Prayer

March 10th – Acts 16:25-26

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Acts 16:25-26

In today’s verses we find Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns of praise while they were in prison. But most amazing, is what the previous verses describe. “When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:23-24)

Can you imagine how terribly hurt they were? Yet in spite of this, they, “were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;” (16:25). They had the strength to praise God! They had joy in their hearts and they wanted everyone else to know!! There was a Godly purpose for their suffering and all the circumstances they faced.

Let me ask you this. When you have been in a painful situation, “imprisoned” in distress and difficulties, did you immediately praise God? Did you feel there was a Godly purpose in all this? Although it’s difficult in our own strength, through the power of the Holy Spirit, it can be done. Joy is an attribute of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it is available to each one of us. But we must ask in prayer for this to be a continual reality in us!

I pray that each one of us can experience the same joy that Paul and Silas treasured in their hearts: the joy of His Salvation!  And may we be able to sing in joy for everyone to witness what He has done in our lives!

Blessings, Mari

 

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March 9th – Psalm 18:6

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Psalm 18:6

David had been in hiding and afraid for his very life because King Saul wanted to find and destroy him. Saul saw David as a threat and had many resources to use against David. But David  in his distress never took matters into his own hands. Instead he went to God, believing that God would hear his prayers and intervene on his behalf. When David felt weak, helpless and vulnerable, he prayed. Prayer was David’s lifeline. He knew he was limited, but God was not. And in this Psalm David calls God his strength, rock, fortress. deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, and shield. 

David looked at his enemies and declared them, “too mighty for me”. So he looked to God to have victory even against the odds. David knew that he didn’t have to face his circumstances alone and he credited God for helping him.

This is one of the key benefits of prayer. And it’s humbling to realize that we are limited, not in control of our circumstances, and need help. Yet it gives us hope to know that we can ask for help from the One who is all knowing, all powerful and able to strengthen and equip us. Every day brings its challenges and every day we need to meet with the Lord in prayer. Has the Lord heard your voice today? 

Blessings, Becky

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March 8th – Matthew 6:5-8

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Matthew 6:5-8

Why is it important to pray in secret? And why is Jesus careful to add that when we pray we should seek a secluded place and shut the door behind us? As I thought about that, I thought of the children’s book called, The Secret Garden by, Frances Hodgson Burnett. The story is about two children who are transformed from being weak, sickly, and friendless, to physically and emotionally healthy children in the garden. And I thought perhaps F.H. Burnett might be onto something here. Because like the children in the garden, our souls can be transformed by our time in secret prayer.

Secret prayer is simply a term used to described our time in prayer alone with God. Psalm 91 has much to say about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

I’d love to encourage you to spend some time reading over Psalm 91. Because I believe here Moses, who walked so incredibly close to God while here on earth, is encouraging us. Moses is saying, if we truly wish to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord, it will be through our time. Time  spent in the “secret place of the Most High.” So if you struggle to make time to spend time alone with God, confess it! Share your heart with Him. And then give the responsibility to meet together each and everyday over to Him! After all He desires to meet with you just as much if not more! God cannot fail. So make it His responsibility to provide time for the two of you to meet in your secret place.

Blessings, Sue

 

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March 6th – Romans 12:12

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Romans 12:12

Have you ever heard of Romans Road? It’s not an actual road, but rather a series of Bible verses from the book of Romans laying out the path to salvation. One of the most read books in the Bible, Romans contains the wisdom of Paul concerning our walk with Jesus. In it the apostle tells us to rejoice in hope, be patient in trials, and always pray. We rejoice knowing that whatever problems we face, God has already won the battle and given us victory. And the hope we place in Him, results in much needed rest and peace for our troubled souls. (Ps. 62.5) Endurance and patience in all things, especially the bad, keeps us from giving up and giving in before we see the light God promises at the end of the tunnel. And most importantly, being constant in prayer keeps our mind focused not on the problem, but the problem solver. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against the schemes of the Enemy. And we know that each prayer is carried by our great Intercessor, Jesus Christ, who lays them at God’s throne of grace, and sees everyone answered!

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March 5th – James 5:16

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James 5:16

I love the quote, “I may not be able to depend on people, but I can always depend on God.” One of the best ways we show our dependence on the Lord, is through prayer. And James agrees. With everything Israel faced, good and bad, James encouraged the people to pray. Pray for deliverance, for healing, to give thanks, and most importantly, for each other. Because part of being a powerful prayer warrior is praying fervently for others. And here in James 5:18  James tells us to confess our sins to one another and lift each up in prayer, so we may be healed. Healed from more than just our transgressions, but also physical ailments, sorrows, discouragement and weakness. In all things, we are to pray for one another. Why? Because prayer is our lifeline to God. And to the prayer of a righteous person, He promises to hear and respond!

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March 4th – Acts 12:5

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Acts 12:5

When it comes to being a powerful prayer warrior, there is none greater than a small servant girl named Rhoda. Her faith in God was so strong, all she needed was to hear the voice of Peter to know her petition was answered. After Peter had been captured and jailed, believers gathered at the house of Mary, the mother of Mark. While praying for Peter’s release, there came a knock at the gate. Rhoda went to answer it, and after recognizing Peter’s voice, she joyfully ran to the people to share the good news. But they thought her mistaken. Yet Rhoda never doubted for a moment. For she had complete faith that what we ask from God, He has the power and ability to do. (1 John 5:14) We should all be like Rhoda. Exited, and full of faith. Praying expectantly to our Heavenly Father, and being filled with joy when those prayers are answered. There is great power in prayer. For when we are bound by chains and all gates are shut, the gate to God through prayer is always open. And through Him, all things are possible.

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March 3rd – Jeremiah 29:12-13

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Jeremiah 29:12-13

When the Israelites were sent into exile from Jerusalem into Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to them. In it he encouraged the people to be confident in the plans the Lord had for them. He wanted them to accept their circumstances, knowing they were temporary. God was still with them and would eventually return them to their homeland. Included in this letter was a promise that God would hear their prayers and have a relationship with them if they remembered to seek Him with all of their heart. What does it mean to do something “ with all of your heart”? It means to be passionate and fully invested. Investing our time, resources and attention. If that relationship is important, we will want to make those efforts. 

Intimacy is a very special bond, and God desires that intimate connection with us. And He promises that if we seek to know Him, He will be found. Our prayer life is our opportunity to spend time connecting with God. It doesn’t mean that our prayers need to be wordy or fancy or elaborate. They just need to be humble, honest and sincere. When our prayers come from the heart, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and comforts our hearts in return. It’s the ultimate heart to heart connection….the connection we were designed for. 

Blessings, Becky

 

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March 1st – 1 John 5:14-16

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1 John 5:14-16

The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that there is a great spiritual war waging all around us. As such, we are commanded to be warriors in God’s army. Soldiers armed against the Enemy’s attacks, and at the ready with our spiritual weapons. And some of the greatest ammunition we have is prayer. Prayer is an unbreakable bond between us and God. And a great privilege, for it allows us to get closer to our heavenly Father. There is no special formula, ritual, or words that have to be said. All God wants is for us to come to Him in complete and humble faith. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we have unlimited access to the Father and His throne. And He wants to hear from us! James 4:2 tells us we don’t have, because we don’t ask. So today I challenge you to ask! Go to God in prayer. Give to Him your heart and all it holds. And have unshakable faith that if it is His will, He will see it done!

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February 8th – Psalm 69:13-15

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Psalm 69:13-15

The phrase, ” in an acceptable time” grabbed my attention today. David is very aware of what’s going on. He senses the rising tide around him. The floodwaters of trouble are beginning to engulf him and he feels like he’s being swallowed up. Can you think of a time in your life where you felt like David? I can. But David offers us a lifeline. For in the midst of his troubles, David stops to renew his commitment to the Lord once more, and so should we.

I remember as a new Christian this desire to run out ahead of God, (not that I still don’t do that today at times.) Just as soon as I got what I thought was a perfect idea, I took off and ran with it! And God would let me go as though He was waiting for me to spend all my energy, grow weary, and fall on my face. For only then I’d look up! Only then was I ready to sit quietly and listen to God’s plan. I honestly can’t count the times God picked me up, brushed me off and set me on my feet once more so that then we could do it together. I sense this is what is happening here with David.

“In your great love and mercy, O God, answer me”

David appeals to the rich mercy of God. Where would we be without His mercy and love? And how blessed are we that we can appeal to these incredible attributes at any time, knowing He will hear and show us His mercy? O beloved, I pray we never take that for granted. For with misery, no attribute is more sweet than mercy. And when coming under attack, the multitude of mercy is a treasure.

“With Your sure salvation”

Beloved, here’s the key! Our salvation that was paid for by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and given to us freely as a gift is not factitious, nor a changeable thing- here today and gone tomorrow, but SURE, dependable, steady; the rock in which to stand firm on!

As I meditated on these verses I began to see that God is using these to teach us. He’s teaching us the art of wrestling in prayer. Of taking hold of what we are sure of , and setting it before our Father when we and our flesh and abilities are exhausted. I’d love to know your thoughts.

Blessings, Sue

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May 31st – Exodus 33:14

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Exodus 33:14

Even though the Israelites were God’s chosen people, they continually sinned against Him. And constantly Moses interceded on their behalf. God is always looking for sincere, devout individuals to pray for their country. For as James 5:26 declares, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” Our nation was one founded on the Word of God. And we as American Christians should be on our knees before the Lord. We need to be praying for the repentance of our people and that God will remain in our midst. For a country without God is doomed to fail. But to a country whose people put God at the forefront and abide in Him, He promises His continued presence, peace, and rest.

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