Prayer Starter

Isaiah 40:31 "but  they who wait for the   Lord   shall renew their strength;      they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;      they shall walk and not faint." Life often asks more of us than we feel we can give. In moments of weariness, God does not simply demand endurance - He offers strength. Alongside that strength, our God provides peace that steadies our hearts when circumstances feel uncertain. As we begin this new year, we are reminded that true strength is found in trusting God, and true peace comes from resting in His presence. When we bring our burdens to Him, He renews us and quiets our souls, assuring us that we do not walk alone. Good Morning, God - Provide to  me Your strength when I am weak and Your peace when my heart is troubled. Help me rest in You today. As I look forward to the beginning of a New Year remind me that my strength comes from You.  Continue your personal...

God promises wisdom to those who ask - not judgment or criticism, but guidance rooted in love and truth.  " If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,  who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  Walking wisely begins with humble prayer." -James 1:5 A new year brings new choices, fresh opportunities, and unknown paths. While we may ask God for success, clarity, or peace, Scripture reminds us to first ask for wisdom. God’s wisdom shapes our decisions, guards our hearts, and helps us see beyond the moment to what truly matters. Wisdom is more than knowledge—it is learning to trust God’s direction even when the way forward is unclear. As we begin this year, we are invited to pause, pray, and listen. When we seek God’s wisdom, we walk with confidence, humility, and faith, knowing He will guide each step. Lord, grant me wisdom for every decision I face this year. Help me listen for Your voice and follow it.   Teach me to he...

Because of the  Lord ’s great love we are not consumed,      for his compassions never fail. 23  They are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness  -   Lamentations 3:22–23 God specializes in fresh starts. His mercy is renewed daily, and no failure or disappointment from last year has the final word. The new year is not about perfection; rather it is about renewal through God’s grace. Heavenly Father, As this new year begins, I come to You thankful for the gift of a fresh start. I lay down the weight of yesterday; the worries, regrets, and unfinished chapters in my life so far and receive the newness You offer today.  Renew my heart, clear my mind, and restore my spirit so I may walk forward with hope. Create in me a desire to grow closer to You in this year ahead. Shape my thoughts. Guide my steps. Please help me live each day with purpose and gratitude. May this new year be marked not by my strength, but by Your faithfuln...

  . Trust in the  Lord  with all your heart      and lean not on your own understanding;   in all your ways submit to him,      and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5–6 Good Morning, Prayer Warriors: The new year invites us to release control and trust God with what lies ahead. Rather than trying to manage every outcome, we begin by placing our plans, hopes, and concerns into His hands. God already sees the year before us, and He promises to guide those who seek Him first. This week I will pray with you and ask God to help us prepare to become more like Jesus everyday. Lord, as this year begins, I surrender my plans, fears, and expectations to You. Lead me in Your ways.  Help me to do Your Will. This morning as we gather to worship may our hearts be centered in You. May out head and hands do Your Will! May our feet take us only where Yo ur Spirt wants us to go. Continue your personal thoughts to God. Lo...

There are so  many good gifts from God. The final one I want to share with you this year is the gift of freedom found in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we are set free - not only from sin and guilt, but also from fear, shame, and the burden of trying to earn God’s love. After a lifetime of experiences, successes, and regrets, it is comforting to know that our freedom rests not in what we have done, but in what Christ has done for us. True freedom is not about doing whatever we please; it is the freedom to live as God created us to live; secure in His grace. God’s freedom also brings release from the past. Old mistakes, lingering regrets, and broken patterns no longer have the final word. As we continue to walk with Christ, we are reminded that His mercy is still new, His purpose remains, and our lives still matter. God’s gift of freedom allows us to choose what is right, to love others with patience and kindness, and to live each day with hope ulimately, bringing glory to Him in ev...

Good morning, Friend - I hope you had a blessed week so far. Because God chose to be Emmanuel - God with us , He also chose to become our Redeemer. Redemption is the heart of the gospel: God did not only come near; He came to rescue. Scripture tells us, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Through Jesus, God paid the price we could never pay ourselves. Our sin, guilt, and separation were taken upon Christ so that we could be forgiven, restored, and made new. Redemption means our past no longer defines us. What was broken can be healed. What was lost can be found. In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin but children of God, living in the freedom of His grace. The gift of redemption reminds us that God’s love is not distant or conditional. He opened the way for eternal life. Because of Jesus, we walk forward redeemed - loved, forgiven, and free.   Holy Father, Thank You for the gift of...

Merry Christmas.  Good morning, friend: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us ). — Matthew 1:23 From the very beginning, God’s desire has been to dwell with His people. The promise of Emmanuel - God with us  — is the fulfillment of that longing. In Jesus Christ, God did not remain distant or unreachable. He stepped into our world, our struggles, and our suffering. Emmanuel reminds us that God is present in every season of life. When we feel alone, He is with us. When we walk through uncertainty, He walks beside us. Jesus experienced human weakness, sorrow, and temptation, yet without sin, so that we could know God not just as Creator, but as Companion and Savior. The gift of Emmanuel assures us that we never face life on our own. God’s presence brings comfort, guidance, and hope. Because He is with us now, we can trust Him with our future. Emmanuel is not only a Christmas promise  —  it...

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  —  John 8:32 (NIV) Truth is a precious gift from God in a world often filled with confusion and competing voices. God’s truth does not change with culture or circumstances; it remains firm and trustworthy. Through His Word, God reveals His character, His promises, and His guidance for our lives. Truth helps us see clearly, walk wisely, and stay anchored when the path feels uncertain. Jesus reminds us that truth is more than information. Truth is found in Him. When we live by God’s truth, we experience freedom, peace, and confidence rooted in Christ. God’s truth guards our hearts, corrects our course with grace, and leads us into a life shaped by faithfulness and hope. Dear God,  Thank You for the gift of truth. Help me to seek Your Word daily, to recognize what is true, and to live in a way that honors You. Guard my heart from confusion and guide my steps in Your truth.  I am praying this morning for ...

Our last week of looking at many special gifts from God. Faith is the gift from God to focus on.Faith  anchors us through life. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith allows us to trust God’s promises even when circumstances feel uncertain. It helps us take the next step, knowing God is already there. When our strength feels small, faith points us back to the One who is faithful. Each day, God invites us to receive this gift again. So this week choose trust over fear, hope over doubt, and obedience over worry. We all have various stresses in our life.  As my minister said yesterday, "No Christmas is perfect."   Life does throw us curve balls. Faith helps us see them straight.  As you are praying today, I am headed to do some medical tests in Houston (Monday, 12/22). In our prayer circle there are many that are battling health challenges, so let's pray God's blessing on each person u...

Over the past few months if you have joined me in these daily prayer starters, we have been reminded again and again that prayer is God’s open invitation to walk with Him every day. Through prayer, we are never alone — whether in moments of gratitude, uncertainty, struggle, or quiet reflection. Prayer is not about having the right words, but about showing up with an honest heart. God meets us where we are, just as we are. Prayer is also how we build a real and growing relationship with God. As we talk with Him and learn to listen, our trust deepens and our faith matures. Through prayer, God gently aligns our hearts with His will, strengthens us for daily living, and reminds us that He is always near. Prayer brings peace to anxious minds and hope to weary souls. It is not just a spiritual habit, but a daily lifeline. Prayer is evidence of a God who desires relationship and delights in hearing the voices of His children. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 (E...

  “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”  — 1 Corinthians 12:27 The church is not a building or a program. The church is God’s living gift to His people. Through the church, God places us in a family where faith is strengthened, burdens are shared, and hope is renewed. The church is a place where we share faith stories and support one another. We worship together, learn together, and grow together as the body of Christ. God never intended for us to follow Him alone. The church reminds us that we belong to Jesus Christ and to one another. In seasons of joy and in times of struggle, the church becomes a place of encouragement, accountability, and grace. When we love, serve, and remain connected, we experience the church as God intended—a powerful gift that reflects His presence in our lives. Thank You Lord for Your Church, the Body of Christ. This morning I lift up to You my fellow members of the Body for we are all family and Your Children. Pleas...

  Good morning, Prayer Warrior; The gift of God's comfort meets us in moments of sorrow, uncertainty, and weariness, reminding us that we are never alone. God does not stand at a distance from our pain. He draws near with compassion and peace. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 God’s comfort does not always remove the hardship, but it strengthens our hearts to endure it. Through His presence, His Word, and His people, He brings peace that steadies our souls and hope that carries us forward. In our weakest moments, His comfort becomes a quiet assurance that He is with us and He will not let us go. As we receive God’s comfort, we are also called to share it. As Christians we are vessels of His compassion to others who are hurting. O, Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your Name!  Thank You for for being our God of all comfort.   Y...

Perseverance is one of God’s quiet but powerful gifts. It is the strength He gives us to keep walking forward when the journey feels long and the burden feels heavy. Scripture reminds us that perseverance is not something we manufacture on our own, but is formed in us as God works through our trials. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” — Hebrews 12:1–2 God never promised that the road would be easy, but He did promise that He would be faithful. When we grow weary, He renews our strength. When we feel tempted to give up, He reminds us that our labor in Him is not in vain. Perseverance keeps us anchored in hope, shaping our faith and drawing us closer to Christ. Every step forward - no matter how small - is evidence of God’s grace at work within us. Through perseverance, we learn to trust not in our own endurance, but in God’s sustaining power. Holy Father, We stop this morning and lift our voice up to You in praise. You are our God,...

Assurance is God’s gift of steady confidence in His promises. In a world filled with uncertainty, God offers His children the peace of knowing that our salvation, hope, and future rest securely in Him—not in our own strength or performance. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” — 1 John 5:13 God’s assurance reminds us that we belong to Him. When doubts arise or fears whisper that we are not enough, His Word speaks truth: we are held by His grace. Our confidence is not rooted in how tightly we hold onto God, but in how firmly He holds onto us. Through assurance, God calms anxious hearts and strengthens our faith. We move forward not in fear, but in trust—resting in the certainty that nothing can separate us from His love. Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of assurance — the confidence that comes from knowing I belong to You. When doubts arise and fears try to shake my faith, remind me that my...

  The Gift of Mercy “ Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV) As the years pass, we gain a clearer understanding of how much we depend on God’s mercy. We’ve seen our share of victories and mistakes, strong seasons and humbling ones. Through it all, God has remained faithful. As we reflect on our life, the foolish acts of our sinful nature. We.wonder how could anyone forgive us; how could anyone put up with us.  Mercy is God's steady hand, meeting us not with condemnation, but with compassion. God’s mercy reminds us that our failures never have the final word. He does not keep score the way the world does. Each new day is a fresh start—proof that His patience has not worn thin and His love has not grown tired. Mercy also shapes how we treat others. With wisdom earned through life’s experiences, we are called to show patience, forgiveness, and unde...

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) Joy is one of God’s most misunderstood gifts. It is not the same as happiness, which rises and falls with circumstances. Joy is deeper. It is a steady assurance that God is present, faithful, and at work even when things do not look "very happy." Scripture reminds us that joy comes from the Lord, not from a problem-free life. Paul wrote about joy while imprisoned, teaching us that joy is rooted in trust, not comfort. When we fix our hearts on God’s promises rather than our worries, joy becomes a quiet strength that carries us through.    “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil. 4:4 The gift of joy is God’s reminder that we are never alone. It gives us courage in hard seasons, gratitude in ordinary days, and hope for what lies ahead. When we choose to rest in Him, joy becomes a lasting gift that no circumstance can steal. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in...

Good morning, I hope you are enjoying the prayers this month with a theme of "Gifts from God." This week we will continue to pray, thanking God for His gifts. Today's gift is "the gift of light." John 8:12 — “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Light is one of God’s most powerful gifts. From the opening words of Genesis to the coming of Christ, God uses light to reveal His presence, guide His people, and push back the shadows. Jesus didn’t just bring light ... He is the Light. In Him we find clarity when we’re confused, hope when we’re discouraged, and direction when the path ahead feels dim. Darkness in life doesn’t always disappear overnight, but the presence of Christ means we never face it alone. His light meets us in fear, softens our grief, and strengthens our faith. And as His light fills us, it changes us. We begin to see others with compassion, speak with gentleness, and live w...

.  Matthew 11:28–30     Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Rest is not laziness. In fact for some of us, it can be work. It is God's invitation to breathe again. In a world that celebrates hurry, productivity, and constant motion, Jesus offers something radically different: a place to lay down what is heavy and receive what is healing. God designed us with limits. This is not a weakness, but a reminder that our strength comes from Him. When we pause, we make room for His presence. When we slow down, we hear His voice more clearly. When we release our burdens, He restores our peace. The rest Jesus provides is more than physical relief.  It is a soul deep renewal. It clears our minds, steadies our hearts, and realign...

Ephesians 4:3 — “ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Unity is not something we create on our own—it is a gift God gives through His Spirit. But He calls us to protect it, nurture it, and value it. True unity isn’t simply getting along; it is a shared commitment to Christ that draws our hearts together even when our opinions differ. God designed His people to reflect His character, and unity is one of the clearest expressions of His grace at work among us. When we choose patience over irritation, forgiveness over resentment, and gentleness over pride, we demonstrate that Christ truly lives in us. In a world that often celebrates division, unity becomes a powerful testimony. It reminds us - and those watching - that we belong to one body, held together by one Lord, one faith, and one hope. Unity is God’s gift, but it is also our calling to live it out with humility and love. Lord, thank You for the gift of unity that binds us together in Chr...

  Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” God’s provision is one of His most tender gifts. He sees every part of our lives—our worries, our hopes, our hidden needs—and He responds with perfect care. His provision isn’t limited to what we can hold in our hands; it reaches the deeper places of the heart. He gives peace when we are anxious, strength when we feel worn down, and grace when we fall short. We may not always understand how God chooses to provide, but we can trust that He does so out of His endless riches in Christ. When we rest in that truth, our hearts become steadier, our gratitude grows, and we learn to live with confidence in the One who never fails His children. Father, Thank You for being the One who sees every need in my life, both the spoken and unspoken.  Teach me to trust Your provision, even when I cannot see the path ahead.  Fill my heart with gratitude for the strength, gra...