In the wee hours of the morning, I rise

     to pray…

          to confess…

               to worship…

                    to kneel…

                         to listen…

…to come before the throne of grace and present my heart to the One who bends down His ear to hear each cry…

And as I rest in the early quiet of the day, I pray for the many who still sleep.  I pray for them to awaken to the voice of goodness and glory. 

Lord, hear my prayer for those I love and lift up to you.  

• For those who live by their own self sufficiency…May they awaken to realize their need for You. May they be enlightened by the realization that all good and perfect gifts come from You. May they humble themselves before You, thankful for the talents You’ve given them and grateful for Your provision.
• For those who seek truth in the “energy” of the universe…May they awaken with a hunger and thirst for absolute truth. Wake them up to realize the futility of their own thinking and to the knowledge that there is only one true God made known in Jesus Christ. May they clearly remember the dreams and revelations you spoke to them as they slept. And may they rise with a new awareness of Your goodness.
• For those who daily jump into the safety of routine and ritual, believing in You as a higher power, but afraid to draw close… May they awaken to know You as their faithful friend so full of goodness and with a yearning to know You more deeply and personally. Wake them with a hunger for Your word, and may Your call on their hearts draw them near. May Your voice be the first voice they hear and respond to each day.
• For those who are in pain and who need healing…May they awaken to know and feel Your hand of strength upon them. May they sense Your healing breath of life like a warm breeze, or even like a pulsating gust of power.  Bring healing to them, Jesus.  We look for miracles.
• For those with broken and wounded souls… May they awaken to Your great love for them. May they know emotional safety in Your presence.  May they have such a strong sense of Your goodness and Your presence that they feel free to walk close to You.  Touch and make them whole, Jesus.  Set them in the safety for which they long.
• For Your church…Your children… those who know You as their Lord… May they awaken to answer Your call to draw near. Move them from “to do” lists and distractions, and feed them with the nourishment of Your word.  Grant them the assurance of Your presence surrounding on all sides.  May they see You going before them and may they hear Your voice behind them saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”  May they pause morning, noon and night to come to You and to lay their burdens down…and may they put on the mantle You have for them to wear.
• For children, babies and youth… May they awaken to the safety of Your presence protecting them. Place a guard around their thoughts that no ungodly idea, no temptation to sin, no lie or deception from the evil one would enter their minds.  Cover them with Your blood to protect them from the schemes of evil. In mercy, stand and say “NO” to all that might harm or come against them. Make them wise where they are innocent or ignorant. Extend wide Your pinions to cover and protect them, and may they find shelter under the shadow of Your wings.
• For those who live in bondage to evil, who Satan claims to have imprisoned… May they awaken to see You with the keys to their prison cell–the keys that will unleash their chains. May they hear You say, “I come to set you free.  Forsake evil and follow Me.”  And may bondage to deception, denial, violence, destruction and addiction be broken.  May the mindsets and habits that exalt themselves against You be forsaken and may they run to You for help and hope.  Open their eyes, ears, hearts and minds to see what lies behind the veil that prevents spiritual sight.  May they not be able to ignore Your knock on the door of their hearts.  May Your brilliant radiance penetrate their hearts, and equip them to choose You.
• For all who serve in the public square… May they awaken to the awareness of their need for You. For Kings, Presidents and rulers of nations, and lawmakers… May You trouble their spirits and minds until they seek You for wisdom and guidance. Release Your good and perfect judgements upon evil ways and mindsets until they embrace repentance and brokenness before You.
• For first responders, healthcare workers, teachers and all on the front lines of societal need… May they awaken to Your strengthening presence. Equip and encourage them for what they will face today. Grant them Your wisdom, Your priorities, Your perspective, Your creativity, Your stamina and energy, AND Your rest.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.