Powerful Prayers

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

I have written about prayer often on my day for Freedom Fighter blogs. I continue to long to be more effective and intentional in my prayer life.

I had one of those divine appointments on Thursday night after a long day and week of ministry. I was beginning to reach that saturation point of “I’m done with dealing with people and the demands of the schedule” syndrome. I wanted a night to just chill.

But a friend was in the area and wanted to talk. I sucked it up, and I am so glad that I took the hour with him.

Our conversation was deep and personal as we both shared with each other. But the most amazing thing about the conversation was at the end, he asked if he could share a prayer with me that he has been praying. He had my undivided attention and shared this prayer with me:

ETERNAL Father of my soul,

let my first thought to-day be of Thee,
let my first impulse be to worship Thee,
let my first speech be Thy name,
let my first action be to kneel before Thee in prayer.

For Thy perfect wisdom and perfect goodness: For the love wherewith Thou lovest mankind: For the love wherewith Thou lovest me: For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life: For the indwelling of Thy Spirit in my heart: For the sevenfold gifts of Thy Spirit: I praise and worship Thee, O Lord.

Yet let me not, when this morning prayer is said, think my worship ended and spend the day in forgetfulness of Thee. Rather from these moments of quietness let light go forth, and joy, and power, that will remain with me through all the hours of the day;

Keeping me chaste in thought:
Keeping me temperate and truthful in speech:
Keeping me faithful and diligent in my work:
Keeping me humble in my estimation of myself:
Keeping me honorable and generous in my dealings with others:
Keeping me loyal to every hallowed memory of the past:
Keeping me mindful of my eternal destiny as a child of Thine.

O God, who hast been the Refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my Refuge today in every time and circumstance of need. Be my Guide through all that is dark and doubtful. Be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit’s welfare. Be my Strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Baillie, John. A Diary of Private Prayer (p. 10). Simon & Schuster, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

There is a lot of weighty stuff packed into this prayer. It is a very convicting prayer. But I want it not just to be a prayer that I memorize or recite, I really want that kind of prayer to be the fabric of my life as I yield my life to Christ and allow Him to live His life in and through me.

I plan to cut up the prayer and post parts of it in places where I will be praying throughout the day. The bolded red part is so powerful for so many of us right now.

Thanks, Lord, for my not missing this divine appointment.

Anchored to the Rock

 

Written by Bill Welte: President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; ²⁰ I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.” Hosea 2:19-20