Let Us Pray! :)

There's a gal I pray for, via almost-daily e-mails. This morning's prayer I read again and again, praying it for myself, too. So, I thought to myself, Self, why not put it on your blog, so that others could pray for themselves and their friends, too? And you can see that I did! :)

Dearest Father, our Almighty God, our Abba, who loves us to the utmost. For you, we offer this day. For every task, fill our hearts with joyful willingness. For every vexing, give us your patience and mercy. For all thoughts, let them be sweet and glorifying. Holy Spirit, check our thoughts today, and make us aware of the idle ones that slip in without our being aware, that are not pleasing to you or uplifting to our well-being. Turn our sighing into choices to sing. We'll need your help with that, for sure, 'cuz you know the pull to pout is ever present. Bring to mind those we can pray for, and along with that, let us know the exact thing to pray for those persons. I know this: praying for others derails our thoughts off our own self and stuff, so we want to be doing lots of that today. Let us serve you in that capacity. Teach us your will and direct our feet into it. This is a new week, a new, clean slate; let us do that which comes to mind, not putting it off or deferring it (as I read in Steams in the Desert today), so that we can lay our head peacefully upon our pillows and sleep soundly through the night, with no regrets, but only with that wonderful, calming sense of accomplishment. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' powerful name. Amen. xo

To Be or Not To Be

Is there a way you'd like your husband to be, or not to be? Seriously ask yourself this question: If I could change one character trait of my husband's, what would it be?

Not having many unfavorable traits, I had to really think about what I would like changed in Mike. Then, an unusual word - one that is not normally in my vocabulary - came to mind --- reticent.

Of the four definitions I found on dictionary.com (I love this site, 'cuz if I spell the word wrong, which I did, it gives suggestions), one hit the bullseye:

the trait of being uncommunicative;
not volunteering more than necessary

There is so much wisdom in being reticent, since it would keep you from putting your foot in your mouth. On the other hand, to a wife's heart, it can be a form of abandonment.

It was eye-opening for me, and also gave me wisdom how to pray, without any judgemental or angry feelings . I'm excited to see the Lord answer this one.

Now.... perhaps it's time to ask another question: What character trait could be changed in MY life???? :) Happy changes to you!

Fuel up Your Prayer LIfe

From Spurgeon's devotional Morning and Evening, were these words: Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications.

Get alone with God and just start talking! :) Talk about your lack of zest, your loneliness, your marriage, your kids, the things in government that frustrate and scare you, terrorism, our soldiers in Iraq, that neighbor that irks you, the trial that seems so endless, the joy that seems depleted, the fears that are robbing your faith, the friend who doesn't know Jesus as Savior and Friend, and whatever else is on your mind. Talk about the goodness of God that you appreciate, His many benefits, that we don't ever want to forget, and also, talk about strongholds and sins that you need deliverance from. (Deliverance by man is in vain - Psalm 60:11-, so, of course, we will need to talk to our Deliverer about these.)

Eze 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.

Let's be the ones that will stand in the gap, so God can destroy the enemies of the souls of men!