Send Me!

www.heartlight.org

VERSE:
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?
And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8


THOUGHT:
Church worship on Sunday is not the goal of our life here on
earth. As important as church worship and personal praise are, they
are only part of our goal. We are here to glorify God with both our
lips and our lives, with our hearts and our hands. With the world
around us caught up in Satan's traps, God wants us to hear his call
to us in our church and private worship and respond by saying,
"Here am I. Use me!" Then he wants us to enter the world
redemptively, making a difference in our "public worship" of
ministry.

PRAYER:
Loving God, Rock and Refuge of my soul, thank you for giving me
the experiences I've had in my life. Thank you for the abilities
you placed in me while you fashioned me in my mother's womb. Thank
you for the gifts your Spirit molded in me when I became your
child. Now, dear Father, please help me to know how and where I am
to use these gifts in your Kingdom and to bless those in the world,
so that I can help bring others to you, help build up the Body of
Christ, and bless your people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Worship Our Father

VERSE:
Above him were seraphs, each with six wings ... and they were
calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the
whole earth is full of his glory."
-- Isaiah 6:2-3


THOUGHT:
Jesus taught us that worship is not about a place, but about our
Father (John 4:21-24). Knowing that our Father is worshipped by the
heavenly hosts should inspire us, humble us, and motivate us to do
the same, no matter where we may find ourselves. Above all other
qualities, God is holy. Three times the heavenly beings acknowledge
his holiness -- he is special, undefiled, pure, perfect, and
something much more than everyday and mundane. His glory fills the
earth and sky. He is bigger than all we can imagine. He is worthy
of our worship, reverence, and awe.

Competing For Christ

http://www.fcaendurance.org/

"May the God who gives ENDURANCE and encouragement give you a spirit of
unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one
heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 15: 5-6

Strengthen My Heart

www.heartlight.org

VERSE:
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a
throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the
temple. Isaiah 6:1


THOUGHT:
We often view difficult times, crisis times, as bad because the
circumstances we face are very hard. But difficult times can also
be an opportunity for our hearts to re-awaken to the steadfastness
and the gloriousness of God, as well as our great need for him in
our lives. The crisis of Uzziah's death for Israel and Isaiah
became the great opportunity for Isaiah to see God in a fresh way
and to be called into a special ministry for God. How can God use
your crises, hardships, trials, and difficulties? Why don't you ask
him to show you!

PRAYER:
Holy God, I confess that I get discouraged enduring hardships. I
sometimes wonder where you are and why you have forgotten me. Deep
in my heart, dear Father, I know you are there. But sometimes, O
God, it is difficult to keep my faith burning brightly when I don't
hear your voice or see you face to face. Please strengthen my heart
with your Holy Spirit and help me "see" you in a fresh way so that
I will open myself to you and be tuned more perfectly for your
service. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Freedom

Heartlight.org

VERSE:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then,
and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery Galatians 5:1


THOUGHT:
We have been set free! We are delivered from law, sin, and
death. We have been set free to serve God and share in his grace
eternally. So how will we use that freedom?

PRAYER:
God of freedom and grace, please give me your Spirit of wisdom
to understand more fully all the ways that you have blessed me.
Please help me use those blessings to share your grace with my
family and friends. May I never take for granted your gifts or
abuse my freedoms won at such great cost. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.

Pray for Harvesters

www.heartlight.org

Pray for Harvesters


Jesus said to them, "There are many, many people to harvest
(save). But there are only a few workers to help harvest
them. God owns the harvest (people). Pray to God that he will
send more workers to help gather his harvest."

-- Luke 10:2 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
So often we wring our hands when messages about how all Christians
should be evangelistic don't seem to make much difference. At times, we
can get frustrated when so few people sign up for evangelism training
classes. However, we often neglect the approach Jesus commanded: we
need to pray for harvesters. Why do we have so few reaching out to the
lost? Could it be that we have not fervently and consistently prayed
for the Lord to send out workers into his harvest fields?


TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and gracious God, please stir your people's hearts and open your
people's eyes to the need of reaching the lost. Send out workers for
the harvest. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Crown of Glory

From www.heartlight.org

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown
of glory that will never fade away.
-- 1 Peter 5:4


What a wonderful blessing it is to be led by godly, loving
shepherds. But as much as we love them and show them respect, they
will receive even greater appreciation in heaven!

O glorious God, please bless every faithful and concerned leader
in your Church with a clear sense of your blessing and
appreciation. Please use me to show this love to your faithful
servants as well.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Great Shepherd

Today's verse from Heartlight. I like this one.

VERSE:
May the God of peace ... that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip
you with everything good for doing his will. Hebrews 13:20-21

THOUGHT:
A good shepherd equips his sheep to face the trials of life. But
as Psalm 23 reminds us, no shepherd equips his sheep quite like the
ultimate Shepherd. Let's unleash his power in the lives of our
brothers and sisters in Christ by specifically praying for God to
equip them with everything they need to do his good work!

PRAYER:
O Great Shepherd of the sheep, please release the power of your
Spirit in your people and equip us to do great things in our day,
like the first Christians did in their day. May it all be done to
your glory, in the name of my hero, Jesus. Amen.

Bless My Brothers & Sisters

VERSE:
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying
for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9


THOUGHT:
When we hear of Christians in other places, especially where
circumstances and times are difficult, or they are new in the
Faith, let's intentionally and purposefully pray this prayer for
them!

PRAYER:
Loving Father please bless my brothers and sisters in Christ all
over the world. Strengthen those under attack and facing
oppression. Mature those new to your family. Enlighten those who
are facing doubt and uncertainty. Please bless your people today
with peace. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.

To Be Stronger

When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and
confusion, don't pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a
stronger man or woman of God.

- Luis Palau

Constantly Pray

We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy ofhis calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. -- 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Paul prays for God to be active in the lives of these new Christians -- to maximize the good they intend to do as well as fully bless every good deed they do out of their commitment offaith. What new Christian do you need to pray this for?

Strong and mighty Father, please bless several new Christians who are on my heart today. Help them recognize your presence in their lives. Please maximize the good in every effort they make and every intention they have to honor you and bless your people. Protect them from the evil one.

In Jesus' name I ask this blessing.

Amen.

Embrace Everything

"This is the day the LORD has made;
[I will] rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

This week, let this be your first thought every morning: This is the day the Lord has appointed for you. He has given you this day. Embrace everything He brings into this day. When it brings difficulty or disappointment, think of your circumstance as a "faith lab." Every little joy or pleasure it brings is a gift from the Father. Start your prayer times this week by settling this in your mind: I will rejoice and be glad in this day.

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

Against Such Forces

The New Testament openly describes Satan as "the god of this age" and
"the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in
those who are disobedient." Of course bad things happen! On a planet
ruled by the Evil One we should expect to see violence, deception,
disease, and all manner of opposition to the reign of God.

We pray because against such forces we have no more powerful way to
bring together the two worlds, visible and invisible. I present my
world, whatever its circumstances, to God and ask for God's help in
equipping me to counter the forces of evil.

-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference?, p.118.

Day of Prayer & Fasting

http://www.fxcc.org/missions/#day

Changing the world one life, one family and one village at a time.

The Annual Day of Prayer and Fasting was created to support mission efforts in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

We are joining with Churches of Christ around the world in a special Day of Prayer for the helpless and lost.

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

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

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.

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

Learn To Listen

‘“Speak, for your servant is listening’” (1 Sam. 3:10).

The most important prayer-skill is learning to listen to the Living Voice. This week let listening to Him be the main focus of your prayer time. Let 1 Samuel 3:10 be your only request. Listen for Him in His Word, in the quietness of your heart, in the circumstances of your day, in fresh ideas that come to mind, in new understanding that settles on you. Learn to listen. Write down what you think you sense Him saying to you.

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

Save

"He shall save his people from their sins."
-- Matthew 1:21

"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity." If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be
counted among his people.

It is true our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all his people from
the wrath to come; he saves them from the fearful condemnation which
their sins had brought upon them; but his triumph is far more complete
than this. He saves his people "from their sins." Oh! sweet deliverance
from our worst foes. Where Christ works a saving work, he casts Satan
from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer.

Pray this with me...

Lord, save me now from all evil, and enable
me to honor my Savior.

I command you today to love the Lord your God. I command you to follow him and to obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, and your nation will grow larger. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take for your own. Deuteronomy 30:16

“You will never stand alone while standing on the Word of God.”
— Kathryn Souza-Wine

Pray Always & Pray One for Another

"Praying always."
-- Ephesians 6:18

"Pray one for another."
-- James 5:16

Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked
that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our
sin. He heard us.

But when he had blotted out our sins like a cloud,
then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for
sanctifying grace.

For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God's answers to them. He has heard
you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and
helped you, even when you dishonored him by trembling
and doubting at the mercy-seat.

Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has
thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers.

Remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever
hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character.

Our prayers for others, having in them more of the
fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, and more
brotherly kindness.

All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from
heaven, and all the water of which it has drank has
flowed from the living rock-Christ Jesus the Lord.

True Faith

True faith is never found alone; it is accompanied by expectation.

-- C. S. Lewis

Prayer Retreat

About that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night there.
Luke 6:12

Weekend retreats in the mountains with a group of men is something I would like to experience. Have you ever gone to a weekend retreats in the mountains?

I would like to take at least two men who are close friends and know what to expect. The rest can be men I know little or nothing about. We want to attract guys who truly need this kind of getaway but would not normally be interested in a prayer retreat. We can arrive on a Thursday evening, share dinner, learn a little about each other, PRAY together a little, and then get some sleep. On Friday morning, we can go over some Scriptures and then learn how to listen for God through Scriptures.

We can go for a walk or sit under a tree if they prefer just as long as they are comfortable and quiet and able to let their hearts be open to the Holy Spirit. We can share stories, emphasize the importance of honesty and humility before God and then encourage them to go out and try it.

On Friday evening, we have the opportunity to share with the group what happened and did not happen. I am sure we will hear something amazing. The three themes usually surface in the testimonies and often confessions from the men.

* An acknowledgement of an area in their lives God wants to improve.

* A true sense of forgiveness from God for where they have fallen short.

* A fresh vision and hope for the future.

This all takes place without a sermon or lecture. They get it directly from God.

Have you ever spent time before God, honestly laying yourself open to Him? When is the last time you did that and begged Him for transformation?

I encourage you to set aside the time. Find a place of silence and solitude. Consider fasting. And go have an extended talk with God.

I pray we will get to experience a weekend prayer retreat in the mountains with Jesus.

Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed. Luke 22:41

After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, "Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. John 11:41

Hungry for God?

Pray it through...

Read Psalms 42:1
As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God.

Has your soul gets thirsty for God? What was it like? What did you do about it?

Read the following Scriptures slowly, allowing them to penetrate your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your sense of longing, hungering, thirsting, and desperation for God.

Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth." So the LORD told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you." Then Moses said, "I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory." Exodus 33:15-18

You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. Psalms 63:1

God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want! Matthew 5:3,6

You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you. Jeremiah 29:12-13

If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don't have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods. Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.
Isaiah 55:1-2,6

Are you starting to develop a healthy hunger for more of God? Tell Him about your longings. Ask Him how and when you can get away for an extended time with Him. If there are things that make you hesitate, confess these openly to Him and invite Him to help you.

I encourage you to set aside the time. Find a place of silence and solitude. Consider adding fasting. Go have an extended talk with God. What you find there will be a gift you treasure forever.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

I longed for prayer retreat with my prayer warriors.

Quote

"Never judge a person because of how they treat you until you learn what they are going through." - Shawn Alexander

God Already Knows

"We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us,"
wrote C. S. Lewis. To put it another way, we must trust God with what
God already knows.

-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference

Seek His Kingdom

Weekly Prayer Tip:

“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:31 ).

Your daily prayer time lays the groundwork for an ongoing awareness of His presence. This week, during your prayer time, ask Him to alert you and call your attention to “kingdom moments” throughout your day. Watch for opportunities to enjoy fellowship with Him—waiting in lines, performing mundane tasks, for example. Being consciously aware of His presence will transform life’s irritants into opportunities for fellowship with Him.

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

Honesty In Prayer

I was teaching a class at a church in Chicago when a young woman
raised her hand with a question. I knew her as a shy, conscientious
student who attended faithfully but never spoke. The rest of the class
seemed surprised as well and listened attentively. "I'm not always
sincere when I pray," she began. "Sometime it seems forced, more like
a ritual. I'm just repeating words. Does God hear those prayers?
Should I keep going even though I have no confidence that I'm doing it
right?"
I let the silence hang in the room for a moment before attempting an
answer. "Do you notice how quiet it is in here?" I said. "We all
sense your honesty. It took courage for you to be vulnerable, and you
touched a nerve with others of us in the room. You seem sincere,
unlike a salesman, say, who gets paid to give a spiel. We're tuned in,
listening, respectful, because you are being authentic. And I imagine
it's the same with God. More than anything else, God wants your
authentic self."

--Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference, p.40-41.


Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn back
on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. Proverbs 3:7-8

Devote To One Another

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. Romans 12:10

We are to be devoted to one another. We are to honor one
another. And the basis of this loving devotion and honor is found
in one central truth: Because God is our Father, we are one family.
We are siblings in God's Kingdom. Our relationship is eternal and
built on God's grace to us and our grace expressed to each other.

Thank you for the wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ
who have blessed my life over the years. Thank you for their
support and encouragement. Please use me to bless others in your
family as these precious people have blessed and honored me.

Be Real

The prayer preceding all prayers is "May it be the real I who speaks.
May it be the real Thou that I speak to." -C.S. Lewis

Just Pray

Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life? Pray.
Don't prepare to pray. Just pray. Don't read about prayer. Just pray.
Don't attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer.
Just pray.

Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that
works for you. But don't think about it too much. Don't be so
concerned about wrapping the gift that you never use it. Better to
pray awkwardly than not at all.

And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that's okay. Just
see to it that you are inspired every day.

-Max Lucado in When God Whispers Your Name

Happy New Year, friends.

Unceasing

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:2-6


Dear Father, who answers our prayers,

Help me to be steadfast in my praying to you, even to stay awake
that I may pray!

Fill my life with thanksgiving to you.

O God, I pray for all your servants everywhere that you may open a
door for us to proclaim your Word. In the name of Jesus I ask you to fill our lives with your holy life and to claim all our motives and deeds as your own. Amen.

Friendship

I have come to see prayer as a privilege, not a duty. Like all
good things, prayer requires some discipline. Yet I believe that life
with God should seem more like friendship than duty. Prayer includes
moments of ecstasy and also dullness, mindless distraction and acute
concentration, flashes of joy and bouts of irritation. In other words,
prayer has features in common with all relationships that matter.

-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference

What Jesus Did

I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people that will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people that believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. John 17:20-21

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ's rising from death. Now we wait to get the blessings God has for his children. Those blessings are kept for you in heaven. Those blessings cannot ruin or be destroyed or lose their beauty. God's power protects you through your faith, and it keeps you safe until your salvation comes. That salvation is ready to be given to you at the end of time. You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can't see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained. And that joy is full of glory. Your faith has a goal. And you are receiving that goal--your salvation.
1 Peter 1:3-5,8-9

I praise you for your love, mercy, power, and grace. I bow down before you and offer you my life, my future, and my time to your glory.
Amen.

Hope

For I know the plans to give you hope and a future, 'declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-13


We all are encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future, and his plans for us are good and full of hope. As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Roman 12:12-13

Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him, my savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

Prayer Reminds Us

Prayer is the recognition that if God had not engaged himself in our
problems, we would still be lost in blackness. It is by his mercy that
we have been lifted up. Prayer is that whole process that reminds us
of who God is and who we are.

I believe there's great power in prayer. I believe God heals the
wounded, and that he can raise the dead. But I don't believe we tell
God what to do and when to do it.

God knows that we, with our limited vision, don't even know that for
which we should pray. When we entrust our requests to him, we trust
him to honor our prayers with holy judgment.

Max Lucado in Walking With The Savior

His Prayer Is Answered

He asked for strength that he might achieve;
he was made weak that he might obey.

He asked for health that he might do greater things;
he was given infirmity that he might do better things.

He asked for riches that he might be happy;
he was given poverty that he might be wise.

He asked for power that he might have the praise if men;
he was given weakness that he might feel the need of God.

He asked for all things that he might enjoy life;
he was given life that he might enjoy all things.

He has received nothing that he asked for, all that he hoped for.
His prayer is answered.

-Its origin is unknown, though it is often attributed to a Confederate
soldier in the Civil War.

If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found
out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in
the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should
never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.

-- C. S. Lewis

Fellowship With Him

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20

Prayer is opening your life to Jesus. He is at the door, knocking. In prayer, you are simply responding to His love that seeks you out.

Times of prayer are times of fellowship with Him, as if He were in your home sharing a meal with you.

This week, during your prayer time, let your mind’s eye see Him as He sits just across from you. Talk right to Him and let Him talk to you.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation

Do for others what you would like them to do for you. Matthew 7:12

A Child of God

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - inall your speaking and in all your knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Apostle Paul was amazing. He is writing one of the most problematic churches and yet finds reasons to give thanks for them. He is thankful for them because Jesus died for them. When God extends his grace to others, how can we not do the same?

Paul's example reminds us that a child of God is something to be cherished, even if that child has problems.

LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are so journing in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

--Abraham Lincoln - October 3, 1863

Personal Prayers

Lord God, help me to remember to give thank to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all things and to maintain an attitude of prayer.
Colossians 1:3

Thank you, Lord, that through Your Son I have been made complete.
Colossians 2:10

Help me to bear fruit daily in the work I do and increase the knowledge of You. Colossians 1:10

I pray that You will have first place in everything in my life.
Colossians 1:18

Help me, as a husband and father, to grow in love for and understanding of my wife and children.
Colossians 3:19,21

I pray that my children will be obedient to us as parents in all things because this pleases You.
Colossians 3:20

In whatever I do, show me how to perform my work happily for You, rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23

Help me to devote myself to prayer, keeping an alert in it, with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Lord, help me to be faithful to whatever You have called me to, and help me fulfill it in faithfulness.
Colossians 4:17

Pray For You

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:3-11

Thank you for the joy I feel about my fellow believers. Thank you for the partnership we have in your Son Jesus.

God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. Romans 1:9-10

I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly
Ephesians 1:16

Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.
1 Thessalonians 1:2

True Prayer

Christians today are beginning to awaken to a foundational truth: all
true prayer is spiritual warfare. This is true because all of our aims
in prayer---closeness with God, spiritual refreshment, other people's
forgiveness, blessings from God, forgiveness, peace, joy---are contrary
to Satan's design. In prayer you are moving out into enemy territory.
As your enemy, Satan will oppose your church's efforts to reach out.

Prayer is your most powerful weapon in defeating him.

-Alvin Griend(The Praying Church Source Book p.228)

Ephesians 6:10-20
A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too. I am in chains now for preaching this message as God's ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Our Forever Faithful Priest

Another difference is that there were many priests under the old
system. When one priest died, another had to take his place. But
Jesus remains a priest forever, to save everyone who comes to God
through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.

-Hebrews 7:23-25

Why He Was Heard

"While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with
a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death.
And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God." -

Hebrews 5:7

Believe

I believe in God like I believe in the sun rise. Not because I
can see it, but because I can see all that it touches.

-- C. S. Lewis

Pray, Pause, and Listen!

The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says
"Amen" and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening
to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.

-- Frank Laubach

Creator's Divine

"When the Creator's divine plan is ignored the truth of human nature is lost."

- Pope Benedict


"A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels." -anonymous

Teach Me

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good
Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

We want the Spirit to be at work in us to make us like Jesus.
For this to happen, we must open our hearts to the will of God.
There are no greater words God wants to hear than "teach me to do
your will." That is what it means for him to be God, to have
control over our lives and our wills.

David's prayer was to be taught to do God's will, not his own. A prayer
for guidance is self-centered if it does not recognize God's power
to redirect our lives. Asking God to restructure priorities awakens
our minds and stirs our wills.

Theme: A prayer in midst of hopelessness and depression. Our prayer
should fit into what we know is consistent with God's character and
plans.

Author: David

Be His Friend

On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do
fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God
requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can
do that. -- Bruce Larson

Worry or Pray?

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and
praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your
concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything
coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's
wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of
your life. -Philippians 4:6-7 from The Message

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Lean On Me

Click on Lean On Me ( this will take you to Heartlight.org article on Lean On Me )

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

I love this prayer...
Father, I pray that you give me the character of Ruth. Her commitment to Naomi humbles me and encourages me to be a better friend, husband (wife) and brother (sister). Thank you for her faith. Thank you for her strength. For if we could all be a Ruth to our families and friends, this world would be a better place! Amen.

Jesus Quotations...

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:22

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 6:1

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." John 14:6

"Of that day or that hour no one knows, not even angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come." Mark 13:32-33

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." - Matthew 22:37-40

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11

Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

God Whispers To Us..

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
--C.S. Lewis

"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship." --C.S. Lewis

With Him

Perhaps one reason God delays His answers to our prayers is
because He knows we need to be with Him far more than we need
the things we ask of Him. -- Ben Patterson

Prayer Hinders Sin

Not only does sin hinder prayer; prayer hinders sin. The two
are always opposed. The more careless we are about sin, the
less we will pray. The more we pray, the less careless we will
be about sin. Both sin and prayer are powerful forces. Which
one is moving you? -- Dr. Alvin Vander Griend

Let Him Go

After Jesus said this he called in a loud voice, "Lazarus,
come out!" The dead man (Lazarus) came out. His hands and
feet were wrapped with pieces of cloth. He had a handkerchief
covering his face. Jesus said to the people, "Take the cloth
off of him and let him go." John 11:43-4

I love Jesus' words, "Unwrap him and let him go!" Death cannot bind him
anymore, so don't let his grave clothes bind him either! Think of the
power of this statement! One day, Jesus will speak our name, call us to
himself, and forbid death to bind us. Lazarus is the great example of
what we anticipate -- receiving back those who have died and gone
before us and receiving our call to be set free from the demands of a
mortal body. Lazarus is the great reminder that we are free from the
power of death to hold us captive!

Lord God Almighty, the Father of all that lives, thank you for giving
us back what we throw away with sin. Thank you for the assurance that I
will be united with those that I love who have died in faith. Thank you
for the assurance that death cannot hold me captive. In Jesus' mighty
name I pray.
Amen.


from www.heartlight.org

Seconds

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one
to say 'thank you?'

-- William A. Ward

5 Fingers Prayer

You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.
Psalms 119:114

I received this "5 fingers prayer" from a friend.

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalms 138:3

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. Matthew 18:20

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" Hebrews 3:13

So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Colossians 1:9

Why Pray?

One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is that God wants us
to talk to Him about everything that is going on in our lives, even
though He already knows everything. So why pray?

If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, perhaps the thoughts of the
19th-century preacher R. A. Torrey can help. Among the reasons he gave
for prayer are these:

* Because there is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to
resist Him (Eph. 6:12-13, 18).

* Because prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from
Him (Luke 11:3-13; Jas. 4:2).

* Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us to find
“grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

* Because prayer with thanksgiving is God’s way for us to obtain
freedom from anxiety and to receive “the peace of God” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Besides these reasons, it’s enough to read the command in

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and realize that God wants
us to talk with Him. Yes, He is all-knowing, but He also desires our
fellowship.

When we seek God’s face in prayer, we strengthen our
relationship with Him. That’s the most important reason to pray. —JDB

Our Daily Bread, November 25, 1998

Rejoice & Pray

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 16:23


Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks
to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me in
Christ Jesus.

May I never put out the Spirit's fire in myself. May I never be
contemptuous of the prophetic word and the interpretation of it.
But let me test everything I hear. Help me hold on to what is good,
and to avoid everything that is evil.

In the name of your Holy Son, Jesus, who gave us the Spirit, I
pray. Amen.

You're In!

I just received New York City Marathon official handbook in the mail and a letter that says You're In! Entry number47262. This will be my 3rd time and it's a fun race in NYC, the Big Apple. Ache & pains!

November 5, 2006
http://www.nycmarathon.org/home/index.php

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. Pslams 18:2

Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish Sea Colony triathlon - it's my favorite triathlon race. It's by the beach in Delaware and it's a great cause to fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Money raised from the event helps the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses. Many wishes continue to be fulfilled because of the generosity of friends, colleagues, matching gift programs, etc.


More information on this race - September 23-24, 2006
http://www.tricolumbia.org/make_a_wish.html

Let's share our blessings and fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Solitude

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
Psalm 128:1

Solitude is a time when we withdraw from the company of others in order to give God our undivided attention.

- Shut out external stimulation.
- Allow ourselves to become quiet.

We need to plan how we spend our time with God. A plan helps us to stay focused.
For example:

Silent listening
Scripture reflection
Prayer
Journaling
A slow meditative walk
Worship music
Singing praises

Experiencing Solitude. Find a quiet place that is free of distractions.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:31-32

Tell God what you need. Use a simple prayer:

"God, I just want to be with you."
"God, I need your guidance."
"Lord, I want to feel your love."

Be clear about what you would like to receive from God. Be fully present. Give Him your undivided attention. Speak to Him directly about whatever you are thinking or feeling.

Use Scriptures to listen to God. Invite God to speak to you through His Word. Read Psalm 23.
Read it slowly and deliberately, as through you were reading a love letter from God to you.

Respond to what you hear God saying to you through Scripture or in prayer. Speak to God about what you have sensed and felt and heard. Do this verbally or by writing.

Express gratitude and commitment. Spend a few minutes thanking God for his presence with you. Express your commitment to respond faithfully to whatever it is you have heard from him during this time. Close your time in solitude by thanking God.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening...

Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalms 116:2

When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalms 138:3

Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, "You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Psalms 142:5

Oh, don't be so angry with us, LORD. Please don't remember our sins forever. Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people.
Isaiah 64:9

"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:5

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Matthew 6:7

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. Matthew 6:9

So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields." Matthew 9:38

Keep alert and pray. Matthew 26:41

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. Romans 1:10

So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Three Kinds of Life

There are three kinds of life mentioned in the Bible:

Physical life -union of the soul with the body.

Spiritual life - union of the soul with God.

Eternal life - eternal union of the soul with God.

Jesus said, My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me. John 10:27-28

The gift of God is eternal life. One receives this gift when he believes in Jesus as his own personal Savior. Having eternal life, he will never perish.

You can work for sin but is is a cruel master. When it pays you off, its wage is death - separation from God forever. God does not pay wages. He has a free gift to offer - ETERNAL LIFE. There is nothing that one can do to earn this gift. If one could earn it, it would not be a gift, it would be wages. ETERNAL LIFE is just that - ETERNAL - it never ceases.

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

To Fear Or Not To Fear

People in the Bible who were confronted by God or his angels all had one consistent response - FEAR. To each of them, God's response was always the same - DON'T BE AFRAID. As soon as they sensed that God accepted them and wanted to communicate with them, their fear subsided. He had given them freedom to be his friends. Has he given you the same freedom?

Person:
Abraham
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 15:1

Moses
But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon." Numbers 21:34

Joshua
Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. Joshua 8:1

Zacharias
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. Luke 1:13

Mary
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30
Shepherds. Luke 2:10

Peter
and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." Luke 5:10

Paul
"For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Acts 27:23-24

JOHN
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17-18

Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day? Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you can't help sharing your joy with your friends?

The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Do not think you need extraordinary qualifications - he accepts you as you are.

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15

Pray

Pray, and let God worry. -- Martin Luther

But I keep right on praying to you, LORD, hoping this is the time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Pull me out of the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! Rescue me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters. Don't let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. 16 Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. Psalms 69:13-1613

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. Matthew 18:20

True Commitment

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26

When Jesus used this picture of his followers taking up their crosses ( suffering ) to follow him, the disciples knew what he meant. Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution and condemned criminals had to carry their crosses through the streets to the execution site. Following Jesus meant a true commitment, the risk of death, and no turning back.

The possibility of losing their lives was real for the disciples as well as for Jesus. Real discipleship implies real commitment pledging our whole existence to his service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing our true eternal life. If we protect ourselves from pain, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our lives turn inward and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living.

When we do not know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span, determines our eternal life. What we accumulate on earth has no value in purchasing eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn us entrance into heaven. Evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective and you will find your values and decisions changing.

God's Promise

Through prayer, our faith is placed in His promises.

"Because he loves me, "says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." Psalm 91:14-14

GOD's PROMISE: I WILL RESCUE YOU, RUN TO YOUR AID, AND RAISE YOU UP.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14

GOD's PROMISE: I WILL RENEW YOUR HOPE AND REDIRECT YOUR FUTURE.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL RESPOND PERSONALLY AND REVEAL POWERFUL TRUTH.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL RELIEVE THE PRESSURE AND REPLACE IT WITH REST.

All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will recieve. Matthew 21:22

GOD'S PROMISE: YOU WILL RECIEVE WHEN YOU REQUEST.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL REPLACE YOUR ANXIETY WITH MY PEACE.


Put prayer to work in your life and you will be tapping into a power source that allows you to experience the joys of life and gain God's peace.

Appointment

I like this quote..

"My most important appointment today is with Jesus in prayer."
-anonymous

When We Suffer

God allows suffering so that nothing stands between Him and me. You
see, when we suffer, we're much more apt to fall to our knees, and when
we do, our hearts are open to the Lord. -Joni Eareckson Tada

"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." John 15:20

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12

Are we willing to suffer for Christ? If we avoid suffering and persecution, we may miss His will for our lives. Peter, who certainly knew his share of suffering, told Christian slaves, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

Let's be willing to suffer for Christ. He sure did suffer for us.

A Pleasing Aroma

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeith much" James 5:16 KJV

God commanded the Israelites to be a pleasing aroma before Him. The Bibles tells us we are to present ourselves before God as a living sacrfices ( Romans 12:1 ). The sacrifices have changed, but God still likes the aroma. John tells us there is a bowl full of odors that are pleasing to God, which are the PRAYERS of the saints. ( Revelations 8:3).

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the PRAYERS of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the PRAYERS of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth, and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelations 8:3-5

Are you presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to God with PRAYER? King David wrote, "Let my PRAYER be set forth before thee as incense" ( Psalm 141:2 ). We honor God when we PRAY. Imagine God on His throne, seeing a tiny wisp of smike from someone PRAYING - maybe a small child, or perhaps someone just beginning his PRAYER life. Imagine a Christian who is mature in faith with a big plume of smoke, like an old factory. Our PRAYERS rise before God as a pleasing aroma. Let's be a giant smokestacks of praise.

The continual offering of praise requires stamina; we ought to praise God even when we do not feel like it. Praising Him takes away the blues and restores us to normal. - Harold Lindsell

Dear Lord,
Help me to pray, laying my burdens before You, knowing You answer.
In Jesus's name.
Amen
- Jean McCoy, Fayetteville, Tennessee

A censer filled with live coals was used in temple worship. Incense was poured on the coals, and the sweet-smelling smoke drifted upwards, symbolizing believers' prayers ascending to God.

Learn from the Penguins

Strength in Numbers

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" Hebrews 3:13

The Film, March of the Penguins, depicts the amazing life-story of the penguins in Antarctica. The films begins by showing the long march of the penguins from the sea to their inland breeding ground. They march in large numbers, forming long columns. As the narrator points out, a long penguin attempting this march rarely survives.

The penguins remain at the breeding ground during the Antarctic winter until their eggs hatch and their chicks are strong enough to march to the sea. During the period when a storm comes, the penguins gather in a tightly packed circle with their backs to the wind, those on the outside of the circle protecting those in the middle. So that all may have a chance to survive, the penguins take turns standing on the outside of the circle.

As Christians we can learn from the penguins. Life is difficult. Only by drawing close to one another, protecting and encouraging one another, can we survive the inevitable storms that life brings. No one should try being a lone Christian.

Our Father, thank you for giving us Your church. We thank you for the strength and comfort that You give us though one another. In Jesus's name. Amen.

written by Robert Raz, Winona, Minnesota

People in the church are not alone. Members of Christ's body should be able to count on others for support and prayer, especially when they are sick or suffering. The Christians's most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16