Spiritual Drought and Times of Refreshing
Sometimes life is difficult, so much so, that our soul feels weathered and dry and our prayers flat and lifeless. We long for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, but no matter how long we search for that refreshment, we can only see the desert and feel the dry air of spiritually empty space. God’s voice seems muffled and our heart just can’t muster the strength to pray; we’re in a spiritual drought.
We can hope, and pray that the Lord would bring renewal- streams of revival, but finding the words to even ask Him can be a struggle. It’s hard to pray for our own heart, let alone the hearts of our sons and daughters.
It’s times like these that we need to turn to Scripture and pray the words God’s given us. He’s so generously provided rich words filled with Truth and hope, bathed in grace and saturated with mercy. His Word is always enough. And how can we be equipped to pray for our sons and daughters if we’re not immersing ourselves in the Word, allowing God to empty us of ourselves and fill us with Him? Sometimes the season of drought helps bring things into perspective. It brings to light the necessities of survival for our spiritual life: Jesus’ living water, the breath of God and the fire of the Holy Spirit…the elements of the Living God.
We need to be that tree in Psalm 1, planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Notice, the fruit comes in season…that means there are seasons without fruit. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean we’re ineffective. It doesn’t mean we’re broken. We haven’t stepped out of His will so that He’s removing His hand of blessing. No, though the tree might ‘look’ dead, its roots are deep and the branches are preparing for another season of growth. So, too, God allows us to go through dry seasons as He prepares us for another time of growth. Consider the maple tree. In the dead of winter, when the forest is brown and brittle, the maple tree begins to run its sap. The sweetest product of the tree comes when it ‘appears’ to be lifeless. So, too, God can bring sweetness out of our drought-ridden times.
The Law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul (Ps 19.7).
So, today, take time to soak in the Word of God. Let His words fill you and saturate your soul with His living water. Pray Scripture back to Him. Be refreshed by His Word.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Ps 42:1-2,11
I waited patiently for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord . Psalm 40:1-3 1
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Ps 63:1-5
Why not share, in the comments, other scripture that’s spoken to you. Let’s encourage one another on to faithfulness and joy! Be encouraged, friends, times of refreshing are coming!
Pray without ceasing.
God Teaches Us Prayer Through Parenting
It’s likely we all pray every day, in some form or fashion. Whether it’s giving thanks before a meal or a quick ‘rocket’ prayer for help or intervention. But what about a dedicated time of prayer each day when we’re talking and listening to the Lord, deeply and intentionally interacting with Him, being still before Him and waiting on Him?
If we’ve parented, or cared for children at all, whether they were our own or belonged to others, we’ve undergone a sort of prayer ‘boot camp’ whether we realize it or not. The skills and habits we developed in taking care of children are those God wants us to use to be more effective in prayer.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
The Apostle Paul used the word ‘devote’ to impress on us the need for more than just “minute prayers”. It is the Greek word ‘proskartereō’ and it means “to be earnest towards, to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):—attend (give self) continually.” (1)
Constantly diligent. Doesn’t that describe parenthood? And if we had a busy, adventurous, adrenaline-seeking child, well, that diligence shot to a whole new level. Whether it is an infant, a toddler, really, a child of any age, a parent is constantly diligent because they need to be aware of the dangers, aware of where that little one is, what they’re doing, and be continually ready to intervene. Isn’t that so much like prayer? Always watching, diligently aware, ready to intervene, attending continually. Oh how God gives us such tangible examples of what our walk and talk with Him should be like! Do we recognize it? Do we practice that?
Then, He tells us to be watchful. The Greek word is grēgoreō and it means “to be watchful in, employ the most conscientious care in a thing.” (2) Again, our parenting prepares us well for how we should pray. And God tells us so often to be watchful:
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake (alert) and sober.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
We wouldn’t dream of leaving our children to fend for themselves for days on end, we wouldn’t dare let them venture into dangerous places or with questionable or unsafe people. No, we are always alert and awake, watching and caring. Even as they move into adulthood, our parental watchfulness isn’t easily released. Friends, that is how God wants us to pray. Alert to the dangers at hand and to the enemy who stalks; ever awake and watching for His return. It could happen today!
Finally, Scripture tells us to be thankful. eucharistia is “gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship).” (3) Maybe it’s time for a checkup. Is our prayer life an act of worship? Or does it more resemble the ‘instacart’ of our spiritual life, checking off our order and waiting for the delivery?
Devoted, watchful and thankful. That’s the kind of prayer life we need to engage in daily and that which we need to model to our families and to the body of believers. Look around you. This world is on fire. Things are not getting better. Sin is rampant and celebrated. What is right is ridiculed as wrong and offensive. Those who stand for Godly principles are mocked, persecuted, and in some countries, executed. Time is short and Jesus’ return is near. What do we want our sons and daughters to know and remember? Our awareness of the times should increase and deepen our prayer life.
Let’s get on our knees this week in devoted prayer- constantly diligent. Let’s be watchful and pray for what is going on around us and for those who are engaging in spiritual battles. Let’s pray for the Body of Christ, the fellowship of believers, interceding for their spiritual growth and protection. Then, worship the Lord in prayer through thankfulness.
Be thankful we CAN pray- we have that privilege and access. Be grateful that God provides examples and encouragement to guide our prayer so we can align our words and actions with His word and expectations. Be thankful we still have breath and life to intercede for others. Then, let's pray for our sons and daughters that God would guide them to deeper, more effective, more worshipful prayer, too.
Set aside the list and get on your knees and commune with the Father, allow the Holy Spirit to intercede when your words cannot. Pray in Jesus' name for God to work and move powerfully. He will do it.
“Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is because of Him that I can enter Your throne room and sit at Your feet. I praise You for Your greatness. I surrender myself to You, the Great I Am, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings- there is no other. What a tremendous blessing I have in being Your child!”
“Lord, I ask that my prayer would be an act of worship toward You, exalting Your name and bringing glory to You. Teach me to pray more effectively, keep me ‘awake’ so that I would be diligent in prayer- always recognizing the things I need to bring before You and readily falling on my knees to entrust You with each burden, care, and battle. I want to be so devoted to prayer that my sons and daughters would know that their parent prays daily, diligently, and authentically, not just for what I want or wish for, but in serious, spiritually-led prayer that is life-changing, life-protecting, and effective. Lord, I cannot pray well on my own. But You can guide me in prayer so that I please You with my words and with the attitude of my heart. Work in me so that I am always keeping watch, praying for those things You bring to my attention, and allowing You to guide my words and my heart. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
G4342 - proskartereō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4342/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1127 - grēgoreō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1127/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G2169 - eucharistia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2169/niv/mgnt/0-1/
God Gives Good Things
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9
Recently, while I was driving home, I pulled up to a stop sign. There, on the far right corner was a lady walking her large pit bull in a harness. The dog was pulling and straining and having fits as she looked across the street. When I looked over, there was a mail carrier on the far left corner, messenger bag and pith helmet in place. I thought, “Oh my, what those poor mail carriers have to contend with…he’s just trying to do his job.”
I wondered if he would cross to the opposite corner before going on his way, but no, he didn’t. That mail carrier stepped into the crosswalk and walked right toward the lady and her dog. The closer he got, the more the dog strained and pulled and then I noticed, the dog was wiggling, wagging her tail and honestly, she smiled. That assumedly “vicious dog” was eager to see her mail carrier friend and he was just as glad to see her!
The mail carrier pulled out a dog treat from his bag and the pup eagerly ate it up. There was no aggression, no fierce bark or growl. The dog knew the mail carrier brought good things and she waited with anticipation until they met and ‘talked’. And here’s the thing, the dog wasn’t at all bothered by how others might view her or the assumptions they held…she only had eyes for that mail carrier. She knew he valued her and she’d be getting a treat as soon as he came near. They trusted one another and enjoyed their impromptu meeting on the corner.
It made me think about we look to Jesus, or rather, how we should look to Him. Do we see Him and get excited to talk to Him because He brings good things? Or are we bothered about what others might think of us, of our affection for and commitment to Jesus. Are we “all in”, knowing all that matters is how God sees us and that He wants fellowship with us? Jesus sees our heart. He knows our value. He embraces us as His beloved child for whom He gave His life. He’s not bothered by those looking on, He only has eyes for us- His beloved. He desires good for us. And He longs that we would be excited to spend time with Him.
God didn’t create us to be ‘religious’, to check the boxes and go through the motions. He created us to enjoy a relationship with Him, to worship and adore Him and to enjoy all the benefits of knowing God personally. He wants us to desire to see Him, talk to Him, move closer and enjoy fellowship. He desires that we would trust Him and rely on Him for those good things.
Oh that our sons and daughters would be excited to wake up and talk to God!! Imagine if their eyes would light up at the mention of Him! Let’s pray that our sons and daughters take time with Jesus today because they’re excited to talk to Him. Pray that they would look for the good things He promises and to respond to Him with joy! Then, let’s lead by example! Spend time enjoying the Presence of your Savior today. Sit with Him, listen, worship, praise His name.
Pray without ceasing.
Praying for Evidence
Just because someone says something is true, does not make it so. Anyone can make a claim, but without evidence, it’s just that, a claim, the proof remains to be seen. That’s where evidence comes in. Evidence is what backs up a claim and proves it to be true. We see this in the process of a legal trial. Any claim brought in court must be backed up by evidence or it’s dismissed for failure to prove its truth. The judge looks for the burden of truth.
Here’s another way to look at it. We may say that we believe in the power of exercise. We can follow ‘all the influencers’. We can save insta-videos and articles. We can talk the talk, but if we don’t actually exercise, there is no evidence that it’s working a change in us. When others watch us, they won’t see us out walking, lifting, running, or stretching. Our claim in the life-changing power of exercise in our life and our belief that it works is just that, a claim. There is no evidence if we don’t live it out. Our words are unsupported.
3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
As parents, we feel the weight of wanting our sons and daughters to have a genuine walk with the Lord, fully surrendered and obedient to Him. We want those whom we love and treasure to not just know about Jesus, but to have a life-changing relationship with Him. And a life that is surrendered will be a life that produces evidence of Who they worship and follow, of Who they prioritize and desire to please. We long to see evidence and know with assurance that the burden of proof is present and their eternity is secure.
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you;”
That word, ‘ask’, is the word ‘aiteo’ in Greek and it means to “ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.” 1
We need to ask the Lord- beg, call for, crave, desire and require- that He would let the life of our loved one exhibit the fruit of a sincere and active relationship with Him. If we’ve raised our sons and daughters in the knowledge of the Lord, teaching them Scriptural truth in the power and Presence of God, the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, the effective advocacy and teaching of the Holy Spirit, they know. They know. They have the words to speak…But knowledge is not evidence of the working of Christ in their heart and mind. Life-changing faith is manifested in everything we say AND do'; it is the evidence of the change and the proof that backs up the claim that we are changed and that we follow Christ.
James 2:14 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”
Deeds won’t save us. By themselves, they are an empty effort to prove ourselves worthy. If we pursue and rely on good deeds, alone, we make ourselves our own god - trying to effect our salvation through our good works. But deeds, supported by our faith in Christ, are evidence that our life is changed, that it’s surrendered to and guided by Someone greater than we. We’re not doing good deeds for our own benefit, but because we are compelled by the love of Christ toward others. We can’t not do what God compels us to…and we find joy in it!
Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”
Abraham was willing to obey God in whatever God asked of him, because He knew God. He trusted Him. He believed that if God asked him to do it, there was reason for it and God would redeem it in ways only He could and for His glory. Abraham saw evidence of God’s goodness and faithfulness in his life that bolstered his faith and gave him confidence that God’s promises were not just a claim, but were true and faithful. And Abraham’s obedience wasn’t in word only. His actions provided evidence for the faith he claimed. His actions were the proclamation. Abraham set an example for all of us in faith and obedience.
James 2:21-22 “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”
Today, let’s begin praying that the Lord would reveal evidence of the faith of our children. Pray that their faith would truly be their own, not just what they’ve been taught and what they’ve heard. Pray they would give of themselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. And pray that they would not just have head knowledge, but that their understanding of Scripture and their experience of God’s faithfulness in their life would transform their life and would be evident to those around them.
“Heavenly Father, oh how I want to see evidence of (name)’s faith. I ask, not because I’m deserving, Lord, but because I crave to see that (name) is authentically following after You. I yearn to see genuine fruit showing others that they know You, not just because it is what we taught them, but because it is what they believe themselves.”
“Strengthen (name) with deep conviction to be obedient to You when You ask them to do hard things. Increase their faith to trust You without wavering. Open (name)’s eyes to see what You are doing, how you are protecting and providing, and how You are answering their prayers, even those unspoken. Father, I pray they would have the faith of Abraham, the love of God as David did, nurture in them the fervent heart of Hannah and the boldness of Abigail. Lord, You provided so many examples of faith- may (name) be someone You would write about whose faith would be evidence through their actions, choices, and words and who would inspire others to follow Jesus in the midst of this dark world. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
G154 - aiteō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g154/esv/mgnt/0-1/
When the Weight of Your Thoughts Overwhelms You
We all know that feeling we get when things become too much. Whether the grief is bubbling to the surface, and we can’t hold it in, or the weight of worry is burying us under layers of concern and we feel like we’re going to suffocate, we feel the weight. When the dark thoughts creep in it’s hard to fight against the tide that seems to be too strong to turn. The worry and anxiety do not just set the tone for our day, they can consume it. So how do we fight it? And how can we encourage those we love in helpful ways that will point them to Christ in the struggle to manage the overwhelm?
Psalm 94:19 gives us some guidance; check out these three translations:
“When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.” (NIV)
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (NKJV)
“When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” (ESV)
Did you see it? WE can’t change anything…but God CAN and He WILL!!
The word anxiety (cares) comes from the Hebrew the word “sarapin” and means “disquieting thoughts.” 1 We’ve all experienced those, haven’t we?
Whether it’s worry over our kids, concern over a situation that feels out of control, fear of the unknown or grief over recent news, our hearts can only withstand so much. When we’re overwhelmed, our minds spin and build upon what is already present. It marinates. It festers. It distracts us from God and steals our peace. It’s not how God wants us to live.
When our thoughts battle against one another or against our peace of mind and heart, that is what Hebrew calls “sarapin”. The word “sarapin” stems from the root word “səipa” which means “ambivalence, division, or divided opinion.”2 And when we give space to those anxious thoughts, they can begin to consume us and distract our mind and heart from focusing on and trusting in God.
But God has a remedy for the confusion and division. Notice…GOD has the remedy. As much as we might try, we don’t have the power to will ourselves to be comforted. But God does!
His consolation or comfort is present and available to us. The Hebrew word “tanhumot” means “compassion or solace.”3 and that word comes from the word “naham” which means “to take a deep breath and be comforted.”4
Remember when our children would cry, sob with ragged breaths and sniff back the tears? We would gather them in, sweep the hair out of their eyes and gently rub their back or arm. Oftentimes we would gently tell them, “just breathe” and we could see them begin to settle and grow calm. Friends, that’s what our Heavenly Father tells us, too, “Just breathe. Rest in My strength. Lean into Me and find comfort and solace. My comforts can delight and cheer your very soul.” Why is it that we resist? Why do we think we have to settle our hearts in our own strength?
If we invite Him to, God settles and smooths our thoughts and our heart so that our troubled minds can be calmed and rest. He longs to give us joy, delight, and cheer! And what better way to demonstrate to others that we have the joy of the Lord?!
Today, take time to pray and pour out your heart to the Lord. Tell Him all the things that are weighing you down. He can bear the load- nothing is too much for Him. Be honest about your fears and your anger, your hurt and confusion. Lean into Him and let Him comfort you. He can and He will.
Then, take time to read the Psalms, maybe listen to some praise and worship music. Just sit and be still. God has abundant comfort for our needs, we only need sit at His feet and ask.
Pray without ceasing.
1. H8312 - śarʿapîm - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8312/kjv/wlc/0-1/
2. H5587 - sᵊʿipâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5587/kjv/wlc/0-1/
3. H8575 - tanḥûmôṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8575/kjv/wlc/0-1/
4. H5162 - nāḥam - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5162/kjv/wlc/0-1/
Why Pray Scripture?
It’s hard to communicate in words what lies in our hearts and what stews in our minds, isn’t it? Sometimes we just cannot put into words the depths of our griefs and joys, the details of our worries and fears. Oftentimes, in speaking to the God of the Universe, we realize our smallness, our limitations, our insufficiencies…and we should. We are fragile, limited, and insufficient…but we are the children of the King! We are sons and daughters of the Most High God and He stoops to hear us.
Psalm 116:1-2 says “I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (NLT)
God bends down to listen to us. Just like a father would get down to listen to his little child who has a need or something to share, God leans towards us to hear what we’re asking, understand what we’re telling Him, and gives us His full attention because He loves us.
So, why should we pray Scripture? God’s word is so complete that it can put into words what we cannot. Speaking God’s words back to Him demonstrates we value His Word, we understand the power that it holds, and shows our submission to its authority.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Meditate on that. God’s word is living, not dead, not antiquated, not ‘yesterday’ but alive and working. The Greek word is ‘energes’ and means “active, working, effectual, operative, powerful” (1) The Word of God is active and powerful! And isn’t that what we want our prayers to be?!
Scripture is also sharp, ‘tomos’, meaning it can cut by a single stroke. It’s not dull, requires no hacking, sawing, or repeated blows. The double-edged sword was a prized weapon in battle because you could swing back and forth, taking out your enemies with each swing. A sharp, double-edged sword was to be feared and could not be competed against. Scripture imparts fear in the enemy, friends! Our own words do little. God’s word pierces and divides. When we pray, we want to pierce the darkness and evil, we want to divide error from truth, we want to separate those we are burdened for from the oppression and evil that would seek to bring them down. God’s word is powerful to do that.
Scripture separates and brings distinction between things as well. Hebrews mentions joints and marrow. We might question, “Why did God talk about that?” Consider what a joint does, it connects things and allows for movement. Yet, sometimes our connections are unhealthy and our movements are in the wrong direction. We can use scripture to pray that any movement is God-led and that our sons and daughters remain closely connected to Him. Psalm 1:1-2 is a wonderful passage to pray: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His law day and night.”
But what about the marrow? Ah, the marrow is life-generating. We can live without joints, but we cannot live without marrow. The Greek word for marrow is ‘myelos’ and means blood. Marrow allows for life, generates new blood cells that fight infection, carries oxygen, and helps stop bleeding. A bone marrow transplant can restore life. Death of the marrow brings death to the body.
Finally, scripture discerns the intentions of the mind and heart. It is decisive to address each aspect of the individual’s thought life and heart attitude. Scripture is the all-inclusive remedy to every situation, challenge, attack, and need. Psalm 19:7-8 “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
When we pray Scripture over our sons and daughters, we’re praying the very words of God that are effectual and life-giving, protective and sustaining. We need to form a habit of opening our Bibles and praying back the words we read. If we do, we are praying words that are alive, active, discerning, penetrating, and effective to fight spiritual battles with the double-edged sword of scripture, battling principalities and powers that would seek to harm and destroy. We can pray a spiritual hedge of protection around our sons and daughters. We can ask that the Lord would bring other believers to encourage, challenge, and keep them accountable. Through prayer and Scripture, we have access to the Throne room of The Almighty, Great I AM, our Father, our Savior, our Friend. Scripture is so precious, we must embrace it, learn it, pray it and memorize it.
Let’s boldly pray Scripture this week, speaking God’s own words over our sons and daughters, asking Him for protection, guidance, wisdom and strength. Psalm 25 is a great place to begin, but please, share the Scripture you’re praying!! Let’s encourage one another as we kneel before the Throne!
Psalm 25
1 In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, Lord,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, Lord,[c] is in you.
22 Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!
Pray without ceasing!
G1756 - energēs - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1756/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Pray for the Body of Believers to live in genuine love.
John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Love: agape= affection, benevolence.
By THIS. By living in and showing love everyone will know we are a Christ follower.
Not by our knowledge. Not by our music. Not by our preaching or spiritual words. Not by our approval. Not by our service. But they will know because they see the evidence of our love toward one another and toward those around us. It’s a love that’s given freely, it’s not earned. It’s not to be used as leverage, it’s poured out generously. It doesn’t ask to be reciprocal and doesn’t wait for an equal exchange. They will know that we, the Church, the Body of Christ, are His followers because our love is unlike that of this world; it is God-generated and God-sustained.
Our sons and daughters need to understand the 'basics' of what Christ calls us to...and we as parents, role models, older believers, need to live it out so that they can clearly see what Christ means by this.
“Lord, please work in the Body of Christ today so that everything we say and do is motivated by and eclipsed by Godly love. I pray that we would not show love based on how others treat us, accept us, or affirm us, but that we would love unconditionally. Help us to love the unlovely. Help us to love when it’s not the natural response we might have. Help us to love as Jesus loved so that when others see us, they really see Him. Work in Your Church today. Help us to love like You love so that others will know we are Christ followers, not by our words, but by our actions. Build up Your Church, Lord. Protect us and deepen our walk with You so that as days grow darker, we can be salt and light to show others You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
A Prayer for the Church: Let the Peace of Christ Rule
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
As we anticipate the remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection, it’s a time many often give something up to remind them of all Christ gave on our behalf. But instead of ‘going without’ why don’t we commit to praying for the Body of Believers, we who daily represent Christ to this world, those with whom we are joined as The Church and The Bride. We should pray, too, for our sons and daughters as they are members of the Body (or if they are not, they would be drawn to know Christ).
Dark days are ahead…in fact they are here and walking faithfully requires us to be intentional. Let’s immerse ourselves in Scripture that reminds us of who we are in Christ and how we are called to live as His church.
Let's commit to pray in the weeks building to Resurrection Day that God would move and work in His Church so that we would stand strong against the enemy and would uphold one another to remain faithful. Will you commit to pray too?
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
The phrase "Let rule" is the word “brabeuo” in Greek and it means to arbitrate or umpire, to govern.
A question for prayer and meditation:
What are we allowing to rule in our hearts and govern our thoughts and responses?
Our Prayer point:
Pray that the Church would allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts individually and collectively and pray the world would see this extraordinary peace and be drawn to Christ.
Pray without ceasing
Benefits of Believing: Lifetime Guarantees
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
(blessings, assurances, guarantees)
We have a lot of things that follow us, don’t we? Our reputations, mistakes, our regrets, even our shame all seem to attach themselves to us and we find them hard to shake off. They follow us and seem to make themselves apparent at inopportune times, whether to others or just to ourselves as a grim and nagging reminder of all that we’re not.
As parents, we would gladly unburden our sons and daughters from those things that would define them negatively and remind them of their failures and missteps. It’s a form of bondage that the enemy uses to keep us from being effective, and it’s debilitating.
But God says differently. He casts our sin aside because He paid the price for our sin with His blood and redeemed us at the cross. Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Our sin doesn’t define us any more. We are made new, the old is gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!”
When we become children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High, different things follow us. God ensures that all the days of our life we are hemmed in behind and before with His goodness and merciful love. Psalm 139:5 “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” He reminds us that we are His protected child, Psalm 91:14-16 ““Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
God guarantees us this protection for ALL the days of our life, not some, not most, but all!!
As parents, don’t we long for a lifetime assurance that our sons and daughters will be okay? Believe me, God wants that too- He’s a Father after all.
He’s assured us that if we are His sheep He will care for us, protect us, guide us, accompany us, and provide for us abundantly. But He also promises that surely, SURELY, goodness and love WILL follow us all the days of our life.
The word surely in Hebrew is ‘ak’. It’s an affirmation that means “certainly” or “nevertheless”. “It’s a positive affirmation with emphasis on the expression of a truth: surely there is no doubt.” (1)
Throughout Psalm 23, God shows us all of the ways He cares, protects and provides for us. Then, at the end, He affirms that He will, without question, bless us again (and again and again) with His goodness and loving kindness- always, forever, continually and without fail. God will never ‘fall out of love’ with us. Read that again. God will NEVER not love us. He cannot- it’s not in His nature to not love, because God is love, 1 John 4:11 “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”
Oh how we want our sons and daughters to believe this and experience it for themselves!! May they know the Love of God intimately, personally, perpetually so that their life is dominated and directed by it. May it be all-consuming, ever-comforting, and perpetually present and tangible to them. Today, let’s pray for just that. That our dear ones would come to understand and experience the goodness of God and His relentless, unexpiring, comprehensive love for them.
“Oh, gracious, loving Father, Abba. You are the One who loved us before we ever knew You. Father, I pray in your goodness and mercy, You would surround (name) today. Show them Your mighty protection from the things of this world that would pull their gaze from You and would seek to deceive them with promises of fulfillment that will never satisfy. I pray that as in Exodus 33:19, all of Your goodness would overflow abundantly to (name). “And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” I pray that not only Your goodness, but Your mercy would be present in (name)’s life. Show them, Lord, how You protect and keep them. Open their eyes to the spiritual shield around them. Give them knowledge and understanding that Your Sovereignty ordains their steps and determines their days. Help (name) crave Your goodness and Your mercy. Lord, may they live out the scripture of Psalm 23, following You as Lord and Shepherd, knowing their needs are fulfilled, their whole being is safe and protected and that their inheritance in the saints is secure. Lord, God, Almighty, I pray that You would draw their heart to Your own so that they desire and seek You all of their days. May they abide in You so that when You call them home, they will abide WITH You, eternally. I pray these things in the precious name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
H389 - 'aḵ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (ESV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h389/esv/wlc/0-1/