Prayer Prompts - Week 3 of The Lord is our Shepherd

We are vulnerable, but our Shepherd will carry us – Let’s count the ways sheep can protect themselves from predators wanting a meal.  I see none!  While we aren’t as helpless, we aren’t as strong as we think.  And if we are honest, real risks are everywhere – from the evil one all the way to our own misguided ‘wisdom’.  But praise the Lord …

“He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.”  (Isa 40:11 NLT)

Our worries can be overwhelming, but our Shepherd gives rest – Concern is good and God-given; it warns us of danger.  But concern can quickly and silently grow to worry.  While not possible by ourselves, with the Lord’s help, let’s learn to lean quicker and more fully on our Shepherd.

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”  (Ps 23:4, NLT)

Prayer Prompts for this Week

He will carry us! – try these two on alternating days (write it down or have your phone remind you):

• I give You my worries - In the morning while you drink your coffee, or drive to work, etc. - list three current concerns (big or little) and give them to God – visualize yourself literally pushing them over to Him.

• Praise Him for past deliverance – Think of some very specific, recent concerns (big or little) that God took care of – Praise Him for it!

Lean on His promises – Pray these verses (out loud if you can), claiming the Lord’s promises and thanking Him for them.  I wrote Ps 68:19 out and have it on my mirror this week – pick one this week and do the same.

• Hebrews 13:6 – “So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.  What can mere people do to me?”” (NLT)

• Psalms 68:19 - "Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms." (NLT)

• Psalms 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (NLT)

• Matthew 11:28-30 – “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

Use this song to move you in prayer – ‘Make Room’ by Meredith Andrews (feat. Sarah Reeves & Chris McClarney) (https://youtu.be/v1IaQvgPsfA?si=bkEszmolG5cIjb10 ). As I will keep writing, God is worthy of a lot of "Amen" and "Yes Lord!" from us!

Prayer Prompts - Week 2 of January

We Need Our Shepherd!

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s path to follow our own.”  (Isa 53:6 NLT)

The lowdown on sheep – We’ve been misled a little about sheep!  While an internet search will show sheep falling in hole after hole, they are actually intelligent creatures.  So, what’s their problem?  It’s unbridled fear from all the risks around that cause them to make poor choices.  Aren’t we often the same?  Smart enough to realize the dangers out there but knowing we are powerless to do much.

Our Shepherd will lead – Thankfully, if allowed to lead - our Shepherd can not only save us from the holes of life, but also “guide(s) (us) along right paths, bringing honor to His name”.  (Ps 23:3 NLT)

Prayer Prompts for this Week

• Daily honesty -  He already knows, but admit your recent sins and ask Him to show your unseen sin.  Ask for help turning away from these sins.

  
  

• Use Isaiah 53 as a roadmap of praise – Almost every verse provides a reason to praise God.  So once or twice this week, read the chapter and bring your praises to the Lord.

  
  

• “Your rod and staff protect and comfort me” (Ps 23:4, NLT) 

  • The rod was used by ancient shepherds as a club-like stick against predators and as a disciplinary tool when needed.  Thank the Lord this week for His known and unknown protection in your life.  While hard to do, let’s also thank the Lord for His discipline – it comes from His love and let’s be honest, we often need it.

  • The staff was used as a guiding tool and as a rescue device for the sheep.  Thank the Lord this week for all the guidance He provides and the many rescues He does for us.

    
    

• Use this song to move you in prayer - Still Waters by Leanna Crawford (https://youtu.be/v1IaQvgPsfA?si=bkEszmolG5cIjb10 ).  Simple “Amen” and “Yes Lord” responses can be very meaningful. 

Prayer Prompts - Week 1 of January

Week 1 - January 2025

“I give You my dreams, I give You my desires. Take control of my life, Lord.”

Sarai Rivera

New Year’s Resolutions – While three in ten make resolutions, most of us at least think about

some needed change on January 1st. Rather than looking within for next steps in our

lives, this January let’s depend on our Shepherd for direction!

The Lord is my Shepherd (Yahweh Roi)

Our vision is short-sighted and our wisdom limited, praise the Lord we have a God who will be our shepherd. He leads, He guides!

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Ps 23:2-3)

Let’s thank Him this week for His ‘withness’. He is not distant, He is near. He’s in the mess with us, trying to lead and restore us. Let’s pray expectantly this week that He will guide our next steps.

Prayer Prompts you can use this week

• Our human nature is bent on straying, but we are thankful for our Shepherd and Overseer forever helping us – use what you see in 1 Peter 2:22-25 to thank Him this week.

• Psalms 23 is beloved, but still ripe for our prayer lives! Read it often this week – try The Message version.

  • One day, thank God for the blessings you see in those verses.

  • Another day, use it to pray those blessings on someone else.

  • And another, pray for those parts you might not be experiencing yourself right now.

• Read John 10:14-18 and praise the Good Shepherd.

• Use this song and its words to move you in prayer - (I give you my dreams -Sarai Rivera) https://youtu.be/3RlsJEEM0pU?si=OtRww8YT5Byn81Yy