A small word that can bring forth miracles...
I grew up going to church, reading daily devotions at the breakfast table was always done. One weekend, I was home from college and feeling pretty highly of myself. At the breakfast table, I decide I would skip the morning devotionals with the family and politely excused myself from the table and returned to my room. My father swiftly walked up the stairs, and opened my door. He sternly told me how self-absorbed I was and that I needed to pray about my relationship with God. He was correct about that!
Isn't it funny when we are riding high on life, we often forget that God is in our midst...
Then life happens like it does for everyone. We have seasons filled with challenges, hurts, and disappointments. We discover when life calls, it sometimes requires us to GROW UP!
The dictionary says Grow up means to begin to behave or think sensibly and realistically.
Well, I decided to grow my relationship with God. This required diligence, perseverance, studying His Word and trying to put into practice what He was teaching me. I have been on this journey for over 40 years and still have much to learn. Praying has been an important part of my life for a very long time.
Life always brings disagreements and obstacles into our world. Today, we are in a perilous time with immense challenges that are rocking our country. In five months, I have seen a deterioration of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In the Bible, Galatian's 5:22-23 describe these words as "The Fruits of the Spirit, and against such things there is no law". There are days that I fail miserably in practicing the Fruits of the Spirit! Reading the news is enough to rob us of our peace. Every parent with children home 24 by 7 is struggling with patience. How can we do better?
I know of two ways we can make a difference in our life and our country.
The first is praying and the second is practicing the "Fruits of the Spirit." I know Prayer to be my most powerful tool. Years ago, I began a prayer journal. Today, that journal is a list on my iPhone so I always have it with me. I add people to my prayer list so I don't forget to pray for their specific need. I remove the name when a pray has been answered. I have seen many answered prayers, some not always in the way I might hope, but I have learned over the years that God knows what is best and all I need to do is to pray.
Collective prayer is another way that I pray. It may be in a Bible study group, or a group of close friends praying about something very specific. I'm hopeful that you would like to join me in praying for our Nation. My challenge to anyone reading this blog to pray to God with me every morning when you rise out of bed. Join me with the following requests:
Always first, forgiveness of our own sins
A cure for Covid-19
Healing for those battling the virus
Pray that we may practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control for the day.
Pray for wisdom and insight for all the leaders in our country. Feel free to pray specific names in your state.
Thank God for all He is going to do
Please forward this post to your friends whom you think would like to join us in prayer.
Why pray?
1Timothy 2:1-4 says,
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
What does God do?
God answers prayers (this I know to be true)
Matthew 21:22 Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
God honors our prayers
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Let's start a new movement. Practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness and self-control each and everyday.
Have a blessed week!