Prayer Journal

Prayer Journal

Monday: A Prayer for the Distressed so that in the Lord they find Victory (Psalm 142)

Numerous people have felt meek and weak, having lost their courage, motivation, strength, and sense of direction to distress. In the daily occurrences, some numerous problems and challenges lead people to distress and question the very being of God. Distress has always generated panic, inability to communicate effectively, disorientation, disruptive behavior, isolation, and desperate thoughts such as suicide or other forms of self-harm.

Pray that the Lord might answer the prayers of those who are distressed and shield them from the problems of the earth and the wicked Satan. May the Lord not turn ears from their appeal because he is always faithful, just, and giver of answers. As the enemy pursue their souls and make their spirit fail, pray that He might make haste and answer and never hide His face  from those who call upon Him lest they become like those in the grave[1]. May the Lord answer to their cries, grant them their desperate needs, and provide refuge for those who seek Him for the love of God is absolute and never snares. Pray that those who are distressed find victory and justice in the Lord.

Tuesday: A Prayer to the Lord that He might take away the Sins of the World and Illuminate His People with His Everlasting Mercy (The Great Doxology)

The vulnerability of the soul to sin is the fact that no one can deny. On numerous occasions, almost everyone, including those who are perceived to be the holiest departure from godliness to pursue the selfish desires of their souls. It is not because they are rebellious, but due to the vulnerability and weakness of the human heart to the powers of the darkness. As a result, people slip from the path without realizing the course they are taking. The titanic effects of sin continue to lead people astray and introduce more problems to humankind.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of the Lord, pray that the glory of Him who has shown His light to His people have mercy on all who have sinned, teach them His ways, and accommodate the sorrows of all those who call upon Him.

Give thanks to the unmatched glory of the holy triune. They had sacrificed one of their own so that the sins of the world may be taken away and that God’s promise to his people might come to pass. The sacrifice remains the greatest gift from God to humanity for which every person should bless Him and praise His name forever. By praising and glorifying His everlasting mercy, God gets to teach his people His statutes and heal their sinful souls so that the sinful men and women may again stand before Him in glory. Thus, pray that His mercy, despite the sinful nature of humankind, remain steadfast from one generation to the next[2].

Wednesday: Pray that the Lord Strengthen the Church in its role in the Great Commission (A Reading from the Holy Gospel, Matt. 28:16-20)

Before his ascension, Jesus commanded the church and everyone in it to go to all nations spreading the holy gospel, baptizing those who accept the word in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He also calls on those who know him to observe and teach others of all things that He taught them, and he promises to be with them till the end of the age. The commission sounds easy but is indeed complicated in the real sense, given the numerous challenges that the church experiences throughout the world. Therefore, pray that the Lord continue to strengthen His church, especially by granting leaders the wisdom they need to make the best decisions for the fulfillment of the goal of the church[3]. Pray that the guidance of the Holy Spirit be with everyone who is making efforts towards the accomplishment of the Great Commission so that by mercy, they may find renewed energy to continue with the mission and encounter the challenges that come their way.

Thursday: Pray to the Holy Trinity that People might Find Pardon for their Sins and Transgressions as well as strength to fight Evil (Trisagion Prayers)

Sin is the primary reason as to why the relationship between humans and God might dwindle. It increases the rift between a loving Father and his children. Sadly, the human heart is weak and cannot withstand chasteness for a long time. As such, sinning has become part of human life, not because people willfully transgress, but because of their spiritual weakness. Despite the sinful nature of the human creation, God, through the holy trinity, has always been forgiving to the repentant[4]. Therefore, pray that All-Holy Trinity has mercy on his people, forgive their sins, and pardon their transgressions. Through his mercy, pray that He forgives all human infirmities for his name’s Sake. Request that the Holy Father who is in heaven to grant a daily bread to all that dwell on earth and forgive their trespasses as they also forgive those who trespass against them and deliver them from the evil one.

Friday: A Prayer for the Hopeless and the Homeless (Psalm 103)

Society is full of people who spend their days and nights in abandoned buildings, streets and supervised public or private facilities. Most of these people feel abandoned with no personal bed to lie on, no food to eat, and no proper cloth to wear. Poverty defines their daily living, and they spend most of their time depressed and sad. Others perceive no hope due to their continual suffering. Some have food and shelter but still cannot find peace. Therefore, pray that the Lord, through His greatness, might provide water to the thirsty, serve the needs of the needy, provide bread to the starved, provide a home to the homeless, grant them oil that their faces might shine, and set the light that the darkness they experience might fade away. Through the Lord, they can find hope and refill their empty barrels[5].

Monday: Praise the Lord for His Unceasing Love for in His Resurrection the Humankind have found Redemption (Hymn of Resurrection)

Jesus’ death was a clear indication that the sins of humankind were propitiated and that humans were ransomed that sin may not enslave them and that they may re-establish their relationship with God. When He arose from the dead on the third day according to the scriptures, He proved that He is God and became proof of God’s love. Despite the Jerusalem rulers sealing the tomb and guarding His immaculate body, he still rose to give life to the world[6]. Therefore, praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His greatness and undying love.

[1] McGuckin, John A. Prayer Book of the Early Christians. (Brewster, Massachusetts: Paraclete PR, 2011), 28

[2]Ibid., 48

[3] Ibid., 45

[4] Ibid., 19

[5] Ibid., 21

[6] Ibid., 44