Praying that Matters- 6/29/21

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.

19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”

20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

Exodus 16:11-15, 19-21

Questions for Reflection:

Has there ever been a time where God has given you provision that at first did not look like provision?

Notice how merciful God is to the grumbling Israelites, how does it make you feel to know that God is merciful even to "grumblers?"

How tempted are you to store up daily bread for the "what if's" where does that desire come from? How might that affect your relationship with God?

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, You are my true Father, who loves me very much. I love you, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

(Pause and strategically pray these three petitions over the real life situations you are facing. You are calling in the coordinates asking Him to act.)

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Give us this day our daily bread”. I recognize and ask for your care and provision for all of my physical needs from finances to food, a warm bed to a running car, medical care to retirement income …. It is all from your hand. Thank you. In praying I surrender my needs to Your care and I surrender my sometimes incessant need to worry about all these things. Help me trust You Father.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”. Father you are leading me to recognize my deep need for Your forgiveness. Forgive me of my every sin, Father. (Confess any specific sin burdens that today weigh on your heart.) I receive Your complete and total forgiveness. Lead me now Father as I recall any grudges, retribution or unforgiveness harboring in me against those who have sinned against me. I now surrender this all to You and make the decision to “let it go … into Your hands” … to forgive.

Help me Father to live forgiven and forgiving.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Lead us not (only) into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”.

Father help us recognize and follow Your leading as we contend for Your Kingdom in this war zone of a world. Even more, Deliver us from the evil one. Jesus, You are the only one who is completely victorious over evil and we go forward this day facing whatever evil may come in the power of Your name. Deliver us from evil Father, deliver us.

Father, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

Praying that Matters- 6/28/21

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:7-12

Questions for Reflection:

To what degree do you wrestle with a default view of God that He is stingy when He could be abundant? How would this view affect how and even if you approach Him to ask anything?

How do you suppose it would change a person's thinking about God as a good giving Father if they discovered that actually there was much more provision available to them everyday but they didn't get it because they just never asked?

What area of life do you wish, truly wish, you could trust God more that He will provide ultimately what's good for you? How would deeper faith in His goodness relieve you of worrying as much about that area of life?

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, You are my true Father, who loves me very much. I love you, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

(Pause and strategically pray these three petitions over the real life situations you are facing. You are calling in the coordinates asking Him to act.)

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Give us this day our daily bread”. I recognize and ask for your care and provision for all of my physical needs from finances to food, a warm bed to a running car, medical care to retirement income …. It is all from your hand. Thank you. In praying I surrender my needs to Your care and I surrender my sometimes incessant need to worry about all these things. Help me trust You Father.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”. Father you are leading me to recognize my deep need for Your forgiveness. Forgive me of my every sin, Father. (Confess any specific sin burdens that today weigh on your heart.) I receive Your complete and total forgiveness. Lead me now Father as I recall any grudges, retribution or unforgiveness harboring in me against those who have sinned against me. I now surrender this all to You and make the decision to “let it go … into Your hands” … to forgive.

Help me Father to live forgiven and forgiving.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Lead us not (only) into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”.

Father help us recognize and follow Your leading as we contend for Your Kingdom in this war zone of a world. Even more, Deliver us from the evil one. Jesus, You are the only one who is completely victorious over evil and we go forward this day facing whatever evil may come in the power of Your name. Deliver us from evil Father, deliver us.

Father, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

Praying that Matters- 6/26/21

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2

Questions for Reflection:

If 3 people who knew you well were asked, "On a scale of 1-10 how easily is your name's mind changed?" What would the answers be?

What is at least one truth Jesus teaches us to pray in the Lord's prayer which, if believed, would give us a new way to think about something which would be far more life enriching than your current default thinking?

Contemplate how hopeful it is to believe that no matter how old I get I can constantly have renewed thinking which is more in line with Jesus' word and will.

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

Praying that Matters- 6/25/21

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.’

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 4:23-31

Questions for Reflection:

What one thing could you do today that would give you better laser-focus on Jesus’ mission for you in the world?

In what area of your life do you need help being bold in your faith? It doesn’t mean you’re loud or obnoxious. It’s more a place where you find yourself wanting to be more authentic in your faith but shying away from it.

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/24/21

12-14 “One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King Agrippa, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?’

15-16 “I said, ‘Who are you, Master?’

“The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you.

17-18 “‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’

Acts 26:12-18

Questions for Reflection:

Sometimes when our plans don’t work out as we want them to they work out even better than we expected, like this story of Paul – which took years to unfold. Can you think of a time in your life when this was true for you?

Can you think of how at this very moment, God may be putting pieces of a puzzle together in your life, all fitting together, in His perfect timing, for you to be a Contender for Him?

How might He want to use YOU to be deployed with a purpose for Him, instead of being a spectator?

Vs 16-17 Jesus says to Paul and to us, “I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness…. I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in Me.”

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/23/21

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Numbers 6:22-27

Questions for Reflection:

How is knowing and respecting someone's name necessary for a meaningful relationship?

Is there a specific name, possibly a family name, that carries weight for you?

As a carrier of God's name, how might you honor or bring God's presence into the world today?

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/22/21

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

Questions for Reflection:

How does the fact you are a child of God through faith in Christ and not just a employee or slave change the way you will look at the mission of your Father in heaven?

What hurdles in your thinking need to be crossed to experience more deeply the fact that the God of the universe is your Abba Father?

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?- 6/21/21

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25, 31-34

Questions for Reflection:

As you start your week what are you worried about?

Is there something in your life that you find particularly hard to trust God with?

What would it look like to trust your Father in Heaven with those things? Is there a posture of the heart you could take?

How might you "Call in the coordinates" today?

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen