The Winepress of the Fury of the Wrath of God Almighty (Rev 19:15)

Jesus, the defender of the helpless and one who punishes the oppressor,

Once again our image of you as a passive weakling hinders our true understanding of your nature. We know from your revelation to your servant John, that you are the one who will destroy those who harass and oppress your people. I will never fully understand the existence of evil in the world, but I do know that it exists and that innocent people are hurt by it. The Book of Revelation teaches me that you are not an indifferent observer in those times, but that at the right time you avenge your people.

Though I would like to pray that no injustice ever happens to these children, I know that is simply not real life in this fallen world. Your servants have suffered injustice over the centuries and, of course, you suffered injustice for us.  I pray that when these children suffer injustice in their lives that they will look to you and know that you live, and that you live to defend them and avenge them in the Day of the Lord. That you tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty against those who would render injustice against the children of God.

Amen

He Will Rule Them with an Iron Scepter (Rev 19:15)

Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

It strikes me that you are often portrayed as "meek and gentle" in the sense of being "weak and gentle". The authority ascribed to you in the book of Revelation is markedly different than such an image. Certainly you are filled with compassion, but you are also a victorious conquering king who expects obedience from your subjects.

I pray that these children come to understand your majesty and your power. That they come to understand that all things are under your control and under your power. That before you every knee will bow. And by that understanding, they will know that your teachings are not just suggestions, but words of their master and king - words and teachings to be taken seriously as words given by someone before whom someday they will bow. I pray they know your gentleness and your compassion and your love, but that they understand that such love and compassion does not mean that you think lightly of or respond lightly to sin. You are a king who expects loyalty and allegiance - and a commitment to follow your commands.

So I pray that these children will know your love and compassion, but will also have a compelling desire to obey you as their king.

Amen

Rev 19:15

And out of his mouth came a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.

Jesus, King of Glory,

I pray that these children come to understand the power of your word. The power of scripture as in works within them in their lives. I pray that they come to understand that your word is not just words on a page, but the power of the universe that is in their hands.

The reference to sword is mentioned again within your word -

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

I understand from these words and the words in Revelation 19, that, via the power of God's Holy Spirit, something happens when your word is read and when it is spoken that is more than just an intellectual  exercise - but that your power is unleashed - sufficiently to strike down nations. Such is the reason many of my prayers for them are based on your word.

I pray that these children gain an understanding of that power, and begin to seek your word, to read your word and to make your word a part of their every day lives. That they do not miss this power that is available to them in facing the barriers they will encounter in trying to live a godly life.

Amen

Philippians 2

Jesus,

Paul tells us that our attitude should be like yours. Though you are God, you did not use your power to hold on to your position, but instead you emptied yourself to become a servant and, becoming human, you humbled yourself.

I pray that you help these children to understand the true meaning of Christmas - the example of the incarnation, which is as Paul describes and that these children learn the true meaning of and value of servanthood. That they will understand the power in touching hurting people, one person at a time - just as you did. Increase their joy experienced when they help, give and serve so that it becomes second nature to them to reach out to people. Give them a heart for the oppressed, the struggling, the downcast and the outcast, just as you have. Give them a desire to imitate your humility, a humility founded in strength and restrained power. A humility with full knowledge and understanding of their position as children of the King, and a full knowledge of their true citizenship. And that they too are emptying themselves of their position as royalty in your kingdom, and that they are a continuing incarnation - your hands to touch the hurting, your feet to visit the sick, your arms to embraced the unloved, your shoulders to cry on, your eyes to see what is needed in the lives of others, your mouth to speak encouragement and your ears to listen to the lonely.

Amen

Happy Birthday TyP

(Belated - I'm still getting this blogging discipline down - TyP's birthday was 12/5 - but thankfully prayers do not expire - I now have all of these set up on my recurring calendar with reminders - I am blessed to have my "quiver full" such that I can no longer just keep it all in my head).

Father,

I thank you for Ty. He has been a blessing to my life and is such a kind spirit. I pray that he continues to grow in his knowledge of you and develops a spiritual maturity beyond his years. As the youngest of four boys, growing up can be a challenge always being the youngest. Strengthen his self esteem so that he realizes that being younger, he simply won't be able to do things as well (yet) as the older boys. Let him become at peace with that, and truly understand that his value comes from you, not from measuring up to older boys. Help him to see his value in the world as one who can sense the needs of others and reach out to them.

Help him to be a strong and kind older brother to LGC as she will look to him as her closest in age big brother. May they develop a special bond that lasts a lifetime as she comes to listen to wise counsel from him.

Bring strong and positive influences into his life. Bring righteous peers into his circle of friends and remove those peers who would lead him astray. Put in his heart a desire for what is good, and dull his desire for things that lead to destruction.

Shield him with the armies of heaven.

Amen

Rev 19:13 A Robe Dipped in Blood

Jesus, King of Kings -The Word of God who became flesh and lived among us,

The image of you in a robe dipped in blood tells me that you have experienced the life that we live. You have suffered the weaknesses of our bodies by sickness and pain. You have experienced fatigue. You have experienced rejection. You have experienced loss and sadness. You have experienced facing horribly difficult looming times. You have struggled in prayer. You have prayed for deliverence and been told "no". You have been tempted. Your robe is indeed dipped in blood.

I don't fully understand how the creator of the universe "experiences" things that you already knew. I don't know how that experience somehow makes you, an all knowing God, more sympathetic than you would have been before the experience. But Hebrews 4:15 tells me that because you were tempted in every way just as I have been, you are able to sympathize with my weaknesses.  Your robe is dipped in blood.

Because of that, I pray that you show great compassion to these children as they are growing up. They are and will be immature. They will make some mistakes and poor decisions. I ask that in your great compassion and understanding you spare them to full consequences of their ill advised actions. That you quickly forgive and restore them when they wander. That you hear and sympathize with the pain they experience - both their physical pain, but also the pain of rejection that they will inevitably experience. Give them an extra sense of your presence with them so that they are comforted in those times. Help them to see your example of righteous living in the midst of pain, suffering, rejection and loss. Help them to look to you, a righteous and understanding God, with your robe dipped in blood.

Amen

Rev. 19:12 - Eyes of Blazing Fire

Jesus, King of Glory, Firstborn over all Creation,

You are so often portrayed as a wimp. But the image of eyes of blazing fire tells us that is simply wrong. You have within you the power of the universe, the power that began all that is - all contained within your physical body, and in verse 12, that power being uncontainable - bursting forth through your eyes. 

You are crowned with many crowns - more powerful and more honored than any earthly king or ruler.

Even your name is beyond our understanding or comprehension. There are many names in scripture for you, but verse 12 tells us that those names are only an effort to try to explain you to us. But in truth, we will never full know you or understand you.

But we do know that you fight for us in the spiritual battle that surrounds us - a battle we also cannot fully understand. But we know it is real.

I pray that you unleash your power in the battle for the souls of these children. That you show them your power in ways that they will understand that by following you, there is hope for ultimate victory - that they are on the winning team. Lift their eyes to see that those who are with us are greater and more powerful than those that are with the forces of evil.

Help these children to see and understand your power and your majesty - and to know that such power and majesty is fighting for them.

Amen