Good Morning Listening, Receiving, Following Pray-ers! Prayer is that and so much more! Check out what Mother Thresa said, “Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own.” Be still and know that He is God, He loves you, and wants to hang out with you forever, especially today! Check out our Upper Room devo below too.
Sometimes prayer is easy and sometimes hard, but always profitable! Check out this Harvest Prayer blog for today about praying for God's will to be done. Are you open to that? Praying for that? Ready for that? Be still in prayer today and spend sometime at Jesus' feet as you prepare for the day ahead. God loves you!
November 14 - His Will Be Done
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See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will concerning you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do no despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-23, NASB)
The way the material is shaped, all of the above commands are modified by the phrase “for this is God’s will concerning you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This gives us clear direction for praying “Your will be done.” It is always God’s will to pray for these kingdom initiatives to succeed in your life, in the lives of others, and in your local church. To pray for the kingdom to come and the will to be done then includes at least the following:
- It is always God’s will to pray for a gracious nature that doesn’t return evil for evil.
- It is always God’s will to seek after good for another and for everyone (especially when you have been slighted or done an injustice).
- It is always God’s will to pray for and to practice joy.
- It is always God’s will to deepen your prayer life.
- It is always God’s will to give thanks.
- It is always God’s will to test out when someone claims to speak for God (you do not have to immediately accept every word spoken, but you do need to listen and to test him by Word, Witness, Workers, Worship, and the Will of the believer).
- It is always God’s will to cling to the things that Scripture makes clear are right and true.
- It is always God’s will to avoid or turn away from evil (and in this text to reject false prophecy/spirituality).
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UR: Committing My Life
The Lord said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Checking items off my daily to-do list used to give me a sense of accomplishment and control over my life. But when my 28-year marriage ended, I began to realize I could not control everything. Before then, I hadn’t surrendered my life to Christ. I knew of God, but I didn’t know God personally.
One day, feeling full of anxiety and fear about my future, I walked to a nearby lake. I sat at a picnic table watching the geese as a cool breeze blew across the lake. It was as if God were speaking to me, wrapping me in an embrace to reassure me of God’s love.
For the first time in my life, I prayed aloud. I said, “Please give me some direction, God. I am so lost.” A sense of peace came over me. From that moment on, I have continued committing my life to God, trusting that God has a greater plan for me than I could ever imagine. My future no longer feels bleak.
In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus told his followers to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and not to worry about tomorrow. What a comfort it is to know God is with us and we need not worry.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Abba Father, when we are overwhelmed with life’s trials and filled with despair, help us remember your loving presence. Amen.
