PRAYER!!

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 380
June 5, 2018///

I have a beautiful decorative cross on the wall of my home office that my precious friend Dawn gave to me. On the top of the cross it says: “Faith to give you strength”. One side says: “Love to lift you up”. The other side says: “Hope to get your through”. And the bottom says: “All these I pray for you”.

Every time I look at that (which is many times a day), I am reminded how much we need each other’s prayers and support!

I am so grateful for the wonderful people in my life, that I am confident life me up in prayer to the creator of the universe!

I am confident that no matter what situations or turmoil or trials may come my way, I have people who not only will pray for me through the hardships but are also praying for me in what may seem to be an ordinary day because we never know what is just around the corner.

Many times, the apostle Paul in his writings declared he was praying for the people reading his writings. Here are a couple of his types of prayers that we would do well to pray for our families, friends and neighbors!

Colossians 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Philippians 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

We can make these prayers and others our own and put our names and the names of those we are lifting to Almighty God in them. We can pray the 23rd Psalm over our loved ones by inserting a name in the text. For example: You Lord are Patsy’s Shepherd, and Patsy shall not want, and then continue.

There on so many blessings in the scripture that we can pray, and we know that the scripture is powerful. May we understand that our prayers make a difference. May we pray blessings on all those we know and on all those in authority over us.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Yes, we are to pray for those in authority. Our employers, pastors, political leaders, our judges, congress, and YES, our President and his advisers. Imagine, if all the complaints about our government, both local and national were turned into prayers for their wisdom, understanding, and ears to hear what God the Father is trying to get them to hear.

May I tell you we would see an amazing change in our country. Complaining, and griping, and arguing, never changes anything. But prayer can change everything!

I encourage you to read in John Chapter 17 the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father. I just want to call to your attention about three verses.

John 17:17-18 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

John 17:20 (KJV)
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Did you notice in that last verse that Jesus prayed for you if you are a believer? What a thrill to know that the Savior of the world prayed for me and not only prayed for me but is still praying for me.

Romans 8:34 (KJV)
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Jesus does not condemn us, He prays for us!!!!!!! May we do likewise!!!!!
___________________________

Father in Jesus name, I pray the prayer of the apostle Paul for each one who reads this: That their love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That they may approve things that are excellent; that they may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Amen

LOVE AND PRAYERS; ME-MAW