Praise to the Creator

It's dark outside... woke up at 5:45 am this morning wide awake. I typically get up around 6:30 to be with the Lord in prayer and in the Word, but this morning was different. I felt a strong urging to get out of bed. I opened the Word to Psalms and began reading. I have read Psalms many times over, but this morning every word jumped off the page. I feel the Lord is telling me to write down what I am reading so that He can receive praise and glory for WHO HE IS. I cannot express in my finite mind the glory of God, so I will repeat what those wrote many, many years ago about the One who created all things, who is not created, but IS. I feel led to write these Psalms as my heart's prayer to the Lord.

The following are verses I am pulling from all throughout the Psalms, in no particular order, but as the Lord directs me: (all NIV)

I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
I seek you with all of my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
I will not neglect your word.
I am a stranger on earth.
Teach me your decrees!
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings,
and will not be put to shame.
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
Teach me your decrees!
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm... Your faithfulness continues through all generations.
Save me, for I am yours.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth.
My zeal wears me out!
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
Salvation is far from the wicked.
Give me understanding according to your word.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

Too Busy to Pray

John Wesley said, “It seems God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.”

Jesus was a man of prayer. Most often He prayed alone, and the supernatural pervaded the natural. The heavens opened, and the will of God was revealed as the natural was changed into the supernatural, and the Father was glorified.

Obviously, the disciples recognized the importance of prayer. And they must have marveled at His ability to minister to the needs of people they knew and lived with. Their lives were transformed. They never dreamed they would leave their life-long occupations to follow a man from village to village.

They knew about miracles, and maybe they thought the day of miracles was over. Their heroes of faith—Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and David—accomplished great feats.

They knew about supernatural provision, the dead being raised, and lepers healed. The Old Testament prophets performed the miracles Jesus was performing. They asked the Master to teach them to pray!

So often our prayer life is directed by circumstances, and we fail to see the core issues. The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how—if we will wait before the Lord in quiet meditation. He will show us things to come. If we ask and listen expectantly, He will give us the wisdom to handle situations correctly. When we’ve made mistakes, He will give us the tools for setting things right.

Do not allow the enemy to steal your prayer time. If you have been too busy to pray, don’t waste time berating yourself. Repent for your prayerlessness, receive your forgiveness, and worship the Father. If you simply don’t want to pray, tell Him how you feel, and ask Him to draw you to a place of prayer. Prayer is talking with the Father.

Unite with thousands who are praying for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Change begins with us. Our families, our communities, and the nations will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord! Purpose to pray prayers that avail much!

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? —Psalm 42:1–2

But those who wait on the Lord.
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31