Prayer against discouragement

Happy Wednesday, faithful readers!

We're taking a very short bunny trail off the Lord's Prayer path today. It's come to our attention that many people are struggling against overwhelming discouragement. What an effective tool the enemy has developed against us! Discouragement, fear, strife. Fear is one of the most powerful motivators to stay where you are or to move from where you should be. Discouragement is another form of fear.

We're in battle. The field is your mind and the prize is your soul. Dramatic words perhaps, but no less real. How do we fight this battle? We pray. And pray and pray until we see a break in his assault. Satan quivers in fear when we go to our knees, or when we bow our heads, or anytime we reach out to the God of creation and begin talking with Him.

We want to reach out and lift you up, whatever your struggle. God says that whatever is not of faith is not from Him. Let's make a decision today to stop playing into the enemy's hand. We will live in faith. We will no longer bow to the voice that tells us we can not do it, or that it's pointless to go on, or that no one cares anyway. Tell that voice to be silent!

Father God, we pray protection over our hearts and minds. Silence the voice of the evil one and help us to realize that we have the almighty power of the Holy Spirit living in us. When we say, "Be still!" our adversary must be still in the name of Jesus. Help us realize that we have the victory of every blessing you bestow. You are kind, generous, compassionate, and full of love. Every good gift comes from You. We pray that Your blessings would rain down on us, drenching us with Your love and Your vision of us. Remind us to put on the full armor of God so we can continue this fight. We love You and thank You for hearing our prayer. Amen.

Don't give up the fight, dear ones. Don't let discouragement stop you from serving Him and doing what you know to be His calling. Write to us or leave a comment and tell us how you fight discouragement or fear.

Blessings on you today,
Shelley

Be Still and Know

Good morning prayers.  So sorry for the lack of activity on the blog, this is an exciting week for us.  We are attending our first event with the prayer beads and of course have lots of last minute details to firm up. 

This morning I was prompted to blog on the phrase Be still and know that I am God.  What exactly does it mean to know that He is God?  Maybe it is that the character of God does not change in times of great challenge and great joy.  There are many characteristics of God that we are familiar with but God is revealed in all of scripture in many ways that don't readily come to mind.  Scripture teaches that God is All-Powerful, All Knowing, All Caring, Exalted in the Heavens but it also teaches He is our shepherd, our nurturer, our justice, our hope, our provider, creator, gate to eternal life, light in the darkness......shall I go on??  There are references to God that are high and lofty and remind us of his kingly status, then there are references that make Him personal and present, and available to our everyday lives.    Psalm 46 starts out with the exclamation God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble; therefore we will not fear.   Let's call on the God who wants to personally touch us with compassion for our daily lives and ask him to open our hearts and minds to accept His nature of love toward us. 

Psalm 46:10
 “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

Father,
Draw us to a time of being still with you.  Bring peace to our hearts and open our minds to contemplate and rely on a characteristic of your nature that is new to our experience with you.  Thank you that we can know you more fully through scripture.  I pray that as we meditate on these thoughts today that you would reveal yourself to us in very specific ways to strengthen our hearts and our faith. 
In Jesus' name. 

Blessings,
Carol

Monday Prayer - My Light and My Salvation

“The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear.  The Lord is the strength of my life - of whom shall I be afraid.”  Psalm 27:1

I have prayed this verse many times since I first memorized Psalm 27 in my bible study group a number of years ago.  The Lord – MY light – yes, without him there is only darkness and fear inside of me.  The Lord – MY salvation – I have chosen Jesus the author and perfector of my faith!   YES, He is my hope and my life and I am especially confident of this fact when I live in these truths which dispel my fear and doubt. 

Whom shall I fear when the God of the Universe and His expression of love to the world in Jesus chooses to act in kindness towards me?  Human beings harbor many fears and I don’t know about you but when I dwell on my fears rather than on the proven truth in the Bible, my thoughts can easily turn my feelings to those of hopelessness. (Proven?  Yes, proven!!)    

The Lord is the strength of my life – when I am weak, then I am strong because HE is my strength for whatever lies ahead.  God works for the good of his people even during times that are difficult to bear.  I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Be strong and take heart, wait for the Lord

“Hear my voice when I call, O Lord, be merciful to me and answer me.   My heart says of you seek His face, your face Lord will I seek.”  Psalm 27:7-8

Father,
Please give hope to those of us who are struggling with fear and doubt in this earthly life. Help us to grasp your divine love and understand that your intentions toward us are for good.  Father, may we earnestly seek you in prayer to express our devotion and needs offering them as a fragrant sacrifice to You.  May we seek You in your Word asking for confidence in your character and for the increase of our faith unto strength. 
The world offers many options for relief from our pain and fear but we have proven time and again that they provide only a momentary hush from the voices within. Father you are proven to offer a peace that quiets all voices and all lies bringing us a hope that the world cannot experience outside of you.  May we seek you for a path and a peace we so desperately desire.
Father, I pray for those who either don’t know you or are afraid to seek you, that you gently draw them to yourself and show them your love and your mercy.  May their hearts soften towards you so that your work may begin. 
In your precious Son’s name,
Amen