Prayer Archives - Page 2 of 17

February 13, 2019

Praying the Promises Part 2 – Struggling with Unbelief

Friends,

Wow! Your response to Part 1 of our series, Praying the Promises of God, amazes me. I love how you shared your stories and the passages that have ministered to you. And, I’m deeply grateful for the words of encouragement you left for me. They truly bless me as I continue to teach God’s Word and slowly work on my next book on prayer. Your comments reveal how women not only love to pray but desire a deeper understanding of prayer and a more active prayer life.

This week our topics are “The Word,” “God’s Sovereignty,” and “God’s Provision.”

THE WORD

Luke 24:31-32: “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”

Jeremiah 15:16: “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.”

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

Words the Lord brought to mind …

Give My Spirit Lordship over your heart and My Word Lordship over your mind.

Ask Me for fresh manna and new revelations as you meet Me in My Word.

Beware of only ingesting My Word; digest it so it soaks to the marrow of your bones and becomes part of who you are.

My Word is health to your body and healing to your bones. Don’t neglect feeding your body and your soul. I created you; you are precious to me, and I know what you need.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY (God is in control)

Matthew 28:17-18: “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”

Colossians 1:16-17: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together”

Job 26:14: “And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”

Isaiah 46:9-10: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”

Words the Lord brought to mind …

Every season has its own beauty, look for it! I am there in your midst. Look for Me. Not one thing you are walking through and experiencing is out of My control. I see you.

Don’t miss the wonder of I Am. Of who I am. I Am the One True God. There is no one greater or more powerful. Trust me with all that burdens your heart … that you can’t understand … that you feel you cannot bear … because I am over it all, and I am enough.

I am completely faithful with each place I walk you through, the valleys and the mountaintops. With each place, trust me because I’m drawing you closer to Me.

GOD’S PROVISION

2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10: “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love him—These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.'”

Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Psalm 107:8-9: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

Words the Lord brought to mind …

I am Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. What I want most is to give you more of Me. Delight yourself in ME, and I will give you the desires of your heart.

I am the God of all grace who longs to give you an unlimited supply of My riches.

Don’t try to do this on your own. Come to Me, My child. Remember in Me, you lack nothing.

I may provide differently than you have asked. Trust Me. I know what is best for you. Be thankful and invest where I have you. You will be blessed when you do.

I am the All-Sufficient One.

It’s God’s sovereignty and provision I seem to struggle with the most. I ask and pray for things that seemingly align with God’s Word and His good plans for me or my family. I tell Him if He answers my prayer, He’ll get all the glory. It will point others to Him. It will grow my child’s faith. But, then, that specific answer never comes. Sometimes, it’s quite the opposite. That’s hard.

It’s in those places I have to trust God’s sovereignty. A sovereignty I know is bathed in love. It’s not a hammer. It’s not cold and calculating. It’s not ruled by harsh decrees. God’s sovereignty flows from a Father’s heart consumed by lavish love for His children. A God who promises to give us the desires of our heart when our desires align with His. That is the key. We’re on a journey of sanctification … of God working in and through us to mold and shape us to become more like Jesus. So, when God withholds that answer or answers it differently, we must trust God is protecting us. What we are seeking will not be beneficial or productive to our process of becoming more like Jesus.

Oh, friends, as we leave today, know your prayers are heard by the One whose love runs deep for you. Who gave His only Son for you. Who placed His Spirit inside of you so you would never ever be without His presence. Let’s commit to trust Him with our unanswered prayers today.

Write your prayer of commitment in the comments. It can be as short as 3 words: “Help my unbelief.” After you share your prayer, read the prayer above yours and pray for her. WE ALL BELIEVE. But sometimes we struggle with unbelief in the “waiting room” of prayer. So, let’s pray for a mighty move of God in our community this week as we boldly ask God to help us with our unbelief, remembering and claiming the promises above.

107 Comments Filed Under: Prayer, Spiritual Growth

February 6, 2019

Praying the Promises of God Series

Hi friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve sat with you, and I’ve missed you! I’ve been planning my daughter’s wedding (yay!) and writing a four-week study on prayer that I’ll be teaching with my pastor’s wife, Marilynn Chadwick, for the next four weeks. Wish you were here in Charlotte to join us!

As I was preparing my lessons, you came to mind. I decided to share a few of the topics over here that I’ll be teaching during the study because I know you girls love you some prayer!

We’ll begin with my favorite aspect of prayer, and that is standing on, and praying, God’s Word. So over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a variety of topics (see below) that arise when we set our hearts on praying the promises of God. Scriptures we need to build our confidence. Scriptures we need when we’re desperate to hear or see God. Scriptures we need to restore our hope and trust in God.

Topics for this series:

Standing Firm in the Wait
God’s Sovereignty
The Power of God’s Word
Pain and Suffering
God’s Provision
Release and Surrender
Trusting God
Seeking Wisdom
Hope in the Hopeless

Each week, I’ll cover a few topics, share Scriptures that have spoken to my heart as well as a few thoughts to encourage you.

Let’s start with “Standing Firm in the Wait.”

STAND FIRM

Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17: “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s and you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you …. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'”

Mark 4:39: “[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Words the Lord brought to mind…

Stand firm in Me. I am the One who fights your battles, my daughter.

Come to me. Sit with me. Be still. I’m with you in the wait. I’m your hope in your battle.

I am the Commander of Heaven’s Armies. I am the Lord your Banner. Call on Me. Trust in Me. I will not forsake you.

Do not fear anything, my child, for I do not give a spirit of fear. Be strong and courageous. You are safe and more than a conqueror. I am your Deliverer!

I’m thankful you’re joining us for this series. Please don’t stop by and run off quickly. It would bless me AND our community if you would take a moment to leave a comment. Maybe share a verse on one of the topics of the day that means something to you. Add to our treasury of Scriptures. Or, share a time when God carried you through a time of need by praying His Word. Your stories will equip and encourage everyone who gathers here.

At the end of our time together, I’ll choose two names from the comments left during this series to win a few fun surprises!!

Join me for Part 2, Praying the Promises – Struggling with Unbelief

200 Comments Filed Under: Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Uncategorized

November 14, 2018

Sharing a Prayer to Pray for Your Children

I’m so excited you stopped by today! I’m sharing the fruit of one of the great passions of my heart … prayer … more specifically praying for our children.

If you lack confidence in praying, which many women do, this post is for you! I want you to know that all God needs to engage with us in prayer is a willing heart. He does the rest. Anyone who knows and loves Jesus can pray!!

Praying for our children is a form of intercessory prayer and one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. In fact, our Abba Father invites us to do just that:

“Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children.” Lamentations 2:19 (NLT)

He also makes a great promise as we offer prayers for our children:

“The prayer of a righteous [woman] is powerful and effective.” James 5:16b (NIV)

The key to the powerful and effective prayers James speaks of is praying God’s Word. Why? Because we’re laying God’s promises before Him and appropriating them for our children. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that when we pray the Scriptures, we’re praying God’s living and active Word into our children. It’s like we’re planting living, active, penetrating seeds that God then activates to do His Kingdom work in their lives.

I’ve created a prayer model for you, and you can find it here. But, let it be just that. A model. Use it and make it your own. Ask God to help you personalize it. Open your Bible and allow Him to lead you through the Scriptures. Sit, soak and listen. When you pinpoint the Scriptures that speak to you, pray them back to God. I know it sounds complicated, but it’s really not.

Below is an excerpt from the prayer I’ve written for you. You’ll see how easy it is.

Father, I pray ______________ will know how extravagantly and unconditionally You love her, that You will never leave her or forsake her, and that You gave Your Son so she could have life forever with You.

Father, I pray _______________ will call upon Your Son, Jesus, and confess Him as Lord and Savior of her life and desire to have a personal relationship with Him.

Father, thank You that You created _____________ with a specific plan and purpose for his life. Thank You that he is valuable and precious in Your sight. Father, give him the mind of Christ that is his in You and help him to fully know and love who he is in You and this great plan You have for him.

Father, I pray _____________ will treasure Your Word above all else. Give her a hunger to read, learn, and love it and live her life according to it.

Father, I pray _____________ will honor his body as Your temple and keep himself pure in every way. Instill in him the truth that he is created in Your image, worthy of Your highest and best for his life.

Father, may Your Truth reign supreme in __________________’s heart and mind. May she live according to Your Word, not the lies of this world. Daily renew her mind with Truth and keep her thoughts centered on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Father, teach ______________ to trust You with all his heart, lean not on his own understanding, and in all his ways acknowledge You so that You will direct his path. Protect _______________ from being a people pleaser. May he stand confidently in who he is in You! Guard his mind so he doesn’t throw away his confidence because it’s his confidence You richly reward.

Father, plant Your love, Your presence, and Your Word deep within ____________’s heart. May Your Word reach into the marrow of her bones and ignite an unquenchable passion. Cause her to love You with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength and let NOTHING override that passion because when she knows, loves and lives Your truth, it changes everything.

Father, just as Jesus grew, grow my children in wisdom and stature and favor with You and with man. Grow my child to be person of character, integrity, honesty and a good name. Thank You in advance for all You will do in and through my prayers. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

I’ve included lots of examples here because I want you to see how many ways you can pray for your children. I simply took a truth or promise of Scripture and incorporated it in a sentence with a place to insert your child’s name.

Sweet friend, praying this way for your children will build your faith and your prayer life. Pray BOLDLY and CONFIDENTLY because you’re praying the mind and will of God as revealed in His Word.

You can use this same method to pray for your husband, friends, family and anyone else for whom you feel led to pray.

As we close our time together, I would LOVE for you to share a verse of Scripture or a prayer in the comments that you pray for your children. How wonderful it will be to plaster this page with Scripture we can pray for our kids!! And don’t forget to print out your copy of this prayer here. Feel free to share it!!

14 Comments Filed Under: Prayer