I Choose to Live, Not Merely Exist

Watching the news this morning, coffee in hand, I felt such a pang of sorrow for our world. With the #MH17 flight tragedy, the border crossing disaster between the U.S. and Mexico, Ukraine and Russia, and the lost girls in Nigeria, I grieved for the loss of life and the grief so many families will be going through and continue to experience. 

Knowing that as soon as we pray in accordance with God's Word and will that we are heard, let's begin praying for these families. 

Lord, thank you for reminding us we are to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27) and that we will be comforted in our grief (Matthew 5:4). Thank you that you are greater than the world's circumstances and that we cannot imagine what You have in store for those of us who love you. Thank you that you have listened to our cry for help and are working in ways we cannot fathom (Psalm 27:5). Thank you that there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3) and that your hand is upon all of us. Please open a way to provide for these orphaned children and widows of provision and healing. Please make your presence known among the leaders in the East, bringing peace to Hamas and Israel and Palestine. Please raise up a new leader who fears you, reveres you and trusts you; obedient to your direction who will bring peace to Ukraine and Russia. We pray also for the families of MH17, that their legacy of compassion and kindness would not be forgotten. We love you Lord, You are our strength. Amen. 

Pray Without Ceasing...

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us how to pray..."

-Luke 11:1 (NIV)-

Jesus taught the disciples The Lord's Prayer:

Our Father, who art in Heaven,

hallowed by thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done

on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into tempation, but deliver us from evil,

For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

We also see Jesus' physical example. Sometimes he prayed all throughout the night. Other times, he rose early and prayed before the beginning of the day's responsibilities and opportunities. Still others, he prayed both privately and publicly. No matter what, Jesus prayed, trusted and thanked God for hearing him and continued his ministry.

Today, let's focus on Jesus' example of prayer. Let us pray today for each other around the world. Remember, yes, God will use your prayer even for people you have never met. Yes, your brothers and sisters need you to pray for them. Yes, you are heard and Yes, you are vitally important to this mission.

Let's pray together today for:

Orphans

Widows

The Persecuted Church

Marriages

Children in schools

Families

The Hurting and the Oppressed

Prisoners

Intercession for acts of violence both in the United States and Internationally

Provision for those starving or dealing with famine

Health

Please read this list and pray for at least one of these groups of people. For me, personally, I have a special place for the orphans, prisoners and those who are dealing with HIV/AIDS. Remember to pray for those who help at these places and for the people dealing with each one of these sufferings individually. And when you pray, pray with conviction and belief.

Remember the story of the faith of the Roman officer? Jesus told him, "What you have believed has come true."

Believe that God will provide for each of these groups of people, and He will. Doubt is our worst enemy. Conquer it with faith and rememberance of who our God is and his character. Secure that faith with thankfulness and press forward in intercessory prayer. We need each other's encouragement and will to cover each other powerfully in prayer through the Holy Spirit.

Let's start together:

"Heavenly Father, we thank you that we are able to pray as One Body and be heard by you. We thank you that we are able to pray for those whom we don't even know personally, but will be given provision by you in ways we can't fathom. Thank you for saving our brothers and sisters around the world. Today, we bring forth concern for _____ and ask that you would bring favor upon them. We pray in power by your Holy Spirit within us that you would bless ____ and nourish _____. Help them to remember who You are and what you are capable of doing. Thank you for sending laborers into _____'s lives to share the Good News. Thank you for protecting ____ this day. No evil shall come near nor any accident take over ____'s day today. We plead the blood of Jesus over ____ and their families this day. Thank you for hearing us. We love you and ask that you use us in whatever ways we can be of service to you to help _____. In Jesus' name, Amen."