“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:1-7. Here the Psalmist had experienced “distress…
Living Life On God's Terms
Tagged Prayer
Attempted History Revision
It was immediately after an NFL playoff game, the numerous cameras were scouring the crowd of players, media reporters, officials and staff who poured over the field. I can imagine the camera director barking orders to cut from camera to camera. “Zoom in on Belichick’s face,” capture that anger. “Ok, the Head Coaches are meeting, cut to that, cut to the Quarterbacks shaking hands.” Now go to our reporter talking with the winning running back. After the brief interview with the star player, a camera picks up on a huge gathering of players from both teams warmly greeting each other.…
Intercession and Forgiveness
We have a great privilege to be intercessors for others. To Intercede means to make petition in behalf of another. We see the prophet Daniel making intercession in prayer, “While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.” (Daniel 9: 17-21). Daniel was confessing his sin and the sins of his…
Prayer Group
I’ve been in many prayer groups, most were great. We had a small one at work that did exploits in the Spirit among people, organizations, crossing boundaries. The one most unusual was with a group of women, who allowed me to join them, (I had secured my wife’s concurrence and she knew them all). This group was for the prodigal’s we knew, but the Holy Spirit led the prayer. If you have ever been among a group led by the Spirit, you will know that He loves variety and knows exactly what is best in that day and every minute.…
Prayer Reminder
The scriptures remind us to pray, even to do so continually. (1 Thess. 5:17). I trust you to implement ‘continually’ as you best discern, but I want to remind you of an equally, perhaps more important necessity, which is to pray with faith. My boots were worn out, so I started wearing my hikers to work in, which promptly destroyed their waterproofing. I have a camping trip planned and need dry feet in the middle of the winter. I prayed about purchasing some new boots, which is not an ordinary purchase. I started looking around, which I considered compatible with…
Election Day Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that we can go to the polls and vote for our political leaders. Thank You for any God-fearing candidates who are on the ballots. Give them wisdom and boldness to represent positions that support Your Word and Your Will. Help us to be good stewards with our financial resources so that we don’t selfishly burden future generations or other citizens by voting for candidates that promise short-term financial gain. Give us wisdom and discernment as we decipher the varying views and political rhetoric. Open our eyes, so that we are not deceived by untruths and mischaracterizations…
Hannah’s Anguish
Someone is in anguish now over a destiny they see passing away. This person is distressed from waiting and taunts from rivals. Nevertheless, hope is found in the Lord. Carry your burden and pour it out before Father God, He has compassion for the broken-hearted. This was the situation for Hannah and she prayed fervently to God making a vow that if He granted her petition for a son, she would give the boy for His service. She had faith and God heard her prayer, she left and soon bore a son. When she weaned Samuel, she took him to…
Satan’s Teat
1 Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn babies, thirst for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow in your salvation. Surely you have tasted that the Lord is good!” Scripture encourages us to study God’s Word in order to grow in the Lord. Learning and applying God’s Word to our lives, strengthens our faith and our faithfulness. Like newborn babies, our vision is not clear when we turn and grope the wrong teat. Too often, we are satisfied with Satan’s teat. It tastes good, feels good, and is readily available. Satan’s teat of deception is anti-God…
Things Hidden and Revealed
There are some things that are to be hidden and others that are to be shown to others. “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5: 15-16). Yeshua said this in the context of saying that believers are the salt and light of the world. Salt is a preserving agent and light illuminates all upon…
Be Devoted To Prayer
Be devoted to prayer is the exhortation in Colossians 4:2. You will find this a very simple thing do to as you walk and live in the leading of the Holy Spirit. As with many things Spiritual, we have believed lies that it was either a concentrating strained effort or else a drudgery. On the contrary, praying in the Spirit is as natural to a born again Spirit filled believer as being joyful and awake. In our own fleshly effort it would be a poor excuse for effective prayer. Scripture encourages us to pray constantly, (Acts 1:4, Thess. 1:11).…
Holy Spirit In Prayer
Agreement is important in prayer. Agreement first must be with God’s will. Agreement is also available from the Word of God – when we pray scripture. Recently, I had a need in my family, it was known by others and seemingly getting more urgent. I didn’t have faith to say anything, and I knew that words outside the Spirit’s leading could do harm, rather than good. I began to see prayer, not as a final desperate last resort, but as a place to stand in faith. I carried this burden to Yeshua, who stands ever interceding for us. (Rom.…
One Man Praying
An impromptu prayer time was announced at church and I heard about it; as an intercessor I was interested to join with other intercessors. Also, I was curious about how many would show up, and how it would proceed. There was no announced time, so anything, including nothing might be seen. I went, the carpet cleaner was busy noisily working to clean the carpets, no one was there, but me. I prayed a while being a little disappointed as I contemplated the scripture, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you…
