Divine Way Maker

Gracious and Generous God, thank you for the opportunities to exercise the gifts you’ve given us – the gift to write, create, invent, discover, organize, dance, sing, invest, grow businesses, improve communities, network, build, gather, share, and all the other complex gifts of creativity. Help us to build on the foundation left by our ancestors and at the same time create new pathways of success.

Help us to resist self-destructive actions that could ruin the lives of those we love. Help us to embrace Holy living so that everything we do brings honor and glory to your name.

Go with us today and be our human resource counselor, relationship advisor, problem solver, finance officer, promise keeper, protector, defender and divine way maker. Amen.

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PRAYER TIME

Praycation, a prayer break from routine or Selah, meaning to stop here before moving forward, is not your grandmother's prayer meeting. It is a digital spiritual discipline to guide you into prayer or help to get started to pray without ceasing as Paul suggests in the word of God.

More than 200,000 people have prayed and more than 400 are regular subscribers. Since prayer changes people and perplexing situations, invite others to be a part of this prayer journey. Subscribe yourself, if you haven't already. Make this prayer blog a part of your daily routine. Share this blog with others. Share your prayer experiences and send us your prayers so we can share them with others at www.praycation2@gmail.com.

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Speak Up

O God of justice, miracles and mighty deed,

We lift up to you those who have been silenced by hardship, affliction and injustice. Forgive us for not speaking up for the least among us. We confess that we have not exercised our influence and position to change things. Grant us the courage to be agents of change and instruments of justice. Empower us with the will and the desire to see your kingdom manifest on earth as it is already done in heaven. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Junius Dotson, Africana Worship Book

An Ordinary Extraordinary

O God, thank you for meeting us in ordinary places, doing ordinary things and at ordinary times. Your divine presence in the ordinary transforms the moment into an extraordinary theophany.

Empower us to be extraordinary in this uncertain season. Fill our lives with wonder as we witness extraordinary mercies instead of judgement and extraordinary miracles instead of the usual mess.

Tune our hearts to perceive your presence when we cannot hear your voice. Give us joyful words to proclaim the good news so that it may be heard above the cacophony of the world's fears. In Jesus' name, may the Holy Spirit energize us to proclaim hope and then be that hope in a darkened world. Amen.

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Call And Response

"I call upon you, O Lord.

In the morning you hear me;

in the morning I offer you my prayer, watching and waiting. . ."

Psalm 5

I lift my heart to you, O Lord,
to be strengthened for this day.
Be with me in all I do, my God;
guide me in all my ways.

I will carry some burdens today;
some trials will be mine.
So I wait for your help, Lord,
lest I stumble and fall.

I will do my work, Father,
the work begun by your Son.
He lives in me and I in him;
may his work today be done.

FRD

God-centered

Gracious God, we pause in the press of daily responsibility to call upon your name. Hear our voice as we praise you for being a merciful redeemer. For while we were up to no good, you died to give us everlasting life.

Forgive us for being self-centered. Help us to push beyond the me, myself and I of today with a new spirit to serve side by side with you for the redemption of the world. Strengthen us to be your covenant people and faithful witnesses. We desire to be God-centered in all we think, say and do today.

Give us a boldness to share what we have heard and come to know of you. And with the Lord being our helper, may we do so in words and deeds acceptable to you. In Your name, Amen.

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Finger the Exact Spot

This is Intercessory Prayer Week. Today we stand in the gap for those who are struggling to find what needs attention in their spiritual growth. We pray for those who need to let go of something so that they can grab ahold of the things of God

“The Work of following Christ is like working with a psychotherapist who has a clear insight into what is wrong with us. With incredible accuracy, God puts his finger on exactly the spot that needs attention at the precise time in our spiritual growth. If we are hanging on one last shred of possessiveness, he comes along and says, often through some person or event, “Won’t you give this to me?”

Thomas Keating in Invitation to Love

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“O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. (Romans 11:33)

Eternal and all wise God, we stand in the gap for those who are struggling with what to hold on to and what to release. We pray that they will be able to release everything and everyone into your care.

They have held on to stuff too long. Lord, you know there have been seasons where we have done the same.

Have they forgotten to trust you, the one from whom all blessings flow. Forgive me and us for trying to take your place to do things beyond our mortal resume.

Thank you for putting your divine finger in the exact spot on our spiritual landscape. Thank you for showing us what needs my undivided attention. Your things had gotten lost in our things, the things of this world. Thank you for waiting until the moment was ripe for intervention.

We appreciate today how you confirmed through others it was time to let go. Yes Lord, we give this to you. We give you everything and everyone trusting you leaning not unto my own understanding.

In Jesus name, Amen.

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Love Who?

This is Intercessory Prayer Week.

Let us pray for our neighbors who may be in need. Then ask God to show you how you can meet at least one need.

“Beloved let us love one another, for love is from God…”

I John 4:7

Dear God,

Open our eyes today to the time in which we live. Help us to see our brother’s needs and our sister’s concerns. Help us to do unto the least of these, those who are hungry, thirsty and held captive by physical and social incarceration. Help us to remember those who cannot do for themselves because of age and infirmity.

Grow us beyond indifference to compassion so that the love of God is shown through whom we are and what we do. Help our hearts to understand what is at stake so we can focus our witness and work as an outreach of love.

In the name of Him, who is Love, Amen

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What About the Children?

This week is Intercessory Prayer Week.

Please join us in prayer as we stand in the gap for someone else.

Our children leave our homes early in the morning to go to school or our grown ones leave their homes hopefully to go to work. Let us pray that they have positive experiences all day long and return home safely where there is love and protection.

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Holy Righteous and forgiving God, in your son Jesus name we ask for your healing protection for our children. We ask you Lord that you meet them where they are in the full pardon of their circumstances.

Lord reign over their lives that their living is not in vain. Teach them God what it is to advocate for themselves, teach them what it is to acknowledge you first and show them what it looks like for all things to line up because you are the head of their lives.

Show our children what it means to love themselves as you have loved them. Teach what it means to be their comforter, thier confidant and their guide. Demonstrate what real love looks and feels like for them so that they does not seek it elsewhere.

Put our children in right relationship with you, so that they will be able to recognize what good healthy relationships are and how to manage and stay in them.

Teach them what it means to be the very temple of the living God, that they learn not to abuse or mutilate their bodies with drugs, sex, alcohol, or weapons, but show them what it means to rise early and bathe and bask in the glow of your peace and righteousness and love.

We thank you Loving God, in your son Jesus name we pray. Amen

Rev. Toni Belin

Atlanta, Georgia

Protect and Serve

This is Intercessory Prayer Week

We tend to think about these persons when we need them or if they are a member of our circle of friends or family members. Fire fighters and the police put their lives on the line in the line of duty daily. Let’s lift them up in prayer today.

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Almighty and Everlasting God, we stand in the gap today for those who work to protect our homes and our lives from catastrophe. Protect and preserve them in dangerous situations. Keep them strong in the face of every challenge whether by fire or violent confrontation. Help them to conduct their responsibilities with integrity even when tempted to do the less than honorable.

Comfort the hearts of their families who wait for their safe return home. And, while they are looking after other families, Lord, look after theirs. In Jesus name, Amen.

BELOVED

Who among us needs intercessory prayer? Who are you praying for today?

Sustainable Employment

Wanting sustainable employment is different from obtaining sustainable employment. Thousands of our friends and neighbors are wanting but their prayers go unanswered. Many of our seniors are delaying retirement because of the economic forecasts. And, many of our seasoned citizens have gone back to work part time jobs to supplement their retirement funds. Others are not sure what they have saved or invested will be enough to sustain them in the sunset years of their lives.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we remember today that you grant us the ability to create wealth. We stand on this your word on behave of those who suffer want and stress because of the lack of gainful employment. We pray for those who exercise authority over public and private funds. Guide them to responsibly create sustainable employment for all who want to work.

Open the door of opportunity in every community and country. Prepare the people to walk through those doors so they can provide for themselves and their families through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

BELOVED

Let us pray prayers of intercession this week and not just prayers of supplication. When you pray prayers of intercession, you are praying for action on behalf of someone else. Supplication prayers are the Sweet Hour of Prayer where we make all our wants and wishes known to God for ourselves.

Early We See You!

Let us Pray together:

Early we seek you this morning to pause in your presence; to breath out impurities and breath in whatsoever is kind, good, and lovely, to think on these things before the intrusion of whatsoever is deep, dark and real.

Strengthen us for the journey ahead; equip us to stand before our adversaries as we humble ourselves before you.

Lift us up to live the abundant life you came to give us so we may lift others, the lonely, least and left out. May we all today see a vision beyond what our eyes can see to what is promised in Your word.

In the name recognized in heaven, earth and hell, Amen.
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BELOVED

Remember your breathing prayers. Do this first thing in the morning before your regular devotion or anytime during the day. When we are under stress we do not breathe deeply. Try it today!

Exhale, Lord I need you. Inhale, Lord I receive you. Exhale, I release all toxic thoughts. Inhale, I receive whatsoever is pure, wise and good.

Drag Your Dreams

God of promise and possibilities, help us to drag our dreams out of the closet today and hold them in your palms of love and sacrifice. Open our eyes to our gifts which have been buried or suspended by daily challenges or responsibilities. Show us the appropriate risks to take. Guide us with your Word and wisdom.

O God, you who gave us Jesus, help us in those moments when our unbelief overshadows our potential and your promise to remember that there is nothing impossible with you! Help us to do the impossible today. Help us to live in such a way that even our haters behave.

In Jesus name, grant us the vision to be faithful witnesses of your enabling power.
Amen and Amen

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Speak into My Silence

Dear God,

Speak in my silence.
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings
and the loud inner noises of my fears
keep pulling me away from you,
help me to trust that you are still there
even when I am unable to hear you.
Give me ears to listen to your small, soft
voice saying:
"Come to me, you who are overburdened,
and I will give you rest...
for I am gentle and humble of heart"
Let that loving voice be my guide.
Amen

Henry J.M. Nouwen
"With Open Hands"

Walk With Me Lord

Lord, help me to live this day with a sense of Your presence with me.
Let that sense of Your presence order my steps, guide my feet,
Bridle my tongue, regulate my mind in quiet, idle moments,
And direct my interaction with others.

When You are present with me, choices are clearer,
Spirits are more easily discerned,
The gifts of others are more easily recognized and affirmed,
And Truths that I speak are tempered with love,

“Just a closer walk with Thee;
Grant it, Jesus, if you please,
Daily walking close with Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!
“Just A Closer Walk With Thee”
#387 AMEC Hymnal


Dr. Clement Fugh
Chief Information Officer
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Breathe On Us

Let us pray together:

Breathe on us, breath of God. Fill us with life anew.
Come and breathe on the anxieties that are capable of keeping us from You. Breathe on the habits that keep us from doing Your will and Your word. Breathe on the thoughts that hold us back. Breathe on the weaknesses that hold us down.

Enable us Holy Spirit to discover the vast sources of power, strength and trust you have made available to us in our innermost heart. Breathe on us, breathe of God!

In Jesus name, Amen

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Live Beyond Your Worries

Sometimes the worse thing you can say to someone is "Stop worrying. It's going to be alright". The person may believe you for a moment but go right back to worrying. Try this. Encourage the person to give their worry to God. Invite them to take their hands off the worry and let God handle it this time. Surely, its worth a try.

Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, or about your body, what you shall put on.” Matthew 6: 25-27

Gracious God, thank you for loving me even when I wasn’t loveable. Thank you for caring about me and showing me in so many different ways. You are the provider of all my needs and you are generous with your gifts.

Forgive me for being consumed with worry. I’ve allowed worry to sneak into my life stealing joy, peace and happiness. Worry has worn me out. I do not have the energy to dwell on your Word or the concerns of the community.

Help me to live beyond my worries and focus on your Word. Deliver me from myself so that no matter what is going on, I will remain calm trusting you to handle the day. Deliver me so that I’m free to enjoy the joy of my salvation.

In Jesus name, I place everything into your hands. Amen.

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Infuse My Life

Let us prayer together:

Gracious Lord and lover of my soul,
Let hope so infuse my life that all I am, all I think, all I do is a testimony to your power in my life. Let me face the challenges of the day discerning your guiding hand; Let me face the world's problems with a fresh vision, passion, energy and the perspective of the one who know that you are the hope of the world. For in this hope we are saved.

In Jesus name, Amen
Romans 8: 18-25

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Right Motives

"You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives..."

James 4:2-3

Lord, help me to ask for the right things in the right way with right motives. Help me to cooperate with you, my savior, to accomplish your will for my life.

Forgive me when I have been too impatient to wait for your answer. Forgive me that I've mistakenly taken matters into my own hands moving ahead of your guidance. A non-answer just may be an answer after all.

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Endless Love

O lord, our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. Forgive us for coming too often with our petitions for our right now and tomorrow needs without proclaiming your great and mighty acts or thanking you for the joy of our salvation.

We rejoice this morning for your unfathomable amazing grace, unequaled peace and endless love. Help us to make known today all the marvelous things you have done in us and in the lives of those we know and love.

We pray for the victims of earthquakes and tsunamis; gang violence and acts of hate; victims of AIDS and other diseases; and those who live in the gap between what is promised and what is delivered. Giver of every good and perfect gift, help us to share with the hungry and marginalized; help us to bless those who can't bless us back.

In Jesus name, Amen
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Open Up!

Lord, open our eyes that we may see you working behind the scenes of our lives.

Open our hands that we may share generously the gifts you have provided.

Open our mouths to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

Open our minds to receive new ideas, concepts and innovations.

Open our hearts to love our neighbor and ourselves better today than yesterday.

Help us to be more open to your Word so that we will be better hearers and doers of your Word.

In Your name, Amen
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Working Favor

Lord, we come today depending upon you to be our human resource department. Put us in places where our gifts can be appreciated and utilized. Put us in places where the benefits will be sustaining for our families and ourselves.

If a door closes, sustain us in the days ahead. Prepare us for the next opportunity. Help us to see our weak spots and work on them. Help us to see our strengths and capitalize upon them.

Grant us favor in the sight of potential employers or grant us the resources to start out own enterprise. In any case, you are the one who grants us the ability to create wealth. We pray today knowing that it is all up to you and we work as if it is all up to us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Dawn to Dusk

I love to watch the glow grow in the morning sky just as much as I love to watch the setting of the sun. I may not have a lot of time to do either but I love it just the same.

The glow always reminds me of potential and promise. The dawn represents the potential waiting for us in a new day. The evening glow reminds me that the promises of God will be strong and true through the night.

"God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day."

Genesis 1: 5

God of the Morning Sun and Evening Star, the creator of dawn and dusk, we desire to live a life worthy of you. Awaken us from the dark night of the soul. Rescue us from the grip of fear and doubt. Clothe us with your love and grace to greet the day with confidence.

Wash us and cleanse us of all our iniquities. Reclaim our bodies as your own. Cut the strings that bind us to the gods of this world. Renew in us the joy of our salvation and then deliver us from our contentious ways and blind ambitious habits.

When the shadows of dusk seek to overcome the day, help us to find comfort and rest in your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Press On!

“…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

Hebrews 12:1

Faithful God of the Universe, empower us to run the race you have set before us not the one we pick and choose for ourselves. If we have fallen on the track, give us strength to get back up. If we have lost sight of the finish line, help us to remain focused. If we have tripped over our own fumbling feet, pick us up and try us again. If we have tripped others along the way help us to extend a helping hand.

Today we lay aside everything that gets in the way of running the race, even the sins that so easily beset us! In Jesus name, Amen.

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