Prayer for Rain

Father God,
Rain down on Miami. We have had precipitation but, Lord, we need your Spirit. We need to hear the thunder and power of your word and witness the lightning precision of your hand. Many of us don't even recognize how dry we are. We gather together in our church buildings every weekend across this city. Father even as your Spirit is bubbling up like a spring in some of the congregations there are still others feeling resources drying and brothers and sisters in those bodies anxious about their future. Remind us of your precious love for us. Some of us go to work not knowing if it will be our last day. For others of us the last day is becoming a distant memory as our money dries up and our opportunities seem non existent. The ground feels parched but we ask that you would rain down and flood the city with your Spirit. Unite the little puddles of churches spread across Miami with a mighty river of your living water. Wash us together into a flowing stream that will nourish and revive this wonderful city.

Amen

Prayer for the Sick

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord."(Psalm 40:1-3)...

"But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!" As for me, I am poor and needy, BUT THE LORD IS THINKING ABOUT ME RIGHT NOW. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God." (Psalm 40: 16 & 17)

Oh Father, it's so hard to imagine that you are thinking about us right now. And yet you say that you are. I pray that we would be humbled, inspired, and blessed by your words and by your thoughts. So many people across this city are sinking into despair. There are many who struggle simply to get out of bed. There are many who need steadying because they are weak in sickness, pain, or depression. There are many who know how close they are to the end of their time here on this earth. Then there are many others of us who have no idea how close we are. There are many of us who take our health and our time for granted. Give us pause this week Lord, to consider your greatness and your mercy. Give us pause this week, Lord, to consider that you are thinking about us. Let us - the body of your Church in Miami - consider that you have gifted us with each moment and let us live each of them out with a new song and a hymn of praise in our hearts. Give us each the strength to be an encouragement to the people around us. Let our focus be on you and not our infirmities and weaknesses so that many will be astounded by what you have done in our lives. Amen.

Prayer for preparation

Here in Miami we are reminded everywhere we look that today marks the first day of Hurricane Season. Such is the inspiration for today’s prayer.

Father God,
We know that in this world full of atmospheres in conflict there will be seasons of storms. We know that what today appears to be tranquil and refreshing seas may in a moment become life threatening and unpredictable. We know that the soft breezes we barely notice today may one day rage without mercy. We know that light rains which today freshen the ground have within them all the potential to wash away cities. We know that the shelter we take for granted today is only temporary and can be removed in a puff. We know these things or at least we should. We don’t think about them, but we could. So Father give us pause today to look wholly to you. Let all of us stop and prepare. Let us check our foundations. Are we building our plans and our lives on your rock or have we been expanding down into the sandy beach? Are we being careful to shutter our eyes against the debris of the enemy? Or have we felt unbreakable in our own callousness. Have we thinned the thick branches of distraction which we have allowed to loom so fully over our lives lest they come crashing down. Have we stored up the fruit and food of your word deep in our hearts? Father we turn to you now. Some of us may sense the barometric pressure dropping and others may be feeling the pressure of the winds already increasing. But, Father, where ever we find ourselves today we stop and we declare our dependence on you – the maker of the wind and the seas. We, like the wind and seas, seek to obey you. We want to depend on your peace even deep within the dark turmoil.

Give us pause today to sense your peace. Guard our hearts, minds, and eyes and give us firm footing. Keep us from distraction, but rather let us be fully enamored by the richness of who you are and let our focus be centered there. Do all these things, Father, so that we would all be prepared to be fully dependent upon you in the face of the coming storms.

So be it.

Prayer for Wisdom, Discernment, Peace, and Understanding

Father,

Wisdom, discernment, peace, understanding – all belong to you. We have no claim on them other than that which we receive through you. Thank you for being so faithful, Lord, that you would share a glimpse of these things with us as we seek you. Draw your Church in Miami close to you. Open our eyes in this city so that we would see not only the suffering and pain but also that we might see your body of believers who are engaged in the work of your Kingdom across this city. Break our hearts for those who don't yet know you, but also fill us with rejoicing at your great works. We pray, Father, that you would give us - your Church in Miami - wisdom, discernment, peace, and understanding as we seek your will and our place in this city.

Amen and Amen

Prayer for church unity

Father God, knit together your churches in Miami. Why must we be so stubborn and self focused? Forgive us for seeking after idols and other things that distract us away from you. Your people are spread throughout this city all of us doing our own separate ministries. Soften our hard hearts, Lord, and give us the means and desire to work together in Your Name. Thank you for this city and all that you desire to do here in this place. Thank you for the privilege of serving You and working for Your Kingdom.

Amen.

Prayer of Praise (Psalm 117)

Let the church in Miami cry out in Praise to our Lord. May the people in the world see Christ in us as we walk among them - as much in hard times as in prosperous ones. "Praise the Lord, all you nations (Miami). Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love, the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!"

Praise the Lord. Love your neighbor.

Hallelujah!

amen.

Thoughts on the Passion in an Urban Setting

What were you saying to the church you would establish by the manner of your death? How are we to minister in the urban setting? You taught in the temple courts every day. Scripture literacy has to be central to urban ministry. You refused to play the games of the religious establishment. You were countercultural. We must follow your example. You were nonviolent. We must be, too. You were neutral towards the political and governmental authorities. So must I be. You exposed yourself willingly to the ridicule of the population. We, your church, must be willing to be exposed and ridiculed. Your love and compassion for the city brought you to tears. Forgive my hard heart, Jesus. Break it, so that I may share in your heart. You wanted to shelter and protect the helpless ones living in the urban environment. Give me a mother’s tender love for this city, my Lord.