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    Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength
    Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength
    Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength
    Ebook284 pages4 hours

    Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength

    By Max Lucado

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    About this ebook

    Do you find it difficult to turn to prayer when you need it most? Do you have trouble finding the words to capture exactly how you’re feeling? Start with Prayer, by pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, will give you the tools you need to feel more comfortable when you communicate with God. 

    When struggles and anxieties come up in our lives, we invite God into our world, watching our fears surface and then depart. But how do we help prayer become a tried-and-true practice in our daily lives? Finding the right words to pray can be challenging, but Max is here to help.  

    Whether you’re learning to pray for the first time or you’re hoping to reinvigorate your prayer life, Start with Prayer will change the way you think about your relationship with God. 

    Pairing timeless scripture with thoughtful prayers, Start with Prayer is a special collection of 250 prayers that will help you develop the strength and hope you need to turn to prayer first in any situation you're facing. 

    Adapted from Max’s series of Pocket Prayers with brand new prayers added, Start with Prayer is divided into categories designed to foster prayers that impact every aspect of life, including prayers centered around: 

    • Clarity and creativity  
    • Healing and safety 
    • Inspiration and encouragement 
    • Preservation and endurance  
    • Wisdom and leadership  

    Start with Prayer is a trustworthy resource that you can turn to no matter what season of life you’re in right now, reminding you that starting with prayer is always the right answer. 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateMar 29, 2022
    ISBN9781401606466
    Author

    Max Lucado

    Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

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    Start with Prayer - Max Lucado

    INTRODUCTION

    Moses prayed, and the Red Sea opened.

    Abraham prayed, and Lot’s family was spared.

    Elijah prayed, and fire fell.

    Joshua prayed, and the walls of Jericho collapsed.

    Nehemiah prayed, and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.

    The disciples prayed, and the church was born.

    The church prayed, and Peter was freed.

    Peter and Cornelius prayed, and the gospel was taken to the world.

    Do you think things happen when people pray? Yes!

    God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day . . . I tell you, God will help his people quickly (Luke 18:7–8 NCV).

    When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer out of it, my Father in heaven goes into action (Matt. 18:19 THE MESSAGE).

    And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will (1 John 5:14 TLB).

    Is any other spiritual activity promised such power? Did Jesus call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but he did call us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).

    God is moved by the humble, prayerful heart. The LORD will hear your crying and he will comfort you. When he hears you, he will help you (Isa. 30:19 NCV).

    We can do much after we pray. But we should do nothing before we pray. Let’s start with prayer.

    PRAYERS for CLARITY AND CREATIVITY

    1

    God is not the author of confusion but of peace.

    1 CORINTHIANS 14:33

    Father, your love is perfect, and your ways are perfect. I cannot begin to understand the depths of your love and wisdom.

    Help me to be wise. As I need to make decisions, give me clarity and peace. You are not a God of confusion, so I want to hear your voice alone.

    Please bring peace to me as I make choices. Keep me far from confused thoughts and close to your perfect peace.

    Thank you for direction and guidance. You always provide for me.

    In the name of my true Provider, amen.

    2

    For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

    2 TIMOTHY 1:7

    Father, you are all-powerful, all-knowing, and almighty. You can move mountains and do wonders beyond my imagination.

    Be with me today when I begin to fear. Remind me that fear is not of you, and replace my fear with peace and love and a sound mind—with clarity.

    Walk closely with my loved ones today as they go in their own directions. Don’t let them be overcome by fear or doubt, but instead fill them with a sense of your love.

    Thank you that I never have a reason to fear, for you have given me the strength to meet any challenge today.

    In your name I pray, amen.

    3

    Be strong and of good courage . . . do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

    1 CHRONICLES 28:20

    Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of all, the almighty God, and the everlasting one.

    Be near to me when I face change. When nothing feels steady, it is hard on me. Give me strength and courage in times of transition.

    Allow me to see you leading the way. May I rely on you, especially when I feel uncertain.

    I am so grateful that even when everything around me feels unstable, you are there. You are my rock. I thank you and praise you for that.

    In Christ’s name, amen.

    4

    Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

    HEBREWS 4:16

    Father, you hear every prayer, and you see every face. You care about your children, including me.

    I’m asking today for clarity. I so often try to figure things out on my own, but right now I’ll stop trying. I surrender my life to you.

    As I surrender my life, I surrender my loved ones’ lives as well. They are yours. Help them approach you with boldness so that they can know your grace.

    Thank you that you’ve promised help in my time of need.

    In Jesus’ name, amen.

    5

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling.

    EPHESIANS 1:17–18

    God, you are good. Evil trembles in your presence. It is no match for your power and for your love.

    Sometimes I get lost in my various roles in life. Remind me today that my identity is found in you.

    Remind my family that there is hope in your calling, that you have a plan for each of their lives, and that it includes loving others as you have loved each of us.

    Thank you for the incredible privilege of being your child. What joy and love you bring to my life.

    In your name I pray, amen.

    6

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

    JAMES 1:5

    God, you are Jehovah-jireh, the giver of everything. You take care of me even before I can ask for help.

    You gave me my talents. When I am feeling uninspired and need new ideas, reignite the passion in me. Give me wisdom, and help me use my imagination to create new ways to reach my potential. Let me be an effective follower of Christ by using my gifts from you.

    Help my supporting circle tap into their talents and use them well. Let your glory shine in their skills so we can celebrate the achievement of our efforts through your mighty work.

    Thank you for the talents you’ve so generously poured on my friends and me. Thank you for abilities that make us diverse and beautiful in your eyes.

    In Jesus’ name, amen.

    7

    The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

    PSALM 119:130

    Father in heaven, you speak all things into being. You create life with your words, and they bring light to the darkness.

    Lord, bring light to my darkness today. The future can feel scary and is filled with the unknown. When my mind strays to anxious thoughts, light a path back to clarity and peace.

    May your light enter my family today and bring understanding. Some of my family members are still learning to trust in you, and I don’t want them to fear the future. Give them peace and clear direction today.

    Thank you for answering my prayers.

    In Christ’s name, amen.

    8

    The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

    PROVERBS 15:33

    My God in heaven, I praise you, for you alone are worthy of praise.

    Sometimes I get too caught up in the details of my life. Help me remember that I have no idea what goes on in the homes of my colleagues. Give me ears to listen and eyes to see. Let me learn from them, and remind me that their life experiences, although different from mine, are valuable.

    Protect my work family, Lord. When they leave me, go with them. Open their hearts so we can learn from one another. Help them learn more than facts, help them learn values and the beginnings of wisdom.

    Thank you for all my colleagues and their families.

    In Christ’s name, amen.

    9

    Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful.

    2 PETER 1:5–8

    Mighty God, you are good. You give strength, knowledge, wisdom, and mercy in abundance, and my cup runs over.

    I want to be an effective follower of Christ. I want to pass on not only knowledge but also your love to my friends, letting them see you through my creativity. Let me be productive in my work. Help my colleagues excel in their hard work.

    Bless our community. Unify us; give us common goals. Help us get along and love one another so we can work together well to serve our community.

    Thank you for loving and giving. Thank you for pouring yourself into my life. Your mercy is my strength.

    In your name, amen.

    10

    There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh.

    ECCLESIASTES 3:1–4 NIV

    God, you are the ultimate timekeeper. You have mapped the perfect plan for our lives and know the number of our days.

    Help me discern good timing—to know the time for firm discipline in my home and the time for laughter, to recognize when I need a listening ear and open arms and when my family needs advice and counsel.

    Help me remember the importance of a willingness to learn. Please help me create goals that will serve as motivation.

    Thank you for your plans, for they are greater than ours.

    In your eternal name, amen.

    11

    Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

    PROVERBS 9:9 NIV

    Father in heaven, you are the source of all knowledge, the provider of all things great and small.

    Please give me a mentor—someone who can provide ideas and techniques that will make me a better worker. Remind me why I chose my profession. Give me a heart willing to listen and the ability to mentor someone else in the future.

    As others near retirement, bless their work. Instill in them the desire to mentor newer workers and to pass on their strategies and plans, helping newer professionals impact lives for coming generations.

    Thank you for the wisdom of talented teachers, mentors, and advisors. Thank you for making me a lifelong student, seeking you most of all, Father.

    In Christ’s name, amen.

    12

    Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

    PROVERBS 16:20 NIV

    Jesus, your teaching instructs my heart and soul.

    There is no one greater than you.

    Make me eager to listen to and learn from others. Sometimes professional development seems unnecessary, but give me a willing heart to learn and to apply new ideas to my career so I can grow.

    Give my company the ability to see when employees need more encouragement and help in order to make our business stronger.

    Thank you for being the example of the ultimate leader. Thank you for mercy and grace and for showing us the value of living each day by walking in the ways you’ve laid out for us.

    In your holy name, amen.

    13

    God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

    2 CORINTHIANS 9:8 NIV

    God, through your gifts you pour your unending love over us. You bless us so we can bless others.

    Please give me clarity of mind and an extra dose of creativity when I’m focusing on my work plans and projects. Help me see each person as you do: unique.

    Give me

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