The Prayers of Black Women

February 21

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Prayer

Father God in a world that demands much, spiritual renewal is needed daily. Sadly, the process of regenerating one’s mind is grossly overlooked because of the demands of life. As a result, many that love you are unable to take hold of your promise; therefore, today’s request is asking for you to fill your empty vessels with peace that will allow the renewing of the spirit. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

February 2

Don’t withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.
Proverbs 3:27

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend about another friend’s unfortunate situation. Our discussion was about everyone in my friend’s household having COVID. The friend that I was discussing made a hard decision to nurse one of her children that caught COVID. She’d hope her child could have remained in the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, according to my friend, the doctors weren’t treating her daughter’s illness to standards that had a favorable outcome. So my friend checked her daughter out of the hospital and took her home to nurse back to health.

I gotta give it to my friend! She’s badass! But her choice came with a cost of not knowing the end price that will be paid. She, her elderly husband and a daughter each tested positive with COVID, with her having worse symptoms than her husband and daughter. I better wrap this thought up!

Well, my friend was concerned for everyone’s health. She found a place for her younger children to stay but no one wanted to take her elderly husband. I told my friend, “Girl, if I was there I would take him.” She responded with “strangers are always nicer than family.” I have thoughts on who’s family; however, that’s a topic for a later date.

Any-who-how, my friend listened to my friend’s story until I said, I told her I would help. That’s when my friend said, “No, you can’t afford to help anyone at the moment. You’re always taking on other people’s problems and forgoing your own. God wants us to help others but not to our detriment. Something you always end up doing.” The funny thing about what my friend was saying came across as harsh, unkind and definitely unloving. Yet, her stern words were my truth and the truth of countless others. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father of the Universe, thank you for this wonderful day filled with your endless mercies. Your word asks that we help others when it’s within our power. Yet, for many of us we tend to over do things when it comes to helping others; and, sadly, our overzealousness unintentionally removes you from the equation. Temper our spirits of “Good Will” so that our efforts are pleasing to you and spiritually rewarding to the doer and the receiver. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 28

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,
Deuteronomy 1:30 NIV

Sometimes people lose sight of their main goal(s) when they become distracted by fear. Goals are awesome dreams waiting to be born that are sometimes aborted because of conflict supported by self-doubt. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father God, we come to you seeking refuge. Refuge for our souls and our aspirations. Give our hearts peace concerning the fate of goals that are seemingly in jeopardy because of enemies. Block their efforts and never let us be afraid of their weapons as we take hold of your promises. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 26

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 16:18

After being informed that a group of rouge spirits had taken control of a task they ignored for over thirty years, I was told not to be upset. I was puzzled and later confused as to why several people thought I would take offense to being overruled. For me, the situation I was handling netted me next to nothing but benefited others greatly. Only small minded people that lack self-worth would be upset. I worked through my mental whatever’s within less than 24 hours. Hell! It didn’t even take that long for me to realize I was wasting time sulking over their losses! I saw the situation for what it was and is. I prayed for the naïve individuals that followed the Pied Piper and moved on. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. I pray protection and release for those that are held captive by deceptive individuals. People who deceive others only care about their outcome, as their victims lay in their wake. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 5, 2020

There is no “reset” button in life. You can’t take anything back, and you can’t undo anything. All of your actions have consequences, and the things you say and do today will have a lasting impact on the rest of your life. You have to understand that, and you have to be aware of it while making your decisions.
Author Unknown

I’m still wrestling with naming my guilt a day later. I wonder how many others are doing the same. For some, such as me, the guilt that enters our thoughts was imposed upon us. And, thus, make it hard to name. It’s too bad those that wronged us have no clue how deeply their words and or deeds impacted our lives. Their actions tied us to emotions that are for better or for worse. Let’s pray!

Prayer

Father God, bring clarity to imposed guilt. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 3, 2022

And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it–only those who walk in the Way–and fools will not stray onto it.
Isaiah 35:8

Wow! When I discovered this scripture I had no clue it would minister to me. Mainly, because it was a random scripture I found and enjoyed. However, according to Michael J. Chan, “Isaiah 35 is a powerful poetic word of comfort for the mourning Judahite exiles, who lost their temple, land, and sovereignty.”

I felt I’ve lost everything I worked so hard to gain trying to help ~~foolish~~ people I thought needed saving. In the end I realized after my sacrifices all they needed were firm black and white choices. A revelation that came years after my soul began to cry loudly about the losses in my life.

In retrospect I was the foolish one. My good hearted nature leaves me with complex feelings of failure and mourning the wonderful life I no longer live. And the funny thing about my wounds is, I’m not alone. There are countless others feeling the same for many reasons of their own. Let’s pray!

Prayer

Father God, it’s a new year with endless possibilities. Walk with us on our Earthly journey keeping our feet from straying onto a fools highway. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

Thursday, December 31, 2021

to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,
Isa 61:2 NIV

There are times in life when we must say farewell to the old and accept the new. For me it was saying good-bye to my mom and accepting the new norm of truly living life without her. Everyday since her death she’s in my thoughts. Some are fleeting and others linger; but, living without her has its challenges and strangely enough its rewards. With the coming new year I give myself high hopes as her personal representative to give her a strong finish. Her life demands that! As my life beckons me to return and continue to move forwards in all that I started before her life needs interrupted my journey. Let’s pray!

Prayer

Father God the newest year is hours away. Let us walk into the year of our Lord 2022 with your favor and live abundant lives. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 29

God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31, NIV

On headstones the most important symbol is the dash between the day you’re born and the day you die. The dash represents your courage to live. Most people don’t understand that. Sadly a ton of folks live their days scared. Their behavior is like gambling with scared money. If they lose at whatever is meaningful to them it’s hard for them to forgive themselves. As they pack up their marbles, hang up their towel or do whatever sends a clear message of defeat to their souls. As you live life, always be encouraged. The most important meaning for the dash is: Life is about living courageously! Let’s pray!

PRAYER:

Father, God, please remove the fear that hinders me from living my best life. Replace it with your strength and your courage so I can see the plans you have for me. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 13

QUESTION: Why would you ask God to show mercy to your enemy?

²⁰Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Luke 23:20

It’s been decades since I’ve read the story about the crucifixion of Jesus. After reading so much of Luke Chapter 23, now, I know why! It brings me to tears! How can people be unkind to each other? Aren’t we striving for the same thing such as living an abundant life? Life is so much easier when logic and understanding enters into relationships, business deals and or learning how to love one’s self. But it seems from rereading Luke Chapter 23, people have been repeating history in such a way that someone is always in the role of Jesus as others seek their demise. How! So! Horrible! And if you peel back the layers of unhappy people and get to the core of who they are naked in spirit, you’ll find jealousy, envy and everything else that goes with no hope. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, I’m sitting in the hot-seat like my Savior. I’ve done nothing. Yet, my enemies surround me as if I’ve started a war against them. Their evil actions at times scare me as my soul seeks safety and security that only you can give. So, why would I pray for my enemies and what would I ask you for? Well, Lord, I pray for your peace. For it’s clear to see everyone needs it in times where there is no hope. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 12

QUESTION: How do people pray for their enemies?

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:44 -45

Photo by TUBARONES PHOTOGRAPHY on Pexels.com

Yesterday as I chatted with a friend we were discussing how do you pray for an enemy. My thoughts were traveling within my mind a mile per minute and my words exiting my mouth just as fast. Since he couldn’t get a word in edgewise my friend finally gave in letting me talk. I guess he’d figured I needed to vent first and then enjoy discussing the topic.

Once he got a chance to add to the conversation this is what he said: “Sometimes people are filled with so much pain that they lash out at others. Their victims are people they know won’t fight back or don’t know how to fight back. And when their actions don’t produce pain or enough pain to show they’ve hurt someone their anger produces more internal pain. Thus creating a vicious cycle within them until change occurs or they die.” Wow!

I have a circle of amazing friends. They add value to my life. I can only pray I do the same for their lives.

Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, I wish my enemies could know you like I’ve come to know you. I wish they could feel the warmth of your mercy like I feel it throughout each day. To live filled with anger, hurt, envy, jealousy and have no hope to boot, is a terrible way to live life. I pray for not only my enemies to be delivered but for others that harbor the same. Life is wonderful and it is so worth living free from the pitfalls of humankind. Speak gently to their shallow and wounded souls your peace and understanding. Amen