prayer Archives - Page 5 of 5

May 20, 2019 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

James and the Giant Prayer

Relegated to a basement room between church services, my Sunday school class of kindergartners and first graders is usually small. If any children walk by, no matter their age or potty-training status, I try to talk them into joining us for our Bible story. (Just last week, I reeled in a grandmother and her two granddaughters on Mother’s Day.)

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Our class follows a weekly routine. An opening song is our prayer of honor and invitation to God. During the Bible story, we discuss God’s Word and apply it to our lives. Coloring sheets and occasional craft projects review the Bible verse theme. Lastly, we close in prayer. Recently, as I tried to change the kids’ focus from their projects to prayer, the reserved, soft-spoken James volunteered to pray. In his maroon, three-piece, corduroy suit with plaid shirt, James looked so formal, his eyes focused and sincere. James had never been a talker, although he always demonstrated his comprehension of the Bible story. I nodded and then wondered, “We’ll see how this goes.”

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

And then James prayed. This recent graduate of pull-ups with the gentle disposition launched into an earnest prayer of thanks. In the loudest voice I had ever heard from him, James boldly brought us before the throne of grace. In gratitude to God, James listed over ten items, each spelled out in a full sentence. He gave detailed thanks for personal blessings as well as generalized blessings of yesterday, today, his family, the weather, our class, the kids, and even the teacher.

Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

James’s straightforward prayer gave a comprehensive list of why he was grateful to God. In faith-filled boldness, he concluded, “in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b

Long ago, I memorized that last part of James 5:16 in the King James Version: “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” To use the King’s English and male gender in our setting, this certainly demonstrated effectual fervent prayer by a righteous man-child. Instead of jumping in with a closing prayer for our class, as I had anticipated, I was humbled by James’ faith-filled prayer.

Lord, please grow this little James with the giant prayers and use him in mighty ways for your glory.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Thank you, James, for being my Sunday school lesson on how to pray bold, giant prayers.

June 1, 2018 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Farewell to My MOPS Table

Dear Staci, Denae, Dawn, Melissa, Jenn, and Nikki, the MOPS (mother of preschoolers) at my table:

Thank you for allowing me to be the MOPS mentor mom for your “Courageous Contessa” table group this year. From breakfast and crafts to conversations and topic discussions, our table activities were meaningful and fun.

Thank you for giving me the privilege of praying for you. I treasured that aspect of of MOPS mentoring. Thank you also for communicating with me by writing out thoughts and asking for prayer in your mentoring journals. I am honored that you shared the events of your life with me this past year. Please know that I took those situations to God in prayer. I personally cannot face those issues or come up with solutions, but I know that God loves you and that His power and wisdom can effect ideal changes in your life. Even if you did not use the journals, I enjoyed praying for you regularly.

Our table discussions were fun and supportive; I hope you can remember and be encouraged by your time with this group. I still laugh at the concept of a “man poop,” or how to shut out the world and take a mini-vacation. (Thank you, Staci!) Dawn, your dedication to MOPS, obvious when you joined us after working night shift, was inspiring. This group’s willingness to share concerns with each other, from infant sleep schedules to work-husband-child-life balance, built a lot of trust and support. May God continue to nurture the relationships and validation you received, both at our table and at MOPS overall.

Staci, thanks for being a great table leader. Your transparency, insight, and skill at keeping us on topic were much-appreciated. Thanks also for coordinating group playdates and sending reminders of MOPS events.

My prayer for you Courageous Contessas is based on Isaiah 40:11:

May God be your shepherd and show you how He carries you close to His heart. May you recognize God’s leading in your life as a mom of littles. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 21, 2017 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

A Quick Morning Prayer

However chaotic my children’s morning—grabbing lunches and backpacks, riding in the car, walking along a sidewalk, or scrambling to catch the bus—I prayed this prayer with them before they went to school:

Dear Lord,

We pray for eyes to see as Jesus does,

Ears to hear as Jesus does,

And lips to speak the kind, loving words of Jesus.

In His name we pray. Amen.

What a privilege it is to pray with our children. In the craziness of our busy mornings, may God help us lift up our hearts and attitudes in prayer. As role models for our children, we join with them to pray for God’s help to be more like Jesus.

Tim S. (former associate youth pastor at North Valley Christian Fellowship in San Jose, CA) shared this prayer with me, explaining how his mother prayed for her children everyday before school. May this prayer bless your family as it has ours for 15+ years. Thanks Tim and Tim’s mom!

September 28, 2015 by Kristina Lunde 2,069 Comments

Praying for the Terminally Ill: Four Rs for Ruth

My mother’s best friend and prayer partner, Ruth, battled breast cancer for years. When the cancer invaded her bones, Ruth’s army of prayer warriors beseeched God to slay the dreaded disease. For many years God miraculously subdued Ruth’s cancer and pain as she continued to write, teach, counsel, and minister for His glory.

My prayers for Ruth were admittedly often fear-based rather than faith based. I could not imagine such a strong woman of God being overpowered and her ministry silenced by this horrendous cancer. As when my mother was on hospice, I frequently hesitated to pray for healing, for fear that God would answer with His ultimate healing. Our loved ones are welcomed into heaven and live eternally pain-free, but those of us left behind have to cope without them. (No, God, that’s not what I meant! I wanted you to heal her here and now – for us.) My selfish desire for them to be healthy here on earth does not always match up with God’s plan for them, and I am left to grieve the difference.

When I asked God how to pray for Ruth, He gave me a prayer mnemonic that I now use for anyone facing the end of their earthly life. These are the four Rs for Ruth:

1. Relief of pain

May God grant wisdom to everyone involved in decision-making as the focus shifts from medical cure to palliative care. May the pain be miraculously eased by God’s power and provision throughout the remaining hours/days/months of life.

2. Rest and sleep

In the midst of pain and illness, may God give sweet sleep and rest.

3. Relationship with spouse/family

In the time warp of illness and pain, may God shower this couple/family with precious intimacy as their earthly time together draws to a close.

4. Reconciliation

May God orchestrate time schedules, travel arrangements, and interactions as family and friends come to say goodbye. May God’s peace and emotional healing provide closure to relationships.

Lord, teach us to pray, even when our loved one’s ultimate healing leaves us grieving.

[Originally posted March 2015]