Set Us Afire, Lord-Prayer

Woman praying

Set us afire, Lord,

Stir us, we pray!

While the world perishes

We go our way,

Purposeless, passionless,

Day after day.

Set us afire, Lord,

Stir us we pray!

by Ralph Cushman
The Pocket Book Of Faith

Are you praying to God, or just moving your mouth?

Woman praying        Have you ever told someone you were fine when you were actually feeling terrible?
It is like we are programmed to tell people we are fine. We don’t intend on lying, it is just a reflex like pulling your hand back when your hand gets too close to the stove, you don’t think about it, you just do it.

I think our prayers can get like that. I know multiple seasoned citizens who have been saying the exact same prayer before eating as they were taught when they were three.
You have to wonder, are they actually expressing their gratitude to God for their food, or are they just reflexively saying the words that they were taught to say decades ago?
Ask yourself that same question, Are you really talking to God when you bow your head, or just moving your mouth? If your answer is uncertain or in the negative try re-reading the Psalms. There are some great players in there. Look for inspiration to change up your prayers a bit.  Just changing a sentence or two can refocus your mind to actual prayer. And don’t forget to ask God to help you focus on him.

Pray for our leaders

3

I Timothy 2:1-4   First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4  who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

. The Apologetics Study Bible

It would be easy to rail against our leaders, instead of praying for them. They do not seem to be good people from where many of us sit. We must however remember that the leaders being spoken about were a pretty evil lot too. They crucified Jesus! You can’t get any more evil than that, but yet we are supposed to pray for them anyway. I am not a big fan of many politicians, but I must spend more time praying for them. I believe that you should too.

Prayer for Fortitude

“O God, give me strength to live another day. Let me not turn coward before it’s difficulties or prove recreant ( unfaithful to duty) to it’s duties. Let me not lose faith in my fellowman. Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness. Preserve me from minding little strings, or giving them.” Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me. or take away the joy of conscious integrity. Open wide the eyes of my soul that  I may see good in all things. Grant me this day some new vision of Thy truth, inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness, and make me a cup of strength to suffering souls; in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen”

Phillips Brooks

Prayer Journal

How many times have you promised someone you would pray for them, but when you got around to praying at the end of the day you forgot? I hope I am the only one who has done that, but just in case I am one of many ,I found an app for android devices that I think you might like Mobile Knee is a simple app that will help you keep track of all the prayers you have been meaning to pray. Check it out it’s free!