Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Thank you for bringing this request before the Lord and inviting others to pray with you. We join with you in faith and give thanks that we can come to God through Jesus Christ alone.
Your desire for God's favor, for His power against darkness, and for His glory to be seen is right and good. Scripture helps us understand how God works in these things so our prayers are shaped by His wisdom.
Miracles are truly from God, and for Him to do whatever He wills is as easy as for us to speak, it suffices that He will and it is done. Yet the Lord has always given miracles not for show or for pomp of words, but as pledges of His power to confirm His truth and to make His invisible Kingdom manifest. When He was about to teach a new way of life, He confirmed it with signs so that people would believe the message. For that reason miracles without a life of obedience are nothing. Grace is freely received and freely given, it cannot be bought and it is not to be used to lift ourselves up. The greatest wonder is not only a sign itself, but that ordinary people hear the gospel and are changed without wealth or persuasive words, by the divine power at work in them.
So when we ask for favor, we do not seek it by repeating many words, but by strong and faithful minds, by skill in the Scriptures, and by giving ourselves to the toils that virtue requires. Putting away excuses and seeking to live as God calls us to live is the way we attract His favor and find Him helping us in our struggles.
And when we pray against principalities and powers of darkness, we remember that this is a good warfare. It is a mighty contest that requires strong arms, sobriety, continual vigilance and readiness. God calls each of us to our place in it, especially to be steadfast in teaching and in prayer, not relaxed but alert and prepared for the conflict.
With these things in mind, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have made a way to Yourself through Jesus Christ Your Son. We ask for Your will to be done and for Your glory to be seen in our lives and throughout the world. Grant us not only outward blessings but hearts that obey You and walk in holiness, so that our lives confirm the truth of Your gospel. Give us wisdom in Your Word and strength to stand sober and watchful against the schemes of the enemy. Where You in Your wisdom choose to show Your power in miracles, we welcome Your work, and we trust You to do what is best to draw people to Christ and to build Your Kingdom. Keep us humble, keep us faithful, and make us witnesses who speak Your truth with boldness. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Amen.
Your desire for God's favor, for His power against darkness, and for His glory to be seen is right and good. Scripture helps us understand how God works in these things so our prayers are shaped by His wisdom.
Miracles are truly from God, and for Him to do whatever He wills is as easy as for us to speak, it suffices that He will and it is done. Yet the Lord has always given miracles not for show or for pomp of words, but as pledges of His power to confirm His truth and to make His invisible Kingdom manifest. When He was about to teach a new way of life, He confirmed it with signs so that people would believe the message. For that reason miracles without a life of obedience are nothing. Grace is freely received and freely given, it cannot be bought and it is not to be used to lift ourselves up. The greatest wonder is not only a sign itself, but that ordinary people hear the gospel and are changed without wealth or persuasive words, by the divine power at work in them.
So when we ask for favor, we do not seek it by repeating many words, but by strong and faithful minds, by skill in the Scriptures, and by giving ourselves to the toils that virtue requires. Putting away excuses and seeking to live as God calls us to live is the way we attract His favor and find Him helping us in our struggles.
And when we pray against principalities and powers of darkness, we remember that this is a good warfare. It is a mighty contest that requires strong arms, sobriety, continual vigilance and readiness. God calls each of us to our place in it, especially to be steadfast in teaching and in prayer, not relaxed but alert and prepared for the conflict.
With these things in mind, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have made a way to Yourself through Jesus Christ Your Son. We ask for Your will to be done and for Your glory to be seen in our lives and throughout the world. Grant us not only outward blessings but hearts that obey You and walk in holiness, so that our lives confirm the truth of Your gospel. Give us wisdom in Your Word and strength to stand sober and watchful against the schemes of the enemy. Where You in Your wisdom choose to show Your power in miracles, we welcome Your work, and we trust You to do what is best to draw people to Christ and to build Your Kingdom. Keep us humble, keep us faithful, and make us witnesses who speak Your truth with boldness. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Amen.
