A Beautiful Wedding Prayer for any Bride and Groom

This prayer was written by Louis H. Evans.

O God of Love, Thou hast established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Thine was the plan and only with Thee can we work it out with joy. Thou hast said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now our joys are doubled since the happiness of one is the happiness of the other. Our burdens now are cut in half when we share them -- we divide the load.

Bless this husband. Bless him as provider of nourishment and clothing. Sustain him in all the pressures of his labors for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character be her pride, and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of woman truly longs.

Bless this loving wife. Give her tenderness that will make her great, a deep sense of understanding and a great faith in Thee. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast the things that never age.

Teach them that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two joining hands to serve Thee. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the other things shall be added unto them.

May they not expect of each other the perfection that belongs alone to Thee. May they minimize each other’s weaknesses, be swift to praise and magnify each other’s strengths, and see each other through a lover’s kind and patient eyes.

Now make such assignments to them in Thy will as will develop their characters as they walk together. Give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failure to keep their hands clenched tightly in Thine, and enough success to encourage them in their walk with Thee.

May they never take each other’s love for granted, but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, “Out of all this world you have chosen me.”

When life is done, may they be found then as now, hand in hand, still thanking God for each other. May they serve Thee happily, faithfully, together, until at last one shall lay the other into the arms of God.

This we ask through Jesus Christ, great lover of our souls. Amen.

Keys to the Kingdom – The Sermon on the Mount - 09 PRAYER

Oh how desperately we need to pray! Nothing is more crucial, more central, or more necessary. However, what if we claim to address God but fail to seek only His attention and approval? One who prays to be seen by men, no matter how long, fluently or eloquently he prays, is a hypocrite. Jesus starts with the “why” of prayer, and then He moves to the “where” and the “how.”

Reading: Matt 6:5-15

“Pray So Grandma Can Hear”

Not as the Hypocrites

“They love to pray.” Anything wrong with that?

Outwardly, officially, and ostensibly to God, but …

Inwardly, really, to get man’s attention and praise.

Hypo (under) + krites (mask) = Gk. play actors.

They pray to prey! To promote and publicize self.

The reward they seek is the only reward they get.

Not as the Hypocrites

Mk 12:38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

Not as the Hypocrites

Mt 23:5-12 Woe!

Mt 23:5 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.”

Phylacteries

Small square leather boxes or cases. Each held four strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the books of the Law. Worn by every male Israelite above 13 years of age during morning prayer, except on Sabbaths and holidays.

Ex 13:1–10; 13:11–16; Dt 6:4–9; 11:13–21

“… bind them on your hand, on your forehead …”

Not as the Gentiles

Praying by rote, routine, ritual, and repetition.

Multiplying vain, empty, meaningless words.

Expecting to be heard due to their prayers’ length.

Instead –

Pray sincerely. Not for show.

Pray secretly. In your closet.

Pray simply. No words to impress.

Pray spiritually. To God and for God.

1. Intimacy

“Our Father …”

Why not Creator, King, Master, Judge?

Accessible. Wise. Powerful. Protective. Nurturing.

Authoritative. Instructive. Role model. Head.

Rom 8:14-17, esp. 8:15; Gal 4:6-7. “Abba.”

“Because You are my Father I …”

2. Reverence

“… in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”

Balance: near as Father, yet above and set apart.

Worthy of awe, wonder, adoration, amazement.

We bow. We tremble. We obey. We surrender.

God’s name = His identity, character, person.

“I revere You because -” “Because I revere You -”

3. Submission

“… Your kingdom come, Your will be done …”

Parallel phrases. The second interprets the first.

God’s Kingdom = God’s rule. His will = His desire.

Domain and dominion. Realm and reign.

Church: the people God rules. Matt 16:16-18

“Father, rule my heart, marriage, work, money …”

4. Petition

“Give us each day our daily bread.”

Requests follow intimacy, reverence, submission.

Nothing is too small or trivial.

Possible reference to manna, given daily.

Pray for God to give you what you work to gain.

“Father God, just for today …” Strength, joy, etc.

5. Contrition

“And forgive us our debts …”

Obligations resulting from our misdeeds.

We hear: “Prisoner paid his debt to society.”

Sin costs. We owe. We confess. God pardons.

Dismiss, let go, send away, remit. Ac 2:38

“I beg You, cancel the valid charges against me.”

6. Condition

“… as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

“As” = in like manner, to the same extent.

If you have not forgiven, God will not forgive you.

You and I cannot afford not to forgive!

The unforgiver is unforgiven. Mt 18:21-35

“Father, I have forgiven ______ for _________.”

7. Dependence

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Parallel phrases. The second interprets the first.

“Do not take us where we would be tempted.”

“That is, keep us away, protect us from evil.”

“Father, steer me clear of ________.”

8. Security

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Not in all Gk. manuscripts.)

Yours is the kingdom. Reign in me!

Yours is the power. Work in me!

Yours is the glory. Shine in me!

In His Own Words

Lk 22:40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Intimacy. Submission. Petition. Dependence.

Possible hymns:

Hear Me When I Call

Purer in Heart, O God

Listen to Our Hearts

Did You Think to Pray?

Father, Hear Thy Children’s Call

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Now I Sit Me Down in School

This anonymous piece has been attributed to various sources, typically a teenager in a school somewhere. Because the Lord’s Prayer is not allowed in most U.S. public schools any more, a student reportedly wrote the following.

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God’s name is prohibited by the State.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the unwed daddy, our Senior King.

It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong,

We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get free tools for birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school’s a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot, my soul please take!

A FORTY-DAY PRAYER DARE

Note: this material is not original. I do not know the actual author(s).

1. As you begin, pray for understanding.

2. Read and meditate on the Scriptures that record each prayer.

3. Take notes about what you read.

4. Write out and offer your own prayer.

5. Set specific goals and take specific action as appropriate.

1. Abraham’s Prayer for Sodom in Genesis 18:20-33

2. Jacob’s prayer for mercy from Esau in Genesis 32:6-12

3. Moses’ prayer at the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-4:18

4. Moses’ praise after the Red Sea crossing in Exodus 15:1-18

5. Moses’ first prayer for Israel’s sin in Exodus 32:7-14

6. Moses’ second prayer for Israel’s sin in Exodus 32:30-34

7. Moses’ prayer for God’s presence in Exodus 33:12-34:9

8. Moses’ prayer of discouragement in Numbers 11:10-30

9. Moses’ prayer after the people rebel in Numbers 14:10-20

10. Moses’ 40 day prayer in Deuteronomy 9:18-20 and 9:25-29

11. Joshua’s prayer in defeat in Joshua 7:3-13

12. Hannah’s prayer for a child in 1 Samuel 1:1-20

13. Hannah’s prayer of thanks in 1 Samuel 2:1-10

14. David’s prayer of praise for God’s kingdom in 2 Samuel 7:18-29

15. David’s praise for deliverance in 2 Samuel 22:1-51

16. Solomon’s prayer for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:4-15 (2 Chronicles 1:5-12)

17. Solomon’s prayer to dedicate the Temple in 1 Kings 8:22-61

18. Elijah’s prayer of self-pity in 1 Kings 19:9-18

19. Hezekiah’s prayer for deliverance in 2 Kings 19:14-19

20. Hezekiah’s prayer for healing in 2 Kings 20:1-6

21. David’s prayer of praise in 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

22. David’s prayer at the people’s generosity in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20

23. Jehoshaphat’s prayer in a crisis in 2 Chronicles 20:1-23

24. Ezra’s prayer for the nation’s sin in Ezra 9:3-10:4

25. Nehemiah’s prayer for Jerusalem’s plight in Nehemiah 1:3-11

26. David’s prayer at his son’s rebellion in Psalm 3

27. David’s prayer of praise in Psalm 8

28. David’s prayer for a pure heart in Psalm 19

29. David’s prayer to his Shepherd in Psalm 23

30. David’s prayer of forgiveness in Psalm 51

31. David’s prayer for guidance in Psalm 139

32. Isaiah’s prayer for mercy in Isaiah 64:1-12

33. Jeremiah’s praise of God’s wisdom in Jeremiah 32:17-27

34. Daniel’s prayer of confession in Daniel 9:4-19

35. Habakkuk’s prayer of praise in Habakkuk 3:1-19

36. The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-15

37. Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in John 17

38. The church’s prayer for boldness in Acts 4:23-31

39. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21

40. Prayers of worship in Heaven in Revelation 11:15-19; 15:1-4; and 16:5-7

Cory Collins

A Prayer List for Our Children

Jesus promised: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).” Let us pray for our children, our grandchildren, and for one another’s children. As a starting point, here are twelve goals which we can consider as we petition God on their behalf. We can take one each month for a year, or one each day in rotation. We can certainly add to the items and Scriptures on this list. We can make it more specific, according to our children’s needs, ages, personalities, and circumstances.

Let us pray …

1.            That they will love the Scriptures early in life and continue in them (2 Tim 3:14-15).

2.            That they will believe, repent, confess, and be baptized into Christ (Acts 16:31-34).

3.            That the Lord will protect them from the evil one spiritually, emotionally, and physically (John 17:15).

4.            That they will love righteousness and hate wickedness (Rom 12:9).

5.            That they will act responsibly and refuse to sin even when away from home (Gen 39:1-18).

6.            That they will respect those in authority over them (Rom 13:1-7).

7.            That they will be caught and corrected when guilty (Acts 8:20-24).

8.            That they will seek the right kind of friends and not be influenced by the wrong ones (Prov 1:10-11).

9.            That they, and those they marry, will be morally pure until marriage (1 Cor 6:18-20).

10.         That they will find a godly, Christian mate suited to them (2 Cor 6:14-17).

11.         That they will be single-hearted, presenting themselves as living sacrifices for the Lord (Rom 12:1-2; Jas 4:7).

12.         That they will spend eternity in heaven with us (Rev 22:12-14).

Cory Collins

Can Saint Joseph Help You Sell Your House?

Jn 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

The purpose of this post is not to belittle anyone’s sincerity or devotion to a religious practice. It is rather to question whether the practice itself is compatible with the Bible’s teaching. Can a person today pray to – or through – a faithful Bible character like Joseph and expect results?

In a recent Bible class I described in Acts 19 the practice in first-century Ephesus of selling silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. The Romans referred to her as Diana. Her temple in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Her image, enshrined inside, appears to have been a meteorite in which the semblance of a many-breasted female was discerned. Acts 19:35 refers to “her image, which fell from heaven (lit., “from Zeus”).”

The religious wares included miniature silver niches, containing an image of the goddess, which her votaries bought to dedicate in her temple. When Paul came preaching that gods made with hands were not gods, he threatened the business and profits of the silversmiths. Quite a commotion ensued.

A man in our class, a former Roman Catholic raised in New York, spoke up. He explained what he considered to be a similar religious practice today. He said that many sincere Catholics, seeking to sell their houses, buy statues of “Saint Joseph,” Jesus’ adoptive earthly father. They bury these statues in their back yards and pray directly to Joseph, believing that he can obtain God’s help in the matter.

Later, to illustrate and confirm this information, he brought me a box with a small plastic statue of Saint Joseph. It also contained written instructions and prayers. I was surprised by what I saw. You may be surprised as well. I have included several of these printed items below in bold type.

[1] “The Way of St. Joseph”

Over the years, thousands have successfully followed the age-old practice of burying a statue of St. Joseph, with the hope of selling or buying real estate.

The Authentic Way:

1)  Ask St. Joseph to help you sell your home.

2) Believe in St. Joseph to intercede to God, for the granting of your request.

3) Trust. Bury or place St. Joseph's statue on the property, as an outward sign of your belief and trust in his power.

4) Thank St. Joseph for having responded to your call, before, during and after the granting of your favor.

5) Move St. Joseph's statue to a place of honor.

6) Share your experiences with others how St. Joseph has helped you personally.

[2] “A Petition to St. Joseph”

Dear St. Joseph, head of the most perfect household, foster father of Jesus and guardian of His mother Mary, I confidently place myself and all my concerns under your care and protection. I ask that, through your powerful intercession with God, you obtain for me all the help and graces that I need for my spiritual and temporal welfare and in particular, the special favor I now ask (here mention or think of your home sale or any other petition, especially family needs (*)).

Good St. Joseph, I know with confidence, that your prayers on my behalf will be heard by God, and if it is His Will, it will be done.

Thank you St. Joseph, for having responded to my call. Amen.

(*) St. Joseph knows families. He brings family peace and love to each member. Go to him!

[3] Prayer to St. Joseph (Over 1900 years old)

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt, before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.

With Ecclesiastical Approval

Pray to St. Joseph

God's Will Be Done

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Make it known everywhere!

[4] Saint Joseph Home Sale Practice

For this practice to be fully effective, however... sellers must, of course, first do such practical, yet all important chores, as completing all necessary fix-up, properly staging the home and finally, adjusting the price so as to reflect true market value ... then ... Just watch St. Joseph make it happen!

Let’s now return to our original question. Can a person today pray to a faithful Bible character like Joseph and expect results? Should one go through a former “saint” as a mediator to reach Jesus, or should one pray through Jesus to reach the Father?

What does the Bible teach?

Ro 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

1 Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

We can be thankful that Joseph, Mary, and many others trusted and obeyed God. We can admire their faith and devotion. We can learn from their example. However, we must not venerate them, pray to them, or make statues of them. We certainly cannot put them in the role of mediator.

That position is already filled.

Cory Collins