asked to pray

 Saturday, October 30, 2021 (8:00 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You!

I was invited to pray for friends yesterday. What an honor and a privilege Lord. To be trusted to listen. And asked to pray.

I confess Dear Father, so often I fall into the Truth the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome. “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting [for The Future Glory], God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves…” (Romans 8:26 The Message).

Lord, I depend on Your Word. Here from The Passion Translation. “And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best thing to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.”

Your Truth, Father. Your promises. Thank and praise You!

This footnote from The Passion Translation explains and expands my hope. “The Greek word hupererentugkhano is best translated ‘super [or hyper]-intercede for us.’ We can only imagine how many blessings have poured into our lives because of the hyper-intercession of the Holy Spirit for us!”

I count on this to be true Dearest God. So often I don’t know what to ask for or how best to pray. It’s then that I truly rely on You to know my heart and what the Spirit is saying (v. 27 New Living Translation).

With this being my sincere hope Dear Lord, I turn this day over to You. Asking (Matthew 7:7) You to use it to Your good and to Your glory. Do all You must to Your perfect end.

I love You. I need and want You. Thank and praise You. Amen.

(350 words ~ 9:00 a.m.)

power to heal

 Friday, October 29, 2021 (7:37 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You! Thank You that we have the opportunity of experiencing Your power and grace in teaching us to love as You would have us love. You. Others. Ourselves. With all of our hearts. Souls. Minds. And strength (Mark 12:30-31).

We get to read Your Word (Jeremiah 31; John 17). Learn of Your power to heal and rebuild us. Sadness turning to joy. Jesus’ prayer. Giving us reason to hope.

Father, I ask You to use me this day exactly as You know is best. Sharing You. Your love. Your Word. Your Truth and promises. I love You and want to be the woman You created me to be. Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Do all You must. Amen.

(134 words ~ 8:19 a.m.)

genuinely blessed

 Thursday, October 28, 2021 (5:20 a.m.)

Holy God,

We were blessed yesterday. Truly, genuinely, supremely blessed. There was beauty. Conversation. Safe travel. Fun. Thank You Father. You provided it all.

(6:37 a.m.)

And now, I have this to ask of You. I want to become a generous giver.

Searching the internet concerning Your providing everything, I came to 2 Corinthians 9:8. Turning to The Passion Translation I begin at verse 7.

“Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving - all because God loves hilarious generosity! Yes. God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything - every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do. Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in Him:

Because he has sown extravagantly and given to the poor, his kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten.”

We experienced Your giving in nature yesterday. Genuinely awestruck by all You’ve created. And here begins the musical strain of ♪Revelation Song♪ Father, thank You for the ways You get our attention.

♪Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder At the mention of Your name♪

Here I confess to not remembering a time of being as awestruck by the mention of Your name as I have been by the ♪rainbows of living color Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder♪

Lord, I believe You to be holy. ♪Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water Such a marvelous mystery… With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings You are my everything and I will adore You♪

Yes Lord, I ask You to fill me with all You know I need to be more overcome by the mention of Your name than the beauty of nature. You are great. Glorious. Good. Gracious. And I want to represent You well.

Teach me to share all You have so generously provided us. I love You. I want You. I need You. I thank and praise You. Use me. Amen.

(366 words ~ 7:15 a.m.)

simple joys

 Wednesday, October 27, 2021 (6:33 a.m.)

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Holy God,

Thank You Lord. You did it again. Provided us simple joys. Beauty. Comfort. Togetherness. Quiet contemplations.

Mm, yes. Father, speak with me concerning quiet contemplations won’t You?

1 Timothy 2:1-3. “Simple Faith and Plain Truth” is the title for this section of Scripture in The Message. The apostle Paul writing to encourage his young friend.

Father, thank You that it is in You, with You, by, through and for You that we get to enjoy simplicities. Quietness. Peace. Order.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”

Oh how I ask You to teach me to pray as Paul advises. In every way, for everyone. Especially for rulers and their governments. Oh dear God, it seems such a huge undertaking and I confess to not knowing how.

I ask You for healing miracles Lord. For individual bodies. Minds. Hearts. Souls. Governments. Rulers. Law makers. Scoundrels…

Quoting the whole comment from The Life Recovery Bible, I ask You for a fresh commitment of understanding and ability to follow Your lead.

“2:1-2 Here Paul shows why prayer is essential for establishing a peaceful context for spiritual growth. Through prayer, both public and private, order and peace are promoted and strengthened. Prayer involves thanksgiving for God’s blessings and intercession for others. It is one of the assets we often overlook as we work our program. We can easily become so focused on our own activities that we forget to turn to God for help.Prayer improves our conscious contact with God. Regular prayer also reminds us that we are helpless without God’s continual and powerful help.”

Prayer! Yes Father. For Your continued and powerful help. Do in, with, by, through and for us all that only You are able. Providing us the quiet contemplations we need to experience the simple joys You have set out for us.

I love You Dearest Dad. I need You. I want You. I worship and adore You. Use us to Your good and perfect end. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(394 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

♪ The B-I-B-L-E ♪

 Tuesday, October  26, 2021 (6:00 a.m.)

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Holy God,

Thank You! Icicles. Snow. Safe travels. Surprises. You provide it all.

Lord God, we are grateful. And can’t begin to thank You enough. Guide and direct me into Your Word this morning that I would learn more of what You want me to practice this day.

Hmm… practice. Train. Work on or at. Rehearse. Prepare. Yes Lord. “Practice makes better.” YOU make perfect!

♪The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the Book for me I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E♪

How blessed we are to have Your Word to connect us with You, Your Truth and Your promises. Thank You Father. Praise You God!

“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 Contemporary English Version).

The apostle Paul wrote these final words of blessing, advice and encouragement to his younger friend and follower Timothy. Thank You for their combined faithfulness to Your call to them Lord.

I love you. I want to serve You. Continue speaking and guiding me as You know is best. Blessings abound for us to share. Teach us. Train us. Use us. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(241 words ~ 7:45 a.m.)

♪Words♪

 Monday, October 25, 2021 (4:18 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! Another day to thank and praise and use my words.

I woke just now to that very song by The Bee Gees. ♪Words♪ Initially planning to ignore it, I’m glad I didn’t.

Father, thank You for the various ways You have of speaking (and singing) to us. Getting our attention. Reminding us of Your presence,

♪Smile an everlasting smile. A smile can bring You near to Me♪ And it does! Every single time. Thank You God.

♪This world has lost its glory♪ It really has Lord. ♪Let’s start a brand new story♪ Yes. Let’s! You CAN show me how ♪my Love.♪

♪Talk in everlasting words and dedicate them all to Me And I will give you all My life I’m here if you should call to Me♪ Your Word is Truth and I long to share it with others, Lord.

I DO believe You mean every single thing You say. Your Word absolutely takes my heart away. Guide me in It I pray.

“In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1 The Life Recovery Bible comment).

“The heavens tell of the glory of God… without a sound or a word” (Psalm 19:1-4a). So very true!

Lord, I ask You to use me this day to share Your glory. I love You. I thank You. I need You. I want You.

Lead, guide, direct and protect us as we venture out into brand new to us circumstances. Thy will be done Dearest God. Thy will be done. Amen.

(273 words ~ 5:14 a.m.)

practice and play

 Sunday, October 24, 2021 (3:59 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I read two questions yesterday. “What about you gives God joy?” and “What do you enjoy about God?” Take me deeper into Your Word as I consider them, please.

Actively choosing to do things differently yesterday was a good experiment for me. Thank You for the time and opportunity to explore. Examine. And delight in the simplest of things.

Weighing what worked [and what didn’t] was helpful. As was speaking up and asking questions. Father, thank You for Your love. And Your presence.

Today’s date marks one of the biggest changes in my growing up years. On a Sunday 50 years ago, our family’s patriarch mowed his lawn, sat down to play with his great-grandson and had a massive heart attack. Dying hours later.

Lord God, I didn’t know You then as I do now. Thank You for Your eternal presence. Often of which we are most unaware.

I want to practice awareness of You this day Dear Lord. I love You. I appreciate You. I want to know You better.

Thank You for the privilege of coming before You. Again with the song ♪Don’t Stop Believin’♪ welling up within.

Speak to me regarding John 16:12-33. The Holy Spirit Promised as well as Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy. I count on these Truths Dear Father. 

Illustrated Bible Handbook. “The Work of the Holy Spirit; 16:5-16… The Spirit… is the Living Voice of Jesus to us, who guides us into an experience of God’s Truth.”

Father, thank You. Praise You. You have the power to change us. To heal us. Reading Your Word I am comforted by Your promises.

Verse 20. International Children’s Bible. Jesus speaking to His disciples, “I tell you the truth. You will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will become joy.”

If anyone would have tried to tell me that 50 years ago, I’m sure I would have screamed right at them. Thank You for changing me. Loving me. Growing me.

Just as I’m about to leave a new thought popped in. I’m not sure what You’ll have me do with it. Matthew 10:34. “Perhaps you think I’ve come to spread peace and calm over the earth - but my coming will bring conflict and division, not peace.”

Right on the heels of that are John 8:31-32. “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

And John 10:10-11. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Blessed Jesus, thank You for ALL You came to do. Dress me today in Your whole armor (Ephesians 6:11-17). Make me alert and prayerful (18) as I go out to practice and play at giving You joy and enjoying You in the process.

Thank You Father. Use me. I love You. Amen.

(534 words ~ 5:56 a.m.)

differently

 Saturday, October 23, 2021 (4:38 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. You’ve provided me the opportunity to approach things differently. I want to explore this with You please. Where would You have me pay closest attention?

The Message: 1 Samuel 16:7, Malachi 1:2-3, James 2:5-7

The Living Bible: 2 Corinthians 5:16

The Passion Translation: Psalm 147:20

The Voice: Luke 16:15, 1 Corinthians 15:41

♪Cannons♪

Lead and guide me this morning I ask You Dear Lord. I will be doing so many things differently. I want to glorify and enjoy You in the process.

♪Resurrection Life♪

♪Jesus Take the Wheel♪

♪Don’t Stop Believn’♪

so much love

 Friday, October 22, 2021 (4:56 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. You provide us with so much love. Speak to me on this please. Mm, yes. Speak to me regarding Your love for Your people.

Moses and new stone tablets (Exodus 34:4-7 The Message). Jesus sending disciples out as sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16, 21-23). And Paul’s call to generous giving (2 Corinthians 8:7 The Living Bible).

Obedient to Your command, Moses cut the two replacement tablets, got up early and carried them with him as he climbed up Mount Sinai. All this so he could meet with You.

My mind boggles at the thought Dear Lord. Taking verses 5 and 6 into account I truly am AGOG with wonder. You coming down in a pillar of cloud, passing in front of him. Calling out Your own name (5).

“GOD, GOD, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient - so much love, so deeply true - loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Still, He doesn’t ignore sin. He holds sons and grandsons responsible for a father’s sins to the third and even fourth generation.”

So much love. Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness. We are in need of all these Lord!

Beginning a weekend of brand new territory, we are asking You to fully encompass each of us. Go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within us both. Completely protecting us with YOUR “so much love.”

Use us exactly as You know is best. Living in and sharing so much love with others. Thank You Father. Praise You. We love You. Amen.

(270 words ~ 6:26 a.m.)

abc

Thursday, October 21, 2021 (5:09 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

You have provided me an absolutely blank canvas [abc] this morning. All the plans I had for the day are now changed. Guide me into using this gift to Your good and to Your glory. 

Father, thank You that You had me “anticipate with an alternative” as I planned and prepared for today. Realizing that any number of variables could interfere with my efforts allows me to smile and breathe deeply.

Thank You Lord for the “grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.” Mm, yes. Thank You that we always have options God. Let’s take yesterday as a perfect example.

Anticipating one particular outcome, frustration came quickly as I struggled with my project. Thank You for reminding me to turn it all over to You!

Rather than curse the problem, I prayed for a solution. With each defeated next step taken I sang praise to You instead of swearing. Thank You Father. Praise You, Lord.

You are changing me. My attitude, behavior and conduct [abc]. I’m grateful Dearest God. And asking You to use me today exactly as You know is best.

I love You. I want to serve You. You’ve given me an absolutely blank canvas [abc] and I want to use it well. Simply. Easily. Mindfully. For You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

"That's good stuff, Maynard!"

 Wednesday, October 20, 2021 (5:13 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. You are working so much good in us. And we are truly grateful.

This morning I ask You to guide me into Your Word. Using it to teach me how You would have me approach the day.

Ephesians 2:10; 5:15-17; 6:10-17 (The Whole Armor of God)

Matthew 13:10-12

James 1:5

♪Open My Eyes That I May See♪ (Psalm 119:18)

(6:47 a.m.)

The more I read the more excited I become. There’s so much Truth here, Lord! And I find myself equally playful and respectful as I say to You, “That’s good stuff, Maynard!”

Father God, I love You. I love that I get to be “me” with You. No pretenses. Fully esteeming and revering You with all that I am.

Thank You Lord for loving us. Just as we are. 1 John 3:1-2.

I’m asking You to lead, guide, use and protect us this day. We love You. And are eternally grateful for Your good stuff!

Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(188 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)

roots and wings

 Tuesday, October 19, 2021 (5:49 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for teaching us to love. You. Others. Ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

(6:12 a.m.)

Yes Lord. To love. And learn. And search. And find.

Consider. Contemplate. Pause. And rest. To experience selah. “A pause with God.” A pause or rest of a contemplative nature.

(6:46 a.m.)

Thank You for the opportunity of coming before You. Exactly as I am. Wanting only to be with You. To fully experience the life (John 10:10) You would have us live.

(7:01 a.m.)

And as I pause and contemplate and listen, You guide me further into Your Word. Matthew 13: 23. Colossians 2:6-7. Isaiah 40:31.

(8:12 a.m.)

Phone calls from loved ones allow for time to pause. And pray.

Father, I come to You. Prayerfully. Actively seeking Your blessing and keeping (Numbers 6:24-26) on behalf of others.

You are great. Glorious. Good. And gracious. You know Your best for all.

I ask that You would continue providing us roots to grow (Colossians 2:6-7) and wings to soar (Isaiah 40:31). In and to You!

Use us this day. To Your good and to Your glory. I love You. I need and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(224 words ~ 8:19 a.m.)

confessional (adj.)

Monday, October 18, 2021 (5:49 a.m.)

Awesome, Blessed, Creative, Dear, Eternal, Father God,

I started the alphabet of Who and all You are in an attempt for sleep. The list continues. Thank You that You are holy. Kind. Loving.

In the midst of my own embarrassment, You reminded to change my attitude. To seek You. Your will. Your way.

When I couldn’t evoke that change on my own, You did it for me. Reminding me to be respectful. Not resentful. Honest. Confessional [an adjective, NOT a noun!]

Father, I forgot. That’s exactly it! Pure and simply put. I forgot to consider Your greatness. Your glorious, good, gracious nature. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that You provide us reminders. People. Articles. The Truth of Your Word. All pointing us to Your sanctity. 

Exodus 34:5-7

Deuteronomy 7:12-13

1 Chronicles 29:11-12; 18

Psalm 16:2

Isaiah 55:8-9

John 10:10

Ephesians 1:11

Hebrews 12:10

James 1:17

Thank You God. Yes indeed. Thank You. Keep me confessing Your holiness and my sins.

Use me this day. As only You know is best. Learning more about Who and all You are.

I love You. I need You. I want You. I ask You. And I praise Your holy name. Thank You awesome, blessed, creative, dear, eternal, Father God.

(225 words ~ 7:02 a.m.)