All week we’ve been finding prayer inspiration using Jesus’ teaching on prayer found in Matthew 6:5-15!
Within these verses we find the "Our Father" prayer, along with instruction from Jesus to find a private place and talk to our Father who is unseen, assuring us that He sees us praying in secret, and will openly rewards us, Matthew 6:6. A few verses after that instruction, He tells us, "This, then is how you should pray..." And then gives us Spirit filled words that an untold number of saints, throughout the centuries, have known and treasured as the "Our Father" (or the Lord's) prayer. In yesterday's podcast episode about the Our Father prayer, you are led to listen and repeat the prayer, after pondering its beauty and its power for intercession. You are called to notice its unique ability to unify God's people in a common language of prayer. The "Our Father" prayer crosses denominational lines, borders, and even languages. In a room of strangers, whether believer or unbeliever, many would know the prayer and be able to join in its holy expression in a moment's notice. We should treasure these ancient words, breathed by our Holy King. "This then is how you should pray... Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name..." But Jesus encourages that prayer should not be the same words repeated over and over, Matthew 6:7. Right before He gives the "Our Father" prayer he tells us not to babble on like pagans, using many word repetitiously, thinking that somehow our many words could influence whether or not the Father hears us. So in the exercise you'll find below, and in today's podcast episode, you pray "into" the Our Father prayer, honoring Jesus, our holy Friend and Savior, obeying His model for prayer- He begins by teaching us to speak to and acknowledge the Father with honor and respect- "Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name." He encourages us to lift our eyes and pray for the Father's Kingdom and will to descend- "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." He tells us to ask for supply for both body and soul, as he teaches us in John that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. So we are to pray- "Give us today our daily bread." He instructs us to ask for mercy daily, under the condition of also releasing others from owing us anything- "Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors" (i.e. those who sin against us). We are to ask for protection against temptations of flesh- "Lead us not to temptation." We are to ask to be delivered from the enemy of our soul- "Deliver us from evil." (Notice the plural pronoun "us" that Jesus repeatedly uses. It's intercessory style prayer, taking us beyond the small world of our own lives and perspective, connecting us with each other's needs, praying in agreement. "Give us, forgive us, lead us, deliver us..." Listen in to episode #342 to hear more on the power for intercession within the Lord's prayer.) If you count what Jesus tells us we are to pray for, you find 7 areas of prayer:
Regarding those 7 areas, its inspiration to pray "into" the Our Father language, instead of using the prayer as a repetitive exercise. Next is an exercise to do just that. It's also the exercise in today's podcast. Agree with the deeper sentiment that Jesus wants us to express to the Father. After, experiment with expressing your own heart as you pray "into" the Our Father prayer. Let’s pray... Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. You are not just my father, but OUR Father, you set the lonely in families, you sought us and adopted us, we are now yours through Christ. Hallowed be your name. May you be honored and revered through US, through your children today. May your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Part the heavens in a fresh way Lord and come down. May your fame be made known throughout the whole earth. Be glorified, be known, release the Kingdom message into hearts, bring the world under subjection of your reign and rule. Your kingdom come, your will be done. Give us today our daily bread. Thank you for giving daily supply, thank you for releasing our hands from striving. Thank you for fresh provision. Speak a word to us Father that sustains and satisfies the deepest places within us. We confess that we do not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Forgive us our trespasses, our debts. Lord we’ve fallen short this week. Impatience, quick judgments, disdain, offense, worry, doubt, apathy towards Kingdom things. Have mercy on us God, you know we are merely dust, you know the weakness of our frame. As we forgive our debtors. Find us today holding no accounts; releasing any demands of anyone owing us anything. For you have forgiven us debt we could never pay, for the imperfections of our soul. Do a deep work in your people to let go, so that we may also be forgiven. Lead us not into temptation. Get ahold of our flesh nature God. Stand in the way of any wayward leaning in us. Lead us by your Holy Spirit. Turn our eyes from worthless things. Cleanse and purge our souls from lusts of the flesh. Deliver us from evil. The enemy is always prowling about as a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour. Rescue us from his wicked schemes, deliver us from his lies and perversions. Hide us under your wings. Shelter us from the storms of his design. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. You alone deserve the glory Father. King of kings, Lord of lords, maker of heaven and earth. Amen. There is so much inspiration for fresh prayer language through the "Lord's prayer"! Use its structure to linger longer with Him! Pray into the language. Go deeper into His holy expression! Listen to all the episodes this week for more reflections on the "Our Father" prayer! And listen in to the weeks prior, for a series of 9 episodes praying through Psalm 23! Please consider supporting our mission of prayer! We want to reach more with the podcast and inspire others to linger longer with God!
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Wanting some inspiration in your prayer closet? Been doing a series on Psalm 23 in our podcast! Today is episode 3 of 9! The picture below represents yesterday's interactive session where you are led to pray through 11 names/titles of God in Psalm 23! I hope you give a listen to this series, there is so much depth of love, wisdom, and promise from our Good Shepherd... all SUPERNATURAL! It's summer, press in! Take moments for spiritual retreat with God for peace and transformation! Here is how this series has started! Tranquil Tues- Psalm 23 #1 - 4 minutes by a stream with Jesus Worship Wed- Psalm 23 #2- Praying through 11 titles of God Thoughtful Thurs (today) #3- Psalm 23- Gentle listening and repeating of Psalm 23 Friend Fri- Psalm 23 #4- Prayer over you "My Shepherd, my friend" Find all episodes and links to Peace Be Still on your podcast app via our host link- https://www.spreaker.com/show/peace-be-still-daily-prayer-download "Think of the last thing you prayed about, were you devoted to your desire or to God? Was your determination to get some gift of the Spirit for yourself or to get to God? "For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8). The reason for asking is so you may get to know God better. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). We should keep praying to get a perfect understanding of God Himself." WHO IS PRAYING FOR YOU?Has your Christianity become far too independent and earthly grounded? When is the last time you asked someone, "Will you pray for me?" If you haven't asked for prayer or received prayer in the last 2 weeks, it's not a stretch to say, your faith is too earthly grounded.
Believers are to make up a house of prayer, Matthew 21:13. We are to be interdependent upon each other and to pray for each other, Romans 15:30 & Colossians 1:9 & Ephesians 6:18. Our agreement in prayer breaks strongholds, Matthew 18:19. We are blessed when we pray for our friends, Job 42:10. We receive what we ask for, 1 John 5:14. There is promise of healing as we open up to each other and pray for each other, James 5:16. Are you positioning to receive these promises? Do you believe in the power of praying together? If we are honest, this is a very challenging question, and is answered in the frequency in which we do it. Just like if I were to ask, "Do you believe in working out to maintain physical health?" Your conviction is answered in the frequency in which you do it. Same with prayer. Give yourself a challenge to ask another Christian to pray for you over the next several days. And for another prayer covering over you, please listen in to today's podcast, episode #313. You can also scan through other Friend Friday's to find even more episodes of prayer covering over you. This is not a substitute for others praying over you in person, but it is an additional resource of supernatural protection and power that is so important to your walk of faith! Take 6 minutes today and receive prayer covering through Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download! (We are a faith based ministry and want to increase our reach by advertising the podcast more often. Would you consider a one time donation of $25 or more to help us pay for those ads? Thank you for considering it!) Some scriptures on mothers: Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— Matthew 12:48-50- He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Isaiah 40:11- He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Psalm 139:13-14- For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Proverbs 23:25- May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! Titus 2:3-4- Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, PRAYER:
We celebrate mothers today Lord! We're thankful, reflective and wanting our mothers to know we honor them. Help us love them deeply; and wherever there may be strain, lead us to forgive our mothers and love them as directed by you. We want our mothers to know you and ask that you bless them with a fresh revelation from the Spirit. May they receive holy promise, and be led with your life and power. God we praise you for your perfect design for them to carry new life, deliver, and nurture. May each mother know that you see them, love them, want to bless them. May we freshly express to our human mothers and spiritual mothers that they are honored for their countless selfless sacrifices, their tender mercies, their protective love, their longing to do the best that they can with what they know. Bless them with your presence God. Reveal yourself to them in their deepest area of need. Let them know you see their tears, understand their worries, connect with their longings for their families, and celebrate their victories. Lift her face to look at you and be transformed by your love and light. Pause and agree. "Yes LORD, transform _______ (insert mother's name) by your love and light." Direct her thoughts to reflect on what is good, holy, and pure. Help each mother hold on to hope in the midst of storms. To believe nothing shall be impossible with you God. Encourage their hearts that you hear their cries for their families. Help her cast her cares on you Jesus, to be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayers and persistence to submit her requests to you and then trust. Help her let go for the peace of God that transcends all understanding to guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Strengthen her with power that comes from the Spirit for every need. By faith we bless mothers with gifts from on high, for every good and perfect gift comes from above from the Father of Heavenly lights, in whom there is no shadow of turning. We acknowledge Jesus that you have designed mothers to be like a glue that holds the family together. Help them in the daily battle to keep things running smoothly, and to be sustained in the chaos! Encourage her to gather her family for family time, to represent your will and ways to her children and/or grandchildren, to have opportunity to renew herself in body, mind, and spirit. Let her be a beautiful expression of your mercies and power and love and truth to the children under her care. Let her greatest longing as a mom be one of a spiritual mother, intent to instill godly values and promise into the children under her wings. Sustain and heal families with your power. Keep moms' hearts soft and pliable, open and receptive to your work, will, and Spirit. Let them not become weary in doing good, for they shall reap a harvest in due time. Teach them to cling to you in these days, reminding them that they are your child first and foremost, and they need to be held like a child by you, sustained and helped by you to be the mom they long to be. Thank you Jesus; for the beauty and transformative work of motherhood. Bless this one as they rise in your graces. Let others notice the beauty that becomes evident after spending this time in your presence. Amen. Do you know a mom that needs this blessing? Will you please forward this to them? Multiply this prayer to mothers! Today's podcast is a similar prayer exercise to listen in and follow along found here- https://www.spreaker.com/user/12247282/280-friend-fri-a-prayer-of-blessing-for- Often I have conversations with people about upset and disappointment. And what is always evident is that we as humans skew naturally to the disappointment... to dwell upon it, and then carry it as our form of meditation. We rehearse and rehearse, too often without releasing it regularly on to the shoulders of our burden bearer.
To check that, what are you ruminating on right now? What have you spent much of your week rehearsing? Positive or negative things? The things that burden us are typically not trivial things, but heart centric things. Maybe we are making mountains out of mole hills in certain circumstances; but more than likely, our upset can be traced to deeper issues related to betrayal of trust, unforgiveness, disappointment, pride, lies, hurt, etc. Here are some examples of what people have recently confessed to me, that is consuming them: - a teenager who told her mom that she is bi-sexual and a satanist - a woman who is consumed with anxiety that her senior mother's life depends on her sustaining her mom - an adult who is caught in the middle of lifelong friends who cannot resolve their philosophical differences, so now their friendship circle is broken - an adult son who has so much conflict with his mother that he wants nothing to do with her, but is wrestling with that choice within and its causing great anxiety - an adult who wonders why God allowed 3 different big disappointments within the last month - an adult who is grieving a death of a loved one, while also discovering upsetting secrets of another loved one We are carrying burdens, deep, heart centric burdens. Instead of rehearsing them constantly, we need to give ourselves a break and just enjoy Jesus! We rehearse too much! We need to process in His presence. But practice positioning in rest so He can speak peace to still the storm! Do not draw away from Him in trial, let it lead to personal transformation through His supply of resurrection power! That is not a platitude, it is a promise. And it is discovered in His presence! And BONUS... it can be done without words! You can do this by visualizing spiritual promises from the Bible. No words needed, just a willingness to "see" the pictures Jesus paints in His word. Jesus tells us to cast our care upon Him, 1 Peter 5:7. What if you saw Him carrying what you are trying to carry right now? He understands. See Jesus carrying it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you form images in your mind. In inexplicable ways, the Holy Spirit will do supernatural lifting of burdens within as you release them to Jesus. I hope you try the following exercise. A VISUALIZATION EXERCISE: Isaiah 61:1-3 has a handful of pictures for you to use in His presence without words. Pick one from below, and then place yourself in a humble position in His presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you begin. "God I need help visualizing Jesus' promises, bring them to life within my mind's eye."
The unbelief in you might be tempted to say, "That's ridiculous, how will it help me to picture any of these? As soon as I get up, my reality will be unchanged and the stress will remain." Cast down that argument. Hold your thoughts captive to the promises of Christ. He says, "Look to me. Do not doubt, only believe. Set your eyes on things above, not on earthly things. Ascend." Believe in the power of God! Believe in His spiritual promises! Be blessed in your time with God! If you want to experience more visualization of scripture, please listen in every Tuesday to Peace Be Still Daily prayer download! Listenership continues to grow! Praise God! Here are a few direct links to our Monday - Friday podcast:
The program can also be found on Amazon Music, Podbean, iHeart, Google podcasts, Castbox, etc. Blessings! (Into the Waters Ministry, Inc resources the earnest, helping them linger longer with God, to draw near and know Christ. Now more than ever, we need to know Christ and practice settling our souls in His presence, anchoring in His promises. Will you help us expand reach and impact? Listenership for our Peace Be Still prayer podcast is steadily growing! So many more can benefit! Please consider a donation! Help us match the $1K per month challenge pledge! Every donation is a blessing! Thank you for considering it. Now on to today's interactive Advent exercise...)
----------------------- This is the 10th exercise released over the last 10 days for the Advent season! Find the interactive prayer exercises on the podcast tab or click above to find the podcast on Apple podcasts! Below is the content of today's Peace Be Still episode if you prefer to read it to engage. Blessings! ------------------------------ Hello Gina from Into the Waters, welcome to Peace Be Still and this Advent season! It’s Friend Friday, a time to experience the presence and person of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, with us is God. Isaiah 7:14 says the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Let’s call upon His Name today. Yesterday’s episode shared in the prayer portion that Isaiah wrote those prophetic words 700 years before Jesus was born. We see those words reappear in Matthew 1. An angel of the LORD appears to Joseph telling him not to be afraid, but to take Mary as his wife, because the child within her is from the Holy Spirit; he should be named Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. And then it says that "all of these supernatural events took place to fulfill what the LORD has said through the prophet Isaiah: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus, God with us, fulfilled that prophecy as he ministered on the earth, and continues to fulfill that prophecy for you today. God is with you. Deuteronomy 31:6 is a promise from Jesus in the Old Testament- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Remember Jesus is timeless, eternal, that Old Testament prophecy is from Jesus himself. We get a glimpse of His eternity and coming from the prophecy in Micah 5:2- “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Jesus, a leader coming from ancient times,? Yes. NKJV says "Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” The Amplified version clarifies his goings forth saying- His goings forth (appearances) are from long ago, From ancient days.” The prophet declared God himself was coming! And yet Jesus has always been with His people, from the creation of physical time and space, Jesus has been with us! So today, let’s proclaim His presence with us. Just position to repeat, affirm, and invite His presence with an open and receptive spirit. Jesus, you are with me. I carry your Spirit within me. Nothing can separate me from your love. Immanuel, you are with me. You will never leave me or forsake me. No one can snatch me out of your hand. You are with me in the storm. You speak to the wind and the waves within. “Peace Be Still.” You are with me in my fear. I am not to be terrified or afraid. You go with me. You promise to guide me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. Save me from guiding myself. I need your wisdom. By your Spirit, whisper wisdom. Now wait quietly in His presence. Silence….. Help me obey your counsel. Help me surrender to your whispers. You go before me. I am not alone. Jesus, you are with me. Immanuel... with me is God. Amen. Yesterday was part 1 of a podcast series on Hannah, a Hebrew hero of the faith who lived in 11th century BC. She endured years of persecution and shame, yet never lost faith in God. Her prayers were earnest and her vows holy. Next week, the series will end looking at her warrior song which foretold of the coming Messiah!
Hannah was a woman after God’s own heart. She is distinguished as one of the great women God chose to bear a son to lead his people as a prophet of renown. Her heart is one I marvel at, one who returned her miracle back to God! Her account is found in 1 Samuel 1 and 2. She was not a woman of offense. She respected authority, even when they were wrong about her. What would your response be if you went to church, were in the midst of passionately praying to the LORD when a pastor approaches you and accuses you of being drunk. This is how Eli the priest treated Hannah. Scripture says she was praying in her heart and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli had been watching her lips move; but no words coming out. He approaches and says “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” In our day of offense, how quickly might we rise up with attitude and tell everyone about it after? "He thought I was drunk!" Yet Hannah is respectful in reply, “Not so, my lord I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli backs down and answers , “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” Hannah was humble and considered herself merely a maidservant. In a world of #metoo, does Hannah offend you? Do you see her as weak or strong? She humbly says goodbye to Eli without offense, “May your maidservant find favor in your eyes.” Scripture then says, she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. Early the next morning she and her husband arise and worship one more time before the Lord before going back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” She prioritized worship and gave God everything, including her miracle! Another season comes to go up and worship the LORD. Hannah remembers her vow and tells her husband that after she finishes weaning Samuel she will take him so that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever. Think about that. I have never given birth so cannot really know how selfless and painful that would have been to give your only child into the service of God. He was so little besides! Ancient Hebrew women would wean their children from the breast at around 3 years old. What can a 3 year old do in the temple? Well, it turns out that provision was made for males 3 years old and older, for those who served in the temple. This is referenced in 2 Chronicles 31:16. In our world though, it seems unthinkable to bring a 3 year old into God’s house for him to start serving. Not to be catered to; but to start serving God! As you may be considering returning to your house of worship in this pandemic, is your heart in a position to serve or be served? Hannah released her miracle... her promise into God’s hands for the service of God’s house! This is awesome. Releasing a promise into God’s hands for service in God’s house. Releasing a promise into God’s hands for service in his house. I may not have a child to give. You may not have a child to give. But we have been given the Son of God and so have promises that God has given us through His miracle of life within us. We can return these things into God’s hands for service that brings glory to His name. God calls us to be living sacrifices. We are the little Samuel’s. We are to give ourselves into His service. And to do so with joy and thankfulness! Hannah returned with her whole heart, bringing not just Samuel but bringing 3 bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought sin offerings, thank offerings, and a drink offering which was an aroma pleasing to the LORD. She returned not withholding anything; but giving God everything as gift! Am I withholding anything? Are you withholding anything from God? Your children? Your time? Your plans? Your finances? Your will? Your spiritual gifts? Ask Him to help you release all things into His hands. God blessed Hannah. Scripture says He visited her after, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters after Samuel! He multiplied the miracle! We can't out-give God! Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD. Consider what you might have. Even if merely broken pieces of bread, a few fish, even if just a widow’s mite. What it is doesn’t matter. The percentage of you of being all in for God does. Hannah gave 100%. The widow gave 100%. 100% for Him. 100% invested in His house and kingdom. 100% worship. Let Hannah’s heart inspire you into greater reliance and relationship with Jesus. Let me pray for you. Agree with me as I pray- "Lord you are 100% for us. Thank you Lord for visiting with this one. Let Hannah’s example rest in their mind and heart, may it cleanse and purify their desires. Renew them LORD, inspire them to return as living sacrifice, for your glory and kingdom. Help them realign any area of their life and prioritize you above all things. Bless and allow this one to miraculously conceive and supernaturally bear fruit for your glory! Returning to the house of the LORD with hands full of thankfulness, worship, service! May they return the miracle of life you have deposited within them to the praise and honor of your Name! Amen!" Hello and Happy Friday, this is Gina from Into the Waters. And today is a day to pray for you! (Note: You can read the content below or you can listen to it in today's podcast found on our podcast tab above. Or search for it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker!)
Earlier today in the Peace Be Still's Private Group Facebook page, opened a prayer room through Facebook’s new “room” option. Prayed for a few folks! Prayed for some others in different settings as well, through church and also friends. I’ve missed praying for people in person; but certainly, there is no poverty of options when it comes to connecting to pray for someone AND sharing it with them! After I pray for you, I hope you will take time to pray for another! Write it out, text it over, post it to their wall, send a recording of you praying from them. Maybe surprise a Christian friend, a leader from your church, some faithful servant of God who would be greatly encouraged to receive a message from you of God’s love and mercy in the form of prayer! Let’s pray… I pray for a fresh expression of the light of Christ to be shed abroad in your heart, filling you with a new measure of love and eternal hope, given by the Holy Spirit who is in you from God. (Romans 5:5) I pray that you would abound in comfort from Christ. That you would know God as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who will comfort you in all your troubles, so you that can comfort others. ( 2 Cor 1:3-5) I pray for you to experience the Shalom of God, peace that leads to wholeness, completeness, and soundness of mind. Be blessed with His peace which surpasses understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7). I pray for you to receive strength from on high, that he would make your feet like the deer, enabling you to tread upon spiritual heights, reaching high places to the glory of God. (Habakkuk 3:19) I pray for you to experience the love of Christ though it is too great to understand fully, that you would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, made complete by all the life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:19) I pray for your consolation in any mourning, for you to carry your ashes of disappointment, failure, broken dreams to God to receive a crown of beauty, the oil of His joy, instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:3) I pray for you to have knowledge of His will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, that you would live a life worthy of God, pleasing Him in every way, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great patience and endurance. (Colossians 1:9-11) I pray for you to be humble in heart, so that in due time Christ will exalt you. (James 4:10) I pray for the Spirit of the LORD to be upon you, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, that your delight should always be in a holy and reverent fear of the LORD. (Isaiah 11:2-3) Amen! May you pray this forward and bless another! Share with a friend! I haven't posted in awhile, mostly because doing the podcast Monday though Friday is a challenge, especially when working a part-time job on Mondays and Tuesdays. But feeling purposed through it and encouraged! Over 500 listens in the first month. And lately average daily listens are increasing. I have received only very positive comments about it as a prayer resource and that it is speaking to hearts. If you haven't listened yet, please give a couple episodes a try. It can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, and on the PODCAST tab above. If you want info on any episode before listening, simply click on the little grey circle with the "i" in the middle of it. It will bring a pop-up window with episode detail. As of today, there are 35 interactive prayer episodes with over 4 1/2 hours of listening! That is a good amount of free prayer inspiration! If the episodes are a blessing to you, please consider a free-will donation. It can be a one-time donation or as a monthly donor. Why donate? We'd love to be able to market the podcast, but costs are easily at $250 per ad through Spotify or other similar podcast sites. We have some technology upgrades to make also. You can help spread the word too! Word-of-mouth is very helpful! And pray for ministry reach! Please share episodes with friends. People may be more receptive than you think! There are many who are struggling. People are searching for answers. I witness on Quora and the question that has gotten a ton of new activity with over 12K new readers over the last month is, "How many times will God forgive a repeated sin?" People are reflecting on life and death issues. Ask God for greater boldness to witness! Recently I shared a video on our Facebook page and our private group "Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download". It was a state of our nation's faith video for National Day of Prayer and had 2018 research from The Barna Group. In summary, a majority of the population in the USA (over 70%) still identify as a Christian. Those are encouraging numbers! However, the majority of those Christians have not attended church in over a year. Only 20% had attended at least once in the month of the survey. The fastest growing faith category was "nones", i.e. those who are identifying as having no faith at all. Based on other data Barna shared in the online presentation I attended, there is clear evidence for a need for God's people to return to Him with a generational trend to not believe in the authority of the Bible. We're trending down and away from the God of the Bible. Which brings me to the question for the post, "How are you doing?" Answers could be all over the map on that, but in general I am definitely crossing paths with people who are increasingly "not ok". The distancing and sudden change of life routine has sent shock waves into their thoughts and emotions. I shared in the last post (found here) some scriptures that the Lord has put on my heart during times of intercession, to ask God for direction on how to pray. I hope you read the scriptures posted and reflect on the consistent, cohesive message within those scriptures. There is a shaking mentioned in Hebrews chapter 12 to consider as a big idea for Christians to discern, as is 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Matthew Chapter 6. He will shake so that what remains cannot be shaken. His end goal is a faith rooted in Him that cannot be shaken! God's calling us to "reset, pause, prioritize, return to Him as first love". Returning and prioritizing God is a choice. Are your life choices more of a consideration lately? Joshua 24: 14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” What is God challenging you to "put away"? What things of the world so consume your time and thoughts and energy and money? If our house is in order, praise God! We have chosen well! And we are reaping the blessing of stealing away to spend time with Him and receive comfort in our troubles, nourishment for our soul. The word I am hearing for you as I type this blog is "disconnect". What do you need to disconnect from in order to prioritize God, to return to God as first love? Take that challenge. Take it to God. Confess weakness and any waywardness. Use Psalm 116 verses 1-9 as inspiration with prompts as noted... I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. - Tell him you love him. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. - See Him turning to listen as you pray. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. - Reflect on your life before God's grace. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!" - Remember the simple gift of calling on the name of the LORD The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. - Tell him who He is. The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. - Humble yourself, approach him in childlike simplicity Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. - Speak to your soul, remind yourself of how good God has been to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, - Rejoice in the life to come, no more sorrow, no more tears. that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. - Discern the times. Time is short. Order your life towards heavenly reality. Be blessed in your private time with the Father in your prayer closet! Simply shut the door behind you and pray.
Hi folks! Things have been very busy with ministry! Still producing a daily prayer podcast, have begun a new private Facebook group, and have held some private meditation sessions! Had a men's group a couple of weeks ago. Also have an upcoming group session this week. God is good!
The video above is a welcome video I shared in the group to welcome new members. We have over 225 members for the first week! It's very encouraging! I think it is a sign that people are making more time for prayer and obviously are being driven to engage online because of current circumstances with social distancing. In the video I share a welcome to new members as well as personal testimony of God supernaturally healing me of depression. I hope you listen in. For the Facebook group, Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download is a private group and requires an invite for you or you can request to join. I hope you consider it, there have been good engagement so far. There is a link at the end of the video to find the group on Facebook. Otherwise just search for "Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download" on Facebook. Now related to current situation of the virus, during times of intercession, here are some scriptures that God has been putting on my heart over the last month:
It would be interesting for you to read through those scriptures and see what the LORD speaks to you. It's an excellent time to develop a deeper walk with the LORD. I wonder how He has been speaking to you during this time? If you are willing, let me know in the comments! Here is the content of Podcast 15 if you want to review it first and then listen. Episode 15- “she judged him faithful… he gave glory to God” Hello my name is Gina, your prayer partner from Into the Waters. Our promise that brings peace today comes from Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Let’s pray as we begin. “Lord Jesus, I humbly ask for your power to rest on each one as they listen. Open their ears to hear, open their eyes to see, give them the ability to understand what the Spirit of the LORD wants to say to them today. Position them by faith to believe and judge you as faithful.” Yesterday’s episode shared that for God to be your strength means he is a PLACE of strength. As your place of strength, he is a hiding place for you, and one who pours out his strength by dispatching supernatural forces to surround you and deliver you. If you haven’t yet listened, please listen to yesterday. But for today, instead of the focus of him surrounding us with his power, the focus is his miraculous strength pouring out through you." Listen to these scriptures- You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Cor 4:7 Though you are merely a clay vessel which is fragile and powerless, yet the excellence of his power and strength is to be shown through you… as being from God, not yourself. Who really believes this? Who really believes the miraculous power of God will be poured out through their frailty? A woman named Sarah did. Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. By faith… big words. She judged God faithful, more really big words. If we are honest, they are so challenging. Write down this question. What is the state of my faith? How am I judging God right now, as faithful or unfaithful? Some seasons our faith is great with full faith in God. In others, we waver. We are in a difficult season right now due to the virus. God wants us to position by faith, and judge him faithful. How are you judging God right now, as faithful or unfaithful? Make a note to talk to God about that. Unburden and ask for revelation so that you judge Him correctly. Because when you judge God as faithful and by faith believe, God will do amazing things through you. Scripture says that Abraham (Sarah’s husband and known as the father of our faith) grew strong in His faith as He gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. Abraham had excellent opinion of God and his faith grew strong as He gave God glory. The promise of God’s miracle working power being poured out through you is only activated by faith and good opinion of God. Abraham and Sarah had a clear vision and promise from God. So for this kind of miraculous experience, you have to have a promise from God. It has to be personal to you. Sarah had a promise from God. She would give birth at a time in her life when her womb was dead. She judged God faithful to deliver. She laughed at first; then she tried to make it happen on her own power; but somewhere along the way, she stopped reasoning and she believed. So, He poured his miraculous strength into Sarah and supernaturally enabled her to give birth to a promised son at the ripe old age of 90 years old. Many of us also laugh at the absurd thought God could do something miraculous through us. Often we may grab a promise; but then attempt receive it by striving in our own power. Somewhere along the way we need to stop reasoning and believe in the supernatural strength of God manifesting in us. Write down this question. What promise has God given you that requires His power? Here are some promises that are yours by faith in Jesus- You are adopted and heir to the kingdom of God. You are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. Do you see yourself there? Do you see yourself seated with Christ? You have been given the authority of Christ Jesus, the maker of Heaven and earth. He is King of kings. You are part of his royal lineage. Do you see a crown on your head? He has promised to give you a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Are you holding ashes of death or do you see yourself as crowned in beauty? You are charged by Christ to do greater works than he did. He will do whatever you ask in His name so that Jesus can continue to bring glory to the Father. You are his masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works that he planned long ago for you to do. Do you believe you will do greater works than Jesus? Boy is that a challenging one. Yet he said it. Do you believe it? You are Jesus’ friend. You have been made whole in Jesus Christ. With God as your shepherd, you lack nothing, not one thing. You are more than a conqueror through him who loves you. Since God is for you, who can be against you? You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are the apple of his eye. You are forgiven. You are chosen by God, holy and dearly loved. Your soul is sealed by the Holy Spirit he has deposited in you. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God. You are precious in His sight. Your life is not your own, you’ve been bought with a price. Have you surrendered? Not your will, but his will? It is key to receiving supernatural strength. As an exercise for deeper meditation, which of those promises I just read struck you? Find your promise. There are over 3K promises in the bible. After you find your promise, position by faith! That gives you a sense of an episode if you haven't listened yet! God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. He provides for those who seek first the Kingdom of God. Seek God first! Blessings on any who take that time with God. Hope some of the prayer inspiration we are offering is a blessing also! |
Hello! This ministry has been transferred over to
www.knowingJesuswithGina.com Please visit that site for updated posts and faith inspiration! Ways to stay connected to ministry offerings:
1- Sign up to receive blog and email announcements 2- Search on Facebook and join our private Facebook group> Peace Be Still Daily Prayer Download Prayer is Gift!Hi my name is Gina; and I'm the founder of the ministry. My 25 year journey with God has been centered on immersing myself in the safe relationship God offers, learning about the power of surrender, and praying for His life in greater measure! Categories
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