April 17, 2021 Prayer - Praise and Protection

 Sovereign Lord,

Who are we, Sovereign Lord, and what are our families, that you have brought us this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of your servants - mere humans! For the sake of your word and according to our will, you have done great things.  How great you are, Sovereign Lord!  There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.  You have established your people as your very own forever and you have become their God.  Sovereign Lord, you are God!  Your covenant is trustworthy and you have promised good things to your servants.  Now be pleased to bless the houses of your servants that they may continue forever in your sight.  Contend, Lord, with those who contend with us; fight against those who fight against us.  Take up shield and armor; arise and come to the aid of your servants and families. May those who seek our lives - physically, mentally, emotionally, or our societal systems, livelihoods, and relationships - be disgraced and put to shame.  May those who plot the ruin of your children be turned back in dismay. May their path be dark and slippery with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.  May all who exalt themselves over your children be clothed with shame and disgrace.  May we who delight in our vindication in your eyes shout for joy and gladness, always saying, "The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servants."  Our tongues will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.   Your Love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.  With you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.  Continue your love to those who know you, continue your righteousness to the upright in heart, your servants and families.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen. 

adapted from 2 Samuel 7:18-24, 28-29 NIV, Psalm 35:1-6 & 26-28 NIV, Psalm 36:5-7, 10 NIV

February 27, 2021 - Prayer for our State's Businesses, Families, Legislators, their Staff, and the State Budget

Awe-inspiring God,

You are great and glorious in power, mighty in miracles.  Your enemies tremble and they surrender and bow down before you.  All the earth - all of this nation - all of this state - all of this county - all of this township - bow down to worship you, to sing your glories forever!  You multiply miracles for your people.   Today we ask you to multiply miracles for this state.  We come to you in humility asking you to heal this state from the demonic spirits of oppression and fear that have been upon her.  Heal the small businesses in this state that have been devastated by the lockdowns.  Heal the people that have been deeply impacted by Covid-19.  Heal the families that have been severely beaten down by the governmental regulations that have led to increases in business failures, poor educational outcomes, increase in addictions, decrease in medical, dental and mental health treatments, and a general feeling of despair.  In the name of Jesus we bind the spirits of despair and fear and send them far away from this state.  God, many who work in state government - especially staff in legislators' offices - are enduring horrendous frustration, anger, and even verbal abuse from constituents.  We pray today that you would break the spirit of anger in this state.  Instead, replace it with a spirit of peace, goodwill, gentleness, patience and kindness, especially as citizens interact with each other.   We pray that the staff and the legislators they work for would be guided with wisdom and grace and that their families and businesses will be untouched by the disruption of politics. In this current season as they work toward a state budget for next year, we pray that their funding decisions would be based on your wisdom and discernment. Give them guidance to make choices that are financially sound and reflect your godly ideals and policies. Give them ears to hear each other, patience to negotiate a good, equitable, and financially responsible budget, and may no ideological bickering or blockages derail the process. We are your jars of clay interceding for this state.  She is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, but you are the God of Hope, Healing, Restoration, and Miracles.   Pour out your love and grace here today, we pray in Jesus's name.  Amen.  

For he’s the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power!

We’ve never seen anything like him!
Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble.
No wonder they all surrender and bow before you!
4 All the earth will bow down to worship;
all the earth will sing your glories forever!
Pause in his presence
5 Everyone will say, “Come and see the incredible things God has done;
it will take your breath away!
He multiplies miracles for his people!  (Psalm 66:3-5 TPT)

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

Destroying families

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Eph. 6 NIV)

For worship yesterday I was asked to do a "testimony" / "word of witness" about Spirit Filled Mothering. After several weeks of thinking & praying about it and clarifying with the pastor, I had some organized thoughts and q & a prepared.

But the days before I felt a heaviness on my person. I was testy sometimes and doubtful; minor things became more annoying; and (although I am not normally frightened to speak in front of people) I was even nervous about this. It finally dawned on me late in the week that this is the same thing that happened before our monthly Mom2Mom events. How are these things related? They are about encouraging godly families and parenting. Wait a minute: could it be that the evil one wants to destroy Christian families? Could it be that destroying Christian children helps to dim the Light of Christ in the world?

Ummmm...in a word...YES!!!!!!!

Whether you are a parent or not, you can join me in praying that God's Light in children, youth, and in adults would not be dimmed by attacks of evil.

God of might and power, help us to be strong in you and in your mighty power. Help us to stand against the devil's schemes. Protect us so that when the days and moments of evil come, we may be able to stand our ground because we have your truth, your righteousness, your peace, deep faith, and your Word. We pray for protection for families - especially Christian ones. We pray that the Light of Christ would shine brightly from godly parents and children as they seek to honor you in their families. In the strong name of Christ we pray. Amen.