YES to Future Hope

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

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Lord Jehovah, the existing one and eternal God,
we come to you with thanksgiving in all things.

Today we come before you,
in an era marked
by declining moral values and social cohesion
with high inflation.
We experience rising living costs,
challenging health care access and affordability issues.
We see drug addiction and substance abuse,
gun violence, crime, border pressures.
There is evidence of oppression and racism,
and emergencies seem everywhere
with federal job layoffs, national budget deficits,
food insecurity, poverty,
and wickedness threatening high places.

But just as you gave hope
to the exiled Israelites in Babylon,
to your prophet Jeremiah,
assuring them that even in hardship
you are still in control
and that your ultimate purpose was to restore them,
to give them hope and a future,
we're renewed and filled with the same assurance
and the same hope
that today you are still in control
and your plan is to care for us,
to ensure our complete welfare and our blessed future.

So we thank you for reminding us, amid all the chaos,
that you, our Heavenly Father, have good plans for us all
and are trustworthy even in these difficult times.
Give us the strength and the fortitude
to hold on to your promise of restoration and renewal
that comes daily through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
You have declared a YES over our future as your people,
and we thank you.
Thank you for giving us the assurance today!

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
the hope of glory who guarantees our continued restoration:
you're the same God who speaks over our families,
our purpose, and our entire lives.

We ask you to renew our hope
and speak a “yes” to our prayer requests now.
We believe your promises in the name of Jesus,
Amen.

YES to Kingdom Priorities

Matthew 6:33

But seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well.

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Thank you, God,
for leading and shepherding us
and confirming through Jesus
that we don't have to worry
because you provide for the birds
who've never planted crops,
and grass that are clothed with the lilies of the field.
Nor do we have to worry
about things we cannot change.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your promises:
Matthew 6 reminds us that the Lord our God
values us far beyond our comprehension.
And as our Heavenly Father,
you know what we need and what we don't need.
You have the miraculous power
to neutralize all anxiety and stress,
so thank you for inviting us
to experience your freedom from anxiety
that comes from undue worry about material things –
like food and shelter and clothes
and that which will pass away.

So now, Holy God, since we are free from worry,
we cast all our cares on Jesus,
and place anxiety in the back seat of our lives.
Empower us now
to concentrate on seeking your Kingdom first.
Holy Spirit, remind us daily
that this surrender of our cares
is not just an ordinary priority
to fit onto our list of “to-do's,”
but remind us and lead us in everything we do
to first seek the Kingdom.

We pray for your grace and resurrection power
to make Matthew 6:33 our rule of life.
Whenever we are setting priorities,
may we seek the Kingdom of God first.

Now forgive us for seeking after things and persons,
and for placing anything or anybody before you.
Redirect our passions, our drives,
and our attention to seeking only you,
and to seeking out and chasing after you,
as the deer chases after the water,
as this new year and semester unfolds.

Oh God, we are tempted to chase grades, people,
ministry, dreams and opportunities for approval.
But your "yes” invites us to reorder our pursuits.

So help us to seek only you in everything that we do.
Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit
and the authority in Jesus’ name
to realign and to follow you,
and to place you first in our lives.

In the precious name of Christ Jesus we pray,
Amen.

YES to Shepherding Care

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

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God, our Lord and great Shepherd,
how we are thankful that we belong to you,
as the sheep of your pasture.
Today we're thankful and so relieved
that you do not leave us alone in the wilderness of life
to navigate our journeys
or figure out how we're going to meet
all of life demands by ourselves,
because we cannot.
Your word assures us, in Psalm 23,
that because you are omniscient and all knowing,
we can depend on you.

So, God, before we present our requests to you:
we ask that through Your Holy Spirit,
you provide us as your sheep
with the power to hear and recognize the voice of Jesus
and obey, even when so many other competing voices
are in our ears.

Help us to stay united as the body of Christ,
as we travel through the wilderness of this world,
and through the trials and tests
and troubles and persecutions
on our way to our eternal Promised Land.
Keep us together, as your followers.

Make us good sheep
who follow with grateful and thankful and willing hearts
wherever you lead us.
We love you because you care for us,
and we can cast all of our cares upon you.
And so, God, you know our needs.
You know when we need green pastures
for rest and recovery.
Some of us need that right now.

You know when we need still waters,
when our souls require your refreshing.

O loving Shepherd of the sheep, when we go astray,
come and bring us back into the flock again.

When we wander into unauthorized pastures of life,
bring us back to your bountiful table.
Where we can be nurtured back to spiritual health
by your Word, lead us into rest.

Guide us beside peaceful waters
and restore our souls daily.
We love you and we say YES to your personal care.
You are our personal shepherd!

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

YES to Provision

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to the
riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

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You are the God who causes everything to abound!

Lord God, who generously supplies all our needs,
we adore, we love, and we honor you
as our everlasting source of strength and life.

God, in you there is no lack—
and so, we are confident
that there will be no lack
in your supply for all of our needs.

Your YES word for us today is
that when we give our best as you call us to serve,
you shall supply all of our needs
out of your riches and glory.

God, our request is
that you would share with us your heart,
to help meet the needs
and care for those who watch over our souls,
who spiritually feed your flock,
and who serve the church and community.

Your word informs us that the Philippians aided
your servant Paul with his basic needs.

The widow fed and sheltered your prophet Elijah:
she poured out of her one vessel
until all of her vessels were filled,
and we know that was you providing for her.

And so, in the name of Jesus,
we place every need before you
on behalf of students, teachers, families, workers,
pastors and ministers,
the unemployed, the homeless, the sick widows,
addicted persons,
and those with no family or friends,
those who are spiritually burned out,
and people with no hope.

We pray in the name of Jesus
from your scriptures
and through the power of the resurrection,
that you would fill them, and their every need provide,
so that nothing shall be wanting.

Fill us to the brim, to your full measure,
according to your riches and glory.
Whatever people need, whatever the needs are,
open your miraculous doors.
Help us all to make our way!

In the name of Jesus,
we believe and thank you,
Amen.

YES to God’s Presence

Exodus 31:13

“Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. 
This will be a sign between me and you
for the generations to come, so you may know
that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’”

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God, thank you that your presence
is not an abstract concept,
but it's real. It's personal.
It's constant and comforting.
From Genesis to Revelation, as your word reveals,
you are a God who walks with your people:
not from a distance,
but in immediate and intimate companionship.
From the beginning of Genesis 3:8,
you walked in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve
and provided us a picture of divine fellowship.

Even after the fall, you never abandoned humanity,
and we thank you.
Throughout Israel's journey, you reminded your people:
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

We know that Presence literally means “face,”
symbolizing your personal relationship
and nearness to us.
Even when you sent Jesus,
your companionship took human form.

As Matthew declares the incarnate Christ as Emmanuel,
you are with us, and through Christ,
your companionship
became flesh and blood, tangible, compassionate,
and with redemptive love –
He who died for us
and whom you raised on the third day.

Yet your companionship did not end
with Christ’s Ascension.
You sent the Holy Spirit, the “Paraclete,”
alongside us to help us.
And because you are not only with us, but in us,
our prayer today is YES to your presence.
Father, comfort us now.
Teach us, intercede for us, convict us,
and empower us.
Go before us as our guiding presence.
Prepare our path and direct our hearts and our circumstances.

Go with us as our comforting presence.
Accompany us
as we go through trials and loss and confusion.
God, be in us as our transforming presence.
Let your indwelling spirit renew us in the name of Jesus,
conforming us to Christ
and as we walk in the image of Jesus.

As we attempt any class work meeting,
ministry, gathering or task,
we remember your nearness,
and that you have gone before us
to guarantee us victory
over whatever challenges lie ahead.

We say yes to your presence today in Christ's name,
Amen.

YES to Spirit-Led Freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, 
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

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Our sovereign Lord,
we thank you for this time of prayer with you,
for your word says you, the Lord, are the Spirit.
And oh, how we marvel at the divine union!
You share with us your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit:
the “Three” that bear record in heaven who are One.
We love you for sharing that unity with us.
You said in your word
that he who unites himself with the Lord
is one with him in spirit.

And now, because we are one with you in Christ
and born of your Spirit,
you've given us the freedom
to access your presence always,
and we thank you.

So as your servant, Moses,
had the freedom to speak with you
without a veil in your presence,
we thank you for the veil that was ripped in two
in the temple
when Jesus died on the cross,
symbolizing that we now also have the same freedom
to be in your holy presence,
where we are safe to worship,
to pray, to hear, to be healed,
to find peace and experience renewal |
through the power of your Holy Spirit.

And so, God, since your Spirit breathes liberty
where your Spirit is,
we welcome you now to transform our desk, our office,
our hospital space, our rooms,
our homes, our apartment,
our jail cell, wherever we are –
into a place of freedom where we can worship you
and walk boldly
regardless of any particular physical location.
Jesus, your Son, prophesized the time is coming
when it will no longer matter
whether we worship the Father
on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

And so, God, allow us to practice your presence
in every space and place and moment
so that we don't walk or live in bondage…
but that we will walk in your freedom
and live in your YES and perfect liberty.
 

It is in Christ's name that we pray,
Amen.

YES to Walking in Liberty

Psalm 119:45

I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

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O Lord, how excellent is thy name!
Our great Lord and God,
thank you for revealing through the psalmist
that your YES to liberty is more 
than a release from things and chains.
It is a divine space to flourish in you.
We give you thanks for this wide place
because as students, leaders and people,
we are often tempted to live boxed in, 
constrained by time demands,
limited finances and resources,
by our responsibilities in life, 
work, school and ministries.

As if we’re worrying: “God, the walls 
are closing in on us!”
But God, your Word declares today
that in you we have room to walk, 
to breathe, and to grow.
Today, we seek to walk, live, and move 
in the holy space of freedom,
where we are secure, free from affliction 
and oppression,
and where our eyes can see your wonderful acts 
of mercy and grace
through Jesus Christ our Lord every day.

Father, in this space of vast spiritual opportunity,
we commit ourselves to your Word
and to your ways
that your Word may be hidden deep within our hearts,
so that we won't betray you.

In moments of temptation and weakness,
and through your Holy Spirit's power within us,
we decree that we will not walk in restriction, 
but in expansion.

Every step we take in Christ will push back walls
and create divine space for us 
to thrive and flourish and grow,
to be fruitful in Christ, the true vine.

God, we say YES to liberty
because you are guiding us through prayer 
to understand that your freedom comes
through obedience and submission.

It's in the name of Jesus that we thank you,
Amen.

YES to No Condemnation

Romans 8:1-2

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who
are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the
law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the
law of sin and death.

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Our wonderful God,
we especially are joyful
because the verdict from your heavenly court
is less more condemnation—
but NO condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus!

We praise your insurmountable love
for the well-being of our souls.
Today, our praise is rooted in your Word,
which assures us that we are in Christ Jesus,
the head of the Church,
and that we cannot be condemned.

We say “yes” to your YES in Christ,
confirming that our standing
has been completely transformed
into a state of no condemnation like the Apostle Paul.
And just as ordinary people,
we still wrestle with sin, weaknesses
and the dreaded thought of,
“Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me
from this body of death?”
But with Paul we rejoice, because the conflict
has been resolved in Jesus Christ,
and we thank you.

So, with our renewed minds
we decree that will serve your law
in the spirit of liberation from condemnation.
Father, today, in this present moment,
we look to your Son, Jesus,
to find our justified standing and position in you.
Thank you that you that your promise begins
with no condemnation.
It ends with no separation from your love.
And in between there's no defeat, only victory.

Through Jesus Christ, in the Spirit,
let our lives today be marked
by the liberty of your YES to the Holy Spirit.
Enable us to walk in the Spirit
as we are led
to repentance, into truth, into love,
into holiness and usefulness.
Today, let our lives and ministries
bear the fruit of the Spirit:
love, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

God, forgive us for not doing the good we want to do,
but at times instead getting caught up “in our flesh”
and saying no to your Spirit.
Yet because we are in Christ, Hallelujah!
And in all these things,
we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.

For we are persuaded that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from your love.

God, we love you. We say YES to no condemnation!
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

YES to Healing

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because
the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news
to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners…

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Our Father who art in heaven, the Lord who heals,
We are grateful to know that in your YES,
You are also the great “I Am” –
the One who releases humanity from all bondage
and heals us from every infirmity.
Thank you that you declared to your children
that you are the Lord who heals us.
So we call you by your name, Jehovah!

You are the Lord who heals in the name of Jesus.
Father, in your mercy we come boldly
before your throne of grace,
trusting to receive--in faith--your healing,
your deliverance, and your help for what is broken;
for those in our lives who are stricken with sickness.
And so, we need you in so many ways.
We ask for your Spirit of comfort now, as we pray.

Give us patience until you rescue us!
In the name of Jesus, we thank you
that Jesus Himself declared that he came
to bring healing and release to the captives.
And so, we thank you for every YES
and every promise in Christ upon our lives.
Now, Holy Spirit, anoint us today
with your fresh, flowing oil.
Heal our wounded, broken spirits.

Provide us with a place of rest.
Prepare a table before us in the presence of the enemy,
where we can be refreshed,
where we can come and feast on your liberating word
in moments that feel like we're trapped.

Empower us to proclaim
the healing gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bring forth signs and wonders everywhere we go:
in the classroom, in our jobs, in hospital rooms--wherever we are.

May this season and this new year
and your YES to prayer
be marked by healing, release,
restoration, and renewal!
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

YES to True Liberty

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…

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Holy God,
we adore you and your unconditional love
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thank you that you so loved the world
that you gave your only begotten son,
and that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have everlasting life.
For this great act of love and eternal transformation,
all glory and honor be to you.

 Thank you for salvation in Jesus,
which upholds our new birth in Christ:
that we've been born again of your spirit
and are new creatures in Christ,
saying goodbye to our old sinful nature
and embracing your YES to our new identity.

In Jesus Christ, we say “Hello!” to new love,
determination, and relationship with you.
Today our prayer is for your power and grace
to help us abide in Jesus every day.

And help us this day to then stay, to abide in Christ.
Your word declares “if you abide in my Word,
you are my disciples indeed,
and ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.”

Help us position us to remain in Christ when life is life.
Let us abide in Christ
through continuous contemplative prayer,
worshiping, studying,
and meditating on your precepts and promises.

We thank you today,
and we realize that according to John 15:5,
apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.
Lord God, gardener of the vine:
keep us pruned and productive
and connected to the true vine, Jesus Christ.
Let nothing separate us from him.
Let nothing keep us apart from Jesus.
Not our families, our jobs, our churches,
people, problems, or even the devil. 

Father, we need thee all.
We need thee every hour!
Bless us now.
Savior, we come to you in Jesus' name,
Amen.

YES to Freedom

Galatians 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,
and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

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Our Holy God,
Thank you for the liberty and freedom that come
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this year of your “Yes,” we stand firm in faith
on all of your promises of YES in Christ,
and through him we say Amen to his glory.
Forgive us for the reckless pursuit of not denying self
and chasing false liberties through selfish wants.

And now, as we begin this new chapter
in the power of Christ's resurrection,
we stand on your word—for you to cut every chain
of apathy, fear, and doubt.

We denounce the powers of darkness
that have been broken on Calvary,
and resist the mindset of failure in our studies,
division in our homes and ministries,
because we know we can do all things
through Christ Jesus who strengthens us.

And so, we stand justified
in the work of Christ on the cross.
And we fight with you in this year of your “Yes!”
We agree with every promise in your word.
God, affirm us in your word: that the Spirit of Light
has set us free in Christ Jesus
from the law of sin and death.
So we praise you for this freedom in Christ.

Now, Holy Spirit, empower us and revive your Church
with your power
to declare the good news of the gospel to the poor,
to speak freedom to those in prison
and open blind eyes to repentance
unto the Lord Jesus Christ.
God, we are indebted to you
for paying our sin debt in full with the Holy Lamb
and that you said we could never repay you
for what you've done for us:
how you loosed our shackles
and made a way of redemption
when there was no way.

And for this, O God, we again commit our lives
to be free in you,
to do your will as your disciples,
and walk in your way. Yes!

In the name of Jesus,
Amen.