COVID19 Shutdown Day 6 Prayer Break

My pastor, Brent Taylor, posted this prayer chart on Facebook today and it deserves reposting. I have to say though, that it is missing something.

Pray for yourself. You are here, in this moment, appointed by God to be His perfect instrument for a specific job that will impact the kingdom and bring Him glory. It might be within your own family. It might be reaching out online or by phone to give comfort and encouragement to others. Pray that God will reveal to you your options for “touching” others during this time and that He will protect you so you can press on to make the impact on His kingdom that He has laid out for you to make.

So how are you and your family through this temporary “shut-down?” Do you have any prayer requests that I can lift up for you?

Day #13 – 30 Day Challenge

So our preparation includes having a healthy fear of God but not any worry about anything else, keeping our anger – even the righteous indignation – in check.

Today, we have a new slant to our season of preparation from Thirty Days of Devotion. We’re focusing on expectations. It’s like I mentioned last week, this season is one of hard work and little return – few rewards.

But this message today is a hard one to swallow. God has said no

Day #4 – 30 Days Challenge

Today’s entry from Thirty Days of Devotion is still within the season of rest, and it’s probably the most important activity during this season – or any season for that matter.

When do you pray?

I’ve shared a section of an old sitcom that dealt with this question. While I love the little blurb, and even today it moves me to tears to see the character submissive and broken before God, his action isn’t the answer.

Pushing Through

It’s that time of year again. I don’t want to wish this busy time away because I know once it’s over for good I’ll miss it so much! And yet, I find myself constantly shutting my eyes and rubbing my forehead to ease tension.

And yet, with the added hours of requirements for my kids, my job, and my ministries which are all

Mara’s Journal – Chapter 11

In the mood for a turkey sandwich? You should check out today’s post on Write Integrity Press.

The story premise: After coming to know the Lord, Mara Adkins feels compelled to try to right the wrongs she committed during her more manipulative days. And she’s got a LOT of victims to encounter. Yet God just might intend that one of them hold her heart. 

What God Doesn’t Promise

I read an interview the other day, and the author shared one of my favorite verses. I’m always encouraged when I read this scripture, as much by what it doesn’t promise as what it does promise.

I Think I Can, I Think I Can …

Oh boy am I fooling myself!

Remember the Little Engine that Could? I swear my Pollyanna mentality came from that favorite bedtime story. 

Inspiration

“I pray that out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that love that surpasses understanding – that you may be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God.” ~Ephesians 3:16-19

Prayer

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13

ACFW conference, the ground-floor halls had little groups all through them. Some chatting, other’s laughing. 

When Do You Pray?

You ever watch Happy Days? I remember one episode when Fonzie prayed. Richie had been injured, and lies in a coma in the hospital. The Fonz speaks to God. This section is in the Youtube video below beginning at 6:20.

Hey uhh, Sir? We gotta have a little chat here. It’s about my best friend Richie. He’s in really bad shape. I know you know that, but the world’s kinda goin’ a little wacko, ya know? [breaking up] Ya need people down here like him, and if you don’t, I do!
[breaks up even more] I can fix alot of things but um, this one’s all yours …

Even as a kid, that prayer reduced me to tears. As a believer, I understand the depth of joy the Father has when someone who doesn’t know Him surrenders to Him, conscious of his own weaknesses.

But is during an emergency the only time we pray? And if God knows all of our needs, do we even have to talk to Him about them?

I think the biggest thing to remember about prayer is, like so many of the things the Bible instructs us to do, it is for our benefit, not God’s. He doesn’t need us to tell Him what is going on down here; He is here with us. He initiated prayer as an opportunity for us to communicate with Him, to experience the Father relationship He wants to have with us.

When we make talking to our Father a regular event, or better a constant attitude, we enjoy a deepening relationship with Him. It’s why Jesus spoke about prayer so often and gave specific examples of how to pray and how not to pray.

We’re not supposed to:

• Constantly repeat words over and over. Matthew 6:7
• Only pray “in tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:14-15
• Pray to impress the ones around us. Matthew 6:5

Instead, we’re supposed to pray without ceasing. I think that means to engage God often, acknowledging Him as an ever-present companion, because He is! We’re also supposed to pray when we’re worried or upset about something. That isn’t the only time we should draw near to God, but He is definitely the source of our peace and strength when “sorrows like sea-billows roll.”

Prayer defines our place as desperately loved, but hopelessly helpless in the face of our need. It exalts God’s power to make changes that human hands and minds can’t make. It establishes Him as a strong tower where we can find safety in the middle of storms. Just the act of bowing our spirits before Almighty God puts us in a place of submission where He longs to work on our behalf.

My suggestions:

• Wake up with a prayer or praise on your mind.
• Set aside an early time of prayer with Him.
• Talk to Him silently or aloud throughout the day as you think of things you’d like to say to Him or ask of Him.
• Spend a few minutes reflecting on His presence through your day. Thank Him and, if necessary, repent. (Oops!)

Your turn: What habits of prayer do you have and how has your prayer life strengthened your relationship with God?