Saying Prayers of Petition

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, July 31, 2016

Saying Prayers of Petition

Every Sunday at my church, we have prayer time. The weekly bulletin has a list of names on the back; names of those who have requested prayer or has some need. Sharing joys and concerns. Everyone in the congregation has the opportunity to mention a prayer. Something they are glad or sad about.

Yes, there are some seniors on the list. People in need of healing, people homebound. Cancer, tumors, kidneys. General weakness. Transferring from one level of care to another. I keep them on the list as long as the congregation requests it. And, almost every week, we close with the words our Lord taught us to pray: the Lord’s Prayer.

We bring all of these before God, knowing God will hear our prayers. The Lord hears us when we cry out, when we are silent, and when we use groanings too deep for words. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers. Please, Lord.

@chaplaineliza

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Whole Bunch of Prayers

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Whole Bunch of Prayers

Ever feel like prayer requests were falling like a downpour? They sure seem like that to me, right now. More people needing prayers than ordinarily.

I’m used to people talking to me. Telling me things to pray about. Things not just about themselves, but also about their loved ones, their families, their situations. I know—intellectually—that there haven’t been too many more prayer requests lately. Except, some of these requests hit pretty close to home.

Maybe I am close to some of the people who have come to me with prayer requests, lately. I guess it shows that I have feelings. I have a heart.

I need to check in with my accountability partners. That will help. That way, I am taking care of myself. (I am encouraged to seek out self-care, regularly!)

Actually, self-care is a good idea for anyone who is regularly involved with the helping professions.

Dear God, I pray for all those who are on the prayer list. I pray for all those in need of prayer in  my congregation, among my family and friends, and those with unspoken prayer requests.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Afterword: About to Begin. Continue in Prayer.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – February 1, 2015

Afterword: About to Begin. Continue in Prayer.

I’ve finished 31 lessons in prayer. The Beautiful Work of Learning to Pray, by Rev. James Howell. There were 31 days in January, and I figured this would be a solid start to my Year of Everyday Prayers. I forgot about the Afterword.

Rev. Howell hopes this past month was a jumpstart to people’s prayer lives. (my words, not his—but the sentiment certainly is his!) I hope so, too. I am big on encouraging people to pray. Even though I stumble and fall often in this area of regular prayer, I know that when we all get together and encourage each other, prayer somehow works. Regularly.

I sent out the intercessory prayer email about an hour ago. Yes, I send out an email once a week to some friends. We have promised God and promised each other that we would pray regularly for these requests each week. So, this is what I facilitate each week.

As I understand from Rev. Howell—and as I’ve heard somewhere before, years ago—we never master prayer. We are always practicing. I’m okay with that. I know very well that I am no master! I admit I have had difficulty with regularity in prayer, for long periods of time in my several decades of life. God willing, God will bless my efforts in blogging about prayer.

Everyday prayer? Or praying every day? Either? Or, both!

Thank You, God, for helping me to pray.

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blog, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.

(also published at www.matterofprayer.net