My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-8
Prayer
Father God, I’ve been struggling with producing words to say to you and you alone. I’m not sure what is happening but I ask that you help me and other that are struggling like me until you can help. Amen
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
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
There is no “reset” button in life. You can’t take anything back, and you can’t undo anything. All of your actions have consequences, and the things you say and do today will have a lasting impact on the rest of your life. You have to understand that, and you have to be aware of it while making your decisions.
Author Unknown
I’m still wrestling with naming my guilt a day later. I wonder how many others are doing the same. For some, such as me, the guilt that enters our thoughts was imposed upon us. And, thus, make it hard to name. It’s too bad those that wronged us have no clue how deeply their words and or deeds impacted our lives. Their actions tied us to emotions that are for better or for worse. Let’s pray!
Prayer
Father God, bring clarity to imposed guilt. Amen
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
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
November 13
QUESTION: Why would you ask God to show mercy to your enemy?
20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Luke 23:20
It’s been decades since I’ve read the story about the crucifixion of Jesus. After reading so much of Luke Chapter 23, now, I know why! It brings me to tears! How can people be unkind to each other? Aren’t we striving for the same thing such as living an abundant life? Life is so much easier when logic and understanding enters into relationships, business deals and or learning how to love one’s self. But it seems from rereading Luke Chapter 23, people have been repeating history in such a way that someone is always in the role of Jesus as others seek their demise. How! So! Horrible! And if you peel back the layers of unhappy people and get to the core of who they are naked in spirit, you’ll find jealousy, envy and everything else that goes with no hope. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, I’m sitting in the hot-seat like my Savior. I’ve done nothing. Yet, my enemies surround me as if I’ve started a war against them. Their evil actions at times scare me as my soul seeks safety and security that only you can give. So, why would I pray for my enemies and what would I ask you for? Well, Lord, I pray for your peace. For it’s clear to see everyone needs it in times where there is no hope. Amen
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
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
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
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
Black Women Have It Going On 