Tag: prayer

Believing God For More

James 2:17 NKJV, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we also grow in our knowledge of His love for us. Knowing that He loves us, should cause us to love Him and want what He wants for our lives. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), so wanting what He wants will mean having to step out on faith and start believing Him for more.

Believing God for more will most likely be uncomfortable, because it often causes us to have to leave behind what is familiar in order to embrace the new thing God wants to do. It requires letting go of old thought patterns, old habits, certain activities or people that we are used to.

Embracing the new thing that God wants to do, may even cause us to experience rejection by people. However, rejection is a good thing when it positions us to experience the better things that God has planned for us. Simply living to please ourselves or others will get us nowhere. Continuously resisting the changes God allows to come our way, will not take us to higher levels in Christ.

Photo by: Luis Quintero (from Panama 🇵🇦)

Since we have entered into a new year, I know many of us are waiting in expectation for the great things that are ahead. With that, will come opportunities to learn to step out on faith, believe God for more, and take action. Whatever the more is that God has placed in your heart, don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from being obedient and taking action. Make your requests known before our all powerful God (Philippians 4:6). He is willing to give you what you need. Follow the little promptings the Holy Spirit gives you, because little things mean a lot on the journey to the bigger things He has in store.

God will strengthen your faith and take away any fears you may have as you believe Him for more. 2020 will only be a year of change, if we are willing to make the changes God requires of us.

If you would like prayer as you believe God for more, you can let me know in the comments or via email, I’m thankful to pray for you!

drawingclosertochrist@gmail.com

Happy New Year “2020”

Isaiah 40:31 AMP, ”But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Happy New Year to you! It is my prayer that you have a Spirit lead 2020 as you wait in expectancy for all God has planned for you. May you continue to draw closer to Christ and find comfort, peace, healing, and direction in the truth of His unfailing Word. I pray that you would find security and strength in knowing that God’s presence is with you and that His love for you will never cease.

Photo by: Jill Wellington (from Michigan 🇺🇸)

The Desires Of Your Heart

Psalm 37:4 ESV, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

This scripture always brings to my mind the word “worship“, which is reverencing God and loving Him for who He is. When we live a life of worship towards the Lord, we delight in Him. When we delight in Him, we find joy in spending time with Him, and we find pleasure in living in obedience to His commands.

1 John 5:3 NLT, “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”

When we find delight in the Lord, He finds delight in granting us our hearts desires. The more time we spend with Him, the more understanding we will gain about who He is. As we become more like Jesus, we will have the same desires that He has for our lives, and for the lives of those who are around us. Fulfilling His purpose will be our main agenda. The motive behind our actions will always be love, loving God and loving others.

Photo by: Ric Rodrigues

There may be times you feel that your faithfulness to God has not been properly rewarded. You may at times feel weary as you seek the Lord. If so, don’t hesitate to call out to Him in prayer. Cast your cares upon Him and allow Him to give you rest. One thing I’m learning about the Lord, is that His Word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). He will bring to past the words He has spoken. His promises are true, and His timing is perfect. The work He performs in our hearts and lives is thorough. He desires for us to be perfect (mature) and complete lacking nothing.

James 1:4 NJKV, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Keep persevering in patience as the Holy Spirit does a work in you. Keep being faithful as you serve God and walk in love toward others. He is working all things in your life together for good (Romans 8:28).

In All Things Give Thanks ~ Day 5 ~ Happy Thanksgiving

Genesis 18:13-14, “13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Thankful Thought: Thank you Lord that nothing is too hard for you, with you all things are possible. I thank you that you are not limited by my physical or intellectual capabilities. Your timing for me is perfect, and your purpose for me will prevail.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Heavenly Father,

I praise you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). My body is a temple of your Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), thank you for abiding within me. You use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and weak things to shame the strong, I praise you my Lord (1 Corinthians 1:27). Thank you that you can do more than I can ask or imagine according to your power that is at work within me (Ephesians 3:20). With you all things are possible, when I believe. (Mark 9:23). Thank you Lord.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank you for praying with me over the last five days. May praise and thanksgiving to our Lord continually be on your lips. May His joy and love overflow in your life as you serve Him with all of your heart!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 🍁 🌻

Photo by: Eric Tompkins

In All Things Give Thanks ~ Day 4

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Thankful Thought: I am thankful that even in my darkest hour, God is still God. When I am hurting, His comfort sustains me. Thank you Lord for giving me strength.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that through your grace we are able to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12). Thank you for opening our eyes to see, that the secret to true contentment in any situation we face, is knowing that we can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:12-13). Regardless of our circumstances, you are faithful to us and we thank you (Lamentations 3:22-23). In our weakness your strength is made perfect. When we are weak, thank you for being strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). We praise you for your love that endures through all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo by: Ylanite Koppens

In All Things Give Thanks ~ Day 3

Colossians 4:2 NLT, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”

Thankful Thought: I rejoice as I commune with God through prayer! When I pray, I can find rest, strength, direction, and peace. I thank God for the gift of prayer.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Heavenly Father,

What a blessing it is that you have given us the privilege to spend time with you through prayer. Thank you that we can make our requests known to you with thanksgiving and receive your peace (Philippians 4:6-7). As we trust you, you direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). We praise you for showing us your ways, teaching us your paths, and guiding us in your truth (Psalm 25:4-5). Thank you that when we pray, you hear us and you answer us (Psalm 17:6, 116:1). Thank you that we are alert and of sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Hallelujah! We praise you for your kindness and mercy!

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo by: Artie Siegel

In All Things Give Thanks ~ Day 2

Colossians 3:17 NLT, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Thankful Thought: What a joy it is to represent Jesus Christ in all we do and say, with a thankful heart.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Heavenly Father,

We thank you that through your Son Jesus, we are able to be your representatives, your ambassadors that help share your salvation with the world (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). Thank you for filling our hearts with your love so that in all we say and do your light will shine through us (Matthew 5:15-16). Thank you for working in our lives and teaching us to see and understand the wonderful truths in your word (Psalm 119:18). We give you praise for how great you are, and thank you for your wonderful deeds (Psalm 75:1)!

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo by: Anna Tukhfatullina