Tag: prayer

Total Abandonment

I have a friend, Jon Harris, that is going to be going on an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries. The mission trip is called The World race. In his blog post “A little Broken, A little Blessed “, Jon expresses “I’m scared. I’m afraid. I don’t know if I will get what I need for the race…I cry to God to help me. But I hear no answer. I cry out in tears to Jesus. But no answer. Just peace, encouragement, or simply it will be ok is all I need.” Many times we are called by God to do something for His Kingdom, but then it feels like God steps away and is no longer with us. We feel like Jon does; we feel “scared that through everything I will be left here with nothing, still broken and scared. ALONE” We start to break down within our spirit.

It is in the lowest, darkness times of our life that God is preparing us to do something great! He has to humble us before we surrender everything to Him.

This is what I told Jon, but it goes for everyone of us–no matter what you are going through.

Jon,

Just remember that God said that He would never leave us or forsake us. He will provide our every need. All we have to do is TRUST. We have to trust Him. Trusting means not worrying and not trying to “fix” the situation. Trusting is surrendering yourself and all that you are to God. Total Abandonment! Trusting means not doubting God. When you start doubting God, you start putting limits on what God will do. When you fully rely on God, you place no limits on God, and He is free to move as He KNOWS is right. God is all powerful, and He can do anything that He wants; but humans can limit the work that God does by doubting God.

Lord, I pray for my brother Jon. Lord thank you for the work that you have called him to do abroad. Thank you for saving him and giving him a testimony to share with others. Lord, surround Jon with love and comfort. Give him peace within. Let Him know that “every little thing is going to be alright” just as the song by Delirious says. Lord protect his heart. Help Jon to focus on the work that You have called him to and not on the financial aspect. I pray for funds to flood in for support. I pray that you will take care of the funding, and I trust that you will. I have seen you do it; what is stopping You from doing it again? NOTHING! God I ask that You rise up in power! Cast out any doubt, fear, and brokenness. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus! ~Amen

Jon, Just keep fighting the good fight. Do not back down. Go after God like never before. Do not let a moment in time go by without worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth for His awesomeness! Just keep the faith man!

-matthew

When God seems to be silent and not moving is when He is moving and working the most. The power of God come in the stillness!

Trust God through it all. Divorce, separation, death of a loved one, financial struggles…..nothing it too BIG for God my friend! Only trust Him. Only Trust Him!

Here is the song that I mentioned to Jon:

Every Little Thing

Everything must change
Theres a mirror
showing me the ugly truth
These bones they ache with holy fire
But Ive got nothing to give, just a life to live
If your world is without colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

Every little things gonna be alright
Every little things gonna be alright [x2]

Theres no-one else to blame
I live my life between the fire and the flame
Ive built my house where the ocean meets the land
Its time to live again, pull my dreams out of the sand

Let your world be full of colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

When its all falling down on you
Youre crying out but youre breaking in two
When its all crashing down on you
When theres nothing you can do
There is someone who can carry you

God Bless you all!
-matthew

Stanly County Prays

The third annual Stanly County PRAYS will be Jan. 24 beginning at 4 p.m. in the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center auditorium.

The purpose of the event is to bring the community together in a mindset of prayer as a way to address challenges faced by the entire community.

When the event first started in 2008, the goal was to pray for the drought the county was facing.

“There were between 600 and 800 people that came together to pray, and it is amazing to see how God has worked through that. The lakes and rivers within the county have not dried up but continue to flow,” said The Rev. Keith Allen, pastor of Norwood Church of God.

“This year, we’re facing a different kind of drought. So many, even within Stanly County, are being hit hard by the economic crisis the nation is facing, and we hope to see God move in a similar way with a similar response.”

This year, the event will include scripture readings, testimonials, praise and worship songs, as well as traditional hymns. It is a free event that is open to any and everyone.

“There are no restrictions as far as who can attend. It doesn’t matter your cultural background, your ethnicity, your denomination or if you’re a Christian. This is a time for everyone to come together to pray for the needs of the community,” Allen said.

Several churches within the county have partnered with the Stanly County YMCA to sponsor the event. A donation will be collected at the end of the service, the proceeds for which will be given to local charities such as the Stanly Community Christian Ministry, the Pregnancy Resource Center and others.

[source]

Give Thanks With a Greatful Heart

As you may know, it is getting close to Thanksgiving Day.  What are you thankful for?  I am thankful for Jesus dying to save me, for a God that love me enough to send His only begotten Son, Jesus raising from the Dead, the comfort that the Holy Spirit gives, my fiancee, my family, my church, my pastor, a healthy strong immune system, the privilege to have a variety of food to eat, potable water (clean drinking water), life itself, salvation, my grandparents that took me to church when I was young, the blessing of an automobile that runs, a job, ability to go to college, the blessing of having a copy of God’s Word to study and to live by, people that are pro-life and support the right to life for babies in the womb, my friends, the talents that the Lord has given me, to live in a free country, … and the list goes on and on.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give Thanks because He has given
Jesus Christ His son

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord
Has done for us.

Give Thanks.

Lord, thank you for all of the blessings that you give me in Life.  I pray that I will use them for your honor and glory.  Let me not use them for my own selfish desires, but let others see Jesus in me.  Let them see Jesus in what I say, how I say it, where I go, and in what I do.  Let my life be a living sacrifice for you.  Lord I pray not my will but Yours be done.  Lord, give me the strength and the courage to live life in surrender to You and to share the Gospel will others.  Teach me Your Word and Your ways.  Teach me to love like You love.  Teach me to live as Jesus did.  Help me to be the hands and feet of Jesus so that I may serve others as He did.  Let me focus on Heavenly wealth and not earthly wealth.  Bless me O’ God and direct my steps.  Lead me on the path to Righteousness.  Expose unto me areas of my life that are not pleasing to You.  And Lord, be patient with my doubts.  Help me to trust You more each day.  You know that I am only a mere mortal, and that I am not perfect.  Your love for me is unconditional.  Help me to become more and more perfect each day.  Lord, You alone are my comfort, my strength, and my song.  I desire to be with You.  I trust You to be with me in the light as well as in the darkness.  Lord, help me to be a light for others.  Make me into the willing vessel that You would have me to be. I ask this in You blessed Son’s name, Jesus Christ ~Amen

We have so many things to be thankful for everyday.  Do not forget that.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season?

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  God Bless!

Kingdom Work verses Church Work

What are you doing for God in your daily life? Are you doing Kingdom work or is it just church work?

Kingdom work is acts done that result in the growth of the Kingdom of God.  Your acts benefit the Kingdom if you are spreading the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Are your acts winning souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?

Church work consist of acts that only benefit the physical requirements in a church.   Many people today are holding several different roles in church and believe that they are doing work that is pleasing to God.  They may be very busy doing this and that and going here and there, but their acts do not bless God unless they are impacting lives for Christ.

James 1:27 tells us that “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Christian, if you are not committing your days to serving God by serving others, then you need to re-examine your life purpose.  The Bible makes it very clear that God is more worried about the spiritual than the physical.  God has blessed us in so many ways that we need to share those blessings with others.

Our world is full of sin and lost people that are in need of Jesus.   Church work will not show them Jesus.  Church work will not bring them to following Jesus and surrendering their life to him.

It is only by doing Kingdom work and loving people to Jesus that will bring sinners to the foot of the cross.  If we were to live our life and only do church work, then that would have the same effect on the world as if Jesus had only came to earth and did busy work and did not die on Calvary’s cross and raise from the dead.

In Matthew 28, Jesus says,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus said “GO and Tell”.  He did not say “DO”.  We have to go to our neighbors, loved ones, friends, enemies, co-workers, and others and tell the about Jesus and what He has done for you and what He can do for them.

We have to love people to Jesus.   You have to show them that you love them just like Jesus does.  And that your care for them just as Jesus does.

LORD I pray that you will help use to live for You and let Your Son live through us each and every day of our lives.  LORD teach us how to love like You love.  Teach use to live like You live.  Give us a compassion for others like you have.  Grieve our hearts for what grieves Yours.  Be our guide.  Amen.

Go make an impact for God’s Kingdom today and everyday.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

I am called…

Lord,

I am called by you to be Your beloved.  I am called to make a difference in this community, nation, and world.  You require nothing but my best from me.  Lord, as You know, there is a big decision and opportunity that sets before me.  Lord, I pray that You will help me to make the right choice.  Let not my will be done, but let Thy will be done.  Your perfect Word tells me that You have a plan for my life; one to prosper me and not harm me; one to give me hope and a future [Jeremiah 29:11].  Lord let Your desire become my desire.  Lord I pray that you will help me when I have doubts; I need Your help Father.  Help me to trust You more and more each day.  Lord be with me in all my moments in life–the good and the bad.  In Your Son Jesus’ holy name.

-Amen

I post some of my prayers to share the beautiy of the Lord with you.  I do not want to be boastful in any way.  My desire is that the prayers will inspire you to make a difference for God.  I want these prayers to not only benefit me, but to also benefit you.

Heart Cry

Lord God, I cry out to your mighty name. I ask that you come and surround me. Stay with me through this circumstance. Let you love so shine upon me. Let me not be overcome by temptation. Let not my eyes wonder and my mind lust after things of the world. Lord, put a fire in my heart that burns bright for You. Let me be a beacon of light to a dark and dying world. God give me a heart like you have. Let me weep over the things that sadden you. Let me joy in what brings you joy. Let me see HOW You see, O God! Put a passion in my heart to tell others about you. Lord, direct my paths each and every day. Give me discernment. Show me what is holy and righteous. Teach me and show me Your ways. Help me to love like you love. Help me to care as you do. Give me eyes that are blinded to physical aspects of life and eyes that are fully open to the spiritual. Help me to see the loneliness and hurt inside of others. Give me a deep, deep compassion for them. Let me not pass them by. Let me help them in any way possible. Lord, train my tongue to speak works that would be pleasing to you. Let my mind only dwell on pure and holy thoughts not those of immorality, filth, perverse, and wicked things. Let me be filled with your Holy Spirit. O Lord, may I not doubt Your Word. Give me a desire to emerse myself in Your Word each day. Lord be with me in all my circumstances. Let me look to you through the good and the bad. Let me not be prideful and arrogant. Give me a desire to be like your Son Jesus. Let me not seek after worldly wealth; but yet, let me seek heavenly wealth. Let me be a warrior for Your Kingdom. Give me a heart of a lion so that I may be brave and strong to stand for what is right. Lord, I pray that I will not be afraid to take a stand for you. Let me take a stand against abortion, homosexuality, divorce, adultery, physical abuse, drug abuse, alcohol, greed, love of the world, disgusting images on the web and in the media, and liars. Lord protect and guide me in all my ways. Help me to not be stained by the world. Let me seek Your face each day. And, let me rest not until I have fellowshiped with you each day. This is my prayer; this is my cry.
~Amen

Billy Graham’s Prayer For Our Nation

I received this in an email today. Graham’s prayer is the prayer that we all should pray. It shows that he strongly believes that our world has become corrupt in its ways.

Billy Graham“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done.. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare… We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!”

America needs to wake up and realize that God is and has always been and will always be in control. If our nation does not recognize this, then we are headed for sudden destruction. We can either to chose to be for God (100%, no luke-warm) or we can be against Him. I know whose team I want to be on. We need to remember what happened to the Israelites because they did not obey God. They spent over 200 years in bondage in Egypt and then spent 40 years wondering in the wilderness.

If our nation insists on living by fleshly desires, fornicating, indulging in alcohol and drugs, aborting unborn humans, murdering, etc. , then we will find ourselves in the same punishment that the Israelites went through. How much more does God have to do to get our attention? As a nation, we have had several economic hardships, natural disasters (eathquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, floods, etc.) that has taken many lives. What is it going to take to get our attention.

We can no longer consider our nation a Christian nation. We have turned our backs on God. Let’s pray that America will turn back to God before God turns His back on America.