Posts Tagged ‘ Prayer ’
During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Hebrews 5:7, CSB
So much in this world is scary and sad, but Christ has lived among us, showing that God understands our fears and sadness, so we know that we can call on Him in our time of need and that He listens.
This is a call … with a story …
This past Sunday was our promotion Sunday, celebrating our graduating high school seniors.
Only two were present, but that made it more special.
Why?
In 2018, I was given the privilege of starting the youth group for our congregation. I started with only three students – a 7th-grader (the pastor’s oldest son) and two 6th-graders. Last year, that old 7th-grader graduated and is now working toward becoming a pastor through Grand Canyon University’s Barnabas program (which started in 2020 with only 4 students!)
Those two 6th-graders were the two we got to call forward and pray for this weekend.
I was fine during all the preparations. I was tired and mildly stressed due to many volunteers calling in sick or injured and my being the one to make sure all of our Sunday prep was done.
As I walked up to the front to call them forward, it slammed into me:
I started crying as I took the mic.
The older of the two (by two days) is taking at least a year before college for engineering, because, due to his love for Minecraft, he has already been working for a year with landscape designers. He will also help out with the youth group while here.
The other took some trade school classes as he finished his senior year, and, two weeks earlier, he became certified in autobody work. He wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps to help people by doing something he loves. (His dad runs a local portion of a motorcycle ministry in our area, reaching the rough crowd and helping any in need.)
So, here is the standard call:
Things are a little crazy. I work in a university setting, and I see what most 18-19-year-olds are facing academically and socially. They need all the prayer they can get!
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7, CSB
God is our Creator and Savior, the one whom we can trust and call on in any and all circumstances and offers us His peace and saves us from worry, knowing He is sovereign and all-powerful.
This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14, CSB
Jesus’ body is not in the tomb, having resurrected and ascended to the Father. Therefore, we can know He hears our prayers and helps us in this life and for the next.
He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves!”
Matthew 21:13, CSB
Christ has freed us from sin and man-made religion, giving us the will and desire to seek God over personal gain and to love others with the love of Jesus.
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:28, CSB
Because Christ has come, we are made new in His grace. Because Christ is coming again, we help make the world new by praying for and blessing others in His power and grace.
Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11, CSB
Life is hard. God is good. He provides all of our needs and cares for us, and He invites us to ask and trust Him.
I enjoy the Christmas season. I enjoy celebrating Advent.
The first week of Advent can be found here. The second week of Advent can be found here.
The third week of Advent is traditionally seen as being a time for looking at joy. This year, I am using some of the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Let’s get into
Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
Zephaniah 3:14-17, CSB
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”
We saw previously that God is our hope and peace, that Christ is our faithful Priestly King prophesied centuries earlier and proclaimed at His birth and before His earthly ministry began.
This week we see the joy that Christ brings. Jesus came to His people, to Jerusalem at the proper time to take away our sin and shame. Our heavenly King came to dwell amongst us, to save us, and to give us full hope of eternity where He will rejoice with us, not condemning us but delighting in us. Let us join in the rejoicing!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7, CSB
As we await Christ’s second coming, we cast all our anxieties on Him through prayer and thanksgiving, rejoicing in the Lord who saves, giving us hope and peace and eternal joy. Let us worship the King who has come! Let us love our God who dwelt among us and dwells within us by His Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father!
Lord, prepare our hearts for joy by the power of the Holy Spirit that others may see the joy and peace You grant us. Help us to see Your goodness in all things and to proclaim the joy of the cross to a lost and hurting world until Your return!
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12, ESV
We are saved in Christ alone, and His life, death, and resurrection gives us hope for eternity and encouragement to be joyful and seek God continuously in prayer.
a simple man of God 