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.