God Morning, God,
Lord, while we were enjoying relative peace, other parts of our country were being blown apart and sucked up in their tornadoes this week. So, this day we want to pray for the good folks in the southern states and along the east coast, but especially those in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Lord, we pray for those who lost property, but especially for those who lost loved ones, friends, and family. We are grateful that the tornado didn't hit the campus of the University of Alabama. We are thankful that the motto of "Roll, Tide, roll," wasn't due to the winds blowing the campus around.
Lord, this season has been rife with very serious, incredible storms. More lives than usual have been lost. More property than usual has been damaged or destroyed. Many parts of our lives have been very disrupted.
But this is what can be expected during life. Our lives are not all niceties and sunshine. When they are, we are so grateful. When they are not - well, we especially turn to you for your love, guidance and protection. Be with us especially in these days, Lord. Please.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110427
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesay, April 27
Good Morning, God,
Lord, we are praying for safety from the flood waters today. We are praying for the safety of the folks who have to try to get to work for our benefit.
We are grateful for fire, police, and medical personnel who have a sense of duty to try to get to work for their jobs to take care of others. We are grateful to the me3dia that tries to keep us in formed, even at peril to themselves, especially WITZ down in the bottoms, currently an island unto itself, running with pumps. We give you thanks for the men and women of the Indiana National Guard who forsake their own homes and high water problems to help assure the safety of the rest of us.
And, we give you thanks for the vision of those who saw the need for and successfully built the Patoka Reservoir, without which we certainly would need an ark! Thank you, Lord, for every ark of safety in all the high waters of life, no matter when and where, or with water or not!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, we are praying for safety from the flood waters today. We are praying for the safety of the folks who have to try to get to work for our benefit.
We are grateful for fire, police, and medical personnel who have a sense of duty to try to get to work for their jobs to take care of others. We are grateful to the me3dia that tries to keep us in formed, even at peril to themselves, especially WITZ down in the bottoms, currently an island unto itself, running with pumps. We give you thanks for the men and women of the Indiana National Guard who forsake their own homes and high water problems to help assure the safety of the rest of us.
And, we give you thanks for the vision of those who saw the need for and successfully built the Patoka Reservoir, without which we certainly would need an ark! Thank you, Lord, for every ark of safety in all the high waters of life, no matter when and where, or with water or not!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110426
A Prayer for the Headlines for Tuesday, April 26
Good morning, God,
The headlines, if they can be printed or heard on the radio, are about your rain water, dear Lord. You certainly have opened your heavens and are pouring out everything you have! But, Lord, we can't handle everything you are giving us! Our businesses and homes are built over all sorts of terrain, and some of that terrain is very low. So, we accumulate your water in places we wish we wouldn't!
Heavenly Father, all kidding aside, we pray for the rains to cease and the waters to recede. We pray for the safety of any who must be out and about and trying to do necessary work. We pray for folks with houses that are in low areas and with basements that take on water. We pray for businesses and their inventory; for schools and their transportation.
Lord, may we have the wisdom to stay away from and out of all the high water - and may it not be forty days and forty nights before it stops and recedes!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines, if they can be printed or heard on the radio, are about your rain water, dear Lord. You certainly have opened your heavens and are pouring out everything you have! But, Lord, we can't handle everything you are giving us! Our businesses and homes are built over all sorts of terrain, and some of that terrain is very low. So, we accumulate your water in places we wish we wouldn't!
Heavenly Father, all kidding aside, we pray for the rains to cease and the waters to recede. We pray for the safety of any who must be out and about and trying to do necessary work. We pray for folks with houses that are in low areas and with basements that take on water. We pray for businesses and their inventory; for schools and their transportation.
Lord, may we have the wisdom to stay away from and out of all the high water - and may it not be forty days and forty nights before it stops and recedes!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110425
Prayers for the Headlines, Monday, April 25, 2011
Good Morning, God
Its Monday and the budget goes on and on and on! The discussion about our nation's budget is serously in the headlines these days, as is the debt ceiling that Congress imposes on ourselves to limit the amount of money we can borrow. It is said that we must raise the celing by the middle of next month or we can't pay our nation's bills. So, Congress, with our President's bidding and blessing, will more than likely approve the new numbers.
What isn't making the headlines, Lord, is the interest we are having to pay on the borrowed money, a lot of which is going out of our country to other countries. This is no different than our personal finances - if we have extra money, we will invest it to earn interest while the money itself is being loaned out.
The problem is, though, the interst payment on our U.S. debt is about to knuckle us under. Lord, please give us wisdon and restraint on our spending, debt and interest.
In Jesus name, Amen
Its Monday and the budget goes on and on and on! The discussion about our nation's budget is serously in the headlines these days, as is the debt ceiling that Congress imposes on ourselves to limit the amount of money we can borrow. It is said that we must raise the celing by the middle of next month or we can't pay our nation's bills. So, Congress, with our President's bidding and blessing, will more than likely approve the new numbers.
What isn't making the headlines, Lord, is the interest we are having to pay on the borrowed money, a lot of which is going out of our country to other countries. This is no different than our personal finances - if we have extra money, we will invest it to earn interest while the money itself is being loaned out.
The problem is, though, the interst payment on our U.S. debt is about to knuckle us under. Lord, please give us wisdon and restraint on our spending, debt and interest.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110422
Prayers for the Headlines, Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Morning, God
Lord, to make this day "good" in the eyes of a Christian believer is to know the rest of the story in the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Unless we believe through our faith that Jesus was your Son whom you gave for the salvation of every soul, Jesus was a "nobody", a "rabble-rouser", a "seditionist", a "street-corner evangelist who never really worked".
But through our eyes of faith we know the importance for our lives of belief in Him. We know our guilt as a result of our sin. We know, Lord, that we were born sinful creatures! We know also, Lord, that we will die sinful creatures, unless we accept what Jesus did on the cross, which we remember especially today.
So, Lord, thank you for the goodness of this day. May any and all who hear this prayer be strengthened in their belief or come to believe for the first time. Thank you, Lord, for saving us from sin.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Lord, to make this day "good" in the eyes of a Christian believer is to know the rest of the story in the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Unless we believe through our faith that Jesus was your Son whom you gave for the salvation of every soul, Jesus was a "nobody", a "rabble-rouser", a "seditionist", a "street-corner evangelist who never really worked".
But through our eyes of faith we know the importance for our lives of belief in Him. We know our guilt as a result of our sin. We know, Lord, that we were born sinful creatures! We know also, Lord, that we will die sinful creatures, unless we accept what Jesus did on the cross, which we remember especially today.
So, Lord, thank you for the goodness of this day. May any and all who hear this prayer be strengthened in their belief or come to believe for the first time. Thank you, Lord, for saving us from sin.
In Jesus name, Amen.
20110420
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, April 20
Good Morning, God,
Lord, we've seen the signs in the store and bank windows: "Closed on Good Friday" or "Closed at noon on Good Friday." We have seen and heard the announcements about the Dubois County Minsters conducting the noon Good Friday service at the Presbyterian Church this year. We who know Jesus Christ and love him and worship you, God, consider all Good Friday services as important times to be in church to honor you and what you did for us.
Heavenly Father, we are humbled by this time of the year. We walk with Jesus much closer during this week, especially tomorrow evening with the Lord's Last Supper, then Friday with the remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion, then the blackness of Saturday, only to awaken with joy, gladness and celebration on Sunday, Jesus' resurrection Day!
Gracious God, may we faithfully give you praise, honor, and glory always, but especially these next five days.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, we've seen the signs in the store and bank windows: "Closed on Good Friday" or "Closed at noon on Good Friday." We have seen and heard the announcements about the Dubois County Minsters conducting the noon Good Friday service at the Presbyterian Church this year. We who know Jesus Christ and love him and worship you, God, consider all Good Friday services as important times to be in church to honor you and what you did for us.
Heavenly Father, we are humbled by this time of the year. We walk with Jesus much closer during this week, especially tomorrow evening with the Lord's Last Supper, then Friday with the remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion, then the blackness of Saturday, only to awaken with joy, gladness and celebration on Sunday, Jesus' resurrection Day!
Gracious God, may we faithfully give you praise, honor, and glory always, but especially these next five days.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110418
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, April 18
Good Morning, God,
In budget bills and movies, from the Pledge of Allegiance to the Ten Commandments on "public" property, the headlines include issues about god, Jesus Christ, the bible and faith. Of late, part of the budget debate has been about funding for abortion and the National Endowment for the Arts - too liberal for some; not liberal enough for others. Often, the debate is about the question "Who do we trust?" and the printing, stamping and saying, "In God We Trust" on our paper money, coins and in our pledge.
Of late, Lord, there has been a discussion about how much "God" should be in a movie. Even in movies depicting real-life issues with the role of faith playing a significant part, producers are afraid of even using the words "scripture" or "Bible"; much less quoting verses from it. Certainly, the word "Jesus" would be a problem to Hollywood, unless taken in vain! Such has been the struggle to produce the movie about Bethany Hamilton, the 14-year old who lost an arm to a shark, but was back in the water 21 days later. She lived "I can do all things through the Lord who strengthens me.
Thus the movie was produced.
Thus the mantra we, too, should live.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
In budget bills and movies, from the Pledge of Allegiance to the Ten Commandments on "public" property, the headlines include issues about god, Jesus Christ, the bible and faith. Of late, part of the budget debate has been about funding for abortion and the National Endowment for the Arts - too liberal for some; not liberal enough for others. Often, the debate is about the question "Who do we trust?" and the printing, stamping and saying, "In God We Trust" on our paper money, coins and in our pledge.
Of late, Lord, there has been a discussion about how much "God" should be in a movie. Even in movies depicting real-life issues with the role of faith playing a significant part, producers are afraid of even using the words "scripture" or "Bible"; much less quoting verses from it. Certainly, the word "Jesus" would be a problem to Hollywood, unless taken in vain! Such has been the struggle to produce the movie about Bethany Hamilton, the 14-year old who lost an arm to a shark, but was back in the water 21 days later. She lived "I can do all things through the Lord who strengthens me.
Thus the movie was produced.
Thus the mantra we, too, should live.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110415
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, April 15
Good Morning, God,
It's the "Ides of April" today, Lord. Oh, we know that the "ides" part usually applies in March, when bad things happened unto death for Julius Caesar on the 15th of March.
Sometimes, though, we feel the "Ides of April" on April 15th because it is usually when our taxes are due. And, even though we have until Monday the 18th this year, it really doesn't make the 15th any less onerous. We still cringe at April 15th because of its history as "Tax Day."
This year's "Ides of April" seems especially onerous because of the budget bills that have been hashed out, the consideration of raising the debt ceiling of our country, and the new budget which must be crafted for the next fiscal period.
Lord, we once again and continually pray for those over us who make the budget decisions for us. Give them wisdom. And, as we pay our taxes due by Monday the 18th this year, may we remember that this is what it costs to have a government "of the people, by the people and for the people."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
It's the "Ides of April" today, Lord. Oh, we know that the "ides" part usually applies in March, when bad things happened unto death for Julius Caesar on the 15th of March.
Sometimes, though, we feel the "Ides of April" on April 15th because it is usually when our taxes are due. And, even though we have until Monday the 18th this year, it really doesn't make the 15th any less onerous. We still cringe at April 15th because of its history as "Tax Day."
This year's "Ides of April" seems especially onerous because of the budget bills that have been hashed out, the consideration of raising the debt ceiling of our country, and the new budget which must be crafted for the next fiscal period.
Lord, we once again and continually pray for those over us who make the budget decisions for us. Give them wisdom. And, as we pay our taxes due by Monday the 18th this year, may we remember that this is what it costs to have a government "of the people, by the people and for the people."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110413
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, April 13
Good Morning, God,
There is a poem for our headlines this morning, Lord, that has the line, "Oh, the places we could go!" We are reminded of this thought as it was just fifty years ago yesterday that a human being was put into orbit around the earth. Since then, men have walked on the moon, made in-space repairs on equipment orbiting the earth, and most recently, men and women have been living in a space station for months on end, being shuttled to and from from the earth. "Oh, the places we have gone, Lord!"
Lord, we have always heard, "where there is a will, there's a way." Having the will to learn and explore and to go and do have been some of the hallmarks of we whom you have created. You have given us such minds to dream, imagine, design and build, so that these things come naturally to us. But, Lord, our minds can also concoct evil things as well as things good.
So, we pray this day for the wisdom of Solomon, that all we can dream up will be in your will and to your glory, Lord. Who knows the places we might then go? You do, Lord, you do!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
There is a poem for our headlines this morning, Lord, that has the line, "Oh, the places we could go!" We are reminded of this thought as it was just fifty years ago yesterday that a human being was put into orbit around the earth. Since then, men have walked on the moon, made in-space repairs on equipment orbiting the earth, and most recently, men and women have been living in a space station for months on end, being shuttled to and from from the earth. "Oh, the places we have gone, Lord!"
Lord, we have always heard, "where there is a will, there's a way." Having the will to learn and explore and to go and do have been some of the hallmarks of we whom you have created. You have given us such minds to dream, imagine, design and build, so that these things come naturally to us. But, Lord, our minds can also concoct evil things as well as things good.
So, we pray this day for the wisdom of Solomon, that all we can dream up will be in your will and to your glory, Lord. Who knows the places we might then go? You do, Lord, you do!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110411
A Prayer for the Headlines, Monday, April 11
Good Morning, God
Lord, the other evening on a sleepy street in one of our small towns, a man's angry, angry voice was heard. When he was seen, it turns out that the voice was directed at a young girl who was probably 12 or 13 years old. She was dressed in springtime garb and walking barefoot along the sidewalk. Her eyes were face-forward and her resolve sure. She was going straight ahead.
Her dad's resolve was just as sure as he loudly, very loudly, chewed her out for not being home from the park by 8:00p.m.(it was then 8:20p.m. and just about nightfall). The ugly thing is, though, dad was so angry, he was using every cuss word in the book. He was talking about hos his daughter could have been picked up and her body sold for $12.00. He belittled her for not being smart all the way home. Who knows what happened at home, then.
Lord, when we do make choices that could result in danger, protect us please. and when we are concerned so much we are red-faced angry, may we also remember to hug and be thankful that the worst didn't happen.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, the other evening on a sleepy street in one of our small towns, a man's angry, angry voice was heard. When he was seen, it turns out that the voice was directed at a young girl who was probably 12 or 13 years old. She was dressed in springtime garb and walking barefoot along the sidewalk. Her eyes were face-forward and her resolve sure. She was going straight ahead.
Her dad's resolve was just as sure as he loudly, very loudly, chewed her out for not being home from the park by 8:00p.m.(it was then 8:20p.m. and just about nightfall). The ugly thing is, though, dad was so angry, he was using every cuss word in the book. He was talking about hos his daughter could have been picked up and her body sold for $12.00. He belittled her for not being smart all the way home. Who knows what happened at home, then.
Lord, when we do make choices that could result in danger, protect us please. and when we are concerned so much we are red-faced angry, may we also remember to hug and be thankful that the worst didn't happen.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110408
A Prayer for the Headlines, Friday, April 8
Good Morning, God
Lord, we look around us at the headlines from around the world. What we see is incredible unrest, with the populace in revolt, governments in a defensive posture, and leaders being run out of office. We look at our own country and, even though there are very serious issues to be dealt with, we aren't rioting in the streets with automatic weapons, rocket powered grenades and random but intentional killings. Lord, what are the differences between the relatively peaceful places and the seriously conflicted countries?
Number one has to be, Lord, that this country was founded on your principals, primarily respecting the rights and dignity of each individual. We say it in our documents: We "are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". We are not a people ruled over; we are a people allowed to over rule. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with the ability to establish justice, freedom and peace - peacefully.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, we look around us at the headlines from around the world. What we see is incredible unrest, with the populace in revolt, governments in a defensive posture, and leaders being run out of office. We look at our own country and, even though there are very serious issues to be dealt with, we aren't rioting in the streets with automatic weapons, rocket powered grenades and random but intentional killings. Lord, what are the differences between the relatively peaceful places and the seriously conflicted countries?
Number one has to be, Lord, that this country was founded on your principals, primarily respecting the rights and dignity of each individual. We say it in our documents: We "are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". We are not a people ruled over; we are a people allowed to over rule. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with the ability to establish justice, freedom and peace - peacefully.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110406
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, April 6
Good Morning, God,
We pray for the desisions that need to be made around the Federal Budget, Lord. If the decisions aren't made soon, the Federal Government will "shut down" on Friday. Some say that this wouldn't be a bad idea; however, we need to services that our civil sevants provide. Oh, sure, Lord, there are efficiencies that can be had. There are cuts that can be made. There are even taxes that can be rasied. But "politics" enter into the picture, and they are a force that almost cannot be overcome!
However, Lord, there are good men and women who are intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and responsible in Washington charged with making these decisions for us. Therefore, we ask for the gift of Solomon's Wisdom to be with them until they can work these things out.
Lord, we have so many blessing from you. Please give special blessings of wisdom and understanding to these who are the decision-makers in these important times.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
We pray for the desisions that need to be made around the Federal Budget, Lord. If the decisions aren't made soon, the Federal Government will "shut down" on Friday. Some say that this wouldn't be a bad idea; however, we need to services that our civil sevants provide. Oh, sure, Lord, there are efficiencies that can be had. There are cuts that can be made. There are even taxes that can be rasied. But "politics" enter into the picture, and they are a force that almost cannot be overcome!
However, Lord, there are good men and women who are intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and responsible in Washington charged with making these decisions for us. Therefore, we ask for the gift of Solomon's Wisdom to be with them until they can work these things out.
Lord, we have so many blessing from you. Please give special blessings of wisdom and understanding to these who are the decision-makers in these important times.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110404
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday April 4
Good Morning, God
As the weeks go by, Lord, we need to not forget the people of Japan. It may be easier for us to concentrate on the mechanics of the nuclear problem part - the bricks and mortar, the radioactive water, the different radioactive elements - but we really need to remember the great needs of the people, including those who are working around all of the radiation. How many of these workers are literally giving their lives so that all others may live? Only time will tell, but there will be those who will be considered "heroes" because they did their jobs in the damaged plant.
We thank you for such people, Lord. We thank you for people who will risk their own lives, doing what needs to be done, so that the rest of us, wherever we are, can live in relative safety.
We also do want to lift up the men and women and boys and girls of Japan. May they have good weather, enough food, water, clothing and shelter, and may they have an abundance of hope for each new day.
In Jesus name, Amen
As the weeks go by, Lord, we need to not forget the people of Japan. It may be easier for us to concentrate on the mechanics of the nuclear problem part - the bricks and mortar, the radioactive water, the different radioactive elements - but we really need to remember the great needs of the people, including those who are working around all of the radiation. How many of these workers are literally giving their lives so that all others may live? Only time will tell, but there will be those who will be considered "heroes" because they did their jobs in the damaged plant.
We thank you for such people, Lord. We thank you for people who will risk their own lives, doing what needs to be done, so that the rest of us, wherever we are, can live in relative safety.
We also do want to lift up the men and women and boys and girls of Japan. May they have good weather, enough food, water, clothing and shelter, and may they have an abundance of hope for each new day.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110401
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, April 1
Good Morning, God
Amidst all of the trouble of these days, today marks a day that can be used for a bit of frivolity. Somehow, April 1st became April Fool's Day, a day where we should expect to be pranked and plan for a few pranks of our own. Everyone likes a good laugh; you gave us the gift of laughter, and your would says "A cheerful heart is good medicine!"
Lord, there is even some thought that April Fool's Day began in the Bible. Yes, it is told that Noah, when the great flood was coming to an end, sent the dove out too early, before the waters receded, and he did this on the first day of the Hebrew month that corresponds with April!
Lord, may we have a bit of frivolity today. May we cheer our hearts with extra laughter. May we prank, but without causing problems. May we joke, but still get our jobs done. May we "lighten the load" with laughter, but still share our care and love. Thank you, Lord, for Noah and April Fool's Day!
In Jesus name, Amen
Amidst all of the trouble of these days, today marks a day that can be used for a bit of frivolity. Somehow, April 1st became April Fool's Day, a day where we should expect to be pranked and plan for a few pranks of our own. Everyone likes a good laugh; you gave us the gift of laughter, and your would says "A cheerful heart is good medicine!"
Lord, there is even some thought that April Fool's Day began in the Bible. Yes, it is told that Noah, when the great flood was coming to an end, sent the dove out too early, before the waters receded, and he did this on the first day of the Hebrew month that corresponds with April!
Lord, may we have a bit of frivolity today. May we cheer our hearts with extra laughter. May we prank, but without causing problems. May we joke, but still get our jobs done. May we "lighten the load" with laughter, but still share our care and love. Thank you, Lord, for Noah and April Fool's Day!
In Jesus name, Amen
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