A Prayer to Help You Find Courage - Your Daily Prayer - September 20
A Prayer to Help You Find Courage
By: Betsy de Cruz
“For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12b, ESV
Afraid doesn’t begin to describe how I felt when it got dark and my daughter didn’t come home. I called her five times but kept getting a recording. Finally, I telephoned the friend she’d met earlier in the day. “She left an hour ago to catch the bus. Isn’t she home yet?” the girl said.
My husband and I felt desperate and didn’t know what to do. He grabbed the car keys to go out and look for her, but how on earth could we find our daughter in a city of four million people?
An hour later, she walked in the door, and relief flooded my soul. She’d gotten lost and her phone had died.
Have you ever been caught in a hard place where you just didn't know what to do and felt afraid of possible outcomes?
Maybe you're there now.
My situation only lasted a few hours, but yours may still be going on. A health problem, financial crunch, or troubled marriage can make you feel like you’re at the end of your rope.
For situations when fear and uncertainty are getting the best of us, I love the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. When a great multitude comes to attack Judah, King Jehoshaphat is scared to death, but he resolves to seek God. He proclaims a fast, and all of Israel comes together to seek God.
God then speaks to His people through a prophet, “Do not be afraid…the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15b). The following day as Jehoshaphat’s army begins to sing and praise the Lord, God sets an ambush against their enemies.
This story teaches us several life principles to help us navigate hard situations with courage:
1) If you're feeling scared, keep your eyes on God. Set your heart on seeking Him.
2) Remember the battle is the Lord's. He is fighting for you.
3) You will see victory as you praise God.
When you’re at the end of your rope, remember all you have to do is keep your eyes on Jesus. At the right time, He will show you how to move forward.
Keep your eyes on Him today, friend. Raise a hallelujah and take courage. Victory is on the way. We don't know how and when it will come, but in Christ, we are more than conquerors. Let's praise the God who goes before us.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father,
I praise you today for your great power and love. Thank you for your mercy. Through the death of Jesus, you have rescued me from sin, and I praise your name.
Lord, you know the situation I am facing. I truly do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you. I trust you will show me the best way to handle my challenges. In your perfect timing, show me what to do. Give me grace to keep my eyes on you.
Lord, I praise you for the victory you won at the cross. You defeated sin and death forever. You are Alpha and Omega, the eternal God who has rescued your children. Help me remember you go before me and will never leave me. I am not alone; you fight my battles. I praise and thank you in advance for the way you will work. I cannot see it now, but give me grace to walk by faith, not by sight.
I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you, and I will praise your great name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Betsy de Cruz helps overwhelmed women take small steps to invite more of God’s presence and power into their lives. Connect with Betsy to get your free Quiet Time Renewal Guide and other resources at FaithSpillingOver.com. Her book More of God is a distracted woman’s guide to more meaningful quiet times. After living in the Middle East for 16 years with her husband and two children, Betsy landed in Texas, where she still enjoys drinking chai with friends.
A Prayer for Loved Ones Who Are Far from God - Your Daily Prayer - September 21
A Prayer for Loved Ones Who Are Far from God
By Debbie McDaniel
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Dear God,
We’re thankful that you know our hearts, you hear our prayers, and you care about all that concerns us. Thank you that you understand these burdens we carry and how we want, more than anything, to see our loved ones come to you. Help us to remember that you love them more than we ever could. And that you desire to extend your great love and forgiveness to the deepest part of their soul. We are forever grateful for your healing power, for your gift of mercy, and your message of hope.
Father, we ask that you would stop every plan of the enemy over those we love as we bring them before you right now. We pray that you demolish his schemes and that your plans for good, for a future and hope, would prevail. Please open up blind eyes that they might see your truth. We believe in you to rescue those walking in darkness, and to heal the deep wounds of all who have been hurt. We pray for the miraculous intervention of your Spirit to draw them to yourself, to work strongly on behalf of our loved ones who are lost and wandering.
Lord, forgive our unbelief. Please forgive the times we’ve doubted that you could ever change a distant heart. Forgive our hard-heartedness, our weariness, or forgetfulness to pray continually. And thank you God, that you never give up on us. Remind us again of how you’ve changed our own hearts; how your miracle of life and hope has sprung up deep within our souls.
We love you Lord; we need you today and every day. We thank you that you hear our prayers and believe that you are at work even now. Powerfully. Faithfully. And miraculously. Doing what only You can do.
Thank you again for the most wonderful gift of our Savior, God with us. Thank you for your great goodness and love.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Content for this devotional was taken from A Prayer for Loved Ones Are Far from God by Debbie McDaniel.
A Prayer for the Teachers, Mamas, and Anyone Who Wants to Give Up - Your Daily Prayer - September 22
A Prayer for the Teachers, Mamas, and Anyone Who Wants to Give Up
By: Maggie Meadows Cooper
"Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Dear Jesus,
I am so weary, and honestly, ready to give up some days. Please place people in my life to encourage me and point me to you as I seek to love others as you do. Help me choose to be hopeful, faithful and persistent in seeking you every day, but especially on the hard days. Guide my steps and allow me to see that my hard work is not in vain. Help me to give grace and mercy...to myself and others...as you give it freely to me. Thank you for all you have done and all you are going to do.
In Your Mighty Name,
Amen.
Maggie Meadows Cooper is a wife, mom, educator, author, and blogger with a longing for women to grow a heart for Jesus and others. She is the author of the children’s book “Bumper” and blogs at The Little Moments about what the Lord is teaching her through her children and everyday life. She contributes to Blogs by Christian Women, Devotional Diva, She Disciples, and Connecting Ministries. An educator with a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University (War Eagle!), she has twenty years experience working with young children. She loves all things chocolate, real Coca-Cola, and lives with her husband, three children, and two rambunctious dogs in Opelika, Alabama.
A Prayer of Blessing for Your Family This Fall
By Rebecca Currington, Dayspring-SEPT 23
“From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” - Psalm 103:17
Dear Father,
In Your beautiful book of Psalms, chapter 103 and verse 17, You give us this wonderful promise, “From everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.” What better promise could we receive from You in the autumn of our lives than to see our children and children’s children blessed with Your love and righteousness? We ask for Your hand of blessing on us as well. Bless us with strength to be there for those we love, and wisdom to know what to say to bring comfort, encouragement, and sometimes difficult truth. We will need Your patience as we wait for Your perfect will and way in each of our loved one’s lives. We are so grateful, Lord God.
Amen.
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