idols I've made for myself in this area So that I can freely lean back in your loving arms, and remember that to be with you is the most important thing to do. Help me to be content with you. Help me to remember my work is not my identity, My accomplishments, my weariness, my busyness - They are not badges of honor. The only honor you desire for your people is Christlikeness. Our honor is Christ in us, our hope of glory. Help me to be more like you. Help me to be shaped into your character Into a person who rests with their identity firmly planted in their Heavenly Father. Though accomplishment and wealth seem to be the marks of success in this earthly kingdom, Let me be marked by you. Let me fly on your wings, not my own handmade forgeries. And help me to enjoy the fruits of my labor! To enjoy the life you've gifted me with. Let the rest in you and let the release of control over work manifest in continuous joy and gratitude to you. Let me not be marked by bitterness or busyness or criticism, but peace in you, joy towards you and all your creation, and endless gratitude. I find peace in your presence, rest in your presence, and wholeness in your presence. Thank you for these wonderful gifts and the work you've done to make it so, work that I don't have to do. Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Spirit. Amen

Prayer for the Weary [Scripture reference: Isaiah 40:28-31] Father, I feel so weary Tired in my soul Exhausted in strength Endurance waning Little energy, maybe too little to even hope? My weary spirit may not be able to handle another disappointment Another hurt A change of course The ongoing uncertainty These things, they feel like they're swelling up Waves growing bigger, coming toward me from a distance It feels like they just keep coming God, I fear I might get overtaken by these waves Father, you will not let these waves overtake me The waters may feel uncertain, dark, scary I only see part of them; I don't know these foreign waters But You know these waters; You are powerful over these waters They obey You, they are at the direction of your hand They may come but they will not destroy me And, I am not alone in these waters Father, your desire is for me to be free Free even from this veil of weariness that can feel so heavy To be free from its weight I long for that too, God You never become faint or weary, Father I marvel at this aspect of your character And God, not only do you never become faint or weary but you give this strength to the faint You give this strength to me I don't have strength to fight this weariness on my own And you're not asking me to Help me to abide in You, Father You who strengthens the powerless For those who trust in You, You renew their strength I need for my strength to be renewed And, I trust You I won't remain weary or faint As I trust in You, I will be renewed I will soar on wings like eagles I will run and not become weary I will walk and not faint God, I believe you I trust you to sustain me and to refresh, to renew my Spirit What a beautiful, loving promise from a beautiful, loving God, who directs the waves It's in Jesus's name- Jesus, the one who invited the weary and the heavily-burdened to come to him for deep soul-rest, it's in His name that I pray, Amen

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