April 27, 2020
Happy Monday, dear friends! Welcome to my Monday Blog!
Wow, what a lovely and serene image above! Actually, this is a state-of-mind I pray we’re all moving towards. It’s quite amazing how serenity actually works if we just slow down, replace negative thoughts with positive ones and literally put on a Happy Face! Of the multitudes of my own personal experiences, here’s one truth I understand and accept:
“No matter where you go, there you are.”
So why not make the best out of every situation? And when we find ourselves in a bad spot, let’s try turning that frown upside down. Sound trite? It’s NOT, plus, I know all about the value of SMILES…and I’d much rather leave this earth with a face full ‘a laugh lines from smiling, than a big sad frown hugging my sweet little face! Wouldn’t YOU?!
Which brings me to our current challenge: “Quarantine 2020”. One day we’re all this ‘n that, then out of the blue we’re like, “what the heck just happened?!” Talk about about a rude awakening!
Another truth I know: It’s been proven that smiling can bring on laughter and vice versa. Matter of fact, laughter has even assisted in the cure of Cancer in some instances! Our attitudes are vitally important no matter what the issue or dilemma may be. It’s not quite the same as “if ya can’t beat ’em, join ’em” . My point is simple: we never, ever, NEVER GIVE UP!
Attitude is everything. Smiling and Laughter are true mood changers and if you add in Faith and Prayer…well, let me put it this way: YOU ROCK!
So as we continue our climb up “Quarantine Mountain”, do indeed, Cling to your Bible and your Face Mask! Complain as little as possible and PRAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!
Most of you know my attitude regarding Prayer. I’m a firm believer that prayer can change everyone, everything and every situation!
* “ “Prayer is both marvelous and mysterious. The idea of communication with the Creator of the universe seems almost ludicrous. And certainly presumptuous. Not to mention intimidating.”
Why would God want to talk with us? Is there a right and wrong way to pray? Why does God answer some prayers and not others? Does it matter that we only have a little faith?
Thankfully, the Bible gives us insight into the hows and whys of prayer. Since God invites us to talk with Him, it’s no surprise He gives us guidelines. I have compiled a list of what I consider the ten most important verses on prayer:
1. Luke 18:13-14 – “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said. ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Bottom Line: The first step in developing a prayer life is calling upon God for salvation.
2. Psalm 66:18 – “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” God doesn’t expect us to be sinless, but He does call us to deal with our sin as soon as possible. (1 John 1:9)
Bottom Line: We can’t live a constantly sinful lifestyle and expect God to hear our prayers.
3. Psalm 34:15 – “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” If we have a right relationship with God and are earnestly seeking to follow and honor Him with our lives, we never have to wonder is He’s listening to our prayers.
Bottom Line: God hears the prayers of those who put their trust in Him.
4. Daniel 9:18 – “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.”
Bottom Line: God’s mercy, not our goodness, is the basis for answered prayers.
5. Psalm 5:3 – “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Bottom Line: When we pray, we can wait in eager anticipation for God to work on our behalf.
6. 1 John 5:14 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us.”
Bottom Line: God answers every prayer that aligns with His will.
7. James 4:3 – “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures,”
Bottom Line: God will say no to our prayers if we ask for something for the wrong reason or for the wrong purpose.
8. Matthew 26:42 – “He (Jesus) went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
Bottom Line: We can surrender our will to God’s in complete confidence that He knows what’s best.
9. Mark 9:24 – I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (This is my favorite!)
This honest confession comes from a man whose son was demon-possessed. He wasn’t fully convinced Jesus had the power to deliver his son, but he asked anyway.
This passage debunks two of the greatest misconceptions about prayer – that if we have enough faith, God will answer our prayers, and if we don’t, He won’t. Scripture doesn’t support the idea that great faith produces great miracles and small faith prevents them. Instead, God tells us to ask in faith, believing that He can and will answer our prayers in the way He knows is best. Even frightened, tiny, mustard-seed faith like this father had, can and does move the hand of God.
Bottom Line: It’s not how much faith we have that matters, but who we have faith in.
10. James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Bottom Line – The prayers of godly Christians work.
My prayer for us all this week, is that we will continue to be diligent and do our part each and every day as we continue to fight this invisible enemy. Above all, may we never take for granted His awesome gift of life He has bestowed upon us. Amen!
This image represents just one more reminder of God’s incredibly powerful handiwork!!
Thank You, GOD!
GOD is Good! GOD is Great!! Always!!!
I love you,
Margaret
*Note: Gratitude and a big “THANK YOU’ to inspirational speaker and Christian author, Lori Hatcher, for her inspirational writings on the subject of PRAYER!
Author Margaret McBride 