Jabez

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Jabez is remembered for a prayer request rather than a heroic act. In his prayer, he asked God to bless him, help him his work ( enlarge my territory), be with him in all he did, and keep him from evil and harm. Jabez acknowledged God as the true center of his work. When we pray for God's blessings, we should also pray that he will take his rightful position as Lord over our work, our family time, and our recreation. Obeying him in daily responsibilities is heroic living.

Jabez prayed specifically to be protected from harm and pain. We live in a fallen world filled with sin, and it is important to ask God to keep us safe from the unavoidable evil that comes our way. But we must also avoid evil motives, desires, and actions that begin with us. Therefore, not only must we seek Gods protection from evil, but we must also ask God to guard our thoughts and actions. We can begin to utilize his protection by filling our minds with positive thoughts and attitudes.

Never Weary

Never weary in prayer. When one day you see how unexpectedly your
prayer has been answered, then you will deeply regret that you have
prayed so little. Prayer changes things for you. Practice praying
until your trust in God has become strong, or at least stronger....and
then pray on, because it has become so much a habit that you need it
daily. Then keep praying until prayer seems to become communion with
God. That is the note on which true times of prayer should end." -Jack
Sneed

Believe And Not Pray?

Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to
faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and not
breathe is past my comprehension, and how a person can believe
and not pray is past my comprehension too.

- J. C. Ryle

The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and
Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere.
-- 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Neglecting Prayer

The early church had no large buildings, well-financed budgets, or
long-range plans. While theses things may all be helpful in the
twenty-first century, none of them are indispensable: prayer is. When
the disciples realized they were neglecting prayer, they reminded the
church of their first priority and called the church to elect deacons
so they could return to praying (see Acts 6).

-Douglas A. Kamstra in
The Praying Church Idea Book,p.13.

Search me, O God

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting" Psalm 139:23-24

This week, open your life to the Father so that He can clean out the clutter. Let Him bring to light anything that is keeping you from experiencing all that He has to offer. Don't resist Him. He wants your life to be filled with His abundance and wants to rid you of anything that dilutes His power in you. Write down what He brings to mind.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Pray & Help Spread the Gospel

VERSE:
Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and
be honored, just as it was with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1

THOUGHT:
What can you do to help the spread of the Gospel and help
increase the number of those who are saved each day? Well, there
are many things: put in a good word for Jesus, share your faith
with a friend, go on a mission trip, send financial support to a
missionary, and many others. But one of the most important things
you can do is to pray! Pray for missionaries and preachers and
those who minister and share the Word of God and the grace of Jesus
through the Internet, radio, television, and print. Pray for the
message to spread rapidly and pray for it to grow in power and
influence

www.heartlight.org

Be Still

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

This week during your prayer times, focus on being in the moment. Let these words wrap themselves around your heart: "Be still. Know that I am God." Let the power of His presence flood you, filling you with confidence, peace, boldness. When He says, "I am God," what is He saying to you? Each morning, write down what it means to you that He is God.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Search Me

"O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me" Psalm 139:1

Each morning this week, during your prayer time, use Psalm 139:1-6. Read it through slowly each morning, concentrating on each phrase. Focus on a different verse each morning, turning it into your personal prayer and allowing the Spirit of God to speak personally to you. Keep that verse in your thoughts all day long, praying it as situations arise.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

Psalm 139:1-6

Our Refuge and Strength

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2

God is not only our protector, He is also our helper. Even when
our world seems to be crashing around us, He is there. He will
deliver us from death or deliver us through death. He will deliver
us from evil or he will deliver us to overcome evil. Our task is to
trust that in the midst of our earthquakes and tidal waves we are
not alone or abandoned.

Approach The Throne

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming
conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of
all about me, seemed insufficient for the day." -Abraham Lincoln

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16

Pray for Virginia Tech - Hokie Hope Day

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared Friday a day of mourning and called for a moment of silence at noon to honor the 32 victims in Monday's massacre at Virginia Tech. Churches around the country, from California to National Cathedral in Washington D.C., have scheduled vigils and special prayer services.

HOKIE HOPE DAY
Perhaps one way we can support the VT community is to join in today's expression of Hokie Hope. The VT Alumni Associations apparently have asked their members across the country to wear orange and maroon tomorrow, the school's colors, as an expression of their unity and support of Hokie Hope.

Matthew 18:20

Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them".

We need Jesus in our midst, so we need to pray together with other believers.

Pray Without Ceasing

Hello..


It has been an incredibly tragic day to say the least. Please keep the 32 victims, the wounded, their family members and community of Virginia Tech in your prayers. Please also keep in your prayers the estimated 3,000 individuals in Africa who died of malaria today as well. And the 6,000 people who died of HIV/AIDS today. And the 24,000 people worldwide who died of hunger today.

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Weekly Prayer - Obey

"Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure." Ecclesiastes 8:5

During your prayer times this week, ask the Lord to tell you anything He wants you to do today--any action He wants you to take. Express your faith to Him that, when the time comes, you will know what to do and how to do it. Be alert every moment of your day for His command.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Jesus Christ, Our Coach

Living your life with Jesus is simply the best way to live. It's not that everything will be perfect. Being a Christian is not about being "happy" or "successful". It is about being right with God and doing right in the world. To follow Jesus is to take life to a deeper level -- the level God intended for us all along.

Living life the way Christ wants you to live will give you great peace and joy inside that nothing from the outside can give you. This peace and joy are better than anything else you can find. The key is Christ. What He gives you is Himself. The question is whether you will give yourself to Him.

Let Jesus Christ coach you through life. You cannot lose.

Are you willing to believe in Jesus Christ and follow him? If so, say to him: "Lord Jesus, I need You. I realize that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and then rose to new life. I believe You are my Savior. Forgive my sins and help me begin to follow You. Take control of my life and make me the person You want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life. In Jesus' name. Amen."

He Wakens Me

“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

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?"

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.

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.

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

Excellent Servant

Money is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.

-- P. T. Barnum