The Prayer Room: Praying for America, FR, and all who need it

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Psalm 127:1>

At this time, when feelings run high, the world seems crazy, and anger seems to be the one thing the peoples of the world have in common, I invite you, my fellow FReepers, to join me in prayers and meditation for guidance, God's help and for our fellow man, for America, our troops, and all our own needs.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

William Bradbury

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Psalm 46: 1-3

1Jn 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
...........
Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
..............
Isa 2:5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
................
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
.........
Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

LORD, lead us ever in your Light, that Light of the world, Jesus. Deliver us today from all corruption that is in the flesh and the world. Help us to walk by the Spirit and bring fort the Fruit you desire, by the Power of the Word that is at work in us. Deliver us from the evil one.
Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/olitknew.htm

O Light that knew no dawn,
That shines to endless day,
All things in earth and Heav’n
Are lustered by Thy ray;
No eye can to Thy throne ascend,
Nor mind Thy brightness comprehend.

Thy grace, O Father, give,
That I might serve in fear;
Above all boons, I pray,
Grant me Thy voice to hear;
From sin Thy child in mercy free,
And let me dwell in light with Thee.

That, cleansed from stain of sin,
I may meet homage give;
And pure in heart, behold
Thy beauty while I live;
Clean hands in holy worship raise,
And Thee, O Christ my Savior, praise.

In supplication meek
To Thee I bend the knee;
O Christ, when Thou shalt come,
In love remember me,
And in Thy kingdom, by Thy grace,
Grant me a humble servant’s place.

Thy grace, O Father, give,
I humbly Thee implore;
And let Thy mercy bless
Thy servant more and more.
All grace and glory be to Thee,
From age to age eternally.
--Gregory of Nazianzus (325-390)

O Lord, the touch of your Spirit
Fills my heart this day with song -
But I lift my heart in thankfulness,
A joy to know I belong
To you, my Lord and Master,
Who walks with me the whole day long.

O Lord, the touch of your Spirit,
A song of hope in the night,
A promise that there will be morning,
A knowledge that there will be light
Touches my soul with a soaring,
A foretaste of Heaven's delight.

O Lord, the touch of your Spirit
Reminds me of one darkest day
When you gave all in love's longing
Each trembling step of the way
To arise from the darkness with promise,
A love gift still precious today.

Best Bridegroom of all, my dear Master,
Who brings hope with a lover's delight,
Who whispers the words full of gladness
That shatters the terrors of night -
O keep me forever in your hands,
Forever in your loving sight.

O Father our King,

We Rejoice in You, our Merciful Master, Exalting Your Great and Glorious Name. We Love You and Worship You for the Salvation You Give to us in Christ. We Thank You from our Hearts for Your Love, Knowing we Deserve only Wrath and Contempt. You Care for us; You have Cleansed us from Sin, and Made us Pure in Your Holy Sight. Receive our Worship, our King of Grace, and be Magnified in the Eyes of Your Church.

We Lift to Thee our Brethren in Christ, those who are being Slain throughout the Earth. For Thy Name they are Killed, O God, because they have Known Neither Thee, nor Thy Son. Grant Thy Children Comfort, our Lord, and a Strong Sense of Thy Presence of Peace. We Pray for their Protection and Care, and Ask that their Foes be Saved through Jesus Christ. Send Thy Lambs All Help and Aid, and Blanket them with Thy Spirit of Grace.

We Plead for Revival for our People and our Land; Awaken us, and Turn us to our King. O Father of Compassions, we Long that Thy Kingdom will be Filled with Testimonials of Grace. May it be So, Your Excellency, that we will have Even More Cause to Honor Your Name.

Be Pleased, Your Grace, to Pardon our Iniquities and Sins. You are our Only Hope, and we Plead for the Life of our Nation.

May Thy Blessings Abide Over Israel, O Sovereign God. Please Grant them in Thy Kingdom a Place of Grace. Cover them with Protection, our Ever-Merciful Lord.

Please Bless Everyone who Comes Here to Pray, Granting them Manna from the Table of the Lord. We Glorify You, our Most Holy God, and Thank You for Hearing the Prayers of our Hearts. In the King's Name, and for His Glory, amen.

Amen to all the precious prayer.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/comforty.htm

Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning ’neath their sorrow’s load;
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover,
And her warfare now is over.

For the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance,
Since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise to meet Him,
And the hills bow down to greet Him.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He will no more see nor heed.
She has suffered many a day,
Now her griefs have passed away,
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever springing gladness.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain:
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign,
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er the earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.
--Johannes G. Olearius, 1671

Oh Lord,
May our hope be in you alone.
Help us to trust Your Word of Truth by which we live.
Help us to remember that you have not forsaken us and that your loving kindness has redeemed us to Your Kingdom of Light.
Lord you have washed us in your own blood, and made us priests and kings unto God the Father.
To You be glory and dominion for evermore. Amen.

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Hosea 5:15

"God makes men sensible of their misery before He reveals His mercy and love"
--Jonathan Edwards

OH Father, your people praise you and thank you for a new day.
Our request for conviction of sin and a clear view of Truth for our waywardness is a most pressing need.
We need you to send your Spirit of Truth

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Joh 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
Joh 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
Joh 16:10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
Joh 16:11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Joh 16:12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

LORD we need Your Spirit to come and work upon us.
I ask you to forgive me for giving up at times in asking for mercy for this Nation. Let people everywhere understand their need for Jesus, now, today.
No one deserves your Mercy and yet you delight to Save to the uttermost.
Please continue to show your Mercy, and send your Salvation and Redemption to us.
Shower upon us your Grace which softens the clods of hardened soil in hearts, so that they may receive Your Word and believe and be saved.
Let everything work together for good, for those who love you and are the called according to your purpose, which in your wisdom you have settled in the heavens.
Let your will be done on earth, in the Mighty and Glorious Name of Jesus.

Psa 119:89 Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/e/repentkd.htm

Repent, the kingdom draweth nigh,”
The herald of the Lord doth cry.
Ye sinners lost through Adam’s fall,
Will ye not hearken to the call?

Repent! The gracious call believe,
Haste His forgiveness to receive.
The Prince of Life, incarnate Word,
Life and salvation can afford.

Divine Redeemer, glorious King!
Repentant hearts to Thee we bring.
Thy holy blood for us was spilt,
Cleanse us from all the stains of guilt.

Drawn by Thy Spirit, through Thy Word,
Thine invitation have we heard.
In answer to Thy sweet request,
We come to Thee, O Christ, for rest.

Thy pardon, full, complete, and free,
Removes sin’s awful penalty.
Our Father’s love is now restored;
Thou hast redeemed us, dearest Lord.

Let us Thy Name forever bless,
On earth Thy Gospel truth confess,
Till saved by grace, through faith in Thee,
The gates of paradise we see.
--Anna B. Hoppe, 1921.

Also Father,
Today as we feel your Spirit's call to prayer, help us to respond with diligence, determination and Joy.

Amen to your Wonderful Offerings to our King! What a Blessing and a Privilege to Worship in this Lovely Place.

Oh, Come you Redeemed, and Sing to the LORD;
Show Forth His Most Glorious Praise!
Bow before Him with All Thankfulness:
YOU STAND BEFORE GOD BY HIS GRACE!

Shout His Name: GREAT JEHOVAH!
The I AM, the Ancient of Days!
Praise the Name of LORD JESUS;
We Offer our Worship and Praise!

O Great Redeemer, Who Died for Your Church
To Cleanse her with Thy Holy Blood!
Our Faces we Bow, as our Hearts Leap for JOY;
WE WORSHIP OUR GOD AND HIS SON!

Shout His Name: GREAT JEHOVAH!
The I AM, the Ancient of Days!
Praise the Name of LORD JESUS;
We Offer our Worship and Praise!

Worthy art Thou to Receive All the Praise:
THE GLORY BELONGS TO OUR GOD!
His Righteousness is our Glorious Dress;
Ungodly Ones Cleansed by His Blood!

Shout His Name: Great Jehovah!
The I AM, the Ancient of Days!
Praise the Name of LORD JESUS;
We Offer our Worship and Praise!

You are our God, Your Majesty, and we will Praise You and Adore You Forevermore! Be Exalted, O LORD, and be Glorified in the Children of Your Grace. In the Name of King Jesus, be Magnified Forever in our Hearts, amen.

Jer 2:13 For my people hath done two evils. They have forsaken me the well of the water of life, and digged them pits, yea vile and broken pits, that hold no water.

OH LORD hear my complaint. Why have your people hungered for other than the Manna which you have sent, the True Bread from heaven? Why do they hurry after the foolish teachings of men that blend philosophy and vain deceit with just a little of your Word?

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Father, please forgive the neglect of your Word and return the hearts of your people to the LIVING WORD. LORD, cause your shepherds to lead the flocks into good and green pastures by still waters, into Paths of Righteousness.
I ask that you would cause the shepherds to remember the pure and Holy joy of your Word and the face of your Son that we see there.
I pray that your people would return to Holiness in your sight.

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

I ask these things in the Name above all names, that at the Name of Jesus, every knee would bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is LORD to the Glory of the Father.

What a dirge we send You, Lord, time and time again,
Injustice is the major tune, hurt and grief and pain,
Hearts burning with angry fire, while our tears fall like rain.

Teach us, Lord, how to forgive!

Blow by blow we forge it, each link of hate's own chain,
Created by our own hard hearts, black with anger's stain -
Each wrong done a brand new link, each new gift of pain.

Teach us, Lord, how to forgive!

Harder than steel it wraps our lives, this chain we forge of hate,
Bitter as sin, hotter than fire as it shifts through our lives to create
New wounds, new hurts that lead ever on to Hell's open, hungry gate.

Teach us, Lord, how to forgive!

You, O Lord, gave the one true key to unlock this evil chain,
Forgive, you said, and if needed more, forgive them once again.
"Forgive," you showed us by your own words said in your dying pain.

O Lord, give us hearts that will forgive!

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/a/jallworl.htm

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I’ll be;
O how could I this Friend deny, when He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend, beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.

Joh 10:28 and I give unto them eternal(everlasting) life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

I
Here lies the dust, dry soil, longing for rain,
Blowing dust that makes the mouth grow dry
Now touches the barren heart with that longing pain
For green vistas, so soft, to rest the eye.
This, the dust of our days misspent, and lost
Trickles like sand through fingers, caught by the wind --
How little we realized at first what the cost
Of making that dust would be, the coin we'd spend
In this turning our lives into deserts of sand,
Longing for hope's water in this barren land.

II
Once upon a time, it is whispered that man
Knew a time of walking along with God,
In the blessed cool of the evening, but then he ran
Into that desert, there heavy-hearted to trod
The wasteland of dust he created by hand --
A drought of separation, that loss of grace,
Parching his spirit like an unwatered land,
A unwanted gift left to all of his race.
From parent to child hear it echoing still,
The keening hot thirst only God's love can fill.

III

God took on the dust of his creation one day
To bring down the waters to break the long drought,
He came born as a child, in the dust and the hay,
Few saw his coming, few sought him out.
One cool of the evening he knelt down to pray,
His sweat fell like blood drops, the start of the rain,
His blood then was given the very next day,
Flood waters from Heaven released in his pain.
In his dying, forgiveness for what once was wrought,
The drought can be ended when his presence is sought.

IV

Here lies the dust, God gives the rain,
Ending the dust that makes the mouth grow dry
He touches the contrite heart to ease the pain
Gives green vistas, so soft, to rest the eye.
This, the dust of our days misspent, and lost
Are healed by his love, given back by the wind --
For those who will listen, he has paid the cost
Through love alone, the coin he chose to spend
In this turning our lives into gardens, not sand,
Bringing hope's water to a once barren land.

Pieta: A meditation on the death of Jesus

No day like this, ever.

Did you sit there, Mary,
When they laid Him in your lap
And remember the angel with his words of promise,
And remember the words of Simeon with his words of warning,
And remember your Son nestled in your lap,
Small and warm and new,
Smiling in the sun?

As you brushed the blood soaked hair off His forehead,
And washed his face, one last time,
Counting every bruise, mark, wound,
Did you think of all the times of danger,
Fleeing with Him next to your breast
On the road to Egypt?
Or how the villagers in Nazareth
Tried to cast Him off a cliff,
All those other moments where his very presence
Showed that He was, indeed,
A sign of contention,
A sign of contradiction?

One last kiss,
One last giving of your yes to the Father
As you embraced fully the sword buried in your heart
As they buried your heart in the tomb
For the long midnight ahead.

Joh 10:1 "Most positively, I say to you*, the one not entering through the door into the fold of the sheep, _but_ climbing up some other way, that one is a thief and a robber.
Joh 10:2 "But the one entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:3 "To this one the doorkeeper opens. And the sheep hear his voice, and his own sheep he calls by name, and he leads them out.
Joh 10:4 "And whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 "But a stranger they will by no means follow, _but_ they will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."
--Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament, Holy Bible, 1999-2001

Oh Heavenly Father, I testify again to the Goodness of Our Shepherd.
I thank you for the green pastures and still waters where I will be led today.
I thank you for the paths of Righteousness where I will walk.
May I hear your Voice in your Word today.
Provide for all who call upon you with healing and deliverance and providence and Salvation.

Psa 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Psa 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Psa 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

In obedience we ask all these things in the Name of Jesus.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/l/glovmysi.htm

The God of love my Shepherd is,
And He that doth me feed;
While He is mine and I am His,
What can I want or need?

He leads me to the tender grass,
Where I both feed and rest;
Then to the streams that gently pass:
In both I have the best.

Or if I stray, He doth convert,
And bring my mind in frame,
And all this not for my desert,
But for His holy Name.

Yea, in death’s shady black abode
Well may I walk, not fear;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
To guard, Thy staff to bear.

Surely Thy sweet and wondrous love
Shall measure all my days;
And as it never shall remove
So neither shall my praise.
--George Herbert, The Temple, 1633

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