Pray Without Ceasing

It seems we are living in uncertain times. The economy is in recession, unemployment is up, and people all around are struggling. There are so many needs and so many people hurting. I do believe we are living in the end times and getting closer to joining our heavenly Father. I will speak on that another time. I really want to talk about prayer and praying without ceasing. Often I find myself praying throughout the day, it may be a small simple prayer or a simple thanks, or a long prayer. I believe now is the time that we as christians should take time daily to pray without ceasing. Pray throughout the day whether it be a small simple prayer or a long prayer. I really feel that it is time to act and pray like never before. If we want to see change or a miracle from God in our country then it is time we pray, pray, pray!

Over the last few years, God would wake me up at night and would either give me specific people to pray for or I would just feel this urgency to pray and begin praying. The burden has grown stronger and stronger over the years. We have so many of our own church family that are facing attacks from Satan and they are really sick. They need a miracle, a healing miracle. I am asking each of you to pray for our church (Calvary Temple A/G) and those members in need of God's healing. My husband and I have been facing attacks from Satan and I have been struggling with fluid retention which I struggled with a few years ago and had to have several tests run (all came back normal) and then it slowly started going away (some of it that is). It has come back and is worse now. I want to extend the prayer request to our nation and the economy as well. We need a miracle within our nation. We live in a nation where God is slowly being taken out. It seems that there are many who are struggling financially and have lost their jobs and having hard time finding work. Our nation needs our prayers.

I encourage each of you to take the time daily to spend with God. As we pray, pray with faith, believing that the request will be met. As you spend time in prayer on a daily basis, you will develop a more stronger and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I know we serve a God who is faithful and true. I really believe in miracles. I have learned to put my trust in God. I am asking that we all begin praying for one another. I really believe in the power of prayer. I know it works! I have seen miracles through prayer. I have listed some scriptures which God has given me to help me in these troubled times. I hope these bring encouragement to you as well.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

This scripture is so true and yet hard. We are to rejoice always. I don't know about you, it is very hard sometimes to rejoice when you are facing trials. I thought about Paul when he was in prison and after all he had endured, he sung praises to God in prison and witnessed to the guard. He is also reminding us to pray continually, pray without ceasing. Another reminder is give thanks in all circumstances. No matter what trial we are facing, there is a reason we are going through it, maybe it is a testing of our faith, or maybe it is so that we may be a witness to someone else. We have to put our hope and trust in God. He will get us through it.

James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Romans 5:3-5
"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

The one thing that has stood out in the first 3 scriptures was how we are to rejoice and consider it pure joy when we face trials. The last scripture talks about putting our complete trust in the Lord and acknowledging him. Let us meditate on these scriptures and apply to them to our lives. God is in control and he will provide our need at the appointed time. His will is best. We can rejoice in our sufferings knowing that God paid the price, he died upon the cross for our sins. He is truly worthy of our praises. We must remember as hard as it is to rejoice during the tough times, there is always someone somewhere worse off than we are. May God bless each of you. I pray for those whom have lost hope that Lord you would begin speaking to their heart and letting them know that they are not alone for you are with them always. Help them Lord to find that peace and joy and make you their Lord and Savior. I pray that we would each pray without ceasing for a nation that is slowly losing site of you. I pray for a miracle Lord, that you would intervene and speak to each of us and help us to pray for one another. Help us to rejoice in the times of hardship. May we look to you always. Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have already bestowed upon us.

Right Time for Everything

God has given us so much. We are a very blessed nation but yet we have begun to take things for granted. We are all guilty of complaining when things don't happen the way we think they should. Who are we to think that our way is better? God is over all things and he knows what's best for each and everyone of us. His timing is perfect. He knows whats best for us during any given situation or circumstance. Let us take this opportunity and this new year that we have been so graciously given to thank God for His timing and His many blessings. May we rejoice and celebrate God's goodness, no matter what the circumstance. May we lift up His holy name and praise him for all He has done and is about to do. We serve an awesome God. Let us be patient and wait upon Him and look to Him, His timing is right. There is a right time for everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says: (Message)
"There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace."

Happy New Year to all! Hope this new year will bring many blessings your way and may the peace and joy of Jesus Christ reign in your heart forever. Blessings to all!