May 26, 2014

It's not about numbers, of course, but be encouraged: we have gathered together here and prayed through these prayers 500 times now. Every little devotion of time is honored by our Lord. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel..." Phil. 1:4

God of the Heavenly Armies,
ultimate Victor of all battles
Source of all strength and courage
Defender of the weak
righteous Judge
our Fortress,
Almighty

Because You are just
and good
merciful
and loving
we gladly follow You. We acknowledge You as our Commander in Chief. And it is for Your glory we are willing to sacrifice our lives.

Lord we pray for our soldiers, active and retired, home and deployed, today. From David's mighty men to the Roman centurion believer, thank You for caring for the warriors. We pray for our ranks, who carry Your name in the eyes of this world, if nothing else than by tradition.

We pray for Your strength, which comes from Your joy and hoping in You. You who never grows tired or weary can renew strength and give hope.

In this business of physical abilities, we ask for healing of our soldiers' bodies. Give the doctors wisdom and the soldiers patience in fixing of shoulders, ankles, backs. Please protect our deployed from the flu and other illnesses.

But more importantly, we pray for our soldiers' hearts. Please guard their hearts. May they dwell in Your shelter, rest in Your shadow. May the spiritual battle for their souls be won, even if the physical battle cannot be. May suicide be bound, unable to breathe lies to our warriors.

Be with them in their missions Lord. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17) Give them vision and courage to continue to forge ahead.

And Lord we ask for Your presence with their families. Hold the lonely close in Your arms. Be the grace between them in their marriages, and with their children. Give these families an extra measure of Your enduring, long-suffering love.

More than anything Lord, may our warriors draw closer to You. Help us to be lights to show them the way. If it takes hardship to turn hard hearts, may it not crush them. Break the cycle of selfish sin, do not let it fulfill. Forgive us Lord, of our pride and putting ourselves first.

Help them with all the aspects of this life You have called them to: the moves, the submission to superiors, the training, the frustrating paperwork and hoops to jump through.

We thank You for all You have already brought us through. Thank You for the many gifts You have given our military, making us the best in the world. May we use that responsibility rightly.

But it is in You we ultimately trust, in Your sanctuary we rest. We love You Lord.

May 19, 2014

I hope you can take a few moments to just glory in the Lord this morning. This song says it best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dZMBrGGmeE

"Revelation Song"

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You

Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

Oh, You're worthy, mystery
You are worthy

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You, I will adore You

God of all power

Who loves us beyond belief

with this confidence we come to You and pray:

*For safety for our soldiers. May they rest in You.

*That You will comfort the lonely hearts of the families with deployed.

*For wisdom for our leaders.

*For help for the kidnapped Nigerian girls.

*For Your presence for the persecuted.

*For safety for those among us who are traveling

*For definitive answers to medical tests, and Your healing wisdom for the doctors

*For healing from accidents

*For help in the monumental tasks involved with moving, taking one step at a time and living in Your peace in the meantime. 

*For Your direction in leading our children to follow You in their daily tasks.

Lord, go before us, come behind us, and place Your hand on our heads. Amen.

May 12, 2014

A challenge for us: think of a mother to pray for by name today, then let her know you did. Maybe two-- a sister in the Lord, and a seeker? It's a prayer chain!
References from Philippians 4 today.

Creator God! Giver of life! from the tiny insects that can come alive from under the snow, to the birds that eat them, the blooming tulips, the budding trees, the baby calves, the life giving rain and warm sun. All breathe life from You. And You create us in the darkness of the womb, using a woman. All of us sparked in the passion of a moment, engulfed by Your love. Thank You Lord for life!

And help us to use this gift.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" We do rejoice in You. With thanksgiving we look back on our lives: how You were there at every hard moment, and in every triumph. All the moments we treasure are gifts from Your hand.

And we have joy today because of You. We live in such a beautiful place: thank You for the trillium blooming, the turkeys preening, the deer grazing, the trees greening. You know we love beauty, and You surround us with it. We are safe. We are housed and well fed and clothed. Our children prosper.

And we re-joy again because we know You hold the future. We step out in faith knowing You have never left us, never failed us.

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Father God, this world is hard. It needs mothering. We all need gentleness. Help us to show it to our children, and each other. Help us to show You--are--near.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Oh God, how dare we ever doubt You! How could we? After all You've done, after all You've shown about how You love us.  Thank You for forgiving us of our doubts. Thank You for wanting us to bring our requests to You. Thank You for understanding our weaknesses. And we do pray to You:

--to bring back the girls of Nigeria, and beyond that: all the women of the world who are enslaved to others, to self.
--for health. So much depends on the mom of the house. We pray for healing for our sisters who are hurting.
--for the Hinman family who have lost their mom.
--for new homes as some of us PCS, or need a new one for other reasons.
--for patience and long-suffering as the deployment continues on.
--for our relationships with our husbands, as each day we must decide to love again.
--for wisdom in training up our children.
--for courage to fulfill the mission You have given us, uniquely us, to fulfill.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Thank You! Peace that doesn't need more things. Peace in the forgiveness of sins--no more shame. Peace in the freedom from worry that can eat away and strangle us. Peace from having to control everything. Peace that doesn't have to work to be o.k. Peace with who You have made us.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Lord, help us rest in You. Cease struggling! Rest. No matter the circumstances.

Lord help us to be instruments in our homes and our world that exude "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

May these hands that rock the cradles be Your hands to rock the world. Amen!

May 5, 2014

"The greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer." -F.B. Meyer

Praying with Nehemiah today for the rebuilding of the walls of our nation. References from Nehemiah 9.

Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

From the squishy worms below our feet on these rainy days, to the fog close to our skin, to the Northern Lights coloring the skies, to the twinkling millions of stars--You made them all. We join the multitudes of angels, and the millions that have gone before, in praising You. Your name is better than all the blessings.

We remember what You have done for this country: from the rich resources of the land, to the safe landing of those looking for freedom to worship You. You helped them prosper, setting the precedence of following You. From them, You raised up godly men with wisdom beyond their experience to create a nation that could be Your instrument in the world. Through brave soldiers, wise leaders, daring acts and even storms and fog, You protected this nation from her enemies. Under Your hand, America has become a refuge for the world, a beacon of Your Word, a force to protect the oppressed, through missionaries and military.

Yet we are falling. God help us as our walls are crumbling from within. 

But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked...

Almighty Father, forgive us our arrogance, our stiff-necks. We take for granted what You did for us. We think we can create this greatness through our own work, our own strength. We think we don't need You. Forgive us our greed, for which we've become world-famous. Forgive us for being so wrapped up in ourselves that we would sacrifice our children.

But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Lord, create in America a clean heart, and renew in us a right spirit. Everywhere around us are people who have come to the end of their selves--they desperately need You. The more we try to fix our social ills without You, the more we become sheep without a shepherd, tossed about by every whim. Lord we pray for revival in our land!

We are slaves to sin. Only You can free us.

We pray for the children of America, the future of this country. May they rebel against the wickedness of some of their leaders; and cling to the traditions that point to You. 

The future belongs to You.

We pray for the leaders of our country. Please give them wisdom beyond our understanding, for Your glory.

Your thoughts are higher than ours.

We pray for the spiritual leaders. Lord, give them Your strength through Your joy. May they be hounded constantly to maintain their integrity.

You are pure. You are everywhere.

Lord our lives follow our hearts more often than our heads. Thus, we pray for those who can turn our hearts with imagination. May people who are seeking You rise in all the art forms.

You are the source of all beauty. You are the ultimate creator.

And we pray for our nation's servants: the policemen, the firefighters, and our beloved soldiers. May our best be best at following You. Keep them safe, and protect them from despair. 

You are the only true rock and fortress.

Loss has touched our friends this last week, Lord. Please hold these families in Your arms.

Only You can give peace beyond all understanding.

Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love...

So much You have already done for us. We ask for Your name's sake that American would continue to bear Your name, and be a light to the world. But should it all crumble and fall, we will always love and trust You. Thank You for the life promised beyond this world. We look forward to it.

And God Almighty we ask You to touch Jenna Hinman's body. Please heal her Lord, and bring back together this little family. Thank You for two beautiful healthy girls. Please help Jenna be the mom she wants to be.

Amen

April 28, 2014

"I seek the gift, find instead the Giver, and eventually come away with the gift I no longer seek.
My own emphasis in prayer has moved from petition to companionship, and I no longer agonize over the issue of unanswered prayer as I once did."-- Philip Yancey in "Prayer"

And so Lord, we seek You. We want to be changed by knowing You. We want to heal our land, beginning with ourselves.

We come to You:
the star-breather
the One who spoke the world into being
the One who wraps himself in light
the source of all love
the power behind all energy
the One who calls forth songs of joy
the One who knows every bird in the mountains
the One who forgives
and forgives
and forgives

To You we come boldly, knowing You will patiently hear our laments, lovingly listen to our worries.

We pray for our country. How You have blessed us Lord, with such an incredible land. From the wintery mountains of New York, to the strawberry fields of California; from the blue-green seas of the Florida Keys, to the massive caribou herds of Alaska. We see Your creativity, Your gifts, everywhere You take us.

But we also see endless problems. The people seem to turn away from You more every day. Forgive us for our ignorance. Forgive us for our indifference. Forgive us for our rebellion. Help us to turn the tide back to You. We so need revival.

We pray for our leaders. May they seek Your will. Please give them Your wisdom.

We pray for the American church. May she once again rise to shine as a city on a hill. All the good that we have done, comes from You. Thank You for money given, for missionaries sent, for the Word proclaimed. Help us to do so much more.

We pray for our military. Thank You for the strength, courage, knowledge. May we always use it for Your purposes and to Your glory.

We pray for our men and women overseas. God of the Heavenly Armies, please surround them with Your fortress. Lord we beg You to bind the spirit of depression and suicide. Hold them in Your arms, and may they know true hope.

We pray for our families. Thank You for this building block, this safe haven. Help us to not take our husbands for granted, and turn our hearts to each other. We thank You for the precious time with the children You have given us. Lord help us be the parents they need to grow in You. Show us how to teach them to love You, above all.

And we pray for each other: for lonely, hurting hearts; for exhausting days; for health issues; for outreach opportunities; for missions You have given us; for children to teach; for anxious hearts with moves looming. Be with us Lord.

Thank You for giving us each other too. We see Your love in the faces around us as we gather to pray. And we love You. Amen

April 21, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzYKovRsJ8#aid=P9pV3g34ZYI

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

"Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me." Psalm 42:7

Yes, Lord, yes! Like the mighty flooding of the Black River, sweep us away in Your love. It's already there--always has been--but we haven't always let go. And on a new Monday, we need it ever so much. 

Yet Your love can't completely surround us until we are home with You. Forgive us for trying so hard to find rest and comfort in this world. Forgive us for not longing for You.

Forgive us too for keeping it to ourselves. Help us to spread Your praises from shore to shore, from fence post to fence post on Fort Drum. Lord, surround our soldiers with Your love. May they be unable to resist. Carry their spirits higher, away from depression and suicide. Protect our deployed and encourage them in their tasks. May they see Your hand at work.

Thank You for Jesus' love. Love enough to make us Your daughters, and continuing to watch over us, work for us. Help us to live like one of Your beloved today. Give us grace overflowing for our children. Help us with enduring love for our husbands. May we handle the days' work as You would have us. 

All we can give You is our feeble attempts at love. And we do love you. Amen.

April 14, 2014

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Lord make us stop! Stop all the craziness and focus on You in this time when we especially remember what You have done for us. Change us with that knowledge Lord. We bow before a God that is love and justice, in perfect balance. Don't let us skip over the suffering and remember only the resurrection, for that is where we find gratitude.


At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

Lord, thank You for never crushing us. All Your correction makes us stronger, closer to You.
Thank You for continually drawing us. Help us find our first love, our awe of who You are and what You did for us.

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

Forgive us, forgive us, forgive us for our apathy, our indifference, our inattention in the face of such a gift.

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

like the daffodils peaking out from their winter grave...

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness


And Lord help us to confess it loudly! Amongst our communities this week. And 'only using words when necessary.' But as we gush about the beautiful new life around us, may we gush about the beautiful new life within us.

Help us to teach our children this week, God Almighty, to love the Lord with all their heart and all their minds and all their souls. And teach us too. Please grant them safety and fun in this spring vacation week.

And Father, please reveal Yourself to the soldiers who so understand sacrifice and justice, but maybe not love. May the chaplains' messages ring loud and clear this week. We thank You for these days of relative peace in Afghanistan. We pray all our warriors can come home soon, and we pray for Your continued protection until then.

We pray for our chapel's coming Easter services. May people come! May they be drawn to You, see You in the service and in us, and continue to come. 

Lord help us fall deeply in love with You again.
Amen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5_Z3ZZYLDc&feature=kp