It’s Prayer Vigil Friday! 07/22/11

Therefore encourage one another and edify one another, just as you are doing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

I’d like to start this Prayer Vigil Friday with a beautiful prayer submitted by a new friend:

Dear God, Please help me, and those who are in this silent plight, to walk through this challenge with faith, strength and hope so that we can grow and become better people. Help us accept your will serenity and light up our paths so that we make choices that benefit us. Amen.

Welcome to Prayer Vigil Friday.

Every single day, no matter the day I’ve had, I thank God for the community of women I have become part of. I have gained more strength, more understanding, and more reason to hope than I ever thought possible. I pray that God will bless all of you. I pray that you feel His comforting hands on your shoulders.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7

Heavenly Father, help me to feel Your presence in every situation and every circumstance. You are with me, Lord, in times of celebration and in times of sorrow. You never leave my side even when it seems to me that You are far away. Today and every day, let me feel You and acknowledge Your presence so that others, too, might know You through me. Amen

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.~ John 16:33

Please pray for couples who are struggling with infertility. Pray that God will bless the marriages of these couples and the bonds that have developed between them. Pray that God will strengthen their marriages as they share the burden of disappointments and losses – and also as they provide hope and encouragement for each other. Pray they remain strong in their faith, and that together they lean on God for support, and remember His strength when they are weak.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence my help cometh. ~Psalm 121:1…The visualization this verse brings is incredible. When you feel you’ve hit a wall, when you feel you’ve been beaten, that you’ve lost the fight, when life feels at its darkest, you lift your eyes to the hills – and just as the glorious light of God breaks over the grassy top of the hill, your hope is renewed, His power overwhelms you, and you find your strength and your passion for life renewed.

But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. ~Psalm 71: 14

We rejoice for those who have won their battle against infertility and who have received their confirmations of pregnancy this week! Pray that God bless our friends who are so excited, yet still live with that twinge of fear we have all become accustomed to in our struggles. Pray that their bodies remain strong and their babies healthy.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety. ~Psalm 16: 9

Please pray for those suffering from endometriosis. Pray for strength and perseverance as they continue their battle against this disease.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. ~Ephesians 6:18

Pray for those of us just coming out of our two week wait, knowing that we have another month of trying ahead of us. Pray that we not lose our faith, our hope, our hearts nor our heads. Pray for healing and for strength.

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. ~Romans 15: 13

Put some time aside today, even if it’s a few minutes or 20 minutes. Close the door, close your eyes, dim the lights, light a candle, whatever you need to do to focus and spend some prayerful time with God. Pray for women you know, pray for women you don’t know. Then take some time and pray for yourself. Spend some time reflecting over the past week, over any frustrations you’ve had, whatever you’ve been putting off talking over with God. Get angry if you need to. Cry if you need to. Smile and give thanks if you need to!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

This scripture truly is what Prayer Vigil Friday is all about:

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” ~Matthew 18:19-20

Let’s join in one big prayer all day today!