Refreshed by the Dew of His Presence

In her very helpful devotional, Jesus Calling, Sara Young, opens a reading with the sentence, "Let the dew of My Presence refresh your mind and heart.  Those words grabbed me and have fallen on me over the past two days, which have since included my resilient enegy and plans for the week getting flattened by a virus, and two people in my life receiving devastating news about their health.  Now my illness is obviously a minor thing, and I will most likely be bouncing around before school resumes next week.  However, my high school friend, who went to the doctor for a sore arm Friday and lays now in an induced coma to study a massive brain tumor, has less hopeful news.  My brother-in-law reels from the knowledge that after extensive chemotherapy and radiation, his previously low cancer indicators are not holding.  "Let the dew of My Presence refresh your mind and heart."

As I delve into the scripture behind Sara Young's words, I find Psalm 46:10.  "He says, 'Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 
1Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace."

I am left holding the prayers for others, not solely for their physical healing, but for their hearts and minds.  For peace.  Life surprises us....throws us a curve.....catches us off guard.  "Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted."  When we get down off of the big chair of our plans, we learn that God's plans for us include stillness, a refreshed heart and mind, and peace out of disorder. We feel His presence, and we begin again to exhalt Him.  We praise Him for His Holy Grace in our lives and for every hue of His creation. He is the Truth for all time.  The living waters of our soul.  Lord, let the dew of your presence fall on me, and those I pray for.  Refresh my heart and mind. Create peace where there is disorder.  Let the dew of your presence wash over my mind and heart.  In His precious name, Amen.

Answer to Prayer

Prayer is an important part of my life as a Christian, and I have had a passion for intercessory prayer for many years. My time in prayer for others is precious and important to me, and I love the connection it brings with God and with those I pray for.  Many prayers over time have been answered!  I am always so grateful and give God the praise for His loving care and specific answers.  However, there have been a few times, when I have fervently and boldly prayed to God on behalf of another, expectantly, and the prayer does NOT seem to be answered.  I say seem to be only because I do not have the mind of God, and I do not have the ability to know His plans.  But I can say the disappointment in each case of loss was huge, and therefore very confusing to me.  But I push on, knowing that God is Good, and I must obediently trust in Him.

Recently I have been interested in a bit of writing by E. M. Bounds, who is evidently, since his death, known for his amazing prayer life. He writes: "To God and to man, the answer to prayer is the all-important part of our praying. It proves that God lives, that there is a God, an intelligent being, who is interested in His creatures, and who listens to them when they approach Him in prayer."

 

If this is so, then I am all the more confused about what to do with "unanswered" prayer.  The Bible holds the truth, so we can turn to it to point us back to the truth.  Though confusion remains in my mind, the point is that God is sovereign.  We are to trust and obey, worship, pray, and give thanks.

These scriptures from John command us to boldly approach God in prayer:

 

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

 John 14:13

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."

John 15:16

"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

 John 16:23

SO, for you, and to those for whom I hold on my prayer list, I boldly approach the throne of God to ask for prayers to be answered, in the name of Jesus Christ, for healing for you, in body and soul. I pray for physical healing, emotional healing, and for a keen sense of God in your life.  I pray for jobs, I pray for right relationships, and I pray for release from grief.  I pray for you and for your children.  May God be the center of your life, and may you find your utmost joy in Him.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

I Praise You, for You are With Me

Genesis 39:20 But while Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹ the Lord was with him; he showed him steadfast love, and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."

Father God, you are so faithful.  Your love for us knows no bounds.  Like Joseph, your steadfast love is with us forever.  No matter what our circumstances, you are beside us, walking us through your plan. We cannot see the end of the story, but you are the trusted director of our lives.  How I praise you!  I am so grateful today, for your invitation to be your daughter.  I thank you that my eyes have been opened to you.  I am in awe of your love for me, so undeserved.  I am grateful for this day....for time spent with you, for sunshine, for buds on the plants, for friends, for precious family.  Your blessings on my life cannot be counted.  Even during unexpected trials, you are there..comforting, caring, smoothing the way, and preparing me for what is to come. I am yours.  Claimed.  Sealed in your love, through the power of Jesus Christ.  Your gift of unparalled mercies. How I thank you!  During times of joy, you are smiling down on me, encouraging the gratefulness and the sharing of your love out into my world. Thank you, Father.  Thank you!  In the name of Jesus.  Amen

New Year to Share God's Love

On Sunday, our  pastor helped us reflect on the past and the coming New Year with his sermon “Everlasting.”   The word is found primarily in the Old Testament, and is equivalent to the New Testament word, Eternal.  However, the two have different connotations.  While eternal  has a linear quality, as in a time that never stops, everlasting is far reaching, outside of time altogether.  God is everlasting.  If God is everlasting, therefore so are his attributes and promises, giving us great comfort. 

Lord God, what we ultimately need from you is this promise that you will be our dwelling place…everlasting…both from outside of time, and right into our moments.  As Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah all experienced God’s everlasting love and faithfulness, this love from outside of time came down to us as Jesus Christ,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, God With Us. Our hearts are full of gratitude.

And in very individual ways, Lord, you have shown your love and faithfulness to us.  Give us a thirst to take time to reflect on the ways you have been with us in this past year.  These precious remembrances give us the hope and expectancy of your presence with us in the coming year.  We give thanks for the remarkable ways you make yourself know to us, and we pray we will see you at work in our lives. 

Father God, as we begin the New Year, help us invite you in, to be with us in our ordinary moments, our significant moments, and in the unexpected.  You have claimed us for your own, and given us the wisdom, heart and character of Jesus Christ, your only Son.  Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help us shine this everlasting love out into our world, wherever we are, so the world will see and know that to know you, is to be Loved.  In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Advent

Holy Father God, God of the most high, Everlasting God, Lord of peace, Faithful Provider, Abba-Daddy – 

You, who formed us in our mother’s womb, who called us by name, and who commands our every breath. You alone are worthy, and How we love to worship you during this joyful time of year. 

Lord we thank you for your Word, especially during this Advent season. As we read and drink in the story of Joseph, a righteous man, give us a thirst to listen, trust, and obey as He did.  Like us, he loved you, and had his own plans.  Lord, He allowed Grace to interrupt.  He listened to your voice, he received the words, and obeyed all that you commanded.  And, Lord he obeyed again and again as he kept his ear to your voice, so that your plans would be fulfilled.

Lord,  we are like Joseph and Mary. We are the common shepherd and we are the prideful king.  Let us hear your voice. Amidst all that we think we need to do this season, help us to open our eyes to the star that lights the way to our Savior’s face.

On our way, God with us, Grace will interrupt.   Let us feel the strength that only you can give, as we wait upon your guidance each day, and act …to reach out to the lonely, to lift up the downhearted, to touch the untouchable, and to give to the needy.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Prayer for Being in Community

Father God, there is no one like you.  Your power, your beauty, your faithfulness and grace bring us to our knees. We thank you for the opportunity to worship you.  We thank you for the gift of your own SON, Jesus Christ, who calls us friend and teaches us how to be a Godly neighbor.  We thank you for your Holy Spirit, sent to us to guide our way.

Yet… we go through our days forgetting to believe and failing to act upon our belief in what you can accomplish through our lives.  Forgive us. 

We lug unnecessary baggage into our opportunities to live in grace.  Forgive us for that, and help us to break through to freedom.

Out of fear and ignorance and lies of insecurity, we put up barriers to those who you name our brothers and sisters.  Forgive us and warm our hearts to melt the perceived differences.

 Greater things are meant to be done through us, here in our city, in our neighborhoods, in our church.  Give us a thirst for your word each day, so that as we go out…..we are first filled with you.  As we gaze upon our neighbors, may we see that we are gazing upon your children.  Urge us to pray for them and open our eyes to their needs. 

Lord as we work alongside others in our community, may our words and actions sing your praises.  Guide us to pray for our community leaders and for how we can lend a hand.  Greater things are still to be done here.

As our hearts overflow with your presence, Lord, light a fire in us to share our own story of your faithfulness in our life.  Give us the courage to take these small risks, as we learn to let ourselves trust you throughout the many moments of our day.  As we glimpse your Glory, our hearts overflow and our passion grows.  Father God, there is no one like you, and we praise your Holy Name.  Amen.

 

 

Change

The words of Mother Teresa of Avila linger in my mind this month:
"Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee:
All thing pass;
God never changes.
Patience attains
All that it strives for.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing:
God alone suffices."
Such wisdom, spoken so simply, yet the living out of these words requires great faith.  Lord, there are several people who sit in my heart as I reflect on change.  Some are dealing with change due to loss of a loved one or a relationship change.  Others are moving or looking forward into coming life changes. Some of us are left behind.  Whether it is good change, happy change, or sad change, it involves letting go, and that involves stress for us.  Looking into the unknown of the future is scary.  Father God, change is hard for us!  I pray that for each of us, the freshness of your spirit, the encouragement of your closeness to us, and your deep love will sustain us.  You invite us to cry out to you, "Abba! Father!" Then we wait. "We hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." We wait and hope with confidence. "And, God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, wo are called according to his purpose." And, Father, for this we give thanks!  We praise you and we glorify you.  We trust you, and rest in this trust.  You alone satisfy the needs of our hearts.  You seal our future. Thank you, Father!
(Scriptures from Romans 8:15-28)