Tag: Prayers

Prayer Requests Gone Deeper

Scripture

Whenever I’m at a loss about how to pray for another person, I find help in God’s Word, specifically the examples given by Paul’s prayers (sprinkled through his letters). Here are paraphrases:

Acts. 26:29 'praying you might become such as I (Paul) am'

Romans 1:8 'praying your faith might be proclaimed'
Romans 6:17-18 'praying you become obedient from the heart'
Romans 10:1 'praying for your salvation'
Romans 15:30-31 'praying you might be delivered from those who are disobedient; praying your service may prove acceptable'

I Cor. 1:4-8 'praying you will be enriched in Him, in all speech and knowledge...not lacking in any gift'
2 Cor. 2:14 'praying Christ manifests through you the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him'
2 Cor. 8:16 'praying for the earnestness of God'
2 Cor. 9:15 'praying for His indescribable gift in your life'

Eph. 1:15-19 'praying for a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, praying the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so you may know what is the hope of His calling'
Eph. 3:14-19 'praying He strengthens you with power through His Spirit in the inner man...so you may be able to comprehend and know the love of Christ.'
Eph. 6:19-20 'praying utterance is given to you to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel'

Phil. 1:3-5,9-11 'praying that your love may abound in real knowledge and all discernment'

Col. 1:3-6 'praying for a constant increase in fruit bearing'
Col. 1:9-12 'praying you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom; praying you walk in a manner worthy, to please Him in all respects, with steadfastness and patience'
Col. 4:2-4 'praying God may open up to you a door for the word so you can speak forth the mystery of Christ'

I Thess. 1:2-4 'praying for your work of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope'
I Thess. 2:13 'praying the word of God performs its work in you'
I Thess. 3:11-13 'praying the Lord will cause you to abound in love for one another and establish your hearts unblamable in holiness'
I Thess. 5:23-24 'praying God will sanctify you entirely'
2 Thess. 1:3 'praying your faith is greatly enlarged and the love of each one grows ever greater'
2 Thess. 1:11-12 'praying God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, that the Lord may be glorified in you'
2 Thess. 2:13 'praying for sanctification by the Spirit'
2 Thess. 2:16-17 'praying God will comfort and strengthen your hearts'
2 Thess. 3:1-2 'praying that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, and you will be delivered from perverse and evil men'
2 Thess. 3:16 'praying the Lord will grant you peace in every circumstance'

1 Tim. 1:12-14 'praying God will strengthen you, consider you faithful, put you into service'
2 Tim. 1:3-4 'praying you will serve God with a clear conscience'

Philemon 4-6 'praying the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake'

Beach Vespers

Scripture
Photo credit: Sasha Martynov

I am blessed to have a close circle of friends, sisters-in-Christ, who I like to refer to as the “Outer Banks Girls.” We were in Bible study together years ago, got busy with kids and careers and scattered a bit, had a reunion in 2011 at Kill Devil Hills, and then reunited more and more often since then. We now go to the beach together twice per year, once in the fall, and once in the spring, for an entire week.

The beach week. It is more than a retreat. It is a time for renewal and spiritual strengthening, as well as a time for rest and getting away from it all. Our beach trips have evolved and now include a time for Vespers sometime after the evening meal. This includes the lighting of a candle and some readings of scripture. I have pondered that few sacred minutes, the meaningfulness of winding down a day this way before the Lord, and I offer this anthology of meaningful words as one pattern inspired by our time at the beach.

Beach Vespers

Psalm 50:1 “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

(Every Moment Holy Vol. 1, For Arriving at the Ocean) “We have traveled this day to the bounding sea, O Lord, to the far edge of the habitable land, as to the utter end of our own measure and ability and strength, to find here reminders of Your limitless presence extended immeasurably beyond us.” Isaiah 40:12 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?”

(VV, Praise & Thanksgiving) “When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.” Psalm 98:5-8 “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together.” (HYMN or Scripture Song here)

So, as this day nears its end, (Valley of Vision, Third Day Evening) “May our conscience be clear, our hearts pure, our sleep sweet! And with the innumerable company who neither slumber nor rest we join in ascribing blessing, honour, glory and power to the Lamb upon the throne, for ever and ever.” Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”(EMH, The Hours: Nightfall) “Here at day’s end we seek You, O King of Earth and Heaven. You have been our sustenance across the sunlit hours. Be now our Counselor, Comforter, and Protector in the dark of night.”

Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 77:6 “…’Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.’ Then my spirit made a diligent search.” And I find you, Lord! Malachi 1:11 “For from the rising of the sun to its setting My Name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to My Name, and a pure offering. For My Name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”

(EMH, The Hours: Evening) “Retire now, you children of God, contemplating His words and resting in the peace of the surety of the love He has extended to you in Christ. Know this night the comfort of His Spirit, Who ever abides in and among us,…”

Amen.