Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:19-20

I don’t understand computers. I don’t understand how hundreds of thousands of pieces of information can be embedded in as tiny chip you can barely see. Or, how, at the touch of a finger, push of a button, or verbal command the entire world can be opened before your eyes. I do not know how, I may not understand, but I do know when I learn how to use my computer to its fullest I can do amazing things that almost make me look creative, even smart!

Likewise, there are so many things I don’t understand about my heavenly Father, this beautiful, amazing, wonderful Triune God I serve and love. And just when I think I know Him and what He will do He surprises me. Says His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are deeper than ours. I don’t understand how He can know every person on this earth by name, or how He knows the number of hairs on my head!

I don’t understand how He can create life out of an egg or even nothing at all! I don’t understand how He can touch a body and heal it of cancer, make the paralyzed walk, the blind see, the deaf hear; but He can! All these things God can do, and so much more! I don’t have to understand how, but just trust that He can!
What if today’s verse became your mantra for today? What if, every time you were tempted to worry, or become anxious, or bite your nails, you recalled this important promise? What if you looked at all the things you or someone you love is facing presently and remembered these words? Instead of thinking all is lost or how impossible something is, said to yourself; …but God can do abundantly more… Prayed to God; Dear God we need you to do exceedingly, abundantly more in this situation than we could dare think, ask, or imagine!

Shaping Your Prayer
Use today’s verse to shape your prayer. Remember you can take this passage to prayer a prayer of confession, thanksgiving, praise, or supplication for yourself or others!

Have a joyful, prayerful, God blessed, delivered and abundant day!!

Prayer Prompt: Holy Days and Holidays

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.—Colossians 2:16-17

If holy days such as Christmas and Easter are to be a celebration unto God and observed in ways that honor Him, how then, should we spend holidays? Those days designated as national observations for particular reasons: May 30th, Thanksgiving, July 4th, Labor Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day? Some have very naturally become times to spend in a somewhat reverent way while others just seem right for letting our hair down and enjoying time spent in leisure and with family and friends. Whether a high holy day or national holiday, God gives His people times of rest and opportunities to pause from normal activities and routines to take stock, to see His goodness and provision for us and humanity. How will you spend your holiday? How will you observe it? Is time with God in your plans?

Pause for Prayer:
 If you made some time for prayer today, what would be the focus? What would your prayers look like? How would you shape today’s verse into a prayer for yourself or others? Today, don’t forget to pray for:
 Veterans of war both men and women, past and present
 People living in war-torn places presently
 The physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing of veterans past and present
 The peace of God to dwell in people and to rest upon places where there is unrest: whether it be countries or homes
 Those who are traveling by land, air and sea
 Remember, just about any passage can be shaped into a prayer of adoration/praise, confession, thanksgiving, or supplication for ourselves or others!

Closing prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for times such as this to celebrate and enjoy one another! Thank You for Your provision all year through, thank You for those who have given their life and sometimes limb in order to protect us from harm. In that way they too have served as guardian angels over us. As we celebrate today may we remember those who have given so much and still do, but may we especially remember how You guard and keep us day and night, year in and year out not only from physical enemies but the enemies all around us that we cannot see; mainly Satan and his evil band. Thank you for the holy angels that You appoint to keep us safe and keep the presence of darkness in check, and defend us from evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Prayer Prompt: To God Be the Glory!

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work you gave me to do.—John 17:4

I’m not a celebrity watcher or tracker but I do find it fascinating when they take to the red carpet or stand in front of that screen, striking poses for photographers. It seems they can’t resist the click of the cameras. People who want to be famous go to all kinds of lengths to establish themselves. And who wouldn’t want to live their life, enjoying fame and all the perks, right? I wonder, in some way if we are not all infected—at least a little bit—with the fame bug—or, should I say disease! Jesus was not interested in fame. He was not seeking notoriety or status among people. Everything He did brought glory to His heavenly Father. Look at how He lived His life on earth:
 He did not seek glory for himself, but God
 He was very quick to say he had no interest in building or establishing an earthly kingdom among people
 He did not deny who He was (even though it caused chaos, made enemies and made many irate)
 He did not try to establish His own agenda apart from God’s
 He was obedient to the Father (though obedience came at a great cost, even death on a cross)
As natural glory seekers, glorifying God may come at a cost and bruise our egos a bit! It may mean:
 We don’t get to take credit for some clever saying…
 Or take credit for a prayer that has been answered in a big way…
 Or getting our foot in the door somewhere…
 Or completing our degree…
 Or meeting our financial obligations when we have no money in the bank…
 Or, you fill in the blank !
It may mean we are no longer the voice of authority, or the one who has all the answers, or be the person who has all the power, or receive those accolades and looks of admiration! Can you imagine what it would look like if we gave God His rightful praise at every turn? If we responded; “To God be the glory!” instead of taking credit for some feat or accomplishment? The humility it will take to live such a life will not come from within us; our nature is to seek glory and take credit, to build kingdoms and gather followers: that kind of living will only come as a result of asking Jesus to establish His ways in us. Maybe today’s prayer is going to take on the form of four questions:
 Lord do I…?
 Lord am I…?
 Lord why do, or don’t I…?
 Lord why am I…?
Consider your life, your actions, your attitude, your history, your responses, your instinct, and shape your prayer from there!

We pray,
Lord Jesus may that same Spirit of humility live within every one of us; and me especially! Help me to pattern my life, my responses, my heart after Yours and proclaim at every turn; “To God be the glory!” Amen

Prayer Prompt: Purposed by God

For I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,…I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”—Isaiah 46:9b, 10, 11b

Our desires may come and go, ebb and wane. We may feel convinced of a matter, undertake a field of study or purpose a particular path based on our (heart) desire—only to lose steam somewhere down the road or lose our initial focus or conviction especially when we meet up with some obstacles bigger than we can handle. In life we find ourselves taking up new interests, refocusing, repurposing, and starting over (a lot). Some come to fruition, some never do. But that which God has purposed in or through us is different. That which God has purposed—for good or destruction—will take place! God’s plans will not be deterred or put off. What God sets out to accomplish will happen. God does not fail and as He says here, “there is none like Him” (v9b). Do you know God’s purposes for you? Do you have even an idea of what He plans and desires to accomplish with and through you and your life? Meditate on and shape the following passages into prayer:
Jeremiah 1:4-5; 29:11-13; John 17:4; Romans 15:18

Prayer Suggestions:
Spend time in prayer asking God about His purpose(s) for you; and what He desires and plans to accomplish through you in this season of your life

Ask God to use your present circumstances, the people in your life, your gifts, talents and even your flaws to accomplish His purposes in your life

Ask God to accomplish His purposes in your life no matter what or who tries to come between them—even if the greatest obstacle is yourself!

Prayer:
Thank You for the reminder through Your word, Lord, and even though I realize You were speaking about Your plans for a nation and people going a certain way, I also understand the promises here are in line with Your character and apply even to my little life today. I realize it’s not about what I desire, what I have planned, or what I want; but what You desire, what You have planned, and what You want that matters most. Help me to know Your purposes for me. Grant me insight through your Word and the convictions of my heart, those things You plan to accomplish through me and in my life and may I desire to do nothing more. Then, regardless of my circumstance, resources, and abilities, do not stop working with, in, and through me until they are accomplished. In Jesus’ name. Amen

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e7b38m9lbnpwib3/Fasting%20Prayer.txt

Prayer Prompt #2: Commanding Calm in the Midst of Storm

And leaving the crowd they took him with them in the boat. Just as he was. ..and a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” and he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”—Mark 4:35-40 (ESV)

 

Something to Think and Pray About…

Storms can occur within or without. Concerning this account the footnotes say;

• Jesus did not chide, admonish the disciples for waking (calling upon) him but for their small faith in the midst of a storm.
• Jesus spoke to the elements (storm) as if it were a person. He mastered the winds and waves as easily as he does illness and demons.
• When Jesus spoke, the change was immediate.

Whether our storm has suddenly come or been brewing for some time. Whether our storm is outside (us) or within (us) the moment we call upon Jesus, who commands the winds and waves as if it were a person, there will be immediate calm; whether without or within! When we call on Jesus in the midst of our storms he does not chide or admonish us, saying we should know how to solve it ourselves; but for shaking and being frantic when clearly He is in the boat/storm with us!

 

Try shaping the following passages into a prayer today for yourself and or others:

• Psalm 46:1-3, 8-9, 10-11
• Psalm 107:28-29
• Isaiah 38:13

 

A Closing Prayer

Jesus, thank you for not abandoning me in time of storm; regardless of the kind of storm it is! But for standing at the helm and commanding a peace and calm I don’t have the wherewithal or power to do. You are truly our storm-ceaser and in your presence there is a peace that passes all human understanding! Amen

 

graphic: http://www.whatsinthebible.com

 

Prayer Prompt: Delight

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart—Psalm 37:4

 

What brings you delight? I have many things that delight me in this life: Time spent with my husband, children, and grandchildren, conversations with close family and friends, my work as an intercessor and prayer minister, sitting by the river watching the boats go by after a long or strenuous week…Too many things to mention here.

Our measurement of delight and the way God measures delight are entirely different. We measure delight by a warm, fuzzy feeling, or satisfaction derived from something or someone. But God measures delight by obedience. If we are to delight ourselves in the LORD it will mean becoming obedient to Him: to His will, His purposes, His plans and direction for us, whether we take pleasure in it or not. It will mean time spent reading His Word, attending worship, praying, whether we feel like it or not. Psalm 22:8 says even the sufferer can delight him or herself in God during their season of distress, testing, grief, or sickness by trusting in the Lord, regardless…By seeking His face and counsel in spite of…

Try praying the following passages as prayers of confession, thanksgiving, assurance, hope, and intercession:

• I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart—Psalm 40:8
• Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!—Psalm 119:35-36
• If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not by going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken—Isaiah 58:13-14
• So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of god, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!—Romans 7:2-25

Closing Prayer

Above all else, teach me to delight myself in You, Lord! Amen

Lenten Prayer: Grace and Obedience

 

Everyone who hears these words of mine ad does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell. And the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24-27)

 

Lord Jesus, grace is free but it is not cheap! Forgive me for cheapening it through my disobedience and blatant disregard for Your commands. I do not have the power to follow Your words on my own. Under my own power and esteem I am a complete failure and mess when it comes to following Your commands. And the reality is I will fall and fail more than I will be victorious. Thank You Savior for Your life, Your love, and Your sacrifice! Without You heaven and eternal life would not even be my future only death, damnation, misery and suffering for all eternity! Wash away that spirit of rebellion that still lies within me and grant me a spirit that is willing. A spirit that glorifies You through obedience to You. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my pathway to heaven! May I treasure it not only with my mouth but in my heart and through my life(style). You did not come to nullify the law but to fulfill it. Through Your work on the cross it has been fulfilled and my striving is no longer for perfection, but for believing and resting in it. I don’t build my house upon the sand of an unfulfilled law and man’s regulations; I build my house on the Rock who has completed the law on my behalf and built upon Your work I have a solid house that will not fall. In Your most High, glorious and holy name. Amen

 

 

 

Lenten Prayer: Regret and Repentance

 

For godly grief produces a repentance that lead to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death—2 Corinthians 7:10

Lord,

I realize that repentance and regret are not the same things. One simply means I am sorry my actions, decisions, mistakes, and sin have come back on me in such a terrible way: I am regretful of the outcome and perhaps the consequence my decision and action have resulted in! The other means I am truly heartbroken over my actions. Truly sorry that I have offended my God and others with my sin or selfishness:  that I want to do the best I can to live closer to You and in accordance with the principles and commands You have put in place for my (eternal) and temporal good.  Worldy grief may produce destructive guilt and despair but godly grief and repentance lead to transformation and change that lasts. As I spend these days in self-examination and walk with me and guide me! Do not abandon me to myself; but draw me even closer to You and Your will and plans for my life and character.

Thank You for helping me understand the difference!  I do not want to live a life of regret but a life of repentance. Keep me from willful sin and foolish, frivolous living but help me live wisely and do those things that please You. Since perfection in this life is an impossibility help me to do the best I can and to lean on You for guidance in questionable areas and places. If my faith and hope and trust and peace rest in You, then they rest in a good place that cannot be shaken; not even in the darkest times. In Jesus’ name. Amen

 

Image From: www.salvationist.ca.com

Prayer of Confession: The Sin of Worry

Today’s Prayer Focus: The Sin of Worry

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4)

Lord Jesus, sometimes I start worrying: there is so much that can crop up in the course of the day and in this life that worry can be the first and most natural response. But if I am worrying I am not trusting in You and I am not praying. And if I am praying then I should not worry!

• I so easily forget You know my needs even better than I know them myself
• I so easily forget You are Almighty and All Powerful and will come with vengeance when I am wronged or being backed into a corner by any enemy
• I so easily forget that even my smallest concern is Your concern and You will make a way out of seemingly no way
• I so easily forget that You will protect me from danger and the forces of evil
• I so easily forget that You own the cattle on a thousand hills and everything is Yours and money can’t buy me everything an You will send to me and open for me, and give me; even when I don’t have the money to claim or buy it
• I so easily forget that You can use even evil for Your purposes and for good in my life
• I so easily forget that Your love for me is so great You will go to any measure to assure not only my earthly wellbeing, but my eternity in heaven
• I so easily forget that I am precious to You and You will never leave nor forsake me.

I forget Your promises and I start to worry instead. Forgive me for worrying about tomorrow. I have not even gotten through today yet! Forgive me for worrying about finances, and security and dangers and politics, and matters way out of my control…Search me O God, and know the things, people, places, and circumstances that cause me to worry and turn my anxious heart into a heart that trusts You. Either I am going to be a person of prayer and trust or a person of worry and anxiety! Lord in Your mercy hear my prayer and add to it, trust and faith…

Image From: www.carpaymentcpr.com