Lyn Cooke Christian Blog and Commentary

Act now to share the love of Christ in the Middle East

31 Days of Prayer - Day 1

I could not believe I was doing this.

 

My mother and her best friend signed us up for an all day seminar on prayer. It was a special Friday class offered at the Women of Faith conference when it first started years ago.

 

There were hundreds of women in attendance as we listened to Becky Tirabassi teach us about the importance of prayer and daily Bible reading. Becky gave her testimony and told us what a difference these two things had made in her own life.

 

At the end of the day, she asked those of us who were up for the challenge to stand up and make a commitment. We pledged to follow a daily Bible reading plan which included the Old and New Testaments, the Psalms and Proverbs and to pray for at least one hour every day. I was too embarrassed to remain seated, so I stood up. And made the pledge.

 

I don't remember how long we agreed to stick to it, but I did it and I've been doing it ever since.

 

God has changed me through prayer and the study of His Word.  Prayer has become natural, second nature - like breathing.

 

It is my hope {and prayer} that if you don't pray regularly, this series will be a bridge for you, like the seminar was for me, to begin a regular appointment with God in prayer.

 

Each day for the month of October, I will focus on a particular theme as I pray. You are welcome to add to my prayer in the comment section below the post.

 

Today I will begin with a begin with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9, He begins with praising the Father for who He is - hallowed. Holy. When I pray each day I try to start in a similar way. With my eyes on who God is.

 

O God, I bow in my heart before You today. I come in reverence to worship and adore You for who You are. You are Elohim, eternally three persons in One. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who in the beginning spoke and formed and breathed the heavens and the earth into existence. (Genesis 1:1) You are God and there is no other. There is no one like You, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done. (Isaiah 46:9-10) Nothing is too difficult for You! You are the LORD. When I am overwhelmed by my circumstances, remind me, O God, that I can trust in Your power and Your might. For nothing is impossible with You. (Luke 1:37)

Father, before sun, moon, stars……You spoke and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) You are Light, O God. In You, there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) In Your light, we see light. (Psalm 36:9) Thank You, Father, that You illumine my way, that I am not left to grope in the darkness but You are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105) Guide me, I pray, in all I do at home, at work, and in all my relationships. Cast Your light on me so that I walk wisely as I go.You are Adonai, Lord and Master of the Universe, who counts the number of stars and gives names to all of them(Psalm 147:4) and yet, You know the very number of hairs on my head.(Luke 12:7) Thank You that the details and intricacies of my life matters to You. I bring all those details to You and ask that You rule over all of them. Rule me, O Sovereign Lord. I surrender every part of myself to You.

Father, You are El Shaddai, Almighty God. Help me to abide in the shadow of Your wings.(Psalm 91:1) Hold me close. Be my refuge and fortress amidst the storms of this life that threaten to undo me. Be my dwelling place, O Lord, a place where I can rest. Lead me to Your secret place when I am tempted to rely on worldly solutions to my problems. You, O God, are the answer to all my questions. The solution to all my problems. You are Jehovah Shalom - the Lord my peace. (Judges 6:24) 

You are beautiful, O Lord. Open my eyes to the riches of Your glory. The whole earth is full of Your glory. (Isaiah 6:3) Give me eyes to see. The world is too much with me and I become cynical and complain. Lift the veil from my eyes and show me Your glory. 

Father, You are El Elyon, God Most High. I praise You and thank You for accomplishing all things for me, for sending from heaven and saving me, for sending forth Your lovingkindness and Your truth.(Psalm 57:2-3)  Your Word is truth. (John 17:17) Sow it into the very fabric of my being. Transform me. Renew me. So that I may bear fruit in every good work and please You in every way. I want to know You, Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.


Come back tomorrow for Day 2 in the series!

 

Photo credit - Jim Sorbie

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you struggle to find the words to pray. 

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