Praise and Power


I am passionate about the Christian calling, my family, and the arts. And dessert and travel. And being outside in the beautiful world God has created.

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Prayer and fasting

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Often, people talk about fasting because they want God to answer a request or give them some direction. This is only partly correct. Yes, prayer and fasting facilitates the ability to hear God clearly. But fasting is not a trigger for hearing God. When you need something, the solution is not to skip a meal and ask God to show up. That would make God our servant rather than our Lord. Fasting does, however, begin to prepare your heart, which is a trigger for changed motives and behavior. When accompanied by prayer and Bible-reading, fasting prepares you for dramatic change. It clears your mind and heart to receive wisdom from God and hear His voice. Notice the passage below (it's not one of the typical fasting passages): Jeremiah 36:6-7 So you go to the house of the  Lord  on a day of fasting  and read to the people from the scroll the words of the  Lord  that you wrote as I dictated.  Read them to all the people of Judah  who come in from their...
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Thanks for another year of blessing

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Dear Lord of heaven and earth, Thank you for another year . It's a blessing. All of it. Life is a gift. Thank you. Thank you for my family, friends, children, and the means to communicate with them and enjoy them. Thank you for my marriage and my home. Thank you for a safe neighborhood, running water and electricity, new clothes, food choices, electronics and appliances, cars, heat, air conditioning, comfort. Thank you for the ability to get things I want or need. Thank you for all that I take for granted in this country . I'm ashamed that I ever complain about what you provide for me. Thank you for the police and fire departments, for civil services, hospitals, schools, government. Thank you that although our institutions are flawed, that fairness, equality, and justice are still important in my country. Thank you for the right to vote and get an attorney if I need one. Once again, I'm ashamed that I feel entitled to better government and perfect living condit...
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What to pray when you feel yourself shutting down

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It's happening--the emotional shut-down is coming! Have you ever felt this way? I have. Here are a couple suggestions and a prayer: Pace yourself to prevent feeling overwhelmed; plan down-time, with non-productive or creative activities. Pray and read your Bible. You need God's presence to re-orient you within a world that never stops pressuring you. Talk to a professional or wise friend or mentor. Venting only feels good temporarily and then reinforces your negative outlook. Hearing the truth and believing it will set you free. Hang out with affirming close friends & family. Your tendency when life is tough will be to isolate yourself; that's when the negativity grows. And now a prayer for renewal: Dear Lord Jesus, You understand what it means to be tired, overwhelmed, depressed, and frustrated. That's how I feel. Please guard my heart and mind, Holy Spirit,  from believing the lies that I'm not enough, that I can't do this, ...
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