Category: Prayer

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God Blessed America

What a wonderful day we have to celebrate – Happy Birthday America!

There is no country on earth like this country we live in. It was founded on the hopes and dreams of a few. They had a desire to break free from tyranny and they were willing to give up their lives, if necessary, to see that dream of a new nation of freedom come true.

A blending of national origins, sects and ideals came together to see that this nation was birthed. Blood was shed and prayers were offered.

Today, we don’t celebrate her perfection but we celebrate her determination and resilience.

“Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord. Happy are the people He has chosen for His own.” Psalm 33:12 NLV

Some would like to argue that this country wasn’t founded on godly principles but they are woven all throughout her documents, fiery speeches and correspondence. Even her songs give glory to God.

Did you know the “Star-Spangled Banner” has four verses? Let me share with you the fourth:

“Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

That line “Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation” says it all. Many feared America would be able to maintain her independence and survive as a nation when the British attacked our shores again in 1812. The fighting was fierce!

“The anthem’s history began the morning of September 14, 1814, when an attorney and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key watched U.S. soldiers—who were under bombardment from British naval forces during the War of 1812—raise a large American flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland…On September 13, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry withstood some 25 hours of British bombardment. Early the next morning, they hoisted a gigantic U.S. flag over the fort, marking a crucial victory and a turning point in what would be considered a second war of American independence.” excerpts taken from History.com.

Inspired by that tattered flag Francis Scott Key penned the words to what would later be accepted as our National Anthem.

“When justice rules a nation, everyone is glad; when injustice rules, everyone groans.” Proverbs 29:2 CEV

May we all take time to pray for our nation today. We are fractured and need the Lord’s healing. May we be a nation where justice rules!

“Father God, we pray for our nation and its leaders. May Your grace impact the hearts all our citizens. May our cause be just and our trust be in You in Jesus name, Amen.”

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A Morning Prayer

So often as I read through Scripture, I find prayers that seem to be offered in the morning. For me, that’s the best way to start the day – in prayer!

Today, I found one that I don’t remember reading before.

“But Lord, be merciful to us,
    for we have waited for you.
Be our strong arm each day (morning)*
    and our salvation in times of trouble.
3 The enemy runs at the sound of your voice.
    When you stand up, the nations flee!
4 Just as caterpillars and locusts strip the fields and vines,
    so the fallen army of Assyria will be stripped!

5 Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven,
    he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness.
6 In that day he will be your sure foundation,
    providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
    The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.” Isaiah 33:2-6 NLT

*(day is translated morning in many other versions)

“Make us strong each morning, and come to save us when we are in trouble.” Is. 33:2 CEV

How many mornings do I wake up knowing I need strength for the day? More than I care to count.

Some days it’s physical strength and others it’s mental or emotional strength that I know I need.

This prayer paints an interesting word picture for us.

When the Lord speaks on our behalf our enemies run at the sound of His voice. Like caterpillars and locust strip a field the Lord strips the power and authority of those who try to cause us harm.

Amazing!

Have you ever seen the blight that locust cause to a field or the destruction that a hungry caterpillar makes in a garden? Locust strip every leaf from the stalk and caterpillars eat so many holes in the plant that they are unproductive.

Now imagine our Father, the Lord of hosts, sending out that kind of destruction against our enemy, the devil, with His words.

“In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

In what day? In that day, the day the Lord lifts his voice against those things that are harassing and intimidating us, we will be on a sure foundation that provides us with salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Our commitment to the Lord will be our treasure.

It’s faith in God’s word that brings us victory, the victory that overcomes the world.

I think this would be a good prayer to start each morning, how about you?

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Without A Limp

A few days ago, while working outside, I tripped and fell. When Dave helped me up, I could see and feel that my right knee took the brunt of the impact.

For the last week and a half we have been working outside in the cool of the morning. We were almost done and in the process of some clean up. We had laid a ladder down on the patio, it needed to be washed and put away.

I had walked around it several times but this time I forgot it was there. Distracted with something else, it caught the toe of my shoe, I lost my balance and fell forward. I landed hard with my knee hitting the ladder and then the concrete. I was less than graceful.

My knee began swelling immediately – the body’s way of providing protection to the injured part. I pushed myself to finish a couple of small chores and then came in to ice and elevate it. My body was sore and so was my ego. How could I have been so unaware?

Each step the last couple of days, my body has reminded me that I needed to go slow and not overdo. I have done so and this morning when I woke 95% of the pain and stiffness is gone and only a little bruising is left.

It was nice to walk around without a limp and feel back to normal. God has designed our bodies with the amazing ability to heal and regenerate itself.

But it’s not just this physical body, the ability to heal also applies to the spiritual body, the Body of Christ.

“Our own body has many parts. When all these many parts are put together, they are only one body. The body of Christ is like this…14 The body is not one part, but many parts. 15 If the foot should say, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that would not stop it from being a part of the body. 16 If the ear should say, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not an eye,’ that would not stop it from being a part of the body…18 But God has put all the parts into the body just as He wants to have them. 19 If all the parts were the same, it could not be a body. 20 But now there are many parts, but one body…24 The parts that can be seen do not need as much care. God has made the body so more care is given to the parts that need it most. 25 This is so the body will not be divided into parts. All the parts care for each other. 26 If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. If one part is given special care, the other parts are happy. 27 You are all a part of the body of Christ.” I Corinthians 12:13-17 NLV

If one part of the body hurts the other parts hurt with it.

As Christians we are all a part of the body of Christ and when you hurt, I should feel your pain and come to your aide. That’s what it means to be part of His body. We all share in the process of healing.

If you hurt and hide it, I can’t come to your assistance. If I am self-centered I may be judgmental and unwilling to help. Neither condition is of Christ’s choosing.

Let’s all take an active part in seeing that the Body of Christ stays healthy and whole!

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Praying Grandparents

This may seem like a natural occurrence, but I want to draw attention to it anyway.

I grew up with a praying grandmother. Each morning she started her day with prayer. I have no idea how long she spent, sitting there on her couch, apron tied around her waist, Bible in her lap and head bowed in prayer.

I know that after my grandfather died, I would walk over to her house from elementary school for lunch and when I would come in the back door many times she would still be there, on the couch praying.

Grama had five children, 26+ grandchildren (some of them were step-grandchildren), plus the children and grandchildren of her second husband. She had a lot to pray for. As we, the grandchildren, married and had children of our own her list got longer. She was committed to praying for us each day.

I remember how lost I felt a few days after my grandmother’s death. I asked the Lord, “Who’s praying for us now”? Even now, I think about it and tears fill my eyes and I get a lump in my throat.

I’ve been reading the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in the book of II Chronicles. A striking comment is made about each of the kings.

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah. He was king for 55 years in Jerusalem. 2 Manasseh did what the Lord said was wrong. He followed the terrible and sinful ways of the nations that the Lord had forced out of the land before the Israelites.” II Chronicles 33:1-2 ERV

“ Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He was king for 31 years in Jerusalem. 2 He lived in a way that pleased the Lord, always doing what was right, as his ancestor David had done. Josiah never changed this way of life. 3 When Josiah was in his eighth year as king, he began to follow the God worshiped by David his ancestor. He was still young when he began to obey God.” II Chronicles 34:1-3 ERV

This is just a sample of how the entire book reads. Manasseh did what the Lord said was wrong. Josiah, his son, lived in a way that pleased the Lord. What made the difference between father and son? I don’t know but it says Josiah lived as his ancestor King David did and he never changed this way of life.

Josiah was only eight when he became king, but he must have heard stories of his wonderful, many-generations-back, grandfather. Theirs was a spoken and written history, no pictures like we have now, and I imagine that someone told him about a young man who killed a giant, ruled Israel and served the Lord God. He certainly didn’t see it modeled by his father.

“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.” II Timothy 1:5 ERV

Paul wrote those words to Timothy, his son in the faith.

Dave and I are blessed with seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. It is my prayer that they love the Lord and grow in a constant and abiding relationship with Him. A relationship that their grandchildren will want to emulate.

Grandparents, the greatest gift we can give our grandchildren is living a life of prayer!

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Listen!

If you’re anything like I used to be you are probably in a rush this Wednesday morning. The week’s about half over and you have lots that you NEED to get done.

Listen…No stop right now and listen for 10 seconds…If you’re anything like me you’re morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot, the hum of the computer fan and a myriad of other noises all competing for your attention.

I am blessed to live where there are no sounds of traffic, sirens, planes or other such noises. I hear the birds, the air conditioning and the clock ticking.

Yesterday morning I had a very strange experience. I called my doctor’s office to get the results of my lab work. Four times I called. Each time I would hear them say hello, I would say hello and then “click”. I was disconnected. I was frustrated to say the very least; you could hear my frustration in my voice when I finally got through. The nurse on the other end was also frustrated, her phone system was malfunctioning. She apologized and so did I.

Is that what is must be like for God? He calls, we say hello and then He gets a disconnect. Or maybe He calls and we’re too busy so we send Him to voice mail and/or put Him on hold.

I love when I wake up each morning I can say, “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I can hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Folks spend much of their time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and miss the simple, still small voice of God trying to lead them and give them insight. How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing”. And we don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us. It’s a bad connection.

Elijah was looking for God’s answers during a very serious time in his life. He was seeking God and there came a great wind and then an earthquake and then a fire and finally a still small voice. God spoke in a still small voice!

“…a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” I Kings 19:11-12 NLT

The most important thing you’ll hear each morning, if you listen, will be the still small voice of the Lord. Sssssh – just listen!

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Begging or Believing

This morning I was reminded of a time, not so very long ago, when I was talking with the Lord about a situation that needed to be changed. Yes, I was complaining and even started to beg. It didn’t take me long to realize that the Lord was not impressed by either.

I had this thought come up – are you a beggar or a believer? What! A beggar or a believer? Show me how to stop begging because I really thought I was believing.

Jesus is the perfect example of a “believer”. He never doubted God’s word or His power. We need to follow his instruction. Jesus’ disciples asked for examples on how to increase their faith, their ability to believe, and this is what happened.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Show us how to increase our faith.'” Luke 17:5 NLT

Jesus went on to tell the disciples about a man that had a slave who worked for him. He said that the master doesn’t compliment the slave for doing what he’s supposed to do. No, he expects the task to be done.

The way I read this is Jesus was telling them that they didn’t need to beg for faith, they simply needed to put it to work. And then Jesus gave them an example.

“As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.” Luke 17:12-14 NLT

The lepers “begged” Jesus for healing. Jesus put his faith to work and “believed” God and it was accomplished. Faith was working to bring about the will of God.

Another example is the lame man at the Gate Beautiful who had been there begging alms all his adult life. He saw Peter and John coming to the temple and began begging from them. Peter said “We don’t have any silver or gold to give you today but what we do have we’ll give to you. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk”. (Acts 4) Immediately he jumped up and began walking.

“You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.” Acts 4:16

Begging indicates a lack of faith, an uncertainty that what we are asking will get done. But faith is confident belief.

“ We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:14-15 ERV

That’s the way it is with our heavenly Father, we simply tell Him about the need and believe in faith that it will be taken care of. There’s no need to be a beggar, we are called to be believers.

Have faith in God!

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Locked Out?

Each morning when I open my laptop this phrase appears on the screen, “Have you forgotten your password?”.

No.

I sign in and have access to all my information, unless like the other morning there has been a system update and some of my information has been relocated. But I digress. I’m sure many of you are like me and have written your passwords in a book and placed them in a secure place, just in case I do forget one of them. Better yet are the “secure” password vaults that remember them for you and at prompting populate the correct password for that sign-in.

I can remember a time when there were no passwords required. In fact, there were no computers. That seems like a very long time ago. But why all this talk about passwords this morning?

Well, in my prayer time I was thanking the Father that I can come into His presence freely – no password, no engraved invitation or secret access code.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:4-5 NLT

It’s as simple as that – we enter His presence with thanksgiving! The love of God continues forever and He is faithful to each and every generation.

Sometimes we might feel unworthy and needy but He says come in, we have access!

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

There have been times when I felt I was far from the Lord and was struggling to find my way. His instruction filled my heart.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

There is never a time when the Father is too busy or unavailable to us. The Apostle Paul gave us this instruction.

“Never stop praying.” I Thessalonians 5:17 NLV

In Jesus’ final hours before He was tried, convicted and crucified He went to the garden to pray. He asked Peter and the others to join Him in prayer. He knew he was facing the most horrendous event of His life, so He prayed.

“Then he went back to his followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, ‘Could you men not stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. Your spirit wants to do what is right, but your body is weak.’” Matthew 26:40-41 ERV

Ready access – open communication. The Father knows we are weak, in need of His help that’s why He tells us to come. His plan for us is good and He will not abandon or desert us.

“Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 ERV

When we have an open heart seeking the Father we will never be locked out of His presence!

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Motherless Child

This morning I woke up feeling heavy hearted. To be truthful, it can be a hard calling to walk in.

I’ve been sitting here in the dark for the better part of an hour praying. Praying for those who feel helpless and alone. Praying for friends that I know battle with depression, as I once did. Praying for those who realize that their marriage is over and the family they have fought for so many years is crumbling.

Praying for those who have heard that a loved one is dying and their passing is eminent. Some went to bed hungry last night, others faced the destruction of war and some feel that no one cares, no one even knows who they are.

“Sometime I feel
Like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel
Like a motherless child
And sometimes I feel
Like a motherless child
A long…long way…from home” sung by John Legend

My heart breaks!

Maybe as you have read the last few paragraphs the names and faces of family, friends and acquaintances have come to mind. May I encourage you to stop right now and pray. The Father wants us to be ready to be used.

Years ago, I got up in the middle of the night crying. I was crying for a friend’s daughter, I didn’t know why but I knew I needed to keep praying until the Lord gave me a release that things would be okay. Later I found out she had stolen a car, was involved in an accident and had tried to take her life.

Another time I was driving a piece of farm equipment and just started praying, out loud, for a friend and her family. I didn’t know why. I didn’t have phone service and neither did she but when we saw each other again I told her what had happened. It was at the precise time that they were rushing her three-year-old son to the hospital in ambulance with an unknown life-threatening illness.

And probably the most unique call to prayer was when I woke from a dream. There was a little girl from India in my dream, in the dirt streets with no food, no parents, no one to care. I prayed for her for the next hour. I honestly believe that one day I will see her in heaven.

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:37-40 NLT

Never take your heart’s cry to pray as trivial. The Father wants to use you to reach out and touch the world with His love and power.

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Bitter Fruit

We have a beautiful orange tree at the back of our lot. The fruit grows large and has a beautiful color but we warn everyone not to pick or eat the fruit.

It’s full of thorns and bitter as medicine.

They are called an ornamental orange, many of them have been planted throughout the Phoenix valley because they look beautiful all year round. But to give you an idea of how bitter the fruit really is even the javelina won’t eat them. Personal experience tells me to leave them alone.

This morning I was focused again on prayer. I remember a time when I was bitterly complaining to the Lord about a situation that just wasn’t right. I may have even used a swear word or too when I was talking to Him.

What a sharp contrast to the words of one of our verses yesterday, “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done”. There is no room in our relationship with the Lord for bitterness and complaining. He wants us to rid ourselves of this destructive behavior and focus on His goodness and provision.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

That doesn’t mean that we can’t or don’t come to the Lord when we are upset, angry, heartbroken or even complaining bitterly but what it does mean is that when we leave our prayer time we leave the bitterness and murmuring there. The Father knows our heartaches and disappointments so we can be honest with Him, asking for His help. Taking on an attitude of joy and thanksgiving because we know He has heard us and will intervene in our situation.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High. 2 It is good to tell of Your loving-kindness in the morning, and of how faithful You are at night, 3 with harps, and with music of praise. 4 For You have made me glad by what You have done, O Lord. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. 5 How great are Your works, O Lord! How deep are Your thoughts!” Psalm 92:1-5 NLV

Murmuring is a lot like that ornamental orange tree. We can disguise it as concern or our desire to correct a wrong, making our complaining and criticism look good on the outside but inwardly there is bitterness.

“The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. ” Psalm 145:17-19 NLV

When we pray about the things that bother us or are unjust He hears us and will save us. Our job is to let Him do it in His own way and with His best timing.

Let’s not be like that bitter orange but instead be a sweet fruit of joy.

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Prayer Works

This morning I want to continue on with yesterday’s teaching on prayer. I have had people tell me, “Kristi I pray but you just never know what God is going to do”.

If that’s your attitude on prayer let me share some Scriptures that will give you a greater confidence in your prayer life.

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

Here is the biggest key to answered prayer. Asking for those things that we know please the Father. I can hear you asking, “Ok, so how do I know what pleases Him?”.

When we ask for things that He has already promised us in His word we know that those requests will be answered in the affirmative.

“ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 1:5-8 NLT

Do you need wisdom? Ask for it and be assured that God will give it to you. Do you need strength? Then ask for it because He has promised that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT

Jesus gave his disciples specific instructions on prayer. “Our Father”.

“Our Father in heaven,
    may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
    as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
    as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
    but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

The Father has promised to provide and we can trust Him to do just that. He provides forgiveness, He promises our need for food, clothing and shelter. He promises to give us protection from the works of Satan.

Jesus went on to say in this teaching:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NLT

The Father doesn’t want us asking prompted by selfish ambition but when our eyes are focused on Him and His word He says ask and you will receive.

Yes, prayer works!

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