Good day to ya everyone. Everyday we get another chance to praise God and to give Him thanks. We also get to spread the good news. The question I’m asking today of everyone is this; do those who we give the good news to see Jesus in us or do they just hear words they don’t care about from someone who is not living what they are saying anyway? I’m just asking. Only God knows for sure.
Today’s Prayer
Father, There are times as a minister of Your word when I feel “down and out.” I also see so many precious people who are in that state today. I may not completely understand their reason and their situation, but I know who has the answer. You Lord, are the one who can help us overcome whatever burden, trial or temptation we face. You are the one who provides a way out. You are the one who can lift us out of the pit of sin, shame or depression. I pray that you will be merciful to us as you have always been; that you will give us grace for today and keep our focus on JESUS. We don’t want or need to feel down and out, because we know who holds the future and works all things to the good of those He loves. In the name of Jesus we thank you and love you, Amen.
Let’s eat.
“May I Pray With You?”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
I have shared this story a number of times over the years and felt in my spirit that today was a good day to share it again.
I once walked into the office of a friend of mine and his secretary seemed physically struggling with her breathing and her countenance was different than normal. I asked her if she was okay and see told that her allergies were bothering her. She said that “sometimes it gets so bad I can hardly breathe.” I asked her if I could pray with her and I got a response that I wasn’t expecting. She said “Oh, I don’t want to take up God’s time with something as trivial as me. I’d rather not waste it on me and besides, I have not been going to church for a long time and I don’t pray much. You should pray for someone much less fortunate than me. My mother always taught us to pray at the dinner table for those less fortunate than us,” she was touched that I would offer to pray with her.
The next day I told her my prayer group was praying for her. She could not believe that I would do such a thing for her. It is interesting what happens when you offer to pray with someone. Offering to pray with someone can be the most genuine and loving thing you can do for another person. It can be the one means of getting a conversation on a spiritual plane that cuts across religious stigmas and gets to the root of the problem—the person’s real need. It immediately reveals your own values and sets the stage for future encounters. All it takes is a little holy boldness to step through the door when the opportunity seems to present itself. Is there anything too small to pray about? Do we, in fact, bother God when we make any request that is not dealing with only the poor in Africa?
Apostle Paul clearly tells us in the above scripture that prayer is talking with God. It is having such a relationship with Him that we can bring anything to His attention.
We’ve all heard the housewife’s prayer for a parking spot or other such seemingly trivial prayer requests, but are they trivial to God? If God is our closest and most intimate friend, then it becomes very natural to talk to Him as you would a friend who might be sitting next to you in the car. Yes, God desires to have such close communion with you and me that we can pray about anything—even a parking spot.
As you enter the workplace or any other place today, ask a co-worker or anyone as a matter of fact that might be going through troubled times if you can pray for (or with) them about something. You may be surprised at what doors will open as a result.
Quote of the Day
Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian.
Andrew Murray
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.