In Prayer, We draw Closer to God

1 Thessalonians 5: 17 – 18 NIV

“pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I have been ready a lot about the different ways to pray and how I can draw closer to God. My daughter sent me a book about prayer. P = praise God, R = repent, A = asking, Y = yes. I wonder how much time I truly spend in praising God? I doubt my praising is as much as my asking. I have come to realize that I will praise God and then start asking for specific things I need.

I want to change my way of praying because I want to draw near to God through prayer. When I wake up in the morning there first thing I do is say good morning to God. I have been granted a new day and His mercies are new every day.

It struck me that I have a negative sense about me and when I wake up I would be condemning myself even when I haven’t even gotten up out of bed. I thought about this and decided this is nonsense, I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I need to change my thinking and start believing God’s Word for my own life. I am praying Gods Word over my life.

In one of the novels I read, the people that came before the king were not allowed to be wallowing in self-pity and crying but had to be of good cheer. They needed to show they enjoyed life and was happy. I believe when we come into the presence of our King we should be doing the same things most of the time. God doesn’t appreciate people who complain and murmur all the time.  We should be grateful for our lives, we should be coming into God’s presence with praise and thanksgiving.

Prayer

Humbly Abba Father, I want to praise Your Holy Name. Lord, You are the Mighty God, You are my Counselor, You are my King of kings, Lord of Lords. You are my everything. I will praise Your Holy, Holy, Holy name. You, Lord, are worthy of praise and I adore and Love You. Amen

THE Word for Today:
Mark 1: 35, “Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

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Thinking about where I am "now."

2 Corinthians 6: 2 AMP

“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME (the time of grace) I LISTENED TO YOU, AND I HELPED YOU ON THE DAY OF SALVATION.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” –

I realized that I am constantly being chased by something, I just cannot relax and I don’t know how to just be calm. I always am worried about tomorrow and how I am going to deal with it. I have forgotten about the “now” – where am I now? What am I doing now?

I know God is listening to me “now”. My life is in God’s hands and I am going through a lot but I believe it because of my rushed nature. I am not enjoying the “now” in my own life.

I am worried about too many things and I believe I am over thinking everything. I get frustrated by people taking their good old time. They are living in the “now” and I have moved past the “now”.

Prayer

Lord, thank You, for being in my life. Thank You, Lord, for the Holy Spirit. Lord I am asking the You will help me to live my life in the "now." Accepting and understanding who I am through You, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

The Word for Today:
Isaiah 33: 10  AMP, “Now I will arise,” says the LORD. “Now I will be exalted; now I will be lifted up.”

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Wealth is given by God

Deuteronomy 8: 17 AMP

 “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’”

Wealth is given to us by God. I am grateful for the gifts I receive from God. I know that God is busy working something out for me. No good thing will God keep away from me.

Today I commit all my thoughts and my work into the hands of God. He is preparing the way for me. Nothing I do or say can change my circumstances but only God.

I think of the Israelites when they left Egypt. They did not leave empty handed but with pockets filled with gold and silver. The Egyptians gave it to them. The also went to a land filled with milk and honey. I have something in my hand. God is using this to bless me.

Prayer

O LORD, thank You, for the gifts You give to me each and every day. I am so grateful for Your blessings. I also realise that I cannot do anything on my own. With You, I can face each day and I praise Your Holy Name. Amen

The Word for Today:
Deuteronomy 8: 18  AMP, “But you shall remember [with profound respect] the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you the power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore (solemnly) to your fathers, as it is this day.”

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Marriage!

Colossians 3: 18 – 19

Family Relations

“Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the LORD. Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [ because of the responsibilities of marriage].”

Marriage is a 100% commitment from both sides. My husband loves me, I know he always goes the extra mile for me. I respect and adore him. He is there for me when I need him and I know I can count on him.

My life is full and I am busy all the time, I love baking and at the moment I am busy with a wedding cake. He was helping me make cake toppers for cupcakes.

If I need a cake baked for me while I am at the office and he can assist, I can pick up the phone and ask him to bake the cake for me. He goes ahead and does it for me.

Every morning he makes me a lovely cup of coffee and I set for the day. I make lunch for him because he needs something to eat during the day.

Something I learned is we need to respect each other, the minute there is no respect the marriage will crumble. My husband is my darling and I love him so much.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for my husband, bless his day with supernatural favour and acceptance from You and people. Teach me to listen and be observant helping him too. thank You, Lord, for my spouse. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

The Word for Today:
3 John 1: 11 AMP, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].”

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Change my words to change my life!

Matthew 12: 37 AMP

“For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin, and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced.”

Good morning, it is such a beautiful day here in Mpumalanga, South Africa. A beautiful sunlit day. How did you start your day? I start mine off with "Good morning LORD." Today I want to change my life by changing my words.  I am confessing "I am the righteousness of God in Christ." "I am worthy."  "I am a Child of God." I believe God doesn't make mistakes. I am here for a purpose.

I am worthy. I am loved and accepted by God and by me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. My life is worth living.

God's Words says only goodness and mercy follows me all the days of my life. Come and believe with me that we are worthy. God loves both you and me.

Prayer

Abba Father, please teach me to understand Your Word and use these words to describe myself and accept me as I am. I worship and praise You, Lord. I am worthy because of the blood of Jesus Christ. I love You Lord, thank You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

The Word for Today:
Proverbs 23: 7 AMP, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behaviour – one who manipulates]. He says to you, “Eat and drink,” yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].”

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"The genuineness of your faith."

 1 Peter 1: 7 AMP

“so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I don’t like being tested. Yet we are tested on a regular basis. I thought about the tests in my own life. I have come to realize that my strengths and weaknesses are tested. I think my gifts are tested too. When I read “even though tested and purified by fire,” I feel I want to run away. These tests are truly difficult. I believe I have been tested and gone through fire and I am still standing. I am sure you have been tested and been through a lot.

I believe God tests me to see how I will react. Just yesterday I was being tested and unfortunately, I believe I failed this test and will be tested again. I know my problem the thing is how to deal with it and move on. My response to this test was bad; in the end, I withdrew and tried to gain some kind of stability again.

I fear that I didn’t look for an opportunity to obey God and learn how I can change my future. It made me feel miserable. I am praying God will give me the necessary wisdom and understanding in dealing with my own issues.

Do you remember Moses and Aaron were dealing with Pharaoh and how Pharaoh manipulated the situation all the time? My Pharaoh cannot always win, I need to start identifying my enemy and I know God is on my side. I believe that God is for me, who can be against me. God reminded Moses that He [God] will bring them out with a mighty hand. I stand on the knowledge that God cares for me and He will bring me out with a mighty hand.

Prayer

Humbly Abba Father, I want to pray and ask You to help me face my issues head-on. I seem to be struggling with these tests and failing all the time. I want to pray to ask for wisdom and insight and understanding. Lord when I feel like my back is against the wall I call out to You. I believe that You are for me. Lord I know when I tithe You supply according to my needs. You gifted me with a good job. I believe Your mighty hand will bring me out next year. Amen

THE Word for Today:
2 Corinthians 9: 6 – 11 AMP, “Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously will also reap generously [and be blessed]. Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. And God is able to make all grace [every favour and earthly blessing] come in abundance  to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. As it is written and forever remains written,

HE [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness endures forever!

Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administer] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit].”

RELATED RESOURCES:
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