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PRAYER SHAPES HISTORY!!!! Meditation #40

The Bible Says:

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.  

Revelation 8:3-5

Dr, VanderGriend in Love to Pray Teaches:  God's memory is perfect.  He never forgets a prayer.  Have you ever noticed that God sometimes answers prayers long after you have stopped praying them?  God takes every prayer, prayed in the name of his Son, seriously--even those that were prayed centuries ago. 

He further states:

In a very real sense the future of the world is in the hands of praying Christians.  So is the future of your neighborhood and the future of your church, if you are a praying Christian.  I hope and pray that your prayers will contribute to a glorious future for the kingdom of God right where you live--and to a still more glorious future in days to come.  

Dr. Alvin VanderGriend's last words in the book Love to Pray:

In the days and weeks to come, place on the altar of heaven many prayers for peace and justice in the world and for the swift return of Christ,

Amen.  Amen.   Amen

 

Prayer Defeats Satan Meditation #39

The Bible Says:

"Simon Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail,  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Luke 22:31-32

There are two powerful forces at work in the world today--the power of God and the power of Satan.  The power of god is infinitely greater, but we are affected by both. 

The devil dreads our prayers more than anything else. He loves to see us up to our eyes in work, as long as we don't pray.  

Satan Trembles When We Pray!!!

Praise be to the omnipotent God who is able to destroy the works of the devil and protect his children.

The Strength to Stand Meditation #38

The Bible Says:

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 

Ephesians 6:18

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
 ^13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
 ^19-20And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.
  (Ephesians 6 10-20, The Message)

• God gave us power so we can stand and help each other stand
• God intends that all believers be strengthened to stand as all take seriously the responsibility to always keep on praying on all a=occasions, with allkinds of prayer for each other.

Donnie McClurkin has penned one of  the greatest hymns of all time in this song.....An addendum to what Paul was speaking to the Church at Ephesus........You just stand.... Watch the Lord see you through..

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The Key to Great Works Meditation #37

The Bible Says:

 "Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do. . 

 (John 14: 11-14, The Message)

On the surface, this seems like a preposterous thing for Jesus to say.  After all, he had preached great sermons, attracted huge crowds spoken wonderful words of wisdom, walked on water, stilled a storm, healed the sick, and raised the dead.  How could the disciples possibly do such things?

Jesus going to the Father meant that he would be given all power in heaven and on earth .  Thus  empowered he would continue his work on earth in a different way--through these disciples and through you and me!!

Their asking in his name would link him to them.  It also links us to him.

By means of prayer his power is at our disposal and we carry on our ministry today.

Prayer releases God's power Meditation #36

The Bible Says:

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective

James 5:16

In the book Love to Pray, Dr, VanderGriend writes: when you pray for another person there is nothing that flows from you to them--no vibes, no force, no energy.  Instead your prayers go heavenward,m and the power of God moves from him to the ones you pray for.

God acts powerfully and effectively through the power of His people.

Prayer Can:

Move mountains

change human hearts

change families

change neighborhoods

change cities

change nations 

As you intercede for others, give yourself a mental picture of your prayers going heavenward to God's throne and of God directing hsi grace and power on earth to the very persons you are praying for....

David: Finding renewal through confession Meditation #35

The Bible Says:

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow, Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice,.  Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.  Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Psalm 51:7-10

 ^1-3Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.

   Scrub away my guilt,

      soak out my sins in your laundry.

   I know how bad I've been;

      my sins are staring me down.

 ^4-6 You're the One I've violated, and you've seen

      it all, seen the full extent of my evil.

   You have all the facts before you;

      whatever you decide about me is fair.

   I've been out of step with you for a long time,

      in the wrong since before I was born.

   What you're after is truth from the inside out.

      Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

 ^7-15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,

      scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.

   Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,

      set these once-broken bones to dancing.

   Don't look too close for blemishes,

      give me a clean bill of health.

   God, make a fresh start in me,

      shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.

   Don't throw me out with the trash,

      or fail to breathe holiness in me.

   Bring me back from gray exile,

      put a fresh wind in my sails!

   Give me a job teaching rebels your ways

      so the lost can find their way home.

   Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,

      and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.

   Unbutton my lips, dear God;

      I'll let loose with your praise.

 ^16-17 Going through the motions doesn't please you,

      a flawless performance is nothing to you.

   I learned God-worship

      when my pride was shattered.

   Heart-shattered lives ready for love

      don't for a moment escape God's notice.

 ^18-19 Make Zion the place you delight in,

      repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls.

   Then you'll get real worship from us,

      acts of worship small and large,

   Including all the bulls

      they can heave onto your altar! 

 (Psalm 51, The Message)

There are 5(five) key points to be made concerning this prayer of confession:

• Sin Causes us to feel guilty
• The guilt a believer feels will drive him/her to prayer
• Having sinned, David found his way back to God through prayer
• More important than his sin, is the fact that he found his way back to God
• True confession leads to full forgiveness

Jehoshaphat: Victory through prayer Meditation #34

The Bible Says:

"Oh Lord God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven?  You rule over the kingdoms of the nations.  Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you..."We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. " 

2Chronicles 20: 6,12

Dr. VanderGriend's discussion of this:

Jehoshaphat's prayer leadership won the day when Israel was under attack by a large coalition army of three neighboring nations.  First Jehoshaphat first called for a fast.  Serious prayer was always part of fasting.  He then lead the people in a most remarkable prayer--a prayer that acknowledged God's adequacy  and their human inadequacy

The prayer began with the words: " Power and might are in your hand" and ended with the words:"We have no power ...We do not know what to do"

Honestly, thats where I stand today in so many issues in my life.  One thing I know, my dependence is on God.  My faith is in his sovereign power over the forces of darkness in this world.

I .."lean not unto my own understanding"  but I know God is able........

Elijah: An Ordinary Man Who Prayed Powerfully Meditation #33

The Bible Says:

Elijah was a man like us.  He prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain on teh land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crops 

James 5: 17-18

James is careful to remind us that Elijah was a man like us.....Dr. VanderGriend in Love to Pray writes:

The power of prayer is not in the person or in the words of prayer. 

 All the power of prayer is God's power released through prayer.

It was God who held back the rain.

It was God who caused the rain to return.

James also makes the point that Elijah "prayed earnestly"  Earnest prayer gained the results.

The prayers of ordinary people also need to be persistent.  In order to cause the rain to come again

Is there something that God wants to accomplish through your prayers?  Why not ask him earnestly and persistently and watch for the results.....

Paul: The man who Prayed constantly Meditation#32

The Bible Says:

God .....is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times.

Romans 1:9-10

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you... (and) we have not stopped praying for you.

Colossians 1:3, 9

I thank God, whom I serve.....as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers

2 Timothy 1:3

Paul was often praying to express his gratitude for other believers

His prayers always began ....I always thank God for you....

Dr. VanderGriend observes that Paul prayed out of love and Love gives birth to prayer.

Paul knew his prayers would make a difference in the lives of his "sons and daughters" in the faith

Paul also knew he needed the prayer support of others......

Like the great apostle, I know too that I need the support of prayer...I need the love of people, my family and friends......

In times like these....we need the savior........His name is Jesus

Jesus: Man of Prayer Meditation # 31

The Bible Says:

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

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed

Luke 5:16

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God

Luke 6:12

Love to Pray says there are eight actual prayers of Jesus in the New Testament:

Prayer was necessary for Jesus because he was truly human and shared wholly in our humanity, except he did not sin.

At one time Jesus said the father commanded him what to say.

The bible teaches us that Jesus is still at the right hand of God interceding for us.

In response to who Jesus is...The debt of love we owe .....Dr. VanderGriend suggests there are 4 things we should do in prayer....

1.   Praise Jesus for modeling a strong, positive pattern of prayer

2.  Confess any shortoming in prayer that you are aware of

3.  Thank the Holy Spirit for his ability and willingness to purify our prayers

4.  Ask Christ for the grace to pray as he prayed.

The Prayer of Jabez Meditation #30

The Bible Says:

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!  Let your had be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:10

In this awesome prayer, Dr. VanderGriend says that it appears Jabez didn't ask with the wrong motives.
He was asking to break out of his current situation to live in what  God has promised his people.

Jabez asked God for Four things....

1.  Oh that you would bless me.....God wants to bless us, but he wants to do it in response to our asking.  God was pleased with Jabez was asking and he sent his blessing.

2....and enlarge my territory...this was Jabez' prayer for the restoration  of his lost  inheritance, which God had promised for all his people.

3.  Let your hand be with me God's hand represents his ability to strengthen and his readiness to act on behalf of his people

4.  ....and keep me from harm....The greatest source of harm in this world is Satan.

The passage ends with the astounding declaration:
"And God granted his request"

What about  you church, Do you need/want these 4 things?......

I certainly do and I am willing to ask God for them in prayer.....

A Prayer to Know God Better Meditation #29

The Bible Says....

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 1:17-19

This is A Mother's Prayer from a Mother's Heart:

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give Mary, Jaireh, and Dee the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,so that they may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of their hearts will be enlightened in order that Mary, Jaireh, and Dee may know the hope to which God has called them, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Amen

A Prayer for Spiritual Riches Meditation #28



Christ in me.....The Hope of Glory

The Bible Says.....

...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.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the father.
Colossians 1:9-12


Many years ago at my church http://bit.ly/i3AX39, I learned to put my name in this scripture.  Personalizing it makes the benefits of the prayer a reality in your own life

In  Love to Pray we are told to :

• Praise the graciousness of God
• Thank God for giving us prayer as the menas for bringing his blessings to others and ourselves
• Pray for persons we know
• Ask God to do for you the things Paul prayed for the Colossians
• Intercede for your children, gradchildren and parens, friends or other loved ones.



A Ladder of Prayer Meditation #27



Christ in me....the hope of Glory




The Bible Says.........

For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in Love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God

Ephesians 3:14-19

http://bit.ly/hH3wwZ   Dr. Alvin VanderGriend in his Book Love to Pray Describes the progessive steps to this
"Ladder of Prayer"  Like this:

 1. Pray for inner strength by the power of the Holy Spirit

2. Pray that Christ may live in believers' hearts through faith

3.Pray that believers will be grounded in God's love

4. Pray that believers grasp the scope of Christ's love

5. Pray that believers may experience the love of Christ

And Finally

6. Pray that believers may be filled with the very nature of God



The Lord's Model Prayer.........Meditation #26

The Bible Says:

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

With a God like this, you can pray simply.  Like this:  Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are.  Set the world right; Do what's best as above, so below.  Keep us alive with three square meals.  Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.  Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.  You're in charge! You can do anything you want!  You're abalaze in beauty!  Yes.  Yes .  Yes

Matthew 6:9-13 (Eugene Peterson's The Message)

Dr. Alvin VanderGriend in his book Love to Pray http://bit.ly/g9OaoE gives this  analysis of the Lord's Prayer:

Our father in heaven:  settle the issue of our relationship to God

Hallowed be your name:  asking God to move in this worldin ways that will bring him glory and honor

Your kingdom come:  is a prayer for God to establish his reign in people's hearts and minds.

Your will be done:  asks God to help people submit to his will

Give us today our daily bread:  reminds us that God cares about our bodies

Forgive us our debts:  the prayer of Christians who want to be rid of any sin that might hinder that relationship

Lead us not into temptation:  a prayer that God will sustain us in times of temptation

To his disciples Jesus said, "This, then, is how you should pray." 


Are you his disciple? 


Then this is how you should pray!!

A Private Meeting with the Father......Meditation #25

The Bible Says....

"When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Matthew 6:6

I never had much of a relationship with my biological father.  As a little girl, I wondered what such a relationship would be like.

As I grew older, that "emptiness" continued. ....Then, ....I begin to pray....from the depths of my soul.....I begin to pray......I started with the prayer of my childhood "Our Father"......

I learned to personalize the prayers until my prayers became more of a conversation...........

As I moved into my early 20's I started to feel God's presence in my life in a very real way.  I experienced the patience, the warmth in his presence .....I started to feel safe......I felt his love toward me. 

In his presence, I am parented by a loving father....who tells me I am his own.....,

Praying the Ordinary.....BlogPost #24

The Bible says:

Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints,.

Ephsians 6:18

In Love to Pray, Dr VanderGriend says: http://bit.ly/hC46Bn

Praying begins, not with self but with God.  To "pray in the Spirit" means to pray with the help of the Sprit under the influence of the Spirit.  It means praying the thoughts  that the Sprit kindles within us.  What is impossible in our own strength becomes possible with the Holy Sprit's help.http://bit.ly/gfP04M

"Prayer is the Godgiven way our relationship with God is maintained"

There are three concepts to be taken from this meditation.

You must remember to:

Pray "on all occasions"

Pray  "all kinds of prayers"

Pray  "always"

Remember to stop and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers and give you the right thoughts and words

Hearing from Heaven.... Meditation #23

The Bible Says.....

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"

John 10:27

In this meditation, the writer, Dr. Alvin VanderGriend reminds his readers that :

Prayer is all about hearing our Shepherd's voice.  In fact, when we pray, its pprobably more important to listen than to speak.

I long for the voice of God in so many areas in my life.  like Eli told Samuel to say "speak Lord, for I your servant am listening"  1 Samuel 3:8-9

I want to bre as listening servant!!!!

Equally as much as I cherish the opportuntiy to talk to the Lord, I also long for the opportunity to be still before the Lord, and listen for his voice to my spirit.

This meditation reminds us, again, about intercession.  The lesson reminds us to

"Intercede for those who are not listening to God'wss Word or Spirit and as a result are straying from the truth."

As we intercede for others and listen to the voice of the Lord, may we find his peace  in our souls.......

Living Prayerfully..... Meditation #22

The Bibler Says....

Pray Continually

1Thessalonians 5:17

"Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise"

James 5:13

As a wife and  mother who works outside of my home, I often feel deprived of time alone.  I sometimes find myself looking  forward to those moments when I am not answering to someone's needs or wants or answering some question or solving some problem or dilema.

When I say I want time alone, what I really want is time with God.  I long to be alone with the Lord and just reflect or just fellowship with him. I often long for time to share with  him things on my heart that  really matter.  There is an intimacy in those times that can't be explained.

I learned this "continuous" conversation with God as a teenager when my mom died.  I started talking to the Lord in my mind.  I started sharing my hurt, my pain, my longing for my mom with the Lord.   As time went on, I found myself sharing my joy and the ordinary feelings  and thoughts in my life.

In this week's meditation the writer talks about "prayer triggers"......  those things, places and situations that prompt us to pray.    For me, these are many places. 

I can't define all of the situations that cause me to pray, but I do know that conversation with God comes natural for me. 

One thing I know for sure.....

When I pass from this life to the next, I expect to do so in conversation with God.......

Prayer as a Conversation with God Meditation Number 21

The Bible Says:

 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8

The writer describes this passage as a "talk" or a prayer with Adam and Eve in the garden.    The writer contends that God takes the initiative in prayer.  This passage  shows us that we need only make ourselves available to him.

 
Since prayer begins with God, it is commonly understood that sin inhibits that "talking part of a love relationship"  Sin hinders prayer because of guilt.  Its hard to look at someone when you know you have wronged them intentionally or not.

I have felt this guilt myself all too many times.

The beauty of Jesus love is that it removes the guilt and sets me free to praise him.

Its in the praise that the fellowship resumes.

God....and me.....In that secret place....where I can go.......

....and talk to the Lord.....

Interceding for the Unsaved BlogPost Number 20

The Bible Says:

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Isralites is that they may be saved.

Romans 10:1

Back on BlogPost Number 18, I posted about 2Timothy Chapter 2.  In that, we read that God wants everybody to be saved.  Jesus prayed for the unsaved.  So did Paul in our focus scripture in Romans Chapter 10.

The nature and impact of this Blog Post is so important, so powerful, that I dare not edit or digress from

Dr. VanderGriend's teaching on this....http://bit.ly/hC46Bn   He writes three directives for us....

First, we should pray that the unsaved will be drawn by the Father.  Jesus said "No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44)

Second, we should  pray that those who hear the gospel will understand it.  Jesus warns that the evil one will come an dsnatch away the gospel seed sown ina person's heart if it is not understood (Matthew 13:19).  The spiritual understanding and enlightenment required must come from God who is moved to respond to the prayers of his people.

Third, we should pray that unbeliever's eyes will be opened so that they can see the light.  As we pray this prayer, we will once again be contending with the adversary, "the god of this age who has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2Corinthians 4:4)

Dr. VanderGriend, in Love to Pray, gives this testimony

A lighthous in Grand Rapids, Michigan, prayed for a yong man who had run away fromn home and joined a gang.  The young man returned home and made a commitment to Christ.  Later his gradfather gave his life to Christ shortly before he died, also in response to prayer.

Another Lighthouse in western Michigan saw four families come to the Lord after eight months of weekly meetings to pray for their neighbors. 

This is prayer evangelism, evangelism in which God moves in the hearts and lives of people in response to teh earnest prayers of believers. 

Church, Who are you praying for?



Intercedng for those who can't pray for themselves Meditation #19

The bible says.....

After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. ⁸So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.”  So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.

Job 42:7-9

I am digressing from my previous posts commenting on Love to Pray http://bit.ly/hC46Bn

The remarks in this post are taken from a sermon by Pastor Jeremiah Booker at Hamilton Park UMC in Dallas.  http://bit.ly/i3AX39

Dr. Booker preached a sermon reflecting Job 42:7-9 on April 2nd.  My own spiritual journey has taught me that the preached word of God is the ultimate blessing in the Body of Christ.  I take sermon notes and read them at various times during the week. I am sharing my highlighted notes from this sermon with you....

Dr. Booker made 4 points about the above scripture:

• God uses intercessors to help those who have a need.  In this way an intercessor becomes a "friend in the middle."
• God is generous, especially when you ask on behalf of others.  A lighthouse of prayer can be a teacher.  An individual can just walk outside and look around then begin to pray for the peace, the marraiges in their neighborhood.  "Wherever we find ourselves  it is a mission field for Christ"
• God sends people for you to pray for them.  It is good to ask ourselves, "When God sees someone in need of prayer does he send them to us?"  In the bible verses above,  God sent Job's friends to him.  God had confidence in Job.  Job prayed for his friends, though they had heaped guilt upon him.  God will bless us when we intercede.
• God blessed Job when he prayed for someone else.  God is calling us to intercede. 

Do you consider yourself  an intercessor?

If you begin to intercede, you will see a difference in your family.  God can transform your community.......

The Scope of Intercession Meditation number 18

Christ in me...The hope of Glory.....

The Bible Says:

The first thing I want you to do is pray.  Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.  This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.  He wants, not only us, but everyone saved, you know, everyone  to get to know the truth we've learned.

1Timothy 2:1-4   The Message Bible

In the book Love to Pray,http://bit.ly/gLheoL Alvin VanderGriend says:

"My prayers can release a blessing or bring change anywhere in the world without my moving from my chair.

If our prayers focus only on those who are nearby, we have not caught the scope of what God intends through prayer....".

In this meditation on the scope of intercession, we are asked to focus on two scenarios

• Imagine your prayers transmitting heavenly power and blessing to people in every corner of the world.  Think of some of those people and places
• Imagine persons experiencing the joy of being saved and coming to knowledge of the truth as a result of your prayers

As I began to ponder this and pray to be more of an intercessor, I began to think.....

I began  thinking of the Imagine No Malaria Campaign.http://bit.ly/ejtsLd

As I read the webpage, I learned that the UMC is involved in this in so many ways.  I began to think of those responsible for the direct care of administering aid to those in need because of the disease.

....and so I pray.....

Lord, in the name of  Jesus, thank you for the workers  who have left their homes and traveled to Africa to work with those effected by this disease.  Father grant them strength and resolve to continue ministering your love to your people.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Did you know God is looking for U? Meditation Number 17

The Bible Says:

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Eziekiel 22:23-30

In this devotional, God makes it plain to Eziekiel that he is looking for someone to stand in the gap before him on behalf of Israel.  Because no such person could be found, scripture says God would have to "pour out wrath on them...."

Further study of this meditation reminds us that Moses was an intercessor interceeding for the children of Israel over and over before the Lord.

Abraham was another known intercessor in the bible.  He interceeded for his nephew Lot.

This lesson is so significant because I know so many people in my own family and neighborhood who need intercession.  I want to be a more consistent intercessor.

There are 3 points for you in this devotion

• God governs the world through the prayers of his people.
• In order for intercession to be effective, we must believe that our prayers as intercessors do make a difference
• "Things will happen when we pray that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't prayed.  And things will not happen if we do not pray that would have happened if we had prayed" http://bit.ly/fh6UfA

My prayer,

God, in Jesus name, help us to remember those in our world who need prayer.  Give us grace to  lift them up before you as one friend petitions on behalf of another.  I just pray to grow in my ability to walk and talk with you more each day.   Amen. 

What is Intercession Meditation#16

The Bible Says:

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 And he answers from within, "Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

Luke 11:5-8

The meditation today calls intercession..... praying for others as an act of self-giving love....

"In the ongoing work of God, intercessory prayer is of prime importance." They need what only God can give...these words come from Love to Pray http://bit.ly/fh6UfA our devotional for this Lenten season

When you read the passage above, one friend is going to another friend in order to help someone who has come to him in the middle of the night needing something the first friend does not have. This scenario rings truth for so many people I know. It takes courage to go asking for someone else.

As a mental health professional, I often find myself in the role of an advocate. I am committed to advocacy for the people I serve because so many of them (especially the children) have no voice. I advocate for them because, I am so grateful for what God has done for me.

When I intercede in prayer for others, I am acknowledging God's sovereign power over them and I'm acknowledging my own weakness.

This weekend I was honored to be in a prayer conference with Dr VanderGriend http://bit.ly/hXKkSB He encouraged participants to pray 5 blessings 5 minutes a day over 5 people 5 days a week!!! What a difference this can make in our neighborhood, or nation, our world!!!!

Prayer:

Lord, strengthen me to come to you not just for myself, but for others as well. Amen.

When God Says No -- Meditation #15

The Bible Says:

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!

Concerning this, I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2Corinthians 12:7-9 New American Standard Bible

In this lesson from 40 days of prayer http://bit.ly/fh6UfA Dr. Alvin VanderGriend directs us to think beyond answered prayer and consider our reaction to when God says "no"

Kids often struggle with no answers. In behavioral science, we often look for antecedents to kids "acting out" and tantrum issues. One common antecedent to acting out behaviors is being told no.

When my kids were younger, I used to tell them "accepting this no without "melting down"might increase the chance that I will say yes next time."

Often my decisions were in response to something they asked for that just was not good for them at that time. Their decision to accept the no answer without acting out shaped their behavior to know that as a mom; I am not always going to say yes!!

Paul in this Lenten meditation, has been told no by God after seeking God's face for an issue three times. Dr. VanderGriend points out that though God told Paul no, God taught him about his all-sufficient grace and about His power.

Like a loving parent, God knows what's best for us.

Prayer,

Lord, help us to understand your sovereign will for our lives. Give us grace to understand the things we've waited and longed for and have not received. Amen.

The Cure For Anxiety Meditation 14

In this 14th meditation the writer discusses the cure for anxiety.

The Bible Says:

Don't fret or worry. Insetad 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. Its wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

In the book Love to Pray, http://bit.ly/gLheoL Dr. Alvin VanderGriend says Anxiety is "like a beeper system warning us its time to talk to God." He teaches that God welcomes us to come to him about our anxieties and concerns. The writer here clearly teaches that God wants thanksgiving to be our response to anxiety. Philippians teaches "with prayer and petition with thanksgiving...."

I am reminded to place the things that worry me most to God in Prayer. He is listening....

God not only works out for good the situations we place in his hands (Romans 8:28), He also works in us to guard our hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.

I need the peace of God in my life.

Reflection: How do you handle worry?

Pray:

Praising God and asking him to forgive us for any times we have mishandled anxiety.

Thank God for the peace he gives us in troubling situations.

I love old songs!!!!

I have no idea who this man is on YouTube, but this song is the ultimate solution to anxiety......

Getting What You Ask For Meditation 13

The Bible in 1John 5:14 says:

And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening., And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours. (The Message)

Dr. VanderGriend carefully teaches in this meditation the difference between praying and wishing. We get what we ask that is "according to his will" (Romans 8:29)

Many years ago in bible study at HPUMC,I learned to personalize God's message to me in the bible. I often insert my name in the scripture . I read the words as though they were written for me because they were. I pray God's will for my life and my family.

While I pray believing I will get from God what I ask for thats in his will; I believe its important that readers understand God's will is sovereign.

I realize that, like a child, I sometimes don't really know whats good for me. I ask and trust that

God knows best for my life. Learning God's will for my life means meditating on his word. Praying, for me, is asking according to his sovereign will.

I read a series of books called the Mitford Series. In the book the fictional Father Tim was the local pastor/friend/servant to many people in the town. He often prayed for the sick and comforted those in grief. From time to time he would say....

"Let us pray the prayer that never fails:" Father let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven....Amen