January 19 Prayer
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.’ We all want to see things made right again. Discontent and dissatisfaction draw us to a hunger and thirst for what could be. What should be. What is righteousness and how can the world ever be right again? I see the waves far out in the sea rolling in. One at a time and a hope begins to rise up within me for us all. As this year began I had two consecutive dreams of very large tidal waves coming into the shore but I was not afraid. I only wanted others to come to the shore and look, watch and wait with me. To set all things right- inline with what is true. To turn right everything that is wrong. It is not seeking to be right all the time it is seeking the One who is our right. Jesus tells us to take and eat of Him. Jesus is the bread of life, he is our righteousness, He will make everything right again as intended in the beginning. We become a part of the showbread the priest laid out before the presence of God. Let us present our daily hunger for what needs to be made right before his presence now. Lord, we pray as we give to you our hunger and thirst for more. May we be a part of your creative power in making all things new. We are not always right in our thinking so change us into your likeness, to love what you love, and seek what you seek. Untangle the knots in our world and in our hearts to see the cord we are to hold unto. Fill us with a longing for more and let us never lose the hope of your promise. You will fill the whole earth with your glory. Empower our faith to believe in your righteousness to come. May your beauty be seen by all and bring their hunger to you. We will hold fast inline with the promise given. Let the tide of your blessing roll in. In Jesus name we pray, Amen MAtt.5:2-6,Mk.2:23-38, Rev.21,Rom.4:18-22 January 18 Prayer
“Blessed are the makers of peace for they are called children of God.” ““You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” Matthew 5:9 MSG Peace making isn’t easy. It certainly cost the life of many a great leader, one that we honor today for having a dream for peace and justice and working towards that dream. Oh, that we may be able to live a life of justice, walking humbly and loving mercy . This is the blessed way Jesus asks us to walk. It starts with discovering who you are, a blessed child of God and to receive others as called by him too. The invitation is a great one. To come and belong to someone higher and stronger who has a dream for you. A dream that he desires you to live out here on earth. We look towards a promise like the children of God long ago sought out the promised land. Not all saw that promise come into actuality yet they still sought after it. Traveled towards it. Believed in it. Take a moment and hold your dreams and desires before God now. How are you waiting in the space between? What are Gods feelings for you as you are waiting? Pray a prayer of response ; Lord you know who I am and what my dreams are I lay them down before your feet and ask you to reveal the dreams you have for me to live out. Show me the next step in my faith to believe and stand firm on the rock that is higher than my reach. You are my safety and my strength. Holy Spirit show me the way to follow today . Show us as your body how to cooperate with one another and bring the way of peace, Through our words and in our actions. May it start with an awareness of what and how we think of others. May it start inside of our hearts to make a place for peace there. For You to heal our divisions and unite us in the peace of Christ. In the great name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit . Amen Micah 6/8, Ps.61:2, January 16 Prayer
Know who calls your name. It's easy to hear our name being called as we are taught at a very young age to recognize it. Like in the story of young Samuel. He was very familiar with the sound of his name but not so with the one who called it out. Samuel was sleeping near the presence of God. He was woken up at the sound of his name and it definitely caught his attention, yet it still took a while before he recognized that it was actually the voice of God calling his name out.. Pause to ask these questions of your soul and mind; What has captured your attention lately? Who is it that is calling your name? Do you know the sound of God’s voice and how do you respond to it? When do you stop to listen and ask him to speak? Revelation comes after we listen and know his voice as Jesus proclaimed; “My sheep hear my voice and follow it.” John 10 What a lovely picture for us to hold as we pray and draw near to his call. ‘Lord, May we ever be near your presence, expecting to hear your voice. Open up the way of blessing, the humble way that allows our ears to listen and follow. We lay down our own agendas and the way we think we are supposed to go. We ask for you to reveal to us where you are leading and to trust in the way you go. Speak to us today in the ordinary, in our true name in the inner cave of our hearts in the ones you have placed in our lives in your creation all around us. May we enter in fully in who we are, in our true name and call wherever we are in life, young or old You are there ready to speak, ready to lead us. Wonderful Shepherd, we look, watch and wait and enter in the gentle way you call us. Where Your voice will guide and Your staff will bring comfort .’ Amen 1Sam3:3-10,Jn.10,Ps. 145:17 January 15 Prayer
There is a promise of rest for all who believe. Heb.4:1-5,11 I was awake in the darkness of night, the sound and vibration of a gong ringing inside my chest To the promise of entering into the place of rest. It’s there if we want to enter in to be fully awake. Not in our slumber nor sleep, no longer resistant in thoughts too deep but finally Resigned to a place of peace, a holy calm starts settling in- With open hearts to want what God wants; For us to listen and respond to the invitation Of entering in- The promise of rest for torn open hearts, tired, weary and worn out hurt souls waiting to be awakened- Sometimes all we need to hear is ‘you are forgiven’ and then healing will follow. Look for the entrance sign It is there right outside your door In front of you In the silence and in the ordinary in the reality of the moment calling forth the real you. Let go of all the thinking that wears you out Unsought Burdens you carry sifting through your hands To come and be held by holy hands Hands that hold the great expanse of earth, sky and sea Safe, calm and at peace His holy hands hold mine until my humans hands become His- ‘We come, so come, Lord and be our rest Keep us ever close to you to learn from you, to watch and work and walk along your side The blessed way, humble and gentle in heart You are the way we enter in - We pray for all of those we know that need your rest In body, heart and soul today. May each find the entrance to your promise of rest. Come Holy One and make a way that we will follow this blessing, we pray- Amen Heb.4, Matt.11:28-30, Mark 2:1-12 January 14 Prayer
Walk the way of blessing; of the meek gentle of heart sweet spirited self controlled for they will inherit the land- Mt.5:5 What is my inheritance? What am I striving for? I already have it when i enter in enter into the heart of Christ into His wounded side it is wide open for all to enter in. it starts with our hearts to be softened and committed to trust trust in someone that is greater than ourselves trust that God is our inheritance our cup of blessing and... your destiny is secure pleasant places are already marked out for you a wonderful inheritance waiting for you - Know your inheritance it's not about you but about the One who gives it to you- Stand in strength trust and be committed to the work of grace The way will open before you when you walk meekly knowing who you are whose you are- Let your heart soften, listen to his words to you draw in closer to Christ - and pray; “You are enough for me, everything I need to live and rest secure in my future I bless You, O Lord in me I am content in being yours. Shape our hearts and souls into your strong image of humility and gentleness To fully be present in who we are and walk in truth in kindness and control under your spirit we own everything that we need for this hour Lead us along the way of blessing May we enter the wounds of the world to find your grace there- To be patient and kind with others that are hurt and hungry and give to them out of what you have given to us Your very self, Jesus, the One and only You are enough You are all we need May we walk a way of blessing in meekness today, in the power of your kind spirit~ Amen Ps.16:1-11, Ps.37:5-6,Heb.3:14-15 January 13 Prayer
The sea roars cries out all night long Awakens the dawn I can see the swells far out Upon the waters I hear the cries of all those that mourn All of those that are weary and worn down. ‘Bless the Lord O my soul, God, my God, how great you are!’ Jesus, carries all of our sorrow for he too was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Mat.26 O How he knows, when he spoke the word of blessing over all who mourn He surrendered his will to the spirit His spirit is the comforter His will brings life where there is pain and suffering He knows and will help those who are tested, Heb.2:18 Let us be the place where his spirit may come forth to pray for healing as he prayed in the garden and grieved for the whole world. ‘Lord, we come with heavy hearts and worn out souls For all those who face death daily tending to the sick. May your higher will be done on the earth Renew us with your strength and power Your greatness for all to be seen May we fix our eyes on what you are creating in our midst With hope and without fear May we be a part of comforting others and releasing their pain to you through our prayers. We breathe in your spirit that brings forth life and exhale a renewal Of the earth. Your will be done and May your kingdom come Breathe upon us this day, like the mighty waves that are coming to the shore. Heal us and renew us we pray! Bring comfort and hope to all that mourn. Amen “When you send forth your spirit they are created and you renew the face of the earth.” Ps.104:30 January 12 Prayer
Walk the road of blessing It begins with a look, then a sharpening of focus comes into view as if our lense become new and the scratches removed A first look may turn into a second gaze one that you do not turn away from one that you remain in to expand your ability to enter. Enter into the brotherhood of Jesus He calls us there to belong along His side unashamed He calls us His own family proclaims our praises before all Walk the road of blessing with our eyes turned upon Jesus looking into His face His glory and His grace and let the things of this earth fade away to enter into the mission that calls you forth Close your eyes and look for Jesus see His face and let him look at you Turn your heart to pray; ‘We turn our eyes upon Jesus We look for your glory to shine forth in our lives and in the ones around us We look for your grace to lead us May your grace cover all the helpless to find hope The ill to find relief the grieving to find comfort May our first look become a gaze into the heavenly realm where all things of this earth grows strangely dim~ Let us each become a window for others to sharpen their view and see Jesus looking back at them. Amen- Heb.2:5-12, Is.61:1-4 January 11 Prayer
“Teach me the way of blessing And what is the way of this blessing? ‘Blessed are those who mourn For they will be comforted.’ Mat.5:2 Blessed, happy, delight, count it all joy… Mourning and sorrow, pain and suffering doesn't feel good but it is there that comfort comes, ‘God draws near and saves the crushed in spirit.’ Ps.34:18 It's a promise, it is true. How do we live this way of blessing?.. for even in our happiness there is an ache a longing for fulfillment , completion, justice and an end to the story. Jesus calls his friends to follow him . This was right after his closest friend John was arrested.Mk.1:14-15 He leads the way into mourning, the way of the cross to follow. ‘Sorrow in the night with the promise of joy in the morning.’ This is the gospel he proclaims “You are blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” Mat.5:4 MSG This is the fulfillment of why He came “The kingdom of God is here, change your life and believe the message.” There is Joy in the mourning because Jesus is there with you You can go there without fear and feel the pain of difficulties. The blessed way is this way to enter the power of the resurrection in the reality of the moment. Create space now in your heart to hold whatever pain you are feeling now and allow God's presence to be there with you. ‘Jesus, You are the blessing we hope in. You are the one most dear to us. Show us how to live the blessing and bring your comfort to others in their sorrow and pain. Let us not shrink back when difficulties come. May we always find You there and allow your embrace to encompass all beyond our own reach. Let us put our hope in this real true blessing.Ps.146:3-10 Amen January 9 Prayer
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ ‘He must increase, so I must decrease.’ Words found in the gospel, spoken by Jesus and John. Jesus surrendered himself to become poverty for us, For our sake For love Because of love God is pleased And delights in his son Delights in us Surrendered to love To trust Preferring nothing else God offers us a cup of blessing A wonderful inheritance A pleasant land This is the way, the way of surrender and humility To bow our allegiance to none other than the lover of our souls May our hearts believe in a God who sees, Who hears and feels wherever you are, Who you are becoming Surrendered to love held captive to change Until the face of Christ is revealed there Take a deep breath in of all that your holding unto, all that stands in the way of Christ increasing in you. Breath out all the excuses, and guilt, regrets and resentments. And let the light of Christ warm your soul with every breath. Surrender to trust Trust in love For he is your beloved and you belong here. Now you can be free to receive even the pain of others and release them into the love of the one who cares for you. Lord God, we ask you to mold us and shape us into your image. ‘May we have stamped on our souls the soft outline of the caring face of Jesus.” (Joan Chrittsler) Amen Mark 1:7-11, Matt 5, Ps.16:5-6, 2Cor.8:9 January 8 Prayer
“Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.’ In the story of the 5 loaves and two fishes when everyone is tired and hungry Jesus tells his followers to give out of what they have been given. Mark 6:34-44 Read the story once again and find yourself there in the middle of the crisis, in the middle of the need. What rises up within you? What is it that you see? Jesus tells them what to do, how to act and even who to go to as he instructs the people to sit in groups. Men, women and children, and I wonder what these groups looked like, and if the disciples choose which group they were to feed? It was a step of faith each of these had to take to ‘go and give them something to eat.’ It was a step of obedience and humility to let go of their natural mind and considerations to make room for the supernatural to take place through them. They had to offer their empty baskets and allow Jesus to fill them in order to meet the great need in their midst. Pause to ask what is it that you need right now placed in your empty basket? The Lord's mercy is inexhaustible. His eyes see the need with compassion. May we pray for this same compassion and mercy for ourselves to obey his call. May we follow his lead to go to the groups he has placed before us to feed and nurture them with his kindness and understanding. ‘ Lord, we admit that sometimes we get it wrong and just want the needs before us to go away and let them figure things out on their own. But you have given us, your body the true bread of life, the spirit of your compassion to feed others. We turn from our own misunderstandings of who is worthy and deserving or who got it wrong. In humility we come and ask for your inexhaustible mercy on us. May we in turn give out freely what you have given to us we pray. Help us to live open and undefended this day fully present to whatever need will come our way. Let the abundance of grace and kindness tumble forth from our overflowing baskets. In the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, fill us once again! We pray. amen |