Praying and Praising

Dear Lord,

I feel compelled to pray today ~

I'm praying for the sick, the brokenhearted, the discouraged, the confused, the disappointed, the desperate, the lost, the oppressed.  I am praying for the people I know and love who need an extra touch of Your hand on them right now.

I feel compelled to praise today ~

I'm praising You for miracles of healing, for restoration of relationships, for hope, for whispers of encouragement, for signs of answered prayer, for freeing the captives, for Your sweet love and grace.


I feel compelled to be thankful today ~

I am thankful for the joy I feel despite my circumstances; a joy that is only possible through the gift of the Spirit.

Amen.

Ask, Seek, Find

When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me.  Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart.  Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results...Thankful prayers keep your focus on My presence and My promises. (from Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, 1/11)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you...  This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."  (Luke 11:9, 1 John 5:14)

Grace and Gratitude

"we cannot receive grace and then just squat on it" - Larren

A profound statement posed in common words.  The visual is not a good one for me.  Through the grace of God, I have been redeemed.  If I do nothing but place my butt squarely on top of it and just wait for my eternity time, then in some measure I am debasing this most precious gift.  A gift that is given freely for the asking, but the least I can do is say thank you.  My thank you needs to be more than a polite muttering of words.  It needs to reflect the deep gratitude I feel for the privilege of receiving grace from a most Holy God.  It's a thank you I need to live out daily in my choices, my regard for others, my life until eternity time.

Lord God, thank You for this most precious gift of grace and redemption.  I choose to honor Your gift in my daily life.  I know, however, that I can't live in grace without Your help.  How ironic that You give this gift freely and then have to help me live in this gift.  Thank You for being a most generous, loving God.  Amen.

Purpose of Prayer

One of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray..."  (Luke 11:1)

"When a person is born again from above, the life of God is born in him.  Prayer is the way that the life of God in us is nourished...We look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself...

To say that 'prayer changes things' is not as close to the truth as saying, 'Prayer changes me and then I change things.'  God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things.  Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person's inner nature."


(reprinted from My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, day 8/28)

Money and Faith

Lessons from the Kitchen continued

Money.  I have a hang-up about it.   Let me clarify.  I like money.  I like having money.  I don't like spending money, at least, my money.   I know, in a marriage it should be ours not his or hers, but the money we are spending on the kitchen remodel came from my resources/business.  I want to hoard that money for safe-keeping.

My mom doesn't like to spend money either, at least not on the big things.  She will plan and think and dream but has to practically be pushed off a cliff to make the purchase.  I think that comes from her upbringing ~ from a family who lived frugally, recycled long before it was in vogue, made a lot of their stuff and endured the Depression.  

Add to that my own 13-year journey of being a single parent with no child support.  I did okay on the daily stuff and eventually even bought a house, but I never had much of a financial reserve.  It was always a concern to me.

So here I am pulling the trigger on an expensive (by  my standards) remodel and the old fears about money popped up.  These fears are compounded by the thought of not having enough income in my old age, particularly if I go down the dementia road that my father traveled and need extra care.

To my chagrin, I realized that these fears are based on lack of faith in my God, who loves me, wants the best for me and promises to take care of me.  He has already equipped me with resources for a financially secure future.  We have sought His guidance on being good stewards with our money.  Yet I do not put my full trust in Him.

Lord, it shames me and pains me to think that I am lacking in my faith.  You have been a good Father to me, proving Yourself over and over again of Your love for me.  I am choosing to rest secure in You.   I am choosing to believe Your promises.  Amen.

Impatient Patient

Haven't felt particularly well for a week now.   Caught one of the summer "bugs" that have been flying around, which is unusual for me as I haven't had a cold or flu for over a year.  I"m not the best  patient.  No patience for it!  The one benefit from laying low for a week, other than being waited on by my wonderful husband, is more quiet time.   Of course, that's like telling a two-year-old in the heat of play that it's time for a nap!

So Lord, I pray for a spirit of patience.  I pray that I learn to be thankful in all things and circumstances, even the yucky ones.   Amen.

Treasures Along a Path

Lord, teach me to slow down along the path. Teach me to look for beauty in the smallest flower or the dry summer grass. Fill my heart with joy at the treasures you have hidden in plain sight.

Making Sense of Tragedy

By Jonathan M Katz, Associated Press Writer Jonathan M. Katz, Associated Press Writer – 1/13/10

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after a powerful earthquake flattened the president's palace, hospitals, schools, the main prison and thousands of homes. Untold numbers were still trapped. President Rene Preval said he believes thousands of people were dead from Tuesday afternoon's magnitude-7.0 quake.

In the blink of an eye, in the mere beat of a heart, in an intake of a breath, life changes ~ forever. We can't even predict what today will bring, let alone tomorrow.

Dear Lord God, bring a peace that surpasses all understanding to the people of Haiti and to the nations of the world as they look upon this devastation of nature. Some will blame You for not stopping this tragedy; they will turn away in anguish. But others know the Truth of who You are and will turn to you for comfort. I pray for healing for the entire country. I pray that their plight will not be pushed off the "front burner" when the media decides it's not "hot enough" news to report. I pray that Your will be done.

My Desire

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. ~ (Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV)

God, investigate my life...I'm an open book to you...
You know me inside and out...
Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me,
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong -
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
(~ Psalm 130 excerpts from The Message)

Words

Today makes post #528 since I started this blog. I didn't think I had that much to say ~ although my friends might differ with me, ha! ha! I must confess that I love words. My favorite words, however, don't come from me. They come from my God, my husband, my family. They are words of affirmation that I am loved.

Lord God, thank You for the gift of love. Thank You for wiring us to need to love and be loved. It can be difficult at times to love others, or even to receive love, but it is the gift of all gifts.

Urgent Prayer Request

For all you prayer warriors, fervent prayer for Frank to completely recover from nearly drowning. Also please keep his family in your prayers as they go through this difficult time. Thank you.

Have We?

Billy Graham's Prayer for Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Have we? You decide. God already has.

(as emailed to me from a friend)

Posting on God's Prayer Wall

There is always a time ~ and time ~ for prayer. I want to focus on particular prayer requests that I am posting on God's Facebook wall today. Please join me.

Lord God, You are the Alpha and Omega, the Omnipotent and Omnipresent One. You are Mighty yet You are Gentle; You are Righteous yet You are Merciful. You are the Lord over all yet You desire intimate relationship with each of us.

I confess, Lord God, that at times I approach You humbly and with reverence, and at other times I am demanding and impatient. But today, Lord, I come to You not for myself but for others. I lthank You for Your prayer wall that is open to every single person who asks to be Your friend.

I lift up the victims of worldwide injustice, particularly for those who are young, weak or defenseless ~ and I ask for release from their bondage, for full restoration and for a life of hope and practical fulfillment of their needs. I pray for the wisdom of the organizations who are striving to free these victims and extract justice, and I pray for the cooperation of the authorities.

I lift up all those suffering from disease or mental affliction, but particularly those with cancer. It's a terrible disease and preys victim to entire families who suffer the pain and loss of a loved one. I ask for healing, comfort, peace and hope.

I life up all those who have lost their jobs in this down economy. I ask that they turn their hope and trust to You, and that their finances will be stabilized and a new job come quickly.

You know the specifics behind these requests, Lord. May Your sovereign will be done. -- Amen

Face to Face Virtually

What is the deal with Facebook? I must admit I'm a late-comer to this phenomenon. Wouldn't it be too cool if we could add God as our friend? We could post on each other's wall in a timely and clear fashion.

Hmm, He is my friend already, and He does communicate with me. It's just that sometimes I'd like Him to be more tangible, timely and clear on His intentions and communication. Yes, sometimes I just want it my way and not be patient, trusting and faithful. I guess that was written just like a brat or over-indulged princess ~ not that I think that I am either one ~ but the concept of me and mine and my way can definitely enter the parameters of my thought.

Lord God, thank You for your friendship, which you give freely. You don't need computers to keep in touch. Your friendship is real and tangible, trustworthy and true. You are totally faithful to me as I want to be to You. And You do post to my wall daily, which I receive if I choose to receive your message in Your way and Your timing. Lord, I hope that you receive and delight in this prayerful post to your wall today. Love You!

Downed Airplanes, Prayer and Heroes

Praying. That is what the passengers aboard that downed USAir jet was doing last week when it landed in the river ~ at least according to the last passenger off the plane. I saw an interview with him on the Bonnie Hunt show. Hunt asked if the passengers were in a panic when the plane started losing altitude and headed towards the water He replied that it was totally silent other than hearing the quiet voices of prayer, including The Lord's Prayer.

Right on national television in this politically correct country where it's deemed impolite and insensitive to talk about God, this gentleman said, "I prayed to Jesus. I was supposed to go home on the 5:00 flight but was done with work early and switched to the 2:30 flight. God had me there for a reason."

And that reason was this man's quiet, calm demeanor as he stood one foot on the wing and one foot in the doorway of the plane, and helped others to safety. Only when everyone was off, and the tugboat gently hit the plane causing it to tip slightly and form a cold wave of water from inside the plane to wash over his back, did he leave.

His story makes me pause and ask: Would the only sounds emanating from my lips be words of prayer? Does everyone know as clearly as this man, a faith and trust in God? He admitted as the plane was descending that he didn't know if they would make it ~ he even made sure that his wallet was in his suit jacket so they could identify him later ~ but he felt calm in the presence of the Lord.

Indeed, it was only after he had been transported to a hospital and his family allowed to see him, that his thoughts went back to himself and the magnitude of what he had just survived hit him. Even then, he called his wife the hero, not himself, for keeping the family calm and together during the ordeal. He said that there were many heroes that day ~ because everyone has a hero.

This man, whose name I cannot remember, but whose deeds I will never forget, is mine.

Sorry

I recently read back through some of my posts of the past couple of weeks, and I think I have a tendency sometimes to come across as "preachy." I cringe at the thought. It's my sarcastic nature coming through. Not a pretty sight. My heart is in the right place but the filter through which I share my thoughts isn't always the right color.

Lord God, it is You that I want to glorify. Forgive me for sounding prideful or arrogant when I only mean to share Your Truth. Help me choose my words so that they are not off-putting. Help me to keep this desire in my heart so that I'm not coming back to you too soon with the same request. Thank You. ~ Amen

New Possibilities and Answered Prayer

As I posted earlier, today is a day of new possibilities, and with it, answered prayer. Groovy Ted's daughter received a clean bill of health and release from what was formerly thought to be a devastating health concern. Thank you, Lord, for your protection over this young woman and the new possibilities of a renewed outlook on her future.

Calling All Prayer Warriors

Back on September 10th, I blogged about a fellow Groovy, "Ted", needing prayer for her daughter's health. Well, tomorrow morning, Wednesday, 8:30am Pacific Daylight Time, is when her daughter goes to the doctor to get more detailed results from her tests. Urgent prayer is requested that the initial diagnosis was incorrect and that what she has is minor and treatable. Better yet, that the mass has miraculously disappeared. Prayer is also asked for a sense of peace and comfort for both "Ted" and her daughter that God is in control.

Trouble in a Troubling World

One of our Groovies is going through some family difficulties. As I've mentioned before, the majority of our group is in a blended family and blended families are hard work. They are based on a foundation of loss ~ the loss of a dream, the loss of the original family unit, the child's loss of a parent, the adult's loss of a spouse. Blended families carry baggage and if not dealt with in a loving and honoring way, the baggage weighs down the blended family ~ sometime to the point of destruction.

Okay, so it's one thing to know this truth, it's another thing to live it out. Old hurts come back. Old, ineffective ways of communicating continue. And we stumble. We stumble in spite of ourselves and our determination to do it "right" ~ to deal with a difficult situation in a loving and honoring way ~ to create an interaction between both "old" and "new" family members so that the everyone's needs are getting met and no one is being purposefully harmed.

We stumble. And our Lord God, in His grace and mercy, lifts us back up, brushes off the dirt, heals our cuts and embraces us in love.

I know that my Groovy friend is sad and dismayed at both the continued rancor between her and her ex, and her reaction to the current "flare-up." But I also know her heart. I know that she wants to do things differently. I know that she knows it is impossible without the help of her heavenly Father. I know she will lift her face towards Him and will open her heart as a receptacle for the love and grace she needs to deal with this troubling situation in a troubling world.

Lord God, thank you for your love, your mercy, your grace, your forgiveness. Thank you for walking along side my Groovy friend and picking her up when she stumbles. Thank your intimate involvement with this family.

This Groovy is also dealing with upsetting health news about one of her children. Would you please lift up this child in prayer that the final test results will be not what is feared?

A Continuum in My Universe & Time Theory

There was another ripple today in my universe. Another juncture between me and the confluence of similar but not related people and organizations that has been impacting my time/space continuum. (I don't know if I really just said something in those two sentences but it sure impressed the heck out of me!). I picture all these connections meeting at a pinpoint on the horizon -- but that point is so small right now that I simply do not know what God is cooking up for me. And then, maybe I'm just being egocentric and it's not about me at all. I'm just trying to be patient in waiting for Him to reveal His will.