Women's Tea Cup Prayers for November

 Lord, I notice that when I allow love to guide my thoughts, my actions and my heart my day goes much better. I have more courage, joy, hope, calmness, and peace than on days when I allow fear or discouragement to lead the way. Letting love guide me is not the same as being oblivious, naïve, looking at life through rose-colored glasses, or simply having a more positive outlook, but it means I consciously and intentionally choose to let love be the primary motivation in all my decisions and actions and that I act and respond out of genuine care, compassion and concern for others rather than selfish ambition and gain. Help me work at this every day, Lord. Help me to have an eternal mindset and complete dependence on You so that I will be a woman who blesses You and others by the way I live, think and act. I pray, may Your Word become a wellspring of love in me, guiding my thoughts, my actions, and my interactions with others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer

“Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body.”—Colossians 3:14-16

 Jesus, in our journey of faith, we often notice that life can get overwhelming, and we sometimes forget to appreciate the beauty of now. Our brains are always on the next thing, the next day, the next task, making it difficult to live in the present. Living in the present is about accepting and cherishing what God has given us in this moment; recognizing that His grace is revealed to us day by day. We are called to celebrate life itself and give thanks for the little things. Things as simple as the beautiful sunset or a kind word from someone or something funny that helps us share a laugh together. The more things I have on my to-do list, the more things that demand my attention, the harder it is to live in the moment; the more blessings I miss. I know You have things You want to whisper to me, things You want to share with me throughout my day, but I can't hear or see or know them when I am rushing past the moment; already living in the future. Something wonderful happens when I read my Bible daily. Verses like “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34), bring me back to a place of peace and help me focus on today so I can experience joy and fulfillment right where I am. When I am tempted to get caught up in this world’s frenzy, rushing from one thing to the next, biting off more than I can chew and rushing ahead needlessly, help me slow down and enjoy this present moment so I can experience all the blessings, peace, joy, and balance You have made available to me right now. Amen  

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”—Psalm 118:24       

Dear God, You are my strength. You make my footsteps firm and steady like the doe’s feet when she is standing on uneven places. I thank You for being my Rock and my steady ground. You have promised to make my feet like the feet of a doe—swift, sure and unshaken by the rough patches of life. Lord, when the road feels steep and the winds of challenge blow against me, and all around me looks uncertain, lift me to the high places You have prepared. Give me grace to walk with confidence, courage to face the unknown, and faith to trust You are leading me. Let my heart remain steadfast, my spirit unbroken, and my steps guided by Your wisdom. May my life, attitude and countenance reflect Your beauty and strength so that others may see Your light in me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen  

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly and tread safely on paths of testing and trouble]; He sets me [securely] upon my high places—Psalm 18:33  

 Jesus, I ask for Your divine guidance today. I pray, lead me with Your wisdom. Speak to my heart with clarity. Open doors that align with Your will and close any door that would lead me astray or take me from Your path ordained for me. Help me to trust not in my own understanding, but in Your perfect plan. Open my eyes to see Your revealed answers and solutions to my problems in Your Word. Even when I feel unsure, remind me that You are already working behind the scenes and just because I do not see it [yet] does not mean You are not at work. I praise You God, You are my faithful God and You will never leave me; therefore, any feelings of being abandoned by You or having to walk this journey on my own, or figure things out on my own are false. I place my steps, my life, and my future in Your hands knowing that You will direct me with love and Your purpose for me are always good and never harmful. In Your loving and gracious name I pray. Amen  

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight—Proverbs 3:5-6

Dear God, at times I have difficulty making decisions. Sometimes I feel stuck and cannot move forward. I know there are people who make a [nice] living helping others make decisions. They approach decision-making logically and without the emotions we sometimes have when trying to decide something about our life or situation. Decision-making experts advise we can do something as simple as toss a coin because we can know just from our reaction about the results which way our heart wants to go in that situation. We can also consider what we’re aiming for, which is approaching the problem with the end in mind. We can determine we will not live our life according to other people’s opinions, and we can default to action; meaning any action is better than no action at all. Lord, I thank You that I don’t have to hire anyone to help me make decisions for my life, but I can simply turn to You in prayer, I can open Your Word for guidance and when needed, I can talk to trusted-God-led and filled friends and family. I am blessed that you have sent Your Holy Spirit to lead and guide me into all truth which also includes helping me know which way is best for me to go. He is an excellent powerful, heavenly source when it comes to making tough decisions! Thank You for promising to pour out Your wisdom to me whenever I ask. Thank You for giving me important life-skills that help me out of analysis-paralysis and into a healthy, life-giving, life-supporting action. In Jesus’ name I pray, praise, and thank You. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you—Psalm 32:8

 Jesus You are the light of the world! For thirty-three years You never lost sight of who You are. No amount of disrespect, disregard, belittling, or bashing could cause You to have doubts or live any differently than what the heavenly Father sent and purposed You to do or be. No matter how much those who couldn’t understand, see, or receive the fullness of Your essence, You never forgot and lived every day of Your life in this knowledge. I have also been wondrously and purposely made. Because I am Yours, cleansed by the purifying waters of Holy Baptism and made new by the blood of the Lamb, I have those same qualities. I am also a light in this dark world, and my kindness and courage can inspire those around me. Because You give me strength and remind me daily of my purpose, I am able to live boldly in my purpose today, knowing I am deeply loved and endlessly capable. As one of Your brightly burning lights in this dark and troubled world I can be radiant! I will not be diminished or take on a spirit of being defeated or less than what I am or have been created to be. In Your name I pray. Amen 

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life—John 8:12

 Dear Jesus, in today’s fast-paced    

world, stress has become like a badge of honor. We see stress as a sign that we’re being productive, busy, or striving for success. It’s not uncommon for the subject of stress to dominate our conversations with friends; talking about how stressed or stressed-out we are.  Stress is a natural part of life but when it goes unchecked it can take a toll on us. When my stress isn’t handled in the right way it can cause issues in my body, my mind, my emotions, my relationships and my spiritual wellbeing. Stress can impact my work, my time off, and my worship. Stress, in and of itself isn’t sin, but it can lead to sin. My stress can lead to my doing and saying things I later regret. Your word tells me to bring my stress to You. I’m not supposed to carry it around until my chest becomes tight, my mind is racing all over the place and I can’t think clearly, or I’m constantly fatigued. Jesus, I pray, may I have the ability to master my stress, so it doesn’t master me; please give me the power to respond differently to life’s problems. Help me find the balance I need so I can move through my stress in healthy ways. May I always remember that my well-being matters just as much as my to-do list. When I take an honest assessment of my life I can see how I need to have a different approach; feeling frazzled or mentally drained doesn’t need to be my normal. Help me find a healthy, inner balance that calms me inside and out. The next time I’m sipping coffee or tea with my friends my conversation won’t be about how stressed out I am, it will be how powerfully and wondrously You changed my outlook, opened my eyes and showed me a new way to live out this life so I can feel like a new woman! In the name of my stress-free Jesus I pray, Amen. 

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:

But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires you, but you must master it—Genesis 4:7        

 God, I have no reason to fear the things this world or even what individuals throw my way today. I have no need to fret, become anxious or worry today. I don’t need to turn inward to figure things out or solve my problems no matter how complex or big they are. I can take my cares and distress and place them on You heavenly Father. I can be assured and comforted that You can handle them for me just as You have done for those who put their trust in You from the beginning of time. The certainty of Your help and presence fills me with peace, calms me, and makes me feel secure. I can witness this truth to others by my actions and my words. I am not like a kite without a string or like a ship without an anchor. I am grounded in Your love, and Your hand holds me steadfast and gives me the balance I need to live this day confidently and in a healthy way. As long as I keep my eyes on You, I have no need to be shaken, feel defeated or overwhelmed. I praise and thank You Lord for Your promises of protection and assistance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Inspiration for today’s prayer:

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. with him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest securely—Psalm 16:8-9    

 Heavenly Father, it’s amazing all the things I receive when I spend time in Your presence. You are truly my source of strength, the One in whom I have a never-ending supply of everything I need in my day, my week, my life. This world offers many paths and places for people to receive direction and feel strong, but it’s from You I draw strength to get through the difficulties and challenges I face. I am refreshed; I find that even in my weakest moments I am radiant and strong! Through Your love I am inspired. You always bring out the best in me! I am able to walk in confidence and motivated. Thank You for renewing and refreshing me daily. Thank you for the hope and peace I always come away with after spending time in Your presence. It takes nothing more than turning my face toward You, opening my heart and spirit to Yours, and Your essence fills me. I can breathe in Your beautiful fragrance of grace. As I linger in Your presence, I find an endless supply of all I need. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:

I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength—Philippians 4:13     

Tender-Loving God, how many fond memories we can have of holding the hand of a parent or grandparent growing up. We felt so special and loved; our little hand tucked so tenderly in their bigger, stronger hands! Something about handholding that made us feel cared for and protected. It’s sad that as we go through life and continue in adulthood, handholding gets left behind as though it’s only for children. If the male we are dating or married to—boyfriends and husbands—don’t see it as too feminine or girly—then it remains with us, but others may not be as comfortable, and handholding gets left at childhood or dating. Thank You Father for Your promise to hold our hand, no matter how old we are. Thank You that we are never too grown for You to take us by the hand. Your handholding isn’t just for girls or fully grown women, but for everyone, young and old, male and female. With our hand in Yours, we can regain that feeling of security and intimate connection. Thank You for “getting” us as women, God, and for knowing exactly what we need in order to feel loved, protected, and covered. Thank You for the many places in the Bible that highlight Your support and guidance in our lives, reassuring us that You are always with us. Thank You for the times I sense with my spirit how You have gently yet firmly taken me by the hand to lead and guide or comfort me. I rejoice that I am Your daughter and will always be a child in Your kingdom. Amen   

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:         

For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold on your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.”—Isaiah 41:13