Disappointment

Romans 5:5
"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Lord, I pray for parents who are comforting daughters in disappointment. I pray for wisdom here. There are times when parenting walks such a delicate line! It is so sad to see our children hurt, and we want to encourage. Yet, hurt is a part of life, and You work there. I pray for the many prayer requests on my list that are for daughters. Lord, bless our daughters, and bless our relationships with them. May we take comfort in your promise that hope does indeed not disappoint.

A Timeless Prayer

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (The Lord will Work for You!)
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, (The Lord Will Provide for You!)
3 he restores my soul. (The Lord Will Keep you going)

He guides me in paths of righteousness (The Lord Will Guide You)
for His name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; (He Will Protect You!)
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. (He Will Heal You!)

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. (The Lord Will Pursue You!)

(Anonymous author)

Sisters in Christ

Lord, today I am praying for my sisters in Christ. There are many needs, Lord. Specifically I pray for Nancy, whose daughter is working through a difficult health issue. I pray for Nancy's strength, and that the Holy Spirit would fill her to overflowing with your joy, so she can care for her daughter. And, Lord, I pray for her daughter that you would heal her completely, giving her physical strength and renewed energy. Lord, I ask your blessing of encouragement for all the women on my prayer list. We are the nurturers, and we need your clear presence in our lives in order to encourage our husbands and children during times of challenge. Keep us in your word. Fill our minds with your songs of praise.
Touch us, Lord. Psalm 91:14-16
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Expectancy

Expectancy is a word that is packed with meaning! The dictionary says it is the condition of waiting or expecting, as for a baby. The word expect can mean to look for as likely to occur or appear. The Bible tells us to pray expectantly. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22 I think that the connotation of the word expectancy is a positive one, anticipating, with excitement and hope. We are encouraged to pray with expectancy. I pray now, Lord, for my many friends leaving on retreat today. They leave with the expectancy that God will meet them there! I pray he will do His mighty work in each woman. I pray, too, for the expectancy my daughter has in her last month of pregancy! I pray that she and her husband will be blessed during the childbirth, and I expect that all with be well! Thank you, Father, calling us to you in prayer!

Husbands

Our husbands carry a burden, Lord, that reaches back to Adam. They work to provide for their families. And, if they are lucky, they find a way to put their passion to work for them, and derive joy from it. Lord, I know several men right now, who are without jobs, or at risk of losing their jobs. I pray they will find doors opening for them right now! I pray that through your grace, they will find right livlihood. They will be welcomed into jobs that use their gifts, will serve others, glorify you, and bring them joy and provision. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
Lord, I pray fervently for this, and claim your promise of provision for them, in your name.

Adult Children

Lord, today I pray for adult children. Their pressures are great, their joys many, and their disappointments deep. Does every generation think it grew up in a simpler world? I think everything seems so complex today, with too many choices. We need to create boundaries in our lives to save space for ourselves, to find YOU. There are many adult children on my prayer list right now. Lord, guide them and protect them! May they seek your wisdom, and find joy in your peace, learning to thirst for you. John 4:13 "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

Obedience

Lord, it is so easy to get caught up in the details of daily living. We get confused regarding the reason we are here. Are we here to accomplish our "to do" list? Your Word guides us to the real "stuff" of life. The Truth. We are here to come to know you and to glorify you. How will we know what that looks like for us? Jesus listened, and obeyed his Father. He took time to pray. He knew the scriptures. He guided others to the Truth. He guides us, if we take time with him. Stephanie Edwards, at a women's retreat, guided us to "Read our mail!" How much time do we spend reading our emails, our newspaper, our junk mail or ads? If I "Read my mail" first, by sitting down with the Lord and the Bible, I am always amazed to find that everything else gets done anyway! And, usually with greater ease. I think of Mary and Martha....arent' we so often like Martha? Jesus loved them both, but he said in Luke 10:42 "but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Let's be obedient to our Lord today.