Prayer Archives - Kristina Lunde

September 30, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Praise before Please in Prayer

My prayers often start with my requests. Please, Lord, I need this. Lord, help me with this task. Please, God, do this for me. Yes, I usually add a please to my pleas, but I do not often praise before please. My needs prompt me to ask God first, pleading with Him for answers. But do I acknowledge the Lord of all creation who welcomes and hears my prayers?

Pray for my needs

My requests are often self-centered and self-serving. I ask God for what I have determined that I need and want. I balance my own equation of needs versus wants. But am I running that by my Lord and Savior, placing all requests in submission to His will? Am I letting God guide me so completely that I recognize His path and follow His purposes for me? Those are accountability questions that I need to answer if I am pursuing Jesus and His will for me.

Change my perspective

First of all, I need to determine who I am going to follow. If my top priority is Jesus, then my heart’s intent and life goals need to follow His will, not mine. Who determines my wants versus needs equation? Do I take charge of my needs or do I surrender them to God’s plan? Nothing wrong with presenting my needs to God, but my perspective must align with God’s Word and His will. If I pray for a new car out of jealousy over my friend’s car, I disobey the tenth commandment. Instead, God may have other purposes for the older cars we drive. For example, my husband and I enjoy a reputation as the “Engine Light Lundes” at our local automobile repair shop. We became friends with the owners and pray for them to know Jesus.

When my perspective aligns with God’s will, then I can realistically evaluate my wants and needs in consideration of the roles God has for me in this season. Sometimes, that means I need to respect and obey God when He gives a “no” answer to my prayer, especially when I do not understand the reasons. My vantage point then changes from a selfish outlook to God’s sovereign purposes.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Start with praise

Philippians 4:6-7 presents how to receive God’s peace as a solution for anxiety. Notice that thanksgiving goes along with bringing requests to God in prayer. Sometimes I focus on the supplication, petition (KJV), or “the ask.” The pain, need, or problem drives my prayer. But I can’t forget to thank my God, the omnipotent Lord of all creation, for blessings already given. Instead of starting with the please and pleading for my wants, I should start with praise for the One who hears. Put the praise before please. When I acknowledge His love for me, the salvation He provided, and what He means to me, that sets the tone for my prayer. I prayerfully reflect on God’s character, which helps me appreciate what He has already accomplished for me.

The ask should come after the realignment of my heart and mind. Praise first; then present my pleas. The wants seems so pressing at first. But when I examine them through the lens of God’s Word, He shows me His priorities. The Holy Spirit convicts me that some of my needs are actually sinful pursuits or selfish wants. When God’s lens zooms my attention in, I can set my sights on His plans. He knows the journey He walks me through, the places I need to be, and the work He has for me do.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NIV

Dear God, thank you for being my Savior and Lord. Teach me to pray with praise before please. Let me be so filled with praise for you, that honoring you comes first when I pray. Wipe out my selfish wants, so that my requests align with your will. Jesus, I want my heart, life, and actions to follow your plan, even if I don’t understand it. Let your Holy Spirit convict and strengthen me. Help me surrender to you—that is what I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

August 20, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

A Peach Pie and an Ambulance: Missed Connections for God’s Purpose

My husband Craig and I recently experienced God’s missed connections between an ambulance, a text message, and a peach pie. We planned to deliver a pie, but God changed the purpose of our visit.

Every year I buy a crate of perfectly ripe and amazingly sweet peaches. Trucked in fresh from Georgia, the peaches are sold to raise funds for Youth for Christ. As usual, this year’s crop tasted as incredible as their perfect red, orange, and yellow colors looked. After giving out bags of peaches to friends and neighbors, I baked pies.

One pie was for N, my husband’s dear friend who has spent years fighting multiple cancer battles. When my husband Craig visits N, I don’t join them out of respect for their “man time.” But I usually send treats for N and his wife E. Recently, they hosted their kids and families for a week, and Craig had a fishing trip the following week. So we arranged to drop off the pie on a Sunday night—very different timing from Craig’s usual weekday visits.

Slow to get ready, we left fifteen minutes later than what Craig texted E. Pie in hand, we were in no rush as we left our house. We drove, ready to stop by the town where they lived before driving to another town for our dinner reservations. Craig’s phone remained on silent for the drive, so we missed E’s text telling us not to come.

When we arrived, E came to the door asking if we had passed N’s ambulance. Our confused looks told her we hadn’t seen an ambulance or received her text. I handed E the peach pie, which felt irrelevant given the situation. She invited us in and explained how N’s long day of pain led to his uncharacteristic request for an ambulance. N’s absence from the house seemed strange, like a foreshadowing of what was to come.

E remained calm and coherent, but it must have been unsettling to send N to the emergency room. Despite N’s many cancer challenges, he had only taken an ambulance to the hospital once before. This time, N needed emergency help for the unrelenting pain. We offered to take E, but she wanted to drive to the hospital alone. Instead, we prayed for her and N.

Our arrival displayed God’s precise timing: right after the ambulance’s departure but before E left for the emergency room. God also ensured that we didn’t see E’s text, which would have canceled our visit. Only God could orchestrate all these factors to allow us a precious window of prayer time.

The next day, N came home from the hospital. The heart attack he feared never happened, and he went home without chest pain. God truly intervened that day, in N’s life and in ours. We witnessed God’s interventions that defied human planning and explanation. God miraculously used a peach pie, an overlooked text, and a missed ambulance to deliver prayer support. What an amazing God we serve.

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. Romans 8:28 NIV

July 31, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

A Vacation Bible School Prayer

Lord God, please work in the hearts of these precious vacation Bible school (VBS) kids. May every concept of this detailed, Christ-centered curriculum draw the children to you. Let nothing we do distract them from you. Please imprint these Bible verses on the minds of both kids and volunteers. Teach all of us to apply your truths to all of our activities: exercise, learning, crafts, lessons, singing, and snacks.

Lord, make me aware of what these kids need. Give me time to spend one-on-one as well as in teaching the group. Holy Spirit, guide me to be flexible. Like when one group comes in halfway through their lesson time and I have to scramble to condense the content. Show me how to present the crucial points of the lesson clearly.

Please give me patience with potty breaks, interruptions, and distracted kids, as I’m sure you helped my teachers decades ago. Guide me when I get strange questions from searching kids. Help me to reflect Christ’s love as I encourage, teach, and challenge these kids. Lord, let these children come to you and let the Word of God take root in their hearts. Use us to help train these children so that each one builds their life’s foundation on you, Lord Jesus. Hold them closely through whatever life brings them in the future.

In one of their lessons, the VBS grade schoolers wrote out their prayer request, “Jesus, I need your help to . . .” (See photo.)

Dear Jesus, you know the details of each child’s burden. Keep me praying for their prayer requests. Lord God, we give our entire VBS curriculum, program, activities, and follow-up to you, for your glory and honor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

April 23, 2025 by Kristina Lunde 2 Comments

Children Pray in Worship to God

One of my favorite volunteer activities is helping with childcare for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) leadership meetings. Last week, three adults watched two babies (four and eight months-old) and ten kids, ages three to seven. Besides encouraging the children’s imagination with lots of free play, we enjoyed song time and a short Bible story. (The Father Abraham song I have known for over fifty years still gets everyone moving and laughing!) We don’t have crafts or long periods of focused time, because that comes afterward in their 1½ hour BSF classes. Of course, we also had snack time, with kids sitting in small chairs at a low table.

As they crunched on bright orange kid crackers, I suddenly realized that we hadn’t prayed. I apologized that I had forgotten to thank God for our snack. Then I asked the kids to pray. Without further prompting, they dropped their beloved crackers and folded their hands. Three of them immediately volunteered to pray. I asked four-and-a half-year-old K to start, and he prayed seriously and in detail. K thanked God for the day, for being able to play at BSF, and for the crackers.

Then I asked four-year-old S to pray. S kept his head down and his voice soft. We only understood a few words (thank you, God, snack), but his prayer was obviously sincere. I nodded when four-year-old T asked to pray next. Hands covered with bright-colored marks from her previous day’s artwork, T folded them tightly and bowed her head. Like the other two prayers, T’s expression of gratitude to God soared in humble trust.

These precious kids literally dropped everything to spend time with God. I felt like they were leading me in worship as they thanked God for everything. And I mean everything: all three of them listed what they ate, did, and aspects of their play. Their prayers convicted me of my forgetfulness and casual attitude about prayer. They showed me that thanking God for a few crackers can be a powerful act of worship.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

Lord Jesus, please bless these precious children whose hearts are full of gratitude and love for you. Keep their faith and trust firmly rooted in Jesus, as you grow and guide them throughout their lives. Like their honest gratitude for crackers and playtime, help me to come before you in wonder for all your blessings. Teach me to pray in worship and honor of you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 27, 2024 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Mothers Praying for Prodigals

Several of my empty-nest mom-friends and I have entered a new phase in our prayer lives: praying for prodigal children. At one time, our children knew, loved, and followed Jesus. By the time these children became young adults, they had abandoned the faith of their childhood. As mothers, that inspired us to pray for our children’s return to the God who loves them.

In Luke 15:11-32, the biblical account of the prodigal son, the father waited expectantly for his estranged son to return home. The important detail not recorded is how long the father waited. I know mothers who have prayed and waited decades for their prodigals to return to Jesus. Time spent in prayer is much more productive than wondering and worrying about an estranged child. But I find it difficult to focus on the praying, not the worrying.

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? Psalm 13:1-2

No one consistent reason compels young adults to walk away from their faith. Instead, many aspects of life and longing impact children who once believed in Jesus to become adults who do not. Their journey may involve being distracted from biblical priorities, neglecting connection with Jesus, choosing worldly pursuits, or rebelling against God. Sadly, these adult children no longer value God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, or the truths of God’s Word. And that motivates moms to pray.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1

Lord God, my child is your prodigal, a runaway from your love and forgiveness. Overcome the spiritual darkness that threatens to suffocate my child. Shine your Holy Spirit’s light of conviction, counsel, and comfort into my child’s life. Lord Jesus, accomplish your saving, redeeming work. Fill my prodigal’s mind with the truth of Jesus Christ, bringing forgiveness and freedom. Let my child once again be grounded in you, God.

Oh Lord, help me to see and listen, not jump in with my own solutions. I repent of what I have done wrong: nagging conversations, mother-smothering, pride-driven meddling, and even wanting to give up. Lord, forgive me for what I have not done: not listened to your leading, not controlled my temper, and not recognized my child’s pain.

After he had squandered his inheritance, the biblical prodigal son came home. Convicted and repentant, the son returned to his father with humility and a willingness to serve. Luke 15:20 says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” We do not find out how many months or years had transpired. Instead, the Bible focuses on the father’s joyous and loving greeting.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6

Father God, draw my prodigal back to you. You love my child more than I ever could. Convince my child to return to you in honesty and repentance, in order to experience your forgiveness and perfect love. Please help me to be a faithful mother who never stops praying. In Jesus’ name. Amen.