Bible Reading and Prayer
Bible Reading and Prayer - Insights from God’s Word
All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God will be equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 4:16–17
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he will testify about me.” - John 14:26
All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God will be equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 4:16–17
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he will testify about me.” - John 14:26
Bible Reading and Prayer - Spiritual Nourishment
Prayer: Father, I stand in awe this morning at the never ending magnificence of Your eternal Kingdom. I cannot help but smile as the revelations of Your spiritual realm are becoming more and more real. Your Holy Word just jumps out at me whenever I read it. The truths spoken there are far deeper than I ever knew, and I thank You because it is Your Holy Spirit who helps me to understand these truths at a deeper level.
The implication for all of our lives is far greater than anything I understood before. I confess in times past I would read and study, but to experience these truths is beyond anything I ever really knew to be possible. How immense is Your Kingdom, and how wonderful it is to get a glimpse of the eternal truths from inside the pages of Your Bible!
Today, Father, I can hardly wait to get inside Your Word. I am in awe at the newly revealed reality of Your truths. It is a humbling experience to realize how tightly I used to hold on to the familiar and comfortable understandings I had in the past. It is also a little frightening to me (in a good away) to recognize how much I would have missed if I had not kept digging. I thank You, Lord, that You refuse to allow me to rest in comfort anymore. You have been in the business of challenging me for quite a while now. Over and over I hear You remind me that I will be as close to You and Your truths as I choose to be.
I am also more aware of my own human limitations, and I can honestly say how relieved I am to live each new day in a surrendered state of mind. As odd as it sounds when I say it, I am relieved to know that every time I surrender to You and follow Your ways, I am somehow seeing a new dimension of Your truths. I really don’t have the proper words to explain it, but this new expectation is worth whatever I had that was laid down.
As humans we understand so little of Your spiritual realm, and yet I know we are still supposed to be living in that spiritual realm right now – right here on this earth. Understanding Your spiritual truths with a mind like Christ is the goal of my life. It is a one day at a time process, but ever since I crossed over the Jordan, the eyes of enlightenment You have given to me and to all of Your surrendered ones has kept me focused and on point.
I pray today for my surrendered brothers and sisters who are everywhere – all around the world. They are a very special gift to me as I recognize Your call on their lives, and can join with them, as together we keep on, keeping on. I ask You to protect them with divine protection from above, releasing the spiritual armor of God and sheltering them every day – sealing them from permanent injury. I ask You to reveal Yourself and manifest Your Presence to them as they obediently labor in Your harvest fields – wherever You have planted them.
Father, the need I have from deep within is a spiritual gift You have given me to sustain and encourage me – and I am grateful that I finally get this. It has become a profound truth recognizing that ahead of me lays more and more revelations of Your Scriptural truths-- as well as a deeper understanding of the application of these truths for my daily walk. Thank You that You have seen to it that I would be hungry – more than simple hunger – that I would be desperate for Your truths, seeking You out as if my very life depended on it – as it really does. Protect me, my family and church, and all with whom I journey on this exciting path of life – which I know in the end will lead me into Your Presence and the fullness of Your truths. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: Father, I stand in awe this morning at the never ending magnificence of Your eternal Kingdom. I cannot help but smile as the revelations of Your spiritual realm are becoming more and more real. Your Holy Word just jumps out at me whenever I read it. The truths spoken there are far deeper than I ever knew, and I thank You because it is Your Holy Spirit who helps me to understand these truths at a deeper level.
The implication for all of our lives is far greater than anything I understood before. I confess in times past I would read and study, but to experience these truths is beyond anything I ever really knew to be possible. How immense is Your Kingdom, and how wonderful it is to get a glimpse of the eternal truths from inside the pages of Your Bible!
Today, Father, I can hardly wait to get inside Your Word. I am in awe at the newly revealed reality of Your truths. It is a humbling experience to realize how tightly I used to hold on to the familiar and comfortable understandings I had in the past. It is also a little frightening to me (in a good away) to recognize how much I would have missed if I had not kept digging. I thank You, Lord, that You refuse to allow me to rest in comfort anymore. You have been in the business of challenging me for quite a while now. Over and over I hear You remind me that I will be as close to You and Your truths as I choose to be.
I am also more aware of my own human limitations, and I can honestly say how relieved I am to live each new day in a surrendered state of mind. As odd as it sounds when I say it, I am relieved to know that every time I surrender to You and follow Your ways, I am somehow seeing a new dimension of Your truths. I really don’t have the proper words to explain it, but this new expectation is worth whatever I had that was laid down.
As humans we understand so little of Your spiritual realm, and yet I know we are still supposed to be living in that spiritual realm right now – right here on this earth. Understanding Your spiritual truths with a mind like Christ is the goal of my life. It is a one day at a time process, but ever since I crossed over the Jordan, the eyes of enlightenment You have given to me and to all of Your surrendered ones has kept me focused and on point.
I pray today for my surrendered brothers and sisters who are everywhere – all around the world. They are a very special gift to me as I recognize Your call on their lives, and can join with them, as together we keep on, keeping on. I ask You to protect them with divine protection from above, releasing the spiritual armor of God and sheltering them every day – sealing them from permanent injury. I ask You to reveal Yourself and manifest Your Presence to them as they obediently labor in Your harvest fields – wherever You have planted them.
Father, the need I have from deep within is a spiritual gift You have given me to sustain and encourage me – and I am grateful that I finally get this. It has become a profound truth recognizing that ahead of me lays more and more revelations of Your Scriptural truths-- as well as a deeper understanding of the application of these truths for my daily walk. Thank You that You have seen to it that I would be hungry – more than simple hunger – that I would be desperate for Your truths, seeking You out as if my very life depended on it – as it really does. Protect me, my family and church, and all with whom I journey on this exciting path of life – which I know in the end will lead me into Your Presence and the fullness of Your truths. To You be all the honor and glory!
Bible Reading and Prayer- Making it Personal
Reflect: Are you aware there is a deeper revelation of Bible truths specifically for you? Are you aware God’s design has always been to lead you to this deeper understanding that in His timing will result in a life of great substance here on this earth – and an eternity of rewards in the kingdom to come? Do you sense at all an urgency coming from God calling you to get on your knees in surrendered prayer so you can be among the last ones standing for Christ? I would encourage you to prayerfully consider these questions and have a conversation with God who is waiting for you to knock on His door, where He waits to deepen your walk here on this earth. One caution, this is not the time to falter and fall backwards as the times are near when you will need a depth of wisdom only God can give you
Learn More!Reflect: Are you aware there is a deeper revelation of Bible truths specifically for you? Are you aware God’s design has always been to lead you to this deeper understanding that in His timing will result in a life of great substance here on this earth – and an eternity of rewards in the kingdom to come? Do you sense at all an urgency coming from God calling you to get on your knees in surrendered prayer so you can be among the last ones standing for Christ? I would encourage you to prayerfully consider these questions and have a conversation with God who is waiting for you to knock on His door, where He waits to deepen your walk here on this earth. One caution, this is not the time to falter and fall backwards as the times are near when you will need a depth of wisdom only God can give you
Read More Prayers!
Compliments of Carolyn Baker
Family of God
Family of God – Insights from God’s Word
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. - Ephesians 3:16
You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence. - Acts 2:28
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. - Ephesians 3:16
You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence. - Acts 2:28
Family of God - Knit together with Other Believers
Prayer: Father, I come quietly tonight into the place of Your Presence. I recognize this is why You made me and why You have grown, challenged and encouraged me through this journey of my life. I realize the great privilege I have been given to sit in your Presence as I do tonight. It is an amazing revelation of Your grace and Your mercy. You draw me closer and closer -- as I wait on You to fill this place with the fragrance of Your Presence. All around me I sense a coming together -- both in this natural quiet place -- and in the supernatural heavenly places.
More and more -- in places I don't even recognize -- You are knitting Your people as one -- and preparing us to take our rightful places. You have begun to take back the darkness that has permeated our world. I can hear the cries of so many who have gone before me -- encouraging me -- and all who pray this prayer -- to keep praying -- to keep putting Your kingdom needs ahead of everything and everyone else. Your grand design is far too elaborate for my finite human mind to grasp -- but I do know You are the designer and what You design will have no end.
As I pray for an increased clarity of vision for Your Body, I know that my prayers are being echoed in quiet places all around the world. I may not see or hear them, but these prayers are being spoken -- and my prayer tonight is joining the chorus rising up all around the world.
It is such a joy -- such a comfort to know I am not alone. It gives me a peace that truly does surpass my human understanding, knowing I am tightly woven with other men and women of God who are building their lives on a kingdom that will last forever.
Your Body is not perfect -- I am certainly not perfect. Yet by Your grand plan -- You have chosen to use us as we are -- broken, burned, wounded in ways that really should have caused us to give up and give in. It doesn't matter to You what we look like -- You take us as You find us -- and that knowledge gets me to my knees -- knowing the favor of my God rests on me -- and all who call You Savior and Lord.
I don't know why mankind makes everything so complicated. I guess it is just our human nature reacting to our own selfish interests. You make it so simple to become a member of Your family -- yet still so many choose to follow the path of life leading to worldly pleasure and worldly pursuits. I know this can change -- which is why tonight I lift my voice in prayer -- asking You to remove the blindings that have so many bound in darkness.
It is Your will that none should perish -- so I pray in agreement with Your Holy will -- that anyone praying this prayer who has not yet found the path leading to salvation, would do so right now. I join my voice in a chorus response to all the other believers worldwide tonight praying for this same thing. I ask You to send Satan and his hordes of evil fleeing -- as the rumble of a tsunami wave of prayer hits them and overtakes them. Remove the darkness that surrounds those for whom I pray!
I pray also that You would increase the hunger drive in everyone praying this prayer. I pray they will commit to following after You -- no matter where this may take them. As they lay down their own earthly needs, I pray that You will feed and nourish them by satisfying their hunger for having Your Presence manifested in their life. Only You can create this spiritual hunger I am praying for! I look to You alone to fulfill the cry of my heart -- knowing that when spiritual hunger is present in my life -- everything good follows. It is in these times that Your Word comes alive to me. I find fulfillment only in Your truths and in Your Presence.
Make us all spiritually hungry Father -- as only You can give us the patience to wait on you -- so we don't jump out ahead or fall behind You.
Many of us are emerging from a season of drought! I pray for those spiritually hungry ones, that You would hear their cry from Your heavenly dwelling place and reach out to them! Nourish them along their way -- and create an army of believers so singularly focused in their purpose that nothing can prevent them from moving ahead into the brightness of this new day You have prepared for them. Darkness cannot survive Your brightness -- so we gladly march hand in hand together -- watching You destroy the strongholds and free the people. To You be all the glory!
Prayer: Father, I come quietly tonight into the place of Your Presence. I recognize this is why You made me and why You have grown, challenged and encouraged me through this journey of my life. I realize the great privilege I have been given to sit in your Presence as I do tonight. It is an amazing revelation of Your grace and Your mercy. You draw me closer and closer -- as I wait on You to fill this place with the fragrance of Your Presence. All around me I sense a coming together -- both in this natural quiet place -- and in the supernatural heavenly places.
More and more -- in places I don't even recognize -- You are knitting Your people as one -- and preparing us to take our rightful places. You have begun to take back the darkness that has permeated our world. I can hear the cries of so many who have gone before me -- encouraging me -- and all who pray this prayer -- to keep praying -- to keep putting Your kingdom needs ahead of everything and everyone else. Your grand design is far too elaborate for my finite human mind to grasp -- but I do know You are the designer and what You design will have no end.
As I pray for an increased clarity of vision for Your Body, I know that my prayers are being echoed in quiet places all around the world. I may not see or hear them, but these prayers are being spoken -- and my prayer tonight is joining the chorus rising up all around the world.
It is such a joy -- such a comfort to know I am not alone. It gives me a peace that truly does surpass my human understanding, knowing I am tightly woven with other men and women of God who are building their lives on a kingdom that will last forever.
Your Body is not perfect -- I am certainly not perfect. Yet by Your grand plan -- You have chosen to use us as we are -- broken, burned, wounded in ways that really should have caused us to give up and give in. It doesn't matter to You what we look like -- You take us as You find us -- and that knowledge gets me to my knees -- knowing the favor of my God rests on me -- and all who call You Savior and Lord.
I don't know why mankind makes everything so complicated. I guess it is just our human nature reacting to our own selfish interests. You make it so simple to become a member of Your family -- yet still so many choose to follow the path of life leading to worldly pleasure and worldly pursuits. I know this can change -- which is why tonight I lift my voice in prayer -- asking You to remove the blindings that have so many bound in darkness.
It is Your will that none should perish -- so I pray in agreement with Your Holy will -- that anyone praying this prayer who has not yet found the path leading to salvation, would do so right now. I join my voice in a chorus response to all the other believers worldwide tonight praying for this same thing. I ask You to send Satan and his hordes of evil fleeing -- as the rumble of a tsunami wave of prayer hits them and overtakes them. Remove the darkness that surrounds those for whom I pray!
I pray also that You would increase the hunger drive in everyone praying this prayer. I pray they will commit to following after You -- no matter where this may take them. As they lay down their own earthly needs, I pray that You will feed and nourish them by satisfying their hunger for having Your Presence manifested in their life. Only You can create this spiritual hunger I am praying for! I look to You alone to fulfill the cry of my heart -- knowing that when spiritual hunger is present in my life -- everything good follows. It is in these times that Your Word comes alive to me. I find fulfillment only in Your truths and in Your Presence.
Make us all spiritually hungry Father -- as only You can give us the patience to wait on you -- so we don't jump out ahead or fall behind You.
Many of us are emerging from a season of drought! I pray for those spiritually hungry ones, that You would hear their cry from Your heavenly dwelling place and reach out to them! Nourish them along their way -- and create an army of believers so singularly focused in their purpose that nothing can prevent them from moving ahead into the brightness of this new day You have prepared for them. Darkness cannot survive Your brightness -- so we gladly march hand in hand together -- watching You destroy the strongholds and free the people. To You be all the glory!
Family of God – Making it Personal
Reflect: As I prayed this prayer I was impacted deep within my spirit by the knowledge that I am knit together with other believers all around the world -- who were also lifting their voices together in prayer and worship. I think God wanted to remind me that even though I walk a "lonely walk" many days -- I am not alone. As I have said before I know I live in the "land of odd" most of the time, but tonight God's grace and mercy hit me in my spirit, assuring me that He was with me and many others -- both in the natural and spiritual realms that we were joined together in prayer and worship. I was also hit with the realization that we are beginning to win the battle that's being fought -- even though oftentimes it doesn't look that way. Only God can draw people near, and He is doing that in unprecedented ways all around the world. Darkness is beginning to flee as God's people join together in prayer for His kingdom to come to the earth. Pray with me tonight the Lord's Prayer -- and trust him to reveal His kingdom truths and His kingdom needs to you so you can be used by him to wipe away tears of despair and hopelessness by the prayers you send his way. Please don't forget to journal!
Learn More!Reflect: As I prayed this prayer I was impacted deep within my spirit by the knowledge that I am knit together with other believers all around the world -- who were also lifting their voices together in prayer and worship. I think God wanted to remind me that even though I walk a "lonely walk" many days -- I am not alone. As I have said before I know I live in the "land of odd" most of the time, but tonight God's grace and mercy hit me in my spirit, assuring me that He was with me and many others -- both in the natural and spiritual realms that we were joined together in prayer and worship. I was also hit with the realization that we are beginning to win the battle that's being fought -- even though oftentimes it doesn't look that way. Only God can draw people near, and He is doing that in unprecedented ways all around the world. Darkness is beginning to flee as God's people join together in prayer for His kingdom to come to the earth. Pray with me tonight the Lord's Prayer -- and trust him to reveal His kingdom truths and His kingdom needs to you so you can be used by him to wipe away tears of despair and hopelessness by the prayers you send his way. Please don't forget to journal!
Read More Prayers
Knowing God
Knowing God – Insights from God’s Word
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. - Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. - Isaiah 60:1-3
Knowing God – Stretch and Grow
Prayer: My Father, O what a privilege we have in being called children of God. O how awesome are Your ways -- they are beyond anything my human powers could ever accomplish -- and yet they are attainable for those who truly yearn for them. The mystery of my faith is a blending of so many wonders, all being knit together by a Craftsman who alone can see the tapestry as a whole.
My greatest desire is to understand You, my God, in a way that causes Your wisdom and power to be joined with the people of God who are now laboring in Your harvest fields. The understanding I need is not just for learning -- it’s for the purpose of survival. The knowledge I do have helps me to understand how critically important it is to reach out to You asking for the understanding only You can give -- the understanding that sees Your will in heaven being accomplished right here on this earth.
Your ways are mysterious, and I acknowledge I only see in part. Your ways are affirming, and they cause even the weakest child of God to be strong. Maybe it is the way I have been taught over all these years that causes me to seek after a depth of knowledge that always seems to be just beyond the horizon. If this is true, Father, than I am glad You have made me this way. It is that hunger I have to go deeper that protects me from becoming lukewarm -- which I know is an abomination in Your sight.
As I navigate the waters around me today, Father, I know there are going to be moments of quiet desperation -- moments when I know You are calling me to stretch and grow. Almost every day now I feel myself learning about You and Your nature, and I know this is the result of the prayers I have prayed over many years seeking a deeper understanding of Your nature. Each day I recognize something new, and it’s always just enough to cause me to dig a little deeper into Your truths. This hunger is shared by countless multitudes of believers around the earth. As You are growing us in the places You have put us, You are also knitting us into a fighting force. You are igniting a flame for this force of warriors, and Your truths are the fuel we need to move ahead.
I pray today for any who have not yet gotten to that place of understanding where You can use them to further the reality of Your truths as found in heaven -- here today on this earth. I pray they will understand that we have just begun to recognize the depth and breadth of Your kingdom truths. I pray they would be ignited by the flame of heavenly passion delivered by the King Himself, that they will begin the process of staying so close to Jesus, that if they falter and fall, they will recognize it immediately, and get up and move forward.
I pray also, Father, that those who have been entrusted with great authority in the Body of Christ will recognize their need to be joined at the hip with Your Son. I pray they will be so tightly woven with Him and with Your truths, that if they falter they will realize they have become weaker, and promptly get up and move toward the goal You have set for them.
These men and women of vision are a treasure for all of us in Your Body, and I know that Satan is picking up his attack against them in an attempt to derail them from the glorious future You have laid out for them. Protect them and all the rest of us as well by surrounding the areas where we are camped with a mighty army of warrior angels, fully clothed with Your righteousness and purity and power, and fully capable of deflecting the attacks coming our way.
All that I pray for today is leading to a time where Your Body will need all of its leaders and followers in their proper place. It is the call on my life to sound the alert bell and pray for my brothers and sisters to find their rightful place. Jesus alone is to be glorified and worshiped, and I know as we mobilize together under His direction, the enemy will begin to flee, and Your kingdom will start to be seen on this earth as it is in heaven.
To You, my Father, I submit all I have to give, and in thanksgiving I pick up my armor today and move out -- alert to Your Holy Spirit’s call and ready to fall on my knees in prayer when the Spirit calls. Thank You, God, for your Body of Christ. Thank You that I do not walk alone on this earth, but instead I walk in the midst of the greatest army this world has ever seen -- a force so great that Satan and his evil ones have begun to retreat simply at the sight of it.
Prayer: My Father, O what a privilege we have in being called children of God. O how awesome are Your ways -- they are beyond anything my human powers could ever accomplish -- and yet they are attainable for those who truly yearn for them. The mystery of my faith is a blending of so many wonders, all being knit together by a Craftsman who alone can see the tapestry as a whole.
My greatest desire is to understand You, my God, in a way that causes Your wisdom and power to be joined with the people of God who are now laboring in Your harvest fields. The understanding I need is not just for learning -- it’s for the purpose of survival. The knowledge I do have helps me to understand how critically important it is to reach out to You asking for the understanding only You can give -- the understanding that sees Your will in heaven being accomplished right here on this earth.
Your ways are mysterious, and I acknowledge I only see in part. Your ways are affirming, and they cause even the weakest child of God to be strong. Maybe it is the way I have been taught over all these years that causes me to seek after a depth of knowledge that always seems to be just beyond the horizon. If this is true, Father, than I am glad You have made me this way. It is that hunger I have to go deeper that protects me from becoming lukewarm -- which I know is an abomination in Your sight.
As I navigate the waters around me today, Father, I know there are going to be moments of quiet desperation -- moments when I know You are calling me to stretch and grow. Almost every day now I feel myself learning about You and Your nature, and I know this is the result of the prayers I have prayed over many years seeking a deeper understanding of Your nature. Each day I recognize something new, and it’s always just enough to cause me to dig a little deeper into Your truths. This hunger is shared by countless multitudes of believers around the earth. As You are growing us in the places You have put us, You are also knitting us into a fighting force. You are igniting a flame for this force of warriors, and Your truths are the fuel we need to move ahead.
I pray today for any who have not yet gotten to that place of understanding where You can use them to further the reality of Your truths as found in heaven -- here today on this earth. I pray they will understand that we have just begun to recognize the depth and breadth of Your kingdom truths. I pray they would be ignited by the flame of heavenly passion delivered by the King Himself, that they will begin the process of staying so close to Jesus, that if they falter and fall, they will recognize it immediately, and get up and move forward.
I pray also, Father, that those who have been entrusted with great authority in the Body of Christ will recognize their need to be joined at the hip with Your Son. I pray they will be so tightly woven with Him and with Your truths, that if they falter they will realize they have become weaker, and promptly get up and move toward the goal You have set for them.
These men and women of vision are a treasure for all of us in Your Body, and I know that Satan is picking up his attack against them in an attempt to derail them from the glorious future You have laid out for them. Protect them and all the rest of us as well by surrounding the areas where we are camped with a mighty army of warrior angels, fully clothed with Your righteousness and purity and power, and fully capable of deflecting the attacks coming our way.
All that I pray for today is leading to a time where Your Body will need all of its leaders and followers in their proper place. It is the call on my life to sound the alert bell and pray for my brothers and sisters to find their rightful place. Jesus alone is to be glorified and worshiped, and I know as we mobilize together under His direction, the enemy will begin to flee, and Your kingdom will start to be seen on this earth as it is in heaven.
To You, my Father, I submit all I have to give, and in thanksgiving I pick up my armor today and move out -- alert to Your Holy Spirit’s call and ready to fall on my knees in prayer when the Spirit calls. Thank You, God, for your Body of Christ. Thank You that I do not walk alone on this earth, but instead I walk in the midst of the greatest army this world has ever seen -- a force so great that Satan and his evil ones have begun to retreat simply at the sight of it.
Knowing God – Making it Personal
Reflect: One of the greatest biblical truths for me is that by God’s own design, His children can walk in power and truth unimaginable to those who do not yet know Christ. Remember, you don’t receive oftentimes because you have not asked -- God will not force you. My challenge today -- do you have the courage to ask?
A prayer I prayed for many years went something like this "Ignite a flame of passion in my heart that burns with desire to know you better and to understand Your ways more fully. Make my life a life of purpose that leaves behind in its wake Your trail of life so others can see it and be filled themselves as they understand their own need for Your truths and for the Presence of the King Himself in their lives. Help me to recognize the path You have for me and bring others around me to accompany me on this journey. To walk closer to You every day is the reason You made me. Send Your Holy Spirit to purify and cleanse me deep within. Consume the chaff of my life and purify my soul and the souls of those with whom I walk. I ask You Father to move now on the earth and make me holy and pure so I can be used by You to do Your will on this earth -- just as it is done in heaven. Help all of us to recognize Your will and ignite a flame wherever You see darkness in my being so I can be freed from the bondages that hold me captive. AMEN!"
Remember, you don’t receive oftentimes because you have not asked -- God will not force you. My challenge today -- do you have the courage to ask?
Learn More About God!Reflect: One of the greatest biblical truths for me is that by God’s own design, His children can walk in power and truth unimaginable to those who do not yet know Christ. Remember, you don’t receive oftentimes because you have not asked -- God will not force you. My challenge today -- do you have the courage to ask?
A prayer I prayed for many years went something like this "Ignite a flame of passion in my heart that burns with desire to know you better and to understand Your ways more fully. Make my life a life of purpose that leaves behind in its wake Your trail of life so others can see it and be filled themselves as they understand their own need for Your truths and for the Presence of the King Himself in their lives. Help me to recognize the path You have for me and bring others around me to accompany me on this journey. To walk closer to You every day is the reason You made me. Send Your Holy Spirit to purify and cleanse me deep within. Consume the chaff of my life and purify my soul and the souls of those with whom I walk. I ask You Father to move now on the earth and make me holy and pure so I can be used by You to do Your will on this earth -- just as it is done in heaven. Help all of us to recognize Your will and ignite a flame wherever You see darkness in my being so I can be freed from the bondages that hold me captive. AMEN!"
Remember, you don’t receive oftentimes because you have not asked -- God will not force you. My challenge today -- do you have the courage to ask?
Read More Prayers
Prayer for Leaders
Prayer for Leaders – Insights from God’s Word
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7
They risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Acts 15:26
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7
They risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Acts 15:26
Prayer for Leaders - Conformed to Your Image
Prayer: Lord, I have been incredibly blessed for so many years now to serve You. It is in that recognition that I find myself amazed at how far I have come -- and over how many hills and valleys I have traveled. Along this path I have learned a great deal about perseverance -- as I have learned to trust You -- so You could use me to help others.
It is with a humble heart today that I enter this place of Your Presence. I know You will meet me here as You continue to grow and nurture me. I pause in this moment seeking Your will for this time -- and my heart begins to pound -- as all my worldly concerns fade and I see only You. I hear you remind me that this is where I will find any true spiritual authority.
It is here in the study of Your Word, and under the guiding light of Your Holy Spirit who helps me to go deeper in my understanding, that I will find the tools I need to lead. You continue to remind me that the source of true leadership -- true spiritual authority -- is not influence with men, but with You my God. This has saved me from so many dangers over the years where I almost found myself seeking the authority -- without giving You my full obedience and trust.
I remember someone once telling me that a leader must first be a follower -- someone who knows how to follow You. This hasn’t always been easy because of my own human pride and selfishness -- but it has certainly proven to be true. Jesus, You are my leader -- entrusted with the authority over all other leaders. As I unwrapped that idea, I have found some astonishing truths that have kept me strong and allowed me to persevere in spite of myself.
Once again this morning I bow my knee asking to be conformed to Your image. I know without any doubt that is the path to any real authority I will have in this world. I hear You remind me again that my effectiveness for You will only be to the degree that You reign within me. I am reminded that human authority uses people for its own purposes -- while Your true authority gives all it has to give for the sake of the people. This is a huge difference between Christians and the rest of the world.
I pray this day for a deeper, more effective understanding for Your church about true leadership -- based on their relationship with You, leading by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the truth found in Your Word. You remind me You are attempting to grow our vision in these days -- and that means we are going to need Your wisdom, perseverance and strength to accomplish it. It is going to take a spiritual fortitude that many do not yet have if we are going to be able to move ahead as You have designed. We are desperately in need of leaders who do not just dream -- but are enabled by You to challenge the very course and direction of the world. I also pray this morning asking you to raise up the detail oriented people to help our visionaries implement Your plans. I know Christians are to be the most creative people on earth and our greatest leaders are surrounded by these "excellence seeking people" working hand in hand to accomplish the goal.
I ask You also to raise the level of spiritual authority given to those who have been charged with watching out for the flock. The Body's intercessors and pastoral care people are being bombarded by discouragement as they are often kept on the peripheral end of the food chain. I acknowledge it is a very delicate balancing act. It often takes decades of working together to gain mutual trust, but it is a vital role too often overlooked in our churches.
We live in challenging times, Lord -- but we are also privileged to live in the greatest of times. Your influence is being felt in every nook and cranny of the world -- and You are raising up an army to take back that which has been stolen. You will be glorified -- it is Your right -- paid at the most dreadful cross ever carved. You alone are worthy of the honor and glory, and You are THE LEADER -- given spiritual authority over the world.
Grow our leaders to be like You, Jesus. Help them to see You as their greatest treasure. Help them to willingly submit to Your authority -- as they bend their knee in obedience to Your vision -- and lead the rest of us out of the darkness into the light. I know it is Your will to use them to bring love, peace and joy back into this world. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: Lord, I have been incredibly blessed for so many years now to serve You. It is in that recognition that I find myself amazed at how far I have come -- and over how many hills and valleys I have traveled. Along this path I have learned a great deal about perseverance -- as I have learned to trust You -- so You could use me to help others.
It is with a humble heart today that I enter this place of Your Presence. I know You will meet me here as You continue to grow and nurture me. I pause in this moment seeking Your will for this time -- and my heart begins to pound -- as all my worldly concerns fade and I see only You. I hear you remind me that this is where I will find any true spiritual authority.
It is here in the study of Your Word, and under the guiding light of Your Holy Spirit who helps me to go deeper in my understanding, that I will find the tools I need to lead. You continue to remind me that the source of true leadership -- true spiritual authority -- is not influence with men, but with You my God. This has saved me from so many dangers over the years where I almost found myself seeking the authority -- without giving You my full obedience and trust.
I remember someone once telling me that a leader must first be a follower -- someone who knows how to follow You. This hasn’t always been easy because of my own human pride and selfishness -- but it has certainly proven to be true. Jesus, You are my leader -- entrusted with the authority over all other leaders. As I unwrapped that idea, I have found some astonishing truths that have kept me strong and allowed me to persevere in spite of myself.
Once again this morning I bow my knee asking to be conformed to Your image. I know without any doubt that is the path to any real authority I will have in this world. I hear You remind me again that my effectiveness for You will only be to the degree that You reign within me. I am reminded that human authority uses people for its own purposes -- while Your true authority gives all it has to give for the sake of the people. This is a huge difference between Christians and the rest of the world.
I pray this day for a deeper, more effective understanding for Your church about true leadership -- based on their relationship with You, leading by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the truth found in Your Word. You remind me You are attempting to grow our vision in these days -- and that means we are going to need Your wisdom, perseverance and strength to accomplish it. It is going to take a spiritual fortitude that many do not yet have if we are going to be able to move ahead as You have designed. We are desperately in need of leaders who do not just dream -- but are enabled by You to challenge the very course and direction of the world. I also pray this morning asking you to raise up the detail oriented people to help our visionaries implement Your plans. I know Christians are to be the most creative people on earth and our greatest leaders are surrounded by these "excellence seeking people" working hand in hand to accomplish the goal.
I ask You also to raise the level of spiritual authority given to those who have been charged with watching out for the flock. The Body's intercessors and pastoral care people are being bombarded by discouragement as they are often kept on the peripheral end of the food chain. I acknowledge it is a very delicate balancing act. It often takes decades of working together to gain mutual trust, but it is a vital role too often overlooked in our churches.
We live in challenging times, Lord -- but we are also privileged to live in the greatest of times. Your influence is being felt in every nook and cranny of the world -- and You are raising up an army to take back that which has been stolen. You will be glorified -- it is Your right -- paid at the most dreadful cross ever carved. You alone are worthy of the honor and glory, and You are THE LEADER -- given spiritual authority over the world.
Grow our leaders to be like You, Jesus. Help them to see You as their greatest treasure. Help them to willingly submit to Your authority -- as they bend their knee in obedience to Your vision -- and lead the rest of us out of the darkness into the light. I know it is Your will to use them to bring love, peace and joy back into this world. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer for Leaders – Making it Personal
Reflect: Romans 11:36 states, "for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." True authority will always put God at the center of its influence through obedience to Him. Many human leaders like King Saul fell from grace because of disobedience as they sought their own power and influence through worldly wisdom. It is the blending of a staff together that gives authentic spiritual leaders the support he or she needs to lead. But it is all wrapped up in each individual being surrendered to God’s will -- and therefore trusted enough to be heard when appropriate. Take a few minutes and ask the Lord to show You where you fit -- and start working toward that goal. It will take time to build trust, so please be patient with the process which often looks like more of a disaster than a success. Don’t let Satan discourage you or get you off Christ’s point.
Learn More!Reflect: Romans 11:36 states, "for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." True authority will always put God at the center of its influence through obedience to Him. Many human leaders like King Saul fell from grace because of disobedience as they sought their own power and influence through worldly wisdom. It is the blending of a staff together that gives authentic spiritual leaders the support he or she needs to lead. But it is all wrapped up in each individual being surrendered to God’s will -- and therefore trusted enough to be heard when appropriate. Take a few minutes and ask the Lord to show You where you fit -- and start working toward that goal. It will take time to build trust, so please be patient with the process which often looks like more of a disaster than a success. Don’t let Satan discourage you or get you off Christ’s point.
Read More Prayers!
Prayer of Humility
Prayer of Humility -- Insights from God’s Word
. . . All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ''God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty Hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:5–7
. . . All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ''God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty Hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:5–7
Prayer of Humility – A Distaste for Selfishness
Prayer: My sweet Jesus – You are a wonder to me! Even though I live in a world that has fallen victim to the corruption of selfishness -- in the midst of that world I find the true Lamb of God patiently waiting for His kids. You cry out for us to take the focus off of ourselves and turn to You. I know there is selfishness embedded very deeply in most of us.
Clearly this morning I recognize Your heart’s cry to set Your people free. Our human tendency toward selfishness -- instead of selflessness -- is being revealed, and I sing with joy at the knowledge that the life of freedom You have planned is about to be granted to those who have died to self and are seeking a true, reverential attitude towards You as their foundation.
The throne of pride upon which so many of us sit is being changed. Your people are becoming alive -- and filled with Your truths -- which are bringing them freedom from hopelessness and helplessness. You have been teaching many of us to treasure a personal, intimate, and living relationship with You as pure gold. You are burning away the spirit of weariness and fruitlessness which has permeated our lives, and are replacing it with purposefulness and joy.
I ask You to ignite this flame of passion that is present today in so many hearts. We have been waiting for so long to speak about Your truths with passion -- as we live lives of surrender -- giving You first place in our hearts, homes, and churches. Ignite the light of truth You have provided for Your kids -- and take Your rightful place of pre-eminence in our lives, churches, and nations. Remind and renew those who have grown weary to put their faith in You and return to lives of surrender and obedience.
My heart screams out with joy this morning knowing that You want Your kids to come into the fullness of Christian maturity and fellowship. You are taking us to the heights where our nature and Yours are joined at the hip – and darkness is set to fleeing. I acknowledge only You can accomplish this -- so I gladly get out of Your way and allow You to have Your way with me.
More clearly than ever before I recognize the power and beauty of Your truths. I fall to my knees humbling myself, believing in ALL You have taught me. This is truly a visionary time for those who believe. There is nothing naïve about true faith – rather it is just the opposite. It opens up the door to heaven itself, and allows us to experience the reality of heaven right here, right now.
This faith You have provided for Your kids has come at a cost -- but it has also come with a promise. There is no way this servant can stay earthbound any longer – not when Your heavenly truths have provided a heavenly vision to help sustain me. It is with our hearts that we believe, and I ask You right now to open closed off hearts to see the kingdom possibilities all around them.
There is a huge army assembling in these days my King! I am convinced that this army is made up of praying people and humble servants of our most Holy, High God. This army doesn’t look like human armies. It is more powerful and more real than anything this earth can possibly offer.
You have begun the march by opening up our spiritual eyes to the realities of the kingdom to come. We are overcoming our fears to step ahead in faith -- knowing that all we need will be provided. You alone are at the head of this army, and You are the heart that propels its fuel.
You have always stood as the mediator between God and man. You have promised in Your Word that when Your people come together they would do so with You at its head. You have raised up great Godly leaders to help prepare the way for this great battle, and they have stepped up to the plate by not claiming anything for themselves. You have rooted out self seeking in our churches and replaced it with simple John the Baptist like faith that us helping to prepare the way for our Lord.
Thank You, my King, that we live in times where we are beginning to see You take Your rightful place -- as You bind us together as one unified Body. To You alone be all the honor and glory.
Prayer: My sweet Jesus – You are a wonder to me! Even though I live in a world that has fallen victim to the corruption of selfishness -- in the midst of that world I find the true Lamb of God patiently waiting for His kids. You cry out for us to take the focus off of ourselves and turn to You. I know there is selfishness embedded very deeply in most of us.
Clearly this morning I recognize Your heart’s cry to set Your people free. Our human tendency toward selfishness -- instead of selflessness -- is being revealed, and I sing with joy at the knowledge that the life of freedom You have planned is about to be granted to those who have died to self and are seeking a true, reverential attitude towards You as their foundation.
The throne of pride upon which so many of us sit is being changed. Your people are becoming alive -- and filled with Your truths -- which are bringing them freedom from hopelessness and helplessness. You have been teaching many of us to treasure a personal, intimate, and living relationship with You as pure gold. You are burning away the spirit of weariness and fruitlessness which has permeated our lives, and are replacing it with purposefulness and joy.
I ask You to ignite this flame of passion that is present today in so many hearts. We have been waiting for so long to speak about Your truths with passion -- as we live lives of surrender -- giving You first place in our hearts, homes, and churches. Ignite the light of truth You have provided for Your kids -- and take Your rightful place of pre-eminence in our lives, churches, and nations. Remind and renew those who have grown weary to put their faith in You and return to lives of surrender and obedience.
My heart screams out with joy this morning knowing that You want Your kids to come into the fullness of Christian maturity and fellowship. You are taking us to the heights where our nature and Yours are joined at the hip – and darkness is set to fleeing. I acknowledge only You can accomplish this -- so I gladly get out of Your way and allow You to have Your way with me.
More clearly than ever before I recognize the power and beauty of Your truths. I fall to my knees humbling myself, believing in ALL You have taught me. This is truly a visionary time for those who believe. There is nothing naïve about true faith – rather it is just the opposite. It opens up the door to heaven itself, and allows us to experience the reality of heaven right here, right now.
This faith You have provided for Your kids has come at a cost -- but it has also come with a promise. There is no way this servant can stay earthbound any longer – not when Your heavenly truths have provided a heavenly vision to help sustain me. It is with our hearts that we believe, and I ask You right now to open closed off hearts to see the kingdom possibilities all around them.
There is a huge army assembling in these days my King! I am convinced that this army is made up of praying people and humble servants of our most Holy, High God. This army doesn’t look like human armies. It is more powerful and more real than anything this earth can possibly offer.
You have begun the march by opening up our spiritual eyes to the realities of the kingdom to come. We are overcoming our fears to step ahead in faith -- knowing that all we need will be provided. You alone are at the head of this army, and You are the heart that propels its fuel.
You have always stood as the mediator between God and man. You have promised in Your Word that when Your people come together they would do so with You at its head. You have raised up great Godly leaders to help prepare the way for this great battle, and they have stepped up to the plate by not claiming anything for themselves. You have rooted out self seeking in our churches and replaced it with simple John the Baptist like faith that us helping to prepare the way for our Lord.
Thank You, my King, that we live in times where we are beginning to see You take Your rightful place -- as You bind us together as one unified Body. To You alone be all the honor and glory.
Prayer of Humility – Making it Personal
Reflect: There is no greater goal any of us can attain than humility. God has been raising up humble leaders and followers in preparation for His return. I would encourage you to spend however much time it takes right now to rid yourself of pride, selfishness, and ego. These things will not last. They will be burned up as Christ takes His rightful place as Lord of your life so He can use you to bring His light of truth to overcome the false pride that presently holds control. He is making His kids ready – don’t miss out by settling for counterfeits that convince you your needs are to be your primary focus. God will meet all the needs of His surrendered ones, and He will use them. He will grant them a vision of His kingdom possibilities – right here, right now. Don’t forget to journal as you surrender to His ways.
Learn More!Reflect: There is no greater goal any of us can attain than humility. God has been raising up humble leaders and followers in preparation for His return. I would encourage you to spend however much time it takes right now to rid yourself of pride, selfishness, and ego. These things will not last. They will be burned up as Christ takes His rightful place as Lord of your life so He can use you to bring His light of truth to overcome the false pride that presently holds control. He is making His kids ready – don’t miss out by settling for counterfeits that convince you your needs are to be your primary focus. God will meet all the needs of His surrendered ones, and He will use them. He will grant them a vision of His kingdom possibilities – right here, right now. Don’t forget to journal as you surrender to His ways.
Read More Prayers
Prayer on Fear
Prayer on Fear – Insights from God’s Word
I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and He heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear Him, and He rescues them. - Psalm 34:4–7
I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and He heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear Him, and He rescues them. - Psalm 34:4–7
Prayer on Fear - The Power of the Cross
Prayer: Lord, I cry out for help today for my brothers and sisters who are at this very moment struggling with their own individual fears. These fears are holding them back from accomplishing the very thing they were created to accomplish. I know You are standing in the gap for them before the throne of God, and You are calling out to them to come and lay their burdens down at Your feet.
There is a great struggle going on for their freedom, and I know that this needs to be defeated, and they need to be set free to walk in the calling You have for them. I only know one way to combat these fears, and I cry out to You asking you to rescue them from the bondages that are holding them. You tell us often that we are to do what we need to do to remain free. You remind us often that fear is not to be our path, and we are to take a stand against that fear. You desire that we walk free to minister in Your Truths. We are to take a stand if we are being misled into thinking that we can or cannot do that which You are calling us to accomplish.
We cannot allow fear to become our ruler. We are told to walk by faith, not by fear. I know as I pray that today is to be a day of breakthrough for someone. Today is a new opportunity to stand fast and be strong and courageous. Every day we are challenged to grow in our faith so that our faith will become pleasing to our God. It is through my brothers and sisters who labor in the harvest fields because of their faith, that our world is changing, and we are beginning to impact the lost and dying for Christ.
I cry out to You today asking You to restore joy to Your people. Where you see people struggling and being burdened with fear, I ask You to meet them at the area of their greatest need, and "bind up the brokenhearted -- Isaiah 61:1. Where there was once sorrow and fear, I ask you to replace that sorrow and turn it into the oil of gladness.
I recognize, my King, that many of us need to be spending some time with You in the wilderness, and many of us need to be released into a new and fresh season of fruit. I pray that as You look into the faces of my brother and sisters, You will create in them a new beginning and new dawning where all things become possible for them -- because of their faith in You. I ask You to give them determination and perseverance, and I ask You to look deep within them and get them to that sweet spot that You have reserved only for them.
I pray for an increase of blessings in their lives, and a refreshment of hope for their weariness. Help them, Lord, to walk through this new doorway of possibilities, into a renewed and fully restored time of blessing. I pray they will be able to soar on eagle’s wings and ascend to the heights where their vision is increased and their faith and hope renewed – as it once was.
Protect them from the attempts of Satan to get at them and counterfeit or confuse the Gospel truths in their lives. Give them a power that they have never before experienced, which will see them through to a new window of opportunity that only You can give them. It is in these moments of attack that I ask You to send out Your angels of power sending them to do battle for my brothers and sisters.
You are Lord over all, and You offer your armor of protection for all of us. I claim that armor for my weary, discouraged and fear locked brothers and sisters. Help them to be obedient to You as You use these fears to build them into authentic spiritual leaders. Remind them of the power of obedience and the truth that allows them to be Christ--led and Christ--like. Help them to abide in You, and remind them that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who seek Him. May all we do bring you glory and honor!
Prayer: Lord, I cry out for help today for my brothers and sisters who are at this very moment struggling with their own individual fears. These fears are holding them back from accomplishing the very thing they were created to accomplish. I know You are standing in the gap for them before the throne of God, and You are calling out to them to come and lay their burdens down at Your feet.
There is a great struggle going on for their freedom, and I know that this needs to be defeated, and they need to be set free to walk in the calling You have for them. I only know one way to combat these fears, and I cry out to You asking you to rescue them from the bondages that are holding them. You tell us often that we are to do what we need to do to remain free. You remind us often that fear is not to be our path, and we are to take a stand against that fear. You desire that we walk free to minister in Your Truths. We are to take a stand if we are being misled into thinking that we can or cannot do that which You are calling us to accomplish.
We cannot allow fear to become our ruler. We are told to walk by faith, not by fear. I know as I pray that today is to be a day of breakthrough for someone. Today is a new opportunity to stand fast and be strong and courageous. Every day we are challenged to grow in our faith so that our faith will become pleasing to our God. It is through my brothers and sisters who labor in the harvest fields because of their faith, that our world is changing, and we are beginning to impact the lost and dying for Christ.
I cry out to You today asking You to restore joy to Your people. Where you see people struggling and being burdened with fear, I ask You to meet them at the area of their greatest need, and "bind up the brokenhearted -- Isaiah 61:1. Where there was once sorrow and fear, I ask you to replace that sorrow and turn it into the oil of gladness.
I recognize, my King, that many of us need to be spending some time with You in the wilderness, and many of us need to be released into a new and fresh season of fruit. I pray that as You look into the faces of my brother and sisters, You will create in them a new beginning and new dawning where all things become possible for them -- because of their faith in You. I ask You to give them determination and perseverance, and I ask You to look deep within them and get them to that sweet spot that You have reserved only for them.
I pray for an increase of blessings in their lives, and a refreshment of hope for their weariness. Help them, Lord, to walk through this new doorway of possibilities, into a renewed and fully restored time of blessing. I pray they will be able to soar on eagle’s wings and ascend to the heights where their vision is increased and their faith and hope renewed – as it once was.
Protect them from the attempts of Satan to get at them and counterfeit or confuse the Gospel truths in their lives. Give them a power that they have never before experienced, which will see them through to a new window of opportunity that only You can give them. It is in these moments of attack that I ask You to send out Your angels of power sending them to do battle for my brothers and sisters.
You are Lord over all, and You offer your armor of protection for all of us. I claim that armor for my weary, discouraged and fear locked brothers and sisters. Help them to be obedient to You as You use these fears to build them into authentic spiritual leaders. Remind them of the power of obedience and the truth that allows them to be Christ--led and Christ--like. Help them to abide in You, and remind them that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who seek Him. May all we do bring you glory and honor!
Prayer on Fear – Making it Personal
Reflect: We are in a battle throughout our life on this earth – and fear is one of Satan’s favorite forms of attack. Until Christ’s kingdom comes and Satan's season of power is ended, we are living in enemy territory. We must be alert and aware of the attacks that come against us, and we must put on the Armor of God which He has provided - Ephesians 6:10–18.
Also, we need to remember that it is through the power of the cross that the grace of God is given to us to change and restore us. It is the power of the cross which kills our old self and resurrects us to the newness of life.
Learn More About Overcoming Fear!Reflect: We are in a battle throughout our life on this earth – and fear is one of Satan’s favorite forms of attack. Until Christ’s kingdom comes and Satan's season of power is ended, we are living in enemy territory. We must be alert and aware of the attacks that come against us, and we must put on the Armor of God which He has provided - Ephesians 6:10–18.
Also, we need to remember that it is through the power of the cross that the grace of God is given to us to change and restore us. It is the power of the cross which kills our old self and resurrects us to the newness of life.
Read More Prayers!
Compliments of Carolyn Baker
Serving God
Serving God – Insight from God’s Word
How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You. In the shelter of Your presence You hide them from the intrigues of men; in Your dwelling place You keep them safe from accusing tongues. - Psalm 31:19–20
How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You. In the shelter of Your presence You hide them from the intrigues of men; in Your dwelling place You keep them safe from accusing tongues. - Psalm 31:19–20
Serving God – Is it Coincidence or God's Pattern
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I quietly sit in this sacred place of Your Presence, I find my heart being turned inward. As I quietly reflect on Your grace and Your mercy, which is the path on which I have journeyed, I have a sense of reverential awe flowing deep within. It is becoming clearer each day how the processes of my life have led me to this quiet place of understanding, where today I am feeling a new sense of empowerment leading me to take one more step of faith into the darkness of the unknown.
I am grateful as I recognize that even though I wasn’t fully ready to assume new tasks for You, You allowed me to make a beginning. Step by step, You drove me closer and You led me down the path of Your choice. As I look about me, I see so many gifted people still afraid to take their first new step of faith into the unknown. I also see many others who are laboring in a field where their true gifts are not being utilized, and as a result, they are growing cold. I am grateful that You got me through my own seasons of struggle where both of these things were true for me. My heart pounds as I recognize how you saved and nourished me throughout those years by drawing me into a more intimate relationship with You.
How awesome are Your ways Lord! How mysterious are Your secrets! It is incredible to recognize You desire to share them with us so we can use them for Your glory. Particularly, I am recognizing the people You have placed along my journey, every one of them exactly who I needed for that particular season of my faith walk. I didn’t recognize much of this at the time it was happening, but as I look back, I recognize how You were growing me up, challenging my willingness to persevere. So many times just before I was ready to give up and run, You sent a message to me through one of those people that sustained me through the difficult times.
How do I thank a God who knows exactly what I need, who I need, and when I need it? All I can do is stay true to the path on which I now walk, knowing that at the end of that journey will be a new and exciting commission. Today, I know You will never fail me. I know from past history that You will provide the people and resources I need to fulfill my commission.
I no longer walk in fear, but rather in anticipation of greatness. I recognize my dependence on You and I recognize the people You bring to me during each season of my journey. My prayer today is for my brothers and sisters who find themselves in seasons of confusion. I pray they would spend some time looking back at their journals so they can recognize Your hand on their journey. I pray they will hold on tightly to their own personal integrity -- especially during theses difficult seasons -- and I ask You to send people into their lives who can journey with them. I know, Jesus, when You choose people with whom we are to journey, nothing can stop us as we work together to accomplish Your purposes.
I also pray Lord for Your divine inspiration to permeate their hearts with a fresh new resolve to turn their hearts, eyes, and ears to Your wavelength. I pray also that during those times when their circumstances don’t seem to match up with their own hopes and dreams, they will trust You for the outcome. We are not worthy to serve You, yet, You still choose to use us. May all we do reflect Your great heart so people will be drawn to Your bright light of truth. Thank You, Jesus!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I quietly sit in this sacred place of Your Presence, I find my heart being turned inward. As I quietly reflect on Your grace and Your mercy, which is the path on which I have journeyed, I have a sense of reverential awe flowing deep within. It is becoming clearer each day how the processes of my life have led me to this quiet place of understanding, where today I am feeling a new sense of empowerment leading me to take one more step of faith into the darkness of the unknown.
I am grateful as I recognize that even though I wasn’t fully ready to assume new tasks for You, You allowed me to make a beginning. Step by step, You drove me closer and You led me down the path of Your choice. As I look about me, I see so many gifted people still afraid to take their first new step of faith into the unknown. I also see many others who are laboring in a field where their true gifts are not being utilized, and as a result, they are growing cold. I am grateful that You got me through my own seasons of struggle where both of these things were true for me. My heart pounds as I recognize how you saved and nourished me throughout those years by drawing me into a more intimate relationship with You.
How awesome are Your ways Lord! How mysterious are Your secrets! It is incredible to recognize You desire to share them with us so we can use them for Your glory. Particularly, I am recognizing the people You have placed along my journey, every one of them exactly who I needed for that particular season of my faith walk. I didn’t recognize much of this at the time it was happening, but as I look back, I recognize how You were growing me up, challenging my willingness to persevere. So many times just before I was ready to give up and run, You sent a message to me through one of those people that sustained me through the difficult times.
How do I thank a God who knows exactly what I need, who I need, and when I need it? All I can do is stay true to the path on which I now walk, knowing that at the end of that journey will be a new and exciting commission. Today, I know You will never fail me. I know from past history that You will provide the people and resources I need to fulfill my commission.
I no longer walk in fear, but rather in anticipation of greatness. I recognize my dependence on You and I recognize the people You bring to me during each season of my journey. My prayer today is for my brothers and sisters who find themselves in seasons of confusion. I pray they would spend some time looking back at their journals so they can recognize Your hand on their journey. I pray they will hold on tightly to their own personal integrity -- especially during theses difficult seasons -- and I ask You to send people into their lives who can journey with them. I know, Jesus, when You choose people with whom we are to journey, nothing can stop us as we work together to accomplish Your purposes.
I also pray Lord for Your divine inspiration to permeate their hearts with a fresh new resolve to turn their hearts, eyes, and ears to Your wavelength. I pray also that during those times when their circumstances don’t seem to match up with their own hopes and dreams, they will trust You for the outcome. We are not worthy to serve You, yet, You still choose to use us. May all we do reflect Your great heart so people will be drawn to Your bright light of truth. Thank You, Jesus!
Serving God – Making it Personal
Reflect: I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own spiritual walk to this moment in time. We have much to learn from the circumstances of our past. These situations have molded us into the people we are today. We need to be able to recognize God’s involvement along that path with grateful hearts. I challenge you to recognize that you are learning from the Master Himself every day as He personally takes you by the hand and points your way. Take a look at all the “coincidences” of your life and you will soon see God’s pattern. Be sure to journal your findings, as one day they will all make perfect sense.
Learn More!Reflect: I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own spiritual walk to this moment in time. We have much to learn from the circumstances of our past. These situations have molded us into the people we are today. We need to be able to recognize God’s involvement along that path with grateful hearts. I challenge you to recognize that you are learning from the Master Himself every day as He personally takes you by the hand and points your way. Take a look at all the “coincidences” of your life and you will soon see God’s pattern. Be sure to journal your findings, as one day they will all make perfect sense.
Read More Prayers
Worship Prayers
Worship Prayers – Insights from God’s Word
The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. - Psalm 9:7-12
The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. - Psalm 9:7-12
Worship Prayers – God’s Holiness
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am trembling this morning as I take pen to paper. It is not a trembling of fear but rather that of anticipation. My heart is pounding with excitement at the very Presence of my King in this place and at the realization of Your desire to draw Your people to Yourself. You are getting us to the place where we can listen and hear You speak to us -- for the purpose of mobilizing the army of God.
I am in awe today that in the brief span of just a few minutes alone with my God, You have helped me to see more clearly the magnitude of what You are doing right now -- and even more importantly the magnitude of what You are about to do in the coming days.
Lord, I often look up into Your Face and sense the great love You have for Your people -- and I cherish these moments. But today, I am looking into the Face of my Warrior King -- The Lord of Hosts -- and I bow my head. There is no fear in my heart -- only a reverent realization that our God is indeed an awesome God. and that His glory is about to be revealed on the earth through the release of the mightiest army of believers the world has ever seen. I am trembling at the thought that our great King -- who is about to awaken His sleeping church -- would choose to share this with me and with all who receive this prayer.
In this moment I am on my knees asking You, Lord, to look into the deepest parts of me where my secret bindings lie, and reveal them to me. As I seek Your knowledge, I also seek Your forgiveness. Beyond any doubt I know that it is only through grace that I have arrived at this very key place in my walk with You. As I confess my sins now and repent, (please pause now and do the same if you are praying this prayer) You are releasing in me a fresh, new awareness of where we are in the history of the world and how that should be impacting not just my life and the lives of all those who pray this prayer, but also the hearts of the sleeping, lukewarm Body of Christ.
You are about to awaken a sleeping giant -- the Body of Christ. You are about to give Your body of believers their marching orders and over the coming months and years, we are about to see revealed amazing things that we could never have possibly imagined when we were sleeping. It is clearly time now to begin preparing. Thank You, Lord, for Your Body because it is within each newly awakened church that we will see all the parts coming together in this great effort for Christ. Thank You for the reminder that NOW is the time to get ready -- NOW is the time to be in prayer regularly seeking to know and understand God and His ways little better. NOW is the time to understand that we can listen and hear our God speak into our lives and hearts. NOW is the time to develop the spiritual discipline we will need for what is coming.
Thank You for Your promises which clearly tell us that those who are faithful to Your call will be given all the wisdom, knowledge and strength they need to accomplish what they are called to do. Turn our hearts away from our own selfish desires and re-focus Your Body with a pure and holy motivation that helps them to see clearly. Protect Your Body from the slings and arrows of Satan as he surely recognizes the emerging Body of Christ that will no longer be a sleeping, lukewarm church, but will now become a "Force of God" that will not be defeated.
It is indeed all about You, my King. Now I humbly ask You to bless all who pray this prayer with the touch of Your Holy Spirit gently speaking to them with whatever message You have to send. Help them to be open and receptive to Your "still small voice" and create in them a hunger to know You better and to serve in this newly emerging army of our Most Holy, High God. To You -- Our lord of Hosts -- be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am trembling this morning as I take pen to paper. It is not a trembling of fear but rather that of anticipation. My heart is pounding with excitement at the very Presence of my King in this place and at the realization of Your desire to draw Your people to Yourself. You are getting us to the place where we can listen and hear You speak to us -- for the purpose of mobilizing the army of God.
I am in awe today that in the brief span of just a few minutes alone with my God, You have helped me to see more clearly the magnitude of what You are doing right now -- and even more importantly the magnitude of what You are about to do in the coming days.
Lord, I often look up into Your Face and sense the great love You have for Your people -- and I cherish these moments. But today, I am looking into the Face of my Warrior King -- The Lord of Hosts -- and I bow my head. There is no fear in my heart -- only a reverent realization that our God is indeed an awesome God. and that His glory is about to be revealed on the earth through the release of the mightiest army of believers the world has ever seen. I am trembling at the thought that our great King -- who is about to awaken His sleeping church -- would choose to share this with me and with all who receive this prayer.
In this moment I am on my knees asking You, Lord, to look into the deepest parts of me where my secret bindings lie, and reveal them to me. As I seek Your knowledge, I also seek Your forgiveness. Beyond any doubt I know that it is only through grace that I have arrived at this very key place in my walk with You. As I confess my sins now and repent, (please pause now and do the same if you are praying this prayer) You are releasing in me a fresh, new awareness of where we are in the history of the world and how that should be impacting not just my life and the lives of all those who pray this prayer, but also the hearts of the sleeping, lukewarm Body of Christ.
You are about to awaken a sleeping giant -- the Body of Christ. You are about to give Your body of believers their marching orders and over the coming months and years, we are about to see revealed amazing things that we could never have possibly imagined when we were sleeping. It is clearly time now to begin preparing. Thank You, Lord, for Your Body because it is within each newly awakened church that we will see all the parts coming together in this great effort for Christ. Thank You for the reminder that NOW is the time to get ready -- NOW is the time to be in prayer regularly seeking to know and understand God and His ways little better. NOW is the time to understand that we can listen and hear our God speak into our lives and hearts. NOW is the time to develop the spiritual discipline we will need for what is coming.
Thank You for Your promises which clearly tell us that those who are faithful to Your call will be given all the wisdom, knowledge and strength they need to accomplish what they are called to do. Turn our hearts away from our own selfish desires and re-focus Your Body with a pure and holy motivation that helps them to see clearly. Protect Your Body from the slings and arrows of Satan as he surely recognizes the emerging Body of Christ that will no longer be a sleeping, lukewarm church, but will now become a "Force of God" that will not be defeated.
It is indeed all about You, my King. Now I humbly ask You to bless all who pray this prayer with the touch of Your Holy Spirit gently speaking to them with whatever message You have to send. Help them to be open and receptive to Your "still small voice" and create in them a hunger to know You better and to serve in this newly emerging army of our Most Holy, High God. To You -- Our lord of Hosts -- be all the honor and glory!
Worship Prayers – Making it Personal
Reflect: Our God is a God of immense power and strength. We need to recognize He is the Lord of Hosts and we need to be aware that He is calling His Body to awaken from their slumber and get ready for His call. I would encourage you to spend some quiet time with Him this week where you will not be interrupted. Keep a pad of paper at hand and write down any impressions your receive. Tuck this away somewhere safe. There will be a time when the impressions you receive today will be brought into a clearer focus. Also, this should become a habit as you grow closer and closer to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit before you start to help you hear with His ears, see with His eyes, and think with His mind. The goal is the mind and nature of Christ in us functioning daily in our places of service to the Lord.
Learn More!Reflect: Our God is a God of immense power and strength. We need to recognize He is the Lord of Hosts and we need to be aware that He is calling His Body to awaken from their slumber and get ready for His call. I would encourage you to spend some quiet time with Him this week where you will not be interrupted. Keep a pad of paper at hand and write down any impressions your receive. Tuck this away somewhere safe. There will be a time when the impressions you receive today will be brought into a clearer focus. Also, this should become a habit as you grow closer and closer to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit before you start to help you hear with His ears, see with His eyes, and think with His mind. The goal is the mind and nature of Christ in us functioning daily in our places of service to the Lord.
Read More Prayers
Christian Living
Christian Living – Insights from God’s Word
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10
Christian Living – Spiritual Nourishment
Prayer: Jesus, I completely give You my life today -- to do with as You desire. I know with each passing day You make it possible for me to see Your purposes at work in my own life. I know You call to me, and I know You have equipped and designed every fiber of my being for just such a time as this. I also know I don’t always make the right decisions.
In spite of this, I am committed to trying -- with Your grace and mercy -- to live my life in the service of my King. To that end, I ask You to reveal Your purposes for my struggles and my victories -- and I ask You to help me with my timing issues.
The reality of my life is lived out every day. One way or another I either succeed or fail. With every choice I make, I have the opportunity to grow in my faith and trust. When I make the right choices, I somehow get through the muck and the mire -- and find myself breathing Your pure oxygen -- as I journey upwards toward Your kingdom realities and Your kingdom purposes.
Your Word lives and breathes in me. It is the spiritual nourishment I need to overcome and persevere -- and it is the source of my greatest joy. You have given me the greatest of privileges -- to make a difference for You -- and a difference in this world. Your ways -- while admittedly not easy have grown me and forever changed me. I have found a creativity I never knew I had. I have found a passion for life I can’t possibly explain. I have found profound moments of revelation (which I call "golden nugget" moments) and I have experienced Your Presence -- and in the experience -- found peace and joy.
With the beginning of this new day, Lord, I ask to be allowed to walk firmly on Your path. I pray Your ways, Your nature will become as natural to me as breathing. I pray Your Word will become an every day, practical reality -- as step by step You draw me closer and help me to scale the steepest mountain path without breaking a sweat. I know every decision I make along the way matters -- for better or for worse. I know many of my choices make no sense -- and seem often to be confusing and completely unrelated to other realities in my life.
Yet, day by day this path becomes clearer. My vision increases with each step and my passion increases. As I overcome I become that "contagious Christian" I want to be. I wish I could see clearly from Your perspective as I know this would answer all of my questions and heal all of my wounds -- but I also know this is a process and it will take some time.
This morning however, I settle for recognizing that the many challenges I face are designed by the Master Creator Himself -- intended to get me to a place I have yet to see. It is the journey of a lifetime -- in the truest sense of the word -- and I take great joy in knowing I have at least gotten this far.
As You grow me to become more like You, I can see how many opportunities You give me every day to become truly Christ-like. You have given me everything I need to succeed -- Your Word -- Christian brothers and sisters to journey with -- love in my life -- and hope for my future. With each new day that dawns You provide a way for me to remain strong in my faith -- growing in my trust -- and living in the hope of the kingdom to come -- experiencing Your will every day -- right here on good, planet earth.
So I take what You give me today, Jesus -- recognizing it is all about process -- as the seeds of my life take root and grow into a giant oak tree! I cannot see what I will one day become but I can trust You for the nourishment I need to grow -- as I live out the realities of Your Word in my every day life.
Take the good and the bad of my life today, Jesus -- and do with it as You will. Help me with my decisions, my emotions and thoughts -- and transform my mind to think as You think -- as Your truths take deep root in my inner man. To You be all the honor and the glory!
Prayer: Jesus, I completely give You my life today -- to do with as You desire. I know with each passing day You make it possible for me to see Your purposes at work in my own life. I know You call to me, and I know You have equipped and designed every fiber of my being for just such a time as this. I also know I don’t always make the right decisions.
In spite of this, I am committed to trying -- with Your grace and mercy -- to live my life in the service of my King. To that end, I ask You to reveal Your purposes for my struggles and my victories -- and I ask You to help me with my timing issues.
The reality of my life is lived out every day. One way or another I either succeed or fail. With every choice I make, I have the opportunity to grow in my faith and trust. When I make the right choices, I somehow get through the muck and the mire -- and find myself breathing Your pure oxygen -- as I journey upwards toward Your kingdom realities and Your kingdom purposes.
Your Word lives and breathes in me. It is the spiritual nourishment I need to overcome and persevere -- and it is the source of my greatest joy. You have given me the greatest of privileges -- to make a difference for You -- and a difference in this world. Your ways -- while admittedly not easy have grown me and forever changed me. I have found a creativity I never knew I had. I have found a passion for life I can’t possibly explain. I have found profound moments of revelation (which I call "golden nugget" moments) and I have experienced Your Presence -- and in the experience -- found peace and joy.
With the beginning of this new day, Lord, I ask to be allowed to walk firmly on Your path. I pray Your ways, Your nature will become as natural to me as breathing. I pray Your Word will become an every day, practical reality -- as step by step You draw me closer and help me to scale the steepest mountain path without breaking a sweat. I know every decision I make along the way matters -- for better or for worse. I know many of my choices make no sense -- and seem often to be confusing and completely unrelated to other realities in my life.
Yet, day by day this path becomes clearer. My vision increases with each step and my passion increases. As I overcome I become that "contagious Christian" I want to be. I wish I could see clearly from Your perspective as I know this would answer all of my questions and heal all of my wounds -- but I also know this is a process and it will take some time.
This morning however, I settle for recognizing that the many challenges I face are designed by the Master Creator Himself -- intended to get me to a place I have yet to see. It is the journey of a lifetime -- in the truest sense of the word -- and I take great joy in knowing I have at least gotten this far.
As You grow me to become more like You, I can see how many opportunities You give me every day to become truly Christ-like. You have given me everything I need to succeed -- Your Word -- Christian brothers and sisters to journey with -- love in my life -- and hope for my future. With each new day that dawns You provide a way for me to remain strong in my faith -- growing in my trust -- and living in the hope of the kingdom to come -- experiencing Your will every day -- right here on good, planet earth.
So I take what You give me today, Jesus -- recognizing it is all about process -- as the seeds of my life take root and grow into a giant oak tree! I cannot see what I will one day become but I can trust You for the nourishment I need to grow -- as I live out the realities of Your Word in my every day life.
Take the good and the bad of my life today, Jesus -- and do with it as You will. Help me with my decisions, my emotions and thoughts -- and transform my mind to think as You think -- as Your truths take deep root in my inner man. To You be all the honor and the glory!
Christian Living – Making it Personal
Reflect: I have often spun my wheels trying to figure out the why of my circumstances -- only to come around the mountain one more time realizing I will never fully understand it all on this earth. I have learned -- often the hard way -- that the most important thing I can do is trust in Jesus, dig down deeper into His truths, and wait patiently on Him for His guidance and direction. With every experience I undergo, God is doing a work in me -- as He transforms my being and turns me into the person who gives Him pleasure by living a surrendered life. His Word is so rich -- and every new day is an opportunity to live it out practically -- where seeds are planted -- manifesting itself as the reality of Jesus’ character being expressed in us and in those we influence. Make today count -- today matters -- and in the end, the sum of all your todays will result in great rewards in heaven.
Learn More!Reflect: I have often spun my wheels trying to figure out the why of my circumstances -- only to come around the mountain one more time realizing I will never fully understand it all on this earth. I have learned -- often the hard way -- that the most important thing I can do is trust in Jesus, dig down deeper into His truths, and wait patiently on Him for His guidance and direction. With every experience I undergo, God is doing a work in me -- as He transforms my being and turns me into the person who gives Him pleasure by living a surrendered life. His Word is so rich -- and every new day is an opportunity to live it out practically -- where seeds are planted -- manifesting itself as the reality of Jesus’ character being expressed in us and in those we influence. Make today count -- today matters -- and in the end, the sum of all your todays will result in great rewards in heaven.
Read More Prayers
Intimacy with God
Intimacy with God -- Insights from God’s Word
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your Face, O God of Jacob. - Psalm 24:3–6
''I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for the sheep…'' - John 10:14–15
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your Face, O God of Jacob. - Psalm 24:3–6
''I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for the sheep…'' - John 10:14–15
Intimacy with God - Transforming Power of Jesus
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, I come before You clothing myself with the garments of praise and salvation, knowing that whatever obstacles may lie in my path, they will be removed by my God who loves me. I recognized Your call this morning as You drew me in here, desiring to teach me more about You and Your ways. This oneness with You is a goal I unashamedly shoot for -- even though I often fall short.
I am amazed -- even to this day -- at how hard Your Holy Spirit works at drawing me close. The intimacy You desire to share with Your kids continues to astonish me -- yet with every fiber of my being I know that without that intimacy, I would never be able to stand firm and persevere. Today, My King, I hear Your cry as You seek to draw all of Your kids closer to You. So often we feel You are at a distance that we will never bridge -- yet today I know You desire that we should have a "moment by moment" sense of Your Presence within us.
Somehow I knew this morning that I needed to clothe myself in the "garments of praise and salvation", so that whatever barriers my own sin life had erected could be torn down. I know I often hide behind my own fears and my own agendas -- and You clearly want me to smash these fears and agendas so I can enjoy an open relationship with You that goes deeper than I can possibly imagine in my human flesh.
Your Word tells me that if I repent of my wrong attitudes and put on the garments of praise and salvation, You will knock down the barriers that have been erected between us. I also know I have to deal with Your holiness - so as I approach You, I come slowly, trembling as I come. This is far more than lip service for me, as over many years You have been refining and training me to see You as You are so I can be changed into a mirror image of Yourself. This isn’t easy -- and only You can do it -- but this journey has been worth whatever I have had to surrender as I drew closer.
On this day I only know that my surrender is vital. You will not force me, but You will convict me of my need. You have screamed in my ears for years about authenticity with You. You have been removing my masks, and You have been speaking to me loudly as I have gotten more real with You. I don’t know if I will ever be able to complete this in my lifetime, but I know that with every new day, I will clothe myself in praise -- rely on Your salvation -- and seek Your conviction for the areas of my inner life that are still cloudy.
Knowing Your love, my King, has been the defining moment of clarity for me. I have lived with a holy fear of my God for many years now -- and that fear has led me to a deeper understanding of Your love for me -- and has caused me to draw closer to You. I know that more than anything I ever DO for You -- any job or position of authority I could ever hold -- it is my love and dependence on You that has been the bullet You used to set me permanently free. You seem to always reveal Yourself to those who want You the most -- and this is not dependent on any job, ministry, or mission we might undertake.
You are coming for a Bride, my King, who is to be conformed to Your image. As Your Bride grows more and more like You, You are filling us with power to be used for Your purposes. I live and breathe 2 Corinthians 3:18 as I attempt to muddle through the often muddied waters of my life. I know that Your vision is available to me and that my surrender will result in a "God-breathed" vision that will stand on solid ground and will not be shaken by the winds that ravage against it. "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
I pray You will fuel our lives with Your Holy Spirit’s presence so we can grow and mature every day. I boldly ask You to lead us from glory to glory -- resulting in lives that look like Ephesians 3:20–21. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, I come before You clothing myself with the garments of praise and salvation, knowing that whatever obstacles may lie in my path, they will be removed by my God who loves me. I recognized Your call this morning as You drew me in here, desiring to teach me more about You and Your ways. This oneness with You is a goal I unashamedly shoot for -- even though I often fall short.
I am amazed -- even to this day -- at how hard Your Holy Spirit works at drawing me close. The intimacy You desire to share with Your kids continues to astonish me -- yet with every fiber of my being I know that without that intimacy, I would never be able to stand firm and persevere. Today, My King, I hear Your cry as You seek to draw all of Your kids closer to You. So often we feel You are at a distance that we will never bridge -- yet today I know You desire that we should have a "moment by moment" sense of Your Presence within us.
Somehow I knew this morning that I needed to clothe myself in the "garments of praise and salvation", so that whatever barriers my own sin life had erected could be torn down. I know I often hide behind my own fears and my own agendas -- and You clearly want me to smash these fears and agendas so I can enjoy an open relationship with You that goes deeper than I can possibly imagine in my human flesh.
Your Word tells me that if I repent of my wrong attitudes and put on the garments of praise and salvation, You will knock down the barriers that have been erected between us. I also know I have to deal with Your holiness - so as I approach You, I come slowly, trembling as I come. This is far more than lip service for me, as over many years You have been refining and training me to see You as You are so I can be changed into a mirror image of Yourself. This isn’t easy -- and only You can do it -- but this journey has been worth whatever I have had to surrender as I drew closer.
On this day I only know that my surrender is vital. You will not force me, but You will convict me of my need. You have screamed in my ears for years about authenticity with You. You have been removing my masks, and You have been speaking to me loudly as I have gotten more real with You. I don’t know if I will ever be able to complete this in my lifetime, but I know that with every new day, I will clothe myself in praise -- rely on Your salvation -- and seek Your conviction for the areas of my inner life that are still cloudy.
Knowing Your love, my King, has been the defining moment of clarity for me. I have lived with a holy fear of my God for many years now -- and that fear has led me to a deeper understanding of Your love for me -- and has caused me to draw closer to You. I know that more than anything I ever DO for You -- any job or position of authority I could ever hold -- it is my love and dependence on You that has been the bullet You used to set me permanently free. You seem to always reveal Yourself to those who want You the most -- and this is not dependent on any job, ministry, or mission we might undertake.
You are coming for a Bride, my King, who is to be conformed to Your image. As Your Bride grows more and more like You, You are filling us with power to be used for Your purposes. I live and breathe 2 Corinthians 3:18 as I attempt to muddle through the often muddied waters of my life. I know that Your vision is available to me and that my surrender will result in a "God-breathed" vision that will stand on solid ground and will not be shaken by the winds that ravage against it. "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
I pray You will fuel our lives with Your Holy Spirit’s presence so we can grow and mature every day. I boldly ask You to lead us from glory to glory -- resulting in lives that look like Ephesians 3:20–21. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." To You be all the honor and glory!
Intimacy with God – Making it Personal
Reflect: Jesus is our authority, our heritage, and our hope. We are being conformed day by day into His image -- if we are willing. I am confident we need to pursue intimacy with Him as our greatest treasure and trust Him for the results. As this prayer indicates we are to clothe ourselves with the garments of praise and salvation expecting God to respond and being willing to surrender and obey His leading. My challenge to you is the question, "How close to God do you really want to be?" Remember, He will not force you. I would encourage you to pray about the answer to this question -- and then ask God for His courage to live it out. Remember also that worship is the open pathway to His Throne Room and the power, wisdom, and strength that will flow from there. God is holy and we always know to hold that truth close to our hearts as it will effect the way we relate to Him.
Learn More!Reflect: Jesus is our authority, our heritage, and our hope. We are being conformed day by day into His image -- if we are willing. I am confident we need to pursue intimacy with Him as our greatest treasure and trust Him for the results. As this prayer indicates we are to clothe ourselves with the garments of praise and salvation expecting God to respond and being willing to surrender and obey His leading. My challenge to you is the question, "How close to God do you really want to be?" Remember, He will not force you. I would encourage you to pray about the answer to this question -- and then ask God for His courage to live it out. Remember also that worship is the open pathway to His Throne Room and the power, wisdom, and strength that will flow from there. God is holy and we always know to hold that truth close to our hearts as it will effect the way we relate to Him.
Read More Prayers
Prayer for Hard Times
Prayer for Hard Times -- Insights from God’s Word
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. - Romans 8:18 (NLT)
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. - Romans 8:18 (NLT)
Prayer for Hard Times - Prayer through Pain
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I sit here this morning with a heart that is breaking, knowing that many of your people are in pain and are struggling this day. I know I am not alone in my own personal struggles. I am finding a very real center of your peace falling around me, and I pray that same peace for my struggling brothers and sisters.. I know that pain and struggle are a part of this fallen world in which we live. I know that until the day of Your return there will continue to be pain. But I also know that in the midst of that pain and suffering, I see the extended hands of my Savior reaching our from His heavenly dwelling place, calling to me, and to all who struggle.
You have such bright piercing eyes and Your compassionate heart for our struggles beats loudly. You are reminding me that everywhere all around me there is evidence of Your Presence -- and in that I can take hope. To be aware of Your presence at this moment is so important in my life. To know that in all things, I can turn to You, and trust You for whatever the circumstances that face me.
You are faithful to those who call You by name and You are gentle and compassionate. Your Word is filled to the brim with hope, and Your great Kingdom that is to come, a shining light on the horizon, that helps me focus on You and Your needs -- instead of my own.
My prayer is for anyone who is at this very moment struggling with things beyond their own control. My prayer is a cry to my King asking for His arms of protection to fall on each one of them. Whatever their struggle this day, Lord, I pray You will reveal Your purposes in that struggle, and I ask You to comfort and sustain the weak ones who are the most susceptible to the snares of Satan -- especially at such a time as this.
I acknowledge in this moment that many times we do not understand the path upon which we walk. Many times we only have enough energy to fall to our knees and acknowledge our weakness. Yet through it all You are with us -- through it all You gently whisper Your truths into our ears. How grateful I am -- especially in this time of struggle -- that You are who You say You are, and You do what You say You do. How blessed I am to serve a God who cherishes His children and provides for all of their needs!
My greatest desire is to serve You and Your people, and my heart of worship for you sustains me -- especially in this season of struggle. There is no better way to live than in Your service. Give us all the wisdom we need to discern the counterfeits that are in place everywhere, and grant us Your loving and compassionate heart to all we meet so we can be true witnesses of Your truths.
In this moment and at this time -- Your truths sustain me. I fall to my knees acknowledging my weakness, and then, seeing Your strength, You reach out from above to touch Your hand to mine. May all I do this day bring You honor and glory!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I sit here this morning with a heart that is breaking, knowing that many of your people are in pain and are struggling this day. I know I am not alone in my own personal struggles. I am finding a very real center of your peace falling around me, and I pray that same peace for my struggling brothers and sisters.. I know that pain and struggle are a part of this fallen world in which we live. I know that until the day of Your return there will continue to be pain. But I also know that in the midst of that pain and suffering, I see the extended hands of my Savior reaching our from His heavenly dwelling place, calling to me, and to all who struggle.
You have such bright piercing eyes and Your compassionate heart for our struggles beats loudly. You are reminding me that everywhere all around me there is evidence of Your Presence -- and in that I can take hope. To be aware of Your presence at this moment is so important in my life. To know that in all things, I can turn to You, and trust You for whatever the circumstances that face me.
You are faithful to those who call You by name and You are gentle and compassionate. Your Word is filled to the brim with hope, and Your great Kingdom that is to come, a shining light on the horizon, that helps me focus on You and Your needs -- instead of my own.
My prayer is for anyone who is at this very moment struggling with things beyond their own control. My prayer is a cry to my King asking for His arms of protection to fall on each one of them. Whatever their struggle this day, Lord, I pray You will reveal Your purposes in that struggle, and I ask You to comfort and sustain the weak ones who are the most susceptible to the snares of Satan -- especially at such a time as this.
I acknowledge in this moment that many times we do not understand the path upon which we walk. Many times we only have enough energy to fall to our knees and acknowledge our weakness. Yet through it all You are with us -- through it all You gently whisper Your truths into our ears. How grateful I am -- especially in this time of struggle -- that You are who You say You are, and You do what You say You do. How blessed I am to serve a God who cherishes His children and provides for all of their needs!
My greatest desire is to serve You and Your people, and my heart of worship for you sustains me -- especially in this season of struggle. There is no better way to live than in Your service. Give us all the wisdom we need to discern the counterfeits that are in place everywhere, and grant us Your loving and compassionate heart to all we meet so we can be true witnesses of Your truths.
In this moment and at this time -- Your truths sustain me. I fall to my knees acknowledging my weakness, and then, seeing Your strength, You reach out from above to touch Your hand to mine. May all I do this day bring You honor and glory!
Prayer for Hard Times -- Making it Personal
Reflect: As hard as it is to understand, it is in the struggles of our lives that we can find the moments of greatest truth. If our hearts and minds are open to His truths, we can find the solace we need for our distress, the wisdom we need for our understanding ,and the love we need to sustain us. It’s all in God’s Word. I would encourage anyone who is struggling today to reach for the Bible and turn your pain into His wisdom which will sustain you -- no matter what your circumstances. This is the best time to seek His Face.
Learn More!Reflect: As hard as it is to understand, it is in the struggles of our lives that we can find the moments of greatest truth. If our hearts and minds are open to His truths, we can find the solace we need for our distress, the wisdom we need for our understanding ,and the love we need to sustain us. It’s all in God’s Word. I would encourage anyone who is struggling today to reach for the Bible and turn your pain into His wisdom which will sustain you -- no matter what your circumstances. This is the best time to seek His Face.
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Prayer of Faith
Prayer of Faith – Insights from God’s Word
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. - 2 Chronicles 32:7–8
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. - 2 Chronicles 32:7–8
Prayer of Faith – Stepping Out
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, I praise Your name and I shout out with joy for Your presence in my life, and for the anointing power of Your Holy Spirit which is helping me to go deeper in Your truths and soar higher in Your power. I turn my eyes to the heavens anticipating new wisdom and deeper insights into Your sacred truths.
I praise You that more and more each day, I am becoming more confident about who I am in You -- and I praise You that the kingdom You are establishing right now on this earth cannot be shaken. My heart is flooded with joy knowing that Your surrendered ones are being used in mighty ways right now, and that Your strength and power is being made available to each and every one of them.
My prayer today begins with a cry asking You to release from bondage those Christians who are leading defeated lives. I ask You to release them from their own tunnel vision that prevents them from seeing beyond their own individual circumstances. I pray, Jesus, that with every ounce of faith they have, they will come to understand who they are in You, and begin to exert their authority over the dark places that hold them captive in the night.
Feed them, I cry, with manna from heaven that fills their hunger and sustains them on their journey to the river of life where their thirst will be filled. Feed them with Your truths so they can grow stronger and be hope-filled. Fill them with hearts of praise for what You have already done for them, so they can join the chorus of praise now being lifted up.
Jesus, help all of us, regardless of our position, to step out in faith and take our rightful places. When we come under attack, remind us how much power we have over the stings and arrows Satan fires at us. We are not helpless, we are certainly not weak, we are children of the King and His rightful heirs. Turn our hearts toward worship, praise, and thanksgiving when we start to wallow in self pity, selfishness, or pride. You have already redeemed us, and Satan will one day eat the dust of our work as he is evicted from Your eternal kingdom. Remind us every day that we do not live by bread alone -- but by every word that You have spoken. Remind us that there are multitudes of people being drawn together by Your common cause, and in Your timing they will be mobilized into the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen. Every day is an opportunity to prepare ourselves -- every day is an opportunity to focus our minds and hearts on You and Your purposes -- and every day is a day we can hear Your still small voice share its secrets with us, helping us to resist evil, and focus on truth, righteousness, and holiness.
I pray for all who pray this prayer, that they will have holy and pure motivations wherever they are presently placed in the Body of Christ. I pray that like David, they will have hearts of worship as their sword and have security knowing that our God can do all things -- that nothing is impossible with Him. I pray they will lift their hearts to You so their spirit will touch Your heart. Let Your very real Presence in their lives become clear. I acknowledge You are our safety net, our security blanket, and I thank You for all the times past when You have saved us from harm. I anticipate with a grateful heart all the victories that are about to come!
I choose today to take refuge in You. I choose to fear the Lord and not man, and I choose obedience over willfulness and submission over pride. I am blessed beyond measure already, and I praise and thank You for all You have provided, knowing that we will lack no good thing as we seek You first above all else. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, I praise Your name and I shout out with joy for Your presence in my life, and for the anointing power of Your Holy Spirit which is helping me to go deeper in Your truths and soar higher in Your power. I turn my eyes to the heavens anticipating new wisdom and deeper insights into Your sacred truths.
I praise You that more and more each day, I am becoming more confident about who I am in You -- and I praise You that the kingdom You are establishing right now on this earth cannot be shaken. My heart is flooded with joy knowing that Your surrendered ones are being used in mighty ways right now, and that Your strength and power is being made available to each and every one of them.
My prayer today begins with a cry asking You to release from bondage those Christians who are leading defeated lives. I ask You to release them from their own tunnel vision that prevents them from seeing beyond their own individual circumstances. I pray, Jesus, that with every ounce of faith they have, they will come to understand who they are in You, and begin to exert their authority over the dark places that hold them captive in the night.
Feed them, I cry, with manna from heaven that fills their hunger and sustains them on their journey to the river of life where their thirst will be filled. Feed them with Your truths so they can grow stronger and be hope-filled. Fill them with hearts of praise for what You have already done for them, so they can join the chorus of praise now being lifted up.
Jesus, help all of us, regardless of our position, to step out in faith and take our rightful places. When we come under attack, remind us how much power we have over the stings and arrows Satan fires at us. We are not helpless, we are certainly not weak, we are children of the King and His rightful heirs. Turn our hearts toward worship, praise, and thanksgiving when we start to wallow in self pity, selfishness, or pride. You have already redeemed us, and Satan will one day eat the dust of our work as he is evicted from Your eternal kingdom. Remind us every day that we do not live by bread alone -- but by every word that You have spoken. Remind us that there are multitudes of people being drawn together by Your common cause, and in Your timing they will be mobilized into the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen. Every day is an opportunity to prepare ourselves -- every day is an opportunity to focus our minds and hearts on You and Your purposes -- and every day is a day we can hear Your still small voice share its secrets with us, helping us to resist evil, and focus on truth, righteousness, and holiness.
I pray for all who pray this prayer, that they will have holy and pure motivations wherever they are presently placed in the Body of Christ. I pray that like David, they will have hearts of worship as their sword and have security knowing that our God can do all things -- that nothing is impossible with Him. I pray they will lift their hearts to You so their spirit will touch Your heart. Let Your very real Presence in their lives become clear. I acknowledge You are our safety net, our security blanket, and I thank You for all the times past when You have saved us from harm. I anticipate with a grateful heart all the victories that are about to come!
I choose today to take refuge in You. I choose to fear the Lord and not man, and I choose obedience over willfulness and submission over pride. I am blessed beyond measure already, and I praise and thank You for all You have provided, knowing that we will lack no good thing as we seek You first above all else. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer of Faith – Making it Personal
Reflect: I have learned a very valuable lesson over the years -- that whenever I am about to sink in the pit of worry, I look upward and begin praising God for all I have already been given. Then, I claim victory over worry, confusion, and anxiety, and replace these emotions with gratitude and a thankful heart. I often have to do this several times a day, but I can guarantee it works. God responds to a grateful heart. He actually weeps over His brokenhearted kids. How can we not praise a God like this who gave everything He had to give, so we could have eternity with Him? His great power can sustain you no matter what your circumstances.
Learn More!Reflect: I have learned a very valuable lesson over the years -- that whenever I am about to sink in the pit of worry, I look upward and begin praising God for all I have already been given. Then, I claim victory over worry, confusion, and anxiety, and replace these emotions with gratitude and a thankful heart. I often have to do this several times a day, but I can guarantee it works. God responds to a grateful heart. He actually weeps over His brokenhearted kids. How can we not praise a God like this who gave everything He had to give, so we could have eternity with Him? His great power can sustain you no matter what your circumstances.
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Prayer of Praise
Prayer of Praise – Insights from God’s Word
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see -- kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him. He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. - Colossians 1:15–17
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see -- kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him. He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. - Colossians 1:15–17
Prayer of Praise - Glory, Glory, to You, My King
Prayer: I fill the air this morning with praises -- shouting loudly my gratitude to my King who makes all things possible. Everywhere I look this day I see evidence of Your Presence, and everywhere I look I see the hearts of your created ones reaching our their arms and shouting, "Glory, glory to You, our King! Who never changes, who stands by the oppressed and who heals the brokenhearted." Voices are coming together all over the land in songs of praise for the glory of the Lord is near, and He is in His heavenly place lovingly looking out for us.
There is nothing that can stand against You, and there is nothing that will bear deeper abiding fruit than living in Your will. You are above all, above reproach, and at the very heart of Your nature beats the heart of a glorious King whose beauty is unsurpassed -- as is the greatness of His being. I look into Your face and I recognize Your Hand on my life. I see the moments in my life when I struggled to even hear you. I see the moments when I was blown away by the nearness of my King. -- and I am in awe.
I have cried out and yearned for Your Presence in my life, and I have searched Your Word to find my answers. As I bow in prayer today I am recognizing my need to not falter or sputter. I recognize my human nature which sometimes cries out for relief. I am humbled to see that Your love and compassion is so great that it even encompasses me and my struggles. I am not worthy!
You are Wisdom -- You are Truth. You handle the mighty, and You look after the weak. You make sense out of our struggles, and You shine a light on all our broken parts. You promise healing and You restore the lost. Everything got started in You and finds its purpose in You. You will not be ignored, and You will not leave us alone to struggle in our selfishness. I look at You and acknowledge Your Presence, and I shout praises of thanksgiving.
You seem to be taking Your children into a deeper, more intimate journey with You. You seem to be igniting sparks of passion all around the world and in my own back yard. You are telling us to relax and stop worrying over every little thing and to rest in the truth that You are God. You hold the reins of control that will soon be released against the evil presently controlling our cities, countries, and families.
You are making things clear to us, and You are reminding us to stay the course, to persevere, and we will soon soar on eagle's wings. You are our refuge and our strength. You remind me every day now that I am as close to You as I choose to be, and You challenge me to pick up my cross and follow You -- daily.
I ask You today, my King, to help my brothers and sisters who are in bondage to fear. You have reminded me in Your Word that "The one who fears is not made perfect in love." Free us from these fears and replace that fear with the sure knowledge of Your love and compassionate mercy. Show them that Your ways are far greater than anything they can possibly imagine, and that Your power and strength will get them through. Help them to turn these fears over to You and trust You for the results -- which will surely be freedom.
Help them to reach out to You in their desperation to be set free. Help them to recognize the true passion of their hearts and shine Your great light of wisdom and knowledge on their confusions. Your love is so great and Your heart for Your people is beyond our comprehension to fully understand.
You call out to us today, telling us to come and sit at Your feet and be refreshed. You call us today to be at peace in Your Presence and to recognize all that You are doing everywhere all around us so we can see the magnitude of Your power and be put at ease in our relationship. Remove whatever pride or ego that still exists, and set us aside so we can worship at Your feet and be renewed ourselves.
I ask You to accomplish a deep work in us. I ask You to anoint Your people through the Holy Spirit and give them penetrating strength of character. Thank You that You are in the business of restoration and that Your church is being raised to its proper place where the fullness of Your truths will be revealed and the darkness destroyed. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: I fill the air this morning with praises -- shouting loudly my gratitude to my King who makes all things possible. Everywhere I look this day I see evidence of Your Presence, and everywhere I look I see the hearts of your created ones reaching our their arms and shouting, "Glory, glory to You, our King! Who never changes, who stands by the oppressed and who heals the brokenhearted." Voices are coming together all over the land in songs of praise for the glory of the Lord is near, and He is in His heavenly place lovingly looking out for us.
There is nothing that can stand against You, and there is nothing that will bear deeper abiding fruit than living in Your will. You are above all, above reproach, and at the very heart of Your nature beats the heart of a glorious King whose beauty is unsurpassed -- as is the greatness of His being. I look into Your face and I recognize Your Hand on my life. I see the moments in my life when I struggled to even hear you. I see the moments when I was blown away by the nearness of my King. -- and I am in awe.
I have cried out and yearned for Your Presence in my life, and I have searched Your Word to find my answers. As I bow in prayer today I am recognizing my need to not falter or sputter. I recognize my human nature which sometimes cries out for relief. I am humbled to see that Your love and compassion is so great that it even encompasses me and my struggles. I am not worthy!
You are Wisdom -- You are Truth. You handle the mighty, and You look after the weak. You make sense out of our struggles, and You shine a light on all our broken parts. You promise healing and You restore the lost. Everything got started in You and finds its purpose in You. You will not be ignored, and You will not leave us alone to struggle in our selfishness. I look at You and acknowledge Your Presence, and I shout praises of thanksgiving.
You seem to be taking Your children into a deeper, more intimate journey with You. You seem to be igniting sparks of passion all around the world and in my own back yard. You are telling us to relax and stop worrying over every little thing and to rest in the truth that You are God. You hold the reins of control that will soon be released against the evil presently controlling our cities, countries, and families.
You are making things clear to us, and You are reminding us to stay the course, to persevere, and we will soon soar on eagle's wings. You are our refuge and our strength. You remind me every day now that I am as close to You as I choose to be, and You challenge me to pick up my cross and follow You -- daily.
I ask You today, my King, to help my brothers and sisters who are in bondage to fear. You have reminded me in Your Word that "The one who fears is not made perfect in love." Free us from these fears and replace that fear with the sure knowledge of Your love and compassionate mercy. Show them that Your ways are far greater than anything they can possibly imagine, and that Your power and strength will get them through. Help them to turn these fears over to You and trust You for the results -- which will surely be freedom.
Help them to reach out to You in their desperation to be set free. Help them to recognize the true passion of their hearts and shine Your great light of wisdom and knowledge on their confusions. Your love is so great and Your heart for Your people is beyond our comprehension to fully understand.
You call out to us today, telling us to come and sit at Your feet and be refreshed. You call us today to be at peace in Your Presence and to recognize all that You are doing everywhere all around us so we can see the magnitude of Your power and be put at ease in our relationship. Remove whatever pride or ego that still exists, and set us aside so we can worship at Your feet and be renewed ourselves.
I ask You to accomplish a deep work in us. I ask You to anoint Your people through the Holy Spirit and give them penetrating strength of character. Thank You that You are in the business of restoration and that Your church is being raised to its proper place where the fullness of Your truths will be revealed and the darkness destroyed. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer of Praise – Making it Personal
Reflect: What better way is there to spend your life than revealing through your life the glory of our God. Have you ever fully comprehended God’s intention to use you to reflect the glory of His Son for the entire world to see? Do you sell yourself short because of your fears, or do you hold yourself captive by closing your eyes to the possibilities of eternity living -- right here, right now? I urge you to not waste any more time. Put Christ first in your life and seek His Face for all your confusions. He wants to free you and release you into a new anointing power where you fulfill that which got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.
Learn More!Reflect: What better way is there to spend your life than revealing through your life the glory of our God. Have you ever fully comprehended God’s intention to use you to reflect the glory of His Son for the entire world to see? Do you sell yourself short because of your fears, or do you hold yourself captive by closing your eyes to the possibilities of eternity living -- right here, right now? I urge you to not waste any more time. Put Christ first in your life and seek His Face for all your confusions. He wants to free you and release you into a new anointing power where you fulfill that which got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.
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Prayers of Confession
Prayers of Confession – Insights from God’s Word
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. - James 4:7–10
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. - James 4:7–10
Prayers of Confession – Lasting Fruit
Prayer: My Father, as I draw near to You today, I do so in a spirit of humility, recognizing my own prideful, selfish nature, seeking to be Your obedient servant. This is not easy for me as my flesh often tugs away causing me to mis-step. Over the years I have come to truly value Your timing at work in my life. My frequent failures in this area have proven to be one of the main reasons why I have struggled so hard in the past.
Holiness and purity of motivation have been a constant call on my heart. I am so desperately in need of Your grace and mercy. I seek after a purity of heart and often fall far short. In Your tenderness You often use those moments to reveal my own selfishness and ego at work. You do this so often that I have come to clearly see Your desire to prevent me from falling off the path of life You have personally designed for me.
This morning, Father, I have nothing else to offer You except my obedience to Your will. I know from my past history that You treasure an obedient servant who keeps trying -- even when the end result is often failure. Because Your Holy Spirit moves so often in me at exactly the moment I surrender and obey, I have learned to be sensitive and respond to His "still small voice" -- even when I didn’t fully understand why.
Your ways are not my ways - and I acknowledge, Father, that I often fall short of understanding where You are taking me. I suppose this could have become a source of discouragement for me if You had not intervened so often to save my foolish self.
I pray today for the grace I know I will need to stay the course. I pray against the pride, ego and selfishness that still to this day can rear their ugly head and successfully stop me from climbing higher and going deeper. Submitting to You, my Father, is the safest path I know away from the relentless attack of Satan - as he tries to defeat me.
I pray also, Father, for a spirit of discernment to fall on me and all who pray this prayer so we can fully understand Your special timing. Without this discernment we often make rash and selfish decisions that can prove to be very costly.
I was convicted recently to begin spending more time listening to You -- rather than talking -- during our prayer times together. This has proven to be a very wise decision on my part -- and a very gracious gesture on Yours. You have put up many warning flags which I know have saved me from making foolish decisions. You have also whispered Your heart’s desire to me, and this has grown me to be far more trusting and less selfish.
This has become such a huge conviction in my life resulting in more opportunities to be a good witness than I have ever seen before. Clearly You desire to encourage Your people and to draw them closer to Your Son. We are so guilty of putting our own needs first, that even in our prayer lives we can fail to hear Your heart. Grow all of us, Father, to be real servants. Give us Jesus’ patience and Jesus’ ability to listen and hear from You.
I pray for release from bondage for anyone praying this prayer who is struggling with hearing Your Holy Spirit’s whisper. I pray for Your peace to fall on them as they surrender to Your will and become obedient servants - willing to live their lives in service -- rather than seeking to be served themselves. The times in which we live are ripe with opportunities, but Your people need to hear from You so they can step up and step out in Your timing. Wherever pride, ego or selfishness is revealed preventing them from living free -- I ask You to stop that in its tracks - and rip it from their hearts.
Increase Your Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives resulting in a sweet fruit that remains no matter what winds of change are set against it. Our obedience has to be proven to You before we can be trusted with all You have to give us -- so help us, Father, to desire obedience as a core value -and seeking Your timing as our every moment of every day goal. We are weak and we are selfish by nature, but You can change that in us -- and I ask You -- I beg You -- to do that right now in me - and in all who pray this prayer.
As You grant us more authority, remind us it is not for our personal enjoyment. Rather, help us to see our lives through the fruit of our work -- resulting in ministry to others. Help us to live out Matthew 20:25–28 with out fear - and expand our influence by allowing us to serve more of Your people. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: My Father, as I draw near to You today, I do so in a spirit of humility, recognizing my own prideful, selfish nature, seeking to be Your obedient servant. This is not easy for me as my flesh often tugs away causing me to mis-step. Over the years I have come to truly value Your timing at work in my life. My frequent failures in this area have proven to be one of the main reasons why I have struggled so hard in the past.
Holiness and purity of motivation have been a constant call on my heart. I am so desperately in need of Your grace and mercy. I seek after a purity of heart and often fall far short. In Your tenderness You often use those moments to reveal my own selfishness and ego at work. You do this so often that I have come to clearly see Your desire to prevent me from falling off the path of life You have personally designed for me.
This morning, Father, I have nothing else to offer You except my obedience to Your will. I know from my past history that You treasure an obedient servant who keeps trying -- even when the end result is often failure. Because Your Holy Spirit moves so often in me at exactly the moment I surrender and obey, I have learned to be sensitive and respond to His "still small voice" -- even when I didn’t fully understand why.
Your ways are not my ways - and I acknowledge, Father, that I often fall short of understanding where You are taking me. I suppose this could have become a source of discouragement for me if You had not intervened so often to save my foolish self.
I pray today for the grace I know I will need to stay the course. I pray against the pride, ego and selfishness that still to this day can rear their ugly head and successfully stop me from climbing higher and going deeper. Submitting to You, my Father, is the safest path I know away from the relentless attack of Satan - as he tries to defeat me.
I pray also, Father, for a spirit of discernment to fall on me and all who pray this prayer so we can fully understand Your special timing. Without this discernment we often make rash and selfish decisions that can prove to be very costly.
I was convicted recently to begin spending more time listening to You -- rather than talking -- during our prayer times together. This has proven to be a very wise decision on my part -- and a very gracious gesture on Yours. You have put up many warning flags which I know have saved me from making foolish decisions. You have also whispered Your heart’s desire to me, and this has grown me to be far more trusting and less selfish.
This has become such a huge conviction in my life resulting in more opportunities to be a good witness than I have ever seen before. Clearly You desire to encourage Your people and to draw them closer to Your Son. We are so guilty of putting our own needs first, that even in our prayer lives we can fail to hear Your heart. Grow all of us, Father, to be real servants. Give us Jesus’ patience and Jesus’ ability to listen and hear from You.
I pray for release from bondage for anyone praying this prayer who is struggling with hearing Your Holy Spirit’s whisper. I pray for Your peace to fall on them as they surrender to Your will and become obedient servants - willing to live their lives in service -- rather than seeking to be served themselves. The times in which we live are ripe with opportunities, but Your people need to hear from You so they can step up and step out in Your timing. Wherever pride, ego or selfishness is revealed preventing them from living free -- I ask You to stop that in its tracks - and rip it from their hearts.
Increase Your Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives resulting in a sweet fruit that remains no matter what winds of change are set against it. Our obedience has to be proven to You before we can be trusted with all You have to give us -- so help us, Father, to desire obedience as a core value -and seeking Your timing as our every moment of every day goal. We are weak and we are selfish by nature, but You can change that in us -- and I ask You -- I beg You -- to do that right now in me - and in all who pray this prayer.
As You grant us more authority, remind us it is not for our personal enjoyment. Rather, help us to see our lives through the fruit of our work -- resulting in ministry to others. Help us to live out Matthew 20:25–28 with out fear - and expand our influence by allowing us to serve more of Your people. To You be all the honor and glory!
Prayers of Confession – Making it Personal
Reflect: I am often reminded in my prayer times of the magnificence of our God. His nature and his heart of love for us are beyond my ability to fully understand or describe. However, what I do see and understand causes me to bow my head and accept His authority with a humble heart. I have prayed for years to be a true servant of the most Holy, High God -- and as I have allowed Him to peel away the layers of my own selfish, ego centered nature, He has revealed Himself more fully and set my feet on His path -- which always results in more lasting fruit. Pride is a terrible thing and we are all vulnerable to this evil -- which is why we need our Father’s grace and mercy. Humility is the key, obedience is the action step, and lasting fruit the result. How are you doing in areas like trust, listening to the Holy Spirit’s "still small voice" - and obedience -- even when you do not fully grasp it all? Journal your findings and then spend time listening to the Holy Spirit as you prayerfully surrender your weakest area to His control.
Learn More!Reflect: I am often reminded in my prayer times of the magnificence of our God. His nature and his heart of love for us are beyond my ability to fully understand or describe. However, what I do see and understand causes me to bow my head and accept His authority with a humble heart. I have prayed for years to be a true servant of the most Holy, High God -- and as I have allowed Him to peel away the layers of my own selfish, ego centered nature, He has revealed Himself more fully and set my feet on His path -- which always results in more lasting fruit. Pride is a terrible thing and we are all vulnerable to this evil -- which is why we need our Father’s grace and mercy. Humility is the key, obedience is the action step, and lasting fruit the result. How are you doing in areas like trust, listening to the Holy Spirit’s "still small voice" - and obedience -- even when you do not fully grasp it all? Journal your findings and then spend time listening to the Holy Spirit as you prayerfully surrender your weakest area to His control.
Read More Prayers
Trusting God
Trusting God – Insights from God’s Word
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? - Isaiah 40:12-14
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? - Isaiah 40:12-14
Trusting God – Remembering the Eagle
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, here I am this bright new morning, trembling a bit as I approach this time of prayer and devotion. Never really knowing what wonders await, I am always in awe at the opportunities You provide Your kids to speak with you. Jesus, one more time I hear Your reminder that it is not about me. One more time I recognize Your call reminding me that this encounter today is for Your glory and for Your purposes -- many of which I will not understand.
I choose to spend this time with You my King simply grateful that I have been given enough understanding of my spiritual nature to recognize how needy I am for the Presence of my Lord and Savior. You are here with me at this very moment and because I am listening, You will use this prayer for Your purposes. The wonder of it all is that You are at the very center of it all.
To be allowed to serve at Your pleasure, for Your purposes in this time, is a profound joy. To have been spared to serve You today, fills my heart with wonder as I anticipate what lies ahead of all of us as we come together to journey in faith towards the destination of Your choice.
Why me? Why not me? My answer -- it's not about me -- it's about You and it's about Your plans and Your purposes. I will be forever grateful for the freedom, hope, and joy this truth has brought to my life.
I look upwards into the Face of my Lord and as I do, I am reminded of the eagle. I often find myself praying the scripture “. . .those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." As I think on this truth my spirit begins to soar. I recognize the lack of fear that exists in an eagle as he faces storms of every type throughout most of his life, yet never falters. I recognize he just adjusts his flight to flow with the storm, knowing in the end he will be safely brought home.
I love watching birds fly, but especially an eagle that soars higher and faster -- never limited by the circumstances surrounding his flight. Like all of us, Jesus, we need the same ability to soar in the face of storms. We need to be sensitive to those around us, and we need to be able to adjust to the circumstances we are facing. Obstacles are always going to be with us, but I praise and thank you that over the years, I have come to understand the importance of embracing struggles, focusing on the purposes You have shown me, and laying down all of the other garbage that tries to confuse and derail me.
My prayer today is one of thanksgiving for the ability You give each one of us to overcome. You have given us all gifts and talents to sustain us. You teach us every day to trust You -- to recognize that life is a journey filled with gates to open and trails to be cleared.
I thank You also that You are teaching me about patience -- which I acknowledge is not my strength. Somehow I know that perseverance, patience, and thanksgiving are the winning combination for my day today. I thank You that I can now embrace with joy and thanksgiving the discipline and focus it takes to get me to a place of peace and joy. Help all who pray this prayer to soar on eagle's wings today. Bring them safely back to the haven of rest You have prepared for them, where they can recognize as they end their day, that their life counted for something -- counted for Jesus and for His cry for His people.
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, here I am this bright new morning, trembling a bit as I approach this time of prayer and devotion. Never really knowing what wonders await, I am always in awe at the opportunities You provide Your kids to speak with you. Jesus, one more time I hear Your reminder that it is not about me. One more time I recognize Your call reminding me that this encounter today is for Your glory and for Your purposes -- many of which I will not understand.
I choose to spend this time with You my King simply grateful that I have been given enough understanding of my spiritual nature to recognize how needy I am for the Presence of my Lord and Savior. You are here with me at this very moment and because I am listening, You will use this prayer for Your purposes. The wonder of it all is that You are at the very center of it all.
To be allowed to serve at Your pleasure, for Your purposes in this time, is a profound joy. To have been spared to serve You today, fills my heart with wonder as I anticipate what lies ahead of all of us as we come together to journey in faith towards the destination of Your choice.
Why me? Why not me? My answer -- it's not about me -- it's about You and it's about Your plans and Your purposes. I will be forever grateful for the freedom, hope, and joy this truth has brought to my life.
I look upwards into the Face of my Lord and as I do, I am reminded of the eagle. I often find myself praying the scripture “. . .those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." As I think on this truth my spirit begins to soar. I recognize the lack of fear that exists in an eagle as he faces storms of every type throughout most of his life, yet never falters. I recognize he just adjusts his flight to flow with the storm, knowing in the end he will be safely brought home.
I love watching birds fly, but especially an eagle that soars higher and faster -- never limited by the circumstances surrounding his flight. Like all of us, Jesus, we need the same ability to soar in the face of storms. We need to be sensitive to those around us, and we need to be able to adjust to the circumstances we are facing. Obstacles are always going to be with us, but I praise and thank you that over the years, I have come to understand the importance of embracing struggles, focusing on the purposes You have shown me, and laying down all of the other garbage that tries to confuse and derail me.
My prayer today is one of thanksgiving for the ability You give each one of us to overcome. You have given us all gifts and talents to sustain us. You teach us every day to trust You -- to recognize that life is a journey filled with gates to open and trails to be cleared.
I thank You also that You are teaching me about patience -- which I acknowledge is not my strength. Somehow I know that perseverance, patience, and thanksgiving are the winning combination for my day today. I thank You that I can now embrace with joy and thanksgiving the discipline and focus it takes to get me to a place of peace and joy. Help all who pray this prayer to soar on eagle's wings today. Bring them safely back to the haven of rest You have prepared for them, where they can recognize as they end their day, that their life counted for something -- counted for Jesus and for His cry for His people.
Trusting God – Making it Personal
Reflect: How do you face struggles and adversity when it comes your way? Do you run and hide -- do you seek comfort by retreating to the safety of a pity party? Every day we are told to have an attitude of thanksgiving -- even when we struggle. Every day we can learn how to trust God more by surrendering our struggles and getting on with His agenda. Every day we have opportunities to touch someone's day by taking a moment to listen and to pray for them. It helps to remember that God is the wind under your wings -- you can trust Him.
Learn More!Reflect: How do you face struggles and adversity when it comes your way? Do you run and hide -- do you seek comfort by retreating to the safety of a pity party? Every day we are told to have an attitude of thanksgiving -- even when we struggle. Every day we can learn how to trust God more by surrendering our struggles and getting on with His agenda. Every day we have opportunities to touch someone's day by taking a moment to listen and to pray for them. It helps to remember that God is the wind under your wings -- you can trust Him.
Read More Prayers
Trusting God when Life Doesn’t Make Sense
QUESTION: Trusting God when Life Doesn’t Make SenseANSWER:
Trusting God when Life Doesn’t Make Sense – Insights from God’s Word
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:11–13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:11–13
Trusting God when Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Prayer: Lord, as I begin another new day I am astounded at the kingdom understanding You desire to share with us. Every day brings a new revelation -- a deeper understanding of Your truths. Every day brings a hunger that continues to grow - as more and more I recognize how many more layers of understanding there are to be unveiled in my life. Your ways are different - and my understanding of your ways eons away from completion. But it is precisely because of this that my anticipation of what lies ahead of me continues to increase.
I look back at where I have come, and I am forced to acknowledge that without a faithful God, I would have never gotten this far. I imagine I could spend every second of every day studying Your Word and still not fully comprehend the depth of the treasure that lies there. However, I do understand I can keep digging and finding the new understanding and power I need to discern just where You are leading me. The biggest detours in my path have come because of my own selfishness and my own impatience.
I suppose I could blame it on the culture I live in -- fast paced and intense -- but this would really not be accurate. I have walked this walk long enough to know that the choices I make are mine -- and all too often I make sputtering starts and swift stops without even consulting You. I have learned a lot in those seasons -- as round and round the mountain I have gone -- without making the slightest step toward growth and authenticity.
Over and over again, You remind me that each new day brings a new opportunity to see You better and to have You use me to reveal Yourself to the world. I don’t always listen and obey -- and in those moments, I end up treading water -- and even worse -- beginning another endless cycle of repetitive motion taking me exactly nowhere.
This morning I know I can no longer afford this supremely selfish lifestyle. I see that my ability to remain comfortable has stopped me from ascending to new heights - because I was afraid of risk. I am first of all grateful for Your patience and Your willingness to journey with me -- no matter how often I returned to my own selfish pursuits. But more than that, I am deeply convicted that the times in which I live are ripe with opportunities for greatness -- and I have just as much a chance of making a difference as any of the great men and women of God who have gone before me.
I praise You in this moment of clarity as I recognize the deception that has often been in place in my life -- and knowing this makes me stronger. There is absolutely no point in wallowing in self pity as the road ahead of me is brightly lit by the Your Holy Spirit -- and my destiny lies somewhere out there. One step at a time -- one day at a time -- with God’s power and wisdom -- I can move ahead. I know I will never see it all clearly - as you care more about my character - and developing my faith and trust - than You do in anything I can accomplish for You.
I pray today that the seeds I planted years ago will begin to bear real lasting fruit. I pray for patience to water and nourish that seed until it reaches maturity. As I learn to wait on You, I pray I do that by manifesting Your fruit to everyone I meet. Even as I write I hear the Holy Spirit check my spirit as He reminds me that peace will be my measuring stick. From past experience I know when I lose my peace I also lose my patience, self control, etc. -- and Satan steps into that vacuum and begins to sting me with anxiety, confusion and even despair.
I ask You, Jesus, to help me -- and all who pray this prayer -- to fight against worry, confusion, anxiety, and despair as soon as we recognize they are a factor. We cannot sit idly by while great opportunities have been prepared for each one of us. Your divine will should be our barometer - and constant reminder of our heritage as Your kids -- our direction finder. We have the greatest message ever preached as a road map - and as the world grows darker and many more people begin to live in fear - we should be revealing the greatest peace and the greatest courage in the midst of a collapsing world. We know WHO to trust--- and we know WHO has real authority! We also know "that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose," Romans 8:28. Help us, my King, to be anxious for nothing - and to be grateful for all You do and all You have done -- as we trust You for the fruit. To you be all the honor and glory!
Prayer: Lord, as I begin another new day I am astounded at the kingdom understanding You desire to share with us. Every day brings a new revelation -- a deeper understanding of Your truths. Every day brings a hunger that continues to grow - as more and more I recognize how many more layers of understanding there are to be unveiled in my life. Your ways are different - and my understanding of your ways eons away from completion. But it is precisely because of this that my anticipation of what lies ahead of me continues to increase.
I look back at where I have come, and I am forced to acknowledge that without a faithful God, I would have never gotten this far. I imagine I could spend every second of every day studying Your Word and still not fully comprehend the depth of the treasure that lies there. However, I do understand I can keep digging and finding the new understanding and power I need to discern just where You are leading me. The biggest detours in my path have come because of my own selfishness and my own impatience.
I suppose I could blame it on the culture I live in -- fast paced and intense -- but this would really not be accurate. I have walked this walk long enough to know that the choices I make are mine -- and all too often I make sputtering starts and swift stops without even consulting You. I have learned a lot in those seasons -- as round and round the mountain I have gone -- without making the slightest step toward growth and authenticity.
Over and over again, You remind me that each new day brings a new opportunity to see You better and to have You use me to reveal Yourself to the world. I don’t always listen and obey -- and in those moments, I end up treading water -- and even worse -- beginning another endless cycle of repetitive motion taking me exactly nowhere.
This morning I know I can no longer afford this supremely selfish lifestyle. I see that my ability to remain comfortable has stopped me from ascending to new heights - because I was afraid of risk. I am first of all grateful for Your patience and Your willingness to journey with me -- no matter how often I returned to my own selfish pursuits. But more than that, I am deeply convicted that the times in which I live are ripe with opportunities for greatness -- and I have just as much a chance of making a difference as any of the great men and women of God who have gone before me.
I praise You in this moment of clarity as I recognize the deception that has often been in place in my life -- and knowing this makes me stronger. There is absolutely no point in wallowing in self pity as the road ahead of me is brightly lit by the Your Holy Spirit -- and my destiny lies somewhere out there. One step at a time -- one day at a time -- with God’s power and wisdom -- I can move ahead. I know I will never see it all clearly - as you care more about my character - and developing my faith and trust - than You do in anything I can accomplish for You.
I pray today that the seeds I planted years ago will begin to bear real lasting fruit. I pray for patience to water and nourish that seed until it reaches maturity. As I learn to wait on You, I pray I do that by manifesting Your fruit to everyone I meet. Even as I write I hear the Holy Spirit check my spirit as He reminds me that peace will be my measuring stick. From past experience I know when I lose my peace I also lose my patience, self control, etc. -- and Satan steps into that vacuum and begins to sting me with anxiety, confusion and even despair.
I ask You, Jesus, to help me -- and all who pray this prayer -- to fight against worry, confusion, anxiety, and despair as soon as we recognize they are a factor. We cannot sit idly by while great opportunities have been prepared for each one of us. Your divine will should be our barometer - and constant reminder of our heritage as Your kids -- our direction finder. We have the greatest message ever preached as a road map - and as the world grows darker and many more people begin to live in fear - we should be revealing the greatest peace and the greatest courage in the midst of a collapsing world. We know WHO to trust--- and we know WHO has real authority! We also know "that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose," Romans 8:28. Help us, my King, to be anxious for nothing - and to be grateful for all You do and all You have done -- as we trust You for the fruit. To you be all the honor and glory!
Trusting God when Life Doesn’t Make Sense – Making it Personal
Reflect: I have spent far too many years wasting time wrapped in anxiety and confusion knowing even in the midst of it all, that God had a better plan for me. All of us -- whether we admit it or not -- tend to place our own needs and interests ahead of God -- and as a result true, lasting fruit does not result. For myself, I know I can no longer waste time on this type of foolishness - as God has continually proven Himself faithful in my life. I have come to the place where I want to live out the reality of being "anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6). I know this results in peace, and I know I will become a wiser, happier woman used by God to destroy strongholds and restore peace and trust to a very weary world.
Reflect: I have spent far too many years wasting time wrapped in anxiety and confusion knowing even in the midst of it all, that God had a better plan for me. All of us -- whether we admit it or not -- tend to place our own needs and interests ahead of God -- and as a result true, lasting fruit does not result. For myself, I know I can no longer waste time on this type of foolishness - as God has continually proven Himself faithful in my life. I have come to the place where I want to live out the reality of being "anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6). I know this results in peace, and I know I will become a wiser, happier woman used by God to destroy strongholds and restore peace and trust to a very weary world.
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