Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
Dear Lord,
I thank You that I can put on Your armor and have the strength to stand firm. I know our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of wickedness. God, I pray that every day I will be faithful to gird my loins with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shod my feet with the gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, put on the helmet of salvation and pick up the sword of the Spirit.
Lord, I relish the time I spend in Your word every morning. I ask that Your Spirit will guide and direct me in Your word, and use that time to clothe me in Your armor. Lord, I need the protection that Your word affords, and I thank You for providing it.
Gratefully I pray,
Amen.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
40 days of prayer: Day 29
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. III John 1:2
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
I praise You that You are the Great Physician. You are Jehovah Rapha, God who heals all our diseases. I thank You for Your healing power. I pray today for those who are sick and suffering. God, if it is Your will, I pray that You will heal them, make them whole, cure their disease and make them well. Jesus, bring comfort to them and encourage them. I pray that they would look to You as the Great Physician and believe with a bold faith that You can heal. Lord, if there are doctors or other medical professionals involved, I pray that You would give them wisdom and discernment in these situations. Lord, we so look forward to heaven where there will be no sickness. Until then, I ask that You would show Your healing power to those who are in need.
For Your glory,
Amen.
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
I praise You that You are the Great Physician. You are Jehovah Rapha, God who heals all our diseases. I thank You for Your healing power. I pray today for those who are sick and suffering. God, if it is Your will, I pray that You will heal them, make them whole, cure their disease and make them well. Jesus, bring comfort to them and encourage them. I pray that they would look to You as the Great Physician and believe with a bold faith that You can heal. Lord, if there are doctors or other medical professionals involved, I pray that You would give them wisdom and discernment in these situations. Lord, we so look forward to heaven where there will be no sickness. Until then, I ask that You would show Your healing power to those who are in need.
For Your glory,
Amen.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
At the Cross There's Room
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
You may already be familiar with this hymn in the recent rendering of this text by Michael W. Smith. I love his version, and I love this one too – it’s not the tune but the wonderful words that matter. Praise God with me for these precious and amazing truths:
There is room at the cross for you!
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. I Timothy 1:15
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24
The Savior hears your burdens, and carries them!
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19
Love’s atoning work is done!
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:28-30
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. I Peter 3:18
Streams of boundless mercy flow!
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5
Oh that all the world might know, at the cross there’s room!
At the Cross There’s Room
Words by Fanny Crosby
Mourner, wheresoever thou art,
At the cross there’s room!
Tell the burden of thy heart,
At the cross there’s room!
Tell it in thy Savior’s ear,
Cast away thine every fear,
Only speak, and He will hear;
At the cross there’s room!
Haste thee, wand’rer, tarry not,
At the cross there’s room!
Seek that consecrated spot;
At the cross there’s room!
Heavy laden, sore oppressed,
Love can soothe thy troubled breast;
In the Savior find thy rest;
At the cross there’s room!
Thoughtless sinner, come today;
At the cross there’s room!
Hark! the Bride and Spirit say,
At the cross there’s room!
Now a living fountain see,
Opened there for you and me,
Rich and poor, for bond and free,
At the cross there’s room!
Blessed thought! For every one
At the cross there’s room!
Love’s atoning work is done;
At the cross there’s room!
Streams of boundless mercy flow,
Free to all who thither go;
Oh, that all the world might know
At the cross there’s room!
Colossians 2:13-14
You may already be familiar with this hymn in the recent rendering of this text by Michael W. Smith. I love his version, and I love this one too – it’s not the tune but the wonderful words that matter. Praise God with me for these precious and amazing truths:
There is room at the cross for you!
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. I Timothy 1:15
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24
The Savior hears your burdens, and carries them!
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19
Love’s atoning work is done!
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:28-30
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. I Peter 3:18
Streams of boundless mercy flow!
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5
Oh that all the world might know, at the cross there’s room!
At the Cross There’s Room
Words by Fanny Crosby
Mourner, wheresoever thou art,
At the cross there’s room!
Tell the burden of thy heart,
At the cross there’s room!
Tell it in thy Savior’s ear,
Cast away thine every fear,
Only speak, and He will hear;
At the cross there’s room!
Haste thee, wand’rer, tarry not,
At the cross there’s room!
Seek that consecrated spot;
At the cross there’s room!
Heavy laden, sore oppressed,
Love can soothe thy troubled breast;
In the Savior find thy rest;
At the cross there’s room!
Thoughtless sinner, come today;
At the cross there’s room!
Hark! the Bride and Spirit say,
At the cross there’s room!
Now a living fountain see,
Opened there for you and me,
Rich and poor, for bond and free,
At the cross there’s room!
Blessed thought! For every one
At the cross there’s room!
Love’s atoning work is done;
At the cross there’s room!
Streams of boundless mercy flow,
Free to all who thither go;
Oh, that all the world might know
At the cross there’s room!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
40 days of prayer: Day 28
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen " And the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:11-14
Almighty God,
I come before You today to worship. To declare that You are worthy. To You be the blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. Lord, to You be all the glory and the praise, for You are the lamb that was slain. It was Your precious blood that was shed and that saves me. May every created thing give You glory.
Lord, I so look forward to the day when I join You in heaven and sing (with a loud voice!) with the myriads and myriads, thousands of thousands "Worthy is the Lamb!"
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.
In Your amazing name,
Amen.
Almighty God,
I come before You today to worship. To declare that You are worthy. To You be the blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. Lord, to You be all the glory and the praise, for You are the lamb that was slain. It was Your precious blood that was shed and that saves me. May every created thing give You glory.
Lord, I so look forward to the day when I join You in heaven and sing (with a loud voice!) with the myriads and myriads, thousands of thousands "Worthy is the Lamb!"
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.
In Your amazing name,
Amen.
Friday, March 27, 2009
40 days of prayer: Day 27
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Dear Lord,
Today I pray for those who are hungry. I thank You that I always have enough to eat, more than enough, and food of every kind. I thank You that I can go into any store in town and buy exactly what I want, even if it is a non-essential. I fully realize that not everyone in my community or in this nation can do that, and for that blessing I am grateful.
Dear Lord, I ask your protection over those who are hungry, in this nation and around the world. I pray that You would turn the hearts of those who have plenty to eat, that we would be generous in sharing what we have so that others don't go hungry.
Lord, make us good stewards of what You have given us - give us wisdom and discernment so that we are not wasteful.
Lord, I pray Your blessing over those who are ministering to the hungry. Give them strength for their task and bless their efforts that the food they have to distribute may be multiplied.
Father, give us generous hearts and minds, that we might graciously share what You have given us.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Dear Lord,
Today I pray for those who are hungry. I thank You that I always have enough to eat, more than enough, and food of every kind. I thank You that I can go into any store in town and buy exactly what I want, even if it is a non-essential. I fully realize that not everyone in my community or in this nation can do that, and for that blessing I am grateful.
Dear Lord, I ask your protection over those who are hungry, in this nation and around the world. I pray that You would turn the hearts of those who have plenty to eat, that we would be generous in sharing what we have so that others don't go hungry.
Lord, make us good stewards of what You have given us - give us wisdom and discernment so that we are not wasteful.
Lord, I pray Your blessing over those who are ministering to the hungry. Give them strength for their task and bless their efforts that the food they have to distribute may be multiplied.
Father, give us generous hearts and minds, that we might graciously share what You have given us.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
40 days of prayer: Day 26
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
I need to be reminded of this exhortation every day, every hour. My selfishness is so prevalent in my life - help me keep my eyes on You and act as You would act - regarding others as more important than me, focusing on others' needs rather than my own. Lord, I know I fall short in this area. Please forgive my sin, and give me opportunities to practice this principle, to make this a new way of life. I thank You that I can do all things, even difficult selfless things that are contrary to my sinful nature, because Your Spirit lives in me.
Humbly I pray,
Amen.
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
I need to be reminded of this exhortation every day, every hour. My selfishness is so prevalent in my life - help me keep my eyes on You and act as You would act - regarding others as more important than me, focusing on others' needs rather than my own. Lord, I know I fall short in this area. Please forgive my sin, and give me opportunities to practice this principle, to make this a new way of life. I thank You that I can do all things, even difficult selfless things that are contrary to my sinful nature, because Your Spirit lives in me.
Humbly I pray,
Amen.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
40 days of prayer: Day 25
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
Dear Lord,
I thank You that You make me dwell in safety. I praise You that You are in control of this Universe and this Earth and that You can protect us from danger. Today, Lord, I ask Your protection over those who serve us on this Earth to keep us in safety. I ask that You would guide and direct the police officers, fire fighters, emergency responders, medics, and everyone else who works every day to keep us out of harm's way or to restore safety in our lives. Lord, just as they protect us, I ask that You would protect them. Give them wisdom as they make decisions, probably usually within split seconds. Give them discernment. Lord, unite them in their efforts to keep the peace and ensure safety in our cities and towns and communities.
Holy God, I acknowledge that You are the supreme safety giver and protector. You alone can bring peace, and You sent it through Your son to this Earth. I ask that You would draw those in these positions near to You that they may know the Prince of Peace, and that they would feel Your mighty arm of protection surrounding them. I pray that You would turn their hearts to You, that they will serve You as they serve the people.
In Your name and for Your glory I ask it,
Amen.
Dear Lord,
I thank You that You make me dwell in safety. I praise You that You are in control of this Universe and this Earth and that You can protect us from danger. Today, Lord, I ask Your protection over those who serve us on this Earth to keep us in safety. I ask that You would guide and direct the police officers, fire fighters, emergency responders, medics, and everyone else who works every day to keep us out of harm's way or to restore safety in our lives. Lord, just as they protect us, I ask that You would protect them. Give them wisdom as they make decisions, probably usually within split seconds. Give them discernment. Lord, unite them in their efforts to keep the peace and ensure safety in our cities and towns and communities.
Holy God, I acknowledge that You are the supreme safety giver and protector. You alone can bring peace, and You sent it through Your son to this Earth. I ask that You would draw those in these positions near to You that they may know the Prince of Peace, and that they would feel Your mighty arm of protection surrounding them. I pray that You would turn their hearts to You, that they will serve You as they serve the people.
In Your name and for Your glory I ask it,
Amen.
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