JUNE 2017 MBUMC FOCUS PRAYER

JUNE 2017 MBUMC FOCUS PRAYER

You are invited to join the Prayer Ministry team in praying this prayer.

Always take time to talk to God.  Put your mind on what you are saying.  

And thank God for what he has done. 

Colossians 4:2 Worldwide English

Holy Jesus, “my faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!  Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away, O let me from this day be wholly thine!” (H452, v. 1, words by Ray Palmer, 1875)

Lord, when I struggle to find the right words to pray, I remind myself that praying is simply talking to God.  I know how to talk.  Often the struggle is to talk less and to focus more on the heart of things.  I am thankful that you know my thoughts and hear my words.  Remind me to offer praise and thanksgiving before my requests.  Then, remind me to be quiet and listen to you.  Help me pay attention in order to hear what you want to say to me.

Jesus, in your teaching about prayer, first you said not to be a show-off, but to pray in private and get to the point because God knows better what I need even before I ask.  Then you said to pray very simply like this: Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are.  Set the world right; do what is best – as above, so below.  Keep us alive with three square meals.  Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.  Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.  You’re in charge!  You can do anything you want!  You’re ablaze in beauty!  Yes, yes, yes. (Matthew 6:6-14 CEV/Message)

Jesus, you also taught saying, “Ask, and you will receive.  Search, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Whoever seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 CEB)  

Thank you, Lord, for pastors, friends, Prayer Chain Partners, Prayer Square makers and the Mission Bend Prayer Ministry team who will pray with us and for us, especially Sharon, June, Suzanne, David, Josie, Sam, Jonathan, Mauro, Rita, Mauro Jr., Shelly, Peggy, Maria, Jan, Judy, Yucca, Hylton, Nancy, Susan, Pat, Mickey, Melate, Kathy and Nancy.  In every circumstance and in all our days, Lord, keep us in conversation with you.  This I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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!
H496, v1, Words by William Walford, 1845; Music by William B. Bradbury, 1861.