Father in Heaven,

I sit in front of the television tonight weeping and praying as I watch killer tornadoes sweeping across the middle portion of our country, headed for friends and loved ones. I cover them with fervent prayer as I write and I know many, many other Christians are also praying. And I know you hear our prayers.

News from the aftermath of the storms breaks our hearts. The unbelievable numbers of injured, missing and dead staggers us. Pictures of destroyed homes and lives are difficult to view. It’s nearly impossible to wrap our minds around the thought that each number represents a human being. Each destroyed building once housed a family.

We know that this breaks your heart, too, Jesus, because you created these people. They’re our brothers and sisters, but they’re your children. You love them and you know your children are grieving, Lord. You know their pain won’t go away anytime soon.

But you see what we don’t see. You see all the ways you will work things out for their good. You how you will bring good out of this evil. You know the ways you will comfort and heal them. You know how you’ll provide for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

We can trust you to help them.

I’m so thankful for the strong character I see in the survivors. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear someone say they prayed to God during the tornado. I feel humbled when they express gratitude for their own survival and for the other lives you protected -- even though they lost everything. Obviously they value life more than possessions. You see that attitude, Lord, and I believe it blesses you, too. We thank you because we know you will not forsake them. We trust you completely, Jesus. Amen.

Supporting verses:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3

“I, I am he who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:12

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” Colossians 1:3

O Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth,

            We reach out in a big group hug to those reading this who need your comfort and assurance about financial, emotional, relational and health worries. Bless them, Jesus. Comfort them. Help them remember they aren’t alone. Enable them to soak up the warmth of our unified love and prayers for them, but more importantly remind them that it is you, the Creator of the Universe, we seek on their behalf. And we know you hear our prayers and will comfort and help them.

            Let them feel your strong presence and love during this time. Teach them to draw close to you as you bless them in the spiritual realms in ways they couldn’t even imagine.

Thank you that there is real help when we call out to you, and thank you that you have compassion on us when we’re in need and promise to grant our requests. In the name of your Son Jesus, amen.  

Supporting verses:

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.” Psalm 91:7-9

 “In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come.” Psalms 71:1-3

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:19,20

“Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.” Psalm 49:13

Father God,


You told us long ago that as long as we live in this world we will have troubles. You simply promised to rescue us when problems make an appearance. Though you did not cause the evil that makes us suffer, you graciously teach us endurance and develop our character through those troubles.

Today we call out to you on behalf of our brothers and sisters in the South who are suffering because of tornadoes and flooding.

• You are the God of Love. Allow them to feel your love.

• You are their Refuge. Safely shelter them during these storms. Keep them from danger, illness, wild animals, snakes, disease and anyone who would take advantage of the situation.

• You are their Comforter. Please comfort them.

• You are the God of Peace. Use these troubles to still hearts and heal faltering relationships.

• You give supernatural strength when needed. Give the mental, physical and emotional strength they’ll need to deal with the storms.

• You are their Provider. Provide food, shelter, as well as the funds and supplies they will need to rebuild lives.

• You are the God of Wisdom. Clear up any confusion that presses down on them and show them where and how to proceed.

Help them stand on the sure knowledge that you have never and will never abandon

them or let them down. Give them determination to face trouble with courage.

Thank you for allowing us to pray in your name for these precious people. Please show those of us who can, exactly how we should help. We pray in your name, Jesus, amen.


Supporting verses:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1,2

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28 - 31

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh. 1:9

“But that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Phil. 1:20

Though this prayer is an encore from my unpublished book Addict Prayers, I believe it applies to most of us.



Holy God,
I admit I am powerless over my entrenched habits and addictions and my only hope for healing comes from you. You are not simply a nameless higher power. You are the Only God and there is no other god. You are Creator, Jehovah, the I AM, powerful God of the Old Testament, Father of Jesus Christ the Messiah. You are King over all the kings who ever lived.


Yet, because of the death and resurrection of your precious Son Jesus, you allow me to approach you boldly. How incredible! Thank you!


You are omniscient — you knew me before I was born, you still see everything I do, you know my thoughts. You know how weak I am. You know that I am only dust and prone to wander from you and your ways. I am awestruck that you could know all that and still love me, but you do.


Thank you!


You are omnipotent — you can do anything you want. You are the only one who has the power to take away and forgive my sins. I completely submit myself, my will, to you. Heal me. Transform me into your masterpiece. Teach me your truths as I read the Bible. Send wise friends who can advise me. I am willing to obey you — make me willing to obey you. You have rescued me. I know victory comes through you. I owe you my deepest love and gratitude. Thank you that instead of seeing me as someone unworthy – the way I view myself so often – you treasure me as your beloved child. Because your son lives inside me you impute his righteous to me. Thank you!






Supporting verses (the majority from the ESV) . . .


“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You . . . are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1, 4


“For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103: 14


“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph. 2:10 NLT


Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6