Nov 19 – Day 323. Give God Thanks. Philemon 1.4

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.” (Philemon 1:4)

Welcome to another daily prayer. Pray without ceasing.  Let gratitude flow freely from your heart and uplift others in your thoughts and prayers. Let us come before our God with a grateful heart, constantly remembering him in our prayers and lifting him up with each thought and moment of reflection. The Lord's presence in our lives will inspire us, and we should make it a point to express our appreciation for him in every prayer we offer.

Transcript

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to another episode of EBC’s Prayer Podcast. Today is November 19, the 323rd day of the year—a moment to reflect on our journey and the grace we have received thus far.

I’m your host, Dr. Victoria Haddad, the First Lady and Prayer Leader at the Elyon Bible Church Apostolic located in Salem, NJ. It is a privilege to gather with all of you as we deepen our faith and connect through prayer.

As part of our mission, we are continuing our prayer journey through the 66 books of the Bible. 

Today, our reflection will be on Philemon 1:4, which reads: “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.” 

The Lord wants us to express gratitude and to intercede for one another because of the vital role prayer plays in building and nurturing our spiritual relationships.

Let us open our hearts to the significance of prayer in our lives, embracing the encouragement to uplift those around us in our daily conversations with God.

Let’s pray

Dear Heavenly Father. Our Faithful and Wonderful Savior. Father, we come before you with heartfelt gratitude for the precious gift of prayer, overwhelmed by the privilege of prayer. 

Lord, thanking you for life, for breath, for hope, and for the deep assurance that you hear us when we call. You are faithful, unchanging, and kind, and for that, we bow in reverence and adoration.

Father, “thank you  for reminding us to make mention of everyone always in our prayers.” 

Thank you for the people you have placed in our lives, thank you for our family, thank you for friends, thank you for loved ones. 

Lord, thank you to our brothers and sisters who are in the faith, in our churches. Thank you for each one you have gifted us with, each one a testimony of your goodness. And we are honored to lift everyone we encounter before in prayer.

Lord, remember every one of us.  Remember those who are weary, strengthen them. For those carrying heavy burdens, lighten their load and remind them of your Salvation. You are reminding us to “Come unto you, all who labor and are heavy laden, and you will give you rest.” 

Lord, remember those who are rejoicing today, multiply their joy, and let them never forget that every good and perfect gift comes from you.

Father, help us to never stop praising you. Help us to encourage one another, to sharpen one another, to carry one another’s burdens, and to celebrate one another’s victories. 

Lord, help us to be a blessing to others, to always remember others in our prayers, to never grow weary of lifting others before you, to never limit the moment we pray, for prayer is the most loving gift we can give others.

Lord, we are laying everything at your feet. Lay your hand of healing over those who are sick in their body, those who are sick in their mind, and those who are sick in their spirit. Pour out your comfort upon everyone.

Where there is pain, remove it and send peace where there is turmoil, and clarity where there is confusion. 

Help us to remember that you, our Lord, Jehovah Rapha, is the Lord who heals, and the God of grace who is sufficient even in our weakness.

Father, where there is misunderstanding, bring clarity. Where there is bitterness, sow forgiveness. Where there is distance, draw hearts close together again. Let love be the binding cord that holds us together.

Lord, help us to live in a way that someone might thank you for us. Not because of our works, but because of the grace you are pouring into our lives that overflows to others. May our lives be an offering of encouragement, kindness, faith, and prayer to everyone we meet.

Father, where there is misunderstanding, bring clarity in our minds, where there is bitterness, Lord, remove it and forgive us. Where there is distance, draw our hearts closer to you. Let us love you unconditionally. Let your love be the binding cord that holds us together. 

Lord, help us to live in a way that someone else can give you thanks, and everyone will see your glory in us. Help us not to live by our works, but because of the grace you are pouring into us. Let our lives overflow to others, and be an offering of encouragement, kindness, faith, and prayer for everyone we meet.

Lord, remind us daily that even when our words fall short, even when our prayer never goes as expected, we just can’t pray. Even when we don’t know exactly what to pray, God, you are praying and interceding for us with groanings we cannot understand. 

Thank you for hearing our prayers, and thank you for answering our prayers. Thank you for reminding us that you desire to make intercessions for us when we cannot pray.

As we go through this day, please bless us, protect us, and guide us. Keep us in your perfect peace, surround us with your loving hands, and draw us ever closer to you. Keep us safe, God, remove distraction, remove fear, remove everything that is not of you as we go through this day.

In the glorious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray…Amen.

Everyone. Keep on praying, trust God. Have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow. Bye-bye.