Praying through Every Emotion Read online

  Help me to avoid those who run around like idiots trying to do as the world does. Their mad race leads to death. However, real wisdom can be found whenever I turn to You.

  Thank You for being there for me. Remain in me as I remain in You. Give me the wisdom I need when I rub shoulders with those who walk the way the world walks. I know I am like a lamb among wolves, so help me to be as cunning as a snake yet as innocent as a dove.

  Teach me Your ways so I will be wise. Help me to select wise friends and to be careful how I live, where I go, and what I do. Show me the truths I need. You are so generous with me, even giving me the wisdom to recognize my own folly. You never mock me but lovingly help me.

  I pray that You, the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, will give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation as I grow in my relationship with Christ.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  The wisdom of this rebellious and broken world looks like foolishness when put next to God. So it stands in Scripture, “He catches the wise in their deceitful plotting.”

  1 Corinthians 3:19 VOICE

  So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise!

  Ephesians 5:15 VOICE

  I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves.

  Matthew 10:16 GW

  If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.

  James 1:5 GW

  I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better.

  Ephesians 1:17 GW

  Free

  Dear Lord,

  My enemy, that old thief, comes only to steal, kill, and destroy me. But You, Jesus, came to free me from his hand. You came so that I may have life and have it abundantly.

  I cannot be captured by the evil one because my heart is free. My heart is free because my heart is where the Spirit of the Lord dwells. The Spirit of the Lord dwells in my heart because I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who has risen from the dead and has forgiven me of my sins. Because I believe and have been made new in Christ, the Spirit of the Lord rests His presence on me.

  How glad I am that I have found this truth and that this truth has set me free not only from the enemy’s grasp but also from sin and death.

  I will celebrate my freedom by living free. Help me, Lord, not to use my freedom as a screen to hide behind when I do evil. Prick my heart so I might change my ways because I want to use my freedom to serve You.

  Christ has freed me so that I can enjoy the freedom He gave me. I will enjoy it, and I will be firm in this freedom so that I will not become a slave again.

  Reveal the enemy’s traps and keep me free.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

  John 10:10 ESV

  The heart is free where the Spirit of the Lord is. The Lord is the Spirit.

  2 Corinthians 3:17 NLV

  You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

  John 8:32 GW

  Live as free people, but don’t hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.

  1 Peter 2:16 GW

  Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.

  Galatians 5:1 GW

  Give Up

  Dear Lord,

  When I feel like giving up, I wonder if my race even matters.

  What if my discouragement is nothing but lies from the enemy who wants to stop me in my tracks?

  The reality is I’m not running this race by myself. I’m running it with You, my Lord and Savior. As I continue my race, You counter the enemy’s lies with truth. You say, “Be strong. Do not give up.” You promise that my efforts will be rewarded. As I look toward the finish line, I see Your smile and I know You are giving me the strength to run!

  But I cannot run this race with a double mind. Help me to toss away everything that slows me down, especially the sin that has distracted me. Help me to keep my focus on You. You are both my source of strength and my goal. You ran Your race, You endured Your death on the cross, and You did it so that one day I can run into Your arms. What joy we will share! Because You endured so much for me, I will endure my race for You. Give me the strength to never give up.

  I will be strong and courageous! I will not be afraid or discouraged. Your love is my strength, and You are with me as I run. You will be with me when I cross the finish line.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

  2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV

  Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don’t become tired and give up.

  Hebrews 12:1–3 GW

  This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

  Joshua 1:9 NLT

  God’s Presence

  Dear Lord,

  Just as Moses didn’t want to journey to the promised land without You, neither do I.

  When Moses complained about the crowd of stiff-necked people You called him to lead, You comforted him and told him that Your presence would go with him and that You would give him peace.

  I too ask for Your presence and peace to go with me. Please!

  It is good to be near You, Lord. No matter my crazy schedule, work politics, family dynamics, or the drama in my life, You are my safe place. I seek Your shelter and tell of all the wondrous things You have done.

  I seek You because I am Your child. You have given me Your Holy Spirit. Your Spirit is inside me and calls back to You, “My dear Father!”

  I am much like Your holy temple, for just as Your Spirit rested in the Holy of Holies, Your Holy Spirit rests in my heart. Because Your Spirit is alive inside me and because my salvation came at a great price, I must honor You with my body.

  May Your Spirit always rest inside me, giving me peace, love, joy, and strength in my weakness. Your Spirit even intercedes for me when I don’t know what to pray.

  Help me to make my heart a wonderful home for Your presence. Fill me to the brim.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  The LORD answered, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you peace.”

  Exodus 33:14 GW

  But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God my safe place. So I may tell of all the things You have done.

  Psalm 73:28 NLV

  Because you are God’s children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call out, “Abba Father!”

  Galatians 4:6 GW

  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

  1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV

  At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words.

  Romans 8:26 GW

  Grace

  Dear Lord,

  Thank You for the grace You have so generously given me, not because I have achieved perfection, but sim
ply because I am Your child.

  It is by grace I have been saved, through faith. This is not something I did for myself, and I in no way deserve it. Your grace is a gift that You have given to me because of Your kindness and generosity. I cannot boast in myself; I can boast only in You.

  Because of Your saving grace, sin is no longer my master. I no longer have to live a perfect life under the law, a law that demanded constant animal sacrifices for every sin. When Jesus became my once-and-for-all sacrifice for sin, I was set free from the law. This is why I can live in Your freedom.

  Your grace is sufficient for me, and Your power is made perfect in my weakness. I can’t live this life of grace by myself; I can live it only in and through You. Therefore, I will boast in how You turn my weaknesses into strength through the mighty power of Christ.

  I humbly draw near to You. I approach Your throne of grace with confidence so that I may receive more grace to help me in my time of need.

  May I live my life in Your grace so I can share it with others.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

  “God opposes the proud

  but gives grace to the humble.”

  James 4:6 NLT

  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

  Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

  Romans 6:14 NLT

  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

  2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

  Hebrews 4:16 ESV

  Grief

  Dear Lord,

  You are so dear. You take care of me when I suffer, and You heal my broken heart. You are the one who bandages my wounds and loves me through my tears.

  I praise You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! You are the Father who is compassionate to me, the God who comforts me. You carry me through the deep waters, even when I’m not aware You are holding me close. You comfort me when I hurt. Because I have experienced Your comfort, I can share Your comfort with others. It’s a personal gift from You to me, a gift I can share as often as needed.

  You bless me when I weep, for my tears will not last forever, and You will once again restore me to laughter. You are close to me when my heart is broken; You rescue me when I am crushed.

  This old earth is not yet heaven, but some day, when You call me home, You will wipe away every tear from my eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever.

  And I will be with You, my joy restored, my peace complete. What a day that will be!

  For now, I ask You to hold me close as I lay my grief at Your feet. Remind me of Your love, and help me to see Your goodness in the land of the living.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  He is the healer of the brokenhearted.

  He is the one who bandages their wounds.

  Psalm 147:3 GW

  Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.

  2 Corinthians 1:3–4 GW

  God blesses you who weep now,

  for in due time you will laugh.

  Luke 6:21 NLT

  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

  he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

  Psalm 34:18 NLT

  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

  Revelation 21:4 NLT

  Guilt

  Dear Lord,

  It’s a wonder to think that seven hundred years before Jesus was born, You told Your prophet Isaiah that even though our sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow, as white as wool.

  Your Son Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when You sent Him into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it. Jesus became the sacrifice for my sin by dying a terrible death on the cross, where He became my sin. He took my sin and gave me His righteousness so that I can have the privilege to be covered in His holiness and to walk with You.

  Lord, You are faithful and reliable, and my sin no longer separates me from You. When I confess my sins to You, You forgive them, and You cleanse me from everything I’ve done wrong.

  In that moment, the Holy Spirit touches my soul, and I become a dwelling place for Him. My old life is gone; my new life has begun.

  I confess now that Jesus is Lord, and I cast my sin on Him in exchange for His righteousness. I turn from my sin and invite the presence of Your Spirit to rest in my heart as I become a new person.

  Lord, help me to keep our relationship vibrant by remembering to come to You for renewal. Remind me that I am under Your grace. Help me to walk holy and blameless in and with You.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  “Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the LORD.

  “Though your sins are bright red,

  they will become as white as snow.

  Though they are dark red,

  they will become as white as wool.”

  Isaiah 1:18 GW

  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

  John 3:17 NIV

  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

  2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

  God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong.

  1 John 1:9 GW

  For if a man belongs to Christ, he is a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun.

  2 Corinthians 5:17 NLV

  Harassed

  Dear Lord,

  The devil is alive and well and on the prowl. As I grow in You and follow Your will, he tries to shoot missiles of distraction my way. But I will not fear, because I place myself under Your protection and authority as I trust in You. I resist the enemy in the name of Jesus, and as I do, he flees!

  How I love that I can come to You when he harasses me. Not only will You turn his harassments into blessings, but You will also protect me.

  To paraphrase the words of Moses in Psalm 91:

  I live under Your shelter and hide in Your shadow. I say to You, “You are my safe place and my fortress. You are the one I trust. You rescue me from the enemy’s traps and plagues. You cover me in Your feathers. I will find refuge beneath Your wing. Your truth is my shield and armor. Because of You, I do not fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly in the day, plagues that roam the dark, or epidemics that strike in the light of day. They will not come near me. Even if thousands fall around me, I will be safe. You punish the guilty, but I am counted innocent.”

  I will not open the door to the enemy with wrongdoing. Instead, I will slam the door shut and follow You, Lord, with all my heart.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.

  James 4:7 GW

  Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High

  will remain in the shadow of the Almighty.

  I will say to the LORD,

  “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

  He is the one who will rescue you from hunters’ traps

  and from deadly plagues.

  He will cover
you with his feathers,

  and under his wings you will find refuge.

  His truth is your shield and armor.

  You do not need to fear

  terrors of the night,

  arrows that fly during the day,

  plagues that roam the dark,

  epidemics that strike at noon.

  They will not come near you,

  even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.

  You only have to look with your eyes

  to see the punishment of wicked people.

  Psalm 91:1–8 GW

  Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work.

  Ephesians 4:27 GW

  Hate

  Dear Lord,

  You call me to hate what is sinful, so I hate pride, arrogance, and lying, especially when these sins are found in me.

  But even though You call me to hate sin, You also call me to love sinners. You want me to love my neighbors, including the difficult people You have placed into my life. You ask me to cover wrongs with love instead of allowing wrongs or disagreements to pull me into foolish quarrels. You show me how blind I am when I refuse to forgive my brother. You teach me that hate plunges me into darkness instead of allowing me to stay in Your light.

  You are delighted when I lay down my pride and forgo the right to be proven right. You are pleased when I love those who don’t deserve my love. After all, I don’t deserve Your love either.

  So, Lord, I open my heart to receive more of Your love so that I can love everyone in my life—through Your power. I bless those who curse me and pray they will turn their hearts to You.

  Lord, the world may hate me, but it hated You first. Just as You chose me to be in Your kingdom, I choose to follow You instead of following the world.

  It is my prayer, Lord, that as I love others, they will feel Your love through me. Please give them the opportunity to discover how Your love can change their lives.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  The fear of the Lord is to hate what is sinful. I hate pride, self-love, the way of sin, and lies.