Today is all about praying for extended family (everyone
outside of our little husband-wife unit). While the prayer focus is generic by
topic, I will normally pray for each family member by name and lift up all
their needs to the Lord. I will also give thanks for each of them. Even if they
are people I do not associate with often (or at all), God has given them a
purpose and thanking God for them acknowledges the power of His will in them.
Types of Prayer
Thanksgiving
This one is easy…we all know how to give thanks! But
sometimes we forget how essential it is. Prayer should always include giving
thanks to God. Thanksgiving acknowledges God’s goodness, offers gratitude and
demonstrates our humble need for more of Him. The Bible is full of examples of
God’s power (miracles) showing up after thanks is given. Give thanks freely!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer Focus
I thank You, Lord, that my parents love You and Your Word.
They raised me to seek You and know You. For this I have been blessed…
My
son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.
Proverbs
1:8-9
I thank You that You desire all people to be saved. I pray
for those who do not know You that they would accept You as Savior and Lord.
May each family member receive You, Your revelation and Your wisdom to understand
Your power at work in their lives…
Therefore
I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all
men, for kings and all who are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Savior, who desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1
Timothy 2:1-4
… that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may
know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power
Ephesians 1:17-19
I ask that You help my family members submit themselves to
You in spirit, soul and body that they may do Your perfect will each
day…
I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans
12:1-2
I ask for and thank You for Your protection over my family.
May they dwell under Your shadow, protected from evil, fear, disease or
destruction…
(This whole Psalm is great...go read it!)
For those suffering from sickness, disease and injury, I
ask that You send Your Word and heal them, for it is by Your stripes we are
healed…
And
they drew near to the gates of death.
Then
they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses
And He saved them out of their distresses
He
sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
And delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm
107:19-20
But
He was wounded for our
transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
I ask for peace do dwell in the hearts and minds of each of
my family members. May they not be worried, fearful or striving but instead
think on things that come from You…
Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything
praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians
4:6-8
Thank You for Your presence among my family and Your love
for each of us…
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah
3:17
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