Category: Prayer

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Praying With A Heavy Heart

This morning, I came to my prayer time and sat silent for almost an hour. There were no words, only a heavy heart for my family and friends, for those I do not know, for our world.

There has been so much tragedy, unrest, so many anxious moments, so many disasters. Yet in all of it there is a peace that only God can give.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

These are the words of Jesus. John the Baptist said of Him, “He came to take away the sins of the world”. If anyone knew what it was like to carry a heavy load it was Jesus. Daily He was moved with compassion as He met the needs of those searching for a miracle.

He healed the lame, the leper, the blind, all manner of sickness and disease. He had compassion on those who were broken-hearted, imprisoned by demonic forces, and those held captive by betrayal and fear.

At night he would separate Himself and go away to pray. His heart would ache as He prayed for those who were rejecting the goodness of God and the love His Father had for the world.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.” Matthew 23:37 ERV

The Lord knows the heaviness of a broken heart and He desires to carry your load. His desire is to give you rest.

“ Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Yes, with Jesus as our high priest we can come freely to God’s throne and find grace, mercy, and kindness to help in our time of need.

As I sat still, in the silence, the heaviness lifted and I knew my prayer time was complete. My heart was filled with hope and my mind was filled with song.

“My life is in You, Lord
My strength is in You, Lord
My hope is in You, Lord
In You, it’s in You

I will praise You with all of my life
I will praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All of my hope is in You”

Let me leave you with this. “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”!

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The Way of Escape

Some years back I had an interesting experience while I was getting off the freeway and waiting in the turn lane of the off ramp. It stuck with me and this morning it was fresh in my mind.

I was with a friend and her daughter. We noticed a small field mouse in the intersection. How it got there I have no idea, but it was right smack in the center, definitely in a life-or-death situation. He would scamper one way only to be turned back and run another direction. Back and forth he went avoiding catastrophe with every turn.

Finally, he had zigged and zagged enough that a clear escape opened in front of him and he ran for the shoulder of the road and was safely hidden in the tall grass at the road side. He was safe!

“Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 13  You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 CEV

The little mouse was in danger, his enemies were trying to crush him, hope was almost gone and then the way of escape came into view.

“ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

How many times have you been able to relate to the plight of the little mouse? Running one way then turning back in fear. Choosing another path and needing to change course? God has a path and a plan; He is the one who will rescue us! We need to call out to Him in prayer.

“Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my call for help and answer my prayer. Show me how good and loyal you are. 2 Don’t judge me, your servant. No one alive could be judged innocent by your standards. 3 My enemies are chasing me. They have crushed me into the dirt. They are pushing me into the dark grave, like people who died long ago. 4 I am ready to give up. I am losing my courage.

5 But I remember what happened long ago. I am thinking about all you have done. I am talking about what you made with your hands! 6 I lift my hands in prayer to you. I am waiting for your help, like a dry land waiting for rain. Selah

7 Hurry and answer me, Lord! I have lost my courage. Don’t turn away from me. Don’t let me die and become like the people lying in the grave. 8 Show me your faithful love this morning. I trust in you. Show me what I should do. I put my life in your hands!

9 Lord, I come to you for protection. Save me from my enemies. 10 Show me what you want me to do. You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground.

11 Lord, let me live so that people will praise your name. Show me how good you are and save me from my trouble. 12 Show me your love and defeat my enemies. Destroy those who are trying to kill me because I am your servant.” Psalm 143 ERV

When we trust the Lord, He will bring us to a place of safety. He provides a way of escape. His plan for us is filled with hope and gives us a good future.

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What’s On Your Mind?

I’ll tell you what’s on my mind. This morning, I was continuing to think about the confidence we can have when we pray.

I gave you a number of verses yesterday for you to think on – verses that lead us to confidently trust the Lord, so, it was no surprise to me this morning when my reading dealt with our thoughts.

“Our God, be kind and bless us! Be pleased and smile. 2 Then everyone on earth will learn to follow you, and all nations will see your power to save us.” Psalm 67:1-2 CEV

David was reminding the people of Israel of God’s kindness, protection and provisions. I smiled when I read the words be pleased and smile. The thought of God looking at me and smiling definitely put a smile on my face.

So, think on God’s kindness and His smiling face.

Then, I read Paul’s instruction to us from Colossians and Philippians.

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.

5 Don’t be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don’t be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don’t be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols.” Colossians 3:1-3 CEV

“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 CEV

Thinking about heaven and what life is like there gives us wonderful insight on how God wants our life to be here. When our thinking is in line with God’s character – truthful, pure, right, and worthwhile we will have God’s peace. Knowing He is kind and that He sent Christ to be our example gives us an understanding of what pleases the Father.

Knowing what pleases the Father and praying for it to come to pass here on earth gives us confidence when we pray. Isn’t that the instruction Jesus gave us in what we call the Lord’s prayer?

“We pray that your kingdom will come— that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.”. Matthew 6:10 ERV

That begs the question: What’s it like in heaven?

“I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, ‘Now God’s home is with people. He will live with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone.” Revelation 21:3-4 ERV

That’s how heaven will be!

Let me close by going back to what Paul said in Colossians 3.

“Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there” and remember God is smiling at you!

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Legacy

Thank you to the many mothers and grandmothers out there who have taught their children to love the Lord and to serve others. You are true blessings to the world.

” I always remember you in my prayers day and night. And in these prayers I thank God for you. He is the God my ancestors served, and I have always served him with a clear conscience. 4 I remember that you cried for me. I want very much to see you so that I can be filled with joy. 5 I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith. 6 That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I laid my hands on you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire. 7 The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:3-7 ERV

I was blessed to have grown up with a praying grandmother and mother.

My grandmother would spend hours each day praying for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom did too. That’s who they were.

Moms you may not have great wealth and earthly possessions to give your children but don’t be discouraged. What you have is your time, your love, your understanding and your prayers. These are the gifts of inheritance that matter the most.

“a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised.” Proverbs 31-30 CEV

Giving praise to the mothers and grandmothers today who have given us a godly legacy!

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Love is Spelled P-R-A-Y-E-R

With Mother’s Day almost here I imagine most of us are thinking of our mothers and our children. We’re remembering times with both. The joy and laughter, the heartache and the sadness. Some have lost children and others have lost their mothers. The memories come rolling in like a flood.

Most of us didn’t have a manual on how to raise loving, well-adjusted children but we did have prayer, the Word of God and advice from other loving mothers. We weren’t perfect – oh, far from it! But we loved!

This picture is my Mom in the days before disposal diapers. She was changing a diaper and realized she had pinned it to her finger and not the cloth. This picture always makes me smile and remember how loving she was.

At times our hearts ached with an indescribable pain but most of the time we were kissing little knees and elbows, making cookies for classroom parties, taking long walks and listening to dreams and ambitions.

And praying! Praying that our children would grow to love the Lord; praying that they would find love and praying that they would be protected from the cruelties of life.

Hannah, Samuel’s mother, is an example to us all. She prayed desperately for a child and then she gave her son to the Lord for His service.

“When the boy was old enough to eat solid food, Hannah took him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh. She also took a bull that was three years old, 20 pounds of flour, and a bottle of wine.

25 They went before the Lord. Elkanah killed the bull as a sacrifice to the Lord as he usually did. Then Hannah gave the boy to Eli. 26 She said to him, ‘Pardon me, sir. I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord. I promise that I am telling the truth. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer. He gave me this child. 28 And now I give this child to the Lord. He will serve the Lord all his life.’ Then Hannah left the boy there and worshiped the Lord.” I Samuel 1:24-28 ERV

And she left the boy there…this morning those of us with children need to make that decision, whether they are small or grown, we need to take them to the Father and leave them there. At His throne, in His care, is the safest place we can leave them and then we must worship the Lord because He is able to keep them!

Thank you Father for the wonderful life of being a mother!

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In Everything

I saw this picture and it immediately brought a smile to my face. But what has that got to do with our teaching this morning?

Everything. Yes, everything. God wants us to have thankful, joyful hearts.

“In everything give thanks. This is what God wants you to do because of Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 NLV

There’s a big difference between giving thanks IN everything and FOR everything.

We can give thanks IN every situation and circumstance because our eyes are on the Lord, and we can trust Him to be an EVER-PRESENT HELP in times of trouble.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

More qualifiers for our conduct in every situation.

Don’t worry about ANYTHING!

Pray about EVERYTHING!

BELONG to Christ, be blessed with PEACE

Kind of sounds like Jesus’ own words in the boat that was storm-tossed at sea.

“But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’” Mark 4:38-40 ESV

We will have storms and trials. We will face situations and circumstances beyond our control but instead of being weighted down with worry and fear we are admonished to place them in the control of the One who brings peace. We place our faith in Him!

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?” Matthew 6:25-26 ERV

At this Easter season, with our attention focused on the horrible way Jesus was treated leading up to the crucifixion, we wonder how He could experience such a horrible death. How was He able to go through it all without lashing out?

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV

Think about Jesus! Don’t worry – put a smile on your face and know that God loves you and will bring you through anything and in everything He will give you peace!

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Looking Up

Today, I want to draw your attention to a time when Jesus “looked up”.

Jesus had left the area of Judea just days earlier because the Pharisees were trying to kill him. Now he learned that his dear friend Lazarus was very sick. He told his disciples that they needed to return to Bethany, and they reminded him that the people in that area were against him.

Jesus waited a couple more days and then he told the disciples we MUST go to Bethany, Lazarus is dead. When Jesus arrived he learned that Lazarus had already been in the grave four days. Martha came out to meet Jesus and told him if He had been there, she knew her brother would not be dead.

Do you get the picture? Jesus is grieving over the death of his dear friend. He is just a two mile walk from a town where a mob had tried to kill him just a few days ago and now his friend’s sister is blaming him for her brother’s death. WOW!

The story goes on from there. Lazarus’ other sister, Mary, and the mourners come to where Jesus is. Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and says the same thing, “If you had been here my brother wouldn’t have died.” And now comes the shortest verse in the Bible – Jesus wept.

I think he wept because he felt the grief of the loss of a friend; I think he wept because he was being blamed for that death; I think he wept because the people around him had no faith and hope. But he wept. And then he did something that we all need to do – He looked up!

“Jesus was still terribly upset. So he went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone rolled against the entrance. 39 Then he told the people to roll the stone away. But Martha said, ‘Lord, you know that Lazarus has been dead four days, and there will be a bad smell.’

40 Jesus replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?’

41 After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. 42 I know that you always answer my prayers. But I said this, so that the people here would believe that you sent me.’

43 When Jesus had finished praying, he shouted, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ 44 The man who had been dead came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of burial cloth, and a cloth covered his face. Jesus then told the people, ‘Untie him and let him go.’” John 11:38-44

He looked up to the Father – he reminded himself that God the Father had not abandon him and that even in his grief, the Father was there to bring victory to the situation. He looked up and he thanked the Father for answered prayer. And He knew the purpose of all of this – so that the people would believe!

Jesus moved his attention from the circumstances around Him and looked to the One who changes things.

Jesus called Lazarus from the grave – His words, “Lazarus, come forth” brought the power of God to the situation and Lazarus came walking out of the tomb.

Awesome! Absolutely Awesome!

A kind and loving God brought an end to grieving and despair. He brought life to Lazarus and life to the hope and faith of the people who were there. He can and will still do the same today.

What is it in your life that is dead and needs to be resurrected? Your hope? Your faith? Your health? Your marriage? Your joy? Your finances? What???

Look up to the One who has life giving power – look up and thank Him for resurrection and then be bold like Jesus and call it forth from the grave. King Solomon said Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21.

Jesus was focused on looking up – we need to do the same!

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Simple Prayer

Welcome to February!

This morning, I want to share with you about prayer. Sometimes, we can be intimidated when it comes to praying but really praying is just talking. Talking to your heavenly Father, the One who knows your every thought and loves you unconditionally.

I heard a cute story once. A little boy was about to go to bed and his mom said “Don’t forget to say your prayers”. The little boy bowed his head and began reciting the alphabet and ended with Amen. When his mother asked why he did that he said “God knows all the words, I was just giving him the letters”.

If we can talk, we can pray. God isn’t judging our sentence structure or the grammar in our prayers, He looks at the sincerity of our hearts.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:4-7 ERV

Prayer is not a last resort, the “I’ve done everything else, I’d better pray” type of thinking puts God on the back burner so to speak. No, we come to Him first thing with everything.

“Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! 11 You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 ERV

Start by thanking and praising the Father for being who He is – loving, caring, forgiving and the One who invites us to come and find help. Be specific about our needs and requests, don’t worry or fret. Then thank Him for hearing and giving us the answers that line up with His word. You notice that’s the instruction Paul gives us in those verses from Philippians.

“We are certain God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. 15 And if we know God listens when we pray, we are sure our prayers have already been answered.” I John 5:14-15 CEV

I hope that you make prayer the first part of your day. When we start mindful of Him, our entire outlook will be brighter. Afterall, He has promised He will never leave us and that He is always there to help us.

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Always Be Grateful

Father let my heart be filled with prayer and praise this day. Let me focus on You all that you have blessed me with. Let my eyes see as You see and let my mouth speak as You speak. Let my hands reach out as You reached out to me. I desire to be a living example of You in this world. In Jesus name, Amen.

This image hung in my mother’s home. It may have reminded her of her grandfather or her father, both of them were men who prayed fervently and so did their wives. They trusted God for everything, in everything. Their lives had one purpose to honor and glorified their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

My grandfather, who I never met, was nicknamed Preacher. He ran a gas station. He made sure that everyone who came to his station heard about Jesus. He was a good and godly man. I wish I had known him.

“Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.” Luke 6:35 ERV

“Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:17 CEV

“Don’t let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault. 14 Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 19:13-14 CEV

Today I am thankful for those who have had a godly impact on my life. Those who taught me the truth of grace, the power of prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that you have had some such wonderful people in your lives and that you are making an impact in the lives of others.

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Living Free

Last night as I was falling off to sleep a memory came to mind. I knew I would share it with you this morning.

Many years ago, I read a book by a man who built his business on honesty and integrity, even when it cost him financially. Once he gave his word he kept it, even though it might affect his bottom line.

He became very successful and was known for his philanthropy. He wasn’t given to worry; he lived a life of faith. When asked how he avoided the worry that consumes so many he told of his worry box.

He had a box on his desk and when something was worrisome, he would pray over it, write down on paper and put it in the box. Once a week he would open the box and remove the items that had been resolved and leave any others there. He refused to worry; he chose to trust. Worry never solved anything.

“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need. 34 So don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.” Matthew 6:33-34 ERV

When I searched for an image to use with this blog, I found there is a whole cottage industry out there now making worry boxes. That says a lot about our society. So many caught up in the cares of life. The world needs a worry box – God has given us one.

“All you people who are thirsty, come! Here is water for you to drink. Don’t worry if you have no money. Come, eat and drink until you are full! You don’t need money. The milk and wine are free. 2 Why waste your money on something that is not real food? Why should you work for something that does not really satisfy you? Listen closely to me and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the food that satisfies your soul. 3 Listen closely to what I say. Listen to me so that you will live. I will make an agreement with you that will last forever. It will be an agreement you can trust, like the one I made with David— a promise to love him and be loyal to him forever.” Isaiah 55:1-3 ERV

The Lord’s promise to love and provide is more than enough for any worry we can put in a box. He is more than able to handle any situation that we face, the key is to trust Him and let Him handle it.

I am so thankful for God’s wonderful promises. I can reply on Him. God’s got this!

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