PRAYERS AVAILETH MUCH!

Actually, James says,  .......it's the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much." (James 5:16)

Asking according to the Father's will is key as well.

Pray warriors I know are all proponents of intercessory prayer;

Family and friends,

Salvation for non-believers,

Revival for believers,

Pastors and missionaries, 

Church leaders and teachers,

City, state, and country.

Prayer from the heart for God's glory and His purpose is key and availeth much!

JOURNEYS!

Big Day! 2024 Big Year!

Graduations! Moving Forward in different ways! College. High School. Kindergarten. Pre-School. Graduates dear to a grandmother's heart from 4 different states. To hear the recent one have his entire name read for his diploma, I puddled! His middle name was my Mother's maiden name.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then, you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Then....an adverb to hang your hat on for all "going forward" in their maturity, regardless of age, stage or way.

PRAY! PRAY!! PRAY!!!

Definitely a "pray day."

Need joy? Need confidence? Need love? Need discernment? Need sincerity?

Add these attributes to your prayer life!

Pray! Pray! Pray!....to the Glory and Praise of God!

REFRESHMENT!

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25) I want to be such a  friend! Don't you?

Anne B. certainly qualifies in my life.

Yesterday she was praying for me as I traveled home! I know she was.

This morning I started my day with a "treat" from her.

A chocolate pillow cookie, though it probably has a more exquisite culinary name, and my cuppa Assam. Anne calls it browniest cookie.

A perfect lift for my travel weary bones! 

True refreshment from as friend as I open God's Word for more refreshment!

PRAYER WARRIOR PROFILE!

What does a prayer warrior look like?

Visually how would you recognize them?

Check pic below.

Is a pic the best way to see a true prayer warrior?

Actually, their lifestyle is the best way to ID such a warrior.

That's where the inner man shines through to light the way for others.

Invisibility and visibility go together.

Praying together. Sharing notes/texts/emails for the recipients of their prayers can also be a way to encourage and reveal a warrior's heart for intercession. A very visible identity. 

Suiting up with the whole armor of God. Praying for one another.

That's what prayer warriors do again and again.

PRAYING SCRIPTURE!

Need focus in your prayer life?!!

This distractable, ditsy gal does.

Different days of the week, my focus is on friends w/ similar attributes or their names begin with certain letters. Years ago a Bible Study group began praying for each other on different days of the week so all of us were "covered" daily. I know it sounds weird but it works for me. Other times names pop up as the Holy Spirit brings them to mind regardless of day or time. Often, I don't even know why until "after the fact." 

God knows I need help and He has provided it through His very Word.

Praying scripture helps keep me focused.

A PICTURE OF 14 WORTHY WORDS!

WORDS COUNT!

Every word of scripture counts!

For I will satisfy the weary soul, 

and every languishing soul I will replenish.

(Jeremiah 31:25)

These 14 words of scripture "count" for every languishing soul for whom I have prayed in the last 4 weeks.

Those words of Jeremiah say it all!

PRAYER POSITIONS!

Be still---whether in your prayer place or in wide one spaces.

If you can't kneel physically, you can kneel in your heart.

If you can't bow your head because of neck pain, close your eyes and bow in your heart.

Prayer positions are inward. Positions of the heart.

PRAYER POSITIONS---A HOLY HUDDLE!

In 2015, Coach Joseph Kennedy of Bremerton high school lost his job after  kneeling post game on the 50 yard line in prayer. Some of his players and members of the community joined him. 

January 2, 2023, while playing in the Buffalo Bills'/Cincinnati Bengals game, Bills' player, Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a hit. After CPR and ambulance transport to an area hospital, the prayers started.....all over the field, in the stands and even aloud from the broadcast booth! At least from the lips of the 2 men...I never heard the word prayer from the "lady" commentator.

Prayers spilling way beyond the 50 yard line. 

The Bills met the Patriots in the play-off game in their on stadium on January 8, 2023. 

Gathering for pre-game prayer for teammate Hamlin 

and dedicate the game to him.

Notice the crosses under Hamlin's eyes.

What a way to start a game.....A holy huddle for sure!

AT THE CROSSROADS!

When we're at the "crossroads of life" decisions, the decision making can often seem too difficult to do by ourselves.

Sometimes we need to look both ways and we cannot do that alone. 

Are you at a crossroads? A critical juncture of decision making? 

Do you have someone watching your back?

(Red tail hawks' photo compliments of hubby on his morning walk.) 

Often signposts are clearly marked in scripture. Believers know that Jesus the son, seated at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us. (Romans 8:34) as does His Spirit. (Romans 8:26) But God......has also provided "others" to join us in prayer. (James 5:16)

So......when answers don't seem specific, is someone with you to pray for clarity? 

All believers benefit from an earthly prayer warrior. Find yours today. 

You might both be at the same crossroads!

GOD WINKS, LOVE NOTES FROM ABOVE.....

Oh No! It's Thursday and I'm posting Wednesday's entry!! You would think after 2,500+ posts, I could get it right. Why did my brain, or lack there of, forget to tell my finger to press publish????Oh well day late post is below.

God winks, love notes from God . . . God's hand seen, no matter the idioms. If you have ever experienced one, you'll remember it. 

I know the above sentence including its . . . (ellipsis) will be viewed with skepticism and disbelief  by some folks--- God winks, how hokey is that! What's a love note from God???  

I also know the participants in my intercessory prayer time earlier in the week will "get it" because God provides . . . another's idea as a spring board to take new thoughts & prayers in a new, but related, direction.

So "filled with the spirit" as I drove home, I began seeing glimpses of God with me, even in the blinding rain that faded to a drizzle so I could get a snapshot at the stoplight....

Do you see it? Check out the top left.

The sign of the cross. At least that's what my eye took in>

Returning home I saw the Kentucky tag of the truck ahead. Underneath the state name was a phrase I love. . . 

"In God we trust."

A phrase that reminds me why I'm glad to be a Kentuckian by birth. 

More importantly I'm glad to be a child of the King, by rebirth, who shows me His very presence in unique ways throughout each day!

CONSIDER PRAYER

Dad is in Israel. Mom is juggling his four brothers' schedules with him (Nathan) assisting when possible.

A bad fall at practice. A break occurs. Pain ensues. Doctor visit factored into all the schedules. 

Break in collar bone is evident. VERY evident. Surgery is needed soon.

Prayer should be the first consideration. But....anxiety reigns until Philippians 4:6-7 kicks in....in everything let your request be made known unto God.

Consider prayer. Intercessory prayer that is.

When one is 1,267 miles away it's the only consideration that makes sense. (1 Timothy 2:1)

An intercessor is a mediator.  One who pleads another's case. One who cries out to the Lord on their behalf---for healing, peace, protection 

Our example is Jesus Christ who lives to make intercession for us. (Hebrews 7:25) In the same way, my Christian friends/prayer warriors continue steadfastly in prayer for Nathan. (Colossians 4:2)

It's the way intercessory prayer works. Others are there for you regardless of the distance and consider such prayers a privilege!

MY ONE WORD

The choice is made---my one word for focus, pondering, meditating on & taking thought of in 2018 has been decided.

I have to admit that MISERY was a word that came to mind often over these last 2 weeks of being in bed.

But God......as I was praying for friends, Sam & Suzie on the mission field in Uganda and 3 sweet friends who deal everyday with chronic pain, had me considering true sacrifice and real pain. Staying "abed" pales in comparison to their situations.

CONSIDER---that's my word. Can't wait to see where God will take me in this meditation.

How about this for a start.

Joy is the path I need to "consider."

May the Lord use my momentary affliction as a reminder to fervently pray for others.

CHOOSE: TO INTERCEDE

Choose to learn from Scripture as you seek to pray for others.

John 17 is called by many as the "High Priestly Prayer." According to Justin Taylor, Desiring God, (10/2/07) this chapter on Jesus' prayer has "only about 650 words, takes only 3 minutes thirty seconds to read aloud but will take an eternity for use to fully understand it."

I, certainly do not fully understand it, but my aim is to learn what God has for me to glean at this season of my life. Reading the scripture in my Ryrie Study Bible gave insight and a few gems.

My goal is to learn from Jesus' intercession for us to aid me in interceding for others.

#1 for me is the Lord Jesus referring to believers as a gift from the Father to Him. Five times this "giving" is repeated. (vs. 2, 6, 6, 9, 24) 

#2 is that Christ is praying for those (believers) given to Him. 

That's enough for me to dwell on for a while. I, as a believer, am a gift from Father God to His Son Jesus, and Jesus prays for me. That's huge to share with others who need encouraging and to pray that  they too live out that truth, as One of His.

Now, I have been offered a "loan" of a book by a local pastor and I look forward to his insights on John 17 as well as other prayers of Jesus as well. 

CHOOSE: NOURISHMENT

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. (Proverbs 17:1)

At 1152, our kids experienced more than just dry crust. Think burnt toast!

My prayer is that they were nourished enough around our kitchen table, whether reading aloud books together or praying for names drawn from the yellow smiley mug, that those memories will sustain them with godly peaceful thoughts and encourage them today during the "burnt toast days" of their own lives.

CHOOSE: TO CONJUGATE HOPE

Wordsmiths (and preachers) tend to expound grammar tenses in conjugation, moving systematically from the simple to the more complex. Think, "present progressive/continuous" or "future perfect continuous" or even including the indicative or subjunctive mood. Not to mention pluperfect! It's way too early in the day for that!

Simple is "hard" enough for me.

This morning have been musing in "first person" ---I hoped (past tense) I hope, (present tense) and I will hope. 

When prayers seem unanswered, I don't want to give up hope. I need the continuous action of prayer to keep me hoping. Unanswered prayer is painful.

H.O.P.E. Hold On, Pain Ends.

In the dark places, I need to remember the One who is the anchor for my soul.

He is the One who gives me hope.

CHOOSE: GRATITUDE

There is nothing like prayer---when it comes from the lips and heart of others on one's behalf.
"I have prayed for you." (Luke 22:32) "I pray that God.....will fill you with joy...."(Romans 15:13)

How can I pray for you?
Do you have any specific prayer requests for this week?
I praised the Lord today for our friendship.
I'm rejoicing with you on God's answer to the prayers we've been praying over these last few years.

"I prayed for you today." (One of my warriors, 6/13/17)
 Those words are music to my ears----making it easy to choose gratitude.

CHOOSE: NATIONAL FOCUS FOR PRAYER

National Day of Prayer 2017! 

The focus across the nation has been on Daniel's prayer (Daniel 9:1-23) especially from Daniel 9:19.

Lord, listen. Lord forgive! Lord, hear and act!   

Yet, as try to type this entry....here's what keeps happening over and over. Imagine that!!!

I choose to keep praying for our nation....and to keep trying to post!

CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE

Where does encouragement end and self-aggrandizement begin?

Scripture reminds us the importance of doing 3 things in secret; fasting, giving and praying.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6, KJV)

Certainly "the" closet, or war room as Priscilla Shirer states, is not just a "supply" closet. One doesn't just open the door to ask for "things" but rather to enter into the Lord's presence in order to strengthen one's relationship with Him.

My quandary yesterday was whether to tell someone "important" of my intercession on his behalf. While "lunching" with dear friend, Nancy E. downtown at The Little Tea Shop, Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, came in.

He was greeted by many folks familiar to him. I, on the other hand, was in no way familiar to him. However, I felt compelled to approach him just to say thanks for  serving in a difficult position and working hard to protect our city. (Jeremiah 29:7)

My commendation was accompanied with a hug and the statement that I pray for him every Saturday. He replied saying, "I need at least 18 thank you hugs a day and I really need and appreciate your prayers."

Did I cross the line of encouragement? I hope not. I do think one's motive is revealed by one's heart attitude. I truly have been thankful for his intervention in so many impending crisis situations. Of course, blogging about it can up the level toward self-aggrandizement so I hope readers will see it as a reminder to choose encouragement----thank those who serve us and maybe even give them a hug.

First of all, then I urge that petitions, prayers and intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Therefore, I want men everywhere to pray.....(1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8, BSB--emphasis mine)

Then, if you choose to pray for them as well, and choose to encourage by sharing this intercession with another.....well, that's between you and God.

CHOOSE: PRAYER

Prayer is always a perfect choice! Even when we feel as if we can't pray---"We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (Romans 8:26)

Anytime Prayers. (Psalm 55:17)
Arrow Prayers. Those quick ones shot straight to the Lord. (Psalm 4:1, HELP!)

Breath prayers. (Exhale....Jesus)
Evening prayers. ( of confession, Ezra 9:5)
Familiar prayers. (Matthew 6:9-13, Lord's Prayer)

Singing prayers. (Many Psalms are songs.)

Intercessory prayer. (Isaiah 62: 6-7, my Saturday prayer since 11/1995). 

Long prayers. Short Prayers.

Mindful prayers. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
Morning prayers. (Psalm 5:3)

Prayer from Psalms (Psalm 17, a prayer of David)

Prayers from Scripture. (Ephesians 1:15-17 & Colossians 1:9-14)

Prayers of Petition. (James 1:5)

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Choosing to "pray from the heart" is always a good idea. Writing down those prayers isn't a bad idea either.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.(1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Choose prayer with me or for me----I would certainly appreciate them.