Tag Archives: prayer

Kneelers for the Needy

©Jeanne E Webster

 

 

 

Someone, help me please!

I’m in need of prayers.

I’m on bended knees

And pulling out my hairs.

Somewhere out there someone is dying, yet not ready to meet his or her maker.  Somewhere out there someone is crying, weighed down with one too many burdens.  A child hides in shame and fear from a molester; an adult fears his job is lost.  A wife faces another day with an abusive husband and four kids to raise; a husband stares at the empty wedding band lying on the dresser.  A teenager wrestles with anger over being bullied at school; a college graduate sees no meaning in his “piece of paper.”

 Young or old, healthy or sick, male or female, employed or out of work, married or single, EVERYONE is in need of prayer support sometime in their lives.  There is a time when words do not come forth from the mouth, the heart tightens up like a fist, when tears well up and dry out, and the spirit lies spent and crushed.

 People need people when hope is gone or on vacation.  Who wants to go it alone?  Many feel too ashamed, too tired, too weak or too helpless.  Our Lord even said it is good to gather in twos or threes.  He knew there is strength and power in numbers.  My heart goes out to those in need of prayer, from family members who keep asking me “why,” to total strangers confessing the direst needs. 

There’s something sacred and mystical about that plea, “Would you pray for me?”  It goes beyond words or thoughts; it’s purely the spirit speaking a guttural tongue.  Whom else to help than the Creator who made it?  It is directed at the Creator, its Papa.  I would imagine Papa is the first object we see when we’re fresh off the press.  And it’s Papa to whom we flee in times of need.

So when you have the privilege to pray for someone, report for duty, please.  Someday, somewhere out there, you will be the one asking that question and giving someone the privilege to carry you to that altar of grace. 

“What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer!”

I’ve Got to Go

©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.  It means that I must retire to a quiet place.

Did you play “Pretend” when you were a child?  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 that this was merely child’s play.

Now you are grown and no longer play “Pretend.”  Now 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.  Grownups call this talking to Jesus prayer.   He is there to share your needs, your joys, your burdens and those of others.  You look upon prayer as a serious privilege and duty.

When you pray for the needs of others, what is really happening?  You have taken their hand and walked with them into the presence of the Lord.  From there you commune with Jesus about the need.  Quieting your mind and spirit, you enter into this prayer “closet” and tell Jesus all about it.  From your heart and soul, you bear the burdens to Him. Look full into Jesus’ face.

The Holy Spirit prays for you as you meditate through the session.   “Lord, this is my friend, Mary, and she is in need of your help.  She is suffering from dizziness and severe headaches.   .   .   ”   And you continue in spirit, hushed by the stillness and peace emanating from His presence.

It is a special time, a moment when Spirit speaks with spirit.  You come away with the sense that it is in God’s hand, and His peace reigns supreme in your heart and in the heart of the one in need.  All is well.

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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.

Cave Talk

©Jeanne E Webster

Psalm 142:1-7

[A prayer of David when he was hiding in a cave from danger]

 

I earnestly pleaded with the Lord; loudly I begged Him sorely to help me.

My troubles gushed forth from my lips, baring to Him the obstacles that hindered my spirit.

He knew everything that overwhelmed me.  My enemies have set traps before me.

Not a soul was alongside me; I had no place to hide.  No one cared for my soul.

I prayed to the Lord,

“You are my refuge and provider of all my needs.  Listen to my cry, for I am crushed low.  Protect me from those who persecute me, for they are stronger than I.  Release my spirit from this hopelessness, so I can live again in joyful days.  Righteousness will surround me, for You will fill my spirit with abundant blessings.” 

Amen.

Speak

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.  The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.  He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him.  He also will hear their cry and will save them.  The Lord preserveth all them that love Him; but all the wicked will He destroy.  My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.  Psalm 145:17-21 (KJV)

 

These verses begin and end with praises to Almighty God, and sandwiched in-between is prayer and protection.  What a beautiful portrait of our relationship to our heavenly Father!  Daily we need to speak, sing, think and pray our praises to Him.  By responding to Him through our worship and obedience, we demonstrate our adoration and love for Him. He is always faithful to protect us and hear our prayers. 

Father, we do adore You, we stand in awe of You and we love You.  Thank you for Your righteousness, Your holiness, Your watch and care over us.  We acknowledge that You are in control of all things, from the next beat of our hearts to the drawing in of our next breaths.  May our mouths, hearts and souls speak of Your holy name, for ever and ever!  Amen

Resolutionist?

 

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©Jeanne E Webster

Resolutions, everyone?  Anyone?  I’m not a great resolutionist of idle thoughts, but give me revelation of a gap within my relationship with God, I’ll report for duty every time.  This New Year I have resolved to intensify my closeness to God.   My spirit tells me I need to; my heart rejoices with the thought.

Where do I begin this trek?  I think I’ll start with my prayer time. I’ve rather become a mite flippant, a little fiddling instead of a lot of communicating.  With a bit of introspection, we could all draw closer to God, don’t you think? 

A favorite hymn that always causes me to ponder with wonder:

 

I Know Whom I Have Believed

~Daniel W. Whittle 1840-1901

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

To me he hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for his own.

Refrain:

But I know whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that he is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day.

I know not now this saving faith

To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart.

(Refrain)

I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing us of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word

Creating faith in Him.

(Refrain)

I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair,

Nor if I walk the vale with Him,

Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain:

BUT I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED,

AND AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE

TO KEEP THAT WHICH I’VE COMMITTED

UNTO HIM AGAINST THAT DAY.

Happy New Year, my friends in Christ.

Heavenly Gift Card

 

©Jeanne E Webster

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Are you ready for Christmas?  I guess that depends on what I mean by “Christmas.” 

Is your shopping done?  Have you gotten all the gifts on your list? 

If not, you’re not ready for Christmas.  It takes quite an organized person to bring this about so early in the season.  You still have over two weeks to shop, select necessary items, make catalog purchases, order gifts online, and perhaps have time remaining to gift wrap, package, ship out, then take a deep breath of relief.  You’ve got it all in hand.  You’ve done your duty, to family and friends. 

On the other hand…are you ready for Christmas?  Are you ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ? 

No shopping list needed, no gifts to buy, no weeks of shopping ahead, no hurrying and scurrying here and there in a frantic rush amid the masses.  All you need is an open heart and a listening ear. 

Do you hear the music?  Listen…with your heart and spirit:  

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O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

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For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth;

And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

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How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in.

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O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.  Amen

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Father, we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ…

Your Heavenly gift to us so long ago on that dark night in Bethlehem town.  No one heard His coming as Mary gave birth in a lowly manger.   The angels heralded the news to meek souls below, as they told us that a Savior was born, which was Christ our Lord.  As we sing praises and glory to you this Christmas day, we give thanks for this precious Child, our King.  Come into our hearts, abide with us, O Lord, be born in us today!  In His dear name we pray, amen.

Are you truly ready for Christmas?  May we join together and say a heartfelt amen to that.  AMEN! 

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Quit Worrying!

©Jeanne E Webster

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.

“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! Life is about living in the physical body while focusing on the spiritual body.

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.

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 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

Privileged or Choice

 

©Jeanne E Webster

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Prayer…a great blessing and consumer friendly tool

I was wondering about prayer this morning and decided that would be my blog topic today. 

When do you pray?

First thing in the morning?  Noon?  Suppertime?  Evening?  Bedtime?

I believe we pray most often in the morning and at bedtime.  Whichever fits our lifestyle or is most convenient, I’d say.  Right?  We pick and choose when we pray and perhaps take the privilege for granted?  Sometimes?

 ~

All things are possible if men but pray,

And if God did but limit to a day

The time in which He’d note the upward glance,

Or fix the place, or name the circumstance,

When, where or why petitions could be brought,

Their presence would at His feet be sought.

 ~

But since He heareth prayer at any time,

For anything, in any place, or clime,

Men lightly value heaven’s choicest gift,

And all too seldom do their souls uplift

Pleading at the foot of the Throne of Grace.

~unknown

 

Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers each and every time we speak.  May we cling to prayer as a lifeline to heaven—not a “last chance Charlie” apparatus.  Amen.

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That’s Life

Sharing one of my favorite poems…

 

 

 

A Prayer

By Max Ehrmann

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Let me do my work each day;

And if the darkened hours of despair overcome me,

May I not forget the strength that comforted me

In the desolation of other times.

May I still remember the bright hours that found me

Walking over the silent hills of my childhood,

Or dreaming on the margin of the quiet river,

When a light glowed within me,

And I promised my early God to have courage

Amid the tempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness

And from the sharp passions of unguarded moments.

May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit.

Though the world know me not,

May my thoughts and actions be such

As shall keep me friendly with myself.

Lift my eyes from the earth,

And let me not forget the uses of the stars.

Forbid that I should judge others,

Lest I condemn myself.

Let me not follow the clamor of the world,

But walk calmly in my path.

Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am;

And keep ever burning before my vagrant steps

The kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity overtake me,

And I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams,

Teach me still to be thankful for life,

And for time’s olden memories that are good and sweet;

And may the evening’s twilight find me gentle still.

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~shalom,

Jeanne

Lamentable Reflections

 

 

Galatians 5:22-25  But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE…JOY…PEACE…LONG-SUFFERING …GENTLENESS…GOODNESS…FAITH…MEEKNESS…and TEMPERANCE…

Against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.   If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

 

©Jeanne E Webster

A stark peek into the lives of Christians last week: 

1.  Not wanting to be hospitable to extended family members’ unexpected visit

2.  Failing to inquire from a bedraggled looking woman she passed by in the parking lot of Wal-Mart’s if she needed help.  The woman was hooked up to a portable oxygen tank while sitting behind the steering wheel of her old beat-up automobile.  After passing her by, it was noted that the car was overflowing with all the woman’s belongings and the woman was smoking a cigarette

3.  Discussing government officials’ immoral behaviors in a derogatory manner

4.  Losing temper and swearing after a mishap occurred on a bad arthritis day

5.  Judging harshly a friend’s attitude after she shared her thoughts

All these are covered under one theme:  God is love.  So maintain peaceful spirit with all people and within yourself.  Once you drop the ball of a fruit of the Spirit, the action will topple the other fruits like a domino effect if not restrained and rooted out of one’s heart.   

Thank you, Father, for your forgiveness and love.  Our sins we confess and ask for a restored relationship with You.  In Jesus’ name…amen!