Prayer

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

As I watch the steady decline of our country, I mediate on this verse. I pray this verse often asking God to show me my short comings as well as others who call themselves “by His name”.  The action of this verse is a group action not just an individual but an entire community of believers coming together to seek and plead for the interceding of the Heavenly Father.

Watching the news and following different blogs I see that the world as a whole and our country in particular is no longer following the tenets of God. Even some churches are calling “good evil and evil good”. People are saying certain things are right or “ok” when the word of God, the Bible, tells us not to do it. Everyone is following “what is right in their own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7)

Now is the time to turn back to God. How does one do this? By doing it God’s way and not our own way, here’s how:

The steps:

·        Humble ourselves

·        Pray

·        Seek God’s face

·        Turn from our wicked way

The result:

·        God will hear

·        God will forgive

·        God will heal the land

The Bible has many verses regarding prayer. Here are a few:

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippines 4:6

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 

Prayer is talking to God. Have you talked to Him today?

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Before the king

3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, 5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? 7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Esther 8:3-7

The wicked Haman is dead but his dastardly deed will continue unless Someone steps in.

Esther is “beside herself” she is ready to burst from sorrow. Something needs to be done before the dreaded day, when all the Jews will be killed. She pleads with the king to remedy the situation before it is too late.

In Esther 3:13 we read, “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.”

Esther asks the king to reverse the letters that Haman had sent to all the provinces. She is pleading and interceding for her people, the Jews. This is a picture of what we as Christians should be doing daily, interceding on the behalf of others.

·        Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2

·        The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Psalm 6:9

·        Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. Psalm 86:6

·        Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; Psalm 88:2

·        Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Psalm 122:6

·        Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Romans 10:1

·        Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

Ahasuerus reminds Esther and Mordecai what he has done so far in regard to the serious situation. He had Haman hanged and he gave Haman’s house to Esther. This is not exactly what Esther was referring to, she wanted to save the lives of her people and without a reversal of the decree they were doomed.

Join me the next time to find out the rest of the solution.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Under the watchful eye

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Esther 2:11

Esther is in the palace, waiting for her “turn” to be with the king. Mordecai was outside the court where the women were held.

He walked by every day to get a word about Esther. He loved her and adopted her as his own daughter. I’m sure he was very concerned about her whereabouts and what was happening to her. His care and love remind me of the love I feel for my children.

My children are all grown and on their own but I still want the best for them. I recently attended a seminar where Pastor Jim Cymbala was speaking. At the end of the session, he ask if “anyone had a child or grandchild” who had strayed from the Lord to stand. People all over the auditorium stood to pray for their children.

Just before he prayed, he said, “no one needs to remind you to pray for your wayward child”. He was so right. When we have a burden for someone we pray all the time. As I read this one verse about Mordecai, I thought of parents everywhere who worry and maybe even wonder where their wayward child is.

Do you have a burden for someone to get their life right before the Lord? Ask God to surround them with His love and to take care of them. The hard part is praying in His will not mine.

As you pray today for a loved one remember God knows. Trust Him with your burden.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from a trip – Lost and found

Did you ever lose something and look and look but could not find it? When you think it is gone you usually stop looking. We were gone on vacation for ten days. I stopped delivery of the mail and newspaper. We let the neighbors know we would be gone and asked them to keep an eye on the house. I made arrangements for my son to come over and feed the cat.

Everything was set. We left early Friday morning packing the car the night before. We doubled checked everything and were starting out the door when my husband asked if I saw Mimi. I did not see her that morning, which is not unusual because she will “hid” for hours and sometimes for a whole day. We set off for our vacation.

Two days later my son texted me to let me know he had been at the house but did not see the cat. Again I was not overly concerned because she will hide when someone comes over to the house. He stopped by again in a few days and noticed that food and water were not touched. He looked everywhere but could not find Mimi. Oh did I mention that Mimi is a house cat and does not go outside.

When we arrived home my husband looked inside and out, calling “Mimi” but still no cat. We resigned ourselves that she was gone. We went to bed after a long two days of driving. As we prayed together my husband prayed for Mimi, that we would find her. I was surprised and comforted by the prayer.

The next morning I got up and sat in my favorite chair to have quiet time. I was reading and happened to look up through my glass door. A cat was walking down my driveway and it didn’t look like one of the neighbor cats but it looked a lot like Mimi. As I opened the door the cat ran under my porch. I put slippers on and went to look under the porch. As I walked I called “Mimi” and heard a familiar meow. After a few minutes of coaxing she came to me. I could not believe my eyes. She was thin but otherwise looked healthy. I carried her inside, put her down and she ran to her food. After a ten day adventure Mimi the cat was home safe and sound.

This was a gentle reminder that God answers prayer. No matter how small or large the problem God knows. The answer may not always be the one we want but it is always the right one.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1Peter 5:7 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippines 4:6 -7

Is there a “small” problem in your life? Pray, God is there. Is there a “LARGE” problem in your life? Pray, God is there. No matter what the situation God know and cares. We need to reach out as He is reaching out to us.

Pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Sadness before the boss

[4]Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. [5] And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. [6] And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Nehemiah 2:4-6

Nehemiah is standing before the king, and Artaxerxes says, “What is your request?” One of my favorite portions of scripture is: “So I prayed to the God of heaven.”

Nehemiah immediately prayed to God before he answered the king. Nehemiah did not throw himself down on his knees and pray, it doesn’t appear that he prayed an eloquent prayer, but before he opened his mouth he prayed. I believed he prayed for wisdom to say the right thing. He didn’t have a lot of time but petitioned God quickly.

He asked the king if he could go back to Judah to help with the rebuilding of the city. Without skipping a beat, King Artaxerxes asked him how long he would be gone. The king had already approved his leaving. They did not have the FMLA (Family medical leave act) during Nehemiah’s time. He was asking for a leave of absence from the king. The king was the boss.

Nehemiah gives him a time. We are not privy to the time but historians believe it was between 6 months to a year with extensions following. (Nehemiah was in Judah for twelve years.)

We need to be in close communication with God so we can immediately go to Him. We can’t always go in the prayer closet when a problem arises, but we can always go directly to God.

Keep the pray lines opened before you and God.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The end of a prayer

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer. Nehemiah 1:11

The end of Nehemiah’s first prayer in the book ends. He begs and pleads to God to listen to his prayer as well as the prayer of others praying for the same thing. The ones who delight (desire) to revere (fear) your name; God we are trying to follow you and obey you. Please grant me mercy in the sight of King Artaxerxes (this man).

Nehemiah knows he needs to go before his boss, King Artaxerxes, and he asks God for mercy. We now find out the job of Nehemiah. He is the king’s cupbearer.

The job of the cupbearer was a very important and dangerous occupation. The Hebrew meaning from Strong’s (H8248) is causing to drink, a butler. Cupbearers had to taste the food and drink before the king to make sure it had not been poisoned. Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge says: The office of cup-bearer was one of great trust, honour, and emolument, in the Persian court. To be in such a place of trust he must have been in the king's confidence; for no eastern potentate would have a cup-bearer to whom he could not trust his life, poison being often administered in that way…

The end of chapter one, stay tuned for chapter two.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Prayer Continues

Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: [9] But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. [10] Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. Nehemiah 1:8-10

As Nehemiah continues to prays, he reminds God of what He has said. Basically, Nehemiah is praying God’s word back to Him (Leviticus 26:33).

Remember what you said God, if we turn to you and keep your commandments you will gather us together and bring us to the place that you chose. God, these are your people and your servants please O God redeem them by your great power and strong hand. Bring them back together Lord, you are the only one that can do this, show them by your great power.

Tomorrow we will hear the end of this great prayer.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Prayer Request

[5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6]In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

In December, my husband, Mark, injured his back. He has been “out of commission” since a week before Christmas. He could walk for short distances before the pain kicked in. We made many trips to the doctors and lots of physical therapy appointments. The physical therapy did help, he went from using crutches to using a cane.

After much prayer he opted for surgery. He had surgery on Monday. It was outpatient and the doctor said he would be driving in a few days. After the surgery he could not lift his left leg. Needless to say he had to stay overnight in the hospital.

Yesterday he could stand with the help of two nurses. His left leg is still numb. The hospital is in the process of looking into rehab.

This may be “a bump in the road” as one of the nurses told us, but I ask for your prayers. I will update when I can but for the next few weeks Mark is my main concern.

Please pray for:

• God’s Wisdom
• The insurance company to approve rehab
• Mark’s physical strength and stamina

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Sign of the times

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2

Have a blessed day,

Donna

Encouragement

I Samuel 30:1-5
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; [2] And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. [3] So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.[4] Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. [5] And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. [6] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

The Amalekites came and burnt the city, taking all the woman and children, even David’s family. The people were so angry with David they wanted to stone him. Hour by hour just got worst for David, his city was burnt, his family was missing, his people wanted to kill him.

Wait a minute what did David do? Did he run and hide? Did he give up? No!! He encouraged himself in the Lord. The Bible says he was distressed, of course he was upset by what happened but he never gave up. He encouraged himself in the Lord his God. David knew that God had the answers.

David prayed to God to ask what he should do. Verse eight says, “And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

When everything seems to go wrong encourage yourself in the Lord. God is always there. David’s entire family was gone but he knew God had the answers. Trust God, He knows the “rest of the story”.

Have a great day.
Donna

Pray for Haiti

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17

All are devastated with the earthquake news from Haiti. Please pray for the victim's families and the workers who are helping.

We cannot all physically go, but we can pray. I'm attaching an email that was sent out by Samaritan's Purse.


Dear Friend,

Haiti needs our help.The poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere has been devastated by one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the Caribbean in decades. Crowded shantytowns around the capital city of Port-au-Prince have crumbled. Hospitals and other public facilities have collapsed. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck just before nightfall on Jan. 12, leaving millions of panicked and injured people in the dark with no where to turn for help. Samaritan’s Purse dispatched a team just hours after the quake to help with water, shelter, medical care, and other emergency needs. Most of all, these people need our prayers in the difficult hours and days to come. Thank you for your support and prayers as we reach out to the suffering people of Haiti in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely, Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan's Purse

Below are links for organizations that are helping in Haiti:

Samaritan's Purse

Doctors without Borders