Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Tag: Prayer

Prayer life

March 22, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Last night, at our “Band of Brothers” Bible study of Psalms 119, we briefly discussed when each man should set aside time to pray: just before bed, first thing in the morning, etc.

At the time, although my most consistent time to pray is just before bed, I thought starting each day with prayer would be a good habit to add. I’m speaking of purposeful prayers, aside from the situational or sporadic prayer often said throughout the day.

Then, last night, Casper (our dog) woke me up around 1 p.m., needing to go out; this is not typical. When I returned to bed, it dawned on me: I never finished my nightly prayer as I had fallen asleep, so I prayed and then slept.

This morning, I woke up from a dream; in the dream, I was praying. I can’t remember ever having a dream where my action of praying was part of the dream.

Thinking of this dream reminded me of last night’s discussion and sparked me to pray this morning, hopefully, the beginning of setting aside more purposeful time for daily prayer (where I won’t be falling asleep)

I used to get on my knees often for prayers at night rather than lying in bed to do so. I never fell asleep while on my knees in prayers and was always more focused on God and my prayer while on my knees; I think this is a habit I need to restore and highly recommend.

The power of God is beyond our greatest imagination; He loves us enough that He sent His Son as the propitiation for our sins. It doesn’t make sense not to approach God through Jesus’s name often.

God First!

  • 1 John 2:2
  • Psalms 5:3
  • Psalms 42:8
  • 1 John 5:14
  • James 5:16
  • Philippians 4:6-7

Take Pause, Keep God First!

January 18, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Everything good comes from God. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of this truism, do some self-evaluation, humble ourselves, and ask: Are we genuinely striving to do God’s will according to God’s will? Are we drawing closer to God by including him throughout our day? In prayer, in words, in our deeds? Does our attitude reflect compassion, love, and understanding towards others?

When we follow Jesus His way, there is no need for regret; instead, God provides us with peace that surpasses all understanding to guard our hearts. Regardless of our circumstances, we can trust in God and count it all, Joy.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.”

2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬
  • James 1:17
  • James 4:8-10
  • Philippians 4:1-23
  • James 1:2
  • Proverbs 3:5–6
  • John 13:15
  • Philippians 2:5
  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

God First!

Prayer request

May 31, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Lately, I see more prayer requests on social media than I have ever seen before. Although it’s sad to see so many people dealing with sickness, death, fears, and concerns, I am very grateful that many recognize the power of prayer and know they should ask for prayers from their brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I encounter these requests, it’s quite normal for me to pause and pray before moving forward. I don’t often know the recipients of my prayers personally. However, I know from their request that they believe in God’s power to help and provide comfort as they have asked for prayers.

We can see from Scripture that God wants us to pray and wants to be included in our daily lives. But, more than that, and with; good reason, God wants to be the center of our life. Scripture clearly demonstrates God’s desire to be included in our daily lives, so putting God first would consist of prayer before action.

  • John 15:7 (Notice conditions)
  • 1 John 5:14
  • James 5:14-16
  • 2 Corinthians 1:11
  • Matthew 7:7
  • Luke 11:9
  • John 16:24
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • James 1:5
  • Romans 12:2
  • Romans 12:12
  • Ephesians 6:18

Offer to pray with someone.

January 5, 2022 / / 0 Comments

The day I wrote most of the following, I had the urge to ask someone if I could pray with them (at that moment). Pray with them, not just for them, about concerns weighing heavily on their heart. For some reason, I felt awkward about extending this offer of prayer and instead offered to include them in my prayers.

After they left, I reflected on that moment and was disappointed in myself. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer and that God hears and answers prayers, but I’d missed the opportunity to share that understanding one on one.

There are several benefits to praying with someone, rather than just for them. First, in praying with someone, we step out of our shells and open our hearts to their needs; by doing so, we display Christ’s love for them through the prayer. We show compassion and real interest in their situation as we demonstrate our faith and trust in God’s ability to help them and build a closer relationship with that person. Christians care about others!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Praying for others is good; praying with and, for others, even more so!

I have been asked personally from time to time, “Can we pray about this?“ as I shared concerns. I’ve also been told impactful stories of how such an unexpected prayer moment inspired a person to begin a dramatic change in their life and move towards Christ.

For all the above reasons and many more, I believe there is a lot of good in praying with others and making such prayer a habit. It’s one I hope to develop more fully.

In Acts chapter 4, the disciples prayed for boldness. As I grow stronger in Christ, I pray God will help me overcome any hesitations, great or small, and that I will serve Christ with all boldness.

God First!

If I never make a difference, it won’t be because I didn’t try!

  • James 5:16-18
  • Ephesians 6:19
  • Ephesians 5:2
  • John 13:34
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Pray Often

The blessing of direct prayer

October 29, 2021 / / 0 Comments

When we approach God’s throne in prayer, we often bow our heads, close our eyes, and kneel. I love doing these gestures as doing so signifies respect, honor, and glory to God. These gestures also help focus our attention solely on the prayer and can be great examples in teaching our children to pray and respect our Heavenly Father.

This said; Prayer has no limits! We can pray anywhere at any time in any situation or environment. We don’t pray to impress those around us; we pray to have time with our creator, say thank you, or ask for help.

God is family, and no one loves us the way God loves us, and no one has the ability to help us more than God does. So, we can pray out loud or in our mind without a single word spoken, with our eyes wide open, driving down the road, cutting grass, fishing, hunting, cooking, walking the dog, or holding the baby.

God has given each of us the avenue of direct prayer through the name of Jesus, his only begotten son, so why not take advantage of this incredible opportunity and pray often? God wants to hear from us!

  • Luke 12:34
  • Hebrews 4:14-16
  • Matthew 6:7
  • 1st Thessalonians 5:17 (pray without ceasing)
  • James 5:13
  • John 5:15
  • Ephesians 6:18
  • Mark 11:24
  • Romans 12:12

God First!

Problems come and go.

September 30, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Today’s problems sometimes seem insurmountable, but so did several past problems; if you think about it. Many issues that once daunted our thoughts are now; no more than distant memories.

With God’s help and our trust in God, we can resolve and overcome difficulties, even count them all Joy as our faith is strengthened by trusting God. God tells us to ask for help, to lay our burdens on Jesus, of whom we have been given the avenue of prayer, by praying in Jesus’ name. As disciples of Christ, we are told to believe, and our request will be answered, that “…the prayer of the righteous person has great power as it is working”.

God wants us to accept his Grace through our Obedient Faith so we can look forward to an eternal existence with Him—one without hardship, without pain, where there are no tears, full of joy and song.

Our short span is but a speck of sand in outer space yet a spec God deemed worthy of Christ- His only begotten son who died that we might be forgiven and live forever with God!

Whatever we do; Include God and seek to pursue those things he asks of us in Scripture. Not adding or taking away from His Word.

  • James 1:1-8
  • James 5:16
  • Matthew 21:22
  • Matthew 6:34
  • Revelation 21:4
  • Matthew 19:26
  • Hebrews 13:14
  • John 3:16
  • Deuteronomy 4:2
  • Revelation 22:18-19

GOD FIRST!

The most valuable time of the day is the time we take to pray!

Worry changes nothing! (Except maybe our health)

September 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

While it’s true that we need to prepare and be prepared, it does absolutely no good to worry. Worry changes nothing! (Except maybe our health).

With or without worry, we will still have to navigate through each day’s trouble on that day. While this seems easier said than done, all things are possible with God. The key is to be “In Christ” and allow the God of all comfort to be with us in every trial.

Include God in everything: Pray

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus“.

Philippians 4:6-7
  • Matthew 6:34 (worry)
  • 1 Peter 5:7 (turn burdens over)
  • 1st Thessalonians 5:16–18 (response)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (Comfort)

In Christ

  • Grace: – Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
  • Belief/Faith: – Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19
  • Repentance: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
  • Confess: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
  • Baptism by immersion for forgivness of sin: – Matthew 16:15-16 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

God First!

God wants to hear from you!

May 15, 2021 / / 0 Comments

When things seem out of my control, who better to go to than God? Who better to ask for help than our creator?

Although I may say several short prayers during the day a good while back, I decided to set time out for prayer every night.

Every day, I now look forward to this time when I diligently share my gratitude, joys, and concerns for Self, family, and friends. I am convinced God answers prayers as he has surely answered mine.

Pray often – God wants to hear from you!

God First!

  • 1 John 5:14
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • Mark 11:24
  • Romans 12:12
  • Psalm 145:18

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