Prayer the gate

You Can Do It

January 11th, 2010

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

Posted in Petition, Prayer | 6 Comments »

The Spirit Within Us

January 7th, 2010

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

Posted in Conversation, Petition, Prayer | 1 Comment »

Opportunity

January 3rd, 2010

It feels like a fresh, wholesome, exciting opportunity. What does? This New Year.

Holy and amazing God, thank you for this New Year and the blessing it brings to each of us. Let us recognize opportunities to grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. Let us recognize and act on the chance to be generous to all we know and see.

I pray for each of you to have a fantastic 2010. May God shower you with his rich blessings and may he speak to you and hold you in his love. Thank you for reading this blog. I appreciate your comments and thoughts more than you know.

I have launched another blog called Fast300Meals. I am beginning a journey to fast 300 meals in 365 days. It is a spiritual and physical journey.

Posted in Blessing, Fasting, Prayer | 5 Comments »

Press On, Stay Focused, Take a Risk

December 30th, 2009

: Photo by Rudy Matthiesen

Significant things are not accomplished by getting distracted. Sometimes the road twists and turns and the path is not quite so clear. But without a vision or hope, people perish. And many great works have changed the world when someone was willing press on, to look fear straight in the eye and take a risk.

The key is to not do too many things at one time. To move to a life of significance, we must focus on one thing at a time. Big dreams, daring adventures, exciting lives are available to us as we seek a higher purpose.

Multi tasking is over rated. I don’t believe we multi task well. There are a few involuntary actions like breathing we do while doing other things. Some tasks require different skills, so we can walk and talk at the same time. In reality it is a matter of quickly changing focus. Do it a bunch of times and you don’t even remember what the most important task was.

The problem I find in myself is, if I am not quite sure the next step on my significant task, then I distract myself so I don’t have to continue to step forward. I look through a cookbook, or call someone. “Hi there, no, nothing new. Just checking in to see how you are doing?” And the big important thing vaporizes at that point.

We want our lives to count for something. We know we are capable of being a positive change for good. We could leave this world a better place. The clock is ticking. We are aware of it most at the close of a year. How can we make the coming year count? What significant action could be part of our higher awareness, our higher calling?

I pray for guidance to contribute that thing that is my own special gift. I pray you find yours. Let us then press on toward the goal, stay focused and enjoy lives of great significance, not by adding things to our list; but by focusing on what is important.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Take a risk. Make 2010 an amazing year because you are part of this great adventure called life.

Posted in Rejoice, purpose | 4 Comments »

Weary With Sorrow

December 28th, 2009

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28

Heavenly Father, winter can be a cold a dark time of year in many places in the world. Help us to find time to nurture our spirits and live in joy and light. I pray for those everywhere who suffer from depression, sadness, grief. Lift their spirits. I pray for those who need to know the joy of the LORD is their strength. Strengthen each of us according to your word. The light of the world has come. Guide us, and let us each shine the light. Thank you God. Amen

Posted in grief, purpose, rest | No Comments »

Relationships

December 21st, 2009

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Heavenly Father, As we gather together this year to celebrate the holidays, we ask your blessings on the relationships we have with others. Help us let go of the stress and hold onto the joy of being with our friends and our families.

We may not all think alike, or believe the same things. We may hold different values. We may have old resentments and anger in relationships. Help us let go of our anger. Help us find love and acceptance for those we will spend time with. Let us find common ground. Let us bring out the best in each other during this holy and sacred time.

Let there be peace and glad tidings across the entire world. Thank your for hearing this prayer. Thank your for sending your son. Amen