Prayer – Page 2 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

It’s an Urgent Matter: Please Talk to God

The quest for simpler lifestyles to achieve peace and tranquility in the busyness of our lives is at an all-time high. Most of us routinely practice precautions to safeguard our physical safety. Businesses are paying attention to the increase of consumers making healthy choices regarding nutritional foods and purchasing clothing and equipment for physical exercise. And Psychologists continue to recommend guarding our mental and emotional health by using stress-reducing techniques and staying clear of toxic relationships.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

We are moving in the right direction, except for improving our spiritual health. When hardships, significant life events, or seasons of darkness overwhelm us, we still do not invite God to be our First-Responder. Prayer must be our immediate “911” call. We carry too many burdens when we fail to cast our cares on Jesus. Without consistent prayer, our faith depletes, and anxiety and worries consume our thoughts. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:27

Prayer is our connection to God, the source of our strength. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. Jesus warns us that we can do nothing without him.

The only way to stay connected to the vine is through continuous prayer. We can pray anytime of the day and night to optimize our spiritual health by growing closer to God. Remember, prayer is our lifeline. Make the commitment to have a strong bond with God. Prayer is the only way we can receive life-giving nourishment from the Vine–Jesus Christ.

“Just have a little talk with Jesus and tell him all about your troubles. He will hear the faintest cry, He will answer by and by.”

Happy Sabbath!

Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 5

God, we desire to build our relationship with you and to improve our spiritual health. We thank you for the Sabbath, your gift to humanity. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

We Need to Pray More

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Every day we are faced with various forms of chaos and confusion. Many believers are being affected emotionally [discouraged] and spiritually [disconnected from God, the source of our strength] by the increase in the godlessness of these last days. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33 Amplified version. No prayer, No peace!

There are many ways to fracture a bone in our bodies. But there is only one way for us to fracture our relationship with God. We fail to maintain our connection to God by not praying as we should. The advantage of serving God is that we can live content, worry-free lives because we know who our Heavenly Father is and we have the faith and trust that He will always take care of us.

Little prayer also means that we place limits on God. “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Isaiah 40:25. God is reminding us that He is Omnipotent–all-powerful. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Pray as if your life depends on it because it does. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

We can never pray too much! As we approach the Sabbath, commit to communicating to God in prayer every hour while awake throughout this weekend. Prayers of thankfulness, prayers to be filled with the Holy Spirit, prayers for healing, prayers for necessities, prayers for your family, and prayers for an increase in faith, trust, and obedience in God are just a few of the many things that we can pray for. Invite a friend or family member to make the weekend commitment to pray hourly.

It is time for us to redirect our focus from the current events and establish a stronger relationship with God. We need God. Prayer allows us to tap into the power of our Almighty God.

Bible study: Isaiah 40

God, we desperately need you. Our lives are in chaos, and we have no peace or direction. Please show us what to do. Renew our faith as we commit to love and trust you with all of our hearts, soul, and mind. We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Solution is Prayer!

Keeping Our Focus When Feeling Weary

Imagine having this conversation between yourself and a coworker:

Coworker: “I have been thinking about becoming a Christian. I already believe in God and know that Jesus died so we can be saved from our sins. But I heard that it’s tough being a Christian and that you have to suffer. My life is already hard. I really don’t think that I could take any more problems on top of the ones I have.”

You:_______________________________________

What would you say? Would you give an opinion, or would you be able to provide scriptures from the Bible and a real-life explanation about the help that we have from our spiritual team, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Many scriptures contain God’s promises to help us through our daily challenges. I will share a few of my favorite ones that are easy for a new believer to understand:

1. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart (have courage), because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
2. Never stop praying! 1 Thessalonians 5:17
3. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
4. And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
5. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

I admit that my biggest problem is spiritual attention deficit. I know God’s promises, but when those severe trials and sorrows come and stay for a while, I begin to lose focus on God and start to stare at my challenges. It takes much prayer, opening my Bible, and continually reminding myself that I am not faithful to God by focusing on the trials that He is allowing me to go through.

Still, I am a work-in-progress. It’s not that I don’t turn to God, my timing is off. When I recognize the first sign of discouragment, that is when I should start praying. Today, I did good. When I felt myself hit that low point, I began an immediate prayer, “God, I need your help. Please send the Holy Spirit to help me now. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.” Did our Heavenly Father answer my prayer?

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24. By the time, I said, “Amen,” I felt like someone had given me a big hug. The Holy Spirit, prompted me to read my evening devotional right then. It was on feeling weary. As soon as I saw the title, I thanked and praised God. Our God is awesome!

Human Effort + Divine Intervention = Victory!

Bible Study: Galatians 6

God, you are aware that we quickly become weak when we need to persevere through our trials. Please help us to keep our focus on you by increasing the time that we spend worshipping you. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Uncertainty of Life

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Answer the questions with yes or no:

1. Do you feel secure with the status of your life?

2. Did the COVID-19 pandemic cause you to feel even more insecure about your future?

3. Are you hoping that 2021 will bring new opportunities to your present circumstances?

4. Are your doubts and fears preventing God from bringing blessings and deliverance to your life?

God is fully aware of our abilities and limitations. The Bible is filled with unlimited promises and testimonies of God’s grace and mercies to humanity. We can be thankful that God will never tell us to figure out how to resolve our problems. There are no setbacks that God cannot make as a stepping stone to victory. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Confess your doubts and fears to God in prayer. Present your circumstances and faithfully wait for His victorious answer. And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Commit in 2021 to: Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

God, we admit that we are not feeling courageous about our present circumstances. But we do know that we need you in our lives. We pray for your Divine Intervention to calm our fears and to give us peace. Holy Spirit, please provide comfort and the reassurance that we are loved. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer is Our Weapon

Read: Acts 12

The praying Believers did not believe that Peter was at the gate. They prayed but had doubt that God would answer their prayer.

Prayer is the only option we have.

Prayer puts us in the neighborhood of God. When our faith is weak and our doubt is strong, pray anyway.

Prayer places us to be in alignment with God.

Prayer unleashes the Power of God!

Acknowledge your weakened faith, by praying, “Lord help my unbelief.”

Prayer, fasting, and humility of heart places us in the vicinity of God.

Pray in your desperation. Prayer points us into the direction where God is.

Just keep praying. Prayer increases our Faith!!!

As we commit to a closer and deeper relationship with God, increase your communcation with God through prayer.

Make the promise to yourself that you will increase your prayer life. Pray to the Creator, the God of Heaven and Earth and you will see a change in your life like you have never witnessed before.

God, we ask you to forgive our unbelief. We pray for an increase in our faith. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.