Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will received, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24
Yesterday, I had to remove mental clutter to regain focus on clearing my home of things not needed and or wanted. So! My husband, my son, my baby daddy and I took a trip to one of my favorite stores! Menards! And as usual I got lost in the joy of being there. The field trip reminded me home is where the heart should be and joy should always be abound. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, give my home and all who live within it your unquestionable joy. Amen
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.”
Ephesians 3:16-17
Take It To The Lord II – Henry Lee Battle
PRAYER
Father God, Paul prayed that you strengthen the Ephesians with power through the Holy Spirit to reach their innermost being, so that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith. I ask the same for the world in which we now know. It’s clear to see we need to hear from you as faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit fades. As a result, hopelessness is on the rise. I pray your spirit quickens souls to believe in the true and living God. We need you, Lord. 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!
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
Photo by Henry Lee Battle
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!
Artwork by Henry Lee Battle
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
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
Exodus 17:3 NIV
Artist: Henry Lee Battle
Sometimes it’s hard to see God’s plans amidst a cloudy life. In Jeremiah 29:11 the author writes, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” To be prosperous we must ask God for help and seek His face when life becomes cluttered and cloudy. The Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are the only spiritual beings capable of carrying life’s burdens and clearing life’s clutter. Let’s pray!
PRAYER:
Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Father God, I thirst for your peace. My life is cluttered. There’s too much noise pollution from burdens I’ve collected. As you can see the noise keeps me from hearing you. And, sadly, it keeps me from seeing your plans for me. To my dismay my troubles are holding me back from having hope and a future. Please help me clear my life’s clutter. Amen
Since this is Throwback Thursday, I’ve decided to repost a prayer from Monday, September 2, 2013. Back then I gave my prayers titles. The title for this prayer was “Staying On Your Path.” Let’s pray!
Artist: Henry Lee Battle
Stay on the path that the Lord you God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.
Deuteronomy 5:33
Speak to my heart Lord. Your words have commanded me to follow a path you have divinely paved only for me. Help me Lord to stay on my path when the storms of life are raging, when I can’t see my way clear from the dust and I must walk alone. Give me your strength to journey on by giving me faith to believe in you; and hope by knowing I will live long and have a prosperous life in the land I will enter and occupy. Amen
Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Let me and all that that live praise you for your wonderful works. Let us shout thanksgiving to declare your deeds of love. Amen
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
I’ve suffered cruelly from the hands of those that claimed they loved me. I wanted to believe the lies. Better yet I needed to believe they loved me. And, so, I did! And time after time when I found my loving and lovely heart broken I blamed God. God, believe it or not, is an easy target for our misguided anger over life’s disappointments.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4:23-27
God gives us a mental health care map to living peaceful lives. In His instructions He tells us how to deal with and avoid hurting people in Proverbs 4:23-27. We must understand staying busy doing good things help us live our best life.
PRAYER: Father God, this is a new day with your new mercy given to us because of your grace. Help us, help me, to live this day and everyday that’s productive in giving our lives value affirming we’re loved. Amen
Black Women Have It Going On 