Day 6: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen (“For all whom we love & value”)

Day 5: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen Day 7: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

Day 6: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen (“For all whom we love & value”)

Welcome to Day 6 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 19.

Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.

Day 6 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

We are helpless and dependent; Graciously preserve us. For all whom we love & value, for every Friend and Connection, we equally pray; However divided and far asunder, we know that we are alike before Thee, & under thine Eye.
Jane Austen, Prayers

In this portion of her prayer, Jane prays for those whom she loves and values, for “every Friend and Connection,” and for those “divided and far asunder.”

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” (Philippians 1:3–4)

Jane’s prayer echoes the Apostle Paul’s letters and reminds us to pray for those we love, both near and far. In them, he says he prays for the Romans “without ceasing” (1:9), for the Colossians “always” (1:3), and for the Thessalonians “constantly” (1 Thessalonians 1:2). He does “not cease to give thanks” (Ephesians 1:16) for the Ephesians and prays for Timothy “night and day” (2 Timothy 1:3).

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father . . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:14, 16–17)

Invitation to Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your steadfast love for me. I truly am helpless without you and dependent upon you. Graciously preserve me and those I love.

Lord, grant me patience and perseverance right now. Help me see any delays or troubles as gifts and opportunities. Show me how to serve you and love others in my new normal: (your specific requests).

I bring before you every friend and connection, those far and near, who are in need of an extra measure of your grace today: (specifics names and needs).

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Covered in Prayer

[image error]Regency Letter

“The visual of Regency letters is a lovely picture of thoroughly covering someone in prayer. First, we can pray for the “horizontal” life of those we love—for the things they do, the places they go, the work they do, and their safety, health, and influences. Next, we can turn our attention to the “vertical” part of their lives—praying for their relationship with God, their desire to please him, their interest and investment in spiritual growth, and their passion for his Word.” (Excerpt from Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen.)

If you have a specific prayer request, please share it below in the comments or email me. I love hearing from you!

Grace and peace,
Rachel