This ancient Hebrew prayer is quite powerful when recited by a group. That’s why we encourage you to learn this prayer and invite everyone you know to learn it as well, so that in times of need, you can come together and recite it – thus preventing the evil from spreading everywhere. We are living in a world where we are constantly afraid of the unknown. We worry about what might happen to us, or our family members, or our friends. We worry about the future and how it will affect us. We worry about the past and how it has affected us. What can we do? How can we protect ourselves from these worries and fears?
In this blog post, we are going to share with you an ancient Hebrew prayer called “Barukh Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh HaOlam Asher Kidishanu B’mitzvotav Vetzivanu Lechem Min Haaretz” (Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe who hast commanded us to keep all these precepts). This is one of the most powerful prayers in Judaism, and it is said every weekday morning as part of the morning prayer services at synagogues around the world. The reason why this prayer is so powerful is because it contains within its words all of the things that any human being would need protection from: physical illness and disease; mental illness; financial ruin; spiritual harm; loss of loved ones; betrayal by friends or family members… anything]
Jewish Prayer for Protection at Night
Leadership advice: This applies not only to the leaders of Israel but also to those of any other country or organization that surrounds or influences them.
Lord, send knowledgeable advisors their way, and even if they don’t believe in you, let them come to you for heavenly counsel. cause them to make wise selections even when motivated by their own goals and wants. If they are believers, may Your Holy Spirit fill them with such conviction that they are forced to obey Your will since it is the only one that makes sense!
Protection for the Innocent: Whether it’s a justifiable military response or a malevolent act of terrorism, the innocent are frequently caught in the crossfire.
And save us from harm, and do not lead us into temptation. (NASB) or the bad guy. NIV Matthew 6:13
Many people find this line in the Lord’s prayer to be unclear. Translated as “deliver us from evil,” some translations also state “deliver us from the evil one.” Does it refer to Satan specifically or to evil in general? Why would we beg God to keep us from being tempted? Jesus instructed us to pray in this manner, therefore it would be beneficial for us to understand what he meant.
Examining the usage of the phrase “deliver us from evil” in the Bible and other Jewish prayers is crucial to understanding. Psalm 121 states,
Your shade on the right hand is the LORD; He is your keeper. You will not be struck by the sun during the day or the moon at night. The LORD will preserve your soul and keep you safe from any harm. (Psalm 121:5–7)
In this context, defense against evil refers to general defense against damage. Indeed, the Hebrew word “ra” (evil or bad) is broad, including both moral depravity and misfortune. The plea in Psalm 141 requests protection from doing evil:
O LORD, guard the door of my lips and set a guard over my mouth. I must resist the temptation to follow the path of evil, to associate with those who practice evil, and to refrain from partaking of their delicacies. (Psalm 141:3–4)
The phrase “protect us from evil” appears in other Jewish prayers and may help us understand. A prayer that goes, “Deliver me…from a bad person, a bad companion, a bad injury, an evil inclination, and from Satan, the destroyer,” is found in the Talmud*. It elaborates on the implications of the Hebrew word ra, translation “evil.” The term “evil” is used four times in this prayer, and it is a request for God to save the individual not just from danger but also from sin, the company of people who would lead one to sin, and even from Satan.
Hebrew Prayer For Protection From Evil
The Hashkiveinu prayer is part of a set of rabbinic readings that bracket the biblical text of the Shema during evening prayers on both Shabbat and weekdays. The prayer envisions God as a guide and shelter during the night ahead and praises God for watching over us, delivering us, and being merciful.
There’s something profoundly comforting about the basic human terms in which this prayer speaks. Some prayers focus on lofty themes that can feel removed from our daily lives, but Hashkiveinu gives voice to our deepest fears. We ask for God to watch over us and guard us as we sleep, enabling us to rest peacefully and wake up again in the morning restored to life. It doesn’t get much more primal than that.
When my father was lying in a hospital bed in a medically induced coma, my sister and I sat next to him and sang. We sang his favorite songs from the 1970s: Simon and Garfunkel, Carole King, and Carly Simon duets from childhood road trips. But as he hovered between life and death, we also sang Hashkiveinu.
In doing so, we were participating in the Jewish tradition of including Hashkiveinu not only as part of the communal evening prayers, but also as part of the personal bedtime Sh’ma. Like parents saying the prayer for a child too young to recite it alone, we prayed in our father’s stead. We asked God to watch over him and to spread a canopy of peace over him like a warm blanket. We asked that he be restored to healthy wakefulness and that he be granted a tomorrow. And though we were loathe to say so aloud, we knew that we were also asking that, should he not awaken, for God to guard over him as he passed out of this world and into eternal life.
Hashkiveinu has presented the editors of Reform prayerbooks with challenges since the movement’s beginning. The first Reform prayerbook eliminated it entirely, likely because it was seen as best-suited for personal home practice. It reappeared in later versions, but continued to pose a theological challenge because of a line that requests protection against Satan, an idea that — while arguably metaphorical — was deemed antithetical to Reform’s rationalist, modern worldview. Mishkan T’filah, the latest Reform prayerbook, takes a middle path, omitting the troublesome phrase while preserving the profound themes and imagery of the prayer.
All the prayers in our siddur are imbued with interwoven strands of theology and history.
But they also are a form of poetry, a creative blend of language and meter that speaks to our innermost longings and doubts, the most intimate worries of our souls.
During that liminal time in which my sister and I watched our father’s every breath and hoped for the gift of one more day, the words of Hashkiveinu enfolded and comforted us. The prayer allowed us to express the fear that our father would be left unprotected. And that for him, tomorrow might never come.
Text of the Hashkiveinu prayer (from Mishkan T’filah)
God, keep vigil over us and save us. God, I know that Your heart is full of mercy and grace. Watch over our coming and going, that we may have eternal life and peace. Shehechiyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higianu lazman hazeh; Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam.
הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽנוּ, לְשָׁלוֹם, וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים, וּפְרֹשׂ עָלֵֽנוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ, וְתַקְּנֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶֽךָ, וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶךָ. וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ, וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב, דֶּֽבֶר, וְחֶֽרֶב, וְרָעָב, וְיָגוֹן, וְהָרְחֵק מִמֶּֽנּוּ עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע. וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ, כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה, כִּי אֵל חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה. וּשְׁמֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, שׁוֹמֵר עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַד.
Grant, O God, that we lie down in peace, and raise us up, our Guardian, to life renewed. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Guide us with Your good counsel; for Your Name’s sake, be our help. Shield and shelter us beneath the shadow of Your wings. Defend us against enemies, illness, war, famine and sorrow. Distance us from wrongdoing. For You, God, watch over us and deliver us. For You, God, are gracious and merciful. Guard our going and coming, to life and to peace evermore.
hebrew prayer for strength and courage
Jewish Psalms for Healing
The shock of illness and a sincere desire to say the right thing can be obstacles when looking for what to say to someone who is sick. If you are looking for guidance, and want to visit someone who is suffering physically, consider bookmarking these Psalms to share with your friend or family member.
Tell the person close to you that you have been thinking about them and that you want to share some important words that you hope will bring them comfort.
Psalm 6:2
“O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.”
Sometimes we are too careful when speaking to people who are suffering. Perhaps your friend or family member wants to be able to talk about their true feelings about facing a grave illness. This Psalm directly asks for healing. At the same time, it recognizes the real fear and scary emotions when going through a health crisis.
Psalm 34:18-19
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
Brokenhearted is an appropriate and visual word to describe the tough feelings a friend or family member may be dealing with as a result of seeing a loved one so ill.
Maybe you are looking for prayers for grieving parents, who are suffering from the illness or injury of their child. This Psalm can help soothe some of the hurt and acute pain for those who are hurting.
Psalm 31:9, 14-15
“Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.” “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.”
Again, this is the perfect Psalm to share with someone who is hurting physically or emotionally. For those who practice, it can be useful to remind your friend to turn to a higher power in times of need.
Psalm 41:1-3
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
This Psalm is a fantastic message of hope and recovery. Encapsulating both recovery and strength in a few sentences can offer some real inspiration to a close friend or family member who may feel the opposite.
Psalm 107:19-20
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them.”
Share this Psalm for those who have been feeling alone in their pain and suffering. With chronic illnesses or recovery from a tough injury, it can be a lonely path to regain strength and confidence. This Psalm can perhaps offer some inspiring words and hope when it all feels too difficult.
Psalm 113
In part, this Psalm asks, “How long will You forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?”
In this Psalm, the reader asks for patience from God. In most cases, healing does not happen immediately. It is a process, and one may need to ask for more patience and endurance to manage that time.
Psalm 130
This Psalm reads in part: “Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! — let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? …But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning …those who watch for the morning.”
In life, we can encounter a lot of moments where we feel drained of hope in our mind, body, and spirit. This Psalm offers a different take on prayer, where you can infuse your emotion into these words and cry out for help and guidance to another power. That has its own form of power.
Jewish Readings for Healing
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has gathered a list of readings and prayers for those needing to be healed from an illness. Here are some from this particular source, as well as others that may be helpful for you or a loved one in need.
Read these prayers alongside your loved ones, or say them on his or her behalf. It can feel a bit more heartwarming to read alongside a loved one who is suffering, and you can help provide a momentum of faith and prayer for them.
‘Prayer for the Body’
“Blessed are You, our Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, who has made our bodies in wisdom, creating openings, arteries, glands, and organs marvelous in structure, intricate in design. Should but one of them, by being blocked or opened, fail to function, it would be difficult to stand before You. Wondrous Fashioner and Sustainer of life, Source of our health and our strength, we give You thanks and praise.”
This prayer asks the Creator to heal the body that he originally designed. This reading and prayer may give comfort to someone who is suffering from a chronic illness or a sustained injury with a long recovery time.
‘A Prayer to the Ultimate Physician’
“Heal us, O God, and we shall be healed; save us and we shall be saved, for You indeed are our praise. Lift us up and heal the wounds of our body and spirit, for You are the almighty King, and You are the faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are You, O God, who heals the sick of Your People Israel.”
Offering up prayers not only for those who are ill but those who help treat the sick can also provide some much-needed light when things feel especially dire. This prayer can be recited when looking to give support on all sides when a particular illness is challenging for people on all sides.
‘Prayer for the Soul’
“My God, the soul which You have placed within me is pure. You have created it, You will one day take it from me and restore it to me in time to come. So long as my soul is within me, I make acknowledgment before You, my God and God of all generations. Blessed are You, God who restores my soul each day that I may once again awaken.”
At points, all illnesses may bring elements of physical and mental strife no matter the diagnosis. The stress of dealing with a chronic or life-threatening disease is difficult to manage on a physical, mental and spiritual level.
This prayer can offer some respite for those looking to find a break and some hope when dealing with the unknown possibilities related to one’s health.
‘Prayer for Prolonged Illness’
Part of this prayer reads as follows: “My God and God of all generations, in my great need I pour out my heart to You. The days and weeks of suffering are hard to endure. In my struggle, let me feel that You are near, a presence whose care enfolds me. Rouse in me the strength to overcome fear and anxiety, and brighten my spirit with the assurance of Your love.”
There certainly comes a time when people can feel pummeled down by the constant pressure of an unknown or unimproved health diagnosis. This prayer continues by asking that the person’s illness does not affect their faith, which can be difficult sometimes when experiencing strong moments of doubt related to health or otherwise.
‘Prayer for a Caregiver’
This prayer reads (in part): “Sustainer of the Universe, help me to care for my loved one, with hope, courage and sensitivity. Grant me insight, resourcefulness and the ability to ask for help and to accept help when it is needed. May I find the patience to overcome difficult moments and to find meaning and purpose in the smallest task.”
It is not just the sick and infirm who receive solace from leaning on God. Caregivers also need prayers, as well. The community surrounding a person with an illness can be vast. If you are close to someone who is a caregiver, share this prayer with them to also offer them some guidance or a little moment of spiritual hope.
Jewish Prayers to Give You Solace
If you are suffering, there are many Jewish prayers that you can use to look for solace. Furthermore, having a community come together to pray for you can give you a bit more spiritual and mental fortitude to take on whatever is next when dealing with a difficult health problem. Prayers are for everyone in the community, from the ill to those who are suffering from heartache, and as mentioned above, to those who help to care for a community or care for your loved one. Above all, if you are looking for some words of comfort, there are some Jewish funeral prayers that can also help.
Spiritual support and guidance is one part of many when helping a loved one. Regardless of health or age, perhaps you can provide some practical support by encouraging them to complete end-of-life planning. This is one of the best gifts they can give to their surviving family members.
Opening Prayers Perfect for Meetings, Church, and Events
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 NLT
Whether you are headed into a work meeting that needs guidance and wisdom or are gathering as a small group or church, these opening prayers will set your focus on God’s will. These simple and short prayers will help you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and minds and bless your time together.
Instead of back-building worry and anxiety as we attempt to forecast an unknown future, Paul begs us to “Pray about everything in every way you know how!” (Ephesians 6:18 VOICE). Stop to consider what the situations of our daily lives might look like if we paused to pray into them and about them more feverishly. Whether you are starting a business meeting, church service, or family event you can use these prayers to join together to ask God for guidance and blessing.
Prayer can change our situation. It can move the heart of God. And I believe sometimes prayer allows us to understand our situations, rather than affect the outcome. Our hearts change as we seek God’s wisdom and Truth.
King David, living in OT times, did not experience prayer the way we do today. Yet, even He knew that true peace came only from God. In Psalm 3, as he faces yet another terrifying and humiliating season of his life, he chooses to focus on God’s character and faithfulness. “O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Psalm 3:1-3 NIV
Here are powerful opening prayers to help focus our efforts on striving for the peace that transcends all understanding. Use them to begin asking God to bless and guide your time together!
An Opening Prayer for a Meeting
Father,
Thank You for every seat that has been filled here, today. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. We have an idea, a vision, hints, and daily instructions. We have talents, abilities, and time to work. However, only You can see in perfect detail the end of every beginning. Every project, every season, every life. Nothing is ever in vain, for even mistakes and missteps are used for good.
Your righteousness transcends all our efforts and understanding. Forgive us for our pride. The pride that puffs us up and the pride that threatens to unqualify us. Strengthen our confidence in who You have made us to be. Set us free from comparison in order to work together efficiently.
Bless this meeting today, all those present, as well as the lives of those we will encounter afterward. Ready us to make every moment count. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
A Prayer of Gratitude
Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are Able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.
Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
A Prayer to Open an Event
Father, Praise You for this event, and Your purpose for it. We know that when we gather together, You always have a divine agenda. We love You for that, Father. That even when we have done what You have asked, the results are so much greater than we ever could have imagined. Even in failed attempts, You blow us away with Your faithfulness to provide what we need.
Our prayer today is that Your will be done through this event. Take what we have prepared and multiply our efforts as only You can. Steer our intentions to align with Your righteous will. Remind us of Your faithful provision when our efforts fail us or fall short. May all glory go up to You when we reach the finish line and climb over benchmarks. Blanket us with Your peace today, Father. Keep us physically safe and guard our hearts and minds from pride and selfishness. Keep love at the forefront of our minds today, and the guiding light for all we set out to accomplish and celebrate. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
For the Spirit to Work
Dear Lord, as we rise to meet each new day, please let us be filled with Your spirit. Wherever we go, let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness. Let us desire to become more like you and to worship you in all we do. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. Thank you for always going before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
An Opening Prayer for Group Humility and Peace
Father, As we gather together, we praise You for this day and Your purpose for it. Reset our agendas, as we sit in Your presence. For You assure us that where two or more gather in Your name You are here. Recalibrate our intentions and refocus our hearts. Your will for our lives does not always reflect our plans. Change them to reflect Your will. Help us to understand that we don’t need full clarity to walk into the unique purpose You’ve inlaid in our lives.
Lift our eyes to seek You first today, and always, surrendering our need to achieve, understand, and be known. Shift our perspective to seek Your peace above all else. In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. Give us renewed strength and godly courage to obey You without questioning. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results.
Only You know what lies ahead. You are our good Father, just and righteous. Though our circumstances will be unfair from time to time in this life, You are always our unwavering protector and shield (Psalm 3:3). Keep the words of King David fresh in our minds, and renew our hearts to the tune of Your truth.“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” Psalm 3:5 NIV Let Your peace rain down on us today, as we seek You more than anything else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Against Evil and Temptation
Father God, we praise you for your love and faithfulness towards your children. We praise you for being a perfect, holy, trustworthy God that is bigger than all the evil we experience here on earth. We ask that you give us eyes to see when evil is before us, hearts to hate evil and the desire to flee from its presence. We ask that you would not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil and draw us closer to yourself. We ask for the long-expected Jesus to come quickly and make all things new. We ask these things His precious name. Amen.
A Prayer for Group Peace and Understanding
Father, As the events of the day continue to unfold, we seek Your clarity and Your peace. We know You are with us and for us as we gather together to seek Your counsel. Scripture reminds us the more we seek You the more we will find You. Lead our surrendered hearts to the path of Your peace today.
Come fully into our situation, both as a group and individually. And sort out the muddled feelings and distorted thoughts that plague us. Cover us with a blanket of honesty and patience that is not of this world.
Holy Spirit, translate our desires and pleadings, and may we understand the faithful response of our great Father. Jesus walked the earth to explain so much to us, and to save us from eternal suffering. Yet, on this earth He promised us that we would encounter much pain.
Struggling for solutions amidst differing personalities can seem impossible. Thankfully, we are not expected to be perfect. Thankfully, we’re told in the Bible that we will all fall short. So, as we sit here today, let us release the bind of blame in exchange for accord. Help us to endure disagreement and strife with godly courage and love. Grant us peace in knowing we are pursuing Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer of Blessing
Dear God,
Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us, as with a shield. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today. We ask that your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from.
Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
To Stand Firm
Dear God, We thank you that you hold the victory over sin and death in this world. We thank you for your redemptive work you’ve done in our lives. We thank you for freedom and the hope you bring.
Your word says to “stand our ground,” and that’s what we will do, in the power of your Name. The enemy has no control over us, and we bring your word of Truth as weapon against his schemes. We know that we do not fight alone, for you are constantly at work on behalf of your children, shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing deeds of darkness, bringing to light what needs to be known, covering us from the cruel attacks we face even when we’re unaware.
We ask that you would give us wisdom and discernment to recognize the schemes of the enemy in our lives and to stand strong against his work. We ask that you would remind us to pray, constantly, for all believers. We ask that you would help us to stay alert in a dark world that tries hard to make things look “not so bad.” We ask that you would equip us to be salt and light, that we would be loving and gracious, yet unyielding to sin.
We ask that you help us to remember to put on your armor daily, for you give us all that we need to stand firm in this day. We thank you that though you remind us in your word that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one, you are still far greater and we have overcome, because you have set us free.
We thank you for your truth, “no weapon formed that is formed against you will prosper,” and that you tell us this is our “heritage” in you, our inherited blessing, place of possession, and gift straight from your hand. We love you Lord. We need you. We stand together in your great and powerful Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
To Renew Our Minds
Lord, help us to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Help us make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming us each day more and more into your likeness. Help us have self-awareness of when we’re falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading us onward. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!
A Prayer to Prepare
Father in Heaven, Abba, Yahweh, who delights in His children. Jesus, Messiah, who calls us friends. Holy Spirit, gift from above and constant companion. Glory be to the One True, Triune, God! You know when we are lost, Lord. You found us, heaped in our own motivations and confused by worldly principles. You rescued us, defeating death on the cross and rising to sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Your reach into our everyday lives, our messy circumstances, forever changes us.
Not one day of our lives is more or less important. No one person more or less loved. In Your perfect way, You hold the world in balance and our souls in tune. You hear every voice, every prayer, every cry, and every shout of praise, simultaneously and always! Your ways are not our ways, but oh, God… please lead us in Your purpose for our lives.
Let Your glory, Light, and Living Water flow from our lives. May all who know us feel the love You have for all …and the care in which You save the lost. Jesus, in Your Powerful Name we pray, Amen.
To Embrace and Enjoy Life
Father, Help us to embrace and enjoy the life you’ve given us to live. We are not accidentally here on earth! Each day we awake to breathe, you faithfully meet us with purpose. Holy Spirit, faithfully nudge and reminds us that we are children of God, freed from the chains of sin by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection and assertion to heaven where He is seated by the Father. Bless our minds to remember and embrace the freedom, hope, joy and peace we have in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.
An Opening Prayer of Confession
Gracious Lord, give us the courage to seek forgiveness. Remind us that confession is never a mistake; it frees us from the chains of the enemy. We know we cannot hide our hearts from you. Help us to let go of our bitterness and fear, and purify us with the knowledge that you have taken away every sin. In your name, Amen.
An Opening Prayer for Atonement
Heavenly Father, We are all your children, and you love us in a way we can hardly fathom. Help us to see past the issues that divide us, and see one another with eyes free of hate. We have sinned. We have struck at our brothers and sisters with malice in our heart. We have made enemies of others while claiming to be your disciples. Help us to atone for these sins, and remember to love our neighbors and we love ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
To Aim Hearts Toward God
Dear Lord, Thank you that the teachings in Scripture are still relevant to our lives today. Your Word is “alive and active.” We ask that the Holy Spirit please open our eyes so we may see anything that is hindering our relationship with you.
Reveal things, people, or attitudes of our hearts that no longer nurture or nourish our walk with you. Please forgive us for the idols we place above you. Forgive us for not honoring you with our whole heart.
Forgive our half-hearted devotion and misplaced affections. Continue to guide us and teach us the truth of your Word. May we not harden our heart when we hear your voice, but rather circumcise those things of our heart that you’re asking us to remove.
May we become more righteous in your eyes. Thank you for your power and strength of the Holy Spirit to begin opening the eyes of our heart so our devotion can be solely on you. We love you, and praise you and your majesty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
To Be Unshakeable
God, help us. Where we are weak, make us strong. Where we are wavering, help us lay our anchor down. May we find strength through knowing you hold us. We no longer need to be held down by the world’s claws. May we believe you are so believable we see your hand in our everything. May we so fall into your arms of grace, so we never feel the pangs of condemnation rip us apart. That is not you. And, truly, we want nothing that is not associated with you – it will only leave us empty. God, you are one that leaves us on full. Not once, but all the time. God, give us you. Increase our faith; make us into fighters who don’t back down. May we know, strongly, you are what we need to run after. You are the answer to everything. You are the only way. Tie down our heart into you. Amen.
To Find Fulfillment in God
Heavenly Father, please help us find fulfillment in your presence. Help us to live in such a way that our actions serve as a reflection of your own grace and mercy. Teach us to seek first your Kingdom, in a life that brings glory to your name. Amen.
A Prayer to Glorify God after Group Success
Father, We are here today to celebrate great success! In a world full of chaos and calamity, we are embracing a moment of triumph in Your name and for Your glory. Once again, we have experienced the miracle of Your sustenance, as King David so appropriately penned in Psalm 4:7: “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.”
Father, our hearts, the very center of our humanity and our souls, are filled by You. In extreme emotion, this indescribable feeling is even more pronounced. We are aware that we could not see this great success come to fruition without the individual purpose You have put in each person here today. Thank You for bringing us together to accomplish this great feat for Your glory, though the odds were stacked against us as they often are.
Guard our hearts from pride and selfish gain as we celebrate today. Let it fuel our faith in You as our provider and our sustainer. Filler of our hearts. May all glory for our achievements go up to You today and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen