__August 2012___
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Prayer Calendar of St. John’ s Lannon___________
Wed. Aug. 1 I recommend that the self-examination be made on our knees, rising to obey God’s commandments
as they are revealed to us from the Word. There is nothing romantic or colorful about this plain downright way of
dealing with ourselves, but it gets the work done. A.W. Tozer
1 Cor. 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine
yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of
course, you fail the test? Eph. 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
**Holy Spirit of Truth, help us to truly examine ourselves, not just with our own methods and our warped truth, but may we
use the magnifying glass of Scripture to check out our sin. This is a slow and painful process, but so freeing, for : If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness1 John 1:9. Thank
you for this assurance we have because of the loving work of our Savior Jesus who revealed himself in Scripture. Amen
Thurs. Aug. 2 Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. Corrie Ten Boom
Matt 6:34 …do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
**Oh Dear LORD, to live above our fears! To find the freedom to just trust in you for every tomorrow & every need! Forgive
us for times we have allowed worry & stress to drown out the joy we have in you and all the blessings of your abiding love.
Help us to look to our Savior, who lived, died and rose for us. Help us remember how he lived on earth in the simplicity of
knowing his relationship with his Heavenly Father and the joy of living in obedience to Him. Hear us in his name. Amen.
Fri. Aug. 3 Do you need help today? Lift up your hands to the Lord in supplication and in expectation, and soon
you will lift up your hands in jubilation and celebration. --Warren W. Wiersbe
Psalm 34:1,4,18 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I sought the Lord, and he answered
me; he delivered me from all my fears. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
**Dearest LORD, we are praying for the many who today are still reeling in pain and anguish over the shootings in
Colorado. The senseless loss of life as well as the many injured physically and emotionally create fear, doubt and anger.
Help those injured to heal fully; those who are traumatized, to get through this with support from loved ones and especially
with your Holy Spirit’s help in the comforting words of Scripture. Restore trust where it has been lost. Open hearts to hear
and believe your words of eternal life even through death.. May we all number our days, realizing we have no assurance of
safety or happiness on this earth, but through Jesus, we have every reason to rejoice in an eternity with him. Amen.
Sat. Aug. 4 Stuff your eyes with wonder…live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world, It’s more
fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ray Bradbury
Matt 6:28b-29 See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these. Is 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. For the
beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise.
For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon and
stars of light, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise. ( by John Rutter)
Dear LORD, thank you for the many places you have given us to vacation & to enjoy your beautiful creation. Although our
world is wracked with sin, it is still a place of unbelievable beauty & splendor. May we take the opportunity to enjoy this
blessing & to grow in our love toward you as we enjoy rest & relaxation. Help us to care for your creation, but not to worship
it. You alone are worthy to be praised & given credit and glory for your creation. Thank you in our Savior’s name. Amen.
Sun. Aug. 5 You might as well try to hear without ears or breathe without lungs, as to try to live a Christian life
without the Spirit of God in your heart.--D.L. Moody
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of
God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Gal 5:17 For the sinful
nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each
other, so that you do not do what you want.
**Try as I may not to LORD, I sin every single day. Just when I think I’m doing well, that old pride steps in. Just when I’m
treating people in a Christ-like manner, all of a sudden I start judging them or thinking poorly. Man it’s frustrating! But then,
my conscience drives me back to you for forgiveness; for the peace that passes understanding and for HELP! Thank you,
Holy Spirit, for working through the words of Scripture in the many Bible passages I have memorized in my head. I am so
grateful I had to learn these as a child. Please allow our Christian grade schools to thrive where children are taught daily
these truths of Scripture. Please let parents see the importance of Christian education and the necessity of teaching their
children Scriptures in the home. Hear and help in the name of Jesus our Savior who sent his Spirit in our midst. Amen.
Mon. Aug. 6 How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?--Oscar Wilde
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
**LORD, today we are stunned by the horrible news of the shooting in South Milwaukee in the Sikh church. We ask you to
be with those families who have lost loved ones. We thank you for protecting those who found safety behind locked doors
but pray for those young children and others who were undoubtedly traumatized as they heard what was going on. We ask
especially that the Sikh community come to know you, the true God and Jesus Christ, our Savior from sin so they might
spend eternity with us. Thank you for the men who stepped in to stop this evil shooting so more were not injured or killed.
Thank you for the medical team and the others who are always on call to help those physically in need. Heal those who are
injured quickly and completely as in your holy will. Lead us, as Christians to take time to learn about the teachings of false
religions; to understand them and to reach out to them in love, for that is the only way we have to gain access in telling them
individually about their Savior. Father, keep us and our loved ones in the true faith, that we worship you the only true God
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. It is in his name we pray (Romans 8:28) And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Amen
Tues. Aug. 7 Let us never forget that what we are is more important than what we do. James Hudson Taylor
1 John 3:1-2 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! & that is what
we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, &
what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see
him as he is. 2 Cor. 3:4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.
**What a privilege it is, LORD, to be called your child! How confident we can be, resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Dearest Heavenly Father, thank you for making us your children by allowing your own son to suffer and die for us. We will
never be able to fully understand that kind of love, but help us to live our lives in grateful appreciation, telling others of your
love; showing them the sacrificial love of our Savior, so they too may become part of the family of believers. Thank you for
bringing us into your family through baptism. Remind us of our position in Christ at all times and help us remind our children
of their station, encouraging them to live for you in whatever they do. Hear us for the sake of our Savior, Jesus. Amen
Wed. Aug. 8 The Law & the Gospel are two keys. The Law is the key that shutteth up all men under condemnation,
and the Gospel is the key which opens the door and lets them out. William Tyndale
2 Cor. 3:7-10 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the
Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the
Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that
brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
**Almighty God, we cannot keep your holy law perfectly and in our own flesh we tremble before you as the Israelites when
looking into the face of Moses who had beheld a small part of your glory. Thank you for the Gospel message which has
given us the righteousness of our Savior, Jesus. We can now face you with all confidence, knowing we have forgiveness
through him. What a beautiful message of hope and love I have, knowing my Savior did it all that I might have eternal life in
Heaven. Help us to love your law and seek to keep it. Thank you for your forgiveness when we fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thurs. Aug. 9 Salvation is a work of God for man, rather than a work of man for God. Lewis Sperry Chafer
Titus 3:5-6 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the
washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
**My Dear Jesus, what could I possibly give to you in payment for your life and love given to me!? There is nothing worth
counting as payment, but please accept my heart and my love. I know even those are gracious gifts from you As Alvin Hall
put it: Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. For nothing
good have IWhereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. Amen
Fri. Aug. 10 The sinner who tries to cover his tracks is never going to prosper or get ahead, while the sinner who
confesses and forsakes what he’s done will experience much-needed mercy.Bob Coy
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
** Dearest Jesus, how foolish we are to allow our sinful pride to keep us from confessing our sin! The sleepless nights, the
pangs of conscience and the wasted time in making excuses for our behavior are just part of the agony of unconfessed sins.
Broken relationships and more lies often are the continued harvest of those sins we nurture rather than just confessing and
receiving your grace and mercy. Forgive us, LORD, help us to rip off the bandage covering any sin we hold from others
we’ve hurt or think we are hiding from you. May we confess and renounce to find our peace and forgiveness in you. Amen
Sat. Aug. 11 The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will
say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" A.W. Tozer
Ps 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth Pro 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 1 John 1:7 if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
**LORD, you have revealed to me the truth of life. You have given wisdom through your the words of Scripture that I have
been privileged to know and embrace by the power of your Holy Spirit. You brought me into your family through the waters
of baptism and the Word. Now help me to walk in the light as you are in the light. Help me to shine like the stars in the
heavens. Oh Lord, be my light and be my salvation, for all I want is to be in the light. Jesus, you are my light in whose holy
name I pray in whose strength I live and breathe & have my being. No matter what happens in life, keep me close. Amen.
Sun. Aug. 12 If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him. Those
who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants. --William Penn (1644-1718), founder of Pennsylvania
2 Chron. 1:10-11 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people
of yours?" God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor
for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my
people over whom I have made you king,
**Dear Almighty Heavenly Father and ruler of all, give our leaders the desire to first serve you, their constituents secondly
and themselves thirdly. This Tuesday in our primary elections and in the very important elections this coming November,
may we as a nation and as individuals seek out candidates who will do your holy will. May each of our leaders study your
word and be led by the Holy Spirit to do what is right in your eyes, for this will be the best for our nation as well. Give all
who serve humility and the willingness to be governed by you so that they would have the wisdom to lead as you would
have them to serve. Hear us in Jesus, who always lived to serve out of love for us and obedience to you. Amen
Mon Aug 13 God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not the choice. You must accept it The only
choice is how. Henry Ward Beecher.
Psalm 17:6, 14b,15 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of
your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes…You still the hunger of those
you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I--in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Deut. 7:21 for the Lord your God…is a great and awesome God.
**You are a great & awesome God! Help me today to dwell on the beautiful; to think about the wonder & to live in
celebration of life. Forgive the times I have been negative & crabby; when I’ve allowed aches & pains or troubles &
annoyances to get me down. I have so very much for which to be thankful; so many blessings in life! Help me to think on
those things & to praise you for being my God and Savior. I am truly Blessed. May I be a blessing to you & others. Amen
Tues. Aug. 14 The emotional roller coaster of dealing with grief might make you want to isolate yourself. When
you’ve been befriended by a fellow sufferer named Jesus, whose heart aches for you and with you. You will also
have much more patience and empathy with the people around you. Jesus suffered everything we do- and more.
And He offers the eternal solution to temporary suffering. Mark Jeske
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men
hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
**Heavenly Father, when we are grieving or facing troubles it is often difficult to face others. Sometimes we just crawl into a
shell and don’t want to be near the very people who could bring us comfort and possibly help to bring up our moods. We
don’t want others to see us as weak, needy and vulnerable, but the truth is, we are all in need of relationship and require the
support of another who can understand our pain. While it is true no human can understand our needs completely, you
alone, dear Jesus, know exactly what is necessary for us to cope. Since you have “been there” in reality as a human and
have been with us in our pain, may we trust you with our hurts, our fears, our pain and sorry. Thank you for providing for us
so we do not have to suffer for eternity. Be with us as we suffer temporarily in the many hurts of this present world. Amen
Wed. Aug. 15 In just about every possible situation and scenario, we see the Son of God communicating with His
Heavenly Father. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that you can’t possibly separate the person of Jesus Christ and
the practice of prayer. Now, if God’s almighty and all-knowing Son spent His time and energies on the practice of
prayer, what does it say about it’s proper place in our lives? Doesn’t it stand to reason that it should be all the
more imperative for we who are totally helpless on our own? It’s nothing we haven’t heard before. But it’s so
important that it needs to be repeated: Jesus prayed and so should we. Bob Coy
Jesus’ spontaneous prayer John 11:41-42 His private night-long vigil Luke 6:12, among the mixed Matt 14:19. during
the dark hours of night Matthew 26:39, at the breaking of the dawn Mark 1:35, in the afternoon Luke 23:44-46. in the
mountains Mark 6:46, in the wilderness (Luke 5:16), in the Garden of Gethsemane Mark 14:32, on the Cross Luke 23:34.
**Dear LORD, Jesus, you have told us to pray; you taught us to pray and you have given us an open line to the throne
through your work of salvation. Help us not to look at prayer as an “event’ or “ceremony’ but as a constant communication
with you as our dear friend, our loving Father, our Savior from sin, our maker and provider. Forgive us for not taking the time
and opportunity to be in open relationship with you through prayer.
Thurs. Aug. 16 When we forgive those who’ve wronged us, it produces something glorious in us. Our character
shines, our stature increases, and we’re honored to an extent that we never would have been had we never been
wronged. Tuck this truth away for the next time you’re wronged. Remember that it’s an opportunity for you to have
an impact and influence for good that you never could have otherwise. Bob Coy
Col. 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you. Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
**LORD, thank you for your forgiveness through Jesus. What peace and joy I have in that knowledge of my restoration in
you! Help me to give that blessed news to others in the truth of Scripture, but also in my daily dealings with others who may
have offended me. May I be merciful and gracious as you have been to me. Help others to be forgiving of my many sins
and shortcomings as well. Until the time you take us home to be with you, may we live as a family of Christ. Amen in him.
Fri. Aug. 17 If a man loses his reverence for any part of life, he will lose his reverence for all of life. A. Schweitzer
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. Ps 34:11-14 Come, my
children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
**LORD, whether or not Albert Schweitzer believed in you or not, he certainly understood the reverence for life. May our
world once again value life as you did in Creation. Man has a living soul; was made in your image, & although has lost the
holy image through sin, is still the crown of your creation. Forgive us as a nation “under God” for allowing the devil & world
devalue since Roe v. Wade. Heavenly Father, you can do all things, but you have told us, your followers, to do your will
here on earth. Help us to overturn this demonic law of our land which brings life to an end & devalues life in general. Lead
& guide us how to restore value to life as we all life our lives in glory to you, the creator & preserver of life. In Jesus, Amen