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

Mar 10:46 And they come into Jericho. And He and His disciples and a large crowd having gone out from Jericho, a son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus the blind, sat beside the highway begging.
Mar 10:47 And hearing that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and to say, Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!
Mar 10:48 And many warned him that he be quiet. But he much more cried out, Son of David, have mercy on me!
Mar 10:49 And standing still, Jesus said for him to be called. And they called the blind one, saying to him, Be comforted, rise up, He calls you.
Mar 10:50 And throwing away his garment, rising up, he came to Jesus.
Mar 10:51 And answering, Jesus said to him, What do you desire I should do to you? And the blind one said to Him, My Lord, that I may see again.
Mar 10:52 And Jesus said to him, Go, your faith has healed you. And instantly he saw again, and followed Jesus in the highway.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/a/passment.htm

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain

Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?
—Fanny Crosby, 1868

Mar 10:50 And throwing away his garment, rising up, he came to Jesus.

LET US MAKE HASTE AND RUN AFTER HIM, TO FOLLOW ON AFTER HIM...
OH LORD, YOUR WORD IS A PERPETUAL FEAST FOR US.
I PRAISE YOU FOR THE JOY IN WALKING WITH YOU.
BLESS MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS TODAY WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND JOY OF YOU.
Amen.

Evening

The Spirit helps us in our weakness.

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit.”—Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?—For it is God who works in you.

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.—A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.

“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Rom. 8:26; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 6:19; Phil. 2:13; Rom. 8:26, 27; Ps. 103:14; Isa. 42:3; Matt. 26:41; Ps. 23:1, 2 (Read full verses...)
—Daily Light on the Daily Path

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/e/jesuswaf.htm

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Refrain

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.
—J. Wilbur Chapman, 1910

Glorifying the King of Glory with you, my Sisters in Grace.

He Lives {Lyrics and Composer: Alfred H. Ackley, 1933}

'I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho' my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

We Love You, Lord Jesus, and Long for Thy Kingdom-Day. Come Soon, my Lord of Grace, and Gather us to Thy Heart. Help us to Sing Thy Praise, and Honor Thy Holy Ways. We Worship You, Papa-Father, and Cling to the Name of Your Son. Through Thy Grace, for the Glory of the King, amen.

Psa 30:4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

Psa 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

Psa 59:17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psa 68:32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah

Psa 149:5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
Psa 149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
Psa 149:7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,
Psa 149:8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,
Psa 149:9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/p/opraisey.htm

O praise ye the Lord! praise Him in the height;
Rejoice in His Word, ye angels of light;
Ye heavens, adore Him by Whom ye were made,
And worship before Him in brightness arrayed.

O praise ye the Lord! Praise Him upon earth,
In tuneful accord, ye sons of new birth;
Praise Him Who hath brought you His grace from above,
Praise Him Who hath taught you to sing of His love.

O praise ye the Lord! All things that give sound;
Each jubilant chord re-echo around;
Loud organs, His glory forth tell in deep tone,
And sweet harp, the story of what He hath done.

O praise ye the Lord! Thanksgiving and song
To Him be outpoured all ages along!
For love in creation, for Heaven restored,
For grace of salvation, O praise ye the Lord!

O praise ye the Lord and sing a new song,
Amid all His saints His praises prolong;
The praise of their Maker His people shall sing,
And children of Zion rejoice in their King.

With timbrel and harp and joyful acclaim,
With gladness and mirth, sing praise to His Name,
For God in His people His pleasure doth seek,
With robes of salvation He clotheth the meek.

In glory exult, ye saints of the Lord;
With songs in the night, high praises accord;
Go forth in His service, be strong in His might,
To conquer all evil and stand for the right.

For this is His Word: His saints shall not fail,
But over the earth their power shall prevail;
All kingdoms and nations shall yield to their sway.
To God give the glory and praise Him for aye.

OH PRAISE THE LORD ALL HIS SAINTS.
REMEMBER HIS STEADFAST LOVE TO YOU TODAY.
STAND FAST IN YOUR FAITH.
REST IN YOUR BED WITH ASSURANCE OF HIS GREAT LOVE.
RISE TOMORROW WITH FIRM DEVOTION FOR HIM WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME.
Amen.

Amen to your Wonderful Scriptures, and your Beautiful Prayer and Praise, bp! What a Blessing!

I just Found the Cutest Little Song; I can imagine Little Children Singing it; what a Precious Picture.

Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam

"Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I will ask Jesus to help me,
To keep my heart from sin;
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus;
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live with Him on high.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him."

Praise His Name Forever! (Ps.111:10)

Thank you both for your offerings. Kitty Mittens, cyberhymnal.org reports that the words of the simply grand hymn you've posted were written by Nellie Talbot:

Racking her brain for material for her Sunday school class in rural Missouri, she thought to herself, “How can you say there’s nothing to teach about when you have the sun and the sky and the trees and the flowers!” Hence the theme of this song.

In my lookings and listenings to the Voice of My Lord lately I've been reminded that I can be no other and do no better than to excel at what the Creator has made me to be. I've been watching at waterways - brooks, rivers, the ocean. I saw that as water travels it is free of care, it is at rest even as it is rushing! Some courses are traveling in miniature springs over mossy ledge, a trickling that seems set apart from the real flow, but as I followed its descent I saw that ministream join into the mighty rush of the greater body, and there was no distinction whatsoever when that took place - water was indistinguishable from water, regardless of its beginnings (water has no age; where a spring joins in to the flow cannot be determined downstream). I saw puddles caught in hollows of rock, apparently off to the side and useless, but these also are doing a work - waterbugs skittering, algae growing, mosses nourished, frogs fed! And even these puddles, apparently still and unregarded, will rise up invisible to man into the clouds to rain again upon the earth. Nothing, not a drop of water, is wasted.

At the ocean I saw the tide recede, yet clear pools had caught in hollows of sand and among rocks at the northern shore where seagulls dipped their crooked bills and raised their heads jerking delightedly to swallow! And these "left behind" collections of water were not still - the sand made way for their smaller, slower streams in glorious patterns along the beach - waves and ripples that only God could make in such random perfection - flowing, flowing, to the sea! I saw that water is cleansed as it is beaten upon the shoreline, coming and going out again, in much the same way that brookwater dashed upon and among many rocks becomes very pure, crystalline, transparent. I saw that as the sand is shaped by the path the water chooses, even rock is transformed by water, simple water, water flowing! Hollows and crevasses and cracks ever-widening; even towering walls of stone are hollowed out by the movement of mere water (and also, in more forceful ways, by what the water may carry within its deeps or upon its surface).

We are like this, like water in these many forms and places, whether we are aware of this truth or not. I asked my God, "Am I like this puddle, sitting still?" No, he said, though I have been at times. "Surely, Lord, I am not this mighty force cascading?!" No, He said, but look: He showed me one very tiny waterfall running happily over jagged ledge (the water was not hurt at all by these sharp edges). Watch this, He said. I saw that I am like this streamlet, tiny and slow, moss-sparkling - slowed by circumstances that I do not control but only travel over, ride through, bounce lightly upon. Yet soon that little rivulet was meeting up with the greater course and became indistinguishable, unseparated, was as mighty, strong and sure as all the water that flowed above the joining-place. He told me that even the stagnant puddles are so blessed - for every pure droplet of rain suspended like jewels upon the greening all around me, dropping down after each one's determined time, would also join the ever-flow, and the rain was made of puddles.

I saw how bubbly waves kiss the beach, how passionate the encounter is, and so loathe the land to let this partner recede again that the jumping grains of sand will chase after her as she rushes back into the sea (they do not realize she will come again; they want to become one with her)! I saw that the rocks in forest and at shoreline love the caressing that changes their appearance with every swift embrace. I saw that water is happy - still or moving - to be itself, and I have been reminded in these places and ways that this is my all, my everything, too. Praise God.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
~Philippians 4:12-13

Pro 20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

Psa 94:9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?

Pro 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Jer 23:24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Heb 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Heb 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Oh LORD, help us to examine our hearts with your WORD.
You know all things.
Show us our need for repentance.
Help us to always cling to Jesus.
May we love you and honor and glorify you LORD.
Please give us rest, and let your Word work deeply in us to bring us into that full measure of Christ, who died for us.
For every false idea of You that we have in our hearts and minds, correct it with your Word so that we may know You, the One, True God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/b4tthron.htm

Before Thy throne, O God, we kneel;
Give us a conscience quick to feel,
A ready mind to understand
The meaning of Thy chastening hand;
Whate’er the pain and shame may be,
Bring us, O Father, nearer Thee.

Search out our hearts and make us true,
Wishful to give to all their due;
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
From sins which make the heart grow cold,
Wean us and train us with Thy rod;
Teach us to know our faults, O God.

For sins of heedless word and deed,
For pride ambitious to succeed;
For crafty trade and subtle snare
To catch the simple unaware;
For lives bereft of purpose high,
Forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry.

Let the fierce fires, which burn and try,
Our inmost spirits purify:
Consume the ill; purge out the shame;
O God! be with us in the flame;
A newborn people may we rise,
More pure, more true, more nobly wise.

MAY THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD OUR FATHER, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU.
Amen

Daily Light on the Daily Path
May 27

Morning

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

“Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”—God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.—I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”—“Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph!”—This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?”

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.—But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”—The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.—“You have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”

Nah. 1:7; Jer. 33:11; Ps. 46:1; Ps. 91:2; Deut. 33:29; 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; 1 Cor. 8:3; 2 Tim. 2:19; Ps. 1:6; Ex. 33:17

OH LORD, you have made us glad in your Glory and Truth.
We praise you this bright morning of our deliverance.
You are always causing us to go from strength to strength.
PRAISE THE LORD!
Amen.

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isa 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/e/jesujomd.htm

Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.
—Martin Janus, 1661

May 28

Temporary Visible Things, Eternal Invisible Things

For our light affliction . . . is working for us . . . [an] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co_4:17-18)

Our gracious God wants to use the trials in our lives (”our light affliction”) to produce for us eternal blessings (”eternal weight of glory”).
He intends to use our daily difficulties to enlarge our spiritual capacity to experience more fully the glorious eternal realities of knowing, worshiping, and serving God forever!
The Lord desires a full, rich inheritance to await us in heaven: “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe_1:11).
—Bob Hoekstra, Day by Day by Grace.

Oh Father, Creator of all things, create is me a clean heart, and renew a right Spirit within me that I may know you, and be pleasing in your sight.
Work in me that which is according to your Good Pleasure.
Help me to be mindful of your Holiness and your Worthiness to be worshiped and feared.
Amen.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/f/afflictt.htm

Afflictions, though they seem severe;
In mercy oft are sent;
They stopped the prodigal’s career,
And forced him to repent.

Although he no relentings felt
Till he had spent his store;
His stubborn heart began to melt
When famine pinched him sore.

“What have I gained by sin, he said,
But hunger, shame, and fear;
My father’s house abounds with bread,
While I am starving here.

I’ll go, and tell him all I’ve done,
And fall before his face
Unworthy to be called his son,
I’ll seek a servant’s place.”

His father saw him coming back,
He saw, and ran, and smiled;
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child.

“Father, I’ve sinned—but O forgive!”
I’ve heard enough, he said,
Rejoice my house, my son’s alive,
For whom I mourned as dead.

Now let the fatted calf be slain,
And spread the news around;
My son was dead, but lives again,
Was lost, but now is found.

’Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
To call poor sinners home;
More than a father’s love He feels,
And welcomes all that come.
—John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779

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