Prayer: The Gate

Psalm 34:1 – 34:10

I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear it and rejoice.
O Magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried and the LORD heard him.
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the LORD, you his saints;
For to those who fear Him, there is no want.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger,
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Life has an ebb and flow.  There are definite seasons.  When I am overwhelmed or not in good spirits, I read the Psalms.  They bring great comfort.  Seek God, and call on him.  He is there for all of us.

Most gracious and Holy God.  You are my rock and my strength.  I stand in awe and in fear of the maker of heaven and earth; the most high God. 

I pray for those who feel they are without hope.  I pray they will seek you even in their despair.  I seek you now.   Fill me with grace and wisdom.  Your word says if I seek you I shall not want for any good thing.   I seek you, LORD.  Hear my prayer. 

This plan or strategy,  is specifically for a small neighborhood church.  It is grass roots and doesn’t require much of a budget.  I say much, because I think there are a few things you will need to obtain, to let people know about your church and its image.  You will need to prime the pump (so to speak).

I am a speaker, and visit many small churches throughout the year.  I  have been a member of a small church, also a medium size church (which are rare these days), and I have been on staff at a large church. 

There are phrases I hear over and over from church members in my travels.  There are things we speculate, some are right and some are not.  I will elaborate on a couple ideas we need to consider.  The numbered entries are the phrases I hear frequently, and the indented green copy is a result of my thoughts and research on the subject. (more…)

Flickr photo

God, we lift up the people of Haiti, placing them tenderly in your care.  We ask that an end is brought to the suffering.  We ask for strength, wisdom and a spirit of cooperation for them and the relief workers.

Let there be divine order and complete restoration for their lives there.  We ask for miracles of their behalf.

Guide them, keep them, comfort them, prosper them and build up their nation.  Let there be more than enough aid, medical care and supplies to sustain them.  Let the clean up and rebuilding get moving quickly.  Move the hearts of their neighbors to assist in the best possible way. Be with them, and all those who volunteer, donate, and pray for the people of Haiti.  Amen

Yes you can!

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Many of us begin the new year with the hope of changing something in our lives.  I want my life to improve in 2010.   My personal goal is to slim down and eat less.  We all have something, smoking, drinking, gossiping, overeating, wasting too much time on video games and Internet surfing, and countless other things.  Let he who is without sin toss the first rock.

The important thing to know is you can overcome.  You are more powerful than you realize.  What ever you want to do, do it today.  Just today.  Don’t even think about or worry about tomorrow.  Time is a finite resource.  How will we use it best today?

Holy God, our rock and our strength.  Help us to overcome the weakness of the flesh.  Give us courage to act, and fill our spirits with your breath and resolve. You have said that through Christ all things are possible.  You have given us authority to do many things.  You have said that both life and death are in the power of the tongue.  Let us choose life.  Let us find our stride and our courage.  Today we call on you and you hear our prayer and answer us.  Amen

Romans 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

 

There is a spirit within us that is never poor, yet I think sometimes we go hungry because we are afraid to ask for what we want. We fear we may be inadequate.  We fear there may be some powerful world-changing gift we have, and therefore we are responsible to utilize it.  Is there a huge audacious idea you caught a glimpse of that could make a positive impact on humanity? What holds us back?  What keeps us from acting on the large, or small important things?  Our fears.  What if we are wrong?  What if we fail?  We can’t see too far ahead. Usually that is a good thing.

 

Father God, guide our steps.  Help us live in faith.  Help us each to know we are capable of sharing the great and wonderful gifts you have given us.  We invite the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and connect us to you.  Let us each be a force for good.  Let us encourage each other and bring out the very best in all that surrounds us.  Amen

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Heavenly Father, Keep me in this present moment.  I draw strength from your redeeming love.  Let me overcome those old habits and ways I wish to change. Make me strong in spirit and body.  Allow me in this exact and present moment, to sow to the spirit and not to the flesh.  I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   I choose to stand on the word of God and to believe that what I pray for and ask in faith has come to pass. Fill me with your word and a faith that leads me through the valley of the shadow and into the light.  Amen