Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Prayer - Lent

Heavenly Father,

In these days of reflection and rededication, we honor and glorify You. We thank you for your son, Jesus, who experienced human pain, suffering, and death so we might know the power of the resurrection. You alone are Holy and greatly to be praised. You know our needs and answer them. You feel our pain and relieve it. You understand our weakness and give us strength. In and through You alone can we achieve our greatest desires – love, forgiveness, and eternal life.

For all the blessings we’ve received, we offer our sincere gratitude. We know You are the source of all that’s good in our lives. And we boldly ask for more! More blessings, more courage, more ability so we can share the good news of the Gospel. Never let us forget Christ’s passion. And equip us to tell others about your saving grace and abundant mercy.

These things we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Prayer - Lent

Heavenly Father,

We enter this season of Lent with hearts filled with love for you, giving you all glory, honor and praise. You alone are holy and worthy of our worship.

We redouble our efforts to be pleasing in your sight. As we exercise spiritual disciplines, we do so to honor you and bring you pleasure. Let these sacrifices and additions of spiritual practices help us grow closer to you, to reflect Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, and develop our spiritual maturity. When resolutions fail, let our devotion to you in these disciplines succeed because they are designed to honor you.

We ask for your guiding Spirit to be present among us during Lent and always. Help us grow into your likeness. Give us the courage to proclaim you boldly to those who need to know of your saving grace, unconditional love, and blessed forgiveness.

We seek your blessing for all the people of the Early UMC. Pour out your favor over your church so we can be ministers of the Gospel who honor you in all our actions. Let our activities and our worship be pleasing in your sight.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(C) Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Prayer - Lent

Heavenly Father,

In this season of Lent, turn our hearts and minds toward you. Help us to set and follow disciplines to focus our faith and honor you. Give us the courage to do more – giving up more than the superficial and sacrificing as Jesus did those 40 days.

Guide us to add a discipline of worship – daily prayer, reading of your Word, purposeful interaction with the faithful, and ministry to those who don’t know you.

Let us spend time in contemplation of Jesus’ life, ministry, and passion. Quiet our minds to tune out noise and distractions so we can give you our full attention, our sincere devotion.

We give you all honor, glory and praise. We seek your continued blessings and desire your favor for the people of the Early UMC. Equip us to do your will, become disciples, and grow in knowledge of you.

In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Prayer - Honor Your Gifts

Heavenly Father,

You are the source of all wisdom and everything good. We have nothing apart from you, your son, Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. We honor and glorify you, praising you for loving us despite our sins and shortcomings.

We thank you for the gifts of grace and mercy you’ve given each of us. Help us to honor these gifts through our response to your generosity. Give us spirits of service – not to earn our salvation but because we accept grace by faith and wish for others to know this peace.

For all those who are hungry, we ask for ways to provide their sustenance. For those who are thirsty, we ask for opportunities to quench their thirst. For those who want to fill the God-shaped hole in their lives, we pray for them to open their hearts, minds, and souls to you. Let us be the messengers of the Gospel who introduce them to your unconditional love.

Pour out your blessings over your children. Lead us to your perfect will and guide us in the ways you would have us go.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(C) Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Prayer - Christmas

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for the glory of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of your son, our savior, Jesus. This Baby King arrived in humble surroundings and became the Messiah, the sinless one whose obedience remains our greatest gift.

We honor you, King Jesus, for taking on the sins of man. As we remember your birth, we once again rejoice in the faith of your earthly parents whose trust in our Heavenly Father remains a model for all of us.

Help us to make the spirit of Christmas an everyday occasion for us. Let our hearts be continually warmed by the thought of your birth. Equip us to give continually of our time, talents, and resources to serve our fellow man.

O most loving and gracious God, Father of us all, pour out your blessings upon us. We seek your favor and pledge to be your obedient and loving children.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Harvest Season

Heavenly Father,

We bring you all our praise, for you alone are holy and worthy of our adoration. We celebrate the lives you have given us and honor you for the love you share continually with us and the unimaginable gift of your son, our Savior, Jesus.

Be with us in the hustle and hurry of harvest season. Be our guardians against loss. Surround us with your goodness so we might be fruitful for you.

Show us your favor. Equip us to be your servants, ministering to those in need in Jesus’ name. Give us wisdom, courage, and boldness so we can be your hands and feet.

We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Forgiveness

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for your unconditional love, grace without merit, and mercy without cost. We celebrate the splendor of your creation – this earth you give us to enjoy, sustain, and enhance. We honor you with our worship, rejoicing in being your children, adopted into your family, and because of your son, look forward to life eternal with you.

We ask your forgiveness, Lord, for our shortcomings. Help us to be better Christians, better spouses, better children of our earthly parents, better parents, better friends. Equip us to be ministers of your Gospel so we can share Jesus with those we encounter who are lost, struggling, and alone.

We seek your favor and ask you to reveal your will to us. Let us be Jesus’ hands and feet, doing for others what He would do!

In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Children

Gracious God,

We lift up to you the children of our community. We rejoice for each of these lives, young vessels ready to be filled with your Word, your grace, and your peace.

Watch over these and all children of our community, Lord. Protect them from harm, lead them in your ways, and reveal yourself to them.

Heavenly Father, we also ask you to put caring Christian adults in their lives. Help each of us be role models for our youth, living in a manner pleasing to you and inspiring to them. Give us courage, strength of character, and strong faith so we might raise them up in the way they should go. Pour out your blessings on parents of children of all ages, giving them the wisdom to help their families grow into your will for their lives.

These things we ask in Jesus' name, grateful for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and thankful for your abundant love and mercy. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Boldness

Gracious God,

We raise our hearts in praise for the blessings we receive from you. You are powerful, mighty, and wise. We honor you for your great mercy and limitless love of your children.

We come before you today to ask for BOLDNESS. Let us be messengers of the Gospel to all those who need to hear the message of salvation and know the presence on Jesus in their lives. Give us courage and send the Holy Spirit to be with us as we boldly share our faith.

Creator God, we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to live and walk among us. And we humbly offer our gratitude for his sacrifice on the cross, cleansing each of us from sin, and redeeming us.

All these things we ask in the name of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Galatians

Heavenly Father,

We listen to the words of your servant, Paul, who told the Galatians and us, “For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.”

As your children and the body of Christ, we offer you praise and thanksgiving for the freedoms we enjoy. We honor your will for our lives, understanding the freedom we are blessed with gives us the opportunity to reflect your love within our church, community and beyond.

We ask your blessings on our congregation and its leaders. Let us be Jesus’ hands and feet in our church and community. It is in his name we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010 (exluding scripture)

Prayer - Names

Gracious God,

Worthy. Holy. Sovereign. Powerful. Glorious. Redeemer. Creator. Father. Sustainer.

We praise you for your grace and mercy shown to each of your children. We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, who lived and walked among us on earth, teaching us the example of unconditional love and forgiveness.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking our sins as your own and giving us eternal life.

Words are inadequate to express our thanks for the many blessings we have received. Accept our gratitude for giving us life!

All these things we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Take My Life and Let it Be

Heavenly Father,

A child of your flock, Frances R. Havergal, wrote these words more than 100 years ago:

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

We praise you Lord for the many talents you give your children and for the confidence to use those talents to worship you. You alone are worthy of our praise, great God and Creator of us all.

Let us take the words of the hymn writer as our own, consecrating our lives to you. Help us to praise continually. Show us where and who to serve.

Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010 (exluding hymn lyrics)

Prayer - Trinity

Gracious God our Father, we praise you and lift high your name. We give you all honor and glory, worshipping you, the one true God, Father of us all.

We come before you as humble children, seeking your guidance. Be present with us, showing us the path you would have us take, leading us in your ways.

Gentle Redeemer, Son of God, we raise your name - that name above all names - in thanksgiving for the mercy-filled gift of your life and death on the cross. Walk beside us, Jesus, and allow us to shine as your light in the world.

Holy Spirit, ever-present guardian and friend, wrap us in your presence, push us out of our complacency, and pull us to be messengers of the Gospel to all who would hear.

Bless us all, Heavenly Father, and anoint the ministries of your children with your wisdom.

With grateful hearts we pray in the name of Jesus, our risen savior, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Heavenly Father,

How great are you, loving God, and greatly to be praised. We join together with our church family in worship of you, grateful for your redeeming love and abundant mercy.

We turn our hearts to you, Jesus, and hope to make more disciples for you to strengthen your church here on earth. Walk beside us, precious Lord, giving us direction and unyielding support in our journey.

Holy Spirit, fill us with your presence. Make us bold warriors of the faith with the courage to share our testimony with others. Help us be beacons on light in a world where darkness threatens to overwhelm so many who don’t know you.

We claim the words of the hymn writer as our own:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

In the holy name of Jesus Christ our beloved Savior we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010 (excluding hymn lyrics)

Prayer - Bounty

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for the bounty of your creation, Lord, at the harvest when crops come in as nature’s goodness is seen flowing from the fields. Bless your stewards of the land for the effort they take in planning, planting, and reaping foodstuffs to field your children around the world. Let all be safe and celebrating together the conclusion of the crop year.

We are reminded that we are not alone – we live in community with Christians near and far. As we lift high the cross in worship and in sharing at the communion table, we realize how big, how awesome, and loving you are. Father God, we raise our hearts and voices to thank you for your presence in our lives and for the gift of your son, Jesus.

We come to the table with the knowledge we have sinned, Lord. In our taking of the cup and sharing of the bread, we are reminded of the sacrifice you made through the death of Jesus on the cross. With his blood, he wiped away all our sin. Hallelujah!!

Jesus. Our savior, guardian, guide, and friend. Walk with us. Be present in all our days in all our activities. We seek to be your hands and feet, offering sacrificial love and service to our fellow man.

Holy Spirit. Surround us with your fire, uplifting us and leading us to ministry in the name of the Father and the Son.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Beauty

Gracious and Merciful God,

We praise you for the bounty and beauty of your creation, celebrating your presence in our lives. What a comfort and joy to know the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father, to feel the care you have put into our lives, and the power with which you reign. All glory we give you today and always.

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, we are particularly mindful of the blessings we receive daily from you. Blessings of health, family, friends, and a church family brimming with renewal and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Creator God, for all we have been given and help us to be a reflection of that love to all we encounter. Help us to capture the enthusiasm and rebirth of your church and share You with our community.

We know, Lord, we have sinned. Help us to turn our backs on that sin and to lift our faces upward to You. Let us be your messengers, delivering the good news of the Gospel to all those whose hearts are ready to hear. Forgive us for those times we put ourselves first. Give us hearts for Christ and hands for service. Let our lives be dedicated to growing your Kingdom on earth – one at a time.

We praise you, Lord, for sending ministers of the Gospel to serve us, inspire us, and lead us on our Christian walk. Guide and protect these servants, give them wisdom, patience, and renewal.

In all things, all days, and all ways we glorify you, dear Lord, and we thank you most humbly for the greatest gift we have ever received, your son, Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Advent

King Jesus,

We raise your name on high in worship and praise for your life and death along with the salvation you made possible for each of us. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All glory be to you, Jesus, who as both God and man saved us from our sin.

As we see the end of our church year approach, we joyously anticipate the season of advent when we prepare for the celebration of your birth. Looking back, we realize how important you are in our lives, Holy Jesus. We know your death, resurrection, and ascension overcame evil for each of us. We are blessed you loved us enough to die on the cross to save us from our selfishness and our sins.

You are the King of heaven and earth, our leader, redeemer, and friend. We thank you for your mercy upon us.

In your holy name we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer Advent

Heavenly Father,

This Advent season, and everyday, help us to remember and glorify the greatest gift ever given - your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with unspeakable joy as we think of our Savior leaving his heavenly home and coming to earth to save us.

We think about that young couple, blessed by you, as they traveled to Bethlehem. Help us to trust like they did so many years ago, to know You are good and will provide for all our needs. When they found themselves in the stable, with angels and shepherds as their guests, they knew you would provide.

Give us hearts to be your messengers, telling the news of our Savior’s birth. This baby, born in a stable, would pay the price for all of our sins and save us from ourselves. Give us strength, give us wisdom, and put the words in our mouths to continue to herald the birth of our King.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, help us to be awed once again at the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Let our hearts overflow with rejoicing and praise for the baby Jesus. And give us spirits of worship and thanksgiving at this most precious time of year.

We thank you, Lord of All, for sending not only Jesus to save us, but for the gift of the other pastors in our. Guide, guard, and protect them from secular influences and attacks from the evil one. Bless also the members of our church family who together worship and adore you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Advent

Heavenly Father, King Jesus, Precious Holy Spirit,


We come before you in this season of advent seeking peace. We covet peace in our hearts and minds, our day-to-day living, our work, our play, and our relationships.

As we become consumed with the busyness of Christmas – the decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, planning, and chaos – help us to stop and feast upon your presence in our lives. Give us the wisdom to focus on the celebration of Christ’s birth. In quiet contemplation, lead us to worship you, spending time in prayer and reading your Word.

Let us become peacemakers in our homes, workplaces, community, and church. Guide us to release all that’s weighing on our hearts, giving our burdens to you, freeing us to be your disciples. Show us how relinquishing control to you soothes our souls and strengthens our hearts.

We await with joyous hearts the celebration of Jesus’ birth, in whose name we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Resolutions/January

Gracious God,

January is a month of resolutions. We come to you in prayer asking your strength and wisdom so we might:

Praise You unceasingly
Thank you for the many blessings we receive
Raise up our friends and family to you for your anointing
Seek the Holy Spirit’s presence
Serve others
Spread the good news of the Gospel
Pray constantly
Minister to those in need
Worship meaningfully and authentically
Study your Word

Let us become true disciples, never forgetting that all good things come from you, Lord. Help us to boldly proclaim our faith, being role models for all who see our actions.

Give us courage to take the next step in our faith walk. As we grow and stretch outside our comfort zones, lead us to the path you would have us take. Let us not forget your good and perfect will for each of us, that you desire only good for your children.

We praise you, Heavenly Father, for your unfailing love. We raise up to you your entire church family. In this new year, keep them under your protection and inspired to serve.

All these things we ask in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Service

Ever gracious and most merciful Lord, we honor and praise you for the unconditional love you lavish upon all your children. You alone are worthy of our worship. We raise your name in prayer, spend time in study of your Word, and sing songs of joy to you, beloved Father.

Help us to see your will for our lives. Open our hearts to service in your name, spending our time telling others of your power, might, and glory. Give us the words to tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection – the greatest story ever told – to all who would hear. Let us be humble servants who focus on sharing our faith and the many blessings you have bestowed upon your children.

As we grow in faith, walking with Jesus, and seeking opportunities to serve, guide us in the right direction. Help us to see the needs around us. Grant us favor that our actions would be honoring to you and your will. Let us respond joyfully to your call to serve our neighbors.

Thank you, blessed Jesus, for your sacrifice for us. Though unworthy, we gratefully accept your grace and love poured out for us. We repent of our sins, turning our backs on the distractions, temptations, and selfish ambitions that separate us from you. Fill our hearts, Holy Spirit, warming us with your presence, leading us to service at your inspiration.

We sincerely ask for your leading, renewal, and rebirth to remain ever-present for all of us.

All these things we pray in the name of our risen Savior. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Memorial Day

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for the blessings of liberty and freedom we all enjoy. We are grateful to be able to gather to worship you, openly professing our faith in God the Father, God the Son, and your Holy Spirit.

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember all those who have given their lives in defense of our country. Their sacrifice for our freedoms resonates with us today and every day. We raise the families of those who have given their lives, asking your blessings upon them as well.

We also pause to remember all the loved ones who have gone on this year. Our grief at their loss is tempered with the joyful knowledge they are in your heavenly home, where you prepared a place for them.

Gracious God, we thank you for showing your favor upon all of your children. Continue to surround us with your love. We ask you to pour down your grace and mercy upon us. Let us all be beacons of the Gospel.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Repentance

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for the blessings of prosperity we all enjoy. We know you alone are the source of all that’s good in our lives. We offer you honor and glory for these blessings.

We thank you for willing servants who share their testimony with us. Help us to be disciples who share from our abundance with those who have little.

We have sinned against you, Lord. Forgive us. As we repent, show us the path you would have us tread, the people you would have us minister to, and the life filled with joy you desire for all your children.

Let us be lights shining the good news of the Gospel for all to see.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Psalm 25

Gracious God,

You are the author of all that we hold dear. We give you honor and praise for the blessings you have given us. We worship you alone for you are great and greatly to be praised.

Help us to rely on you for wisdom, guidance, courage, and strength. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to your leading. Let us trust in your will for our lives, showing us the way to go and the path you have designed for us. Keep us from putting more faith in the things of this world than the greater glory you have in store for us.

Thank you for the scriptures, your plan for our lives. We pray now the words found in Psalm 25:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.

We seek your favor and request your mercies.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010 (excluding scripture)

Prayer - God's Presence

Heavenly Father,

We lift up our hearts in praise of your presence in our lives. You alone are holy and worthy of our adoration. We give you honor, glory, and gratitude for your great gifts to us.

We thank you, Creator God, for the gifts of life, family, friends, and free will. Give us discernment so we might know your will and see your intentions for our lives. Light our paths so we might walk where you would have us walk, encountering those who need to hear your word and come to know your son, Jesus. Fill us with the Holy Spirit. Create in us the desire to serve only you and to make disciples of our neighbors who don’t know you.

We ask your blessings upon the leaders of your church. Give to each what is needed for them to be effective witnesses for you. Provide wisdom, strength, and courage.

In the holy name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Advent

Heavenly Father,

In this season of Advent, our hearts turn with expectation and anticipation to the coming of the Christ child. We celebrate your infinite wisdom and extravagant care for all your children made evident in the birth of one baby that night so many years ago. All glory, honor, and praise to you, Gracious God, for the gift of salvation made possible through the birth of Jesus in the humble stable, under the starry sky, with shepherds and wise men witnessing the miracle.

What blessings you have allowed your people. What favor you have shown your chosen ones. What joy you make possible because of your grace and mercy – unmerited yet treasured. We thank you for all you have so generously given.

Advent begins our Christian year and gives us the opportunity to once again renew and dedicate ourselves to service to you. Forgive us, Lord of all, for the times when we have fallen short of your will for us. We repent of our sins, asking you to create in us clean hearts. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so we are warmed with your presence, guided by you, and led to be all you expect.

Pour out your favor over your people. Anoint leaders among us to share your Gospel, to serve those in need, to honor you in all our activities. Surround each with your love, lifting their spirits to joyful worship. We humbly and earnestly ask for you to help us win one more for Jesus.

In his name we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - 2010

Heavenly Father,

We are so blessed by your unfailing love and extravagant grace. We offer you our praise and thanksgiving for the generosity bestowed upon us – grace without merit, salvation without cost to us. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, who paid the price for our sin.

Give us faith, give us courage, give us humility. Help us to put our humanness – those emotions of pride, fear, arrogance, and vanity, in their proper perspective. Increase our wisdom and bless us with discernment so in all our actions you are glorified rather than our own ambitions or desires. Forgive our sins, our failings, and our irresponsibility.

In all things, help us put you first, living lives of worship, engaging in meaningful conversation with you. Let our thoughts be directed to you so we become acutely aware of your presence every moment of our days.

With all you have given us, we come before you asking for more – more joy, more comfort, more knowledge, more peace. Give us the tools to be effective disciples, spreading the Gospel to all who would hear.

Gracious God, please bless all those who call upon your name and claim Jesus as their savior. Hear their prayers, provide for their needs.

We ask your special blessing on 2010. Let it be a year of glory in your name when hearts are won to Jesus.

In his name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Messengers

Gracious God,

We raise our hearts in joyful praise for the glory of your grace. We honor you for being our sovereign Lord.

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your unconditional love. Thank you for the untold blessings you offer your children. Thank you for seeing past our imperfection to the potential we all have, a gift from you.

Let our hearts be united in desire to follow and serve you. Give us the words to tell others about you and your son, Jesus. Help us to be bold messengers of the Gospel, touching the hearts of unbelievers and showing them the way, the truth, and the life.

Show us your favor, heal our hurts, give us wisdom and discernment. Let us truly be your disciples.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Blessings

Gracious Father,

We raise our hearts in worshipful praise, giving you our worship for you alone are holy and deserving of our adoration. With all that is within us, we offer our joyous songs and prayers, glorifying you – our creator, redeemer, and sustainer.

For all we have and will receive, we thank you. We honor you for the abundant blessings you have showered upon us. With gratitude we cherish the gifts of unconditional love, family, friends, and community. Most of all, we thank you for Jesus and his Holy Spirit. Without them we are incomplete.

Let our lights shine, serving as beacons as the Gospel to all we encounter. Reveal to us your will, show us the path you would have us take, lead us to serving you with our whole hearts. We want to be like Jesus.

We humbly and earnestly seek your face, to do your will, and to honor you.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Free Will

Heavenly Father,

We lift up our hearts in praise of your presence in our lives. You alone are holy and worthy of our adoration. We give you honor, glory, and gratitude for your great gifts to us.

We thank you, Creator God, for the gifts of life, family, friends, and free will. Give us discernment so we might know your will and see your intentions for our lives. Light our paths so we might walk where you would have us walk, encountering those who need to hear your word and come to know your son, Jesus. Fill us with the Holy Spirit. Create in us the desire to serve only you and to make disciples of our neighbors who don’t know you.

Give to each what is needed for them to be effective witnesses for you, providing wisdom, strength, and courage.

In the holy name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Our Rock

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for being the unshakeable rock, unmovable constant in our lives. When the busyness of our lives swirls and storms, we can count on you to be steady.

Help us to rely fully on your grace, not our own power. Show us your will for us. Lead us in the way you would have us go.

We are so thankful for your unconditional love. We celebrate life’s victories with you and know you are the source of all good things. Your will is always to prosper us, not to harm us. When life throws us curves, we know we can lean on your unending strength.

In a time of transitions, we praise you for the blessings of the past and pray for more in the future.

In Christ’s love we stand. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Servants

Heavenly Father,

We marvel at your creation, the beauty of the world in which we live. Your wonder and majesty fill our eyes and hearts.

We thank you for surrounding us with glory and for the fellowship of our family and friends. Our gratitude is sincere, though often not expressed. We thank you for your unconditional love and for sending your son, Jesus, to bear the burden of our sins to the cross as well as for your Holy Spirit who remains with us.

Let us be your servants, faithful and true, who study your Word, work to do your will, and please you with our lives. Show us your will, guide us on the path you would have us take. Open our eyes and hearts to being your disciples so we might bring others into relationship with you.

Pour out your blessings on each your children. Let Christian leaders be guided by scripture. And let our ministry honor you.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010

Prayer - Creation

Heavenly Father,

We celebrate the creation you have blessed us with. We marvel at your earth and all its inhabitants. We revel in the beauty of crops, gardens, flowers, and lawns growing - reaching heavenward to signal their success.

Most gracious God, we praise you for faithfully answering our prayers. We remain confident and joyful no matter our circumstances knowing you desire only good for your children. We embrace your unconditional love and rejoice in you, our solid rock, the unshakeable foundation on which we can always stand.

Let our worship be pleasing to you. Give us hearts for service to our fellow man. Jesus, walk with us as we seek to do your will, to treat others as you did. Holy Spirit, we ask you to be with us, guiding us and inspiring us to take the next steps in our journey.

We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

© Ann Trimble-Ray 2010