In Expectation

Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. Job 12:4a (NLT)

Notice the two verbs in the last section of the passage. One of the definition of call is to make a request or demand, which sounds like prayer to me. For many of us calling on God has become a part of daily lives even if it’s not for extended periods of prayer time, we find ourselves sending up quick Lord help me prayers.
But what is it that you expect from your calling? Do you really anticipate that He will answer? Or have you grown accustomed to calling on Him about the same condition so long that your level of expectation of change has diminished?
As I examined myself in light of this scripture, that wouldn’t let be just cruise on by in my reading, I had to admit that there are some places in my life that my expectation of His answer showing up had dwindled.
Oh Lord forgive me for not fully placing my confidence in you. Thank you for loving me enough that you would bring light to this area of my life. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are also experiencing diminished expectations in areas of their lives. I pray that their faith would be stirred a new. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Because of Who You Are

Oh precious Father, how I love so. Thank you Lord that you don’t deal with me as my sins deserve. Forgive me for all the times I have failed you, doubted you, or grumbled against the course of my life. For you have been far better to me than I ever could deserve. For you are mighty and sit upon the throne of glory forever. Who am I that you are mindful of me?

 

So many things to be thankful for but today I pause to say thank you for sending your son-Jesus-my risen Savior. And because the Savior rose,

• I and any other, who trust in his name can rise above those things that attempts to hold us captive.
• Because He got up we can rise up from the need to please self and others.
• We can rise above our desires and instead seek your perfect will for our lives. Because He rose, we can rise past old hurts and troubled past. We can walk in the wholeness He provided for us when He received those 39 strikes and the blood came running down.

Because His blood came down, we can walk freely. Thank you for the blood that covers minds today. Lord, silence every voice that speaks contrary to your word. Give us ears to hear you Father and may we not follow after strange shepherds. Give us the discerning mind you promised us in your word. Illuminate our paths today precious Father. For we do not know the right path or the correct course of action but you Lord, the creator of the heavens and earth, knows all things so we turn to you and are attentive to your word.

 

I pray for the body of Christ all over the world. Strengthen those who are suffering persecution for your name sake. May the good news of the gospel be boldly proclaimed across every nation and continent. May the kingdoms of this earth become the kingdom of our great Jehovah God. Let hope spring forth now. Let joy bubble up within us now as we reflect upon your great name-Jesus.

 

I thank you for those you are drawing by your Spirit. Thank you for breaking them free. Free from sin, free from addictions, free from shame, free from bondages. Thank you that it is for freedom that you have set them free. Free to walk according to your call. Free to be who you destined them to be before the earth was formed. Thank you for purpose and choosing me to be one of your dearly loved children. You are everything I need Lord. Love you. In Jesus name, Amen.  

 

 

Wanda

 

Have a sweet offering of prayer, praise, or petition today? If so share in the comments or join me in linking up with Tea with Tiffany for Sweet Ps.

Any time is a good time

In my distress, I prayed to the Lord,

  and the Lord answered me and

          set me free.  Psalms 118:5

Thank you Lord that I don’t have to wait till I’m in the perfect frame of mind. But you’re available to commune with at any time despite my condition.

        In frustration I can come.

        In joy I can come.

        In despair I can come.

        In pain I can come.

        In sickness I can come.

        In love I can come.

        In hopelessness I can come.

        In sorrow I can come.

You don’t ignore me. You are not too busy. Even with all the others calling upon your name, you have time to hear my cry.  You don’t leave me like I came but you set my mind free. You make an exchange with me so that I come out better, lighter, freer. Who but you Oh Lord, can set my soul free? Who can break the chains of oppression? There is none but you Lord!

 

Children Learn What They Live

In a time when children can sing the latest pop songs, it was a blessing to see this little prayer warrior calling upon the name of the Lord.

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend!

A Prayer

Oh Lord, there is none like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. You reign supreme over all creation. The heavens and the earth declare your glory. From generation to generation, you prove your faithfulness. You are adorned in righteousness and majesty. Since the time of my birth, I've heard your name declared. You have been the keeper of my soul. It is you who holds me together in the midst of chaos. You've kept my mind. You've kept me alive, when I thought I would surely die. You've been peace for me. You have been my way when there seemed to be no way. You have been my counselor, my physician, my guide, my compass, my comforter, my protector, my provider. There's so just so much you've done I can't even recall it all. You have been everything I need and all that I never deserved. Thank you for lavishing your love on me. Thank you for not casting me away from your presence. Thank you for being longsuffering with me. Forgive me, Lord, for distrusting you and neglecting the things you've assigned my hands to do. Strengthen me again and stir my passion once more Lord.

Father, I pray for those who are downcast, despondent, and in despair. Renew their faith and give them fresh hope today. Set people free from the bondages of addictions and sin. Restore families and communities. Restore love, hope, passion, peace, and joy throughout the land. Let your truth ring out from every sanctuary, every home, every school, and every neighborhood. Save our children from going down crooked paths. Protect them from those who come to prey on them and pervert them. Let the light of your presence permeate every dark place. In Jesus name, Amen.


   

Just a Few Steps From Home

It’s something about those last few steps from the house that seem the most arduous when finishing up my walk. Just when I can finally see my house in sight, my strength wanes. As I rounded the corner Saturday, with my home in full view, God interrupted my walk to illustrate to me the position that I believe many find themselves in at this very moment.

Why would coming home be hard? For me, my home is a place of comfort. My little place of tranquility from the noisiness of the outside world. It contains so many of things I love. So, it seems I’d be sprinting home.

Spiritually speaking home represents our connectedness with the Father. He showed me that many people we’ve been praying for are just a few steps from home. But these last few steps before turning their lives over to God are often the most difficult. Sure they’re tired from the toiling of their current lives but they wonder can they really make it to God. The bondages of sin confines their movement and thoughts in their minds try to convince them that they’ll never make it. It’s too late. They’ve already missed their chance. Or they’ve done too much.

Home is not just a place of comfort but it’s also a place of responsibility. Owning a home requires that I pay some bills and provide maintenance to the house. In the same way, giving our lives to God positions us for responsibility. I’m not talking in the sense that we have to earn our salvation. Salvation is an unmerited gift made available to all of us because of the finished work of the cross. But many wonder when I make it to God can I really do all that He requires. Can I live up to His name? Can I be a proper reflection of Him?

 As we pray for others, we are not always able to see outwards signs of their moving closer to Him. Yet I'm encouraged to continue pressing and praying. For who knows, today just may be the day they return home. 

Looking Unto Him

Dear God,

You are my redeemer, my healer, my rock, my security, my exceedingly great reward, and my strength. I thank you for all the ways you continue to reveal yourself to me. For you, oh Lord, are my portion. Where would I be without you? Thank you for drawing me back to you in times that I find myself distracted. Thank you for your healing being manifested in my body now! You are faithful! You are omnipotent! Crowned in glory and majesty. My Savior, I thank you for all times that you rescue me! Work on me until I look, think, and act more like you. Help me to be a clearer reflection of you in all my ways.

Lord, I lift up those who asked for prayer this week and others who are calling on your name. There’s no situation that they’re up against that is too hard for you. All power belongs to you. I pray that they would put on the whole armor that you’ve provided for your sons and daughters so that after they’ve done all the situation requires of them, they’d be able to stand. That they’d be able to stand up under pressure, sickness, or opposition. In the midst of turmoil give them inner tranquility. If there be anything else the situation requires them to do, let it be made known to them. For your Word declares that you’ll lead us along the right pathways for our lives.

We acknowledge that we don’t know what to do but our eyes are upon you. We call to you because we trust you will answer. Why? Because, you’ve answered us so many times before. You’ve provided for us before. You’ve delivered us from the hands of our enemies before! You’ve healed us before! You’ve calmed our fears before! You’ve raised us up from desolate places before! You have redeemed us from the brink of depression and hopelessness before! You’ve strengthen, revived and replenished us before! Yes, we shall think on these things as we wait for your salvation.

For I will sacrifice a voluntary offering you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies. (Psalms 54:6-7)

Guide us in your truth, and teach us; for you are the God that saves us, our hope is in you all day long (Psalms 25:5)

Thank you Lord that today is the day of salvation! In Jesus name, Amen.

Join Tea with Tiffany for others who are lifting up Sweet P’s this weekend.

Sweet P’s

Dear Lord,

How can I ever thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and all that you continue to do? I woke up this morning with hands and feet that could move. Your peace surrounded me as I slept last night. Because you are Lord and you neither sleep nor slumber, I can lay down in safety and peace. I got up to a day filled with newness-new mercies and brand new grace. For that I say thank you, Lord. For your provision, your protection, your providence, your salvation, your companionship, and your counsel, I say thank you Lord! You are truly amazing! To know that the God who holds the entire universe together finds delight in me is incomprehensible.

I’m so grateful for an invitation that is always open to come unto You. If I’m weary or heavy laden, You offer me rest in exchange. You exchange my sickness for your health. I can find no greater exchange rate than you. Who else would take something of little worth in exchange for the invaluable gifts you offer? Although you’re always getting the short end of the stick, you stand ready and willing for me to bring you my load. When I’m brokenhearted, you’ll bind it up and make it whole again. That’s just what I need Lord, take the broken places in my life and put them all back together  and make whole again. I can’t make sense of all the fragments but you are the Master Potter and I put them in your hands. I’ve grown tired, frustrated, and disappointed in my futile attempts to pull the pieces together. That was never the assignment you gave me anyway. So I cease from fruitless labor today. If there be anything that I labor to do today, it is to trust you more. I labor to know You more.

As families gather together over this Labor Day weekend, I pray that you’ll watch over their coming and going and that you would protect them. We welcome your Spirit to sit down in the midst of every gathering. Bring reconciliation  and restoration to families I pray. For those who are gathering together in grief due to loss of love ones, I ask you to comfort their hearts Lord. Be strength for them in this difficult time and may those who are left behind that don’t know you come to know you. For it’s not your will that any should perish.

Let your will be done in the earth!  Let your kingdom come! To you Lord be all the glory, dominion, and power. In Jesus name. Amen.

Have a prayer, petition or praise of your own? Join Tea with Tiffany for Sweet P’s.

He’s With Me

Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me Psalms 23:4(KJV)

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. Psalms 23:4 (The Message)

Lord, it seems like death/destruction is crouching at my family’s door. Let not the secret plots of our enemies prevail. Expose every snare and every trick. Give us a spirit of discernment that we may know friend from foe. Despite the shadows we see or the whisperings we hear, we can rest securely because You are with us.

 

Arise Oh’ Lord

Oh my such a spirit of intercession just swept through me unexpectedly. But is that not how our Lord is? He’ll show up in the most unexpected, mundane places. In the midst of my getting ready to tackle the work day the Savior had need of me. As Pet mentions in his post Burden in our spirit, there are times when there’s a burden in our spirit and we should take those before our Lord. I may not know on this side of heaven what that burden was specifically about but He does and I thank Him for trusting me with the assignment to pray.

Like Paul, there are times that I pray in the spirit and at other times with natural words. Today was a day for my spiritual language. The only natural words of prayer I have today is Arise Oh Lord! Arise Oh’ Lord-might not seem like much but when the Lord, the one who rules and reigns, shows up ALL of his power, majesty, dominion, and glory arrives on the scene with Him. So may our Lord arise whenever you need Him to show up today whether that be to a wayward child, a bare bank account, a stressful job, a broken marriage, a body ridden with disease, or on the street corner of your neighborhood.

Arise Oh Lord!

As God would have it, it just happens to be Sweet P’s over at Tea with Tiffany so I’m linking up with her today. 

 

It’s All in There

Before my eyes opened or my feet hit the floor this morning, a tune was playing in my head.

All that you need is in the name of Jesus

A YouTube search was unfruitful probably because I don’t really know the name of the song. Not even sure of the other lines of the song but apparently those are the words I need to know this morning.

Lord God, I don’t know what lies ahead of me this day but I thank you for the reminder that I already possess  what is needed to meet the challenges, tasks, and demands for today.  I don’t rely on my own giftedness, intelligence, or fortitude but I seek your guidance and strength. Thank you for all that you’ve packed into that name of Jesus. When I need peace, I can find it there. When I need strength, I can find it there. When I need a way made, it’s in that name, too. When I need healing, I can find it there. Protection, provision, salvation, and so much more are all found in the name. When I can’t think of any lofty words to say, all I need is to call that one name….Jesus.

 

A Heart Full of Sweet P’s

As I join in with Tea with Tiffany for Sweet P’s and the others who come to bring you our p’s, I pause to say thank you Lord. Thanks not just for what you’ve done but for who you are. The more I come to know of you, the more I long to know. I’m not satisfied with old clichés or second-hand testimonies. I’ve got to know you for myself. I long to see you in fresh new ways. Break every box and shatter every illusion that limits by ability to see you. Destroy every bondage and chain that keeps me bound to old ways of thinking, believing, and being. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Don’t let me walk in deception and keep me from all evil.

Father, I thank you for the unexpected P(s ) you’ve brought into my life. I never knew that when I started jotting down my thoughts in this blog a few short months ago, that my path would cross so many people. I thank you for how you’ve used them to sharpen me, shape me, shake-me up, strengthen me, and enlighten me. Just as they’ve been like refreshing water to me, send people along their paths that will speak a word in season to them.

I don’t know their struggles, trials, or concerns but you do Lord. And, I come looking to you and asking that you’d strengthen them where they’re weak.  That you’d be their compass, Lord as they walk along the paths of their lives. May you send abundant water to quench their thirst and moisten their parched fields. I thank you for raining on parched relationships, careers, ministries, and homes. Thank you for reviving, replenishing, and reconnecting.

Thank you for the prodigal sons and daughters that you’re sending home now, God! We thank you for turning hearts. Thank you that even as they walk out their madness, Lord, you’re right alongside watching and protecting them. If they make their bed in hell you’re there and if they ascend to highest mountain, you’re their also. Even when we can’t find them physically, they are never unreachable to you.  If your love and kindness drew us up and out, we know you can do the same for them. We choose to rest in the fact that you are Lord and their future is safe in your hands. I love you so much Lord and I give your name the praise. In Jesus name, Amen.

Do you have any Sweet P’s {prayers, petition, or praise} to share? Feel free to leave them in the comments (you may send them to me privately by clicking on the contact me page) or write your own post and link up. Wising you a blessed weekend.





Sweet P's is a weekly meme hosted by Tea with Tiffany from Friday to Sunday.

Even When I Don’t Do Right

Only you Lord no my innermost being. It’s you that knows my uprising and my down setting. You know the true motives of my heart. Nothing I do is concealed from you. Sometimes, it’s my desire to do the right thing but choose to do the wrong thing instead. And, others time I stubbornly insist on doing things my own way. Even then you don’t choose to cast me away. I’m so thankful that you don’t abandon me or consider me as utterly hopeless. But, you keep on showing up with your love, your compassion, your kindness your forgiveness.

Just as you did for the Israelites, you’ve been doing for me. Not just when you wooed me to follow you but from my mother’s womb, I received your provision, your protection, your instruction. Although I didn’t always recognize it was you, who was sustaining me. It was you that kept redeeming from the hands of my enemies. I say THANK YOU Lord!

May others come to know you. For you are a God of forgiveness, gracious, and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. May we your body honestly proclaim that we don’t always do it right and it’s only because of your great mercy that we are not consumed. May those who have yet to accept you as Lord and Savior come to see that despite what they’ve done wrong, are doing wrong, or will do wrong that you’ve already been lavishing them with your love. And that you stand ready to forgive. In Jesus name, Amen.

¹⁷ They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, ¹⁸ even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies.
¹⁹ “But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. ²⁰ You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. ²¹ For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell! Nehemiah 9:17-21 (NLT)

I linking up Sweet P’s hosted by Tea with Tiffany.

Like Three P's in a Pod

No, not your vegetables but Prayer, Purpose, and Passion. I don't know about you but I definitely need more of all three of those. So when I discovered that Beth Jones was hosting the 3 P's in a Pod for Christian Women: Prayer, Purpose, and Passion webinar, I registered for the event. It's scheduled for today at 10:30AM CDT and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home or office. For more information or to register visit Empowering Christian Woman 

You Choose What to Carry

Lord, help us to carry our cross daily.

Heal our hearts so that we may carry love rather than hate.

Help us to carry peace rather than strife.

May we carry hope rather than despair.
Remove bitterness so that we may carry your joy.
Help us to be carriers of the good news of the Gospel rather than gossip.
In Jesus name, Amen

Psalms 115 Prayer

Read Psalms 115 today. Lord displace every idol in my life-in our lives. For they are useless to save us. They are powerless to render aide. For you alone are our True HELPER and our SHIELD. Helps us to trust you fully. Your word declares in Ps 115:12-13 that you, Lord, remember us and that you will bless us. You will bless those who fear you rather great or small. Help us to have proper fear of your awesomeness and to teach our children to reverance you so that they too may be blessed. Thank you that your Word promises us rich blessings in accordance with Ps 115:14. Thank you that you have given us the earth (vs.16). Now help us to know how to subdue it. Teach us how, Lord, to be a good steward of that you entrusted us with. In Jesus name.~ Amen