Eyes Up, Knees Worn Out

Praying Friends: Are you feeling a little down and discouraged today?  Feeling like you've been battling in prayer for months and now the voting is done but the elections are not settled and you are discouraged?  Or feel like you're disappointed in the results of one race or another?  Or feel like the world is devolving into chaos (again!) and you're getting tired of praying against it?  Well, stop it!  Stop looking at the circumstances of the world!  Stop watching the news!  YES!  All of it!  Whatever jumble of letters you get your news from, STOP WATCHING!  

As our pastor reminded us, the news will not give you peace.  The only way you can have peace is to get your EYES UP and PRAY!  God's Word says he will keep us in peace when our minds are steadfast - focused on him and trusting him.  We are called to set our hearts and minds on the things above.  Don't watch the news; instead, lift your eyes up and wear out your knees in prayer!  If we ask he will tell us what we need to know, how to pray, and we'll have peace.  The world doesn't give us peace, but God does.  If we let our mind be governed by this world we won't have peace.  But if we are rejoicing in God, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances, we'll have life and peace because we will be governed by the Holy Spirit. 

SO, TURN OFF THAT TV AND COMPUTER/PHONE.  Quit checking your news feed.  Go read Isaiah 40 or the Psalms or anything else that will remind you that GOD is still in control!  Take some time and worship through music, or pray in tongues, or call a friend and pray together - our nation still needs prayer!   Don't quit now; the next days/weeks/months might be even more important than the last.  

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you. (Isa. 26:3)

You have been raised with Christ; set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col. 3:1-2)

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.  (1 Thes. 5:16-18)

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.  (Isaiah 40: 28-31)