August 20th, 2023
A reminder to pray, as one, for all; loved ones, believers, local churches, marriages, families, nations, Ukraine, Russia, those in authority & for Israel’s peace.
“Father, strengthen me to: Trust in You with all of my heart… Not lean on my own understanding…Acknowledge You in all my ways; so You’ll direct my paths.
(Adapted from Prov 3:5-6).”
“Lord Jesus, as the good Shepherd, lead me so I can lead my children & grandchildren who ask, “Why do we have to say prayers & go to church?”
“Holy Spirit, give me courage to ask You for Your suggestions of how I can better talk with my loved ones and nurture in them the desire to talk to & get to know You & to want to be around & enjoy the family of God. I’m commanded to feed Your lambs, tend Your sheep, feed Your sheep… that implies the hunger is there (John 21:15-19).”
“Teach me to talk to You, my invisible Counselor, who lives inside of me, so I can nurture & awaken the hunger in the sheep & lead them to want to talk to You & to enjoy Your family.”
“Spirit, I don’t have the faith to apply Prov 3:5-6 to this situation. The Bible tells me, if I don’t have faith, how to get it:”
“Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God
(Romans 10:17).”
“I’m gonna speak (above) Prov. 3:5-6; Rom 10:17, & (below) Luke 10:39,42 aloud, so I can hear, faith will come & I’ll talk to You as Mary of Bethany did:”
“Mary, who… sat at Jesus feet & heard His word… one thing is needed & Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:39,42).”
“Spirit, by faith, help me to do this important thing! … as Jesus said, “the one thing… needed.”
“Spirit, enable me to commit to the process of making this, talking to You, my top priority so I can lead the young sheep to make it their top priority. Remind me that if getting to know You is my top concern, then You will take care of everything else in my life in Your time & in Your way (Gen 12:1-2; 15:1; Prov 3:5-6; Rom 10:17; Luke 10:39,42) Amen.”
“Remind me to be faithful & obedient with “the one thing needed,” so that the rest of my assignment will flow out of my heart which will be filled with the love, strength, goodness & direction of the Lord Jesus that I receive by making talking sincerely & honesty with You, Holy Spirit, who dwells inside of me, “the first thing.” Guide the young sheep to follow. Amen.”