Wow! Happy New Year! With the last two months being hectic because of the holidays, celebrating the new year can add to the leftover stresses from the prior year. It’s not only a new day but it’s a new year! And we have the opportunity to plan and make big changes! Woohoo!
It’s a good time to reflect on things we wanted to do and didn’t or things we started and never finished or we can even reflect on our failures and learn from them. But the following questions beg answers: How important were those things? And if you complete them today how do they add value to your life? And is that value a significant force that will change your journey where you’re living on the plus side?
This year I hope to be more active in my public prayers. My focus will be living on the plus side and the seven deadly sins, pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. Happy New Year, my beloved!
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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
¹²While Jesus was in one of the town, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” ¹³Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing.” he said. “Be Clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.“
Lord, some people talk too much because they want other’s to hear their “know it all” speeches; then again some people talk too much because of nerves chatter; and, then, Lord, some people talk too much because of self-absorption. But this prayer is for those that talk to much because of emotional and mental pain that overflows into their daily conversations.
Lord, help the person that is in emotional or mental pain to see that you enter into their lives everyday. Lord help them to understand you know their spirits are filled with worries. Let them know Lord they are no different from the man with leprosy when it comes to your unyielding love for your creation. Lord, allow them to feel your presence; and gently convey to their spirits that you stand waiting to heal their brokenness. Lord, give them the words to ask in prayer for guidance and healing as they create a dialogue between you and them.
I am asking for you to do these things Lord because: I have found those that unwittingly share life experiences have been greatly wounded. And because of their sorrows I come humbly before your Throne of Grace. So, once again, Lord, I am asking for divine healing for those that talk too much as they try to ease their emotional and mental pains. Lord, I ask that they find a true friend in you. Lord, I pray that you begin to peel the layers of untold anguish from their unconscious minds. Exposing their raw emotions for what they are as you help them to deal with each heartache privately. For in lessening their spiritual suffering they can find hope. And in finding hope they will find wisdom in who to share your blessings among and their tribulations with.
Black Women Have It Going On 