two minute prayers
There’s beauty in the way God settles our spirits when we come to Him in Praise and Thanksgiving. As we center our thoughts on an attribute of God — His goodness, love, patience, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, holiness, or strength — we may notice our breathing has slowed, our mind has quieted, and our tension released; even before we voice our concerns to the Lord, our troubled heart is being transformed.
We’re remembering God’s incredible love toward us and this reminds us that GOD IS ACTUALLY ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.
God’s presence and peace cover us as we remember Who He is, what He’s capable of, what His heart is for us, and what He’s already done. We may want to rush in with all our needs, but it’s good to remember that God knows everything about us, and He’s simply calling us to sit down with Him.
“REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU.”
Faithful.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Lord, You are faithful.
By Your very character, You cannot be anything else.
You are committed and devoted to us. We praise You Lord that Your faithfulness doesn't depend upon us.
Your loyalty and consistency is simply who You are.
We know that none of us are perfect, so we come to You to confess and repent. Open our hearts Lord and show us what grieves You. Forgive us Lord and help us to turn away from those things.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us, and know our anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Thank you Lord for forgiveness.
Thank you for being steadfast even when we waver, even when we fail.
Thank you for reminding us who You are in Your word.
Thank you for Your promises and thank you for completing the works You've started in us.
You are faithful.
Lord, we feel our need for You now more than before. All around us there is loss and change and a new way of living.
We know You see. We know You are faithful.
Lead us, speak to us, guide us how to live. Help us to not waver right now Lord.
Press on our spirits HOW to love each other, HOW to serve each other, HOW to comfort each other.
Help us see what laying our lives down looks like. And give us hearts to truly love our neighbors.
Stretch our compassion.
Teach us how You would respond and adjust our thinking.
Help us to have Your heart.
Remind us that we are Your vessels for Your purpose, and may people see and feel Your faithful love poured out.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Able.
Lord, we praise You. You are Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).
You see us and you know us.
You are able Lord and we worship You.
We know that none of us are perfect, so we come to you to confess and repent. Open our hearts Lord and show us what grieves You. Forgive us Lord and help us to turn away from those things.
Thank you for Your presence and Your power in our lives.
You are faithful to us.
Thank you for the way you've brought people together in one spirit.
Thank you for the way people are serving one another.
Thank you for the empathy and compassion you've stirred up in people's hearts.
We trust You Lord.
We know that You are Able and nothing is too hard for you.
Please Lord, we humbly call out to You, please end the virus.
Help scientists to develop a vaccine and help plasma donations to help sick people.
Please protect our front line workers.
Provide for people who have lost their jobs.
Help people to work together as a community by thinking of other people ahead of themselves.
Bring comfort to people who are hurting and bring peace to people who are anxious.
Please renew our hope.
We love you Lord and we know that You are Able.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Defender.
For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12
Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you…2 Chronicles 20:15, 17
LORD, we praise You that You are our Defender and the battle belongs to You.
You are in control and You are not overcome.
We praise You that this is not our fight.
You lead our hearts to settle down. You tell us to stand still.
We praise You that You are with us.
You are mighty and powerful and You see everything.
We see Your strength and even though we’re shaking, we know we are safe.
There is none like You.
Your word says that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Open our hearts Lord and show us what grieves You.
Forgive us Lord and help us to turn away from those things.
Thank you for Your forgiveness.
Thank you for the simple way you have led us to the end of ourselves.
For the way You have narrowed our scope.
Even though we are hurting, we know that Your love is great.
Our eyes are upon You.
Increase our love toward one another.
Help our hearts to be genuinely thoughtful of what other people need.
Lead us in sincere consideration of the people around us.
As stay at home orders are lifted, give us wisdom.
Give us wisdom to know what to do and what not to do.
Give us wisdom to know where to go and where not to go.
Guard us, protect us, defend us.
We’re standing still Lord, and our eyes are upon You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love inspirational prayers?
Give your soul what it’s longing for + grab a copy of RISE UP.
Compassionate.
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:8-9
We praise You Lord, that in Your compassion, you share in our suffering. You are completely aware of every detail of our lives and you care about every single one of us.
Truly you see and you know. You are full of grace and mercy. We praise you Lord for your tenderness toward us.
You are not a God who is far off but You are present with us, inside our spirits, and you know our worries.
You are patient with us and Your mercy never ends.
We praise You for Your compassion toward us and all we are experiencing.
We know that none of us are perfect, so we come to You to confess and repent. Open our hearts Lord and show us what grieves You. Forgive us Lord and help us to turn away from those things.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us, and know our anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Thank you for your forgiveness Lord.
Thank you that these times have brought our communities together.
Thank you that people have come to You in their need.
Thank you that you're here with us.
Thank you for people who have stepped in to serve.
Thank you for those sewing and cooking and donating.
Thank you for all the parents teaching their children at home.
Thank you for the lessening.
Please be gracious and merciful toward people who are doing what they're not used to doing. Strengthen them, equip them, and be their strong source of hope.
Turn our faces to You Lord.
Remind us of the tender mercies you've shown in our lives over and over.
Remind us of Your faithfulness and remind us of how patient You truly are toward us.
Help us to give grace freely and joyfully to everyone we meet.
Help our hands and our hearts to be open, to love people the way You do, and to share their suffering.
Help us to be present for one another and to have Your eyes to see.
We trust You with every single thing Lord and humble ourselves before You.
Be our great deliverer.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Encourager.
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
But Jesus came and touched them and said “Arise, and do not be afraid.” Matthew 17:7
You hold our hand.
You promise to help us.
You tell us to be of good cheer.
You touch us and lift our elbow to stand up.
You encourage us to not be afraid.
You have always stood with us, always helped us, and never let us down.
We’re straining to see ahead, to a place we don’t know.
Will today be better than tomorrow? Lord God we hope not. Have mercy on us.
You remind us that our faith heals us and makes us well. But all we see are people suffering and dying.
What healing is this Lord?
And yet, You draw our gaze to rest on You.
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” Matthew 9:2
We want physical healing, but You promise more.
You are the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
And you require so little from us. Just the tiniest faith. Just a sincere heart.
Be of good cheer. I am with You. Do not be afraid.
Forgive us Lord where we fall short. We know that all You want is our heart to be set on You, to know that nothing is impossible for You.
We humble ourselves Lord, knowing that we cannot help ourselves.
We need You Lord.
Be with our leaders, our scientists, our researchers, our healthcare workers. Lead them, guide them, sustain them, protect them.
You alone are able to do all this. You alone Lord.
Our hope is in You.
We know You are saying “Arise.”
Give us courage and strength and determination to not be afraid.
We know that anything is possible with You.
We love and trust You Lord.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.