Find the Eden within you…
where you can walk,
talk, and dwell with God.
Category: Prayer
Perspective and Prayer – Three Things
This morning, I felt burdened by my blogging, and pretty much life in general. When I blog about daily activities, such as my garden, it almost feels frivolous amid massive world upheaval. On the other hand, I’m a firm believer in living my life. If we let the terror overtake and paralyze us, we allow those perpetrating the evil to win.
Several things made an impression on me within an hour or two of rising. Number one: I felt led during my devotional time to search out an MMPwQ WordPress post of quotes from Oswald Chambers about prayer and publish them again. You can find these posts at the top and end of the page.
Number two: I put on a necklace of my Mom’s that I enjoy wearing because it’s lovely and it reminds me of her. Out of the blue, the string broke and the beads flew everywhere, they embedded themselves into the shaggy weave of a rug, and scattered into crevasses and nooks where they were difficult to pick back up. Pick them back up I did though, because I won’t let something precious be lost to me if I can save it. I gathered up as many of the beads as I could find. I won’t throw them away, instead I will restring them, and when I begin, I might add a few little glittery pieces to remind me that Mom is up there in the stars with God now. I imagine the necklace will be better than before.
It reminds me a bit of what happens in the world where evil uprisings are concerned. You move through life, and people who are my age will remember the phrase ‘Everything’s hunky-dory,’ and then, excuse the ugly word, ‘All hell will suddenly break loose,’ as has happened in Israel, and for the innocent people caught in the midst of the war in the Gaza strip. I don’t have a solution other than to once again, point to the quotes by Oswald Chambers I’ve included at the bottom and top of this post.
The red zinnia photographed in morning light is part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.
Number three: After I took a walk this morning I went into my backyard to see how my plants had fared during the very cold night. So far, they are still fine. The red zinnias were glorious in the early sunlight. I had my phone so I snapped a photo. Now, I use photo filters once in a while; I think they’re great, but this picture is unfiltered, well let me amend that, it was filtered by God. And I get a little choked up just saying that because amid all this turmoil in the world, I don’t want to forget that he is good, that he loves us, and that he will be with us in every moment of our lives. I am so glad the light was a reminder that he is, and was, and always will be in control.
I hope to pray today off and on all through my waking hours. He is there any moment I need to connect to him. I will be praying for Israel, my family, my country, and my home, and I will be praying for those in power in the world to have wisdom. I will be praying for those innocents in harm’s way who are suffering because those with evil ideologies must have their way. God bless us all.
Link to full post of Prayer is the Greater Work.
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Prayer – A Psalm of David
Rosemary for Remembrance
I am at a loss as to what to say in support of Israel. As I begin to write this they are beginning to report that rockets are targeting Jerusalem, God’s Holy City. Nothing I can say will change this tragedy, or prevent more attacks. In my life when things are so bad I find myself without words, I can only pray silently. To speak for me today, I will post a Psalm, a Prayer of David. God bless us all.
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from dread of the enemy,
hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the scheming of evildoers,
who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
shooting from ambush at the blameless,
shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see us?
Who can search out our crimes?
We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.”
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep!But God will shoot his arrow at them;
they will be wounded suddenly.
Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;
all who see them will wag their heads.
Then all men will fear;
they will tell what God has wrought,
and ponder what he has done.Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord,
PSALM 64 – A PSALM OF DAVID – PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES -Revised Standard Edition
and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart glory!
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People & Prayer – Charles F. Stanley
Dr. Charles F. Stanley left this world in April of this year. He has been a blessing to me and to many people all over the world. This is just one of his many quotes that can change a life. This quote came from his book, The Gift of Prayer. I believe as Dr. Stanley wrote, mighty changes can be expected when we, in faith, dwell with God through prayer.
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Prayer – National Day of Prayer
Sometimes I post reruns, especially if they are favorites of mine. I love these quotes by Oswald Chambers on prayer.
“Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work”
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” ~Ephesians 6:12
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Prayer & Praise – Thanksgiving Gratitude
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
God bless you, and yours, on this Thanksgiving Day.
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Quotes & Prayer – Prayer is the Greater Work/Quotes of Oswald Chambers
“Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work” The Key of the Greater Work: Oswald Chambers
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” ~Ephesians 6:12
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Prayer & Praise – I Want to See You
Friend,
I give to you every burden I carry in my heart this day, and have faith as I leave them upon your altar, all will be well. In each moment and circumstance, help me remember to give thanks for the blessings you have given to me and my family. Thank you for this life, and best of all, salvation and the promise of eternal life with you in your Kingdom. I think of heaven and dwell for a moment in a flood of pure joy, much like the waves washing over me when I am within the ocean. Sometimes your Spirit is a powerful surge, other moments a gentle touch of purest love, but always Lord, your love moves me, and reaches the inner recesses of my spirit. Hallelujah! What a Savior, what a friend…always…and forever…and like the song…Amen!
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Prayer & Praise – Macro Iris Photographs
The inside of an Iris always reminds me of a cathedral with stained glass ceilings and windows. How can I not praise the Creator when I gaze upon his wonders? This is my Father’s World.
“Every time we pray our horizon is altered,
our attitude to things is altered
not sometimes but every time,
and the amazing thing is
that we don’t pray more.”
~ Oswald Chambers
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Perspective & Prayer- Search Me O God
I love this beautiful Samoan hymn. Take a moment and listen to the timeless words and melody. This song is a wonderful reminder that the world is filled with those who love the Lord. They are all our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
I try to take a moment or two daily to write down what I call a “Hallelujah” prayer to the Lord. I don’t think the Lord would mind me sharing here what spilled out of me yesterday in the face of the escalating evil against Christians and others who don’t follow the plans of radical ideologies and governments.
“The times we are living in are deteriorating into a horror show…and no one seems to know how to turn away from the spectacle of what is unfolding and do something about it. But what is to be done?”
We all need to pray DAILY for what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Christ. I keep asking my husband, ‘Why aren’t those in leadership calling on all of us for prayer every day?’ If, like me, you feel a sense of futility in regards to the current condition of our world, reach out to the Lord Jesus in your need. Your need is a bridge that will bring you to Him. People everywhere, we all must PRAY about what is happening to these innocents.
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
~ Psalm 139:1-3
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Prayer & Pressed Flowers – The Prayer Flag Project
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
I recently participated in “The Prayer Flag Project” by creating a prayer flag.
“In June of 2011, Vivika Hansen DeNegre started The Prayer Flag Project. She invited people from around the world to to join her in making Prayer Flags. Each flag is created in the artists own style, then hung outside for a while, its words and sentiment dissolving into the wind and being spread to all whom the wind touches. They are a living, breathing, kinetic journal of our hopes, dreams and concerns. The Prayer Flag Project… Join us if you’d like.”
The theme: Create a flag that incorporates “Images of leaping humans (think leap of faith), and of course maps and lettering.” My flag, and the flags of others, can be viewed by clicking on the button at the top of this post.
My initial flag was created with pressed flowers on Mulberry paper. It turned out lovely, but I realized it was too fragile to send through the mail, and most likely would not hold up being sewn to binding along the top. Here’s a peek at the finished flag.
Pressed Flower Tip: Hydrangeas are a good pressed flower candidate. The hard round center must be removed before pressing. Press without heat in between non-shiny pages.Lichens can be pressed flat in books. Seaweed can be dried and pressed between pages. Wildflower and tree foliage presses beautifully.
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Prayer – The Path of Prayer
Today, before the morning had barely begun, I felt overwhelmingly stressed by circumstances completely out of my control…saying goodbye to a beloved member of our family…but suddenly a sense of beautiful peace descended upon me, and I knew, without a doubt, that somewhere, someone was at that very moment praying for me. It is a reminder to me to pray even more for others. God bless you all.
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Problem Solving & The Power of Prayer
This is my cat Rusty. This is my cat Rusty…HIDING…in what he considers a very safe spot. He knows he can make a quick getaway under the bed’s dust ruffle. Why is Rusty hiding? Well, Rusty hides at the first sign of visitors or something going awry, and my, oh my, did things go awry a week or two ago.
The first sign of trouble was a noise that sounded animal-like coming from the chimney. Both Rusty and I noticed the small muffled squeak. Rusty stared in the direction of the fireplace, and I mentioned the sound to my husband, who gave his usual reply of, “It’s nothing.” Okay, I conceded, I wasn’t sure I really heard anything anyway. I forgot all about it. The next afternoon I had a rude reminder on the return from a beach outing. I opened the front door and instantly was assaulted by the image of a bat flying around my dining room. According to my husband, I backed out of the door saying, “Oh, oh, oh…”
Funny…fleetingly, the old 1960’s symbol of the show Batman was the first thought that crossed my mind. The bat, illuminated against the yellow-green walls of the dining room exactly resembled the “bat signal” as it flew. I expected Adam West and Burt Ward to show up. (I’m giving away my age.) The next thought was, “Get out of here…NOW!” I did. That was mistake number two. By the time I convinced my husband I saw a bat, the creature had disappeared somewhere in the house.
We both walked around the house, with a broomstick, thumping on walls and near pictures. I still don’t think Joe really believed I had seen a bat. The bat was nowhere. (Rusty had retreated to his safe spot and was no help at all) After several minutes of this we still had no idea what to do. I began to pray that God would help us find the bat. Suddenly, the bat made another appearance and began swooping around the house. It really did seem attracted to our heads, especially mine, I wonder if it is because they are guided by sound. A swooping bat is not a sight or sound for the fainthearted.
I really did not want to kill it. I felt a bit sorry for it. Joe didn’t feel the same. He had the broom and swung it as the bat flew near his head. I had a bucket at the ready to scoop up the unfortunate broom-swatted bat. It flew so quickly, and was so efficient at dodging the broom bristles by flying near our heads, that knocking it down before it touched or bit one of us seemed hopeless. I began praying and held the bucket up near my head. Praise God for a miracle and an answer to prayer, the bat suddenly flew smack into the bucket I was holding up, and became tangled in the work gloves at the bottom. “I’ve got it!” I yelped. We both ran outside and pushed the bucket over on the grass and the winged marauder flew away.
It was risky letting it go. I know that now after reading articles about bats getting caught indoors. Bats do carry rabies, but it is rare. You run more of a risk of getting rabies from a racoon or skunk or stray pet. I don’t think it was sick, I just think it was an unlucky bat, flying around at night, minding his own business, who somehow flew into a chimney and spent hours wiggling out through a crack in the fireplace screen.
God answers prayer, yes he does! Sometimes you need to wait for the answer, but sometimes, he is very, very fast. Amen!
