Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:26:14 -0800WeeblyThu, 12 Nov 2015 22:36:35 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/prayers-for-the-church Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8
Again much from "10 Minutes to Powerful Prayer"  by Stormie O'Martian
 Hi God, How does time keep passing so quickly?I declare you to be Lord over my life! Everyday, I wake to new possibilities and I thank you for each experience. I pray your Will be done and that you will keep reminding me that you always have the best planned for me. I want you to be in charge of my life but then I take back what I feel like controlling at the time, too many personal habits. Surely, I don't forget that you are already there. I declare you, Jesus, to be Lord over every area of my life and I invite you into my words, my thoughts and my deeds. I want you to be in charge over my work, my finances, my relationships, my eating habits, my exercise, my attitudes, my fears, my plans, my children, my decisions...  my heart, my giving, my spending, my saving and my church and my ministry ... to name a few.  I submit all areas of my life to You and ask you to reign in them everyday in every way.
 Thank you Lord for our greatest gift, our Faith and knowing that you continue to give so freely. Let us spread the graditude and cheer.  I was in Faith Journey's Sunday School during last Sunday's sermon. Why did I not go to 8:30 service? Thank you for providing it online so it is always available for all of us, for viewing the first time or for review. At Church Council, I am reminded how much our church continues to grow and be strengthened by our members and visitors. Thank you for all the new members too.

As we give and receive, let us again be reminded to pray specifically for You to be Lord over each aspect.
1. Our Family, Children and Youth Ministry and Mereith, our new leader and Katie our latest assistant and all the students, teachers and parents who serve, give and receive.
2. Our Choir and Praise Band members who provide the music and glory to you. Enlighten the possibilities of the ideas of moving them to the front of the congregation  to truly lead us in worship.

3. Our Sound and projections efforts... please handle these repairs so we stop worrying about them.
4. Our Adult Education, the ongoing Sunday classes, the latest undertaking for the Advent series, the upcoming future programs.
5. Our facilities projects.... the grounds we walk, the stuctures that surrounds us, the inside of  Your House . Wow, all the renovations and face lifts taking place now and for our future.  

6. The growth of our greatly anticipated Seniors Ministry with endless possibilities.
7.  Our ever seeking improvements in Communications. Open our voices and hear our cries. We want to be Your hands and feet , Lord.
8.  Our stewardship program, the members heart filled efforts and the programs we are giving to You to be funded. Our members are your blessings.
9.  Our 50th Anniversary Celebration, a beginning and stepping stone of purpose and habits to continue beyond this year and to our next 50 years.
10. Our Pastor, our Spiritual Leader and friend. Praise God that you know his valuable. We do thank you everyday for his wisdom and guidance. Keep us reminded of his great worth.
 Give us the resources to provide support and a new person to assist in these many new endeavors.

Praise God from whom all blessing flow.   AMEN


]]>Wed, 14 Oct 2015 23:27:16 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/awaken-my-heart-awaken-my-soulGod Almighty,  Everyday, I feel the hands of God touching my life, the words in a song, the smile of a friend, the warmth of the sun.. my daughter closing on her house and getting moved. Praise God! From the song, Awaken by Natalie Grant: How is it that I feel like I'm just existing, I'm watching time slip away. I'm not really living. Awaken my heart, Awaken my soul. Awaken your power and take control. Awaken the passion to live for you, Lord, Awaken me to live my destiny. Lord, Awaken me and shine your light through me.
Thank you God for providing us with people and circumstances to do just that. One of my closest friends shared another wonderful book with me and I want to share it with you. I am going to place copies in the Narthex next week, please help yourself.  " 10 minutes to Powerful Prayer"  by Stormie Omartian

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.( James 4:8). No matter what is happening in your life, God is always worthy of our praise. That's why worship must be our first reaction to everything. Great things happen when we worship God... far more than we even realize.  Lord, I come before Your presence with thanksgiving. I worship you this day as the almighty Creator of heaven and earth. You are the all-powerful God of the universe for whom nothing is impossible. I exalt You as my Creator and I praise You as my heavenly Father. I thank you that You are the God of love, peace and joy. "I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart. I will tell of all Your marelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praises to Your Holy Name, O Most High". (Psalm 9:1-2).I thank You for all that You are. I thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus to be my Savior and Redeemer. Thank you for resuing me, forgiving me and giving me new life. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit in me, for guiding me, comforting me and filling me afresh with love, peace and power. Thank You for Your Word that gives me life. I praise You, Lord, for Your goodness, grace and mercy that endures forever.

In Jesus' name, I pray.  Amen


]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:11:00 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/god-is-good-all-the-time1 Hi God,  It's taken me longer to write than I intended. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Guess I'm glad that  God's timing is not my own.   

We all have perceptions,opinions and passions. They are feelings and they are our own. God, you give us free will to make our own decisions but there are so many  influences that direct us, sometimes obstacles, sometimes challenges and sometimes gifts. Once again, we had a week of opportunities that were brilliantly disguised as insolvable problems. We found or are still finding the solutions. No wonder you have us live in the present, it is our gift from you. Each day holds more.

I woke from having the strangest dream yesterday and I remembered it. Maybe a GOD moment because it made me see a situation with different eyes. God, What do you want me to do? Are you my influence? Are you my obstacle or my frustration because You want me to take a different path? What is the right choice? You are so generous. The Bible tells me so and my life has been so rich. You enjoy providing our future and our hope and you delight in our happiness. But what does this mean?  Where do I go? What should I be doing?

Sometimes God, I would really appreciate an easy answer but seems like that is not your way. All this learning. You don't like our struggles but Oh I see you smile with our accomplishments.  There is so much to experience. That's why you have set our lives before us. You touch our lives in so many ways. Are you providing another way to  look at what is right in front of us?  Help me to recognize these people, these situations, these answers. Help me to see what is your plan to make it my own.... 

From Philippians... Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me... put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. From Matthew...   Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more important and God gives freely to the birds and the lilies of the valley. The heavenly Father knows what you need.

Seek first the HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness and all these things will be given to you. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you and we will continue to receive. Life, this is our education.Thank you, Lord. Even when I don't know what's ahead,  I am going to look forward with excitement and a glad heart anyway.

          God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.  AMEN.

]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:12:20 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/struggles-and-blessings God's timing is not our own. We have struggles and celebrations and we question events in our lives, our choices and even our God. Why? How can this be? God weeps when we are sad or hurt or in pain but he also wears a gentle smile because He knows the blessings He is leading us to; Thank You Jesus... especially when we do not understand. God also dances when we celebrate. He rejoices in our triumphs and the many gifts that he generously gives to us.

Such an awesome service we shared for Pentecost Sunday at Mount Cross. God spoke to Pastor John who spread his glory to us in all our own languages. I wish we could repeat it so everyone could experience the richness of variety. God gives us so many opportunities to bask in His love. Praise Jesus! We are surrounded by so much, Words are spoken and read and sung and felt. They enlighten us, they teach us, they beseech us. What have your words done for another person today? We have our own language, maybe english, spanish or hebrew. And also music, art, culture, academics. The list is endless!  God has provided us with this world of mystery and intrique. What good book is your life writing?

In celebration of Summer of Song... my prayer comes from Jason Gray's "Every Act of love".   

Our Lord,
We bring the kingdom come with every act of love. Jesus help us carry you alive in us. Your light shines through with every act of love, we bring the kingdom come. God, you put a million, million doors in the world for your love to walk through and one of those doors is ME! Let your light shine through me today and tomorrow.  AMEN

]]>Mon, 18 May 2015 18:44:10 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/praise-god-from-whom-all-blessings-flow This prayer inspired by Sunday's service and bulletin. I want  everyone to know my words come from scripture and often from someone elses words. I just put them together.
Praise God for whom all blessings flow!  " For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do."   "God does not look at our outward appearances but the Lord knows our hearts."  

Oh Lord, I know you have chosen me. You bless me richly and give to me generously... even the challenges. I don't want my pride or selfishness to get in the way. I have so much. Do I give so freely in return? I see the heavy burdens of so many around me. The cross I carry is light and my joys abounding. Thank You Jesus!

Help me to walk the path you have set before me. I want to walk in Your ways and be there for others. I pray that I will make You proud of what I am doing with the gifts you have given me.  

I want to carry out the Lord's instruction but what if I follow people's influences and go astray? I know you give me no doubts. I need not question. Your love is the rare committment that you care and are always there regardless of my response.   

The grace of out Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit IS with us all. This new day has begun. A fresh start is granted. Today we are given the opportunity to do something new. Christ is again entering our lives. Lets us all be like our graduating confirmation students... Beginning this day as the best day of the rest of our lves. We all have our own God stories to share with the world. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Just as Paul writes in Ephesians...  Our faith and love toward others is known and we do not cease giving thanks and asking God for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in growing in our knowledge of Him and our relationship with Him. That the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened and that we may know the hope for which we are called and feel the riches of His glorious inheritance.

Author of life, as you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. This is the feast of victory for our God.

AMEN

]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2015 15:54:31 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/god-is-good-all-the-time Gracious God, Let us sing praises to the Lord. I have completed another of my Yada Yada Prayer Group Books. It was certainly a reminder to always start my prayer with praise and worship! You give me so much everyday and You listen to me, hear my words every moment of each day.... even when I don't know that I'm talking to You. My prayers are constant for You . Thank you for always being with me and directing my path. I know you think I'm awesome now, but I'm seeing improvements and I'm really liking them.

Thank you, Lord for the endless possibilities of this day. The choices stretch before me with each contingent upon the decision that precedes it. Instead of struggling with an exact plan, help me Lord to recognize that we are in this together and the steps that seem to be out of step with what I want, may really be what you are using for my "becoming". Help me see and feel that you supply me with what I need when I need it.  I come to you with empty hands and an open heart and ready to receive your abundant blessings!

If, or I guess WHEN we lack wisdom, You say to ask for it. I can't do this life on my own there are too many unanswered questions. But I have this crazy confidence that You, Lord are in charge and I trust You. I don't see how yet and I don't mean to tell you what to do but... maybe alittle quicker and clearer answers would be really nice.

Realizing what a wonderful, funky sense of humor God has, He does use anyone and anything, no matter how ordinary or unlikely. In fact, God, I have noticed that You seem to like ordinary and unlikely best. OK, so here I am. I know you are using me to work out Your GRACE in the world. To press towards the goal. To set aside every weight. To run with endurance. AMEN.

Scripture from Hebrews:   Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.

God is speaking to us. Both the one running the race of faith and to the crowd of witnesses urging the runner on. Each of us are in both roles. We are running this race of life and encouraging each other when we falter or feel alone. Make and Bake was awesome. Adult education and Faith Journeys are growing even as we wind down for the summer. We are family. I just want to say Thank You for being there for me and my family... and your family and his family and her family. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion and can not be shaken but endures forever. The Lord surrounds his people both NOW and forevermore. God is faithful. All the time, God is good. God is good all the time.  

Have a great week! God is counting on it.

]]>Wed, 22 Apr 2015 22:24:22 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/faith-so-that-we-believe Dear Father in Heaven, So much to pray for, Where do I begin? As always, with your praise and my thanksgiving. Blessed be your Name! You are the Light of the world and we have just celebrated your free gift of salvation. We have a Risen Lord. Thank You, Jesus! Thank you for Spring, the rain and the flowers, the food we eat, the homes that keep us comfortable and the family and friends that surround us to share the growth that you provide for us each day.

Please help us to keep our priorities on You. God, we want you to be our first choice, not our last resort. There are so many health concerns. Oh Lord, You know our struggles and our needs, each individually, there are so many.  I feel angry and inadequate and beseech you to show me what to do. OK... I do know my prayers are heard and when 2 or more are gathered together.... your promised continue.  Here we are Lord, all asking for healing, comfort and support. Like the song says.. Do Something so you sent me.. here I am Lord, direct me.

We know you do provide but sometimes we get so centered on the problem, we forget that you know our path. Your word tells us your plan for us is to prosper us and give us an abundant future. We can not fix everything but you can. We are children of God and you have brought us here. Keep us awake and alert to be your hands and feet so that we will help each other with our burdens. And rejoice as we also receive. Thank you for the new babies, new church members and wedding plans and Make and Bake success.

You are in charge here and now. I'm turning myself over to you and asking you to do what needs to be done to make me the person you have created me to be. Please help me to give you complete control of my life and feel the peace only you can give.

This is my prayer for all of us who struggle:   (taken from a card)

  God, Please give freely: Comfort on difficult days, Smiles when sadness intrudes, Rainbows to follow the clouds, Laughter to kiss our lips, Sunsets to warm our hearts, Hugs when spirits sag, Friendships to brighten our being, Beauty for our eyes to see, Faith so that we believe, Confidence for the doubts, Patience to accept the truth, Courage to know ourselves  and LOVE to complete the lives You give to us. AMEN. Peace be with you.   

]]>Tue, 14 Apr 2015 17:52:24 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/hello-father-god  Hi Everyone!!  FINALLY. I don't know why I'm not keeping up with Prayer Central. It is so important to me. I am still jotting down my prayer notes, but not getting to the computer. I think the devil is at work. I keep hearing the excuses that the words are not right but when it comes to talking to God, there are never wrong words.  This forum has always been an opportunity to share our prayer life, our praises and our concerns... so I'm going to focus on that. I hope that you will add yours. We are here to encourage each other as we bring our lives to the Lord. Again, alot of my prayers are based on or come directly from Neta Jackson, The Yada Yada Prayer Group series books. Great reading. I recommend them all.

Hello Father God, Lord, you are so faithful but I too often seem to fall down on the job. It's hard being your hands and feet in this body. I dunno God, you are able to be there for a zillion people all at once but I still haven't even done laundry this week and my bathroom really needs some deep cleaning. Thank you for providing the ways and the means to survive, as we grow through our challenges and our triumphs. I feel you leading me in the uncertainities at work and I know you are smiling with me with all these wedding plans. You are the way and I am truly nourished. We are confident that as we listen to your word and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, You are making us into your people ... right here at Mount Cross Lutheran. We are pleased. Thank you, Jesus!  

Short and "sweet".  I am striving to write each week. Won't you join me!

Loving and sharing in Christ,   Dottie

]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:20:04 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/prayer-central2

• God is definitely the God of relationships... and understanding. Our gospel lesson and sermon from 2 weeks ago reminds us how important our prayer lives are. Jesus again is our role model in "stepping away" from our tasks, our work, our everyday stresses and celebrations to connect with God, not only to speak but also to listen and fully appreciate what God has to say to each and everyone of us.
   
  
  From the Book of Isaiah: Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.
  
                                         We will lift up our hands,
  
                                         We will lift up our hearts,
  
                                         We will lift up our eyes beyond the hills
  
                                        To where our help comes from
  
                                         Our help comes from you, Lord.
   
  
  LET US Praise the Lord for all our many blessings! It is right to give him thanks and praise. Thank you God for who you are and keeping us close to your heart.
  
  You do so much for us, taking the messes and making them straight. Hallelujah! Thank you for all the ways you provide. We ask You to change our circumstances and You show us that it is the 
  
  circumstance that You use to change us. We ask for quicker timing but once again You show us how Your timing completes the need.  
  
  We were just reintroduced to the transfiguration of our Lord and hearing the words from God,"This is my beloved Son, listen to Him." There is spiritual danger always looking at the past or getting too comfortable in the present. We know you are with us,  to continually transform our minds and hearts and lives to line up with your purpose. We are here wanting our faith to be stronger. Thank you for giving us the opportunities. Take our requests and burdens and help us to see that you are in control and that this is a new day. We are listening and know that we will find our answers.  
  
  Lord, Have mercy.  AMEN 
  
  

]]>Mon, 12 Jan 2015 17:23:42 GMThttps://www.mountcross.com/prayer-blog/blessings Blessings to all,
I don't know why I'm having such a hard time writing when there is so much to be praying about..... Stay in prayer continually and He will open the doors or at least the windows. I am so blessed with so much. I am again reading Neta Jackson's Yada Yada Prayer Group Book Series. A lot of my prayer today comes from Book 4, Yada Yada Prayer Group gets Tough. God is so good to us. Let us give Him some praise. Think back upon this week, this month starting the New Year and Let us pour out our gratitude for His mercies, His abundance and His loving kindness. Sometimes we want to praise God but our minds and hearts are centered on a problem or concern that we don't feel thankful about. NOW is the time to turn it to God. Thank You God for providing when we can't do for ourselves. Thank you that the plans you have for us are to prosper us, not to harm us, plans that give us hope and a future. Continuing in Jeremiah:  Even though we sometimes find ourselves in a strange land, just like the Israelites of old, You, God, will never forsake us. You have promised that if we call upon You and seek you with our hearts, that we will find you and you will bring us out of captivity, back from the place which we were exiled.  Yes, Thank you... and especially for the Holy Spirit who interceeds for us when we can not find our own way. Sometimes we have such a burden but God knows the way. And He continues to prepare US for this path. Let us give all our concerns to you Lord. We ask that You will show us what to do. The feelings can be overwhelming. We can not fix everything but God can. We will do what we can do: pray, trust in God and concentrate on OUR Part. We are the body of Christ with each member having strengths and weaknesses. Help us to lean on each other and know this is what you  provide for  us. El Shaddai, You are the All-Sufficient One and your sufficiency is all we need. You already know each of the needs we have and we thank you, knowing your plans are to proper us, as your Word says. But keep us alert  Father for we know the evil one schemes and plots to shake our trust in you. It feels good to turn all of our needs and our tangled feelings into prayers for one another, our church and our community.  AMEN.

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