It’s a Privilege to Pray

God sits on His throne in His temple. Jesus sits beside Him, vigorously pleading for those He loves. For us. The Holy Spirit is there too. On our behalf He utters groans that words cannot express. And then there’s us. Sitting here, yet welcomed into the presence of this Almighty God (Psalm 11:4, Psalm 18:6, Jeremiah 50:34, Hebrews 7:24-25, Romans 8:26-27).


–He invites us to come with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).


–He tells us our prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16).


–He says pray about anything and everything. When we do He gives us His peace (Philippians 4:5-6).


–He tells us that faith the size of a mustard seed can say to a mountain, –“Move!” and it will move (Matthew 17:20).


–God says He loves us more than we can know and that He is able and willing to do more than we ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:18-20)


It’s a privilege to pray.

When A Leader Prays

King Hezekiah prayed for his people, “May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.“

The Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

And the people gave thanks to the Lord (from 2 Chronicles 30:19-23).

The Battle is the Lord’s

Powerless against a great army, they cried to the Lord. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chronicles 20:12).”

They were told, “Do not be afraid. The Lord will be with you (2 Chronicles 20:17).”

They responded with praise and the Lord fought for them. None of the enemy escaped alive. There was so much spoil it took them three days to take it all. (Read the whole story in 2 Chronicles 20).

We pray because the battle is the Lord’s.

Grateful for God’s Love

Solomon dedicated the temple and the people saw the glory of the Lord fill it. They gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever (2 Chronicles 7:3).”

Those who see God’s glory are grateful for his love.

How I Found Life Verses to Pray for our New Grandson

I pray life verses over each of our grandchildren. Our newest grandson was born on 11/10, so I looked up every chapter 11, verse 10 in the Bible.

Here are the verses I chose: For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11:10). So refuse to worry (Ecclesiates 11:10).

May our grandson be a man of prayer.

Life is a Gift

Bursting with joy, I told the 7th graders I was teaching about our healthy newborn grandson. I told them life is a gift we should not take for granted; that our oldest daughter delivered two stillborn babies this year.

A student told me, “My great grandmother was pregnant 20 times. Two of her children lived.”

Give thanks to God for every life.

P.S. I am especially thankful for our sweet new grandson.

Because They Trusted in God

Capable warriors, skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords and bows could have trusted in themselves.

Instead, “They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him (from 1 Chronicles 5:18-20).”

Capable people should pray.

Trust

“God gives me whatever I want, because I want whatever He gives.”

As quoted by Laura Booz in Expect Something Beautiful, p.65.

Salvation is a Gift for You

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

Give thanks to God for His gift of salvation. It is for you.

Be Patient

You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful (James 5:11).

Give thanks to God as you patiently persevere.

Draw Near to God

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Give thanks to God for his loving response to us.