Tag: prayer

Early Morning Prayer

Psalm 5:3 NIV, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Have you ever had those times in the wee hours of the morning where God woke you up for prayer? We know that our God is not limited by time. He’s always available around the clock. Whenever He wakes us for prayer, we shouldn’t hesitate to answer His call to spend quality time with us.

God uses these quiet and still times to enjoy a unique type of intimacy with us. Embrace those moments, where because of the quiet, you can clearly hear His voice. Even if you don’t seem to hear God speaking anything specific, just enjoy the moment and sit quietly in His presence.

For many of us, the days are so busy, so it’s a blessing when we have these special times to commune with the Lord. There have been many times God woke me, and I felt Him nudging me to pray, and whenever I’ve taken advantage of His offer, I can honestly say, I’ve never been disappointed.

Psalm 119:147 NLT, “I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.”

Photo by: Pixabay

Living a life of devotion to the Lord may require us to get less sleep for whatever the reason. It could be because of early morning prayer, or because of a late night phone call with a loved one who needs someone to talk to. But I’m thankful that He is our strength through it all.

When it comes to the Lord, the gains of obedience to Him, far outweigh any losses we may have. When He asks us to give something up (extra sleep included), it’s because He has something far better waiting for us on the other side of our obedience.

Prayer, an Honor and Privilege

Philippians 4:6 NLT, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

I’m very familiar with the NIV version of this verse, but I recently read it in the NLT version that I mentioned above, and loved it just as much. We don’t need to worry or be anxious about anything. It’s an honor and a privilege that through Christ Jesus, we can carry all of our needs to God in prayer. Nothing is too small for God to care about, and nothing is too big for Him to handle. We need to challenge ourselves to entrust all things to Him in prayer.

Photo by: Luis Quintero of Panama 🇵🇦

It’s a joy that we can talk to God anytime and anyplace. There is no one formula when it comes to prayer. He delights in hearing our voice, as we tell Him what we need. He is our loving Father who cares about the details of our day. As we pray, we can joyfully thank Him for all He has done and all He will do in the days to come. Don’t worry, just pray to God, about everything.

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