Prayer

Search Me O God

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When the surgeon came to meet me as I lay on the operating table I was calm. Though we had only spoken briefly while I had been examined in his office the week before I trusted him. How much more should I be trusting God during this time of change in our lives and yet like the words of the hymn – Oh for grace to trust Him more!

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.
Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 NLT

Our Christmas Prayer

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This year what will our Christmas prayer be? Neither Mary nor Joseph had prayed for a son, and yet God’s Son was given them. The Wise men weren’t praying for a sign and yet a star was sent to bring them to the Wonderful Counselor.  Bethlehem’s shepherds were not asking for angel’s visits when they were startled from their sleep by the heavenly hosts glorifying God. The keeper of the inn had not asked for any honored guest and yet the Everlasting Father sent him the Prince of Peace to be born in his stable.

If God gave so much in this way, imagine what He might give us when we ask. Why not pray for Jesus to be seen by our neighbors through our lives this year? Why couldn’t Jesus bring healing to our racial and ethnic divide if we ask? How many more could fill our churches on Christmas morning if we would be willing to knock on their doors and invite them to our homes? Why couldn’t Jesus come again to forgotten people all around us and show His love and mercy. Will we ask to be a simple manger for Him in which He can lay His head?

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Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

Our Greatest Need

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Sometimes my biggest problem has been that I have assumed God was just like me only bigger and more powerful. But Jesus shows us time and again that God is nothing like us. He is never tired but He rests. He is never wrong but always humble. He is older than the earth but new every morning. Most of all God delights in listening even when He already knows what we will say! How ashamed I am of my own habit of often interrupting others and insisting on my own opinion when often I am wrong. How wonderfully patient and kind is our Father in Heaven. Why not tell Him all the truth always? He already knows before we speak even one single word!