Yep... PRAY. That's the clever thought. That's the simple idea. That's it.
Did you know that today is the National Day of Prayer? (the other 364 days can be, too...) Well for this SEVENS, I couldn't ignore that fact. So here's what I want us to do. On the official National Day of Prayer website, they have something called 7x7, which stands for seven points of prayer, seven days a week. Check it out here.
That's what I'm encouraging you to do today. Read some of the prayer aids on each of the seven topics, then PRAY. Spend some time in prayer with your loving Father who knows what you need (Matthew 6:8). Remember, He created you, He loves you, He knows you. So do your best to push all else aside and give some undivided time to your Heavenly Father.
Showing posts with label pray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pray. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, December 8, 2008
.PRAY.
Volume 14...
.PRAY.
Yep, that's pretty simple. In fact, that's where we started SEVENS, over a year ago. And last month, I was kind of getting at this point too, when I commented on how I kept seeing the scriptures saying things like "Jesus went off to a solitary place to pray."
But really, isn't this where we need to be? On our knees in prayer?
As I type this, we are about 3 hours into a 24-hour prayer vigil at Northridge, where I serve as youth minister. You probably know how it works: people in our church family have been asked to set aside 30 minutes, to peel away from our busy schedules and forget everything else... just for 30 minutes... and pray. There's even a sheet that has been put together with plenty of things people have brought to our attention - from the salvation of loved ones, to cancer, to financial difficulty, to depression... and so much more. People often say they wouldn't know what to pray for, but then they give it a try, they see this list we've made, and during their time in prayer, they think of so many more things that are on their heart... and they come out 45 minutes or an hour later saying, "Oops, I 'went over' a bit. I didn't even get halfway through my list!"
So what happened in there? I guess God wasn't watching his clock. He had a little more in mind than our 30 minutes.
Looks like maybe we could spend more time in prayer if we just ALLOWED it to be as important as it REALLY IS... I don't want to belabor the obvious, but we're talking about spending time alone with the Creator and Sustainer... our Savior and our Lord...
He wants that time. And we just have a thousand things that get in the way. Well, push them out of the way tonight. No matter where you are, have your own little vigil. Make an appointment to open your heart up and talk with YAHWEH SABAOTH - the LORD ALMIGHTY.
You'll find He's been waiting for you.
And you may also find he wants more than 30 minutes.
Aaron
(Originally published November 7, 2008)
.PRAY.
Yep, that's pretty simple. In fact, that's where we started SEVENS, over a year ago. And last month, I was kind of getting at this point too, when I commented on how I kept seeing the scriptures saying things like "Jesus went off to a solitary place to pray."
But really, isn't this where we need to be? On our knees in prayer?
As I type this, we are about 3 hours into a 24-hour prayer vigil at Northridge, where I serve as youth minister. You probably know how it works: people in our church family have been asked to set aside 30 minutes, to peel away from our busy schedules and forget everything else... just for 30 minutes... and pray. There's even a sheet that has been put together with plenty of things people have brought to our attention - from the salvation of loved ones, to cancer, to financial difficulty, to depression... and so much more. People often say they wouldn't know what to pray for, but then they give it a try, they see this list we've made, and during their time in prayer, they think of so many more things that are on their heart... and they come out 45 minutes or an hour later saying, "Oops, I 'went over' a bit. I didn't even get halfway through my list!"
So what happened in there? I guess God wasn't watching his clock. He had a little more in mind than our 30 minutes.
Looks like maybe we could spend more time in prayer if we just ALLOWED it to be as important as it REALLY IS... I don't want to belabor the obvious, but we're talking about spending time alone with the Creator and Sustainer... our Savior and our Lord...
He wants that time. And we just have a thousand things that get in the way. Well, push them out of the way tonight. No matter where you are, have your own little vigil. Make an appointment to open your heart up and talk with YAHWEH SABAOTH - the LORD ALMIGHTY.
You'll find He's been waiting for you.
And you may also find he wants more than 30 minutes.
Aaron
(Originally published November 7, 2008)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
.OLYMPICS.
Volume 11:
.OLYMPICS.
Yep, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. That's what's on my mind right now. And I've been thinking about it for weeks. It all starts tomorrow, 08/08/08. Every so often, the best athletes from all over the world come together to prove themselves, to represent their sport on the worldwide stage, to represent their country, to participate together in one sport or another.
And of course there's the controversy. It seems the Olympics have always been controversial in one way or another. But if you've had the news on in the last couple months, you've certainly heard repeated mention of problems with China… in reference to human rights, Darfur, Tibet, steroids, smog in Beijing, Iraq's participation… sheesh. But I don't want to make this a political thing. I just want to point out that there IS controversy, just in case you hadn't heard. And then I want to get to the point, right?
Olympics are a microcosm of our world's society. This event, these Olympians… well, they represent both the BEST in us (perseverance, giving your all, making it to the top, "running in such a way as to win the prize…" and maybe a few gold medals) and the WORST in us (pride, cheating, dirty politics, the aforementioned scandals…).
Okay, so what difference does that make? Well, I'd like to ask you to go along with me for a while, and watch the Olympics. Look at the different countries involved. Consider that some of these athletes you see may represent a country where the Word of God is not accessible in their own language. Some may come from a place where Christians are persecuted. It's such a strange idea to think that some of those athletes may never have heard the name of Jesus. The Olympics should be an eye-opening experience for Christians, reminding us that millions of souls are constantly at stake. Followers of Christ must want desperately to see the world won for God's kingdom, for His glory.
So pray for them. And pray for their countries. I keep coming back to a handful of my favorite "world-wide" verses:
Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached IN THE WHOLE WORLD as a testimony to ALL NATIONS, and then the end will come.
Matthew 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS… baptize and teach them…
Luke 24:47. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem.
Revelation 15:4. For you [God] alone are holy. ALL NATIONS will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
I guess what I’m getting at is that we should see these people as representatives of the world - a world that needs God, a world that needs a savior. From England to Brazil to Egypt to China… and yes, even America. We should take this chance to open our eyes to the billions of people they represent, and that all those people will bow their knee to the returning, conquering LORD of LORDS, whether he has become their Savior or not. So yeah, it's time we start praying for salvation. It's time we start praying for the missionaries who go to those countries - for their funds, their safety, their cause. It's time we start praying for the wisdom of those working diligently to translate the Word of God into new tongues and for those who will take it to new tribes and nations for the first time. It's time we start praying for the persecuted churches throughout the world, for their protection, for their boldness in proclaiming the Truth, even when lives are at stake. It's time we start praying for conviction, that God would help US to see all of those people, no matter what color, what nation, what language… as children of God, and as our brothers and sisters.
Let’s pray.
SEVENS: Do not merely listen to the word... do what it says. James 1:22.
Aaron
(Originally published August 7, 2008)
.OLYMPICS.
Yep, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. That's what's on my mind right now. And I've been thinking about it for weeks. It all starts tomorrow, 08/08/08. Every so often, the best athletes from all over the world come together to prove themselves, to represent their sport on the worldwide stage, to represent their country, to participate together in one sport or another.
And of course there's the controversy. It seems the Olympics have always been controversial in one way or another. But if you've had the news on in the last couple months, you've certainly heard repeated mention of problems with China… in reference to human rights, Darfur, Tibet, steroids, smog in Beijing, Iraq's participation… sheesh. But I don't want to make this a political thing. I just want to point out that there IS controversy, just in case you hadn't heard. And then I want to get to the point, right?
Olympics are a microcosm of our world's society. This event, these Olympians… well, they represent both the BEST in us (perseverance, giving your all, making it to the top, "running in such a way as to win the prize…" and maybe a few gold medals) and the WORST in us (pride, cheating, dirty politics, the aforementioned scandals…).
Okay, so what difference does that make? Well, I'd like to ask you to go along with me for a while, and watch the Olympics. Look at the different countries involved. Consider that some of these athletes you see may represent a country where the Word of God is not accessible in their own language. Some may come from a place where Christians are persecuted. It's such a strange idea to think that some of those athletes may never have heard the name of Jesus. The Olympics should be an eye-opening experience for Christians, reminding us that millions of souls are constantly at stake. Followers of Christ must want desperately to see the world won for God's kingdom, for His glory.
So pray for them. And pray for their countries. I keep coming back to a handful of my favorite "world-wide" verses:
Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached IN THE WHOLE WORLD as a testimony to ALL NATIONS, and then the end will come.
Matthew 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS… baptize and teach them…
Luke 24:47. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem.
Revelation 15:4. For you [God] alone are holy. ALL NATIONS will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
I guess what I’m getting at is that we should see these people as representatives of the world - a world that needs God, a world that needs a savior. From England to Brazil to Egypt to China… and yes, even America. We should take this chance to open our eyes to the billions of people they represent, and that all those people will bow their knee to the returning, conquering LORD of LORDS, whether he has become their Savior or not. So yeah, it's time we start praying for salvation. It's time we start praying for the missionaries who go to those countries - for their funds, their safety, their cause. It's time we start praying for the wisdom of those working diligently to translate the Word of God into new tongues and for those who will take it to new tribes and nations for the first time. It's time we start praying for the persecuted churches throughout the world, for their protection, for their boldness in proclaiming the Truth, even when lives are at stake. It's time we start praying for conviction, that God would help US to see all of those people, no matter what color, what nation, what language… as children of God, and as our brothers and sisters.
Let’s pray.
SEVENS: Do not merely listen to the word... do what it says. James 1:22.
Aaron
(Originally published August 7, 2008)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
.PRAY.
Okay, here is the original post that went out on October 7, 2007. Only SLIGHTLY edited. Please post your comments. And if you would like to get the monthly devo, please email me at uthminsta@hotmail.com
Hi
This is the first installment in the monthly devotional project, SEVENS. Each month, on the 7th, you will be asked to do something for God. It will be something different each month, but the goal each time will be for us to spend time with God, to grow, and to reach others.
Okay, here we go.
SEVENS. October 7, 2007.
You may have heard the acrostic A.C.T.S. used as a means of teaching people ways to pray: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Over the next four days, slowly read (and reread) the scriptures for each day. Soak them in. Then do your best to have a conversation with God using these four "conversation starters." Throughout your day, take these thoughts with you and let them direct your attitude. Allow the Word and your time with God to affect your daily life.
Day one.
Hebrews 12:28-29
God, I ADORE you because...
Day two.
First John 1:9
God, I CONFESS to you...
Day three.
First Thessalonians 5:18, Revelation 11:16-17
God, I THANK you because...
Day four.
First Timothy 2:1-8
God, this is what is on my heart...
It seems like a pretty simple project, but really... consider what it takes for us to give our whole selves to God. This is no simple thing. I pray success for you.
Aaron
(Originally published October 7, 2007)
Hi
This is the first installment in the monthly devotional project, SEVENS. Each month, on the 7th, you will be asked to do something for God. It will be something different each month, but the goal each time will be for us to spend time with God, to grow, and to reach others.
Okay, here we go.
SEVENS. October 7, 2007.
You may have heard the acrostic A.C.T.S. used as a means of teaching people ways to pray: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Over the next four days, slowly read (and reread) the scriptures for each day. Soak them in. Then do your best to have a conversation with God using these four "conversation starters." Throughout your day, take these thoughts with you and let them direct your attitude. Allow the Word and your time with God to affect your daily life.
Day one.
Hebrews 12:28-29
God, I ADORE you because...
Day two.
First John 1:9
God, I CONFESS to you...
Day three.
First Thessalonians 5:18, Revelation 11:16-17
God, I THANK you because...
Day four.
First Timothy 2:1-8
God, this is what is on my heart...
It seems like a pretty simple project, but really... consider what it takes for us to give our whole selves to God. This is no simple thing. I pray success for you.
Aaron
(Originally published October 7, 2007)
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