Prayer for Freedom From Suffering

May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending
one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless,
fearful wilderness--
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.


- The Buddha

Thank You for This Earth

O God,

We thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass.

We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn's fruit, rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.

Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory.

For each new dawn is filled with infinite possibilities for new beginnings and new discoveries. Life is constantly changing and renewing itself. In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible. We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are and, yet, can be.

Amen.

Grant Them Provision

Father, I'm praying for these (name them) who are serving in ministries or are on mission for You,

Whenever they're on mission with You, there is cost involved, especially travel expenses. As Nehemiah prayed before he spoke to the king, these people have asked for favor with those who could and would give, and I thank You for those who have. (Nehemiah 1:4, 5-6a, 11; 2:4–5, 8b)

I'm grateful for people who give financially to cover their costs and those who share resources to meet other needs. Help them be cheerful givers who give generously, and then increase their finances and bless them in every way so they can keep on being generous. Enable them to give again and again to those on mission and in ministry—and then in return, meet all of their needs from Your glorious riches in Christ. (Romans 12:6a, 8b; 2 Corinthians 9:7–8; Philippians 4:16–19)

May Your provision for them also include health, strength, and stamina. Give those on mission the ability to adapt to any changes in time, climate, or diet. Keep them from getting sick and protect them from injury. Give them a sensitivity to any cultural differences, and keep them from inadvertently offending anyone. (Luke 10:1–7; 1 Corinthians 9:22)

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Prayer for Hurricane Season

O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.

Originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957.

- Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA

Blessing Over Bread

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe who brings forth bread from the earth.

Prayer of Repentance

Merciful God,
we have sinned
in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done
and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry.
We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ's sake,
and renew our lives to the glory of your name.

May All Be Filled With Joy and Peace

May all be filled with joy and peace.
May all beings everywhere,
The strong and the weak,
The great and the small,
The meek and the powerful,
The short and the long,
The subtle and the gross:

May all beings everywhere,
Both seen and unseen,
Dwelling far off or nearby,
Being, or waiting to become:
May all be filled with lasting joy.

Let no one deceive another,
Let no one anywhere despise another,
Let no one out of anger or resentment
Wish suffering to anyone at all.

Just as a mother with her own life
Protects her child, her only child, from hurt,
So within yourself let grow
A boundless love for all creatures.

Let your love flow outward through the whole universe
To its full height, depth, and broad extent,
Then, as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a onepointed mind:
Your life will bring heaven to earth.


- Translated by Stephen H. Ruppenthal

Nice Prayers Cayon, Blessings to you!

Blessings to you too, Sir

Prepare Them Spiritually

Father, I'm praying for these (name them) who are serving in ministries or are on mission for You,

There are many involved in every ministry and mission—some who go and some who serve locally. There are often those behind the scenes who help with planning, financial support, and prayer, as I'm praying now. We're all part of their service, directly or indirectly, and I'm sure none of us feels worthy to be used in such a way. Yet this is one of the good works You've prepared for us to do, and we're grateful. (Ephesians 2:10)

Help us to live worthy of such a calling; keep our hearts prepared for the amazing things You plan to do. Give us pure hearts, sensitive to sin and willing to confess everything You bring to mind, knowing You are quick to forgive. Forgive us when we sin without being aware, and keep us from sinning willfully. Help us not to let any sin rule over us. (Ephesians 4:1; Joshua 3:5; Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 19:12–13a; Romans 6:11)

Protect our time with You. Don't let busyness keep us from prayer or being in the Word daily. Help us to live according to Your Word and not neglect it. (Matthew 6:6; John 17:17; Psalm 119:9, 16)

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe,
who uphold us, and renew our lives at moments when our hearts grow
weary and trials test our strength. You are with us through it all.
May we laugh and sing in the face of the powers of evil,
and follow you with dancing steps!
Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Prayer for Healing

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.


- Revelation 21:4

Psalm of Comfort

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: 'When shall I come and appear before God?'

My tears have been my food day and night, while they say unto me all the day: 'Where is Thy God?'

These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I passed on with the throng, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why moanest thou within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His countenance.


- Psalms 42: 2-6

To Be Willing to Forgive

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to take their need to forgive seriously,

Unforgiveness is a sin that affects many lives, and the hurts they've suffered seem to justify it by worldly standards. But I ask that You help these I'm praying for to rise above the principles of the world and to live as Jesus taught, loving their enemies—those who hurt them—and forgiving unconditionally from their hearts. (Matthew 5:44; 18:21–35)

Help them be willing to forgive those who have sinned against them so they may ask You to forgive them as they have forgiven others. If they hold anything against anyone, help them to forgive—just as in Christ You have forgiven them. May every hurt that grieves them be forgiven. (Matthew 6:12; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)

When forgiveness is impossible in their own strength, may they be willing to receive Your strength to forgive—for through Christ they have strength for anything. (Philippians 4:13)

Help them see that forgiveness is not an emotion—they don't have to feel like forgiving—but an act of will, made possible by the power of the Spirit who lives within them. (Ephesians 3:16)

In Jesus' name, amen.


- Jim & Kaye Johns

Prayer for the Beginning of the Day

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.


- St. Philaret of Moscow

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe,
who uphold us, and renew our lives at moments when our hearts grow
weary and trials test our strength. You are with us through it all.
May we laugh and sing in the face of the powers of evil,
and follow you with dancing steps!
Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Christ yesterday and today,
the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega.
All time belongs to him
and all the ages.
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Day by Day

Day by day, dear Lord of you
Three things I pray:
To see you more clearly,
To love you more dearly,
To follow you more nearly,
Day by day.


- St. Richard of Chichester

Prayer to Be Forgiving
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.


- John 20:23, Col 3:13

In Praise of Mary

Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen,
Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin.
You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven,
consecrated by Him, with His most Holy Beloved Son
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

On you descended and still remains all the fullness of grace and every good.
Hail, His Palace.
Hail His Tabernacle.
Hail His Robe.
Hail His Handmaid.
Hail, His Mother.
and Hail, all holy Virtues, who, by grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
are poured into the hearts of the faithful
so that from their faithless state,
they may be made faithful servants of God through you.


- St. Francis of Assisi

Prayer for Anxious People

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who are carrying heavy loads,

Your Word says an anxious heart weighs a person down, and this is how I think they must feel—as if they're carrying heavy loads, more than they can bear. When they feel upset and beside themselves, calm them down and comfort them with the assurance of Your love. Help them not be overwhelmed by anxious thoughts. (Proverbs 12:25a; Psalm 94:19)

Our hearts are not supposed to be troubled; but that's their struggle—help them trust You and the Lord Jesus, as I know they must. Help them understand that You are the One who makes a way when things seem impossible; nothing is too hard for You! (John 14:27; Isaiah 43:19; Jeremiah 32:17; Luke 1:37)

Help them be faithful to You and to the way You want them to live, for You guard the lives of those who are faithful; You protect them and never turn away from them. Help them know You as their fortress, as the rock in whom they take refuge, as One who is good, whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8; Psalm 37:28; 94:22; 100:5)

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

NAME IT and CLAIM IT, BELIEVE IT and RECEIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a POWERFUL PRAYER! When you are DOWN to nothing , God is UP to
something'

Father, in the Name of Jesus, bless me even while I'm reading this
prayer and bless the one that sent this to me in a special way. Open
Doors in our lives today, Save and set free!
Give us a double portion of your Spirit as we take back everything that
The devil has stolen:
****Emotional Health
****Physical Health
****Finances
****Relationships
****Children
****Jobs
****Homes
****Marriages
I cancel every plot, plan and scheme the enemy has devised Against us in
The NAME OF JESUS. And I declare:
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST US WILL PROSPER. I speak LIFE into every dead
situation. And, I thank you that nothing is over until YOU say it's
Over! Speak prophetically into our lives and to our situations:
****our households are blessed;
****our health is blessed ;
****our marriages are blessed;
****our finances are blessed;
****our relationships are blessed;
****our businesses are blessed;
****our jobs are blessed;
****our children are blessed;
****our grandchildren are blessed;
****our parents are blessed;
****our siblings are blessed;
****our ministries are blessed;
****our decisions are blessed;
****our friends are blessed.
****Mortgages are paid and debts canceled; our hearts' desire is on the
Way; According to YOUR perfect will and plan for our lives.
YOU SAID YOU'D NEVER FORSAKE US! IN JESUS' NAME!
AMEN!

Twenty-Third Psalm

HaShem is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of HaShem for ever.

- Psalms 23: 1-6

Surround Me With Your Light

Surround me with your light, Jesus, and penetrate the very depths of my being with that light. Let there remain no areas of darkness in me or in my family members, but transform our whole being with the healing light of your love. Open me completely to receive your love, Jesus. Thank you for being our family healer and my personal healer.

The Prayer of Jabez

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.


- 1 Chronicles 4:10

Prayer to Live With Grace

May we discover through pain and torment,
the strength to live with grace and humor.
May we discover through doubt and anguish,
the strength to live with dignity and holiness.
May we discover through suffering and fear,
the strength to move toward healing.
May it come to pass that we be restored to health and to vigor.
May Life grant us wellness of body, spirit, and mind.
And if this cannot be so, may we find in this transformation and passage
moments of meaning, opportunities for love
and the deep and gracious calm that comes
when we allow ourselves to move on.

- Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

God Is Our Refuge

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;

Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah

There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, at the approach of morning.

Nations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

HaShem of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah

Come, behold the works of HaShem, who hath made desolations in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.

'Let be, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'


- Psalms 46: 2-11

To Have Generous Hearts

Father, I pray for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to be generous people,

May their generosity begin with You as they give You their tithes and offerings, believing Your promise that as they do, You will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that they'll not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:8–10)

Help them grow in the grace of giving, giving to others as much as they are able, willing to give even beyond their ability because they trust in You and have given themselves to You according to Your will. May they be generous, always willing to hear the cry of the poor and willing to share. (2 Corinthians 8:7b; Romans 12:6, 8b; 2 Corinthians 8:2–5; Proverbs 21:13; 22:9; 1 Timothy 6:18)

May they sow generously and reap generously—pressed down, shaken together, and running over! Help them be cheerful givers to those in Christian service, and then supply all their needs from Your riches in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 9:6; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:15–19)

Help them to give beyond their means. In Jesus' name, Amen.


- Jim & Kaye Johns

Prayer for Sleep Despite Fears

O Lord, my nighttime fears are very real,
but so, too, is your love for me.
Help me take into my heart your desire for my safety,
and bring upon me a nightly peace
that erases all my anxiety and lets me sleep calmly,
to awaken refreshed
and fearful no more.


- Maureen Pratt

Chant for Inner Strength

I call the light of golden rays
I seek protection thus,
I pray for heavenly forces at my side
angels, sages, spirit guides or wolves
who walk with cunning skill
Come to my aid!
Come at my will!
Black bird soaring light my path
so I am victim to no one's wrath!
And when my journey knows success,
all those who aid me Goddess bless!


- Autumn Raindancer

Prayer for Those in Need of Respect

Most merciful God,
there are many in this city
who hate themselves,
who consider their lives worthless,
who have not known the healing of love.
Touch them with the wonder and power
of your transforming love
that their lives may be made whole,
that they may find fulfillment in life,
that they may rejoice in your blessing.
Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

Prayer for Young People

O God, we pray and beseech you
to guide and protect young people
from the dangers that are ever present in our world today.
Be with them, as they experience both sickness and health,
sorrow and joy,
loneliness and friendship,
success and failure.
Gracious God,
give to them the courage and strength
to make the right decisions
as they journey through life.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
may they come to know and experience your loving care.
We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.