Our Prayers Represent What We Say and Who We Are

I believe that our emotions belong in our prayers. “If we are without human feelings we cannot love God in the way in which we are meant to love him-as human beings” written by Thomas Merton. Our prayers represent not just what we say, but who we are with their intricate longings and feelings. When we are close to someone, even when that someone is God, we will run through a range of emotion. To think that prayer should be a monotone patter will rob it of its power. Psalms is a witness of dazzling emotional tapestry. A wide range of feelings accompanies our walk with God. We can be real with Him by exulting Him with adoration, bowing our heads in repentance or intently, urgently submit our petitions to Him when we seek His face when we pray.

Hillsongs – Here I Am To Worship

Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of life spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me
King of all days, oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above, humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross

Prayer Is An Adventure

Life with God is beyond predicting or imaging. The dictionary defines an “adventure” as being a bold and unusually risky undertaking. This is what we may feel instinctively about prayer. However, it should be more intriguing to us as well as make sense to us that our Heavenly Father can turn our conception of prayer upside down. Prayer puts us into a relationship with God while guaranteeing us that we will be changed with each encounter. So, don’t hold back from the intimacy of praying with God, and all of the unpredictability of if its power. I’ve heard people say “Don’t pray for me anymore”, because they think when you do that, “things will only get worse”. Satan wants us to believe that if we “give up” or if trials get “too bad”, we will stop praying for others and they will loose hope. When we decided to follow Jesus He promised that He will never leave us stranded or the same. We can expect Him to lead us to places we would never go on our own. We can also expect times when we don’t know what is next. We follow “God Almighty” whose ways are beyond imagining. Who can say where He will take us or what He will do on our behalf?

“Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out”! Romans 11:33

God takes us on an “adventure” of exciting undertakings. He is beyond our predicting. Prayer is not boring. We need to seek God, especially when we think we want to be in control of our life to be safe, are deeper into ourselves, or want something more than His comfort. Prayer is larger than us and lifts our lives out of the natural into the supernatural towards what is God’s will is for our life. The constant is “God”. When we pray to Him and sense His presence we can’t help but want to be with Him. He patiently stands listening, and wants us to talk to Him.

Prayer: Lord your word says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Help us dear Heavenly Father in all our days to at least glimpse the wonders of your goodness and mercy.

Amen.

A New Beginning and a New Day Of Hope For All Of Us

It is a new beginning and a new day of hope for all of us, as I am sewing seeds offering my prayers and petitions to our Heavenly Father on your behalf.

Psalm 119:105 (New International Reader's Version)

105 Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.

Isaiah 61:10 (New International Version)

10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.




Sincerely,
Bonnie

A Tangible Evidence Of Prayer

What the Prayer Warrior Blog and Prayer Shaw Ministry Have In Common

A prayer shawl is hand made with love and care and provides tangible evidence that someone is praying for those who are in need of prayer. It serves as a comforting reminder and mantle that you are not alone no matter what!!! Each stitch is a prayer petitioned to our Heavenly Father by the person making the shawl for the recipient who will receive it......For we all know that God is the only one who can perform miracles in our life. The prayer shawl is His way of witnessing to others that someone that might not even know them is praying for them and cares for them very much. They can be used as God’s coverings when the world around us seems cold, as an arm around us when we need it most, a hug to wrap us with loving care, a comforting touch we need when we are feeling down, a prayer we can feel to bring us comfort and a gentle reminder of how much we are loved.

Jesus prayed that we may all be one and that we are in Him and our Lord, our Heavenly Father so that the world may believe that God has sent Him. His prayer is that we may be brought to complete unity to let the world know that we are not alone no matter what, and that God sent Him and loves us even as He loves Him.

John 17:20-26 (New International Version)

Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Sincerely,
Bonnie

Christ's Character Traits For Our Life

Dear gracious Lord, Jesus, You have told us that we are a branch connected to You. You as the vine of virtue for our life will emulate Your character upon us. May we dedicate this day to live as Your branch for the flow of Your Spirit through us. Apart from You, we can accomplish nothing of lasting significance. We ask that You distinguish us with the fruit of Your Spirit, a cluster of divinely inspired, imputed and induced traits of Your nature reproduced in us. Your love encourages us with security; Your joy uplifts us with exuberance; Your peace floods our heart with serenity; Your patience calms our agitation over difficult people and pressured schedules; Your kindness enables us to deal with our own and other people’s shortcomings; Your goodness challenges us to make a renewed commitment to absolute integrity; Your faithfulness produces trustworthiness that makes us more dependable; Your gentleness reveals the might of true meekness; that humbly draws on Your power; Your Lordship gives us self-control because we have accepted Your control over our lives.

My prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, may you be the mighty God that lives in us as You manifest in us what you want to express through us. And, may you make us strong through tough times Amen

John 15:5-17 (New International Reader's Version)
5 "I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains joined to me, and I to him, he will bear a lot of fruit. You can't do anything without me. 6 If anyone does not remain joined to me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and dries up. Branches like those are picked up. They are thrown into the fire and burned.
7 "If you remain joined to me and my words remain in you, ask for anything you wish. And it will be given to you. 8 When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are my disciples.
9 "Just as the Father has loved me, I have loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. In the same way, I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy will be in you. I also want your joy to be complete.
12 "Here is my command. Love each other, just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 "I do not call you servants anymore. Servants do not know their master's business. Instead, I have called you friends. I have told you everything I learned from my Father.
16 "You did not choose me. Instead, I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit. It is fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.
17 "Here is my command. Love each other”.

Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Reader's Version)
22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful 23 and gentle and having control of oneself”.

Prayer Is Not Mysterious

No mysterious etiquette is necessary to open up the rich joys of prayer. The desire to pray itself is all we need to start.

Augustine once wrote, “We approach God through love, not navigation”.

It is not through charts, lists and abstracts, but with a simple, willing heart. In our seeking we will be found. In our reaching we will be met. Prayer begins with whoever we are, wherever we may be, as well as whatever we can give. Talking to God as simple as it can lead to a relationship beyond what we ever could think possible.

My prayer is: Help us Lord to turn toward you, and in our turning, find that you have turned toward us all along. Amen

“Lord you stir (us) to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you”. Augustine

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matt 6:8

God's Hand Is Upon Our Shoulders

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your hand upon our shoulders assuring us of Your presence and reminding us of your power. Your hand of comfort tells us that You will be with us regardless of what happens today. You are calling us to be “aye ready” servants who received from You our orders of the day. With your hand You have taken hold of us and give us the courage to dare to take action. We trust that you will alert us to what may be less than that is Your best for us, or our loved ones and friends. As we know your faithfulness fails not; and meets the problems of today Your fresh anointing for each step of the way gives us the confidence to press forward. We know that Your hand is upon our shoulders so we will not waiver; You are our Lord and Savior. Amen

Luke 13:30 (New International Version)
30 "Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."

Deuteronomy 28:12-14 (New International Version)
12 "The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them”.

An Astonishing Life

All life is a successive series of astonishments with what Christ is able and ready to do through intervening love. His “Lo, I am with you always” becomes the basis of a sensitized recognition of His breakthrough into our problems. When we least expect it, He is there. When we are not aware of His presence, He gives us what we need. There are times when the language of the old gospel song alone suffices --- “Hallelujah! What a Savior!” All life is alive with Christ. An outward evidence of the indwelling of Christ is the ability constantly to be astonished at what He is up to in our lives. As bored, bland, un-praiseworthy, un-amazed Christians we become a contradiction of the term. My prayer is, “O Christ, keep us sensitive to see You alive in the world around us, active in the lives of people and abundant in unexpected blessings”.

“The Everlasting Mercy”
The station brook, to my new eyes
Was babbling out of Paradise.
The waters rushing from the rain
Were singing Christ has risen again.
I thought all earthy creatures knelt
From rapture of joy I felt.
By: John Masefield

We Need To Watch and Pray

We need to watch and pray in order to be ready for the final day. Jesus tells us that it will come unexpectedly like a thief in the night.

Mark 13:32-34 (New International Version)
32"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert[a]! You do not know when that time will come. 34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch”.

Mark 13:32-34 (King James Version)
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch”.

Mark 13:32-34 (American Standard Version)
32 “But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 It is as when a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch”.

Mark 13:32-34 (Amplified Version)
32”But of that day or that hour not a [single] person knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man already going on a journey; when he leaves home, he puts his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and he gives orders to the doorkeeper to be constantly alert and on the watch”.

Mark 13:32-34 (Message Version)
32-37"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don't know the timetable. It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don't want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I'm saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch."

God Can Turn Our Broken Moments Into Hope

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word”. II THESSALONIANS 2:16-17)

Are you wondering if there is any hope? Do you feel trapped in impossible situations? Do you feel like banging against your circumstances? Well let me tell you what I know to be true: God is up to something great! It's true! He has a great plan for every person's life. I hope you believe that. His plans and purposes for us is about more than just trudging through the days, wondering, “Is there really any hope”? “Do I have a purpose”? God’s word is for people who have made big mistakes, and who have seen every ray of sunshine turn into clouds of rain. It is for people with broken dreams and lingering disappointments... people whose hope and sense of purpose, despite their best efforts, have been dashed to the ground.

Hope is not the absence of despair. It is the presence of something far greater, something only God can give. Hope is not passive. It is the most active force in the world because it is derived from God our Heavenly Father. It's real, and it is never more than a moment away. With hope comes purpose. Through His magnificent grace, God can take the good, the bad, and the ugly experiences in our lives and use them to make us unbelievably better at what He has created us for. That's what's so amazing about God! He can take all those experiences and use them for our own good or the good of someone else. In God's economy all is redeemed and nothing is ever lost. He takes the good things that we fondly remember most, the bad things we would like to forget, and those things that have shaped us into people we didn't start out to be. He uses them to make possible His individual purpose for each and every one of us.

As Job said to God:
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of your can be thwarted." (JOB 42:2)
We need to trust that God is able to take and make whatever He wills of our lives. He takes whatever and whomever He needs to help us become our best possible selves. If God couldn't take us and break us, He couldn't pull us back from the jaws of hell and turn lives of waste into lives full of meaning. He takes our strengths, our weaknesses, our mistakes and our bad choices and uses them for His purpose as well as for our benefit to instruct, strengthen, sanctify and refine us for His Holy purposes! If we made mistakes God can take them and turn them into miracles. Seek God's mercy. Give Him your lemons and let Him make lemonade. If we let Him work, God doesn't waste a thing. And if we give Him the chance, He certainly won't waste us... He's in the business of turning our yesterdays into better tomorrows.

My prayer today: Lord let us stand in attention before Thee. If our mind or thoughts need to be changed, perform this miracle and not only tell us what to do, what to say, and where to go, but please help us, and show us the way if things go wrong today. Dear Lord, help us not to sulk as a child or to be stubborn in any of our ways, but to be Christ like even if others misunderstand. Help us to see, Dear Father, that the 'Blessed Hope' of thy Sons coming is a perpetual light on our pilgrim pathway that makes the present bearable...and that the dark and mysterious now will be made plain when the lost chords of life will be found in that moment when we shall see His face. Amen

God Knew Us Before We Were Ever Born

Our Heavenly Father, God cares so much about us; "He knit us together in our mother's womb". We need to be aware that God loves us very much and that He knew us before we were ever born. He is all-seeing, all-knowing, all powerful, and everywhere present. God knows us. God is with us, and His greatest gift is to allow us us know Him.

13) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139 - David A Psalm

1) You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 2) You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3) You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4) Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. 5) You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11) If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12) even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17) How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18) Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand — when I awake, I am still with you. 19) If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 20) They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21) Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 22) I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24) See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Note: The blanket pictured in today's blog has been crocheted for an infant that is very ill. Although you may not know this little one, I ask that you lift this little angel up in prayer today.

Sincerely, Bonnie

God's Rainbow In The Sky

Thanks Cil Brown for the beautiful "rainbow" colors of yarn that I received in the mail yesterday from you.("But when you think the sun isn't going to shine anymore, God puts a rainbow in the sky. And the rainbow is starting to show. The rain clouds are blowing away, the storm is gone and the sun is going to shine." As quoted by Dr. Patricia Gruits - Prophesy Jan 8, 2001).

For someone I have never known, spoken to or have ever seen the Lord has blessed me and the Prayer Shawl Ministry dearest Cil with your donation. Your obenience in sharing this yarn with us will surely made a difference in someone's life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely - Bonnie

Prayer

When we weave the habit of prayer into the very fabric of our days, we invite God to become a partner in every aspect of our lives. As we consult God we benefit from His wisdom, strength and love. Instead of turning things over to our minds, today let’s try to turn them over to God in prayer. Let’s decide to allow God to lead the way instead of worrying about out next decision. We need to pray constantly about things great and small and know that God is listening and wants to hear from us.

Don’t be overwhelmed…..take it one day and one prayer at a time. --- Stormie Omartian

A Prayer

Lord, your holy word commands us to pray without ceasing. When we are discouraged, let us pray. When we are lonely, let us take our sorrows to you. When we grieve let us take our tears to you, Lord in prayer. When we are joyful let us offer up thanksgiving. In all things great and small, at all times, whether happy or sad, may we rejoice as we seek Your wisdom and Your Grace…..in prayer.

--Amen

Matt 21:22 NIV
Luke 21:36 KJV
Phil 4:6 NIV
2 Chron 7:14 NIV

Praying to God - Prayer Basics

1. God wants to hear from us.
2. God wants to speak to us.
3. We need to ask and not demand.
4. It is important to remember to say “thank you”.
5. We pray to God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
6. God wants to speak to us conversationally from our heart,
and not as a formula or ritual.

Praying without ceasing “1 Thes 5:17" means:
1. Cultivating a continual acknowledgement of God’s presence.
2. Open heart dialog.
3. Chanting, thanking, praising as well as acting.

God’s “No”
1. Isn’t punishment – it is preparation.
2. Will sometimes bring greater glory to God.
3. Opens doors to an adventure with God.
4. Is not rejection, but redirection.

Don’t get discouraged when you think God says no, because He may just be saying nothing at all. When we pray we need to keep in mind that it is God’s timing and His will but not our own that impacts our lives.

Song : I Love You Lord Lyrics by Laurie Klein

I love, Lord, and I lift my voice
to worship you.
O my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, my King, in what you hear:
may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.

Prayer Shawls Received on Peru Mission/The Shoe Man

The mission was indeed successful. We saw 485 patients, supplying treatments, medication, clothing and prayers. The Peruvian people are so thankful for all that we do. Attached are pictures of two of those receiving your shawls. I took them with my camera. The first one is a missionary couple. They were so happy to be selected. The second is a mother and her baby. The shawls and the people who received them were prayed over. (Thanks Margaret for assisting me with my mission of distributing shawls created to honor God and offer hope through the Prayer Shawl Ministry).



The Shoe Man

I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat............... in a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer.......... as I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side....... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... but it didn't bother him much.
A prayer began: 'Our Father'............. I thought, 'This man with the shoes has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched. even worse, there are holes on the side!'
'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.
The shoe man said............... a quiet 'Amen.'
I tried to focus on the prayer....... but my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking through that door?
'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended........... and the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud..... sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters........ his hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear the shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering...... and what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached.... into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out............ what the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft 'clink' as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me......... to tears, and that's no lie.
It was the same for the shoe man...for tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service...... as is the custom here.
We must greet new visitors and show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow................ and wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer......... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark..... and his hair was truly a mess.
But I thanked him for coming......... for being our guest.
He said, 'My names' Charlie............ I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'
There were tears in his eyes........ but he had a large, wide grin.
'Let me explain,' he said.......... wiping tears from his eyes.
'I've been coming here for months.... and you're the first to say 'Hi.''
'I know that my appearance.........is not like all the rest”.
'But I really do try.................to always look my best.'
'I always clean and polish my shoes..before my very long walk’.
'But by the time I get here.........they're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'
My heart filled with pain.......... and I swallowed to hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize........ for daring to sit so near.
He said, 'When I get here...........I know I must look a sight”.
'But I thought if I could touch you..then maybe our souls might unite.'
I was silent for a moment........... knowing whatever was said.
Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.
'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......and taught me, in part”;
'That the best of any man............is what is found in his heart.'
The rest, I thought,.................. this shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am...that his dirty old shoe touched my soul.
(Thanks Dan for forwarding this to me today).

The Prayer Celine Dinon With Andrea Brocelli for You Pastors Rick & Susan Ross

I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

La luce che tu hai
I pray we'll find your light
nel cuore restera
and hold it in our hearts.
a ricordarci che
When stars go out each night,
eterna stella sei

The light you have
I pray we'll find your light
will be in the heart
and hold it in our hearts
to remember us that
When stars go out each night,
you are eternal star
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
quanta fede c'e
when shadows fill our day

How much faith there's
Let this be our prayer
in my prayer
when shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza
un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace, di fraternita

We dream a world without violence
a world of justice and faith.
Everyone gives the hand to his neighbors
Symbol of peace, of fraternity
La forza che ci da
We ask that life be kind
e il desiderio che
and watch us from above
ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
intorno e dentro se
another soul to love

The force his gives us
We ask that life be kind
is wish that
and watch us from above
everyone finds love
We hope each soul will find
around and inside
another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer, just like every child

Need to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Need to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

E la fede che
hai acceso in noi,
sento che ci salvera

It's the faith
you light in us
I feel it will save us

How Can I Keep Faith While Waiting On God To Answer Prayer?

Growing up, I often asked myself impatiently, “How can I keep faith while waiting on God to answer prayers?” As I have grown older (and hopefully wiser), God has shown me through His Word how to wait on His timing. Only God can see the big picture. He has planned out everything to intertwine perfectly in the end. Part of His plan includes working through our prayers. We pray, yet we doubt He hears us. He has promised, however, to hear His children. Although He hears us, He doesn’t always give the response we expect or the answer on our timetable. In God’s eyes, it is only a breath. "His time is not our time"2 Peter 3:8. When waiting on God to answer prayers, we must believe God will answer. Not believing is the biggest obstacle to overcome in praying and waiting. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, "for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind" James 1:6-7. While waiting on God to answer prayers, take a look at your blessings. Are you breathing? Then, rejoice in life! Do you see the blue sky or even a cloudy one? Honor God for the ability to see. Can you hear the sound of the wind blowing through the trees or a child laughing? Praise God for hearing! We need to turn the wait into a treasure hunt for the blessings that we often take for granted. Keep a prayer journal, listing all your prayers with the date of request. Often lift up the requests to God, and record the date you received the answer. Never forget that answers come in God’s time -- not ours. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has promised His children a hopeful future. Rest in God’s faithfulness for He surely will answer you according to His will.

Let Us Pray That We Encourage Others With Our Words

Eph 4:29 NIV "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen".

1Peter 5:2 NIV "Feed the flock of God which is among you..."

Prov 12:18 NIV "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing".

Words. Do we fully understand their power? Can any of us really grasp the mighty force behind the things we say? De we stop and think before we speak, considering the potency of the words we utter? (Joni Eareckson Tada)

Think…..pause….then speak: How wise are we to communicate in this fashion? All too often in the rush to have our messages heard, we speak first and think later….with unfortunate results. We need to seek to encourage all who enter our path and measure our words carefully. Our words will offer encouragement to others when we speak wisely and not impulsively.

My prayer:
Dear Father, make us encouragers. You lifted us up so let us also lift others in the spirit of encouragement and hope. Today let us help others find the strength and the courage to use their gifts according to your master plan. Amen

I Pray That The Holy Spirit Renews Our Mind Every Day

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

8”Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”.

Only God has the power to control the future and bring transformation out of what has happened in our lives.

Questions:
What’s going on? How do I feel about it? Do I want to change? Do I have control over the situation?

We need to turn our worries into prayers. When worry enters our mind we need to decide that instead of worrying – we will pray about it, praying as often as we think about what is troubling us. Not like worry, prayer actually accomplishes something positive. We need to discipline our mind – and pay attention to what we are choosing to think about then, decide to think about what is true, good, right, pure, beautiful, and praiseworthy. When we read God’s word it saturates our mind with the right kind of thought. Praying for the courage to face our problems instead of running from them, and being honest about what choices we made that have contributed to our anxiety or depression will help us to grow. Giving our troubling circumstances to God and trusting Him to handle them according to what He thinks is best for us while exercising discernment and wisdom strengthens us. As we practice letting go of what we can not change and change what we can and pray about things out of our control we will begin to trust God more and more. Directing our energy away from the anxiety and depression and towards solutions to our problems to take action towards solutions will help us enjoy seeing the progress we made. Looking for meaning in our suffering and asking God how we can grow as a person in our suffering will help us see how we can use what we have learned from others and help those who are suffering in similar ways.

Questions:
How do I feel? What has happened to me? How can I get some help? How can I make a positive change in my situation? How can I learn from this? How can I change my attitude? How can I help someone else who is suffering?

Praying for the right prospective and asking God to give us His prospective of the situation will provide faith to trust Him that the outcome will be for His glory as well as for our benefit.

I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard,
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word.

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame,
I know you wouldn’t mind,
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He’d be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.

(Author unknown)

God bless you today and always,
From my heart to yours - Bonnie

Who Is God?

He is Knowable.
God, who created the universe in all of its magnitude and creative details, is able to be known, by us. He tells us about Himself, but even goes beyond that. He welcomes us into a relationship, so that we personally can get to know Him. Not only can we know about Him, we can know Him, intimately.

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

He is Approachable.
God invites us to talk to Him and engage Him in what concerns us. We don't have to get our act together first. Neither do we need to be polite, theologically correct or holy. It is His nature to be loving and accepting when we go to Him.

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." (Psalms 145:18)

He is Creative.
Everything we make is put together with existing materials or built on previous thoughts. God has the capacity of speaking things into existence, not just galaxies and life forms, but solutions to today's problems. God is creative, for us. His power is something He wants us to be aware of and to rely on.

"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." (Psalms 147:5)

"...where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalms 121:1,2)

He is Forgiving.
We sin. We tend to do things our way instead of God's way. And He sees it and knows it. God does not merely overlook such sin, but is prepared to judge and condemn people for their sin. However, God is forgiving and will forgive us from the moment we begin a relationship with Him. Jesus, the Son of God, paid for our sin with His death on a cross. He rose from the dead and offers us this forgiveness.

"We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done... We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing His life for us." (Romans 3:22,25)

He is Honest.
Just like a person who lets you know their thoughts and feelings, God clearly tells us about Himself, the possible difference being, He is always honest. Everything He says about Himself, or about us, is reliable information. Truer than our feelings, thoughts, and perception, God is totally accurate and honest in what He says. Every promise He makes to us can be fully counted on, He means it. We can take Him at his word.

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalms 119:130,105)

He is Capable.
How would you like to be always 100% right, about everything? God is. His wisdom is unlimited. He understands all the elements of a situation, including the history and future events related to it. We do not have to update Him, counsel Him or persuade Him to do the right thing. He will, because He is capable and His motives are pure. If we trust Him, He will never make a mistake, never undercut us or deceive us. He can be fully trusted to do what is right, in all circumstances, at all times.

"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame..." (Psalms 25:3)

No matter what happens in the world or in our own individual lives, is there a place to turn for stability? Can we look toward the future with hope, regardless of life's and the world's circumstances? These days many people are seeing the value of God as their constant. The world around us is ever-changing, but God does not change. He is steady and reliable.

He says, "Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. For I, the Lord, do not change." God is always there. He can be counted on. He is "the same yesterday and today, and forever." And God can make Himself known, giving us a peace of mind through Him, setting our hearts securely at rest.

Pray That You Might Discern Right From Wrong

"that you may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Phil 1:9-11

May we all learn to pray that God brings to us insight of what is right and what is wrong, good, bad, vital and trivial. I pray that God gives each of us moral discernment to maintain our Christian values.

God's Grace and Mercy

1Peter 1:3-7

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

In our time of weakness and when we are most vonerable we need to remember that God is faithful. His grace and mercy sustains us. They are the strength that God gives us to take it through it.


Pastor Derrick Ross "Grace is geeting what we don't deserve, and mercy is not getting we we don't deserve". "Jesus Christ is not our last hope, He is our only hope".

Enter God's Sanctuary

I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I........
Ps73:17

Oh, blessed life - the soul that soars,
When sense of motrtal site is dim,
Beyond the sense - beyond to Him,
Within the sanctuary doors.

God's presence is our source of joy, peace, security and salvation.

Prayer is not Discriminatory And Empowers Our Life

Prayer is not discriminatory and empowers our life. Having a relationship with our Holy Father as well as having a personal communication with Him allows Him access to our inner most feelings. Jesus promises to us are love, healing, and peace with God. Our relationship and prayer life with God changes meaningless, frustrating labor into spiritual productivity and purpose.

Matt 11:28-30 NIV tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

God tells us to "Come to me, "all" you who are weary and burdened". Finding “rest for our souls” comes from our communication and relationship with Him. “He is gentle and humble in heart”.

Praying Prepares Us To Listen To God's Voice

Prayer as in the New Combined Bible Dictionary and Concordance is "man's communication with his creator, the highest expression of man's religious nature. From the beginning of the Bible to the end, prayer plays a major role".

As human beings we have become accustomed to complaining about our problems instead of praying. By rearranging our problems and some thought patterns some problems can be solved. With good counsel and discussion some others can be solved. But, there are other problems that can only be solved by prayer. Instead of complaining we need to earnestly pray. Complaining only raises the level of undue stress in our lives. When we pray our emotions and thoughts are at rest. Praying prepares us to listen to God's voice.

Look To God In Prayer

Sometimes we feel that our problems will keep us from God. He is always ready to listen to us. Although our crisis makes us feel confused, afraid and without hope, we should never allow fear to keep us from approaching Him. The next time you feel this way look at your situation from Jesus' point of view. He is our source for all hope and promise. (Gen)

Will God Answer Your Prayer?

For those who know him and rely on him, Jesus seems to be wildly generous in his offer:

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." To "remain" in Him and have His words remain in us means we conduct our lives aware of Him, relying on Him, listening to what He says. Then we are able to ask him whatever we want.

Here is another qualifier:

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us -- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of Him."

God answers our prayers according to His will (and according to His wisdom, His love for us, His holiness, etc.).

Where we mess up is when we assume we know God's will, because certain things make sense to us. We assume that there is only one right "answer" to a specific prayer, assuming certainly THAT it would be God's will for us. This is where it gets tough. We allow ourselves to live within the limits of our time and the limits of our knowledge. With only limited information about a situation and the implications of future action on that situation we don't see that God's understanding is unlimited. How an event plays out in the course of our life or in history is only something He knows. He may have a purpose far beyond what we could ever imagine.

God is not going to do something simply because we determine that it must be His will. He does it because He determines what it best for our lives.

What About "Unanswered Prayer"?

Prayer is like the dove that Noah sent forth, which blessed him not only when it returned with an olive-leaf in its mouth, but when it never returned at all.

People get sick, even die; financial problems are real, and all sorts of very difficult situations can come up. What then? God tells us to give our concerns to him. Even as the situation remains dismal, "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." The circumstances may look out of control, but they aren't. When the whole world seems to be falling apart, God can keep us together. This is when a person can be very grateful that they know God. "The Lord is near. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God may provide solutions, resolutions to the problem WAY beyond what you imagined possible. All Christians can list examples like this in their own lives. If the circumstances do not improve, God can still give us his peace in the midst of it. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
It is at this point (when circumstances are still tough) that God asks us to continue to trust him -- to "walk by faith, not by sight" the Bible says. But it's not blind faith. It is based on the very character of God. A car traveling on the Golden Gate Bridge is fully supported by the integrity of the bridge. It doesn't matter what the driver may be feeling, or thinking about, or discussing with someone in the passenger seat. What gets the car safely to the other side is the integrity of the bridge, which the driver was willing to trust. In the same way, God asks us to trust his integrity, his character...his compassion, love, wisdom, righteousness on our behalf. He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." "Trust in him at all times, "O people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us."

Put On The Armor Of God

Ephesians 6:10-19 (New Living Translation)

The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d]

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[e]

Praying Thanking God For The Opportunities To Grow

In suffering we experience difficulties that build our character and make us grow. The problems we face develop our perseverance – which will strengthen our character and deepen our trust in the Lord. In prayer thank God for those opportunities to grow, and allow Him to help you in dealing with them in His strength. Rom 5:3-4