~Surrender, Submit & Commit - Day 30~

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship Him. Romans 12:1 (NLT)

Surrender is a word not often liked because it’s about submission.  The Father has been talking to me about surrender, submit and commit.  When you surrender to God you have to take a loss.  The Father wants your life! Surrendering to the Father involves complete dedication.  You are submitting your will to Him and yielding to His power and authority.  True surrender involves yielding the throne of your life and allowing the Father to take charge… “Lord, You take command of my life!”

Today, surrender your life completely to the Father.  Give Him full control.  Yield to His authority.  Know that He has a plan for your life and surrendering to Him will cause Him to move on your behalf.

Journal Time:

• Will you surrender your life to the Father?
• Do you have a difficult time giving Him control of your life?

Pray:

Father, I surrender, submit and commit my life to You.  I surrender my all to You.  I know You have wonderful things planned for my life and I give You complete control. I say today, “Lord, You take command of my life! Amen.

~Blessing Others - Day 29~

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  II Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

It is wonderful to be an answer to prayer.  It is better than getting an answer to prayer.   When you are open to the Father, He will send answers to prayers through you according to His power at work within you.   When you pray for others you allow yourself to be a transmitter of blessings.  God has blessed you so you will be a blessing to others.  The Bible says in Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given much is required.”

Today, in your prayer time, make it a point to pray for others.  Ask the Father to make you a transmitter of blessings to others.  Ask Him to show you a specific way in which you can bless someone today.

Journal Time:

• Are you willing to be an answer to prayer?
• Are you willing to keep the eyes of your heart open for opportunities God will place on your heart?

Pray:

Father, I ask you to make me a transmitter of blessings to others.  I open my heart and surrender my life for this cause.  I will pray for others in my daily prayers.  I am willing and open to You to do Your will. Amen

~Peace in all Situations - Day 28~

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

When you pray, you receive the peace of God.  If you live in prayer, you will live in peace. God’s peace will come upon you and began to take action in the middle of your situation.  It will guard your heart and your mind. The Father will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind focused on Him. You will not only gain peace when you focus on God and pray, you are also armed with the ability to conquer and triumph over whatever is trying to overtake you.  You will begin to believe and stand in the strength of God.

Today, focus your heart and mind on God.  Even in the midst of your circumstances when it seems hopeless, keep your eye focused on Him.  Allow Him to fill you with His peace.

Journal Time:

• Are you in need of God’s peace?
• Do you find yourself worrying instead of trusting in Him?

Pray:

Father, I thank You and praise You for who You are – King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I pray today for Your peace.  Help me to keep my mind fixed on You in the midst of my troubles.  Fill my heart with Your peace and strengthen me to stand firm on Your word and promises to me.  Amen.

~Free My Mind - Day 27~

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

In this verse, the Father is giving the process in which to free your mind from worry and your life from anxiety.  His instruction in the center of your pain, fear, and concern is to pray.  Don’t become a prisoner to your personal pain, suffering and sickness.    Prayer is the cure for every worry or concern you may have.  Don’t pray after you have allowed your emotional pain to escalate.  Start praying immediately!

Today, don’t worry about your future because it’s all in the Father’s hands.

Journal Time:

• What is causing you to worry?
• Do you find yourself waiting until you’re at your wits end to pray?

Pray:

Father, I bring all of my worries and concerns to You. I will not become a prisoner of my pain, suffering or sickness. I will not allow my thoughts of worry to overtake my mind. I give my worries to You and walk in faith, believing you will answer my prayers. Amen.

~Gratitude - Day 26~

And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

The healthiest of all human emotions is said to be Gratitude. Gratitude is defined as the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.  The Bible says to be “thankful in all circumstances.”  That means you should be thankful even in the midst of hard times. 

If you live with a grateful heart, with praise and thanksgiving to God, it will cancel out any toxic or negative emotions in your life.  When you use prayer to express gratefulness to God, He will lift your spirits, because His joy becomes your strength.  His strength allows you to stand strong in the power of His might.

Today, don’t stop celebrating what the Father has done for you. Rejoice in the Lord! Pray with gratitude! Pray with thanksgiving!

Journal Time:

• Do you believe that every breath you breathe, and every beat of your heart is a gift from God?
• Are you truly thankful for all that the Father has done in your life?
• Make a list of the many things in which you are grateful.

Pray:

Father, I pray for You joy to fill my heart so that I can see my life with perspective.  Help me to see the many reasons I have to be grateful.  Amen.

~The Eyes of the Heart - Day 25~

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. Ephesians 1:15-21 (NLT)

Through prayer you can see the eyes of your heart.  The eyes of your heart will be opened when you realize the value of the gift you’ve been given in Jesus.  You can see the eyes of your heart by praying for the Father’s love to fill you.  When your prayer life is active and full, when you converse daily with the Father, you will begin to see others through His eyes.

Today, Ask the Father to allow His love to flow through you to others.  Make your prayer today about love and how you can show His love more to those around you.

Journal Time:

• Is the love of the Father flowing through you?
• Would you be recognized as a Christian by the love you have shown to others?

Pray:

Father, I thank you for Your love, I pray today that You would open the eyes of my heart.  Show me where I am lacking in Your love for others.  Fill my heart with Your love and allow others to see Your love flowing through me. Amen.

~Strength When You're Weak - Day 24~

O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)

Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. II Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Let’s face it, even the strongest Christians have moments of weakness. God’s power works best in your times of weakness.  Whatever you are facing today – in your marriage, your home, your family, or at work, know that God’s grace is all you need.  It’s those moments of trials and pain that pulls you to your knees.  It is in those moments that you learn to depend on God.

Today, stay before God in your times of weakness.  Surrender your weaknesses to Him and let Him give you supernatural strength.

Journal time:

• How many times through your pain have you discovered your purpose?
• How many times through your pain have you discovered his power?

Pray:

Father, I thank You that in my times of weakness, I am made strong by Your power.  I will not be ashamed of my weakness because in my weakness, Your power works through me.  Father, I come to You today concerning_________________.  I know that You will strengthen me in this area, and I thank you for strengthening me. Amen.

~Escaping Temptation - Day 23~

And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 (NLT)

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. I Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

This generation is faced with clear and present danger.  The enemy is waging war for the very hearts and lives of our loved ones.  You as a believer, is in this battle.  You are God’s soldier on a mission and the only way to win this war is on your knees.

You overcome the temptation of the enemy when you pray.  When you pray, you are protecting your faith, future and family.  This is a spiritual battle that cannot be won with physical weapons.  God provided us with spiritual weapons and prayer is one of them. 

Today, pray that the Father will give you the power to escape temptation and deliver your loved ones.

Journal Time:

• What are some areas in your life you need the strength to escape temptation?
• Are there loved ones in your life that are facing trials?
• Are you consistent in your prayers for their escape from temptation?

Pray:

Father, I pray for strength and will-power to escape the temptation of the enemy.  You said, “If I tempted, You will provide an escape for me. I pray for my loved ones. I pray for_______. Provide an escape from_______.  Give______ the power of Your Holy Spirit and deliver ______from temptation. Amen.

~A Heart of Obedience - Day 22~

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:8 (NLT)

A lot happens when you are willing to walk in obedience. God rewards obedience (Gen 22:18; Ex 19:5; Luke 11:28; James 1:22-25).  When you are faithful to obey God’s instructions for your life, He is faithful to bless you.  It is your obedience that is distinctively rewarded. It is your obedience that honors God.

Prayer should never be a substitute for obedience.  It’s not enough to pray, you must be willing to hear His voice and follow His Instructions.  Your feet should be ready to move into action when you pray.

Today, be ready for action when you step into your prayer closet.  Whatever the Father tells you to do – do it.  Be obedient to the Father and He will reward you.

Journal Time:

• Are you praying diligently and responding to what God calls you to do?
• In what area of your life can you be more obedient to God’s call?
• Has He placed a specific area of service on your heart?

Pray:

Father help me to be obedient to Your Word and what You’ve called me to do.  Use me in the days to come to fulfill Your purpose in the earth.  I surrender, submit and commit my will to You.  I will follow Your voice from this day forward. Amen.

~Answers to Prayer - Day 21~

So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so he can show you His love and compassion.  For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.  Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)

When you pray, you’re looking for and seeking answers.  Know that when you seek the Father, coming before Him with a pure heart, believing that you will receive, He will answer you.  God loves you and if you are obedient to His Word, He will answer your prayers. He doesn’t always answer immediately.  That doesn’t mean you stop praying. Continue to seek Him until you get His response.  Don’t get ahead of God.  Earnestly seek Him.

Today, take every pressing need or concern you have to the Father.  Pray about your needs and concerns every day.  Pray and wait for His response.

Journal Time:

• Write down all your needs and concerns.
• In your prayer time pray about each of them.
• As you receive answers – write and record each answer, date and time of response, in your journal.

Pray:

Father, I come before you concerning________________. You know my heart and exactly what I need.  Lead, guide and direct me concerning this issue, need/concern.  I will not try to work it out on my own.  I will seek you daily until I receive answers. Amen.