Intercessory Prayer - Patricia Jordan

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1 ESV

On New Year’s Day, I felt led to make an intercessory prayer for my extended family, although nothing specific came to mind. A few weeks later, one of my sisters texted that she and her husband would close on a house soon. I had no idea they had become discontented with their nice but older home that sat at the edge of their small town. It was built in the 1940s, but each new owner had updated it.

It was time to call my sister and catch up on their new plans. She told me that many young families were moving into their neighborhood. It was getting too busy and noisy for them.

A realtor’s sign in their yard quickly brought a young couple who wanted their house. The problem was where my sister and her husband would move. They had looked in the county but hadn’t found a house within their budget.

With their realtor, they looked again and found their perfect newer house—one on which the seller had just lowered the price. My sister and her husband locked in on the sale and buy dates and made a nice profit from selling their old home.

In buying their new home, the seller paid the $9,000 in closing costs. She had inherited the house and, with her husband, had lived there for decades. But now they had a new home built nearby and were eager to move into it.

None of this was a coincidence because that word is not found in the Bible and doesn’t exist in God’s plan. 

When we pray and intercede, we should want what God wants for us or others, not what we might want.

In the above verse, the Apostle Paul says we should give thanks for all people because God desires for all to be saved.

Praying for others’ salvation is a priority. Then, we should pray for wisdom, blessings, healings, and other prayer concerns. No one knows what the outcome will be. Prayers can have amazing outcomes, as when Elisha asked God to show his servant how protected they were.  

Make sure you are interceding for others. 

Adonia, let me be obedient to following your will. Amen

Patricia Jordan is a seventh-generation southerner from the Appalachian Mountains. She is thankful to return and live there after living in various parts of the world with her retired military husband. They have raised three daughters. She has published You Are Valuable (Westbow), which is her story of how she overcame chronic low-grade depression through Bible study, prayer, and talk therapy. Lately, she has turned her writing talents to writing devotions about walking with God.  

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

 

 

 

 

 

Series: The Things We Say - Prayer Changes Things … Or Does It - Martin Wiles

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians12:8-9 NLT

A life-changing situation had turned my world upside down. Because of the nature of it, I could no longer serve in the profession I had been in for the previous fourteen years. I prayed for God to open a door. Potential employers had the authority to overlook and understand what had happened and hire me anyway. But few wanted to. I sent hundreds of resumes. Only a few offers arrived, none of which paid a salary on which I could survive. Taking a different career path seemed my only option.

During this time in my life, disappointment, discouragement, and depression were my occasional bedfellows. Like Paul, I begged God to remove my thorn in my flesh. Although I didn’t hear his answer, my unchanging circumstances revealed it: “No.” Would I learn to do what Paul did—boast about his weakness--or continue wallowing in my self-pity? And, of course, some reminded me that prayer changes things.

My prayers seemed to change nothing, but over time, I discovered they had. They changed me. I let go of the bitterness over what had happened. Paul also learned to glory in his weakness. Instead of stewing over my circumstances, I allowed God to use them for his glory. Since then, I have counseled many who were passing through what I did. Others who had not couldn’t comprehend their pain as I could. In time, God put me back into my chosen profession.

Prayer might not change the course of a hurricane or tornado, alter the mindset of a spouse who chooses to walk away, modify the course of a rebellious child, or revise the boss’s mind about a layoff, but it will change our perspective on circumstances, which in turn will alter our attitudes. And when my attitude changes, so will our responses.

Prayer will change things. If nothing else, you.

Father, may I be faithful in my prayers, trusting you to answer them as you see fit. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

More Than Asked For - Martin Wiles

If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Luke 6:38 NLT

I asked for a burger but received much more.

On one day, my wife and I stopped by a local burger joint to pick up our supper. The only thing special about our order is that our daughter’s BLT wasn’t supposed to have mayonnaise.

 

But as I enjoyed my burger, I noticed something protruding that was different in color than the green shredded lettuce. I pulled it out and discovered a piece of aluminum foil. Not one to be grossed out by such things, I kept eating. Later, as our daughter sat down to eat her BLT, she remarked, “There is mayonnaise on my sandwich. I didn’t ask for that.”

 

With a typical sarcastic quip, I remarked, “That’s okay. I got more than I asked for as well.”

 

Jesus always gives more than we ask for, …but sometimes stipulations follow. Regardless, the verse reminds me that God’s resources are unlimited. We can’t outgive God. Whatever we give, he can seize it, press it, mold it, shake it—and do whatever else He does—and produce more than we can imagine.

 

Our lack of faith is the only limitation to what God can do. His actions connect to our actions. If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Since none of us ever moved a mountain, what we might consider as large faith is small in God’s sight.

 

Since God is more than willing to transform what we give, our paucity must be the result of several possibilities. Sometimes God doesn’t give because we don’t ask, because we ask with the wrong motives, or because we doubt God will give us what we ask for.

 

Despite our failures when it comes to giving or asking from God, he often overlooks our lack of faith or our weak faith and gives us more than we request—just as the burger joint gave me aluminum foil when I only asked for lettuce. That’s because God is a good, loving, and kind heavenly Father. Parents often give children things they don’t deserve, and God does the same. Whatever he gives will be for our good and his glory.

Praise God regularly for giving you more than you asked for.

Father, I thank you for your many gifts—none of which I deserve.

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Holding Pattern - Karen Huffaker

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 NIV

Daily, it seemed as if we were in a holding pattern.

With all the happy excitement of high school graduation season ahead, the weather didn’t appear so bright and sunny. The final weeks were a flurry of last-time activities: senior walks, revisiting primary schools, enjoying fond childhood memories and early teachers, field day, senior picnic, senior parade, graduation practices, ceremony at the racetrack, and pool and garden parties galore. Unfortunately, forecasts of rain, showers, or thunderstorms loomed.

Many prayers were made, flowing through prayer circles and prayer chains almost daily. We would make it through one event with only moments to spare, thankful that the weather cooperated, only to repeat the process the next day. I prayed, as many others did, that the Lord would hold back the rain.

The Old Testament prophet Elijah came to my mind. He announced that dew and rain would not fall until he said so. Oh Lord, please let it be that way, I thought selfishly. We were dependent on God to withhold the rain.

On graduation night, weather apps forecasted rain again, and heavy clouds surrounded the racetrack. We held our breath with ponchos and umbrellas on standby, but the Lord held back the rain—sending only wind.

Two days later, thundershowers threatened our lakeside graduation party. Again, we prayed. Just as the celebration began, the sun appeared. The party was a wonderful event for family and friends. Later that night, the skies opened and delivered rain while we slept.

God often shields us from storms, hardship, harm, evil, temptation, negative influences, disease, and disaster. Our prayers for help are effective, and the Lord hears them. We must not give up hope. He also protects us from many things we may never know about. He is a loving God who is merciful and compassionate. He cares about us and what is important to us. Like any good father, He watches over us and bestows blessings.

If we keep our hearts right with God and believe in Him, great things happen.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you care for me so deeply.

Tweetable: Are you in a holding pattern because you haven't prayed?

Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

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Walk-on Wednesday - Ask of God - Victoria Weser

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1.5 KJV

I took my scriptures and a notebook and headed up into the red rock canyon of southern Utah.

I had a question and needed an answer. I knew God was the only One who could give it. I thought back on a scripture I had heard so many times before: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5 KJV).

I knew God was my heavenly Father. He loved me more than I could comprehend. Like any loving father, he would answer my questions, but only if I were willing to ask.

As I sat on that bench, amidst all the red rock and blue sky, I poured out my heart to God, hoping He would answer. And He did. As I read in the scriptures and wrote in my notebook, the Spirit gave me the answer I needed.

Every person has their questions, their quiet pleadings of the heart. Every person has doubts and concerns—the things that keep them up at night. Every person wants answers. But only the people who ask God with “nothing wavering” will be the ones who get those answers.

God invites us to ask, to talk to Him. He doesn’t turn us away because we don’t perfectly understand something. He loves us and has all of the answers but is waiting for us to read the Scriptures, to pray, to seek revelation, and to ask Him. He wants us to show Him we are genuinely seeking wisdom.

Let us ask God, expecting Him to give us the answer we need, which may not be the answer we always want.

Think about questions you have and take those questions to God with the faith that He will answer you.

Tweetable: Are you afraid to ask of God? 

Victoria Weser is a university student, currently volunteering in Germany to share the good Word of God with others through her website FindeChristus.org. She enjoys medicine, hiking, and facetiming her dog every week. 

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Throwback Tuesday - When I Don’t Ask - Martin Wiles

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Joshua 9:14 NLT

He who doesn’t ask may very well not receive.

As a budding writer, I wanted to attend a writer’s conference sponsored by the person who had given me my first true opportunity to be published. The cost of the conference was reasonable, but my funds were scarce. I expressed my desire to the editor and host, and she graciously told me about a well-known author who granted a limited number of scholarships to conference attendees who had the desire but not the money. I filled out the required scholarship request and was granted the money. Had I not asked, I would have remained home and lost the opportunity to attend meetings that honed my writing skills.

I can ask for money, time, directions, advice, pity, and a slew of other things, but if I don’t ask for God’s guidance I’m doomed from the start. Joshua didn’t and was. He had two major victories under his belt, but terrified deceivers had slipped into the camp and requested friendship. The Israelites didn’t question their story or consult God. Sadly, they belonged to a group God had instructed the Israelites to destroy lest they infect his people with sinful lifestyles.

Not asking God’s guidance sets me up for failure. I may succeed according to someone else’s standards, but I won’t by God’s. When I launch into life without consulting God, I also demonstrate selfishness. Life becomes about me rather than him and others. My priorities and goals become jumbled. By default, leaving God out of my decisions reveals an underlying belief that he may not even care about what I’m facing presently or in the future. Satan’s temptations then become more tantalizing.

The treasury of heaven’s blessings is mine for the taking—but only if I ask for God’s guidance. Seeking his advice in all matters means I’ll more often than not experience his best. By regularly consulting him, I’ll begin to see life’s events from his perspective rather than my own. Are you checking with God about your daily affairs?

Prayer: God of mercy and love, prompt us to consult You about every decision we make—major or minor.

Tell us about a time when God has answered your prayer. 

Tweetable: What haven't you asked for? 

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Getting an Answer - Martin Wiles

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Psalm 17:6 NLT

Almost gone are the days when a real person answers a business line for customers with an issue.

As I sat at my church office desk, I noticed a message on the landline phone: “No Line.” Strange. I rounded up the phone bill, located an account number and customer service number, and dialed the number. I didn’t expect to get a real person, and I didn’t. An automated voice answered and prompted me to enter the account number in question. I did. Then I had to choose a number that related to what I was calling about. I did. Once in the technical department, they wanted to know exactly what kind of technical problem the line had.

This process continued for what seemed like an eternity. I could feel my patience thinning and my blood pressure rising. I kept waiting for, “If you want to speak to a customer service representative, press zero.” The option never came. Finally, I pressed zero, thinking it would get me to a live person. Wrong. I heard, “Goodbye.”

Although I placed the work order successfully, I doubted they’d understand or actually fix our issue without someone there to direct them. Our situation was unique.

The psalmist never experienced what we in our high-tech world encounter. Talking to individuals was a way of life. And in his case, probably a few sheep too. As he was alone on the hillsides, he no doubt composed numerous prayers to God—and believed God heard and would answer each one.

Getting an answer from God is never a problem. How He listens to all people—millions at the same time—and how He answers all our prayers is beyond my comprehension. But He does. He is God, after all. God’s answers come in the form of yes, no, and not right now.

When I pray according to His will, I always get a yes. When I ask for something that’s sinful or not in my best interest or in God’s plan for me, I receive a no. Sometimes my request is in God’s will but the timing is wrong. Then I receive a not now answer. While waiting is difficult, I must learn to do it if I want to experience God’s best.

Never doubt that God hears and will answer your prayers. Trust Him to know what’s best for you.

Tweetable: Are you getting answers from God?

Prayer: Father, we petition You, believing You will answer and that Your answer will fulfill our deepest needs. 

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God’s Delays - Martin Wiles

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT

Prayer changes things—except when God chooses to delay answering them.

The prayer of my childhood was simple: “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

At some point, I moved on to the Lord’s Prayer. Certainly more complicated, yet I doubt I could understand just how much when I first prayed it—like the kids and adults who prayed it every morning at the Christian school where I taught. I wondered how many of us actually thought about what we were saying. Rote repetition came easy.

James maintains the prayer of a righteous person produces wonderful results, but I’ve said many a prayer that seemed to go no higher than the ceiling and didn’t bring any visible results. Such as the one Mary and Martha surely prayed for their brother who lay on his deathbed. But he died anyway because Jesus delayed coming when He could have been there to heal Lazarus.

God’s delays in answering prayers aren’t mean-spirited. He’s not like the pagan gods who toyed with the emotions of their worshippers. God’s delays have purpose—and are actually for our good—though we might not realize it immediately.

When my motives aren’t right, God delays answering my prayers. Others can’t see my motives, but God can. I may not even know what they are when they are deep-seated. By delaying His answers, God causes those motives to rise to the surface of my mind so I can either change my prayer or alter my motives.

God’s delays His answers when His timing and mine don’t coincide. What I ask for may be in His will—just not at the moment. The delay teaches me patience and helps me realize the importance of right timing.

Sometimes, I’m not prepared for God’s answers—I just think I am. The Bible is filled with stories of those God called but who had to be prepared first: Moses, David, Paul, etc.

And there’s also the possibility God will use someone else in answering my prayer and that He needs to prepare them. Others have often blessed me in various ways, but God had to impress upon them the need to do so.

God’s delays are in our best interests. Be patient until His answer comes.

Tweetable: Is God delaying something you want?

Prayer: Father, thank You for answering our prayers, even when the answer doesn’t come when we want it to. 

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