MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, WE MUST PRAY FOR THOSE IN GOVERNMENT

November 13, 2016Kim Sweeting

MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, WE MUST PRAY FOR THOSE IN GOVERNMENT

DO YOU PRAY FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT?

Governments across the globe are struggling to find solutions to the plethora of complex issues that face them – overwhelming debt, a failing economy, increased crime and violence, rising unemployment, insufficient healthcare, shortages of food and water, social unrest, religious clashes, environmental disaster, worker dissatisfaction and labor disputes, mass demonstrations, political uprisings, moral decay and so much more.

Whether via the media, on the streets, at work, or at public or private social gatherings, it is not uncommon to hear Believers and non-believers alike express a barrage of criticism, dissatisfaction, disappointment, disillusionment and even disgust over the actions and/or inaction of some governing ruler or political party.

While responsible freedom of expression in regard to these issues has its rightful place, today I want to remind us as Believers in Christ and Kingdom Citizens to pray for those in authority over us and not just talk about what they are doing, not doing, could do, should do, etc.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”

(I Timothy 2:1-3 – The Message Bible)

Do you pray for those in authority in your nation or are you simply on the verbal bandwagon of expressed feelings and opinions all the while neglecting to pray for them?

When it comes to political and governmental issues, if we as Believers are not careful, we can find ourselves so caught up in talking that we forget to pray……let’s be on alert to not fall into that trap.

Remember, while our responsibly expressed feelings and opinions have their rightful place, our governmental leaders need our prayers more than ever, particularly those of the Faith.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.”

(I Timothy 2:1-3 – NLT)

SELAH!

Kim

Note: I originally posted this on June 11, 2014, then on June 14th of last year under the title “THIS GOVERNMENT!!! – DO YOU PRAY” and really felt the need to post it again as a crucial reminder to us all that more than ever before, we need to pray for those who govern our nations.

Image “World Flag” by Salvatore Vuono courtesy of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRAYER FOR 2016-2017

August 19, 2016Kim Sweeting 6 Comments

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRAYER FOR 2016-2017

PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN AS THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL

PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF AS THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL

The summer break is just about over and the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year is upon us.

As such, it is important that we pray for our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff as they return to school campuses all over the world.

Below is a back-to-school prayer that I encourage you to pray in faith with Believers worldwide, believing God to move on our behalf for His honor and glory.

Let us pray:

Father, we come to You in the Name of Jesus thanking you for all that You’ve done, known and unknown, during the past school years………..for this, we are forever grateful.

As we enter this new School Year, we ask that You give our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff a spirit of excellence, a mind to work hard, and that You empower them to do well and make the most of each opportunity presented to them.

When things get difficult, grant them a spirit of determination and perseverance to push through and not give up. Help them to recognize and understand that You are their very present help in times of trouble no matter where they are or what they face.

Father, protect and keep our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff. Shield them from all harm and danger. Help them to avoid every trap and foil every plan of the enemy. We cover them in the Blood of Jesus and ask that Your warring angels encamp around them and guard them in all of their ways.

And, more than ever before, help them to hold fast to the Truth of Your Word and not be deceived into believing, accepting or practicing any doctrine, philosophy, or behavior, that is contrary to Your Divine Will and Standards…….even if exposed to their minds, may it not enter their hearts, but let Your Truth always reign supreme in their innermost being.

Father, help our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff to maintain an atmosphere and environment that is conducive to learning and development. Help them to submit to established rules and order and to practice respect. Should disagreement or conflict arise, enable peace and harmony to be wisely and speedily restored without violence or abuse at any level .

Strengthen and comfort all who are coming from homes or personal situations filled with need, strife, and trauma and are secretly hurting and broken within. Enable them to work well in spite of their situations. Intervene on their behalf and bring help, healing and restoration. Touch them and let them know and experience Your love and presence in a special way.

Father, make each student, teacher, administrator, and support staff mindful of their responsibility to represent You well as Ambassadors of Your Kingdom. Remind them that they are salt and light on their school campuses with an assignment to advance Your Kingdom and influence those in their environment for Your honor and glory.

Let Your power and anointing rest upon and work through them making them notably distinct and different, and enabling them to demonstrate Godly wisdom, character, principles and love to all so hearts may be touched, lives changed and souls saved.

Father we place this 2016-2017 School Year and everyone and everything concerning it into Your hands acknowledging our need for and dependence on You.

Thank You in advance for all that You will do for Your honor and glory in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Be encouraged,

Kim

Image “Multiracial Kinds Holding Hands” by Digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

LORD, WHEN IT COMES TO PRAYER, HERE’S THE DEAL……..

December 3, 2015Kim Sweeting

LORD, WHEN IT COMES TO PRAYER, HERE’S THE DEAL…..

A PRAYER DEAL WITH GOD….REALLY!!

Lord, when it comes to prayer, here’s the deal…..

I’ll decide when I want to talk to You.

Off the top, I’m not a morning person so getting up early in the morning is out of the question……I need my sleep.

I work during the day so that’s not a good time to talk to You either……I have important conversations to hold with my colleagues, clients, business partners and associates……and inbetween I need to talk with my friends, family, and my special boo……You understand.

At night I gotta do the family thing and catch up with my online crew, you know, the people I’m in touch with on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Snapchat……and I need to complete my course assignment, exercise, eat, plus get in some TV and catch up on the news……things are tight at night.

So Lord as You can see, I’m busy so I’ll decide when I can fit You in.

But don’t get me wrong now Lord, when I say fit You in, I don’t want You to think I mean any long drawn out thing.

Whatever I ask You for, just give it to me, and don’t take long……..If I have a problem and ask You to take care of it, do it right away….If I ask you to heal someone, just heal them……….I ain’t into this tarrying thing or whatever they call it….You say You can do anything so just do it…….no need to draw this out.

And another thing, don’t expect me to shut myself in any room alone at any time and pray to You……all that ain’t necessary…….we can talk on the run, that’s more convenient.

And just in case You’re thinking about it, when I pray to You, don’t switch on me and turn around and ask me to pray about anyone or anything…….I really ain’t on that run!……I only pray about what directly concerns me……everyone can pray for themselves and their own stuff.

Oh, and one more thing, about these church prayer meetings, don’t bother to ask because I won’t be going to any….being around a bunch of people running on and on and crying and wailing and speaking in that weird, freaky language, I ain’t for that!….me and You talking is cool…that’s definitely enough.

So Lord, that’s the deal!

IS THIS WHAT YOUR LIFE SAYS TO GOD WHEN IT COMES TO PRAYER?

BE HONEST……DOES ANY OF THIS RESONATE WITH YOU?

SELAH!

IF SO, AND IF PRAYER IS AS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS YOU SAY IT IS, LET TODAY BE YOUR DAY TO REPENT AND MAKE ANY NEEDED CHANGE.

Shalom,

Kim

Image “Best Deals” courtesy of Stuart Miles –http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

A BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER FOR OUR STUDENTS & TEACHERS FOR 2015-2016

August 29, 2015Kim Sweeting 11 Comments

A BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER FOR OUR STUDENTS & TEACHERS FOR 2015-2016

FATHER WE PLACE OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BEFORE YOU

FATHER WE NEED YOU!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity of another school year, a new beginning, a clean page, a fresh start.

Give our students and teachers a mind to work hard and the will, courage and grace to do well as they aim for excellence. Help them to make the most of each opportunity presented, and to put their best foot forward no matter the circumstance.

When things get difficult, grant them a spirit of perseverance to push through and not give up. May their faith not fail in times of trial, but indeed grow stronger. May they know that You are their God, their very present help in times of trouble even in the academic arena.

Cover our students and teachers in the precious blood of Jesus. Bless, keep and protect them. Shield them from all harm and danger and let your warring angels encamp around them and guard them in all of their ways.

Grant them discernment to see, and strategies to foil the plans of the enemy and to avoid every trap set by him. Help them not to be deceived by any doctrine, philosophy, or trend that tries to exalt itself above the Truth of Your Word; even if exposed to their minds, may it not enter their hearts. Let the Truth of Your Word always reign in their innermost being.

Help our students and teachers to work in an atmosphere of unity and cooperation. Should disagreement or conflict arise, empower peacemakers and ministers of reconciliation to move speedily and wisely to restore peace, harmony and order. May there be no room for violence or abuse on any level.

Strengthen and comfort those students and teachers who are coming from homes or personal situations filled with strife and trauma. Strengthen and comfort those who are secretly hurting and broken within, but still have to show up, focus, and do their duties.

Touch these students and teachers like only You can. By your grace, enable them to work well in spite of their situations. Intervene on their behalf. Minister to their needs seen and unseen. Let them know Your love and presence in a special way.

Father, remind each student and teacher of their responsibility to represent You well as Ambassadors of Your Kingdom. Let Your power and anointing rest upon them making them distinct and different, demonstrating godly character and principles.

Remind them that they are salt and light on their school campuses with an assignment to advance your Kingdom and influence those in their environment for Your honor and glory. May lives be changed, hearts transformed and your plans and purposes established as they obey Your will.

Father, thank You for all that You did during the past school years, known and unknown, and thank You in advance for what You will do in this 2015-2016 school year. We ask and pray these things in no other name but the mighty Name of Jesus, amen.

“WE NEED YOU LORD” – JONATHAN BUTLER

Image “SPIRITUAL WORDS DISPLAY PRAYER LOVE & SPIRIT” by Stuart Miles courtesy of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“WE NEED YOU LORD” by Jonathan Butler courtesy of Mark Prigoff – http://www.youtube.com

THIS GOVERNMENT!!! – DO YOU PRAY FOR THEM?

June 26, 2015Kim Sweeting 1 Comment

THIS GOVERNMENT!!! – DO YOU PRAY FOR THEM?

DO YOU PRAY FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT?

While responsible freedom of expression in regard to these issues has its rightful place, today I want to remind us as Believers in Christ and Kingdom Citizens to pray for those in authority over us and not just talk about what they are doing, not doing, could do, should do, etc.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”

(I Timothy 2:1-3 – The Message Bible)

Do you pray for those in authority in your nation or are you simply on the verbal bandwagon of expressed feelings and opinions all the while neglecting to pray for them?

Remember, while our responsibly expressed feelings and opinions have their rightful place, our governmental leaders need our prayers more than ever, particularly those of the Faith.

SELAH!

Kim

Note: – I originally posted this on June 14th of last year under the title “THIS GOVERNMENT!!! – DO YOU PRAY” and really felt the need to post it again as a crucial reminder to us all that more than ever before, we need to pray for those who govern our nations.

Image “World Flag” by Salvatore Vuono courtesy of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO

August 29, 2014August 30, 2014Kim Sweeting 5 Comments

WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO

WHEN THINGS DON'T WORK OUT AS DESIRED - TRUST HIM!

WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS DESIRED – TRUST GOD!

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO?

I don’t know the details of your situation, but if you’ve lived long enough, I do know you’ve had this experience or something very similar.

It was a situation where you desired something, some outcome concerning yourself or a person, place or thing in your life and in your view, what you desired was a good thing because after all, it did not conflict with the basic principles of God’s will as outlined in His Word and obtaining it would be beneficial.

You did everything you knew to do for things to work out.

You prayed, planned, followed the steps, took the measures, made the adjustments, met the deadlines, heeded the sound advice, put in the time, kept the faith, repented when necessary……you even fasted, prayed, came in agreement with a prayer partner, sowed a seed, decreed and declared the outcome and praised God in advance for it.

You did everything you knew to do for things to work out according to your desires……everything!

But they didn’t work out.

You still did not get the job.

You still lost your house.

Your spouse still left.

Your child still died.

The person was still not healed.

The deal still fell through.

The relationship or friendship still went sour.

Your desired outcome concerning yourself, or that person, place or thing did not materialize……….It just did not happen.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO?

Thousands of yeas ago, Jesus, God’s beloved, only begotten, sinless, Son had an outcome He desired as well.

He wanted another way to redeem mankind other than having to go to the cross.

It’s not that He did not want to redeem mankind, it was just that the very thought of what He would have to go through to do it shook Him to His very core causing His “soul to be exceeding sorrowful even unto death” (Matthew 26:38)

Jesus agonized and prayed so fervently over the matter that His sweat was as drops of blood…..can you imagine that!

Three times He asked the Father if there was any other possible way to get the job done, ending each request by telling the Father, nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.

After all of this intense prayer, what was the outcome?

The outcome was that Jesus’ request was denied.

Another way was not granted.

A grueling death on the cross was the only option given.

What did Jesus do?

He accepted the Father’s answer and moved on in obedience to the Father’s revealed will, trusting the Father’s sovereignty, wisdom and love.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO?

The great Apostle Paul who was God’s key man sent to the Gentiles and who under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote most of the New Testament had an affliction.

Exactly what it was, the Bible does not say, but it does tell us that the affliction was causing Paul enough distress for him to ask God if He would take it away.

When you think about it, this affliction must have caused Paul great distress because we never read of Paul praying to God and asking Him not to be imprisoned, stoned, flogged, mobbed or shipwrecked anymore, but we do read of how three times he prayed to God to remove this affliction.

II Corinthians 12:7, 8 states, “And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted.Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;” (Amplified Bible)

After all of that intense prayer, what was the outcome to Paul’s request?

The outcome was that Paul’s requested was denied.

Verse 9 states, “But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” (Amplified Bible)

Removal of the thorn in his flesh was not granted.

A messenger of satan to rack and buffet and harass him was what he had to constantly face.

What did Paul do?

He accepted the Lord’s answer that His grace was sufficient for him and moved on in obedience to the Lord’s revealed will, trusting the Lord’s sovereignty, wisdom and love.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO?

Do you have an emotional tantrum?
Do you get angry, bitter and resentful?
Do you doubt the love and wisdom of God?
Do you give up and lose faith?
Do you have a pity party?
Do you sink deep in depression?
Do you stop praying?
Do you stop attending church?
Do you walk away from God?

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO?

If Jesus, our sinless Lord and Savior, the only begotten beloved Son of God experienced things not working out as He desired in spite of doing all He could, and if the Apostle Paul, God’s key man sent to the Gentiles who under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote most of the New Testament experienced things not working out as he desired, why are we 21st century saints so shocked when things don’t work out as we want? ….SELAH!

SO WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN THINGS DO NOT WORK OUT AS YOU WANTED THEM TO?

Let’s take a lesson from our Lord Jesus and from the Apostle Paul.

When things do not work out as desired in spite of all of our efforts, let’s rise above our thoughts and feelings, accept God’s answer, know that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to undergird us, and move on in obedience to whatever is the Lord’s revealed will, trusting His sovereignty, wisdom and love as we go.

By His grace you can!

By his grace, I can!

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

(Romans 8:28 – NLT)

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “CATCHING TRUST WORD” by Stuart Miles courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

HOW DO I SEND MY CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN…….

August 12, 2014August 12, 2014Kim Sweeting 10 Comments

HOW DO I SEND MY CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN……

SCHOOL WILL SOON OPEN - BE PREPARED AND PRAYERFUL!

SCHOOL WILL SOON OPEN – BE PREPARED AND BE PRAYERFUL!

With the end of August fast approaching, many parents worry about the prospect of sending their children back to school.

Some of the questions that run deep inside are:

How do I send my children back to school in a world where random shootings occur in educational institutions at any level, anywhere, anytime for any reason?

How do I send my children back to school in a world where kids glorify insulting and putting each other down, bullying is an ever-present threat, and academic failure a badge of the “in crowd”?

How do I send my children back to school in a world where seemingly more and more teachers indiscriminately take frustrations out on students, show obvious favoritism and conduct their job as if it were a necessary evil?

How do I send my children back to school in a world where systems exalt school reputation over student well-being, promote and enforce policies that dishonor God, and administrators shamelessly fight for professional brownie points?

How do you send your children back to school in the midst of these are very real, troubling and complex issues?

As a Believer, some key things you can do are as follows:

Ask God for His wisdom and guidance daily
Make it a personal priority to continuously put the Word in your children
Teach them what is right and wrong in the eyes of the Lord
Tell them that God is with them to protect them and help them in every situation they meet
Let them know that their educational opportunity is a gift from God so it is their responsibility to do their best to make the most of it
Actively support and encourage them however you can
Soak them in prayer, praying both for and with them
Stand and believe that God will protect, lead, guide, favor, and enable them to navigate safely through the school year and help them find good success.
Pray regularly for the teachers, staff and administrators of their school

I originally posted the following prayer/declaration on August 14th, 2010 and have re-posted it every year since.

As the new school year approaches, I feel the need to re-post it again this year as a prayer for our children as they return to school.

Be encouraged to not just read the prayer, but to join your faith with other Believers and pray it, not only for your own children if you have children, but for every child the Lord lays upon your heart no matter where they are in the world.

Shalom!

Kim

A PRAYER/DECLARATION AS OUR CHILDREN, OUR PRECIOUS HERITAGE OF THE LORD RETURN TO SCHOOL

In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we declare that every assignment of the enemy over our children’s lives is cancelled and that no weapon formed against them shall prosper.

We cover them in the blood of Jesus from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet and request warring angels of the Lord to encamp around them and to protect them from all harm and danger.

In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we cast down every high thing that would try to exalt itself against the knowledge of God that our children possess.

We declare that the Word of God is hidden in their hearts and that it is a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path, continuously guiding their decisions and ordering their steps wherever they go and whatever they face.

In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we declare that our children have a mind to work and that the spirit of excellence rests upon them, influencing their academic performance and behavior.

We declare that they submit to the rules and regulations of their schools and obey the instruction of those in authority over them as long as our children do not violate the Word.

In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we declare that our children are highly favored of God and that this divine favor positively affects their relations with their school administrators, teachers and fellow students.

We declare that our children establish friendships with children who positively influence their minds, bodies, souls, and spirits, and encourage and support their academic, social and spiritual development.

In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we declare that the Spirit of the living God rests upon our children, making them distinct and different in a positive way.

We declare that by the anointing of God, our children demonstrate godly character and principles—that they are salt and light on their school campuses and that God’s plans and purposes are advanced in and through them.

In our authority as the Body of Christ, we declare these things in accordance with the principles of the Word of God and by faith believe and agree that these things are so to the honor and glory of God in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Image “Back to School” by Digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

https://unwalled.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/a-prayer-for-the-protection-of-our-school-children/

https://unwalled.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/schools-opening-get-motivated/

THE WORD IS POWERFUL

July 12, 2014Kim Sweeting

THE WORD IS POWERFUL

“THE WORD IS POWERFUL”

The Word is powerful.

It is like a hammer.

When I speak it, I imagine it demolishing every thing that stands against God’s Truth and His purposes.

The Word is powerful.

It is like fire.

When I speak it, pray it I imagine it consuming everything that stands against God’s Truth and His purposes.

The Word is powerful.

It is like water.

When I sing it, I imagine it washing away everything that stands against God’s Truth and His purposes.

The Word is powerful.

SELAH!

“Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?”

(Jeremiah 23:29 – Amplified Bible)

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].

(Ephesians 5:25-27 – Amplified Bible)

“For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

(Isaiah 55:10-11 – Amplified Bible)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

(Isaiah 40:8 – Amplified Bible)

Image “BIBLE” by Janaka Dharmasena courtesy of – http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

THIS GOVERNMENT!!! – DO YOU PRAY?

June 11, 2014Kim Sweeting

THIS GOVERNMENT!!! – DO YOU PRAY?

DO YOU PRAY FOR THE PERSONS IN YOUR GOVERNMENT?

While responsible freedom of expression in regard to these issues has its rightful place, today I want to remind us as Believers in Christ and Kingdom Citizens to pray for those in authority over us and not just talk about what they are doing, not doing, could do, should do, etc.

(I Timothy 2:1-3 – The Message Bible)

Do you pray for those in authority in your nation or are you simply on the verbal bandwagon of expressed feelings and opinions all the while neglecting to pray for them?

When it comes to political and governmental issues, if we as Believers are not careful, we can find ourselves so caught up in talking that we forget to pray……let’s be on alert to not fall into that trap.

Remember, while our responsibly expressed feelings and opinions have their rightful place, our governmental leaders need our prayers more than ever, particularly those of the Faith.

SELAH!

Kim

Image “World Flag” by Salvatore Vuono courtesy of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

DON’T WORRY – PRAY!

April 26, 2014April 26, 2014Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

DON’T WORRY – PRAY!

This morning I woke up with Philippians 4:6-7 on my mind and I know exactly why.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – (NIV)

The Amplified Bible says it this way:

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – (Amplified Bible)

I am presently in the process of establishing and launching my life coaching practice and as with any other business, I have a myriad of decisions to make, compliances to meet and things to put in place.

Having been the “go to” person among my family, friends, peers, colleagues, superiors, and brother’s and sister’s in Christ for a listening empathic ear, clarity in a situation, advice or a different perspective on problems, and/or help in making decisions since my teen years, and doing it pro bono in spite of acquiring the professional qualifications and training in both counseling and life coaching along the way, I am finally moving into doing it professionally so it is quite a change.

In light of this, I know why I woke up this morning with Philippians 4:6-7 on my mind.

The Lord brought that scripture to my mind as a reminder to me not to allow the process of establishing my business to overwhelm me and place me in a state of worry or anxiety, but to instead pray about and trust Him each step of the way and thereby, maintain my peace.

As I write Matthew 6:25-27 which speaks about he futility of worrying comes to mind.

It states:-

“Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?

And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?” – (Amplified Bible)

Proverbs 3:5,6 also comes to mind.

It states:-

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” – (Amplified Bible)

This is a an excellent and wise strategy to use when dealing with matters ahead of us.

What is it that you face today that if allowed can turn into a source of worry and anxiety, or perhaps has already turned into a source of worry and anxiety?

My word to you is God’s Word to me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – (NIV)

Selah!

As we move forward to deal with the various situations we face in our lives, by God’s grace, let’s be doers of this Word and not hearers only.

Let’s be careful not to worry and make sure that we pray about each step before us, trusting Him to led the way.

Agreed?

Great!

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “WORRIED CHARACTER MEANS ANXIOUS, FEARFUL OR CONCERNED” by Stuart Miles courtesy of – http://www.freedigitalphotos.net