“He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught” (Isa. 50:4).
This week, during your prayer time, consider that you are there at His invitation. He has invited you to spend time alone with Him because He has something beneficial to teach you and say to you. Consider how that changes the atmosphere of your prayer time. Write your observations in your journal.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
In Whom Do I Trust?
King David, the one who defeated Goliath, wrote these words:
It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people. It
is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalms 118:8-9
David also wrote the following:
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will
not be defeated but will endure forever. Psalms 125:1
The Bible reminds us of this truth: "For God has said, 'I will never
fail you. I will never forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5). But, do we really
believe it?
If you choose some mere mortal human, you will be disappointed.
So let me encourage you to choose to trust in God.
He will never fail or forsake you no matter what!
For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Perhaps it is time to ask
yourself: "In whom do I trust?"
It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people. It
is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalms 118:8-9
David also wrote the following:
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will
not be defeated but will endure forever. Psalms 125:1
The Bible reminds us of this truth: "For God has said, 'I will never
fail you. I will never forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5). But, do we really
believe it?
If you choose some mere mortal human, you will be disappointed.
So let me encourage you to choose to trust in God.
He will never fail or forsake you no matter what!
For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Perhaps it is time to ask
yourself: "In whom do I trust?"
I Don't Want To Sin
May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O
Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame
because of me, O God of Israel. Psalm 69:6
What a beautiful prayer for any Christian. In a world that is so
self-absorbed, isn't it refreshing to be reminded of the powerful
impact for good and bad that we can have? Let's not only be
reminded of the devastating impact of our hypocrisy and rebellion,
let's also pray that our failures will not be destructive to the
Kingdom's increase nor to our brothers and sisters in Christ as
they seek to serve and honor the Lord.
I do not want to sin. I know it is
rebellion against you and it breaks your heart.
I do not want to sin because I know it diminishes me and makes me even more
vulnerable to Satan's attacks in the future.
I don't want to sin and bring disgrace upon your cause
I don't want to sin and be the cause of those seeking you to stumble. Please
forgive my sins, but please Father, strengthen me and help me not
stumble in my time of temptation.
Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame
because of me, O God of Israel. Psalm 69:6
What a beautiful prayer for any Christian. In a world that is so
self-absorbed, isn't it refreshing to be reminded of the powerful
impact for good and bad that we can have? Let's not only be
reminded of the devastating impact of our hypocrisy and rebellion,
let's also pray that our failures will not be destructive to the
Kingdom's increase nor to our brothers and sisters in Christ as
they seek to serve and honor the Lord.
I do not want to sin. I know it is
rebellion against you and it breaks your heart.
I do not want to sin because I know it diminishes me and makes me even more
vulnerable to Satan's attacks in the future.
I don't want to sin and bring disgrace upon your cause
I don't want to sin and be the cause of those seeking you to stumble. Please
forgive my sins, but please Father, strengthen me and help me not
stumble in my time of temptation.
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Importance of Prayer
At that time Jesus went out to a mountain to pray. He stayed
there all night praying to God. The next morning, Jesus
called his followers. He chose twelve of them. He named these
men "apostles." They were: -- Luke 6:12-13 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Few events were more important in Jesus' ministry than his selection of
apostles. How would Jesus select 12 from the mob that followed him?
These men would have to change the world. Could he actually find 12
that could do that? Jesus knew what was in the hearts of people. Would
anyone be able to stand up to the challenges that he would have to face
as one of Jesus' chosen 12? Jesus withdrew to the mountains to be alone
with God and pray as he faced this momentous decision. He didn't choose
12 and then ask God to bless his choice. No, he spent the night in
prayer before he chose the 12. When faced with decisions, whether they
appear important or not, we need to follow the example of our Lord!
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and loving Father, stir my heart with a deeper yearning for
prayer. I need your guidance every day, so please dear Lord, bless me
with the discipline of daily fervent prayer. Particularly in those
times when I face much hard decisions, have your Holy Spirit stir my
spirit with a longing to come into your presence and find my guidance
and peace in you. In Jesus' name, and because of Jesus' example, I
pray.
Amen.
there all night praying to God. The next morning, Jesus
called his followers. He chose twelve of them. He named these
men "apostles." They were: -- Luke 6:12-13 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Few events were more important in Jesus' ministry than his selection of
apostles. How would Jesus select 12 from the mob that followed him?
These men would have to change the world. Could he actually find 12
that could do that? Jesus knew what was in the hearts of people. Would
anyone be able to stand up to the challenges that he would have to face
as one of Jesus' chosen 12? Jesus withdrew to the mountains to be alone
with God and pray as he faced this momentous decision. He didn't choose
12 and then ask God to bless his choice. No, he spent the night in
prayer before he chose the 12. When faced with decisions, whether they
appear important or not, we need to follow the example of our Lord!
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and loving Father, stir my heart with a deeper yearning for
prayer. I need your guidance every day, so please dear Lord, bless me
with the discipline of daily fervent prayer. Particularly in those
times when I face much hard decisions, have your Holy Spirit stir my
spirit with a longing to come into your presence and find my guidance
and peace in you. In Jesus' name, and because of Jesus' example, I
pray.
Amen.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Mystery of Godliness Is Great
VERSE:
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He
appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by
angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the
world, was taken up in glory.
-- 1 Timothy 3:16
THOUGHT:
Why would Jesus do it? How did he do it? How was he "God with
us" and still in "human flesh"? We cannot fully comprehend it, but
he was! The Son of God was also Jesus of Nazareth, born and placed
in a manger and crucified on a cross. But he was raised from the
dead and shown to be God's Son with power. He was seen by angels,
both on earth after his resurrection and in heaven at the throne of
God. He has been preached and believed on by people all over the
world. The glory that he has he will one day show and share with
us. If you want to understand godliness, then you begin with Jesus!
www.heartlight.org
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He
appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by
angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the
world, was taken up in glory.
-- 1 Timothy 3:16
THOUGHT:
Why would Jesus do it? How did he do it? How was he "God with
us" and still in "human flesh"? We cannot fully comprehend it, but
he was! The Son of God was also Jesus of Nazareth, born and placed
in a manger and crucified on a cross. But he was raised from the
dead and shown to be God's Son with power. He was seen by angels,
both on earth after his resurrection and in heaven at the throne of
God. He has been preached and believed on by people all over the
world. The glory that he has he will one day show and share with
us. If you want to understand godliness, then you begin with Jesus!
www.heartlight.org
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Does It Matter?
After surveying Jesus' practice of prayer, I realize that that his example does answer one important question about prayer: Does it matter? When doubts creep in and I wonder whether prayer is a sanctified form of talking to myself, I remind myself that the Son of God, who had spoken worlds into being and sustains all that exists, felt a compelling need to pray. He prayed as if it made a difference, as if the time he devoted to prayer mattered every bit as much as the time he devoted to caring for people.
-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference
-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference
He Cares
VERSE:
Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:6-7
THOUGHT:
Sometimes there are no immediate answers. We have prayed and cried and tried and gone sleepless and mourned and shouted. Still there are no answers. The days roll by in an agonizing parade of pain. Still there are no answers we can identify. What do we do? We go to the Psalms. We let them raise up our heart's cry. We are honest with the God of the entire universe and yet we can still anticipate mercy from him. We are convinced that in our troubles, he will not only hear us, but he will also care about what is happening in our lives.
Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:6-7
THOUGHT:
Sometimes there are no immediate answers. We have prayed and cried and tried and gone sleepless and mourned and shouted. Still there are no answers. The days roll by in an agonizing parade of pain. Still there are no answers we can identify. What do we do? We go to the Psalms. We let them raise up our heart's cry. We are honest with the God of the entire universe and yet we can still anticipate mercy from him. We are convinced that in our troubles, he will not only hear us, but he will also care about what is happening in our lives.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
God's Temple
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16-17
You are God’s dwelling place. He is at home in you. Focus on that reality this morning. You do not have to seek Him out and get His attention—He has sought you out. In the Old Testament, worship in the temple engaged all the senses. This week, create an atmosphere for your prayer time that engages your senses. Light a fragrant candle. Play worshipful music. Let your senses enter into the experience of worship.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
You are God’s dwelling place. He is at home in you. Focus on that reality this morning. You do not have to seek Him out and get His attention—He has sought you out. In the Old Testament, worship in the temple engaged all the senses. This week, create an atmosphere for your prayer time that engages your senses. Light a fragrant candle. Play worshipful music. Let your senses enter into the experience of worship.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
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