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

But The Lord Is Faithful

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

Everyday we can trust God to be with us and protect us from the fiery darts that the enemy tries to throw our way. The weapons he attempts to form against us will not prosper (Isaiah 54:17). The Lord goes before us and He will strengthen us and uphold us (Deuteronomy 31:8, Isaiah 41:10). Look to Him, and lay every concern you have before Him in prayer. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

The Lord is faithful and His faithfulness to us will never end. Offer Him thanksgiving for this new day that He has made (Psalm 118:24). Praise Him through every trial. Trust Him even when you don’t understand (Proverbs 3:5). May the peace of God rule and reign in your heart through Jesus Christ our Lord (Colossians 3:15).

Photo By: Josh Sorenson

Wisdom Is Precious

Proverbs 8:11 NIV, “for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Wisdom truly is a precious gift from God. He promised to give it to us when we ask Him for it (James 1:5). Godly wisdom gives us the insight we need to make decisions that will honor God, and keep us on the right path. His wisdom will help guide us through life.

Nothing can compare to the wisdom God gives us. It far exceeds our natural understanding. Godly wisdom allows us to see God’s truth and choose God’s truth in all circumstances. Ask God for wisdom, and trust Him to freely give it to you.

Pray And Wait Expectantly!

Psalm 5:2-3 NIV, “Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

When I read these verses it always stands out to me that the Psalmist waited expectantly. He knew that God heard his voice and that He would answer. He had faith and he had hope. It’s the same for us. We should pray and then wait expectantly. When we cry out to our God, He hears our prayers and will answer us.

Photo By: Torsten Kellermann

Every new day that God allows us to see, is a new chance for us to know Him more and experience His goodness. It reminds me of a song we used to sing at church when I was little, “Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Everyday with Jesus, I love Him more and more.”

Jesus is our living hope, who made everything possible. He will never fail us. Never stop praying. Never stop believing. Never stop expecting. God hears you.

Jesus, Our Daily Bread

John 6:35, “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

I hadn’t heard this song Breathe by Michael Smith in years, but I woke up this morning with it on my mind. Truly Jesus is the air that we breathe. As Christians, His Holy Presence living inside of us is everything. He is the bread of life. In Him we are filled completely. He is the One who can take away our emptiness and replace it with joy. His words give us life and hope.

Praying you have a very blessed day!

I hope you enjoy this song:

Breathe by Michael Smith

Prayer In The Waiting Room

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

Yesterday I had to go visit the GYN for my annual exam. It’s a very busy place, so when I go, I always know that I’ll be waiting at least an hour before I see the doctor, but this time my wait ended up being an hour and a half. I waited one hour in the main waiting room, and thirty minutes in the exam room.

All the women I saw were anticipating the arrival of a little one. I thought to myself, at this point in my life, I wouldn’t want to change places with them. But I also remember when I was there like them, expecting my daughter, and how exciting it was as the time for her arrival drew closer. It’s hard to believe how fast the years have flown by.

I was happy when I thought my name was called, but I was a little preoccupied on my phone, so I verified with the medical assistant at the door that she did say, “Dawn”. I was glad she said yes when I asked her. When I got into the exam room, she gave me a pink gown to change into.

As I was sitting on the exam table waiting for the doctor to arrive, I noticed the gown was a little flawed in some places. All of a sudden, I begin to think about all the women who had worn that gown before me. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to say a prayer for them.

I thanked God for all the wonderful blessings that He had bestowed upon them. I also realized that some of the women who had worn the gown had received a life changing diagnosis. Some had struggles with infertility. Maybe even some were victims of rape or some other type of abuse that had altered their lives. Buried in the hearts of the women who had worn that pink gown, were many joys, but also many pains.

In all the years I have been going to the GYN, I cannot recall ever being lead to pray for other women while waiting in the exam room, but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to do so. I’m thankful God used my prayers to help bring comfort and healing to women who I will never know personally.

My doctor, who is originally from the country of Jamaica, is a very intelligent and personable lady. I always enjoy talking with her. She has a way of helping you to get over the fact that you had a long wait. She’s really good at what she does, so I assume that’s why she has so many patients. I’m thankful I found her office, and had her as a GYN doctor while in Florida. God always leads us to the right places with the right people.

We can’t physically be everywhere or know everything, but through prayer, God uses us to make a difference. Our prayers can reach all the way to places we can’t go. And they can help change the lives of people we may never see.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJB, “Pray without ceasing.”