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3-Minute Prayers for Women

ISBN 979-8-89151-227-6

Text previously appeared in 3-Minute Prayers for Morning and Evening, published by Barbour Publishing.

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Scripture quotations marked esv are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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Introduction

Qui down before God, be prayerful before him.

Psalm

37:7 msg

These encouraging prayers are especially for those days when you are weary from the busyness of everyday life and your soul is longing for a quiet time of refreshment in the heavenly Creator’s calming presence. Three minutes from your hectic day is all you’ll need to ﬁll your cup to overﬂowing with strength for life’s journey.

Minute 1: Read and reﬂect on God’s Word.

Minute 2: Pray, using the provided prayer to jump-start a conversation with God.

Minute 3: Reﬂect on a question for further thought.

Although this journal isn’t meant as a tool for deep Bible study, each soul-stirring prayer can be a touchstone to keep you grounded and focused on the one who hears all your prayers. May this book remind you that the heavenly Father cares about everything you have to say. Go on. . .talk to Him today. He’s ready and waiting to hear from you!

PRAYER FIRST

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 esv

Some days, before I’m even out of bed, my mind swirls with plans, to-do lists, worries. . .but I forget to come to You, my heavenly Father. I a empt to live life on my own, forge ing that You have promised to walk this earth beside me, sharing my burdens and oﬀering Your wisdom and strength when mine will surely fail. If it is only ﬁve minutes on the knees of my heart before rolling out of bed, let my priority be time spent with You. May I follow Jesus’ example to put prayer before any other pursuit for the day. Amen.

Think about it:

Do you make time for prayer in the same way you make time for other activities—exercising, ﬁxing hair or makeup, perusing social media—in your morning routine?

GOD OF GLORY

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

Psalm 29:3 niv

Lightning ﬂashes across the sky, making the room glow for just a moment. Then with a low rumble, the thunder rolls through the house, ra ling the windows. Thunder seems so big—too big for us to understand. You are big, Lord. Big and powerful and strong and glorious. I tell my child that sometimes You speak like the thunder—in a voice that rumbles and rages. And sometimes You speak like the spring rain—so ly pa ering on our paths. But what we can be sure of, and what can calm our fears, is that You always speak. And You are always in control. Thank You, Lord, God of glory, God of thunder. Amen.

Think about it:

What is something in nature that reminds you of a quality of God?

WARDROBE STAPLES

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the ﬂaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:14–17 esv

God, as I get dressed each morning, don’t let me walk out the door before I put on my most important “accessories.” More than adornment, Your armor is essential. Without it, I’m le bare to Satan’s assault, the evil that tries to hinder my walk with You. But with it, I am ready to face the day—not just with style—but with Your truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and words. Amen.

Think about it:

How does God’s armor equip you for daily spiritual ba les against Satan?

A CLEAN SWEEP

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10–12 esv

God, I know how good it feels to spring-clean, to reorganize and refresh my home. Ge ing rid of ignored cobwebs and dust, le ing a fresh breeze ﬂow in, removing clu er, and opening up space. . . Much more important is the “spring-cleaning” You can do in me. Sweep out sin to reveal a clean heart, God. Breathe into my life so I approach today and the days to come with a renewed spirit. Open me to Your joy, I pray. It feels so good to start fresh! Amen.

Think about it: What areas of your life need a li le spring-cleaning?

PRAYERS FROM HEAVEN

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might si you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”

Luke 22:31–32 esv

Lord, this world is full of trials. Reﬁning trials. Trials that test me but ultimately make me purer. Though Peter failed by denying You, his faith survived. I wonder if, looking back, he was encouraged or comforted by Your prayer—to know that the God who sees all, who knew Peter’s weaknesses beforehand—prayed for his faith victory. As I go through my own life’s trials, pray for me, Lord. I need all the support I can get! Too o en I’m like Peter, failing again and again and again. But my faith endures. Praise God, I have an advocate in You! Amen.

Think about it:

Does the idea of Jesus coming alongside us as an advocate (1 John 2:1) encourage you to conquer sin and to remain faithful?

COMPASSIONATE GOD

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy le him, and he was made clean.

Mark 1:40–42 esv

At this time in Jesus’ ministry, He was a busy man. He traveled from town to town, preaching to crowds and sharing about Your great love. Everywhere He went, crowds pressed in to see Him. Yet He wasn’t too busy or too important to care for the needs of this one man, a leper, an outcast. It’s comforting to know You have compassion and that You care about my problems. Like the leper, I ask You now: If You will, please ﬁx my problems and take away my fears. You’re the only one who can.

Think about it:

What problem do you need to bring to Jesus today? He cares deeply about all your concerns.

LIKE WAX

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.

Psalm 97:5–6 niv

God of glory, I see Your hugeness, the enormity of Your strength, and the might of Your hand. I know You are bigger than the mountains and ﬁercer than the molten core of this planet. You are to be feared. Lord, help me show my child that the God we serve is bigger, be er, stronger, wiser, and more full of love for us than any other god that people may claim. As I lie on my back and gaze at the heavens, let the massiveness of Your creation ﬁll my mind with awe. Let Your creativity dazzle my thoughts. Amen.

Think

about it:

What leads you to be ﬁlled with awe of God?

QUIET MY SOUL

O Lord, my heart is not li ed up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psalm 131:1–2 esv

David wrote this psalm. He was not worrying or occupying his thoughts with things that weren’t his concern. Instead, he was calm, waiting, knowing that, in the proper time, You would act. A child who isn’t weaned cries the moment hunger hits. But the weaned child has learned to trust and waits calmly, knowing food will come. Thank You for David’s wisdom in this scripture. Teach me to wait peacefully, calmly, knowing that in the proper time, You will act in love.

Think about it:

Do you concern yourself with things that aren’t yours to manage? Take some deep breaths, calm yourself, and wait on God to act.

OUR SAFE PLACE

Trust in Him at all times, O people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a safe place for us.

Psalm 62:8 nlv

So many times I’ve wished for a friend to tell my troubles to. Someone who would listen and not bu in. Someone who would genuinely care but not overwhelm me with their ideas and plans to ﬁx my problem. Then I’m reminded that You’ve been there all along.

You’re the best place to run, Lord. You provide safety, compassion, comfort, and gentle wisdom. I can count on You to give the best advice, even in situations where I’m completely overwhelmed. So I’ll tell You my troubles. (Thanks for listening!) And I know You’ll have solutions to every problem I face, so I’ll lean in close to hear what You’re whispering in my ear. Amen.

Think

about it:

Where do you usually run for safety?

BE READY

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master ﬁnds awake when he comes.”

Luke 12:35–37 esv

Father, we women prepare many times in our lives. We get ready to go out in the morning. We schedule, plan, create. We wait for loved ones to return home. In all our busyness, let us not forget to be ready for the most important event: the return of Christ. Remind us, Father, of the words of Your Son. We should dress for action. Keep the lamps burning. Anticipate His second coming. I don’t want to be idle or caught unawares on that day. Help me prepare my heart and center on You ﬁrst. Amen.

Think about it:

Do you approach each day as if it could be the day of Christ’s return?

CALL, YOU ANSWER!

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91:15 niv

People don’t always respond when I call them, Lord. Sometimes the phone will ring, but nobody picks up. It’s the same with my pets. When they’re being naughty, I call out to them, but they hide under the bed to avoid my stern gaze.

You, though? You always answer. You want me to call. In fact, You’re si ing by the phone right now, waiting! There’s no incessant ringing when I dial Your number! You pick up immediately. You listen patiently, and then, sometimes to my surprise, You respond. You give me answers for all I’m facing. It’s a two-way conversation laced with love. How I love our chats. I’ll be calling again soon, Lord! Amen.

Think about it:

Do you consider your prayer time to be a two-way street?

NURSING

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 niv

The beautiful thing about nursing is not just the act itself, but it is in what the mother gives besides milk from her body. The milk is the symbol of all the many small and large sacriﬁces to come. Sacriﬁces of time and money, of energy and will, of gi s and achievements. Lord, let me remember this act of love as a symbol of how we are to feed and care for others—not just providing the facts or the gospel message, but giving from our hearts as well. When we share our lives with others, we show them what living in Your kingdom is really like. Please open my heart to share my life with Your children, Lord. Amen.

Think about it:

In what ways can you share your life—and the gospel—with others?

WHEN I’M TEMPTED

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 niv

Lord, the next time I scratch my head concerning how to pick and choose over the world’s various forms of entertainment, please remind me of the above verse so that I can help guide our family with good sense. I am painfully aware that much of what society considers family-friendly fun is far from it. Artists tend to think that if they created it—whatever medium it is—then it’s worthy of an audience. I know from experience that this ideology isn’t true. Lord, when I’m tempted to be careless about entertainment for me and my family, prompt me to search for whatever is true, right, pure, lovely, and admirable above all other things. Amen.

Think about it:

In the past, what form of entertainment has had a negative or positive impact on your family? How can you keep your mind set on God’s goodness?

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

No one can tame the tongue. It is wild and evil and full of deadly poison. We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself. Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen. James 3:8–10 ncv

Sticks and stones can break my bones. . .and words can wound even deeper. God, the tongue and the words it forms have great power. Power for good as I bless and pray and praise, but also power to curse and do harm. When ugly words slip out, the truth of James is so clear. Who can tame the tongue? Only You. Use my tongue to speak of Your love, Your healing, with words that penetrate to the soul and upli . May my words always be in harmony with my faith. Amen.

Think about it:

Do you need to ask God for a tongue taming?

THE EVERLASTING GOD!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:28 niv

Oh Lord, my God, when I look at Your handiwork, I am spellbound. Mesmerized by the luminosities of Your night sky. Fascinated by Your world under a microscope. Captivated by Your dragonflies, ghost fish, and wombats. Your majestic mountain spires, shimmering seas, and underwater caves. I cannot fathom the vastness and details of Your creation, Your knowledge, Your power. And I cannot comprehend Your love for us. . .for me. I am such a tiny dot in Your vast universe, and yet I can feel Your tender love for me and my family. I love You, God, and I offer You my profoundly grateful heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Think about it:

What part of God’s creation do you love the most and why?

MY MANNA

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.”

Exodus 16:4 esv

God, as I read about the Israelites in the wilderness, I sometimes catch myself being critical. You told them how and when to collect manna; You revealed Your plan clearly. Yet some doubted; they disobeyed. How foolish! God, You tell me in Your Word that You will take care of me. You teach me to be content, to trust, to pray: “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3 kjv). Yet at times I doubt You and carve my own way through the wilderness. How foolish! I choose today to rest in Your sovereign plan. Amen.

Think about it:

How are you like the Israelites when faced with the test of trusting in God’s provision?

FOR ETERNITY

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Psalm 102:25–27 esv

Lord, just looking through my closet, I can see the truth of this psalm. No ma er how well made and beautiful they were when new, clothes wear out. The seams weaken; the fabric thins and tears over time. Eventually, I toss them away. Your creation is just the same. No ma er how well made and beautiful it may have been when You spoke it into existence, this earth and all in it will come to an end. But You remain eternal, God. Praise to You forever. Amen.

Think about it:

Because change is such a normal part of this life, is it diﬃcult to see God as unchanging?

NOT GREATLY SHAKEN

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:1–2 esv

Once again, here’s a reminder to wait. Worry and waiting can’t coexist, because when I worry, I’m ﬁdgety and I want to do something. When I wait in faith, I’m calm and I trust You. I love the last phrase of this passage: I shall not be greatly shaken. I don’t like being shaken, Father. I want everything to be peaceful all the time. But without tension, any story is a dull one. You want me to live a grand adventure, which requires shaking things up now and then. You didn’t say I won’t be shaken at all. Rather, You said I won’t be greatly shaken. Sometimes life may ra le me, but You won’t allow any permanent damage. Thank You for Your perfect care over my life.

Think

about it:

What has shaken you recently? Trust that it won’t destroy you.

POWER, LOVE, AND SELF-DISCIPLINE

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 niv

Lord, You’ve given me everything I need to make it through any tough circumstance. Your Word promises power, love, and self-discipline. A person can go a long way on those three things.

You oﬀer fortitude. I need this supernatural inside-out power to get through the tasks in front of me. I need courage to stop these knees from knocking. I need tenacity to keep going, even when I don’t feel like it. And I need self-discipline to stay commi ed to the tasks in front of me.

You promise it all! And in the process, You’ll also give me boldness so that I’m not afraid as I step forward into the great unknown. Thank You, Lord! Amen.

Think about it:

Do you truly believe that God didn’t make you timid?

LOVE IN DEED

Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.

1 John 3:17–18 ncv

Father, loving others is a principle I o en hear in church and read in Your Word. Loving others is what I want to do in response to Your great love for me. But if I’m honest, it can be easier to talk about reaching out in love than it is to actually reach out. Fear, inconvenience, selﬁshness. . .all ugly parts of my old nature, Father, but ones You can help me overcome. When I feel the pull of Your love to help someone, may I respond as Your hands and feet on earth, providing out of the blessings You have lavishly given me. Amen.

Think about it:

What simple—or big—ways can you share God’s love with others?