Tag: prayer

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

In All Things Give Thanks ~ Day 1

1 Chronicles 29:13 NLT, “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!”

Thankful Thought: How wonderful is the name of Jesus. His name is the name that is above all names (Philippians 2:9). His name is the name that saves (Acts 4:11-12).

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). You are our refuge and our strength, our help when we are in trouble, and we give you praise (Psalm 46:1). We are thankful that we do not have to live in fear because you are with us and you have promised to never leave our side (Deuteronomy 31:6). We exalt you and praise your name forever and ever (Psalm 145:1).

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo by: Анжелика Аракелян

Be Slow To Anger

Proverb 14:29 NASB, “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

Being patient will take us much farther than having an angry attitude. Although we may at times be justified in our being angry, we still have a responsibility as Christians who follow Jesus, to make sure we are not allowing anger to control us. In Ephesians 4:26, we are reminded not to sin while we are angry.

Photo by: freestocks.org

While living in South Florida, I realized that driving in heavy traffic, was one way that you can see how angry people are. The honking of the horns, cutting people off, or even seeing people speed up, instead of slowing down and letting someone get in front of them. I’ve seen arguments at stop lights, and episodes of road rage that resulted because of the argument. These actions show the anger and aggression that people have. This day in time, people are much more stressed out, which usually means zero tolerance when they feel they have been violated in some little way.

God calls His children to be understanding, (even while driving 😊). We can rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us and empower us to be calm, even when confronted with issues that cause anger. Doing this will help show His loving nature to the world. There is usually someone or something waiting to irk us, but giving our angry feelings to the Lord in prayer and remembering the endless mercy He shows us will help us to extend mercy to others.

Never Cease To Pray

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV, “pray without ceasing”

There are people all around us, yet Jesus desires to be closer to us than anyone else ever could. He’s eager to be intimately involved with every aspect of our lives. Prayer is one of the main ways He desires to do that. Praying without ceasing is another way of showing our faith and trust in Jesus.

Photo by: Samuel Silitonga

I’m thankful we can pray anywhere and anytime. The Father is always available to us. We can set aside extended special times of prayer during the day. However, since the presence of God is always with us, we can also whisper short prayers throughout our day. We can tell Him thank you for the things that are going right. But when things go wrong, we can thank Him for being sovereign, and ask for help. When situations and people try to come against us, we can call on Him. He’s always near.

As the hymn, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” says…

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

Don’t hesitate to carry everything to God in prayer. He’s listening and He answers.

Does God Hear Our Prayers?

Psalm 120:1 NLT, “ I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.”

Yesterday I had brunch with a friend from church. During our conversation, we started discussing how it can be tough as a Christian when we pray continuously but don’t always understand how God is working in our lives.

We sometimes have questions or prayers that seem to go unanswered. She told me that she’s learning to just give all her concerns to the Lord, and trust that He is working all things together for her good (Romans 8:28). We both agreed that even though we don’t always have all the answers at the present time, we can look back and see how God has always been faithful. He’s always provided exactly what we need, when we need it. He’s never late.

Last night, I was going through some blog posts that I saved and came across this one from my big brother Matt @ Jesusluvsall: “When God Answers Prayer”. It reminds us that God never forgets us. He is our sovereign Lord, who is always on time with the answers we need. Be encouraged as you read it! And keep trusting God as you wait for answers!

Prayer for Spiritual Growth

Today, I’m meditating on Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth in Ephesians 3:14-21. Enjoy the prayer and have a blessed day. He can do more than we can ask or think according to His power that is at work within us.

Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT

14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Photo by: Pixabay

Follow the Light of Jesus

John 8:12 NIV, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus said that He is the Light of the world. He promised that when we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness. When we know Jesus, we will know Truth. His Truth keeps our hearts free from the deception that is overtaking so many in the world today. He will give us an understanding of what is right.

I came across this poem by Helen Steiner Rice:

“I Am the Light of the World”

In this sick world of hatred

and violence and sin,

Where society renounces morals

and rejects discipline,

We stumble in darkness

groping vainly for light

To distinguish the difference

between wrong and right. . .

But dawn cannot follow

this night of despair

Unless faith lights a candle

in all hearts everywhere. . .

And, warmed by the glow,

our hate melts away

And love lights the path

to a peaceful new day.

Father,

Thank you for sending us your Son to light our path each day. Help us to cling to you and your Word, and to not be dragged away by the foolish wicked schemes of the evil one. Teach us to trust in you with all of our hearts. Fill our hearts with your Light and Love. Thank you for supplying our needs and thank you for never forsaking us.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo By: Lukas