Tag Archive | prayer

Intercessory Prayer

Sep7

I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” — Genesis 18:21 (bible gateway.com)

Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?   Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place. — Genesis 18:23-33 (biblegateway.com)

Intercessory prayer is pleading before the Lord on behalf of others. Are you standing before the throne of God on behalf of others? So many to be prayed for. All of us need to be praying. Are you willing? Who prayed and is still paying for you?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Ashamed?

Jul17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. — Romans 1:16

Is God trying to alert us? I received a devotional this morning from a blog I follow and this is the verse referenced. I open “biblegateway.com” this morning and what is the verse of the day? You’re right, Romans 1:16. If I’m not mistaken I think I saw it on Facebook yesterday.

There are a lot of changes going on in the United States, and worldwide, that is challenging those who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who died for the sin of all mankind, and was raised on the third day, as stated in the Holy Scriptures. That is the gospel in a nutshell.

Do you believe? Are you ashamed? I believe a time of great testing is coming. Are you ready?

“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” — Luke 21:34-36

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Calling All Intercessors

Jul6

Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the  Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place. — Genesis 18:23-33

Are you pleading before the Lord on behalf of our United States of America? The USA needs intercessors. Will you be one?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Independence Day

Jul4

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. — Psalm 33:12

As the United States of America celebrates it’s birthday today I look to the history of this great nation. A nation that was built on the fundamental truths of the Word of God. A nation that at one time believed in the standard set by the Ten Commandments. A nation that believed in prayer so much, to the One true God of our nation, that prayer was practiced in our schools, judicial institutions, and our homes. A nation that was respected for it’s truthfulness, hospitality, and humanitarianism. I remember a time when the National anthem was played that every hat was removed and every hand was placed over ones heart in respect and honor of our nation. I remember being on a military base at 5 pm and hearing taps being played over the whole post via loud speaker — every car would stop, the soldier in the car would get out of the vehicle and either salute, if in uniform, or place their hand over their heart if not, — face toward the flag until taps was finished playing.

My heart is saddened as I look at our nation now where the standard by which we should set our laws is “anything goes”. There is no standard so no wonder there is such confusion as to what is right and what is wrong. Prayer was taken out of our schools, so no wonder the children of today do not know the saving grace of a Mighty God who strengthens, protects, and exalts a nation. And the pledge of allegiance? There is little love, respect, allegiance, sacrifice or thankfulness to our nation or to those who served to make this nation great.

I don’t know about you but I see a deterioration of this great nation and hope that we wake up to the need for God in our nation before we wake up to a brand new nation that will not be called the United States of America.

So this day, as you celebrate, take a few moments to reflect on what this day is really celebrating. A nation that has been blessed because we have been one nation under God!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Rewards

Jul1

so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:4

pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:6b

so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:18

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-21

Is your Christianity on display as to exalt yourself? Do you boast of your righteousness for all to see? Is humbleness a word used in describing you when others speak of you?

Is your “religion” all about you or all about God? If it’s all about you then enjoy because you have received your reward. If it’s all about God then your reward is being stored in heaven where it can’t be marred or decay.

Where are your treasures being stored? Is Jesus the very heart of your life and ministry? Do you direct focus to/on Him? A tough lesson to learn and keep. Keep your eyes on Jesus and seek His face continually. Your heart will be storing up eternal treasures.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Violence Is Deadly

Jun25

But they lie in wait for their own blood;
They ambush their own lives.
So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence;
It takes away the life of its possessors. — Proverbs 1:18-19

So much is said in these 2 little verses.

There is hope for the oppressed, those who are sought out by violent people, that judgement will come eventually to those who seek violence.

I would think that these verses would strike fear in the violent person for their own blood will spill requiring their very lives. They who live for violence will become victims of their own violence, paving a way to eternal destruction.

When I think about people who are living their lives to gain by violence, it saddens my heart. They miss the sweet fellowship and love of the Holy Father. They miss the companionship and guidance of the Holy Spirit and they miss the contentment and peace only found in our Holy Lord, Jesus Christ. All that on this side of eternity. WOW!

I am troubled that the one who lives by violence will experience turmoil for eternity not ever knowing personally the God who created them.

Does this at all motivate you to prayer and sharing God’s Word in your everyday speech? Only God can change a life but we can be the intercessor and mouthpiece for our Lord. Are you serving Him in this capacity?

I thank the Lord for His Word and speaking through it. To God be the glory!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Cease Striving (Be Still)

Jun11

“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10

One of my favorite verses that I fall back on quite often. When my life seems overwhelming and I can’t keep up with all the demands this world throws at me, when the peace I experience with the fullness of Christ in me has fled — I’m reminded that I need to be still in God’s almighty presence, exalt Him and know He is in control of all things, including my life.

Being still in His presence, I pray a prayer that includes praise and thanksgiving which helps me to know my God is mighty and can handle whatever comes my way. Prayer for others reminds me that some have worse hurdles than mine to get over and prayer for myself helps me relinquish my life to the One who gave it to me.

There is NOTHING too big or too small that the God of this universe, who created you, can’t handle. Cease your striving and know that He is God. HE WILL BE EXALTED!!!!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Prayer, As Always

Jun8

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. —  Daniel 6:10

How faithful are you in personal prayer time? Oh, that we were a kingdom of people who prayed. How would things be different? How would you be different? Different enough that your prayer life would continue even if it meant “being cast into the lion’s den”? Do you have the strength to persevere? Prayer — faithful, continuous, earnest prayer — makes a difference in your life, the life of others, and the world. Are you making a difference?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Effective Faith

May2

and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. — Philemon 1:6

How is your walk of faith? Are you growing so as to be effective for the sake of Christ? Prayer is fellowship with God which is necessary to see things from God’s perspective, humble us, and to surrender our lives for His purpose.

Fellowship of faith is fellowship with other believers so as to encourage, be encouraged and to sharpen and be sharpened. Along with that is accountability.

Fellowship of faith is filling our mind and hearts with the Word of God. It teaches us His way and allows us to serve in a manner worthy of our Lord by the Holy Spirit’s guidance and bringing to remembrance what we have studied.

Again, how is your faith? “I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake”.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Love Through Prayer

Apr27

I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, — Philemon 1:4

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. — 1 Samuel 12:23

One meaningful way to obey “love your neighbor” is to pray for them. Who is on your prayer list?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon