Devotional – Sisters on Our Knees

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The Prayer the Devil Doesn’t Want You to Pray

One of my favorites songs by one of my favorite singers is the song “Whatever It Takes” by Matt Papa.

It’s a hard song.

It’s about surrending all.

Whatever we prize more than Him is an idol, and my flesh doesn’t want to sing this song, because I want to cling to my idols.

And as much as it hurts my comfort, the truth is, true comfort is in Him and He’s worth so much more than anything I let go of.

Prayer is where we wage war with our idols.

Are we willing to say “Your will be done?”

What if that means letting go of a big part of our hearts, because we’re wrapped up in an obsession?

What if that means moving somewhere else?

What if that means taking a giant leap of faith?

This is uncomfortable faith.

That’s the faith that Jesus (Yeshua) lived. The crown of thorns on his head wasn’t comfortable. The road to Calvary wasn’t easy. But for the joy set before Him He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

He wants to fill us with that king of joy.

He wants us to step out of our comfort zone, and trust Him more.

He wants us to pray…

Do whatever it takes me to make me more like Jesus
This is hard, and I might break
But I mean it when I say
Lord, do whatever, whatever it takes

~ Whatever It Takes by Matt Papa

Devotional, Prayer Prompts & Guides

6 Tips to Pray More Consistently

I remember being a child and trying to move a bucket of moss and dirt from one end of the yard to the other. The bucket was heavy and I would drag it a few feet and then set it down. For a child, moving that bucket was hard work! I had one goal in mind, and that was to get the bucket from one end of the yard to the other. It took awhile, but I eventually hit my goal!

Praying for our loved ones and for those around us that are suffering is a heavy load. We shouldn’t lift them up just once. We should pursue prayer with one goal–to consistently lift them up to Yahweh. Maybe there is someone in your life that is not following Christ. Do you have the goal of praying for them everyday, throughout the day?

Here are some fun ideas to pray more consistently:

1) Look for Scripture passages that are encouraging or prayerful and write them on 3 x 5 cards. Keep the cards in your pocket, and throughout the day pull them out to read over and pray through.

2) Don’t waste the little times. Each time you have a few moments throughout the day, use that time to pray.

3) Ask your friends around you to send you an email or text reminder to pray.

4) Ask others to join you in prayer. Having a prayer support group is helpful in praying for a person or situation. You don’t have to be specific, but just send out a group text to others and say that you need some prayer. I don’t think any Christian would let you down in the prayer world.

5) Find something around the house that reminds you of the person you should be praying for or the situation you should be praying for. Right now in my life, I am praying about a situation that has to do with my family and grandmother. Every time I see something that is my grandmother’s around the house, I try to remember to pray for her.

6) Get on your knees and pour out your heart before Yahweh. Praying on your knees brings about a spirit of humility and is a physical reminder that we are coming before a mighty King.

Let’s pray with one goal in mind–to reach the throne room in heaven multiple times a day for our loved ones and those suffering.

In pursuing this goal, we will begin to have a new perspective on prayer.

Devotional

How To Make it Through the Day

Music has touched my life in so many ways.

I truly don’t know where I’d be today without the effect that beautiful songs of truth have played upon my heart. It’s amazing how a song can resonate with exactly what my soul needs to pray. One of those songs that has touched my life is “Lord, I Need You” by Chris Tomlin. When I need to feel the peace of God, often it will come to mind:

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

–“Lord, I Need You” by Chris Tomlin

In our times of need, we can be propelled to despair or propelled to prayer.

A prayer here or there is not enough to get us through the challenges of life. Even when we are in an easy season of life, if we’re not connecting in a continual way with our Maker, we’ll find success or happiness going to our head in an unhealthy, prideful way.

The more we come to face our human limitations and faults, the more we experience our desperate need for Him.

It’s okay to be in need. it’s okay to feel drained. This is where we learn to casts our cares on Him, to pray without ceasing, to cherish our dependence on Him.

To keep on the straight and narrow path He has for our lives, prayer must be a part of our lifestyle.

How we make it through the day matters because days become months, months become years, and years become a lifetime.

Let’s keep turning to the One who created the galaxies, music, words, personalities, and our very hearts.

Don’t be afraid to admit you need Him every hour.

Let others see Your daily dependence on Him. He longs for you to be a living example of the truth that His power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Admit that prayer changes your life, that you’d be lost without Jesus, and that you need Him every hour.

Your dependence is a testimony.

Devotional

Standing in the Need of Prayer

There is an old song that I remember from childhood that goes like this:

It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer;
Not my mother, not my father
But it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.
Not my brother, not my sister
But it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

It’s me, it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.
Not the preacher, not the sinner
But it’s me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

This song reminded me that sometimes it’s us that need prayer and not those around us.

In my own life, I get caught up in praying for others and forget that I need prayer myself. Of course, there is nothing wrong about praying for others, but we as followers of Christ need prayer for our own lives as well.

Today, as you stand in the need of prayer, remember that Yahweh loves you!

Devotional

When You Don’t Have Words to Say

Maybe you don’t have words to say to God today.

Maybe everything’s been falling apart lately.

Maybe you’re at a defining moment in your life, choosing between following Him or following the world.

Maybe you’re desperate.

Whatever it is you’re facing, I want to encourage you today.

You’re not alone.

Your Creator sees you where you are, and sees your future. There’s a beautiful promise in Psalm 9:10 that says, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

You can place your heart in His hands, knowing that He is a loving Father who will carry you through.

Your prayers don’t need to be elegant. The Bible actually warns us about vain repetition in Matthew 6:7. Your prayers can be as simple as, “Yahweh I need You. I want to trust You. Please help me.”

These three simple sentences, when spoken in honesty, reach a God that’s far bigger, far stronger, and far more capable of bringing you peace than anyone or anything else.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Today, let’s hold onto the peace of knowing that there is no one more powerful and no one more loving than our heavenly Father.

Let’s let our prayers be honest, simple, and heartfelt–even if they’re short.

Today let’s hang onto Him.

You see my anxious heart
You see what I am feeling
And when I fall apart
You are there to hold me
How great Your love for me
Now I see what You’re thinking
You say I’m beautiful
Your voice is my healing

Without You I just can’t get by
So I’m

Hanging on to every word You speak
‘Cause it’s all that I need
Hanging on to every word You say
To light up my way
Even every little whisper I’m
Hanging on as if it were my life
I’m hanging on

~”Hanging On” by Britt Nicole

Devotional, Prayer Prompts & Guides

Praying to Become a Berean

What is a Berean and why on earth would I want to become one?

Are these your thoughts after reading the title? I felt the same way years ago. Who are the Bereans? Well, they are some people mentioned in the book of Acts. They were known for searching the Scriptures daily to find out if what other believers were saying was true.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12)

Searching the Scriptures like the Bereans should be one of our goals.

When we hear the Word from someone, are we looking to see if what they say is true? Wouldn’t you like to be known for searching the Scriptures daily to know the truth? The Bereans were faithful and received the Word of Yahweh gladly! This is what we should be doing each day. Are we receiving the Word of Yahweh gladly and with all readiness?

Here is a prayer to guide you as you seek to become a Berean:

Yahweh, may I be open to receiving your Word with gladness and all readiness. Open my eyes to see the truth of your Word. When others speak, may I check their words with your infallible Word. Remind me to search the Scriptures daily and to find the Truth. Don’t let me become caught up in something that is not in line with your Word. May I become like the Bereans and seek to follow you and read your Word each day. Amen.

Devotional, Prayer Prompts & Guides

A Prayer to See Life Through God’s Eyes

The other day, I was singing along to the song “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath. I’ve listened to it many times over the years, but this time, I was struck by how powerful a prayer it is.

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing,
Give your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.

This kind of a prayer can change your life.

It’s dangerous, but in the best kind of way, because it’ll break you free from the bondage of a man’s view and show you God’s view. It’s hard to pray that kind of prayer, but it’s liberating at the same time. It’s the kind of prayer that’ll make you take crazy leaps of faith, and trudge through lonely valleys just to love Him and love others as yourself.

Because the truth is that His love is so much greater than mine.

I must die to my earthly desires for Him to make me more like Him–more like love.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Please give me that love, Yahweh.

Dear God, give me your eyes so I can see. Give me your love for humanity. Give me your arms for the broken-hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me your eyes so I can see.

Devotional, Prayer Prompts & Guides

10 Prayers for While You’re Waiting (+ printable)

Sometimes Yahweh places us in seasons of waiting, and it’s not easy.

I have childhood memories of waiting on my father to get home from trips. I would lay in bed wishing that he was home or that I was with him. Sometimes I would even stand at the door of our house waiting for him to arrive. When he finally returned, I would run outside and my father would pick me up and give me a big hug. Ah! My waiting was over.

As the years go by, we continue to wait for things.

Maybe you are waiting to hear from someone or waiting for a job to open up. I have waited on many answers to prayers. Waiting is hard and even causes the heart to long for and wish for things that may or may not ever come to fruition.

Waiting is something that people in the Bible had to do as well.

Waiting has been around since the beginning of time. Even before sin entered the world, Adam had to wait for Eve. Later, Abraham had to wait for Isaac. Moses had to wait eighty years before Yahweh used him to lead the Israelites. David had to wait to become king of Israel, Israel had to wait for the Messiah, and we are waiting for the return of the Messiah.

Here are some prayers that I hope will guide you through this season of your life.

Click for printable PDF:
10 Prayers for While You’re Waiting

Devotional, Prayer Prompts & Guides

Where Are My Treasures?

Recently my family has been cleaning out my Grandmother’s house. As I went through the attic and pulled out boxes and boxes of interesting items, I begin to think about treasures. These items were once someone’s treasures. Maybe someone’s mother made the dress I hold in my hands. I wonder if they cherished this dress for a certain reason. The person is no longer alive. The items were left in memoriam, and I am the one finding them.

This caused me to think of my treasures.

Are my treasures here on this earth or in heaven? Thinking about this brought reality. As Christians we should gather up our treasures in heaven and not here on earth.

Below is a prayer that I was encouraged to write after thinking about my treasures.

Where Are My Treasures?
(prayer inspired by Matthew 5:19-26)

Yahweh, remind me that my treasures are not here on this earth, but are with You in Heaven. May my heart be with You and not with my earthly treasures. Help me to follow You with my whole heart and to be filled with light. I don’t want to be full of darkness. Show me the difference, so that I can be aware of it. I want to follow You, Yahweh, and not anyone else. Open my eyes to see when I am following the world. May You teach me to serve You with all my heart. Help me to trust You and to not focus on the things that I may not have. Remind me that You do care about me. Thank You for being my Lord and Savior. Amen!

Devotional

The Prayer That Is Accepted

In Luke chapter 18 we find a powerful parable of two men praying.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Which payer is accepted?

Today let’s admit who we are, and how desperate we are for Him.