Prayer

Unfailing Love

/ pastorpete51 / 18 Comments

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalms 36:7 NLT

Two nights ago I spent a mostly sleepless night alternately praying and worrying about our two daughters in law. On the same day one was going through major cancer surgery while the other was diagnosed with Covid-19. I know, because I have taught about prayer, faith and trust in God that He has them in His hands. Yet the human side of me struggles and silently repeats over and over the same requests.

So last night when I woke at 2:30 gripped again with fears and anxiety I prayed not just for them but for God to help my faith to grow. Of course the answer did not immediately jump out at me like toast popping up. But I followed my dad’s advice on sleeplessness and got up and changed the subject. I grabbed a bowl of cereal, put my earbuds in and listened to the Bible. Then as I relaxed my mental grip on the situation (partly from exhaustion partly faith) I could feel God’s heavenly wings around me and I knew that He can handle this. His plan- and unfailingly love is enough no matter what my fears. In the words of the song, I stopped all negotiations with the God of all creation” and I found my rest in the Father’s hands. If some nights you are also caught in that anxious crossfire between worry and faith then stop and take a deep breath. Change the subject just long enough for those mighty yet gentle wings of God to cover you and then find your rest in the unfailing love of our Father’s hands!

Praying For America

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

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 restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

This Saturday we had a great meeting at Sunshine Village but our hearts are heavy for America. With young soldiers dying in Afghanistan and a storm of a lifetime threatening Louisiana we need God more than ever. 75 years ago Dr. Peter Marshall spoke on the American dream. “For freedom is not the right to do as one pleases, but the opportunity to please to do what is right. The founding fathers sought freedom…not from the law but in law;not freedom from government but freedom in government; not freedom from speech- but freedom in speech; not freedom from the press- but freedom in the press. Not freedom from religion- but freedom in religion.

How strange that after so many years that the struggle remains the same. We must hold our freedom firmly and our personal responsibility to use it well as a holy trust from God. How America needs our humble prayers today. Who will take the time to not only have a little talk with Jesus but be ready to hear what Jesus has to say!

The Pity Party

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
I planned a pity party at my little house today
I designed the invitations and I sent them on their way
First on the list was neighbor Rick and his wife and children too
But he shook his head and said "No thanks." I have so much to do

So then I called my sister
In hopes that she could come
But her voice mail came and told me
To just speak after the tone
Next I thought of pastor so I drove down to the church
But he was visiting the sick - at the Savior's work


So I went into my room alone and sulked before the Lord
"Does anybody care?" I asked
Then I heard His gentle word
"On the day that I was crucified
My closest friends all fled
And at Pilate's word was beaten
 And with thorns they crowned my head.
Between two thieves that day I died
Yet in faith one asked of me
To remember him in heaven
So I took him there you see

So in your struggle down life's road 
When you're feeling quite alone
Help someone with a heavy load
Bring them before My throne

That’s where you’ll see your Father’s face
For His goodness there is found 
 And you'll receive amazing grace
And His joy to carry home!


Pity Party by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2019 all rights reserved