The Need to Pray... Transparently. "Search Me."

Today, Ash Wednesday, I am keenly aware of the need to pray... transparently... "Search Me, Oh God..."

You can join me if you want?

Dearest Loving Father God...

You know me inside and out.
Whatever's going on at anytime and at all times...
... within my heart, mind, soul, and body?
You surely know about it and you certainly care about me!
Oh, how I need Your vigilant watch-care over me.

Today, I humbly ask that the mind of Your Son, Jesus Christ...
...would be one-in-the-same with my own mind.
My thoughts have been somewhat scattered these days of late.
People I desperately care for are struggling in many ways.
Oh, how we all depend upon Your intervention in our lives.

Daily, I realize that the decisions before me are many.
Dear God, be my Holy Wisdom and save me from human foolishness.
Moment-by-moment be my Strength to resist the unrelenting enemy.
I want to always look to Jesus and live a life pleasing to Heaven. 
Oh, how devastated we all were by death until You gave Your Son!

Finally, precious Almighty Personal God...
I want to want what You want in every situation and circumstance.
Take my desires day-by-day and search them carefully...
... and cleanse me with Your amazing grace and boundless mercy.
Oh, how You, Lord, are my Everything for All-Time and Eternity.

In the Name of The One Called...
Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, I pray.
Amen and Amen and Amen.

Note: I "stumbled across" this Prayer Song on YouTube this morning:

Click here: SEARCH ME O GOD! By ChristOurLife

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts;
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

Grateful 

Help Is On The Way! Let Us Pray!

A song for going up to worship:

(1) I look up toward the mountains. Where can I find help?
(2) My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
(3) He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep.
(4) Indeed, the Guardian of Israel never rests or sleeps.
(5) The Lord is your Guardian.
The Lord is the Shade over your right hand.
(6) The sun will not beat down on you during the day,
nor will the moon at night.
(7) The Lord guards you from every evil. He guards your life.
(8) The Lord guards you as you come and go, now and forever.
-- Psalm 121 (GWT)

This morning I told the people of our local congregation: "If you feel overwhelmed by life, HELP IS ON THE WAY!" I said this as I announced that our local family of faith, hope, and love would be gathering for a sacred assembly of seeking God's face in vulnerable prayer tomorrow evening, yes, Monday, February 13, in our worship center from 5 - 6:30 p.m.

I really believe that God hears the cries of those who belong to Him. I have a holy anticipation that God's mercy is running towards us even now as I post this blog entry. One precious lady came up afterwards weeping and thanking me for planning this special prayer gathering. I embraced her and prayed over her as the prelude for the promises that the Lord has in mind for all of us when we come together Monday at 5 pm in His Name.

As we left the church foyer after today's worship services, Pastor Joseph, our worship pastor, asked me if I'd ever heard Michael W. Smith's song titled, "HELP IS ON THE WAY!?" I had not heard it. But I have now. Here's the link below.

(If you cannot be with us in person Monday from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, we invite you to please be with us in Spirit -- The Holy Spirit!)

Click here: Help Is On The Way - Michael W. Smith/Israel Houghton

The Lord is far from wicked people, but He hears the prayers of righteous people.
-- Proverbs 15:29 (GWT)

HELP HAS A NAME! It's JESUS!
Grateful

But He Intentionally Ignores...

In my reading and reflecting from the Old Testament Proverbs, the contrast in this verse stopped me in my tracks:

The Lord will not allow a righteous person to starve, but He intentionally ignores the desires of a wicked person.
-- Proverbs 10:3 (God's Word Translation)

If my thoughts had been sinful, He would have refused to hear me.
-- Psalm 66:18 (CEV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
-- Words of Jesus in Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Click here: YouTube - Hungry w/lyrics by Kathryn Scott

Holiness Unto the LORD!
Grateful

Stand at the Gate

I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked. -- Psalm 84:10b (Good News Translation)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Under God or Gone Under?

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." -- President Ronald Reagan

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. -- 2 Chron. 7:14 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Hurt People?

Hurt people? Hurt people.

(7) Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get a smart retort. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. (8) So don’t bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more. -- Proverbs 9:7-8 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful