Genesis 2:22-24 NKJV — Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the gift of marriage. Thank You that You made us and love us individually. Lord, please restore the truth of what Your plan for marriage is. Lord, these are the deepest wounds, the ones from a failed or injured marriage. Lord Jesus, please comfort those who have these deep pains and heal them as only You can. Lord, please continue to teach myself and other women how to be wives of honor, dignity, respect, and trust. Please teach our husbands how to love, honor, and cherish us. Lord, You said in Your Word that You made us one that we might have godly offspring. Lord, help us to walk in this truth. Teach us how to be individuals who lay down their lives in complete surrender to You and serve their family with joy. Lord Jesus, protect us from evil. Guard us against lust, envy, covetousness, laziness, apathy, and bitterness. Please pour in Your love, understanding, faithfulness, patience, joy, and peace. For the family is the institute which You created between a man and a woman and it is a gift. For those who are called by Your name, let us remember that there is a far greater marriage still to come and what a blessing it will be to have a seat at the table of the Marriage Super of the Lamb! Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Philippians 4:19 NKJV — And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for a new day. Lord, thank You for the rest we had last night and how You understand our needs and supply them. Lord, I trust You to use the circumstances in my life to hone my heart and help me become more like You. I know You are walking us forward into each day and Your Word is our guide in all things. Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all praise. You are working in ways we cannot see, not understand. Lord Jesus, please show me Your direction for my day. Help me to hear Your voice and respond with obedience. Lord Jesus, I’m looking to You for all things and I thank You for supplying all I require. May Your name be glorified through the whole earth. Amen.
John 10:14 KJV — I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for Your love, kindness, compassion, understanding, protection, instruction, and guidance. Lord, please keep me from going my own way. I understand why the Psalmist said Your rod and staff are a comfort, for it is through Your instruction, Your correction, and Your Word I find truth, live, and security. Lord Jesus, for those who have yet to know You, please continue to call them, open their eyes to see Your truth, unstop their ears to Your voice, soften their hearts, and lead them to Your paths. Lord, for those who are called by Your name, please help us to be quick to obey, aware of the snares of evil, gentle in our manners, not headstrong, nor hurtful to others, and please help us to live in such a way that others know we have been with You. Lord Jesus, I want my life to bring glory to Your name. Thank You for all Your wonderous works, but especially for salvation. Amen!
In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer. Psalms 109:4 NKJV
This one verse struck my heart so deeply.
This was true of Jesus.
He healed them.
Matthew 8:16 KJV — When the evening was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
He taught them.
Mark 6:34 KJV — And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
He revealed Himself as their awaited Messiah.
And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:36-38 NKJV
They betrayed Him.
Matthew 27:22 NKJV — Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
He prayed for them.
Luke 23:34 KJV — Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
But God…
He used their betrayal and sacrificed Himself to bring about the salvation of all.
One verse in Psalms captured the incredible heart of our dear Lord and Savior.
May we praise God for His mercy and unfailing love, as we reflect upon His sacrifice.
May we also respond as He did when faced with the same circumstances of being accused by those we have loved.
Psalm 96:2 KJV — Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your salvation! Thank You for Your wonderous works. Your name is high above all names and Your ways are perfect. Lord, please help me to sing Your praises throughout my day, loving as a testimony to Your salvation and truth. Lord, let Your light reflect off of my life, that others might find encouragement and understanding in Your Word, accepting You as Lord and Savior. Jesus, I need You every day, to speak in my life through Your Word and guide through Your Holy Spirit. Lord, I am leaning upon You this day for all my needs and trusting You in all things. Lord, Your ways are perfect and Your truth is amazing! May my lips never cease from praising You nor telling of Your gift to those who would pick up their cross and follow You! I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your goodness, righteousness, truth, grace, mercy, peace, patience, compassion, and salvation. Lord, I need You, every hour, every moment. Please make me like You. Please fill my heart and mind with Your Word and Your direction. Lord Jesus, deal with anything which would hinder me from hearing You this day. Please help me to walk with integrity and trust, totally surrendered, totally committed, completely Yours in every area. Lord, lead me, I am Yours. Show me where I may have leaned on myself and my own ideas, that I might let go of that and humble myself before You. Lord Jesus, You are amazing! Your truth, Your love, Your promises, Your Word, Your very name is incredible. Thank You! May the Earth be filled with the knowledge of Your glory. Amen.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9 KJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your Word. Lord, I love these verses which talk about what is to come. My heart swells with emotion when I think about how the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of You! How I long to see that day. Lord Jesus, until then, I humbly request You continue to use us to be lights that shine brightly in this world. Lord, that our understanding would be of You and Your ways. That our minds would be stayed upon You, not distracted by the cares of this world. Lord Jesus, teach us how to walk with You in integrity and truth, being Your hands and feet, not walking in our own ways or plans but rather that our actions, attitudes, and words flow out of our relationship with You. Lord, be with the fathers, that they might lead as You would, loving You, loving their wives and children as You do, living lives of courage to be mighty men of valor. Lord, please be with the mothers, teaching them how to be filled with discernment, to surrender completely before You, without worry, without trying to do it all, simply following through with the task at hand, honorable, and full of praise, women of prayer. Lord, please be with the children, young and old, guiding, protecting, teaching them about You and the world You created, sustaining them in Your righteousness and comforting them in Your salvation. Lord, for the elderly, the captive, the sick or hurt, please be with them. Let them understand all they truly need is You. Thank You for all Your wonderous works, Jesus! Thank You for salvation! Holy is Your name! Worthy are You of all praise! Thank You for Your promises! I love You! Amen.
Our church has adult Sunday school the hour before service.
We’ve enjoyed attending since we learned about it not long after we moved here.
The usual way to begin is to open the floor for anyone to testify to the goodness of God that week.
It was a bit quiet at first, but a few people had spoken, then one gentleman told us of his gratitude for the Lord’s protection.
His arm was in a sling and he explained that he’d hurt his shoulder trying to start the pressure washer to use at the church the next day.
His words were all encouraging, speaking about how thankful he was that he wasn’t hurt worse and asking for prayer as he’d torn his rotator cuff before.
A couple others spoke and then one man stood and said,
“We haven’t done this in a long time, but I just really feel God would have us pray for our brother’s shoulder right now, that he would come to the front and all the men would pray for him.”
He’d already spoken to our pastor about this and Pastor agreed, so within a short period of time, the man whose shoulder was hurt by the pressure washer was seated and the men surrounded him so much he disappeared from sight.
We all prayed and it was lovely.
When they were finished, I heard my name being called.
The ladies were going to pray over me!
I felt surprise and blessed, but I was totally unprepared for what took place.
One person after another prayed thanking God for my joy, the way I shined Jesus’s love to everyone, and thanking God for my ministry with signing.
Tears ran down my face as my heart was so full of gratitude.
God knows one of the things which had been difficult for me about being unable to speak was feeling hindered in my ability to share Jesus and His love to others.
I had no idea God was shining through me, but it was an answer to prayer and a testament to God, for He is not limited to work no matter what we think might be hindering us.
After they finished praying for me, we all agreed another lady who recently suffered a stroke be seated.
Then we prayed for another lady whose so crippled with age and pain she’s always doubled over unable to lift her head.
Lastly, we prayed for another gentleman whose recently heard something is wrong with his kidneys.
When we finished praying we realized that it was just a few minutes before church.
Sunday school had been all prayer this morning and we all felt it was time well used.
The faces of others reflected my own emotions of gratitude and surprise at the unexpected morning with God.
The service continued and God was so present.
I actually had to work at focusing on the words of the music, because my heart was so full.
The sermon was wonderful and our time ended with communion, which was the perfect finish to our time together.
My heart continued to swell with joy, for this Sunday was a miracle for me.
I’ve not been able to speak at our church since we moved here.
In fact, my trouble with losing my voice has been getting worse, places I used to be able to speak in have been lost.
The Lord spoke very clearly to my heart during my week about totally surrendering my voice to the Lord.
I thought I had, but the truth was revealed when the Lord asked me if I was willing to lose my ability to speak completely.
“No, Lord, I’m not, but I will. My voice belongs to You.”
To bring myself accountability, I told my husband about it all.
I’ve been working at giving the Lord my voice whenever it’s troublesome, to just be thankful when I can speak and thankful when I cannot.
The surprise wasn’t small when God gave me my voice yesterday.
I was so blessed to be able to pray aloud for the other women during Sunday school, when we closed in song, I was able to join in the singing with my voice.
Surprise and wonder were expressions common while I spoke.
Several people commented on “never hearing my voice before”.
Including our WWII veteran who sits in front of us.
He’s quite elderly and wears double hearing aids.
He smiled at me and said,
“You sure do have a beautiful voice. I love hearing it. I hope you get to keep it.”
I smiled back and replied, “Whatever the Lord wills.”
He nodded and smiled, “That’s right, whatever He wills.”
And God’s will was to let me speak all day long.
We were blessed to have friends and family over and I didn’t struggling at all.
I don’t know how long the Lord is going to grant me a voice, but I’m so thankful for His miracle this Palm Sunday.
The Lord had shown me an area I wasn’t completely surrendered in.
He revealed to me His answer to my prayers to be a light of His love even without being able to speak.
God added just an extra blessing and reminded us all that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NKJV — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your incredible love. Thank You for answering my prayers, that I have been reflecting You even though I’ve been unable to communicate well. Lord, thank You for each of those we prayed for. Please touch them and give them exactly what is needed. Lord, let our lives be a continued testament to Your glory, Your goodness, Your ways. Lord, please help us to remember that when You walked this Earth there were those who rejected You, hated You, and even wanted to harm You, yet Your Word was truth, Your ways honorable, even Pilot couldn’t find any reason to
This morning didn’t begin as it normally does on a Monday.
Instead of waking to my husband’s alarm, I awoke to him entering the room carrying a blanket and saying in a less-than-rested voice, “I’m late. Going to take a shower.”
“What happened?”
“I was awake from 1 am to 5 this morning and didn’t hear my alarm.”
He headed to the shower and after a few moments of trying to get myself fully awake, I rolled out of bed and headed for the kitchen to make him some coffee.
It’s been a wonderful weekend.
Saturday was our oldest girl’s birthday and our son-in-law had called me the day previous to ask if we could watch the kids so he could to take her out for part of the day, then they would be back in time for supper, cake and gifts.
I love watching the grandbabies!
We had a great time, but somewhere in the day I started to feel a migraine coming on.
It was disappointing, but I prayed and asked the Lord to keep me from having to go to bed while the family was still here.
Thankfully, not long after this our daughter and son-in-law returned.
I went and took my medication and had a short nap.
I was able to get up and enjoy time with all three of our daughters as our second girl and her husband came over as well.
By bedtime, I was ready to crash.
I overslept the next morning and when I did waken it was with the realization that I wasn’t going to leave the house for church.
My family did and prayed for me.
I felt good enough to be able to eat and read my Bible.
I normally watch online when I can’t go, but yesterday I really enjoyed the time by simply praying.
When everyone came back we ate and I rested, while Hubby and Jase worked on our chicken coop.
Hubby had not worked on Saturday so he could help me with the kids.
They got a bunch done and I didn’t have to cook as we had leftovers from the night before.
I went to bed still hurting, but thankful and happy.
Not the same emotion I felt as I drug myself into the kitchen this morning.
Not only had I failed to clean the kitchen after supper, I was like a porcupine whose quills are working the opposite way, everything seemed to poke me.
The cutting board with crumbs, the sink with dirty dishes, the floor which needed to be swept, the…you get the idea.
I needed to get my mind and heart out of the “crummies” and into the Lord so I started to pray.
“Lord, thank You for my family whose dirty dishes are in my way.”
…hmm, not quite the right attitude…try again.
“Lord, thank You for the food we have leftover, so I don’t have to try to make a lunch for my husband.”
…better…
“Lord, thank You for my husband. I don’t know why he couldn’t sleep, but he is so tired, please bless him today, giving him all he needs to do his job well.”
“Lord, thank You for my children still at home. Please help me to be gracious and not cranky today.”
Unfortunately, I got sidetracked from this positive line when I realized the dishwasher was completely clean, but hadn’t been unloaded from yesterday morning, and someone in an effort to find something in the clean clothes in the dryer dropped a used-to-be clean dish towel on the floor and left it there.
I tossed it in the washing machine and went to deal with the dishwasher.
Hubby returned, thanked me for breakfast and lunch and coffee.
He kissed me, hugged me, and knew I was struggling.
Gently asked me what was wrong.
I whispered the truth and he kissed me again, said “I love you” and left.
After finishing the dishes, I loaded and started the washing machine, turned off breakfast to keep it from burning and headed for my room.
I had neglected my time with the Lord and that was why I was struggling so much.
I barely made it in and my phone dinged with a text.
It was a childhood friend whose now a lovely adult woman with a family.
She’d texted me that she was praying for me, thanked me for my prayers for her, and told me I was awesome.
I texted back: “How’d ya know I needed that this morning? I bet it was Jesus who told you. Thank you, so much for your prayers!”
Then, I read another prayer from a friend I made in our last city.
It was beautiful and encouraging and I felt humbled, blessed, and convicted.
I know how difficult it is for me to come back off a migraine and how much my family does when I am unable to do.
It’s very ungrateful of me to focus on all the things they didn’t do rather than praising God for all they did do.
It’s also unfair to them as they are simply doing what they see as the priority for that day.
I spent some time in prayer, thanking God and confessing I’d messed up my Monday morning, asking Him to redeem it.
He has.
With that knowledge and blessing, I am writing to you.
If your struggling with the “crummies”, an attitude which is anything but loving, thankful, and joyful take a minute and repent for the ingratitude, thank God for His blessing, even if it’s only the breath you are breathing you have something to thank Him for.
Then seek God’s Word and His face, find a chance to worship God, and fill your heart and mind with God’s truth, His love, His mercy and grace.
That’s what restored my morning along with the prayers of a few friends, the gentleness of my husband.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word and how You use us to encourage and lift up one another. Lord Jesus, I thank You for all You have done through others for me this morning. First, with the gentle understanding of my husband and then through the reaching out of my friends in prayer. Lord Jesus, for those who are struggling with crummy attitudes, crummy circumstances, maybe even crummy lives, I just lift them up to You and humbly request that they see You this day, that they turn their hearts to seeking You and find solace for their hurting in Your Word and Your salvation. Lord Jesus, sometimes we simply get off track through selfishness or other tricks of sin, please bring us , each one of us, clarity if we have stepped away from following hard after You. Lord, put our feet back upon the right road and let the weary heart find strength in Your Word and You Holy Spirit. For it is Your joy in which we find strength. Lord, for so many who are living lives of horrible oppression and abuse, I humbly request You meet them right where they are and bring them both hope and freedom through You precious blood. Lord, it is for the lost, the sick, the broken, the blind, the lame, the deaf, the hurting, the orphan, the widow, the prodigal, the sinner, that You came, You died, You rose again. May we never tire of that truth nor weary of waiting for Your return. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
It’s one of many instructions given to the Thessalonian church.
The message is profound, but often questioned.
“How do I pray without ceasing?”
It’s a two fold instruction.
First, we are to live our lives completely surrendered to Jesus Christ, we are to abide in Him.
John 15:4 KJV — Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
We abide in Jesus by following His commands and growing in our relationship with Him through time in His Word and prayer.
This abiding isn’t a now and then thing, but something we do throughout our day.
It’s a life which is dependent upon Jesus Christ, not their own efforts.
Proverbs 3:5-6NKJV — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
We should not stop seeking our Lord’s will, no matter our activities or location.
Yet, the other part of this is our responsibility as children of God to intercede.
Prayer without ceasing means we lift up those requests the Lord places on our hearts until He answers.
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 NKJV
Intercessory prayer is a response to the Holy Spirit’s leading and should be an out pouring of our love and devotion to Christ.
For Jesus, Himself, prayed for others. (John 17:6-26)
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23 NKJV
Both abiding and intercession begin with praying.
Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Let us begin each day with prayer and be blessed by offering Him the first fruits of our day.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for Your Word and Your instruction. Lord, thank You that You want a personal relationship with each one of us. Thank You for the privilege of prayer. Lord, to be able to seek Your face daily and to stand before You lifting up others is such a wonderful gift! Lord, please help me not only to look to my own interests, but to the interests of others. Please help me to begin and end my day with prayer, seeking You throughout. Lord, please help me to be honorable and loving before You and others. Lord, please keep me from those things which grieve Your Holy Spirit. Lord, please help me to be wise and discerning, not blind to sin or my own areas of weakness. Lord, please protect me from the snares of the enemy. Thank You for Your love, Your righteousness, Your faithfulness. Please teach me today and help me to be an example to others, that they might long to be closer to You. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
patientlyhopeful 