June 5, 2023

Finding Your Way – The Good and Bad

He saved others, but He cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
Matthew 27:42

You have to find your way through the good and bad encounters with society, family, friends and those considered as loved ones. Oftentimes when someone has done some incredible things for others and they themselves fall on hard times the ugly side of jealousy surfaces in others. And, as a result, the lack of support from anyone causes people to journey through life unhappy.

PRAYER

Father God, if we ask ourselves what would have happened to all of creation had Jesus came down from the cross, there is no answer to such a question. Christ couldn’t come down from the cross. His mission was to save the world on a grand scheme. And, as a result, failure was not an option.

Him fulfilling his commitment wasn’t easy. And many people don’t know and only a few people care that His hands were nailed to a cross, a crown of thorns was placed on his head and a sharpened wedge type spear was attached to the cross underneath his bottom. Each time his weight gave into gravity under the fainting pressure of being crucified his fanny was forced on the object. Cutting deeper with each uncontrollable dropping of his body weight and causing intense pain until He hung His head and died for the sins of humankind.

Today, Lord, I pray for your peace for tormented souls that feel they can’t move forwards for the lack of support. Give them a kiss from Heaven. Give them a sign that they aren’t alone on their journey. Let them know trouble doesn’t last always for in Christ there is hope, peace, love and strength for living our best lives despite dark days. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 28

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,
Deuteronomy 1:30 NIV

Sometimes people lose sight of their main goal(s) when they become distracted by fear. Goals are awesome dreams waiting to be born that are sometimes aborted because of conflict supported by self-doubt. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father God, we come to you seeking refuge. Refuge for our souls and our aspirations. Give our hearts peace concerning the fate of goals that are seemingly in jeopardy because of enemies. Block their efforts and never let us be afraid of their weapons as we take hold of your promises. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 26

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 16:18

After being informed that a group of rouge spirits had taken control of a task they ignored for over thirty years, I was told not to be upset. I was puzzled and later confused as to why several people thought I would take offense to being overruled. For me, the situation I was handling netted me next to nothing but benefited others greatly. Only small minded people that lack self-worth would be upset. I worked through my mental whatever’s within less than 24 hours. Hell! It didn’t even take that long for me to realize I was wasting time sulking over their losses! I saw the situation for what it was and is. I prayed for the naïve individuals that followed the Pied Piper and moved on. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. I pray protection and release for those that are held captive by deceptive individuals. People who deceive others only care about their outcome, as their victims lay in their wake. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

January 3, 2022

And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it–only those who walk in the Way–and fools will not stray onto it.
Isaiah 35:8

Wow! When I discovered this scripture I had no clue it would minister to me. Mainly, because it was a random scripture I found and enjoyed. However, according to Michael J. Chan, “Isaiah 35 is a powerful poetic word of comfort for the mourning Judahite exiles, who lost their temple, land, and sovereignty.”

I felt I’ve lost everything I worked so hard to gain trying to help ~~foolish~~ people I thought needed saving. In the end I realized after my sacrifices all they needed were firm black and white choices. A revelation that came years after my soul began to cry loudly about the losses in my life.

In retrospect I was the foolish one. My good hearted nature leaves me with complex feelings of failure and mourning the wonderful life I no longer live. And the funny thing about my wounds is, I’m not alone. There are countless others feeling the same for many reasons of their own. Let’s pray!

Prayer

Father God, it’s a new year with endless possibilities. Walk with us on our Earthly journey keeping our feet from straying onto a fools highway. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

Thursday, December 31, 2021

to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,
Isa 61:2 NIV

There are times in life when we must say farewell to the old and accept the new. For me it was saying good-bye to my mom and accepting the new norm of truly living life without her. Everyday since her death she’s in my thoughts. Some are fleeting and others linger; but, living without her has its challenges and strangely enough its rewards. With the coming new year I give myself high hopes as her personal representative to give her a strong finish. Her life demands that! As my life beckons me to return and continue to move forwards in all that I started before her life needs interrupted my journey. Let’s pray!

Prayer

Father God the newest year is hours away. Let us walk into the year of our Lord 2022 with your favor and live abundant lives. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 29

God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31, NIV

On headstones the most important symbol is the dash between the day you’re born and the day you die. The dash represents your courage to live. Most people don’t understand that. Sadly a ton of folks live their days scared. Their behavior is like gambling with scared money. If they lose at whatever is meaningful to them it’s hard for them to forgive themselves. As they pack up their marbles, hang up their towel or do whatever sends a clear message of defeat to their souls. As you live life, always be encouraged. The most important meaning for the dash is: Life is about living courageously! Let’s pray!

PRAYER:

Father, God, please remove the fear that hinders me from living my best life. Replace it with your strength and your courage so I can see the plans you have for me. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 12

QUESTION: How do people pray for their enemies?

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:44 -45

Photo by TUBARONES PHOTOGRAPHY on Pexels.com

Yesterday as I chatted with a friend we were discussing how do you pray for an enemy. My thoughts were traveling within my mind a mile per minute and my words exiting my mouth just as fast. Since he couldn’t get a word in edgewise my friend finally gave in letting me talk. I guess he’d figured I needed to vent first and then enjoy discussing the topic.

Once he got a chance to add to the conversation this is what he said: “Sometimes people are filled with so much pain that they lash out at others. Their victims are people they know won’t fight back or don’t know how to fight back. And when their actions don’t produce pain or enough pain to show they’ve hurt someone their anger produces more internal pain. Thus creating a vicious cycle within them until change occurs or they die.” Wow!

I have a circle of amazing friends. They add value to my life. I can only pray I do the same for their lives.

Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, I wish my enemies could know you like I’ve come to know you. I wish they could feel the warmth of your mercy like I feel it throughout each day. To live filled with anger, hurt, envy, jealousy and have no hope to boot, is a terrible way to live life. I pray for not only my enemies to be delivered but for others that harbor the same. Life is wonderful and it is so worth living free from the pitfalls of humankind. Speak gently to their shallow and wounded souls your peace and understanding. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 10

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, life is like the seasons. It’s ever changing with the only constant being you. Please walk closely with me today and everyday. Speak your peace to my wondering soul. Assuring it and me that nothing is to big for you to handle. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 8

⁹They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! ¹⁰Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, ¹¹and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. ¹²But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

¹³Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, ¹⁴and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? ¹⁵Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:9-18 NIV

I selected to share the above verses because they show how far people will go when they are filled with unclean spirits such as jealousy, envy and greed. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, thank you for this new day that has new opportunities. Fill me with your love as you protect me from the evils of my enemies. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Men

November 5

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 ESV

Let us begin this Friday morning in prayer! Father, Thank You for grace and mercy. When we focus on those two things we will be able to see Your hand of compassion throughout our day. In the name of Jesus. Amen