Tag Archives: praying for others

Prayer For Those Who Make Bad Choices

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Do you have children or people that you care for that are making bad choices? Try this Prayer For Those Who Make Bad Choices...

Prayer For Those Who Make Bad Choices

I was recently talking with a friend about the bad choices our kids make sometimes.  We talked about how it breaks our hearts as parents to have to not only see them make bad choices but then to have to watch them experience the consequences.  Then we discussed how similar God must feel when He has to do this with us when we make bad choices.  I remembered journaling about this very thing several years back.  I went back through my journals, and here is what I had written:

It’s hard to watch our kids make bad choices. God feels the same way.

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August 3, 2010

A Good But Just Parent…

My sister and I were just talking tonight about how I was frustrated with my kids lately.  They seem to be misbehaving a little more than usual.  I think they may be having a bit of cabin fever.  Summer is nearly over and school is going to start soon.  We haven’t been able to do as many of our usual activities as I would like due to the extreme heat we’ve been experiencing.  It’s been miserable to do outside activities like the zoo, Big Splash, the pool, the park, golf, etc.  Anyhow, I’ve been planning and wanting to do some fun stuff with them before the summer gets out, but it never fails that when I have a fun activity planned, they misbehave.  I end up canceling and postponing our fun.  I don’t really want to reward them when they’re behavior is bad, but at the same time it makes me so sad because I really want to do nice things for them and fun things with them.  All of a sudden I had the thought, “I bet God feels like this sometimes.”  It made me laugh because of how true it was.  How many times has God wanted to bless us or do nice things for us, and we’ve just tied his hands?  As much as we love and want to bless our children, our heavenly Father wants to do even more for us. 

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:11 (NLT)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

He’s a better parent than we are, yet still very just.  Our sin separates us from God.  His hands are tied by OUR wrongdoing. 

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing…” Habakkuk 1:13a (NIV)

We need to rid our lives of sin and be obedient to God’s word.  In return, God can shower us with blessings.  God’s will is to bless those who do right.  God wants more for us than we can ask or even imagine for ourselves.  Our job is to obey and follow his guidance and directions and to make good choices, not bad choices. 

“You bless all those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts.” Psalm 119:2 (CEV)

“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.” Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

We have to make choices, between good and bad/life and death, every day.  Who we are depends on the choices we make.  We are also where we are now because of the choices we have made in the past.  The choices we make will determine the circumstances we end up with in our future.  Our choices will hold responsibility and consequences.  We will be held accountable for the choices we make.  We are not victims.  We are not a product of our environment–We are a product of our choices.  So how can we help people we care about that are making bad choices? 

Who we are depends on the choices we make.

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We are not a product of our environment–We are a product of our choices.

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When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request

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When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request ...

When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request

I think a lot of times people just flippantly say “I’m praying for you” or “I’ll pray for you”, but more often than not, it’s just lip-service.  They may truly mean it at the time, but then they might forget later or not make it a priority.  Sometimes people just don’t know WHAT or HOW to pray for the other person making the prayer request.  Today I’d like to help you out with this by giving you some suggestions for not just offering lip service when a prayer request is made of you and for how to actually pray for that person when they ask.

Pray right then and there

To address the first issue, I’ll give you some tips for how to actually pray for them and not just say that you will.  The first and best piece of advice that I can give you is what works for me.  Stop whatever you are doing, and pray for them right then and there.  You can’t forget to do it later if you do it right now.  It should only take you a couple of minutes, if that.  You don’t even have to pray out loud or even with them if that makes you uncomfortable.  Just take a second to say a silent prayer on their behalf.

Make a note to pray

The next thing you can do is to make yourself a note to pray for them.  Write yourself a reminder to pray for that person later and/or to check on them again to see how they are doing.  I’ve found myself writing things on post-it notes, index cards, adding a note to my phone, or setting a reminder alarm, and I even have a prayer request app on my phone that I use from time to time.  I also write prayers in my quiet time journal. Additionally, the Bible app has a place to make a prayer list.

One thing that I haven’t started yet that I would like to start is a separate prayer journal.  I’d like to have a place where I can write my own prayer requests to God along with others as a physical and tangible list and reminder.  Then I’ll also be able to go back and mark when they were answered.   Maybe a prayer journal would be a good idea for you too?  The point is, when you write things down, it’s easier to remember to do them.  Plus, you have a tangible reminder to do so.

As far as HOW to pray for them…

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Prayer & Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

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Prayer & Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Recently, I received a request from a reader to write a post with scriptures and a prayer template to pray for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. Although I have not personally dealt with the trauma of sexual abuse, I have friends and family members who have, and I also work with a local Christian women’s restoration home (Glory House) where many of the women we help deal with this. Because I have not personally dealt with or recovered from this kind of trauma, I wanted to be sensitive and do my due diligence in researching this, praying about it, and speaking with people more versed than I am before I wrote about it.

As a result, I’ve written this post with the help and vetting of some recovered survivors of sexual abuse and with some direction from the leadership at Glory House. In fact, Ms. Susie Barnes, Executive Director at Glory House who has almost 25 years of helping women and their families, said to me:

“I’m still amazed by God and His ability to heal people from such trauma!  It gives me great hope and confidence to tell others it is possible.  Amen!”

My hope and prayer through this post are to provide some prayers, scriptures, resources, and hope for those who may have loved ones that are dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse. **Please note, that I am not an expert or a licensed professional and that this is merely meant to serve as a helpful resource. It’s also important to get proper help and counseling from people who are trained, experienced, and have dealt with the trauma of sexual abuse.

The good news is that nothing is too hard for God. There is hope for being healed and restored.

Prayer and Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Below you will find a compilation of prayers to pray for survivors of sexual abuse along with supporting, relevant scriptures. *At the bottom of the post, you will find a list of additional resources.

You don’t have to pray ALL of these things all at once or all of the time.  You can just pick a couple of these things to pray for each day or pick the ones that are most relevant. These prayers are written to pray for someone else; however, they can most certainly be adapted to pray for yourself, if you are the survivor of abuse, by using personal pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).

Text in red are example prayers followed by reinforcing scriptures: Continue reading →

Prayer for Ukraine

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Prayer for Ukraine

As I’ve been watching the news and what’s been happening in Ukraine, I’ve had such empathy for the people there and my heart has been grieving. I’ve spent time in prayer praying for protection of people, wisdom for the leaders, boldness, and courage, help from others, etc.

In church this past Sunday, we sang the song, “The Blessing”. As I sang, I had a nudge in my spirit that I could pray this for Ukraine. Then I prayed, “This is my prayer for them Lord. This is my prayer for Ukraine.” I changed the words as I sang to customize it into a prayer for Ukraine.

Will you join me in praying this blessing over Ukraine?

Prayer for Ukraine

Lord, bless Ukraine and keep them
Make Your face shine upon them
And be gracious to them
Lord, turn Your face toward them
And give them peace

May Your favor be upon them
And a thousand generations
And their family and their children
And their children, and their children

May Your presence go before them
And behind them, and beside them
All around them, and within them
You are with them

In the morning, in the evening
In their coming, and their going
In their weeping, and rejoicing
You are for them.

Amen.

Prayer adapted from "The Blessing": Written by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes ©2020 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, Capitol CMG Paragon / Writers Roof Publishing, Worship Together Music / Kari Jobe Carnes Music CCLI #: 7147007

Relevant scriptures to accompany this prayer

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4 Ways to Show Generosity This Season

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4 Ways to Show Generosity This Season

This past week in the United States we celebrated our Thanksgiving holiday and subsequently the start of the largest shopping season of the year. It’s easy to lose focus and lose sight of what we celebrate this week and to remain in a “thankful” posture. In light of that, that’s a primary reason why the Tuesday following the Thanksgiving holiday has been designated as “Giving Tuesday”.

GivingTuesday.org describes this day as a “Global Generosity Movement” that was “created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.”

Giving Tuesday can serve to remind all of us to be both thankful for what we blessed with as we recognize others in need as well as become more outwardly focused, looking to our communities and to those in need in order to find ways of helping them.

I would like to take the opportunity before Thanksgiving and before Giving Tuesday to get readers to start thinking about a purposed and intentional plan of generosity.

My challenge today is to encourage you to form a plan of some kind of “sacrificial” generosity or giving in one of four ways:

    1. Financial
    2. Time
    3. Gifts/Talents
    4. Prayer
      Show sacrificial generosity in one of 4 ways this season: Financial, Time, Gifts/Talents, or Prayer

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Financial

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Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection

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Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection

Last week I shared some scriptures about protection and about how the Lord surrounds people and places with his protection. I used many of these scriptures as a basis for praying a hedge of protection. Today, I thought I’d share some more scriptures on protection, more specifically an entire chapter. This entire passage about protection is found in Psalm 91. We can actually turn this passage into a prayer of protection over ourselves or our loved ones.

In times of trouble, uncertainty, or potential harm it can be easy to fall into a pattern of worry, anxiety, or fear. In those times we can have confidence that we have a God who loves us and wants to protect us and help us in times of trouble. We can call on the Lord for his protection and remind ourselves of his promises in the Bible. Psalm 91 is a wonderful example of God’s promises and desire to protect us. Reading, meditating on, and praying this chapter can give us hope, confidence, and peace, in addition to renewing our faith.

Reading, meditating on, and praying Psalm 91 can give us hope, confidence, and peace, in addition to renewing our faith.

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Psalm 91 is full of promises and blessings from God

Psalm 91 is packed full of so many promises and blessings of God such as…

    • Protection
    • Safety from illness, disease, or disaster
    • Ease from anxieties and fear
    • Safety from evil all around us and things that are negatively affecting others around us
    • Justice; Punishment of the wicked
    • Protection for our home
    • Guardian angels to surround us and defend us
    • Promise of God’s presence
    • Victory over dangerous things that might seek to harm us
    • Promise of rescue
    • Promise of long life

Psalm 91:1-16 (NLT)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection for Others (insert their name)

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Dealing With Those Who Have Been Deceived

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Dealing With Those Who Have Been Deceived

Last week we discussed that as we near the coming of Christ and the end times, we are going to see an increase in people who are being deceived or are believing lies…either from other people, from Satan, or from their own personal desires. Deception is becoming more and more prevalent these days and will continue to do so according to scripture.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

Unfortunately, we even see deception taking hold of our family members, friends, or other people in our sphere of influence. It’s very hard to see someone we love or care about being deceived and believing lies. It’s especially difficult when they seem so far gone and are not receptive to hearing or discussing the truth.

There is a proper way to engage with or deal with people in the midst of deception. Unfortunately, our initial reaction or human nature is not typically the best way. It will take some intentionality and purpose to interact in a God-honoring, productive, and helpful way. Regrettably, I have not done this very well lately, hence my purpose in writing this post…to resolve to do better and help others do the same.

Take Some Practical Steps When Dealing With Those Who Have Been Deceived:

First, pray for God to help you when engaging or interacting with those being deceived.

It’s tempting to get irritated or angry and sometimes even feel shocked, surprised, and dumbfounded. You may need God’s help to get out of your own emotions before you can deal appropriately with someone being deceived. You might need to ask God to soften your heart first. Then, ask God to help you have his perspective and to see them and the situation as he does. Pray that God would give you the right words to speak only when necessary and to help you stay quiet when necessary. (Refer to this link for other helpful scriptures on knowing what to say.)

“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

For I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” Luke 21:15 (NLT)

“…don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.” Matthew 10:19b (NLT)

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” Proverbs 13:3 (NLT)

Next, listen before responding.

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Prayer for Those Who Are Being Deceived

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Prayer for Those Who Are Being Deceived

Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where Satan is amping up his activity in order to deceive people. He knows his time of an end is drawing near. The Bible is VERY clear about the rise and increase of false prophets and deception as we near the coming of Christ and the end times. We need to expect that there WILL BE those attempting to deceive us (and some even doing so in the name of and purportedly for the cause of Christ).

Some deception also comes, not just from other people, but from Satan or evil spirits attacking our minds and thought life with lies. Many people also start to believe things contrary to scripture, Biblical teaching, and godly living simply because of their own desires. They simply don’t want to believe the truth.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

As the time of Christ’s return nears, deception will increase. It will come from others, from evil spiritual forces, and from within ourselves and our own desires.

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When those we care about are being deceived

It’s very hard to see someone you love or care about being deceived and believing lies. It’s especially difficult when they seem so far gone and are not receptive to hearing or discussing the truth. All is not hopeless or lost though!  We can pray for them because our prayers are extremely powerful!

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16b (NLT) 

After studying and researching how and what to pray for those who are being deceived or believing lies, I compiled a list of things to pray followed by scriptures that these prayers are based upon. You can pray these items in part, or I’ve also combined them as a collective prayer at the bottom of this post (with an image to save, pin, or print).

Pray for those who are deceived because your prayers are powerful, effective, and will produce results!

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Take Some Practical Steps to Pray for Those Who Are Being Deceived:

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