Prayer Starter

  Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Life has a way of reminding us that we’re not as strong as we think. Even the young and energetic eventually run out of strength. But Isaiah reminds us that God never does. When our energy fades, His remains steady. When our steps falter, His hand still holds firm. Strength for the journey doesn’t come from pushing harder—it comes from leaning deeper into the One who carries us. God meets us in our weakness, fills us with His power, and renews us for every step ahead. Where you feel weary today, trust that God is ready to give you exactly what you need to continue forward. Dear God, Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for always providing for me - even when I do n...

Saturdays often bring a slower rhythm—a pause between the week we’ve lived and the week ahead. In Psalm 46:10, God says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s a gentle reminder that stillness isn’t wasted time. It’s sacred time. When we quiet our hearts, we remember that God is already working in places we cannot see. He is preparing the path before us, strengthening us in the present, and surrounding us with His unshakable peace. Today, let your soul breathe. Let your thoughts settle. Let your heart lift its eyes toward the One who holds everything together. Father, thank You for this Saturday morning and the quiet space it brings. Calm my mind, steady my heart, and help me rest in Your presence. Remind me that You are God over every detail of my life—past, present, and future. Fill me with peace today, refresh my spirit, and guide my steps. I place this day in Your hands.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. Have a blessed day.  Enjoy God's blessings.

  Choosing "What Truly Matters” — A Black Friday Reflection Black Friday is known for long lines, early mornings, and the hunt for the best deal. Many people rush from store to store, hoping to grab something valuable before it’s gone. But as followers of Christ, days like this should whisper a deeper spiritual reminder. Jesus once said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). On a day centered on buying, this verse invites us to pause and reflect: What do I treasure most? Is it the temporary excitement of a purchase, or the lasting peace that comes from walking closely with God? Black Friday can remind us of how quickly we chase after what fades, how easily we value what won’t last, and how often we believe the myth that “just one more thing” will finally satisfy us. Yet Christ gently calls us to a better way—one where our hearts rest not in bargains, but in blessings… not in possessions, but in His presence. As you see crowds rushing and carts...

  Gracious Father, On this day of gratitude, we pause to thank You for every blessing You have poured out on Your Church and on Your people. You have sustained us with Your Word, strengthened us with Your Spirit, and surrounded us with a family of believers who encourage, comfort, and lift us up. Thank You for the hope that anchors us, the grace that saves us, and the mercy that meets us fresh each morning. Thank You for the countless ways You provide—seen and unseen—and for the calling You have placed on us to shine Your light in this world. Lord, may Your Church be faithful, joyful, and united in love. And may our lives overflow with thanksgiving as we remember that every good gift comes from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Colossians 3:15–17 (NIV) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful… And whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Gracious Father, as I continue this journey of thanksgiving, help my heart remain open to Your goodness. Yesterday I thanked You for what I could see; today I thank You for what I cannot yet see—Your quiet work, Your hidden provision, and Your guiding hand in every season of my life.  Teach me to trust Your timing and to notice Your blessings woven into ordinary moments. Let gratitude shape my thoughts, soften my spirit, and lead me into deeper fellowship with You. May my life echo the prayers of Your faithful servants who praised You in every circumstance. I thank You again today, Lord, for You are my Provider, my Keeper, and my constant hope. Because of Jesus, I pray, Amen. Share your list of blessings. What are you thankful for.  Reply to the Text or email prayerstarter@gmail.com your prayer of thankfulness. Tomorrow I will compile all of our prayers and share with you (No names will be shared).

Good Morning, Prayer Warrior- For the last few days, we’ve focused our prayers on several lesser-known Old Testament heroes—Jehoshaphat, Miriam, Nehemiah, Ruth, and others—each of whom offered prayers of thanksgiving in the unique situations they faced. Just like them, we find ourselves in all kinds of circumstances. Yet one thing remains the same: we all have reasons to offer prayers of gratitude to our God, for He is truly good. Prayer is a vital part of our relationship with Him. God wants to hear from us. Our prayers bring Him joy, strengthen our faith, and shape us to be more like Christ. As Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 , “ Pray continually. ” So today and tomorrow, I encourage you to lift up your own prayers of thanksgiving. Tell God how much you recognize His goodness, His provision, and His faithful care over your life.  A thankful heart draws us closer to Him and opens our eyes to His daily blessings. Lord, today I come with a grateful heart. Just as Your peo...

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.  And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the  Lord , for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” Exodus 15:20-21 After the Lord parted the Red Sea and delivered Israel from Pharaoh’s army, the very first response recorded is a woman lifting her voice in thanksgiving. Miriam, the sister of Moses took her tambourine, gathered the women, and led them in a joyful song: “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted!” What a beautiful picture of worship on the other side of fear. Imagine, the same feet that once ran in panic now danced in praise. The same voices that cried out in anxiety now sang with confidence. Gratitude became their testimony. Their thanksgiving wasn’t quiet or reserved; rather it was public, joyful, and contagious. Miriam’s praise turned into a movement of worship ...

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the rest You gave me through the night. As this new day begins, I look forward to joining my friends in worship. I can’t wait to sing, pray, and lift Your Name in praise. Father, my heart is full of gratitude. Throughout this month we’ve shared Scriptures and prayers of thanksgiving, and they’ve reminded me just how blessed I am. Help me never lose sight of Your goodness or fail to give You thanks for every gift You’ve placed in my life. I praise You for the Holy Spirit, who guides, comforts, and protects me. I thank You for the gift of salvation found only in Jesus. And Lord, I am grateful for my family—my wife who supports me, my parents who encouraged me, and my children who challenged me. Personalize for yourself! May my life today reflect Your grace, and may my worship bring joy to Your heart.  In the Name of Christ, our Savior,  Amen. Let's share our prayers of Thankfulness. If you are so inclined r eply to the Text or email prayerstarte...

2 Chronicles 20:20–22 When Judah faced an enemy too great to defeat, King Jehoshaphat reminded the people to trust the God who had spoken: “You will not have to fight this battle.” Their response was profound. They marched out—not with swords raised—but with worship leading the way. The singers went first, declaring, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.” Their praise was not celebration after victory; it was confidence in advance. As they worshiped, God moved. Their enemies fell into confusion, and Judah witnessed a victory only God could accomplish. This passage reminds us of a vital truth: gratitude is an act of faith. Thanksgiving in the midst of uncertainty shifts our focus from the battle to the God who fights for us. It steadies our hearts, deepens trust, and releases courage. Whatever challenges lie before you, choose to give thanks—not because the struggle is small, but because your God is faithful. Let praise lead the way. Lord, when the battle...

The story of Ruth and Naomi is one of Scripture’s most beautiful pictures of loyalty, trust, and God’s quiet, unfolding redemption. Naomi felt empty and broken after losing her husband and sons. Her future seemed uncertain, her hope nearly gone. But in that dark season, Ruth stepped forward with courageous love and unwavering faith. Ruth didn’t follow Naomi because the circumstances were promising—she followed because she trusted Naomi’s God. Her words still echo with strength today: “Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” This wasn’t just loyalty to Naomi; it was a declaration of faith in the Lord. And God honored Ruth’s steadfastness. What looked like a dead end became the doorway to blessing, restoration, and even the lineage of Christ. Ruth reminds us that God often works through the ordinary faithfulness of His people.   When we choose to trust God in difficult seasons, He has a way of turning bitterness into blessing and empty places into testimonies of...

After months of traveling through desert roads, avoiding thieves, managing families, supplies, and uncertainties, the exiles with Ezra finally reached Jerusalem. They were tired, dusty, and carrying the weight of an entire generation’s hope. Yet the first recorded action they took wasn’t rest… it was worship . Ezra 8:35 tells us that the returned exiles offered sacrifices of thanksgiving as soon as they arrived. Before unpacking their belongings, before rebuilding their homes, before catching their breathe, these exiles paused to acknowledge God’s protection and faithfulness. Here are three truths we can start our day with: 1. Gratitude is the proper response to God’s guidance. Their journey was long and dangerous, but God had kept His hand upon them. Thanksgiving isn’t just for when life feels easy; no, it's for every moment we realize, “I made it because He carried me.” 2. Worship reorients our hearts after long seasons. The exiles had spent years in a foreign land. Returning ho...

...You are a forgiving God,  gracious and compassionate,  slow to anger  and abounding in love.  Therefore you did not desert them... Nehemiah 9:17 NIV As we continue to focus our morning prayers on minor characters of the Old Testament, let's visit Nehemiah and the completion of the wall.  (The link to Nehemiah above is for the whole book - it takes less than 30 minutes to read, but full of great reminders as we walk with Jesus).    When Jerusalem’s wall was finally rebuilt, the people didn’t celebrate with a political rally, a military parade, or a display of their own strength. Instead, they gathered singers, musicians, and Levites whose main purpose was to give thanks to God. Two great choirs even marched around the top of the wall, lifting songs of praise that echoed over the city. ( Chapter 7 ) Can you picture the scene - voices singing proudly where ruins once lay, joy overflowing in places that had been marked by fear and failure. The dedicat...

Judges 5:1–31 After the Lord delivered Israel from the grip of her enemy, Judge Deborah and Barak lifted their voices in one of the most powerful songs of praise in Scripture. Judges 5 is not just a victory song—it is a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving. Deborah begins with gratitude: “When the princes in Israel take the lead… praise the Lord!” (Judges 5:2). She recognizes that the victory didn’t come through human strength, strategy, or skill. It came because God moved, and His people responded. Deborah recounts how God marched before His people, shook the earth, and fought on their behalf. When we pause to remember how God has helped us in the past, our faith grows stronger for what we face today. Deborah praises the leaders and volunteers who stepped forward. Gratitude isn’t only directed toward God but also toward those who serve Him faithfully. God’s work often flows through willing people. The song ends with these words: “May all who love You be like the sun when it rises in its s...

Jonah never expected to thank God from the belly of a great fish—but that’s exactly what he did. In Jonah 2:1–9 , we hear his cry rising from a place no one would choose: dark, confined, uncomfortable, and hopeless. Yet in that unlikely place, Jonah discovered the powerful message that  God hears us even when we’ve hit the bottom . Jonah admits he ran from God, yet when he prayed, “You heard my voice.” God met him in the deep. Before Jonah ever saw a way out, he lifted a prayer of thanksgiving, declaring, “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” His circumstances hadn’t changed, yet his heart had. Sometimes our own “deep places” feel like a result of our failures, fears, or wrong turns. But Jonah’s prayer reminds us that there is no place so dark that God’s mercy cannot reach us . Thanksgiving becomes our act of trust; thanking God not just for deliverance, but for His presence while we wait. Like Jonah, we can choose to praise God before the rescue, believing that the One who hears ...

Good Sunday Morning, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” — Psalm 100:4 (NIV) As the years go by, I’ve come to appreciate Psalm 100 more deeply. It’s a simple psalm, yet it carries a lifetime of truth. It reminds us that God is still who He has always been—our faithful Creator, our gentle Shepherd, and our ever-present Savior. And we are still His people, held firmly in His care. When the psalmist invites us to enter His gates with thanksgiving , it isn’t just a suggestion. It’s an invitation to draw near to God with a heart that remembers His goodness. Thanksgiving has a way of lifting our eyes from life’s burdens and turning them toward the One who has carried us through every season. I’ve learned that gratitude changes the atmosphere of the heart. It settles the spirit. It quiets the mind. It reminds us that every blessing we’ve received—big or small—has come from the hand of a loving Father. When we come to Him ...

Good Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."  God waits for us to draw near  friend, Hopefully you will have time to rest and recharge today.  Maybe it was a challenging week for you- I hope not, but if it was remember God give us a new day each and every day.  If you feel disconnected from Him, today is the time to ask forgiveness and reconnect . God is always willing to hear from you. If you had a peaceful week, take time to this morning to praise God for all of His blessings He has pour out to you. God is so good. Praise Him for all He is to you. Have a great Saturday and an even better Sunday worshipping Jesus with others saints. Heavenly Father, I lift up Your Name today as I want to thank You for all You do for me. Sometimes I feel alone but I realize it is just me forgetting You and allowing Satin to take my eyes off of my Sa...

Daniel’s story in Daniel 6 is one of the clearest pictures of courageous faith in the whole Bible. When King Darius signed a law that made prayer to anyone but the king illegal for thirty days, Daniel knew exactly what it meant: continuing to pray could cost him his life. But Daniel didn’t hide. He didn’t adjust his worship. He didn’t pray silently in fear. Scripture says he “went to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed… just as he had done before.” Daniel prayed with his windows open—not to show off, but because he refused to let fear change his relationship with God. His faith didn’t make the danger disappear. Daniel was still arrested. He was still thrown into a lions’ den. But he discovered something powerful: God meets His people in the places where obedience feels risky. The lions could not harm him because God was already there. Today, you may not face lions, but you may feel pressure to hide your fait...

Solomon’s Prayer of Thanksgiving  1 Kings 8:22–23, 27–30 When Solomon finished building the temple, he stood before the altar, lifted his hands toward heaven, and prayed one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible. His words remind us that even though God is greater than any building, He still chooses to dwell among His people. Solomon said, “Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27). Solomon knew that God’s presence was not limited to the temple’s walls—but his prayer revealed deep reverence and gratitude. He asked that God’s eyes would always be open toward His people, listening to their prayers and forgiving their sins. This moment shows us the heart God desires—a heart of humility, worship, and dependence. Like Solomon, we can invite God to dwell not in a building, but in our hearts and homes. When we pray, God listens. When we repent, He forgives. When we seek Him...

“ The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” — Psalm 18:2 When David looked back over his life, he saw how many times God had protected him. From facing lions and giants to fleeing from King Saul, David had been through many dangers. But through every battle, God was faithful. In 2 Samuel 22 (and Psalm 18), David sings a song of thanksgiving after God delivered him from all his enemies. He doesn’t take credit for his strength or victories—he gives all glory to God. David calls the Lord his rock, fortress, and deliverer. These words remind us that God is strong, safe, and dependable no matter what we face. Later, in 1 Chronicles 29:10–13, when David is blessing the Lord before the people, he again gives thanks. Even though he won’t be the one to build the Temple, he praises God for letting him be part of the plan. David’s heart overflows with gratitude—he thanks God not only for what He has done, but for who He is: “ Yours, O Lord, is...