Toni Sortor - Prayers & Promises for Women: 200 Encouraging Scriptures with Prayer Starters

2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Print ISBN 978-1-61626-695-0

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-60742-846-6
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Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Cover and interior design: Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Design

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in India.

S ome days prayers roll off our tongues without effort. We have much to be thankful forour families, our faith, Gods provision, and all the promises we are heir to through Jesus, our Savior. Other days prayers are harder to come by. We may be facing a crisis, having problems with the children, or just be too exhausted to pray. A womans day is long; her duties seem never ending. Prayers & Promises for Women is based on Gods promisesand there are many of them. Some you already know, others might be new to you, while still others will seem to be pointed to your specific concerns.

This book is designed for women who are pressed for time. If you feel the need to pray about a specific concern, most likely you will find it in the alphabetical contents pages. You may want to expand these prayers or tailor them to your personal needs. They are meant to be used as prayer starters, somewhat like yeast. At the very least, they should give you some comfort and a quiet moment or two to catch your breath.

There are several sections in this book devoted to the stories of biblical women you may be familiar with. Its clear that women have always been important workers in the Church, and it seemed appropriate to feature them in a book designed for women. Other prayers are less gender-specific but approached through womens experiences and needs. We hope you find this book helpful in your prayer life.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

P ROVERBS 15:1

M ost often I am the one who plays the role of household peacekeeper, Lord. This is a double-edged duty. Not only must I pacify the children and my husband on their bad days, I must also see that I dont contribute to the mayhem through venting my own anger. When were having a she hit me first day, Lord, help me hold my tongue until I can reply with a healing answer, not an angry one. When my husband comes home bristling because something went wrong at work, give me calming words, not words that will hurt or make him even more upset. And when I am angry myself, let me be an example of how to deal effectively with anger. Help me be the peacekeeper, never the one who stirs up more anger.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

E PHESIANS 4:26

F ather, You know all about anger, because You have felt it Yourself. What You condemn is not anger itself but the sins anger gives rise to. Its what I do when I am angry that counts. Does my fury make me say words that hurt and will be remembered for years? Is my tone of voice a weapon instead of a healing salve? Do I belittle those I love in the heat of anger? Or do I remain as rational as possible, perhaps retreating until I can discuss the problem in a loving manner? The next time I am angry, I pray You will guide me away from sin until I can speak words of peace and comfort once again. Help me be an example to my whole family.

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

P ROVERBS 21:19

S ometimes my anger is so overwhelming that I dont like myself, Father. I hear my voice go up an octave and know I am over the top. The children hear that voice and run for the hills, hoping I will calm down before they get hungry. My husbands face hardens into a mask that tells me he would rather be anyplace but hereeven in a desert with no bottled water. I am emotionally alone, and I deserve to be. Lord, I need to ask for forgiveness from my family, to admit that my reaction was extreme, and ask to be let back into the family. Give me the resolve to make things better, to ignore my pride, and to do whatever is needed to make us a family again.

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you.

E PHESIANS 4:32

A mother always forgives, Lord, even when the offense seems unforgivable to others. Despite their anger and shame, Im sure that even the mothers of hardened criminals find a way to forgive their children. We have no choice; we are, first and foremost, mothers. My children deserve my forgiveness, too. They are young, and their sins are smallif irritatingwhen compared to others sins. When anyone in my family does wrong, admits the wrong, and repents of the wrong, show me how to follow Your example, Father, and forgive for the sake of Your Son, who came to forgive us all of our sins and make us acceptable in Your sight. May I never hesitate to forgive anyone when You have already forgiven me.

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

L UKE 1:13

Z acharias and Elisabeth had waited years for a child, and now they both were old, well past the age for bearing children, no matter how much they wanted one. Then Gabriel, Your messenger, appeared to Zacharias with the good news that the son Elisabeth would bear would prepare the way for the coming of Your Son. Father, sometimes it seems my deepest desires will never bear fruit, no matter how much I pray. I go on with my life, but there is an emptiness in my heart that only You can fill. I know not all prayers are answered, but many are, so I continue to petition You, for You are my hope.