Waiting And Praying

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

What are you waiting for and believing for? Seems as if we are in a prayer waiting room of sorts. God has heard us but His plans and timing prevail. Our job is to have faith and hope. 

God is not a genie in a bottle or a magician. He wants to hear from you about whatever it is. A wayward child. Immense grief. Need of a job. Change of heart or attitude. Freedom from depression or suicidal thoughts. Renewal of a marriage on the brink.  Whatever your need He cares so let Him hear from you. 

There are those who mock prayer and the ability of God to act. He is God and His purposes prevail. He wants your heart and He wants you to love and trust Him. Do you? 

PRAYER: Lord thank you that any time day or night I can stop what I am doing and talk to you in prayer. You hear me and you indeed care. Keep me patient as I wait to see the answers to those prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

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.

Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1

Ever have a day when it is just hard to get going? That was me on Friday. I had tons of energy,just no motivation for some reason. Everything I seemed to read on email that day from various ministries was about persistence in prayer. Even when we do not feel like it, we have to get up and get going and keep praying.

God will give you the strength. Satan is the one who tries to zap your strength, disable you, and keep you lethargic. After all,  if you feel all blah and trust your feelings over faith,then our enemy is overjoyed. He loves to have Christians feeling weak and powerless. You have to take control of your feelings and charge on.

The joy of the Lord is your strength and will always pull you through. Cry out to God and praise His name.

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for your love for me and your patience with me. Help me get up and get going for the Lord. 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.

Press On!!

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13-14

There are times in life when maybe you just feel like quitting.  You pray and pray and pray some more about an area in which you are waiting for a breakthrough but then discouragement sets in. The Bible does say in Luke 18:1 to pray and never give up. A defeatist attitude comes from the enemy of our souls,Satan. He is the one who tries to get you to quit, not go to church, not be "religious", have wrong thinking, speak poorly of others, act superior to others, and just any thing  that pulls you away from the Lord and causes a lack of hope.

Press on my friend. Charge ahead. Keep going. Don't quit. Believe. Hope. Your hope is in the Lord Jesus and every word of the Bible is true. Even when things don't seem to be changing maybe the Lord is also trying to work out something in your own life. Hang in there and run your race to win.

PRAYER: Forever Lord you are faithful. You hear my prayers and I know you love me. Give me strength to endure while I wait. 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. 

Hurting?

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4(NIV)

Everyone has hurt sometime in their lives either emotionally or physically. It is hard to know what people are going through. In church one Sunday  in front of me were two individuals who appeared to have hurts. One ended up sitting down, got on his phone,  then left ten minutes into the service. This person just looked lonely. The other was with their spouse and during altar prayer went forward. The spouse stayed behind sitting down praying. It is not just us that have bad days. We who call ourselves believers should reach out to and pray for those in despair as we have all been there. I have a mountain I like to go to and get alone with God. Even Jesus went alone to a quiet place and prayed. (See Luke 6:12-13). 

What creative things can you do to reach out to those in pain? We can pray. If it is a friend, you can send a note or a card. Perhaps you can visit lonely people in hospitals, prisons, or nursing homes. Just know you are not the only one who has ever hurt so go beyond yourself to help others.

PRAYER: Wherever life takes me today Lord help me be aware to give encouragement to others even through a smile. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

DON'T GIVE UP...PRAY ON!

 "Keep on keeping on" as the saying goes. What is it you are believing God for? Prayer is an essential tool for the Christian. It is our way daily of communicating with God and letting Him hear our heart. When all else fails, pray.

Luke 18:1(NIV) reminds us to "pray and NEVER give up". Never means never. Discouragement may come. The enemy messes with your mind and gives you wrong fearful thoughts. Reject those thoughts of fear and replace them with faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7( NIV) says 'We walk by faith not by sight.' Even though you may feel a situation is never going to be any different, hang on dear friend.

What has got you down today? Now is the time to look up and praise God. Start praising Him daily and see if your problems don't start to diminish. The enemy has to flee in when you praise God.

Start today and make up your mind you will have right thinking. Purposely reject wrong fearful thoughts that come from the enemy Satan. He wants you to be worried and fretful as then you become powerless against him. 2 Corinthians 10:5(NIV) says ' We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ.'

Go be powerful and look to God!

PRAYER: I can do all things through you Lord and I have your power to defeat wrong thinking that is causing me to pray then turn around and worry. I reject wrong thinking right now and with your help will walk by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and lift up your hands and praise God!

http://youtu.be/HIkxVMDY71I

HELP! HELP! HELP!

Have you ever frantically cried out to Jesus to save you or a loved one or help you? I know I have. The two incidents that come to mind are when I was in a roll over accident and the car tumbled only once thankfully, and then slid on the roof through the grass in the ditch as I cried out "help me Jesus, help me Jesus" and He did. Another time I was in Hawaii snorkeling alone in Hanauma Bay, as my sister was on business and could not join me that day. When you snorkel you should do three things. Have a buddy, wear a life jacket just in case, and observe rip current warning flags on the shore. I was so busy taking underwater pictures I did not realize I had been carried out beyond the people on shore in the current. Here I was in deep water and no people. I was extremely frightened. I screamed out "Help me Jesus, Help me Jesus" and out of nowhere, I kid you not, a young couple appeared and asked if I was okay. I said I was and without them even touching me I had strength to get to shore. I do not know where they went but I am pretty sure they were angels.

So have you cried out to God to help you or help a family member who is struggling with an issue in their life? Perhaps you have cried out in desperation for a family member to be set free from an addiction. Maybe they are caught up in deceptive lies of the enemy and are so blinded they do not think they need help so you cry out on their behalf. I know in Moms in Prayer International there are moms all over the world crying out for the lives of their children. Even Christian moms do not have perfect kids sometimes and go through struggles. These others moms in these groups help you lift up your child in prayer.

Psalm 54:4(NIV) says 'Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me.' Psalm 30:10 says 'Hear Lord and be merciful to me, be my help.'. Psalm 118:7 says 'The Lord is with me. He is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.' If you do a word search on your computer you can find many verses where it shows God being your helper. He indeed is the ultimate helper.

What is weighing on your heart today? Go to the Lord in prayer. He will sustain you and help you.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the many times in life you have been my help to get me over the hump of a worried and anxious spirit. You have physically helped me as well and for that I give thanks. I know I have no earthly control over situations in my life or that of my family but I can and do pray. I thank you for hearing my prayers and giving me peace and being my helper. In Jesus' name. Amen.

For more information on Moms in Prayer go to www.momsinprayer.org

Click link to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/MmQzT2upcrY

HAVE HOPE

Do you believe in impossibilities? Do you believe in miracles? I do! There is always reason for hope. When something in life has you discouraged stop thinking about it and start praising God. Yes, praise and worship God. It is easy to slump into despair and sadness over things in life but God is the God of hope, not despair.

Our enemy, Satan, the devil, whatever you call him, is a liar, thief, and joy robber. Many, even within the church, make fun of others talking about Satan. On Halloween unsuspecting parents often dress their little ones, even infants, in devil costumes. Satan is no joke. He is real. He probably loves it when folks treat him like a comic character. The thing is when we consistently sit and fret and have a doomsday outlook guess who is happy? You got it! Satan. Defeat Him. Speak positive words. When you feel doubts and fears coming on pick up your Bible and start reading the Psalms and quote scriptures to him such as this one in Matthew 16:23 'Get thee behind me Satan".

So many people seem to feel less than hopeful over our world situation, perhaps a sick relative, a broken relationship, an economic problem, an answer to prayer that has not come. Hang on and do not lose hope. Make yourself intentionally think and speak positive. Do you know a friend or family member who seems less than hopeful, then pray for them.

There is a verse I love in Romans 4:17 which simply says "........Speaking things as not as though they were". Simply said that means to thank God ahead of time for your prayers being answered. Instead of being a worrier and constantly down in the dumps, pick up your "armor of God" and be a prayer "warrior"!

PRAYER: Lord I will not give the enemy an opportunity to drag me own into the pit of lost hope. I know with you there is always hope. Help me Lord adjust my attitude to walk more like a child of God and spread hope to others.in Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for awesome song of worship.

http://youtu.be/6_KXsMCJgBQ

Note: Need a dose of Hope? Pick up a copy of the newly released Zondervan book, "Hopelifter Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts" by Kathe Wunnenberg.

PRAY, PRAY, AND PRAY SOME MORE!!

Feel like giving up and quitting? Wondering why God does not hear your prayers? Starting to just give up on the whole "church thing" thinking God does not care and why should I bother with going to church and praying anyway? Friend, God does care for you and it is the enemy Satan who puts the thoughts in your mind that he does not. Satan's trick is to get you to blame God for everything bad in life. Satan is the destroyer and thief, not God! God is the God of Hope and Love.

First off going to church does not a Christian make. Many people feel that is all there is to it. Find a church that is vibrant and alive and you can go and grow in Christ not just one to check the block off. Do not necessarily go to the denomination you are 'used to' as it is not about a denomination anyway but it is about being closer to Jesus. Next, keep on praying and keep on believing. Prayer does indeed change things and bring peace of heart and mind. In the midst of the struggles of life God is indeed there. He does not abandon you.

Luke 18:1 is one of my favorite verses and it simply says to "Pray and not give up". Are you able to do that? Jesus loves you my friend. Stop what you are doing now and "talk" to Him in prayer.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for being my guide, protector, the lifter of my head. I thank you that when the enemy comes in to drag me down you are there to lift me up. I thank you that you are a 24/7 on duty God who I can always pray to around the clock. Forigve me for any doubts I have ever had. I trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and be assured that God does love you and hear your prayers.

http://youtu.be/Rkkw8RhH9ck

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

KEEP WORKING HARD FOR JESUS

If you have a job be thankful. It is a gift from God. God never
intended people to be lazy and "suck on the government baby bottle" as
I call it. He intended for man to work hard as if working for Him.
Colossians 3:23 is a verse I like to call the Christians' work ethic
and it says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as
working for the Lord and not for human masters.'

1 Thessalonians 3:19(NIV) reminds us '..the one who is unwilling to
work should not eat.' Pretty clear and straight forward.

Here today in America we celebrate Labor Day. There are plenty of
people in our country today that like to let the government give them
everything and never lift a finger to earn it. They feel entitled to
it. There indeed are legitimate cases of those who are unable to
work, but if you can then you need to be. Working is a way a person
can feel good about providing for himself and/or a family. It builds
self esteem when you are contributing something.

Even the concept of just "shutting down shop" to retire is not in the
Bible. I have seen many older citizens who love working or
volunteering and contributing to society and not feeling like life
was over. It helps them to be around the younger generations too. If
you are retired and reading this I am not trying to guilt you but if a
person is in good health and able to work they should be allowed.

Stay home moms, your job is extremely important so please do not put
yourself down thinking you need to be in some office tower somewhere.

Today on this Labor Day be sure to give thanks for the gift of
employment and an income. Thank The Lord for the skills He has blessed
you with.

Proverbs 14:23 says 'All hard works brings a profit but mere talk
leads only to poverty.'

Both Ben Carson, MD and Star Parker, President of C.U.R.E. began life
in dire poverty and they were determined to make a good life for
themselves. It can be done. Never quit trying.

PRAYER: We celebrate the labor force today Lord and we thank you for
the blessing and gift of a hard earned income. I pray for those
needing jobs that you will encourage them to keep on and not give up.
In Jesus' name. Amen!

GOD NEVER IN SPAM FOLDER

In communicating with each other, especially through electronic media, sometimes messages are not received or they may come across the wrong way.

Not so with God. We are always connected to Him and not in His "spam" or junk email folder, if He in fact had one. He waits to hear you and wants you to "talk" to Him.

There may be some who are reading this who see prayer as something only priests, preachers, rabbi's or other knowledgeable people do. My friend, prayer is for everyone. Jeremiah 29:12(NIV) says 'Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.'

You think maybe your prayers are going into some heavenly "spam" folder because they seem not to be answered or at least not like you think they should be. Trust me when I say God has a plan. Isaiah 55:9(NIV) says 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'

Are you able to trust God? Can you pray and leave the rest to God? Remember too, to make sure your heart is right with Him as often iniquity may separate you from Him. Psalm 66:18 makes this point when it says 'If I had cherished sin in my heart the Lord would not have listened.'

Call out to Him today as it goes right to His "inbox".

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you love me and you want me to talk to you in prayer. I am sorry Lord for not trusting you to hear and answer prayers. I realize it is in your time and your way. Give me the strength to wait. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GOD'S TIMING

Many times we become frustrated with prayer and think God just is not listening. He has a greater plan than we do and knows what he is doing. Perhaps you have been lifting a certain issue up in prayer for a family member or friend and it seems there is no change or breakthrough. God is not finished. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Many people experience the rough waters and storms of life and just feel like throwing up their hands in desperation. Perhaps some of you reading this can identify with that feeling. To continually dwell on a situation you have been praying to change you need to focus on God hearing you and loving you and then try to think about something else. The thought life has to come under control of the Holy Spirit.

Our thoughts can hold us captive almost like being in a jail cell. No way of escaping if we let junk continually drag us down. It is time to get up, get going, and shout out "Jesus you are Lord. Thank you for hearing my prayers for________ and fill in that blank". Then get busy thinking on something else. God is indeed in control.

Isaiah 55:8-9(NIV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than yours.' A second verse to "fix" your mind on is Philippians 4:8(NIV) which I refer to a good deal in my writings. You may have it memorized by now. It says 'Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.' When you decide to purposely think positive and on "good" things then your life will be much more peaceful. Give your concerns to God and wait for his answer in His time.

PRAYER:Your timing Lord is perfect. It sometimes is hard to wait but I know you hear my prayers and are working in the life of______________. (Fill in blank). You are in control Lord and the worker of miracles and I thank you for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ARE YOU PASSIONATE FOR THE THINGS OF CHRIST?

There are many attacks of the things of the Lord these days. These are areas where it clearly states in the Holy Bible they are wrong or an abomination. Yet are we believers upset or do we simply say "God is in control" and go about our daily life? It is my humble opinion that we should be a little upset at Satan for making so many believers complacent about sin takingaz over and changing our wonderful country. "Well this is 2013 and things change" but guess what? God's word never changes. Hebrews 13:8(NIV) says 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.' In Malachi 3:6 it says 'I am the Lord, I do not change.' Pretty clear wouldn't you say?

We are truly in a battle for our very souls and the soul of what used to be a God fearing nation. Do we, who know what is wrong, just sit on the sidelines? Of course all of us need to be in prayer. And we are not to hate people who are being led to believe Satan's lies. History shows clearly what happens when a nation forgets God. Think of the Roman Empire for instance. How about Sodom and Gomorrah?

Psalm 119:89 tells us 'Forever oh Lord your word is settled in heaven.' Deuteronomy 12:32(NLT) tells us 'so be careful to obey all the commands I give you.Be careful not to add anything to them or subtract anything from them.'

Are churches preaching "feel good sermons" or are they out there on the battle lines equipping their people with the truth found in God's word?

God can heal. God can change. God can deliver. God can set the captive free. What are we captivated by today in 2013? Even in government we are condoning sin and passing laws to protect it. It indeed is a sad time. But there is hope.

First believers need to be in an attitude of love and prayer. Next don't just give Jesus lip service but get excited about following him. In Revelation 3:16(NIV) it says 'And because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.' It is not too late. 2 Chronicles 7:14(NIV) reminds us 'if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' Think about what that verse really truly means.

Don't be so captivated by the things of this world that you lose your passion for truth and the Lord.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus I thank you today for another day you have given me to be on the battle lines for you. Every where I go I know there are hurting people. Help me be tuned in to ways I can share Jesus' love and truth in the world I live in. In Jesus' name.Amen.

BIG PROBLEMS? BIGGER GOD!

What kind of problems and concerns are weighing on your mind and heart today? Financial troubles? A wayward child? Loss of a job? Potential loss of a job? Betrayal by a friend? Whatever it is my friend know that God is bigger and mightier than Satan and your problems. 

In Psalm 40:11-12(NLT) says ' Do not withhold your mercy from me  Lord;  may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, I can not see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.' 

Sometimes a situation may seem so huge you get overwhelmed and start conjuring up things in your mind that may happen. This goes back to the devotion on worry. We can not allow Satan to hold us captive with fear and concerns. Our God is a big God and no problem is too big for Him to handle. You have to believe that. 

James 1:2-3(NIV) reminds us 'Consider it all joy brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.'  All of us could probably use a good dose of persevering. When you go "through" trials you know they will eventually end. 

What is it that is bothering you today? Can you trust God to see you through with only strength He provides? 

PRAYER: Today Lord I choose to let you handle my burdens. I often fear for things that have not even happened. I know when  I do this I enable Satan to capture my thoughts. My choice is to demonstrate your perfect peace in a storm. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAY! DON'T DELAY! DO IT TODAY!

Make it rhyme any time. I am a poet and don't know it with this title above. Maybe a snappy way to remember to pray and not give up or quit thinking God is not hearing you.
Do you make it a daily habit to talk to God in prayer? If not why not? Do you feel it is not important? Maybe you feel cheated by God because he did not keep a friend or family member alive when you constantly cried out to Him so you feel let down by God? You feel God turned His back on you and now you're hurt or angry. You say church is stupid and a bunch of phonies and hypocrites. Whatever the reason that you are away from the routine of praying now is a good time to go back.
Satan lies to you and captures your thoughts to think his way especially in your weakest most vulnerable moments. 2 Corinthians 10:5(NIV) says 'We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' That is what you HAVE to do. Take "captive" bad thoughts. Bad thinking can ruin your life. The enemy likes to get into our minds and make us believe lies. To combat this stay in tune with God through the Holy Bible.
 Don't give up on God as He certainly has not given up on you. Revelation 3:20(NIV) says 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.' Are you ready to open the door and let Jesus come in?
 PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I have ever blamed you when things did not go my way. I know you have a plan greater than I can understand. I also will not allow Satan to defeat me through my thought life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAY! PRAY! AND PRAY SOME MORE!

I am all about praying. Prayer is our hotline to God. When you feel like all hope is lost why not try praying. In yesterday's devotion I mentioned the Bible verse found in Lamentations2:19(NIV) which says 'Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin, pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.'  In other words, don't throw your hands up in despair and feel hopeless but keep praying and pray again. (See Luke 18:1). 

We need to be on our knees in prayer for the lives of our children. We need to pray seducing  spirits do not hold them captive or lead them astray. The enemy works overtime to try to distract our children from not being sold out to him. The devil perverts the message of Jesus Christ and tries to get us to believe lies. He wants you to be mad at God and turn your back on Him. 

When I was a child we were allowed to pray in school. The Ten Commandments were posted. As a result there was lots less crime, teen pregnancies, school drop outs, and drug use. God was the "standard" that kept it all together. But sadly in 1963 God was made illegal in our public school system. School prayer hit the "chopping block" in the Supreme Court and no longer could we pray as a group in school. You can try to take God out of school but I heard someone say, as long as there are tests there will be prayer in public school.

Colossians 2:8(NIV) says 'See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.' Pray this verse for your family members. The forces of the world and the lure of fun do captivate and sometimes take our eyes off Christ. We can not allow that to happen.

Our world has gone crazy. Little by little we push God out. This happens in our daily lives too. It is more "fun" to read a magazine  or paper than the Bible. Our spirit grows when we get into the word of God. Within the pages we have power to defeat the enemy,Satan. 

We can still pray but just don't pray and feel like that is all that is needed. Psalm 66:18(NASB) says 'If I regard wickedness in my heart the Lord will not hear.' Get your heart right with God first. 

Even prayer gets pushed out of our day. Sure we may utter a quick "thank you for this food" prayer but do you really ever "talk to God" in depth and share your heart with him? Find yourself a place to be your "prayer place" and each day make it a point to not forget to go there and start the day right. If you are a married couple maybe try praying together. Prayer does brings couples closer together. After all the marriage is a three strand cord and God is that third strand that keeps it all together. A rope of two strands would easily break. So too a marriage where God is not first and is a priority.

Yesterday's devotion ended with  Psalm 1:1-3(NIV) and I will repeat it today. Perhaps you can commit it to memory. 'Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.'

PRAYER: Lord I know what I need to do. I need to not put you as last on my "to do" list although at times I have. You bless me so much yet at times I am too busy with worldly things to bother to spend time with you in prayer. It is my desire to not make excuses anymore but to make time daily to pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: Moms interested in prayer for their children check out www.momsinprayer.org.  Moms in Prayer was formerly called Moms in Touch. I have been blessed to be a part since 1996. Check it out!