Praying for Others

As I was asking God what we should pray about this week, I really felt him leading me towards prayer for other marriages. So, this week choose a couple (or two) to pray for during your prayer time or whenever God leads you to pray.

Pray the following for the marriage (or pray in the direction God leads you):

• Pray that God strengthens them individually and as a couple.
• Pray that God shows them their roles in the marriage and that he gives them strength to fulfill their roles.
• Pray that the love of God covers them and their marriage and that they show love to each other.
• Pray that they keep their priorities in line (God, marriage, children, other things).
• Pray that they have a renewed love for each other and they have a desire to work on themselves and their relationship.

It's Friday

Anyone excited about Friday? Is it because you have something special planned or it's just because you don't have to work? Or maybe because you have church on Saturday or Sunday? (I love my new church! Element) There have been some weekends that I find myself frustrated. I'm not sure if it's because there isn't that routine like I have during the week? Well, in case any of you ever feel the same, I want to pray for your weekend (even if you don't feel that way)!

Lord I thank you for loving us. I pray that you bless our weekend. Remind us to enjoy our family and the time with them when we get frustrated or angry. Remind me to be thankful for where I am at and not to dwell on what I don't have. Help us to make an impact on someones life. I pray that in our church services people are drawn to you and lives are changed. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Have a great weekend!

Holy Spirit Controlled Life

Who couldn't use more joy, more self-control, more love? Galatians 5:22-23 says "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law".

Wow, all I have to do is let the Holy Spirit control my life? I want to let Him control, but honestly sometimes I forget. Sometimes I get caught up in doing things my way. For example I was extremely irritated this weekend because I needed help with the kids and the house. I thought I was in the right to have a break down and just yell. The end result? I felt horrible after doing it. I think I should be able to discuss what is bothering me with my husband but I should seek Him and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me both in timing and my words.

Let's pray today for a Holy Spirit Controlled life:

Lord I thank you for who you are. I pray that your word comes alive in me as I read it. I thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. I commit to letting the Him control my life. Help me get past my flesh and see every decision, ever reaction as an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to lead me. I thank you that my husband and my children are led by the Holy Spirit in all that they do. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Today, I'd like to pray for joy-something that might be needed on a Monday morning. :-) Sometimes it's hard to remain in joy. The times that I find I am not joyful are the times I am focusing on my problems. And in the scheme of things they really aren't even problems-they are so small but at the time look so big. I remember a song that my old worship leader used to sing, it went like this "Nothing else matters than seeing you Jesus" (I'll put the words of the chorus at the end of this post). But just think about it - nothing else matters. Not that He doesn't care about us or our problems but there is so much more to our lives than our daily problems.

I'm not saying that you will never have struggles to find your joy and I'm not saying some of your problems aren't big BUT we serve a big God who has given us tools to live in victory.

Prayer:
Lord I pray that you restore joy to those who need it. I pray that your Holy Spirit that lives in me, reminds me daily that nothing else matters. I thank you for your joy that is my strength. I thank you that I can put my hope and trust in you and you take care of me. Restore joy to me when I need it most. Help me to focus on your matters instead of my pity or complaints. I thank you in Jesus name, Amen.

Chorus to song:
Nothing else matters, than seeing you, Jesus.
Seeking the Master, the one who reigns over my life.
Nothing else matters than seeing you, Jesus.
Just to sit at your feet, hear your voice clearly speak
Lifts me out of defeat for in you I'm complete
Reminds me nothing else, nothing else matters
(Songwriters: Houghton, Isreal; Houghton, Meleasa)

Finding Your Purpose

Do you know your purpose in life? Do you know that your actions affect eternity? It seems too often that I forget that. Honestly sometimes I don't even think about purpose - I'm just here doing my own thing. God has bigger plans for all of us and wants us to be eternally motivated. He wants us to seek Him and involve Him in all that we do - the small and the big! He wants us to use our abilities and talents he has given us. We may not be the next Joyce Myer or Marilyn Hickey but we can have an impact on the lives that we come in contact with.

As I was proof-reading this I thought "what is my purpose". I heard "raising your children up with God". Wow. And I thought I just changed diapers, read books and fed them. Okay, I didn't really think that was my only purpose but sometimes I get so caught up in the day to day stuff that I forget that I have a greater purpose. That probably is the cause of depression for a lot of us. We get so focused on how we feel and forget to look at what we are here for.

Today let's pray for a renewed sense of purpose. If you are at a place where you understand your purpose, then intercede for someone that is struggling with this.

Dear God, I love you so much. I am thankful for all that you have given me. Forgive me for not always remembering my purpose and the bigger picture. The Bible says that we will do things that your son Jesus did, and even greater things. I know you have given me abilities and talents and I want to use all that I have for you! I want to fulfill your purpose for me and I want to hear "well done, my good and faithful servant" when I see you face to face. Show me the steps I need to take. I trust you with all my heart and I will not lean on my own understanding. I pray that the Holy Spirit reminds me to see you in everything. And I pray that I am reminded daily that I am hear as Christ's ambassador. In Jesus name, Amen.

Seeking after Peace

You know sometimes when I think of peace I think that it is something that just happens. You know like being somewhere (like a lake) and thinking "it is so peaceful here" or that feeling, that quietness when the kids are in bed? Those times are peaceful BUT surely that is not the only time we can have peace.

As I have lost my peace several times recently I looked up some scriptures only to be reminded that it is something that we pursue (1Peter 8:11). Wow. I don't have to wait for peacefulness to just come to me? God has given me the tools to pursue it (through faith, prayer, having the mind of Christ). So, today I'd like us to pray for peace in our lives.

Lord, we come to you today with thankfulness for everything that you have done in our lives and for everything that you will do. You said in your Word that your peace will guard our hearts and minds (Phil 4:8). I pray that you give me strength and that I am reminded that I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and that I have peace. I commit to pursue it. I pray that the Holy Spirit reminds me to renew my mind when I am about to give up my peace. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Healing

On Friday I started writing on the blog again. The funny thing is that I used white font so it would show up on my black background. What I failed to think about was that when the emails are sent, there is no background. So, the email looked blank. If you want to read Fridays, you can go to my blogspot. Sorry! If you are dealing with depression, I encourage you to read it.

Today I would like us to pray for healing. For most of us as wives and/or mothers, if we get sick, there is no sick time. We have to keep going. Also, I think one of the worst things is seeing our kids or husband sick. So, whoever has sickness, let's pray for them!

Dear God we come to you today with boldness to your throne. You are our creator, our father and you have redeemed us. You meet all of our needs. You are our healer. You said that your word would accomplish what it is sent out to do (Is 55:11). You said in your Word that you are the Lord that healeth thee. You said in your Word that whatever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive it and you shall have it (Mark 11:24). I believe that (insert name) is healed. We thank you in Jesus name. Amen.

The posts are back...

Wow. This has been quite a hiatus. I meant to only stop the posts for the holidays but once the holidays were over it seemed like I could never get started back up. Truthfully, some of it was because of depression. I got depressed and wallowed in it instead of picking myself up with the power that He gave me. Sometimes we get in a pit and stay there. Can I get an Amen?

So, if you have been feeling that way too, it's time to get up and to fight (spiritually) and to take the focus off ourselves and remember why we are here. So, today I would like to pray for those who are depressed.

I pray that you are continually reminded of the love of God. I pray that His joy is in your heart. I pray that you have the strength to get up and fight with the tools He has provided. Seek Him. Learn Him through his Word and let His light shine through you! I pray for those who are severely depressed. Lord, I ask that you bring someone in their path to minister to them and to show them a way out (life with You). Touch them with your unfailing love and remind them of your grace.

Depression is very real and something I have struggled with pretty much all of my life. Honestly it takes a lot for me to admit that to a group but I believe if it can help just one person, then Praise God!

In December we concentrated on praying for our husbands. For the next few weeks I want to take this time to pray for us as wives and/or mothers. And ultimately that will help our husbands! ha! ha! God Bless!