Tag Archives: prayer
But Now I am Found
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© Jeanne E Webster
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One day at a time
Sweet Jesus
You taught us to pray
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Not for yesterday
Not for tomorrow
Only for today
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So I’m praying today
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For my family
My friends
My enemies
My self
The lost
Those who stumble
Those who fall
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Help us all this day
Father, we pray
Somehow shine
Through this maze
Called life
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For you are
Our God
Our Creator
Our Father
Our only glory
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Among this clay
Smooth out the cracks
Redraw the lines
Recolor the tint
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That this world
Will see only you
In this body
This spirit
This sinner
This lover of self
This pilgrim
This “good” person
This crying soul
This marked entity
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Branded with your cross
Forever and ever
This weeping one
Humbly prays
This day
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Abba Father
My God
My Redeemer
My Lord
My King
My Savior
The great I AM
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Amen
NaPoWriMo Day 23
Another Morning. . .
© Jeanne E Webster
Psalm 92:1, 2
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your loving kindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness every night!
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Your Word is settled in heaven, forever. Your faithfulness endures to all generations. Amen.
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Oh Lord, I shall always put my trust in Thee;
Preserve me with uprightness and integrity.
Show me Thy ways and teach me to see,
For I wait on Thee…I wait on Thee.
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Morning, noon, and night I pray
In the shadows of Thy wings let me stay.
Hear my voice when I cry aloud,
With head and knees humbly bowed.
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Have mercy on me and restore my soul,
‘Ere long this world takes its dreadful toll.
My hope is in Thee and shall always be,
For I wait on Thee…I wait on Thee.
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Praise and glory to Thee I sing
For You, oh Lord, are my everything.
My heart is fixed on heaven above,
On Your great and eternal love.
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Oh Lord, let my soul dwell at ease;
Grant me Your deep, everlasting peace.
Strengthen my heart; give me dignity,
For I wait on Thee…I wait on Thee.
Birds Are Winging Homeward
©Jeanne E Webster
Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.”
If you hear me say, “I’ve got to go to my closet,” it is not what you think. I’m not looking for wearing apparel. I must lift someone up to the Lord and need to retire to a quiet place, hence, my closet.
Did you play “Pretend” when you were a child? Many of us did. We would make believe we had an invisible friend to relate to, talk to; we’d just have fun. This friend was as real as real could be, when you are a child. One day you grow up and realize it was merely child’s play.
Now grown and no longer playing games, I hope you have a real friend, your personal Savior, Jesus Christ. You can walk with Him and talk with Him, and He is as real as any person you’ve ever seen or imagined. As grownups we call this interaction, prayer. Jesus is there to share your needs, your joys, your burdens and those of others. Look upon prayer as a serious privilege and duty, along with a deep relationship, a holy union.
What is really happening when you pray for the needs of another? Do you understand this mystery?
You have taken their spirit’s need and drawn them into the presence of the Lord and formed a holy accord. Quieting your mind and spirit, you enter into this prayer closet and tell it all to Jesus. From your heart and soul, you bear those burdens to Him, and the Holy Spirit prays with you throughout this gathering.
Such as, “Lord, this is my friend, Mary, and she is in need of your help. She is suffering from dizziness and severe headaches. . . ”
You continue in spirit, hushed by the stillness and peace emanating from His presence. It is a special moment when Spirit speaks with spirit. In time you come away with the sense that the need is in God’s hand, and His peace reigns supreme in your heart and in the heart of the one in need. The Lord has heard. . .and all is well.
Shalom
Jesus, Kneel Beside Me
~Allen Eastman Cross
Jesus, kneel beside me in the dawn of day;
Thine is prayer eternal—Teach me how to pray!
Master, work beside me in the shining sun;
Gently guide Thy servant till the work be done.
Saviour, watch beside me in the closing light;
Lo, the evening cometh—watch with me this night!
Birds are winging homeward, sun and shadow cease;
Savior, take my spirit to Thy perfect peace.
Amen.
Simply
©Jeanne E Webster
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Soft as a hummingbird breeze
It wafted thru the air
A twitch of a lark’s sneeze. . .
T’was a wing and a prayer.
Crying…at the Church Door
Crying… at the Church Door
© Jeanne E Webster
Do you remember…?
Churches used to be open every day, all day, all night, holidays, and ordinary days. Why? People needed them, and not merely for Sunday services and perhaps Wednesday night prayer meetings and Bible study. A church was a sanctuary, a shelter from the storms of life, a sacred place where you could commune with God, a place to find peace and quiet. What happened?
The privilege was abused? Not safe? People stole things? People started fires to keep warm on cold days? Babies were left on the front steps? No one had time to supervise the activities? Not one? No one cared enough? Is God still there? Sure is.
Our needs are the same today as they were years ago. People are looking for peace amid the bustles of the day. “Oh, I wish I could find peace and quiet.” But today they are looking in all the wrong places. The day we shut up the doors to God’s house for anything but per functionary events was the day we turned the needs of the people over to Satan.
Most every town has lots of churches–a First Baptist Church there, an Evangelical Church here, a Presbyterian one up the street, across from the Church of Christ. St. Leo’s Catholic Church is two blocks away, and up the hill is a Lutheran church. One thing they have in common: they are open but a few hours a week; services are performed, classes are given, and sermons are spoken.
How about a prayer chapel, at least, open 24-7, a place of solace, in every active church? Surely there is a small room available, a corner with no distractions?
Maybe…
…all these churches sitting idle on street corners, empty, no activities,
…maybe somehow it could be worked out for someone to volunteer their time, or make it safe somehow, make it so no one will steal, set on fire, or any other bad thing?
I think it would be a good thing
…and it could happen
…and it needs to happen.
People need the Lord.
…people need a place to think and pray
…a safe place, nice and peaceful.
Pass it on…
…maybe someone can find a way?
I pray.
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You Saw Me Crying in the Chapel
(Words & music by Arthur Glenn)
You saw me crying in the chapel.
The tears I shed were tears of joy
I know the meaning of contentment
Now I am happy with the Lord
Just a plain and simple chapel
Where humble people go to pray
I pray the Lord that I’ll grow stronger
As I live from day to day
I’ve searched and I’ve searched
But I couldn’t find
No way on earth
To gain peace of mind
Now I’m happy in the chapel
Where people are of one accord
Yes, We gather in the chapel
Just to sing and praise the Lord
Ev’ry sinner looks for something
That will put his heart at ease
There is only one true answer
He must get down on his knees
Meet your neighbor in the chapel
Join with him in tears of joy
You’ll know the meaning of contentment
Then you’ll be happy with the Lord
You’ll search and you’ll search
But you’ll never find
No way on earth
To gain peace of mind
Take your troubles to the chapel
Get down on your knees and pray
And Your burdens will be lighter
And you’ll surely find the way
Fears are a Bear!
© Jeanne E Webster
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Is your spiritual life having a nap? Is it on an extended vacation from spiritual habits and nourishment? Yes, it happens to everyone. The world distracts our spiritual focus away from nurturing food and strengthening exercises, pleading instead to our physical nature with many urgent voices. Fears are as abundant as television commercials during a two-hour movie.
“Help me!” demands a loved one coming down off a drug habit.
“You have 30 days to pay your rent or you’re out of here!” threatens an irate landlord.
A red-faced supervisor yells in your ear, “Close the deal by Friday or you’re fired!”
Everywhere we look there is turmoil, anxiety, fear, tension, and dread. What are we to do? Is this what life is all about? To put it succinctly, NO!
Jesus warns us to quit worrying about things that hinder our walk in the spirit. As Christians, we have precious encouragement, “Don’t worry about what tomorrow will bring you, for it will take care of itself.” (Matt. 6:34) What’s He saying here? Do not worry or become over-anxious. Life is about living in the physical body while focusing on the spiritual body.
Ok, but why does He say this when all about us are fearful distractions? Could it be because we’re looking in all the wrong places for help?
He follows up with Matt. 6:33, “Don’t worry about what you will eat, what you will drink, or if you will be clothed.” Non-believers worry about those things! “Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness…and all your needs will be provided to you.”
To sum it up, Jesus tells us that God is still in charge of our lives; He knows our every need. “For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things.” (Matt. 6:32b) What assurance! What Reassurance! Our heavenly Father knows. Think about it. God is the creator of all things, even us, and planned the world’s itinerary from the beginning to its end. And here we are, worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow. “O ye of little faith!” (Matt. 6:30)
Phil. 4:6-7 May I be anxious for nothing, and in all things by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, may I make my needs known to You; and I know that Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Jesus Christ. Amen
He has Sworn…
Dear God…
©Jeanne E Webster
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From the massacre of thousands and injuring of hundreds of thousands during the desolation of the World Trade Center in New York City…
Comfort us.
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From the legalized butchery of millions of unborn babies in America and around the world…
Forgive us.
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From the losses of food and and properties burnt up in the severe weather America has suffered this year…
Comfort us.
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For teaching and legalizing the lie that a person has sexual gender options other than normal…
Forgive us.
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From the destruction of millions of lives, seduced and held captive by the power of drugs and alcohol…
Comfort us.
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For the breakdown of the family unit once held together by a common thread called love…
Forgive us.
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From the vicious slayings of innocent children by sadistic perverted persons…
Comfort us.
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For the abominations perpetrated upon the innocents of this world by “holy” ones…
Forgive them.
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`For the broken hearted who have lost their focus on the Healer of Broken Hearts, Jesus…
Comfort them.
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For the millions of people addicted to immoral and violent forms of entertainment…
Forgive us.
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For the thousands of our military troops drawing a “line in the sand” for peace…
Protect them.
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For the millions of frail elderly folks lying and dying in sliding-door facilities as ancient and neglected as they…
Comfort them.
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For the millions of caring, compassionate volunteers reporting for duty…
Praise your name.
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For the millions of parishioners mislead by pulpit wolves in sheep’s clothing…
Enlighten them.
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For the shepherds standing in pulpits, presenting the gospel with dirty hands…
Forgive them.
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For America, our beloved country, that is slowly deteriorating before our eyes…
Comfort us.
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For America, who has exported such vile and immoral commodities to the world…
Forgive us.
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For the World’s millions upon millions upon millions of starving and ignored people…
Comfort them.
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For the world’s incessant cry for more and more abominable toys…
Forgive us.
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Please read this Scripture. Perhaps we may see that what is going on in our little world today is nothing new. Yet…neither is God.
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Amos 4(NKJV)
Amos 4:1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who [are] on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring [wine,] let us drink!”
2 The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days shall come upon you when He will take you away with fishhooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
3 You will go out [through] broken [walls,] each one straight ahead of her, and you will be cast into Harmon,” Says the LORD.
4 ” Come to Bethel and transgress, At Gilgal multiply transgression; Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days.
5 Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, Proclaim [and] announce the freewill offerings; for this you love, [You] children of Israel!” Says the Lord GOD.
6 ” Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD.
7 “I also withheld rain from you, When [there were] still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city; I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered.
8 So two [or] three cities wandered to another city to drink water, but they were not satisfied; yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD.
9 “I blasted you with blight and mildew. When your gardens increased, your vineyards, your fig trees, and your olive trees, the locust devoured [them;] yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD.
10 “I sent among you a plague after the manner of Egypt; your young men I killed with a sword, along with your captive horses; I made the stench of your camps come up into your nostrils; yet you have not returned to Me,” says the LORD.
11 “I overthrew [some] of you, As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD.
12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
13 For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought [is,] and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth — The LORD God of hosts [is] His name.
~Shalom
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
©Jeanne E Webster
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Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
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Many needs of people–trying
To find some peace–crying
No home, no bed–sighing
Hungry, hurting–dying
Memories crowding, goodbye’ing
Rushing by, raggedy bits a’ lying
Leftovers the world overlooked
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Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray my soul the Lord will keep
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What do I fear at night–?
The monsters? They won’t bite
They’re only shadows of the night
Like ghosts running out of light
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Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul will take.
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God bless mommy, gramma and gramps
My sisters and brothers
My doggie and cat
All my cousins, uncles and aunts
My friends and everyone at school
Thank you, Father, for everything, amen.
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Goodnight world.
Do You Know Your Own Strength?
©2011 Jeanne E Webster
A farmer who was out plowing with one mule kept yelling at it,
“Giddap, Pete! Giddap, Barney! Giddap, Johnny! Giddap, Tom!”
A stranger, observing this, finally asked, “How many names does that mule have?”
“Only one,” answered the farmer. “His name is Pete, but he doesn’t know his own strength, so I put blinders on him. Then I yell the other names at him, and he thinks three other mules are helping him!”
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In a serious sense, we sometimes feel we have blinders on when trying to plead our cause before the Lord.
“We know not how to pray.”
Reaching out to others not only strengthens us but deepens our zeal. There is nothing like prayer to bring hope to the downcast, peace to the anxious, or healing to the sick. Let us pray together.
James 5:17b The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
