SCRIPTURE. REFLECTION. PRAYER FOR OUR CITY.
Let’s pray
for Memphis.
join us in lifting up the city we love, block by block.
THE PRAYER JOURNAL
Prayers for Memphis
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Taste and See that the Lord is Good
Psalm 34[a][b] Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left. 1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought…
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Psalm 34[a][b]
Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.
1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.This psalm fits the moment here. We pray continuously that righteousness triumph, that the weak are defended, and that the Lord’s majesty is proclaimed. We rest in His promises. David was praising the Lord in this Psalm after yet another trial. The Lord never abandoned him and also delivered him. Many of these prayers recently have been supplications for the Lord’s presence because of the challenges this city faces. That cry does not cease. But the darkness is not meant to drown out the light.
There are amazing people doing amazing things in this city. Kudzukian is highlighting journeys of black business men like Jason Farmer and William Perry. Joanna Lipman is leading the Memphis chapter of Girls on the Run. GotR is an organization providing mentoring, guiding positive emotional development, and leading physical activity for girls in our community. I was able to learn about Girls on the Run because I’m lucky enough to be friends with men like Greg Spillyards of Commercial Advisors, who pulled a room together to hear a message worth sharing.
Tonight, Lord, may we feel the rush of deliverance and victory in this city. We pray for lights to grow stronger and shine brighter in all corners of our community. We pray for all listeners of The Journey be encouraged by stories of perseverance and triumph. We pray for support through time, talent, and gifts for organizations like Girls on the Run.
Lord, don’t let us settle for less. We pray for revival in this city. We pray for 1000 girls to be served by GotR this year. We pray that The Journey inspires and encourages 1000 new entrepreneurs in our community this year. We pray that connectors and influencers like Greg Spillyards continue to do the work of bringing people together in ways You inspire divinely. May we be so busy building each other up in the coming months that we forget to tear anyone down. In Your name, Amen.
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Presidents on down
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Lord, on this President’s Day, we lift up President Biden that…
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“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Lord, on this President’s Day, we lift up President Biden that he seek You first. We pray for his health and decision-making. Lord, those in authority need wise counselors that speak truth, and we pray that President Biden can discern those who fit that description.
Lord, we lift up Mayor Strickland, Mayor Harris, and Governor Lee. We also lift up the surrounding communities’ elected officials. These men directly impact government’s role in our community. They are tasked with solving difficult problems. Lord, raise up a people to assist. May Your work be accomplished through them.
Lord, I do pray that they act and lead from a servant’s heart and mindset. May they use their office for the good of their neighbor and not for themselves. In Christ’s name, Amen.
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Good Wives and Good Husbands
Lord, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, we pray for the women we share our lives with, or will share our lives with. We pray for those searching for their partners today, that you be preparing the hearts of those couples for when they meet. May we be men worthy of their love because we…
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Lord, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, we pray for the women we share our lives with, or will share our lives with. We pray for those searching for their partners today, that you be preparing the hearts of those couples for when they meet. May we be men worthy of their love because we heed Your call on our lives. Amen.
Proverbs 31:10-31 from The Message version
Hymn to a Good Wife
10-31 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Adorn her life with praises! -
Choosing the Next Mayor
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. (Proverbs 29:12) We have at least 9 declared names for the mayor’s race here in Memphis: Willie Herenton, Frank Colvett, Daniel Abston; Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr.; retired Criminal Court Judge Joe Brown; state Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis; J.W. Gibson; Michelle McKissack;…
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If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. (Proverbs 29:12)
We have at least 9 declared names for the mayor’s race here in Memphis: Willie Herenton, Frank Colvett, Daniel Abston; Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr.; retired Criminal Court Judge Joe Brown; state Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis; J.W. Gibson; Michelle McKissack; Hastina Robinson; attorney and Memphis Branch NAACP president Van Turner Jr.; and Downtown Memphis Commission President Paul Young.
These (mostly) Memphians are running for a variety of reasons. They are taking a risk by putting themselves in the spotlight and running to lead a city in a tough season. Many good people don’t want to enter politics because of the nastiness. “Why would you put your family through that scrutiny?” is asked often. I have to applaud the gladiators in the arena.
Lord, we pray for the right leader to be Memphis’s next mayor. We pray that this person has the city’s best interest at heart and is surrounded by good, honest counselors. Lord, separate the wheat from the chaff early. If any disqualifying factors need to be known, make them known. We pray for wisdom and discernment in making our choice. We pray that these candidates seek You first. Give them endurance, strength, and patience to handle the campaigns. If Your chosen has not declared, call them forth. We pray for a Godly mayor. We pray for a city committed to serving You.
In Christ’s name, amen.
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Promises Kept
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14 God makes promises. This passage is a part of His…
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14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
God makes promises. This passage is a part of His response to Solomon after the Temple is completed. He also expects His children to seek Him. This passage is OT, so Jesus had not come yet. We have Jesus now. We have the Holy Spirit. Whereas God was to be found in the temple, now we call on Him directly because the veil has been torn.
Tyre Nichols was buried on Wednesday in the aftermath of an ice storm. The city responded to the tragedy by seeking Christ and grace appeared. Not a day later, Officer Geoffrey Redd, an active man of faith, was shot while responding to a dangerous man at the White Station Library and is now in critical condition. Messages of car jackings with small children in the car and a man being shot at and chased by attempted robbers on Friday made their way around the community on Saturday. We feel continually harassed and attacked by evil right now.
We’re called to prayer. Many others in comments online respond with the same call. The call to prayer by His children in Memphis is pronounced. Though I don’t know him, Will Jackson, wrote a column for the Daily Memphian on Feb 4. https://dailymemphian.com/section/opinion/article/33947/will-jackson-memphis-needs-prayer-peace-in-wake-of-tyre-nichols-death
He writes the following:
“We in Christ are powered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and thereby should show kindness and peace, two fruit of that Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Let us model what we desire and expect all others to model.”
Thank you Will.
Lord, tonight we bow our heads and call on You. Rid us of the sin in our own heart. May we confess it. Cleanse it in Your light. Then, Lord, we ask that the Holy Spirit fill us with a desire for You, love for You, awe for You. May the Holy Spirit overflow, so that once You fill our cups, we seek to fill our neighbor’s. We know the world is fallen, but we also believe and call on your redemptive grace for our home, Memphis. Hear the cries of your children, the innocent and downtrodden, the weak, and the repentant, and answer them. You are a God who makes His name known.
Do so now. We pray for the violence to end. We pray for the lost to be found. We pray that in our pursuit of justice and mercy, we forget neither. We pray for a hedge of protection around Your children, our families, and our friends. Lord, the young men and women who are lost tonight, wherever they are in this city, may they catch a glimpse of You tomorrow in a family member, friend, teacher, or neighbor. May they see the light of Christ shining and create an opening for You in them. Speak to us, Lord, that we may know how to respond.
In Christ’s name, Amen.