Tag Archives: Lament
A Prayer for 2021
As a chaotic 2020 nears its end, I invite you to reflect on seven petitions from a psalm of David, Psalm 25. These ancient words still resonate, for they speak our pleas as we reflect on the year just past … Continue reading
Thanking the Judge of the Nations
Give thanks when God answers your “call for fire” prayers. We ask when we want or need. We lament when we grieve. We praise God when we rejoice in his grace and love. Let’s remember to say thank you when … Continue reading
For Whom Do You Wrestle in Prayer?
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12). For … Continue reading
Learning to Pray
How do we learn to pray? Prayer is not an innate skill. Although you might argue that we are born with a desire to communicate with our Creator, even the disciples of Jesus had to ask him to teach them … Continue reading
A Prayer to the God of My Life
“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life” (Psalm 43:8). In the 2006 movie Last Holiday, the lead character Georgia, played by the singer/actress Queen … Continue reading
Praying when Doors Close
What do we pray when our spirits are crushed, when circumstances force us to change direction and formulate new plans? Five years ago on January 21st, my day began with a phone call that informed me that my older son … Continue reading
A Prayer on New Year’s Day 2020
New Year’s Day 2020 is a time for celebration, reflection, and prayer. The change of calendar empowers many to revive imagination and renew hopes dashed by disappointment. While people pack into places like Times Square in New York City and … Continue reading
A Prayer for Courage on an Anniversary of Evil
A prayer I offered in 2012 front of an assembly from several nations in Kabul for Patriot Day (September 11): O God, Creator of all, Sustainer of life, our Refuge from disaster, we commemorate today an event that awakened a … Continue reading
Prayer to the God who Reverses and Redefines
Psalm 129 laments persecution and calls down judgment on those who hate the place where God’s people worship. A song sung on the way to worship by Israelite worshipers, the psalm’s words speak of painful assault experienced by the worshiper. … Continue reading
