Praying March

 Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus I pray,

Lord, Nicodemus came to You at night to seek Your counsel. He thought his agenda was to get answers and clarification, but what he didn’t realize was there was something deeper he needed: Nicodemus needed healing for his soul, a corrected understanding for his mind and wisdom for his heart of faith. He held a high position in his work-life but that didn’t make him knowledgeable or wise in Your ways.  

I have many thoughts also, Lord. My brain is always at work. Sometimes my thoughts about heavenly matters are on point and correct, and at other times I need to be corrected and receive a word of truth, counsel, and heavenly wisdom that sets me on the right path. Thank You for the divine counsel You always provide and never withhold from those who seek to have a true understanding.

The Scriptures remind me that Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105). Thank You for the truth Your word holds and when I have questions, I can seek Your counsel and find Your truth and become wise. 

Just like Nicodemus received the truth You presented graciously, and, in fact later became a follower and believer in his heart, I pray to receive Your word of truth and Your counsel graciously as well. I am already a believer but may the counsel You provide me open the door for my transformed thoughts and may those changes in my beliefs be reflected in my speech, my behavior, and my attitude. 

I humbly pray, seek and thank You, Lord. Amen   

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will—Romans 12:1-2

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. Gor no one could perform the signs you are doing is God were not with him…How can someone be born when they are old? Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”—John 3:1,4

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him—James 1:5   

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus I pray,

We both know—it’s no secret between us—there are things I’d like to see take place, outcomes I want to see happen, people I’d like to see be blessed and some, Lord, that weary me in their behavior and attitude. Many, if not most days pass without seeing an outward manifestation of the desires I have and hold in my heart. I pray, though it’s so easy to do, don’t let me become a person who becomes bitter when things don’t go the way I want or plan. Help me be that person who handles disappointment well and whose faith in You never wavers or weakens. 

Even though I can be disappointed at times, Lord, I do put my trust in You. Let disappointments serve as a catalyst for me to continue pursuing what is right and good and increase my faith in Your perfect timing. 

As I close out this day, may I remember and be at peace to place all things in Your more than capable hands. I have done the best that I can and given what (little) I have to bless others and serve You. I have not seen all that I wish or long for take place today, but that’s okay. There is always tomorrow and You are always our faithful, loving, gracious, blessing, miracle-working, on-time God. Thank You for rest and peace at the close of day. Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose—Romans 8:28

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God—Psalm 42:11

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit—Psalm 34:18       

 All kinds of miracles happen at night, Lord. Sick people get well. Homes and families that have been in chaos all day, settle down and are quieted. Arguing spouses come to agreement and work their problems out. 

Hardened hearts are changed and softened, mindsets are renewed, the broken are made whole, something that was dreaded during the day didn’t turn out so badly after all, the spiritually lost are saved. Prodigals return home and the wayward repent. Storms that were forecast and anticipated pass over. 

Daytime may give way to darkness, we may be separated from the sun’s rays and light, but we are not separated from the rays of Your love, and You don’t stop working miracles and wonders just because the sun goes down. There is never a time You are not intervening in the affairs of earth and human beings.  

Thank You for daily reminders—beginning with Genesis—You are our omnipresent and omnipotent God, assuring us that You are always working, always intervening, in the darkest times and even in the dark of night. We can put our hope and trust in You. You graciously remind us, just because a miracle didn’t happen during the day doesn’t mean it won’t happen while we sleep. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen        

 A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day     

Now at this time Jesu went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God—Luke 6:12 

He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him—John 3:2

 Dear Heavenly Father in Jesus’ name I Pray,

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; Keep me safe all through the night and wake me up in the morning light; if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

Lord, the possibility of death in my sleep does not necessarily bring comfort and peace. It’s not my desire to die in my sleep or tonight. I want to wake up to see and enjoy another day; to spend more time with my loved ones; to serve You in the ways that I can; to complete some things that I’ve started and see those changes and manifestations I’ve been praying for. 

God, You are the author of every minute we breathe on this earth. Whether You return for me during the day while I’m busy or at night while I sleep, help me be ready, Lord. May I continue to do those things that support my faith in Jesus: praying, reading Your Word, spending time in quiet devotion and worship.

Thank You for the assurance that You hold me in the palm of Your hand and whenever my time to come home to heaven arrives You will be with me. As Your Word promises “Never will you leave me never will You forsake me” I can rest easy and peacefully because I am wrapped in Your love and not even the night will separate me from that love that’s held me my entire life. So, Lord, I add,

“If I should live for other days, I pray thee, Lord, to guide my ways.” Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety—Psalm 4:8

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me—Psalm 3:5

Whoever dwells I the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust—Psalm 91:1-2

When we’re weary, depleted and fatigued we’re ripe for all kinds of things, Lord. When our brain is tired and our mind is all over the place, we’re apt to resort to all kinds of activities to get a little rest or peace. 

Maybe that’s why nighttime is the time many with addictions struggle the most. We automatically reach for that bottle of wine or something more potent and powerful, that plate of goodies we were able to pass by or resist earlier ends up on our lap while we watch TV, or that adult TV channel becomes our go-to; anything to soothe and comfort us… 

You, Lord, know the way our human minds work. You know our patterns of thought, our weaknesses and habits. Maybe that’s why You have said many times and in many places in the Bible that those who meditate on Your word find (true) rest and those who delight themselves in You find real happiness, great reward and peace.

Help me establish healthy habits that align with my core faith values and support life, health and wellbeing. Steer me away from those things which are not only detrimental to me emotionally, mentally, and physically but spiritually. Just because the sky darkens and daylight dims doesn’t mean I should pick up or reach for those things that make You sad, my heart heavy with sin, disrupt my peace or cause me guilt or regret afterward. Protect me, Lord! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me—Psalm 51:10

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out—Romans 7:18

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, or 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         

  I love lullabies, Lord. You don’t have to be a baby or small child to love the way they soothe you and seem to rock you to sleep. 

Many passages in the Bible remind me that lullabies didn’t start with Brahams or others who were/are musically inclined. Lullabies have been with us since the beginning of time; as far back as creation itself. Ever since you put the ocean waters in place with their gentle lapping, the owl in the tree with its musical hooting, the buzz of insects and gentle winds that rustle the leaves in the trees. If these weren’t enough the Bible says even You O Lord, sing over us at night. 

Thank You for gentle night sounds that bring comfort and help lull us to sleep. Thank You for the love songs You sing over us; they must soothe our soul and give us peace as we find our breath’s rhythm. Thank You for music and those songs that are especially written and composed or the intent of helping us relax and let go of our day.

Some may choose the noise and nonstop talk through their TV and other devices, but I will enjoy the lullabies You have designed and created just for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen  

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life—Psalm 42:8

Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?—Job 35:10  

The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing—Zephaniah 3:17   

  Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray,

We will never know the number of dangers we have avoided in our day. We’ll never know how many times Your heavenly angels shielded us from the arrows of the devil or extinguished his flaming darts directed at us. We’ll never know how many times they stepped in front of us to guard us or covered us from behind, kept us safe from sneak attacks. Because of the thoroughness of Your care, we can go about our day care-free and confident.

Thank You Father for all the protection You provide us while we live on this earth and in such a dangerous environment. We become distracted by the evil ways or activities of humans but the greater enemy we must contend with is the one we cannot see with our physical eyes who is always aiming for us to bring destruction and disrupt our lives and peace.

God, Most High, You are truly our refuge and shelter, not just in times of storm but always, daily! Because You care for us without limit and without end, we can lay our head down at the end of each day and sleep in peace; we know You have the whole world in Your hands. We can confidently say thank You, Father for accompanying us in all the ways that You do and for protecting us in all the ways we cannot even imagine we need protecting. As I sleep tonight, I know Your wings will shelter and cover me. The day is behind me; restoration is in front of me and I am at peace. Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

He shields all who take refuge in him—Psalm 18:30

God gives peace to his people—Psalm 29:11b   

This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless—2 Samuel 22:33       

  Heavenly Father, Your presence is a calming one; one that is needed by the end of our day that has been full of challenges, problems, and suffering on some level. The constant noise of the devil and chaos of the world can leave is enervated by day’s end. It’s not unusual or abnormal to feel depleted, weary and exhausted on every level by the time we get to this time of the day and evening. Thank You for being here to meet us in prayer. 

Thank You for the miracles You work through our prayer and quiet times with You. We may enter frazzled, hopeless, and discouraged but by the time we have said our “Amen” a fresh wave of hope or peace and calm have begun to work within our soul and being, they allow us to rest and be refreshed. May we carry and hold close to our heart and mind the assurances You give through the presence and ministry of Your Holy Spirit—who not only lives in this world around and among us but lives within us—to bed with us that we might rise with the same hope and strength and peace You extend to us now. In Jesus’ name. Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength—Isaiah 30:15

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me—Psalm 131:2   

 Heavenly Father, as You know and are well aware, some are not the easiest to get along with or easiest to work for. People who are gruff, harsh, lack understanding, people-sense or understanding can make our work-life unpleasant and our work days miserable. Thank You for understanding when we work and live under these conditions. 

Thank You for a time of day—like the evening at the closes of day where I can unwind and breathe. 

In Your presence I can be restored and refreshed. In this world we will have tasks we need to accomplish and sometimes we must get those tasks done while working side by side with those we’d rather not be around, even though this may be the reality of so many, help us to not only endure and persevere but to find a way to bloom and be fruitful and productive. As the Scriptures remind us, with our God we can scale mountains, we are strengthened through our Lord, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. I pray, bless my night and my sleep dear Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

A Promise to remember at the Close of Day

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving—Colossians 3:23-24

For in You I can charge an army, and with my God I can scale a wall—Psalm 18:29

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me—Philippians 4:13 

  Heavenly Father, heaven may be our ultimate reward for a life well lived in faith and faithfully, but evenings and sunsets are also a reward from heaven. At the close of day as we sit quietly in Your presence, we can feel Your favor and love pouring out on us, flowing down from heaven. Your way of saying we have lived this day in faith, done our very best to please and serve You. We don’t even have to find or shape a prayer using words, our bodies and heart say all they need to. Thank You for all the ways You reward us in this life. Thank You for all the good things You send our way. Thank You for purposeful work and meaningful studies. Thank You for rewarding us for accomplishments when a [good] work is done. Thank You for the reward of the simple things You provide and send to us that come through nature and good people You put in our path. Thank You for the reward of sleep and rest at the end of the day where we are renewed in body and refreshed in spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen    

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”—Matthew 25:21

And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God—Ecclesiastes 3:13   

 Heavenly Father, some tasks and undertakings don’t require much mental or physical energy, and it doesn’t matter what time of day (or evening) we choose to perform them. As some say, we could do them with “our eyes closed” and they would still come out alright. 

But there are other things we should only attempt when we are at our peak; our best and sharpest mentally and physically. Help us recognize those things we should leave off the end of our day; those things we should only approach or attempt when we are fresh and alert. 

Help us to avoid when possible engaging in discussions or conversations with others including loved ones and spouses, that could lead to disagreement. Help us to avoid reviewing our bills and finances which could lead to despair. Help us to resist the temptation to rewind the video tape of unpleasant encounters that happened earlier in our day, to go over and over in our mind a conversation that didn’t end well. All these things are sleep and rest stealers. 

If we must think on anything Lord, help us to recall Your goodness that visited us throughout the day and the many ways You blessed and made Your presence known. Help us to remember each day and night to seek Your wisdom, to reflect on Your life-giving word and to enjoy the peace You give and send for our thoughts. In Jesus’ name. Amen  

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things—Philippians 4:8

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness I the morning, and Your faithfulness every night—Psalm 92:1-2

 Holy God our Promise-Keeper, we live in a broken world surrounded by broken people so it should be no surprise when promises get broken. I cannot really complain, feel victimized or devastated when a promise to me is broken; I have also been a promise-breaker at times—though unintentionally—but truth be told I (too) have failed, disappointed and hurt others by breaking promises. 

Broken promises don’t just impact us Lord, they impact You also. We make promises to one another and when we break them there may be consequences or repercussions and when we break our promises to You there are also, at times, consequences and repercussions that result. 

Thank You loving and patient God, that Your grace and forgiveness is 24/7/365 (366). That Your grace doesn’t stop flowing just because the clock strikes 5pm or because it’s the weekend! Thank You for Your grace and mercy that’s constantly flowing into our lives and providing healing for our souls! 

As I sit humbly with You this evening help me to forgive others, to forgive myself and to breathe deeply with gratitude as I receive Your forgiveness and understanding of me for falling short (again) and promises broken even though made with the best intention. Thank You for being our Promise-Keeper who never breaks a promise or falls short. We are never disappointed by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does—Psalm 145:13       

Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised—Romans 4:21

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?—Numbers 23:19  

 Lord, too often I think of the day as mine. I wake up and start “my” day. I go about “my” day. I have plans for “my” day. “My” day was (good, not so good, bad, not as productive as I would have liked…) 

My thoughts about how “my” day should go are numerous. But in actuality, the day doesn’t belong to me. You have made it for me to enjoy and be productive and serve You and others, but the day is “Yours”. Yours to control, Yours to make good, bring healing, send provision of material and spiritual blessings, and turn things the way You desire or see as needful. Yours to rule and control.

Many of the psalmists write about Your sovereignty over the universe and over day and night. Many in the Bible example what it means to give “our” day into Your hands. I pray, help me to first see the day as Yours—not mine. Help me to give “my” day to You and ask what You would have me do in this day You’ve intentionally created—which means there is purpose in it; how am I to contribute or do my part. So, by the end of the day I can rejoice in all You’ve allowed me to participate in. Help me use each day wisely, pragmatically, practically, and faithfully.  

Maybe, Lord, as I come to see the day as Yours more and more, I will be less disappointed, critical, or boastful about what I was or was not able to accomplish. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

A Promise to Remember at Close of Day

This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. We’ll ask the LORD to save us! We’ll sincerely ask the LORD to let us win.—Psalm 118:24-25

The day is yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun—Psalm 74:16    

 Heavenly Father, thank You for this part of our twenty-four hours You called night. From the beginning of time You intended we have a period where we could do nothing but rest. Night is the perfect time to hit the reset button. We can sleep anytime. But there is no sleep or rest more restorative than the sleep we have at night. 

From our childhood, adults around us seem to have known that everything is better after a good night’s sleep. Some loving adult, perhaps our mother or father would wisely say to us, “You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.” And how right they were. Perhaps we’d have fewer suicides, a sharp decrease in liquor sales, fewer trips to the emergency room where rows and rows of people wait to be examined by someone who will prescribe something as simple as rest to make them feel better and bring healing to their body. 

Sleep doesn’t come easily to everyone, Lord. We humans have a hard time letting our brains quiet down so sleep can come. We think too much, worry too much, cram every waking moment with plans about the future, so, when night comes it’s hard to turn our brains off and let sleep take over. 

Grant that I will not suffer from insomnia, Lord. Grant that I can lay down and sleep peacefully; that I can leave the day’s activities, worries, and plans where they belong and welcome sleep. Thank you, God, that when You created day, You did not forget to create night and You named both “good.” They are each very good and very much needed for our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day—Genesis 1:5

God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night—Genesis 1:16 

 Heavenly Father, Eternal God,

The Scriptures say I will sing of Your love forever. They say Your love will last forever and Your presence and power are with us forever; eternally. When I spend time in Your word, I learn heaven is forever holding every healing that is needed, but there is nothing written that my problems and trials will last forever. Earthly trials, storms and troubles are fleeting; they can only last so long and will not go on forever. Thank You for this important reminder, especially as I take stock at the end of my day. My trials no matter how trying; my storm no matter how fierce; my challenges no matter how challenging; my valley no matter how low, this ocean of trouble no matter how deep, will not go on forever. There are solutions and answers and provisions and healing that I can’t see right now; surely they are coming because You have promised! Help me take a step back and see clearly. Help me hold out until my change comes. Help me keep my eyes on You while I ride the waves of adversity. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever—Hebrews 13:8

The grass withers and the lowers fall but the word of our God endures forever—Isaiah 40:8

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever—I Chronicles 16:34 

 Heavenly Father,

Thank You for always giving us something to look forward to. Even at the end of a long, sometimes a taxing, wearying, and exhausting day, You remind us of Your sweet promise that on tomorrow things will be better. Tomorrow we’ll be able to think (more) clearly. Tomorrow we’ll see some solutions to our problems that felt hidden today. 

Tomorrow our soul will feel a little less burdened, our sorrow a little easier to bear. (Surely) tomorrow a door will be opened that was closed today; “no’s” will be turned into “yeses” and if nothing else, a hopeful “maybe.” Miracle of miracles our frowns will be changed to smiles and sighs of relief! We’ll realize victory is coming and there is light at the end of our long-dark-tunnel.

Thank You, God, that our tomorrow’s always hold some hope we couldn’t feel or connect with today. Thank You for the promise of new mercies awaiting us tomorrow. Life always seems better, more hopeful when the sun comes up and the strength we couldn’t feel the night before is there waiting on us. Thank You, Father, for always sitting with us at the close of day and meeting us with hope at the beginning of a new day. We are strengthened and filled with new hope because You stay with us day and night. In Jesus; name. Amen     

A Promise to Remember at the Close of Day

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness—Lamentations 3:22-23

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own—Matthew 6:34