Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To all who have executive authority and to all who have administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To those who make our laws give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

- Susan Colaneri, St. John's Lutheran Church, NJ

We did not plant you, true.
But when the season is done,
When the alternate prayers
For the sun and for rain are counted,
When the pain of weeding
And the pride of watching are through,
We will hold you high.

A shining leaf
Above the thousand seeds grown wild
Not by our planting,
But by heaven.
Our harvest.
Our own child.

- Debra Nussbaum Cohen

My Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee.
Thou and Thou alone knowest my needs.
Thou lovest me more than I am able to love Thee.
O Father, grant unto me, Thy servant, all which I cannot ask.
For a cross I dare not ask, nor for consolation;
I dare only to stand in Thy presence.
My heart is open to Thee.
Thou seest my needs of which I myself am unaware.
Behold and lift me up!
In Thy presence I stand,
awed and silenced by Thy will and Thy judgments,
into which my mind cannot penetrate.
To Thee I offer myself as a sacrifice.
No other desire is mine but to fulfill Thy will.
Teach me how to pray.
Do Thyself pray within me.
Amen.

- St. Philaret of Moscow

For a girl:
May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.

For a boy:
May God make you like Ephraim and Menasheh.

(Both) May God bless you and keep you. May God make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Source: Traditional

Almighty God, who hast created us in thine own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let me not wander in vain.
Let me not labor in vain.
Let me not mingle with the prejudiced.
Let me not leave the company of the virtuous.
Let me not fly into anger.
Let me not stray off the path of goodness.
Let me not seek for this day or for the morrow.
Give me such a wealth, O Almighty!

- Pattinattar (10th century poet)

Most merciful God,
there are many in this city
who hate themselves,
who consider their lives worthless,
who have not known the healing of love.
Touch them with the wonder and power
of your transforming love
that their lives may be made whole,
that they may find fulfillment in life,
that they may rejoice in your blessing.
Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Stormie Omartian's new book, The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children (Harvest House, 2009).

You want to continue to support your adult children while still giving them the freedom to make their own choices. But where do you draw the line between helping them to build their own lives well and enabling them to remain dependent on you? And how do you deal with all of your many concerns about them -- from their friendships and romantic partnerships, to their career pursuits and financial management?

Prayer is the key. Praying for your adult children will connect you to the only perfect Parent -- God -- and invite Him to act powerfully in their lives.

Pray that your adult children will ...

See God pour out His Spirit on them: Ask God to give your adult children the faith to seek Him and welcome an outpouring of the Holy Spirit into their lives. Pray that they will understand the Holy Spirit's power, and that they will follow the Spirit's guidance so they can recognize the difference between what's true and what's false. Ask God to empower them through His Spirit so they'll be able to live faithfully.

Develop a heart for God, His Word, and His Ways: Ask God to turn your adult children's hearts toward Him and open them to receive His love. Pray for their desire to know God better and become more like Him. Ask God to bring them to repentance about their sins. Pray that God will close their hearts to evil lies and open them to His truth. Ask God to give them a passion to read, study, reflect on, and memorize Scripture. Tell them stories of how God has worked in your life (such as how He has answered some key prayers) and describe your relationship with Him means to you. Point out the good qualities you see in them as people and help them discover and fulfill God's good purposes for their lives.

Grow in wisdom, discernment, and revelation: Wisdom will empower your adult children to see the consequences of their actions before they act, enabling them to make the right decisions about actions to take. Pray that they will have the wisdom t fear God, speak the right words to others, avoid blaspheming God's name, be humble rather than prideful, avoid being drawn into the world's concept of wisdom, love the Bible, and always seek the counsel of godly and wise people.

Discernment will enable your adult children to understand what would normally be obscure to them. It will help them see what's good and what's evil, see what's holy and what's sinful, see what's right and what's wrong, choose to do what's right in any situation, and understand more about God's ways.

Revelation is knowledge God can give your adult children that they wouldn't have had otherwise. It gives them a vision for their lives, understanding and enlightenment about their purpose and calling, empowers them to respond to their circumstances in the right ways that will protect them from disastrous decisions, and helps them see who God is more clearly. Pray for God to give your adult children the benefit of these qualities every day of their lives.

Find freedom, restoration, and wholeness: Whenever your adult children are struggling with a specific, sinful attitude or action, your prayers can be instrumental in helping them find the healing they need. Ask God to set them free from anything that separates them from Him. Pray for them to find the transformation that can only be found in God's presence. Ask God to help them establish the disciplines of reading the Bible, praying, and praising and worshiping Him regularly, since God uses those experiences to changes people's lives for the better. Pray for the healing you need in your own life so your adult children can see through your life a powerful example of how God is at work. Ask God to take anything in your adult children's lives that is currently broken and make it whole.

Understand God's purpose for their lives: Ask God to help your adult children figure out the best direction they should go with their lives. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide them as they make decisions, from where to go to college to what career and volunteer work to pursue. Ask God to help them discover, develop, and use the gifts and talents He has given them. Pray for God to encourage them and clear away confusion when they become overwhelmed or fail, so they can hear from His Spirit in fresh ways and keep fulfilling His purposes for their lives. Ask God to instill a desire in them to always be in the center of His will.

Work successfully and have financial stability: Ask God to give your adult children a strong desire to be diligent and work hard, always giving their best effort to the tasks they undertake. Pray that they will be able to earn an income that meets their needs. Also pray that they will: always work when opportunities arise; have the wisdom they need to save money for tough times; learn to give generously to support God's work on earth; seek God about everything, including the financial provision they need; gain wealth according to God's will; know that true treasure is found in God; and always have a sense of what is right and ethical about managing money.

Have a sound mind and a right attitude: Ask God to help your adult children make the right choices about what they allow into their minds so they'll have nothing less than the sound minds He has given them. Pray that God will protect them from having evil fill their minds with lies that oppress them mentally and emotionally. Ask God to dissolve bad attitudes in their minds, such as pride, fear, anger, anxiety, and a broken heart. Encourage your adult children to develop a habit of praising God regularly, since that practice will heal their minds, emotions, and attitudes. Pray for Christ's peace to flood their souls and rule in their hearts every day.

Resist evil influences and destructive behavior: Ask God to give each of your adult children a humble, repentant, and teachable spirit. Pray for God to destroy any spirit of rebellion in their lives. God's love and grace will always be available to your children, no matter what they've done. Ask God to help them return to Him after they've strayed. Pray that: God will open their eyes to see the truth and not be blinded by evil lies, they can hear God's voice leading them, their hearts will be filled with wisdom and knowledge, they will turn away from evil when they encounter it, they will understand that they are engaged in a spiritual battle every day, they will respond to trials by turning to God, and they will learn to praise God for the healing and deliverance He has for them.

Avoid all sexual pollution and temptation: Ask God to give your adult children a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on them to cause them to see the world from God's perspective and can better resist an attack of lust. Pray that they will: have a renewed heart for God, His Word, and His ways; have wisdom, discernment, and revelation about how to avoid sexual pollution; find freedom, restoration, and wholeness from whatever has already sexually polluted them; refuse to look at whatever is offensive to God and harmful to them; focus on the path and purpose God has for them; recognize the power of lust to destroy their souls; understand that lust in any form is against God's will; live in the Spirit of God and not in the lust of the flesh; and run to God and the truth of His Word whenever they're tempted to be drawn into sexual pollution of any kind.

Experience good health and God's healing: If your adult children are in good health now, ask God to show them what to do to maintain good health: what to eat, how to exercise, and how to get rejuvenating sleep. Pray that they will have the discernment to know what's good and what's bad for them, the wisdom to make right choices, and the revelation about what is right for their particular bodies. If they're struggling with bad health brought on by sickness or injury, point them to Jesus as their healer and never stop praying for their complete healing, regardless of the severity of their medical prognosis. Ask God to give you and your adult children the faith you need to pray boldly for healing and help you not lose heart or hope. Encourage your adult children to trust God to answer your prayers according to what's best.

Enjoy a successful marriage and raise godly children: Pray that your adult children will marry fellow believers who are sexually pure before marriage and have godly character. Pray that they will have strong relationships with their in-laws. Ask God to help your adult children be good parents by: recognizing that their children are gifts from God, training their children in God's ways, teaching their children with love rather than anger, disciplining their children wisely and diligently, and obey God's ways while raising their children so their prayers will be answered.

Maintain strong and fulfilling relationships: Ask God to help your adult children develop good relationships with godly friends; coworkers; and family members like their siblings and cousins, you and your spouse, and extended family. Pray that God will remove people from their lives who are bad influences on them. Ask God to help your adult children pursue forgiveness and reconciliation to fix broken relationships with others.

Be protected and survive tough times: Pray that your adult children will have long and fruitful lives. Ask God to protect them from falling victim to manifestations of evil. Pray that they will: have the wisdom and judgment to do what's right in every situation, learn to fear God and not other people, trust God and His Word, live in the presence of God where there is safety, make God their refuge and turn to Him for protection, use God's Word as their shield from evil attacks, refuse to live in fear of danger or disease -- even when they see destruction happening around them, understand the consequences for not living God's way, and understand that the reward for living God's way is protection.

Ask God to surround your adult children with guardian angels. Whenever your adult children are going through a tough time, pray that they will be aware of God's presence with them and rely on His strength to get through it well. Ask God to bring something good for them out of even the worst situations.

Walk into the future that God has for them: Ask God to help your adult children rely on His guidance every day so they can discover the peaceful and hopeful lives He wants them to live. Pray for God to give them the strength and opportunities they need to fulfill His purposes for their lives. Ask God to help them remain faithful and keep growing through their whole lifetimes. Remember that, in Christ, nothing can ever separate them from God's love.

August 18, 2009

Adapted from The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, copyright 2009 by Stormie Omartian. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Or., http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/.

Stormie Omartian is the bestselling author of The Power of a Praying® series (more than 13 million copies sold worldwide), which includes The Power of a Praying® Wife and The Power of a Praying® Husband. Her many other books include Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On, The Prayer That Changes Everything®, The Power of a Praying® Woman, The Power of Praying® Through the Bible, and The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage. Stormie and her husband, Michael, have been married more than 35 years and are the parents of two adult children.

We beseech thee, Master, to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of thy people;
feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.

- Clement of Rome (1st Century)

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway and Rev. Victor Fuhrman

So many of us are in the grip of the financial crisis. In the worst of times, it is important to remember there is always a ray of hope.

Here are 10 prayers for employment, money, financial healing, stability, and grace, as well as blessings for your relationship, family, and self-esteem.

Read the first prayer to help you rise above fear.

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world lies hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.

Source: Book of Common Prayer 1979

For every grain of rice we are thankful for thousands of workers. For every drop of rain we are thankful for God's blessings.

Source: Submitted by Beliefnet member toddb

Lord Jesus,as I enter this workplace ,I bring your presence with me . I speak your peace,your grace, and your perfect order into the atmosphere of this office. I acknowledge your lordship over all that will be spoken,thought,decided and accomplished within these walls. Lord Jesus .I thank you for the gifts you have deposited in me. I do not take them lightly, but, commit to using them responsibly and well. Give me a fresh supply of truth and beauty; on which to draw as I do my job. Anoint my hands,creavitity, my ideas, my energy so that even my smallest task may bring you honor. For I know you have given me everything my Lord and my God. When I am confused ,guide me. When I am weary, energize me. Lord when I am burned out, infuse me with the light of your Holy Spirit. May the work that I do and way I do it,bring hope ,life , and courage to all that I come in contact with today. And oh Lord, even in this days' most stressful moment, may I rest in you. In the name of Jesus my savior and my Lord I pray, Amen

HaShem is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? HaShem is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me, even then will I be confident.

- Psalms 27: 1-3

Heavenly father, please sustain my spirit as I search for new and meaningful work. You have blessed me with a healthy body and a keen mind for which I am grateful. I ask that you open my path as I seek employment that will allow me to support my family and myself while serving others and your divine purpose.

In gratitude and grace, Amen.

- Rev. Victor Fuhrman

Dear Lord, please ease our hearts in this world of uncertainty,
As we balance that which we desire with our true need,
As we look for higher values in the midst of material loss,
As we remember the wealth and abundance born of your creation,
And know that as you move us from fear to love,
We will be enriched with the treasures of spirit and peace. Amen

- Rev. Victor Fuhrman

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who are single...

For these who are not married and may find it troubling, I ask You to help them learn to be content with being single, as well as with any other issues or circumstances of life they find themselves in. (Philippians 4:11b)

Help them delight in You, for You have said when we do, You'll give us the desires of our heart. May their desires match Your desires, Your will and plan for their lives; then fulfill Your purpose for them. (Psalm 37:4; 57:2; 138:8)

If Your plan is for them to be married, give them the grace to wait on You, to be strong and take heart. As they wait, help them to keep Your ways, discerning what is best, keeping pure and blameless in Your sight. (Psalm 27:14; 37:34; Philippians 1:10)

I ask Your special touch on those who are single parents, because managing a home without a spouse can be difficult. May they put their hope in You, continuing night and day in prayer. May others in the body of Christ respond to their needs as they would want to be helped if they were alone. (1 Timothy 5:5; Matthew 7:12)

May they be fulfilled in Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Oh Thou, who art ever the same, grant us so to pass through the coming year with faithful hearts, that we may be able in all things to please Thy loving eyes. Amen.

- Mozarabic, 700 A.D.

Father, I'm praying for (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends to have the self-control they need in every area of life...

Strengthen their hearts so they will be holy and blameless in Your presence when Christ comes. Help them make every effort to be good and knowledgeable, self-controlled and godly, relying on the Spirit's power within them. (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Peter 1:5–7; Ephesians 3:16)

May they imitate the Lord Jesus Christ in all they are and everything they do, and may the way they live match what they say they believe. May they make every effort to live clean and holy lives, devoting themselves to You, to prayer, and to doing good. (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:14a; Leviticus 27:28; Jeremiah 30:21; Colossians 4:2; Titus 3:8b)

May they desire more than anything else to follow You, setting their hearts and souls on seeking You. Help them move from strength to strength, faith to faith, and glory to glory. May their love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. (Psalm 84:5; 1 Chronicles 22:19; Psalm 84:7; Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 3:12)

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Father, I'm praying for these (name them) who are serving in ministries or are on mission for You...

There are many involved in every ministry and mission—some who go and some who serve locally. There are often those behind the scenes who help with planning, financial support, and prayer, as I'm praying now. We're all part of their service, directly or indirectly, and I'm sure none of us feels worthy to be used in such a way. Yet this is one of the good works You've prepared for us to do, and we're grateful. (Ephesians 2:10)

Help us to live worthy of such a calling; keep our hearts prepared for the amazing things You plan to do. Give us pure hearts, sensitive to sin and willing to confess everything You bring to mind, knowing You are quick to forgive. Forgive us when we sin without being aware, and keep us from sinning willfully. Help us not to let any sin rule over us. (Ephesians 4:1; Joshua 3:5; Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 19:12–13a; Romans 6:11)

Protect our time with You. Don't let busyness keep us from prayer or being in the Word daily. Help us to live according to Your Word and not neglect it. (Matthew 6:6; John 17:17; Psalm 119:9, 16)

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

- Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, help me."
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Jesus, help me.
In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Jesus, help me.
In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles, and sorrows, Jesus, help me.
When others fail me and Your grace alone can assist me, help me.
When I throw myself on Your tender love as a father and savior, Jesus, help me.
When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforts, Jesus, help me.
When I feel impatient and my cross irritates me, Jesus, help me.
When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus, help me.
Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help me and never forsake me.
Amen.

May we discover through pain and torment,
the strength to live with grace and humor.
May we discover through doubt and anguish,
the strength to live with dignity and holiness.
May we discover through suffering and fear,
the strength to move toward healing.
May it come to pass that we be restored to health and to vigor.
May Life grant us wellness of body, spirit, and mind.
And if this cannot be so, may we find in this transformation and passage
moments of meaning, opportunities for love
and the deep and gracious calm that comes
when we allow ourselves to move on.

- Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

A new adventure awaits them
as they prepare for school.
Excitement for new possibilities
and fear of the unknown
mingle in their hearts.
Thoughts of achievement and failure
slow their footsteps.
Bless all children this day, O God.
Give them inquiring and discerning hearts,
courage to persevere in all they undertake,
the gift of joy and wonder in all things,
laughter and love to share with all,
and sure and certain knowledge
of your unfailing love.
Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

O God,

We thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass.

We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn's fruit, rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.

Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory.

For each new dawn is filled with infinite possibilities for new beginnings and new discoveries. Life is constantly changing and renewing itself. In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible. We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are and, yet, can be.

Amen.