My Prayer List Post Christmas

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

How many of us have been well intentioned when someone asks us to pray for them and if we do not do it right then totally forget? I have to admit I have done this I am ashamed to say.  

Have you ever thought of using the Christmas  cards you receive as a prayer tool. Leave them out just a while and each day select two or three to pray for in your prayer time. Everyone has needs and concerns but only the Lord knows what each person is dealing with. Make Christmas season continue past December 25 by putting those cards to good use. Even better when there is a photo on the card so you put a face with a name.

Remember just as today's very short verse says,we are to pray all the time. You can actually talk to God in prayer even when you are driving your car. I often turn off my radio and just pray at that time in the quiet and comfort of my car.  Whatever you choose, just do not stop praying.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I thank you for every chance I get to pray. I thank you that I happen to live in a country where I can do this in most places. Help me not forget when someone requests prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Rooms Abuzz

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

I have had people wonder why I go to Starbucks since they tell me they are anti-Christian.  I say to them that I am to be like Jesus and go spread His love not just in Holy places. One day as I sat in Starbucks early in the morning  the place was so loud with people talking. Every table was occupied. I was in my cubby hole back In a corner writing. With all this activity buzzing around me I got to thinking about how excited people seemed to be while enjoying their friends, coffee, and socialization. I thought "wouldn't it be great if there were little prayer houses similar to a Starbucks that is so popular and people could get excited about congregating to pray and have fellowship"? 

It was not my place to stand in judgment of anyone in the coffee shop but I did wonder how many had spent time with the Lord before rushing into their busy day. Often times it is so much more convenient to do worldly things such as the morning shows on television, stop for coffee on way to work, hit the gym, read the morning paper. All these are fine activities but if anything takes the place of Jesus that is dangerous territory. When you spend less and less time with Him your thoughts can become more and more like the world. 

So what do you think. Anyone want to open a chain of morning prayer houses? 

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I allow other activities to squeeze you out or only give you a passing thought. You are so patient but I know you miss me when I rush into my day without you. Help me in time management to put you first. In Jesus' name.Amen.

National Prayer Time

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Today in the United States we are observing the National Day of Prayer. As much as atheists and others try to abolish God and prayer from this country we were founded on principles in God's word. This nation cannot survive without God's intervention. When men try to be more powerful than God it is a recipe for disaster. Making up our own rules for what is right and wrong, as is happening now with marriage,  is also not a good thing. The Bible is pretty clear on what is right and what is wrong and evil. 

Each and every day when you get up, in addition to other prayers you offer to God be sure to remember to pray for this nation. Some of those reading may not live in the United States so  pray for your own country and its' leaders. God is the one who gives us our freedom. It is not from mere men. He will only stand for man's arrogance for so long. 

If we continue to 'spit in God's face' so to speak, our blessings will not continue. When people wake up and get so busy they have no time for talking to God or reading their Bible then they are on a slippery slope of not being prepared for the days ahead when things will get rough. 

Today stop where you are and give thanks for this great land and what we have been blessed with, much we take for granted sad to say. Then pray for God to use you in a mighty way to help be a witness for Him. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for this country. I thank you for the Founding Fathers who acknowledged you and prayed to you as they founded this great land. We pray for revival in the hearts of men. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Just Pray

Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. Luke 18:1

What do the following things have in common? Crosses on road, angry drivers, wrecks on the highway, rude people in stores, the person with a sad look on their face. Each of these reminds us of times that prayer is needed.

The cross on the road indicates that a valuable loved person lost their life in a crash and hurting friends and family are no doubt left behind.  Those who pass us with road rage obviously need peace. When you come upon an accident on the highway, such as I did recently coming back from Kentucky, then the first reaction should be to pray. Often times shoppers can get pretty nasty to store clerks and maybe somethings going on with them that needs prayer. Those people we  see every day who seem to frown more than smile need a smile and prayers. 

Instead of focusing all the time on ourselves why not look around for opportunities to pray for others. We may not know specifically what they need but God does. Just pray!

PRAYER: Create in me Lord a desire to love others more than myself. Give me compassion for those who are hurting. Open my eyes to the needs around me. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Knee Mail Is The Best

Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17(NLT) 

The verse for today is one of the shortest in the Bible yet most profound in content. There's  a song with lyrics "Where do you go when you need a shelter? Where do you go when you need a friend? Where do you go when I need some helping? Where do I go back on my knees again." I know most people probably only think of praying to God in a crisis situation but He is there waiting just for you to chat with Him daily. 

Instead of starting out each day with Facebook and email maybe it should be started out with His book,the Bible and "knee-mail". It is so every easy to do everything else under the sun but when it comes to spiritual matters like getting closer to God and spending time with Him and in His word, often it is the most neglected right behind not exercising our bodies. Yours truly has been guilty of it too. We truly have to discipline ourselves and believe me, Satan will be out there spreading lies and helping you make excuses for why you can't. 

Don't let Satan win. Go to your knees in prayer each day and send God some knee-mail!

PRAYER: I love it that daily I can pray to you when things are good or bad.Thanks for being there. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

DON'T BE AFRAID TO PRAY

Recently I was watching the Christian group "Casting Crowns" in concert on Trinity Broadcasting Network. It was an awesome time of praise and worship!

Lead singer Mark Hall of the group said in church he grew up in people were all sick but no one had problems. So in other words day to day struggles were not shared.

Some of you who maybe go to smaller churches where people speak out prayer needs.Usually they are all about someone sick but in fact no one says "Pray for so and so to be delivered from alcoholism" or "pray for little Johnny who is having problems with bullies at school" or "pray for this certain young man who is a prodigal". This is not to say you have to say everything "bad" in your life but if your church has altar prayer go up and pray. Let God know your needs. I am not meaning to make light of those who are ill but the point is, what other burdens do you carry?

Share your praises too! It is great to hear answers to prayer. You know it says in Psalm 22:3 that "He inhabits the praises of His people." In your prayer time at home try getting on your knees if you are able and lifting your hands up to him. Cry out "Lord you are Holy and mighty. I thank you for hearing my prayer."

It seems that those "hidden problems" everyone has stay hidden. Some people do not even share some prayer needs with their closest friends perhaps fearing condemnation. That right there is a lie from the enemy as a true friend loves you regardless. Find an accountability partner to share your prayer concerns with. It will give you so much freedom.

When your heart is breaking and you just don't know where to turn cry out to Jesus.

PRAYER: I cry out Holy, Holy, Holy Lord. Heaven and Earth are filled with your glory. I know you know the concerns on my heart and I know you have a plan and are working things out in your time. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/VU_rTX23V7Q

THE NUMBER YOU HAVE DIALED IS NOT IN SERVICE

I don't know about you, but it sure is frustrating to call a number on your phone only to receive the recorded message which says "the number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please try the number again or call your operator for assistance. This is a recording." The modern version probably does not say "dial" as today we "punch" in numbers and not "dial" them. Never the less the point is the same which basically is "sorry that person can not be reached". 

There is someone much higher and greater that can always be reached. He is never gone. He does not slumber or sleep. He is always ready day and night to come to your aid and that of course is Jesus. 

Psalm 121:3(NIV) says 'He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber.' Jesus is a 24/7 around the clock friend and counseling service. There is no toll free number you have to call to get Him. You simply call out to Him in prayer. He hears you. Hebrews 4:13(NIV) says 'Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.' Wow, isn't that great to know?

So call on God in good times and in bad times. Jeremiah 33:3(NIV) which is often called God's phone number says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' God speaks to us through his word primarily. You can not "hear" Him if you do not make time to be still and listen for His voice. 

Today why not make it a point to get alone with God and read His word and listen to His voice. He is there waiting to hear from you.

PRAYER: Today Lord I cry out to you. I know you are waiting to hear from me each day. Sometimes I just get too busy and forget to sit down ad be still and "talk" to you in prayer but let other things squeeze you out. That makes Satan happy but you very sad. Forgive me Lord. thank you for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name.Amen.

ANGRY? TRY PRAYING!

 

Do you have an anger problem or maybe simply just get upset every now and then? In today's world not just people can upset other people, but in the area where I reside, there is a military installation and the threat of furlough looms for many. This can create anger towards an out of control and abusive government with their priorities all out of whack. Whatever it is that may have you angry and you feel like you could scream, try praying instead. You will always get a better outcome if you pray first. Getting angry will not solve anything and it simply feeds the fire and could end up getting people hurt or in trouble.

The Bible says in James 1:20( NIV) 'human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.' If you live with or know someone who has an anger issue first pray for them. Often deep seated issues can cause flare ups. A truly angry individual may need counseling. Some of these issues may be from wounds of the past. Try to let go and let God as the familiar saying goes.

Think about the things people argue about. Sometimes they are quite minor and silly, yet flare up till they are out of control. Our enemy Satan loves to get "godly" people in a tizzy and get them fighting. Don't let arguments start in the first place.

Situations in life can stir up anxiety and fear but to take the next step and get upset is not the direction to head. John 14:27(NIV) is a verse I use a good deal in my writing and it would be an ideal one to commit to memory. It says '

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' Indeed peace is what to seek in life. A calm from the storms of life. Turn to Jesus and let Him be your shepherd and guide you into peacefulness. PRAYER: Lord sometimes I may get mad about something but I know it does not bring glory to you. Help me to seek to turn to you when I am upset to calm my heart and to turn anger over to you. Give me the ability to not overreact. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY

The other day when I wrote about SNACKS VERSUS A MAIN COURSE one reader said she knew what I was getting at but said she liked little snacks of nourishment throughout her day too. She had a valid point. Sometimes healthy snacks are good throughout the day. I thought about that for a moment and said "Yes that is true. We need to be thinking of Christ throughout our day." By this I mean we need to start the day with prayer and throughout the day to think of Him.

You just do not "gobble him up" in one sitting on Sunday and that is that till the following week but you seek out His nourishment throughout the week on a daily basis and sometimes several times throughout your day.

For instance when you are in your car you can be singing praises or praying. Obviously you would not shut your eyes to pray but you can "talk" to God wherever you are. Remain in an "attitude" of prayer. You could have a good praise and worship station on your radio in the background while at home. Try to stay focused on good things and keep your thoughts "above".

Obviously Satan will attempt to throw you curve balls to get you messed up but resist Him. Try to get in a regular habit of taking the first part of each day to have a quiet time. It may take some creative scheduling on your part especially if you have children at home or have a job to go to. When you start doing this ,wait and see if you don't start feeling lifted up in your spirit. Enjoy "snacking" on Jesus throughout your day each and every day.

Colossians 3:1-2(NIV) says 'Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I choose this day to stay in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. I know when I sing your praises the enemy has to flee. Thanks for the freedom I have to read and own a Bible. Forgive me for neglecting it at times. In Jesus' name. Amen.