11/11/2020 Prayer

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So, this is a poster given to Mike and myself many years ago.  I love to look at it and remind myself of all the things that God says/believes/thinks about me.  I look at it and believe every single word.  I have always had a great gift of faith for which I am incredibly grateful.  If He says it, then I believe it.  

Some people read these words and believe some of it or maybe none of it about themselves.  They think He must be talking about someone else.

​I don't fool myself and think I have these special qualities all on my own.  I know without a doubt that it is only because Jesus lives in me that I can claim these attributes or gifts.  Without his healing grace and patient leadership I could achieve little to nothing. 
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Right now I am focused on "I have the peace of God, which surpasses understanding" Phillippians 4:7
I definitely do not understand what is currently happening in this world but I trust in Him and know that any peace I feel, day to day, comes from His Spirit.  It's very hard to wait in the middle of chaos, uncertainty, and downright evil.  But God.

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This short blog fit right in with what I was feeling this morning!

It’s hard to let go of what makes you anxious
Matthew 6:34 – Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
The medical director of the emergency department at a hospital in San Jose, California, said his hospital is gearing up for an influx of patients suffering from “election stress disorder.”  He told his staff to be “extra aware for those patients that are presenting with symptoms that could represent an acute heart attack or an acute neurologic disease like a stroke.”

No doubt, 2020 has been a stressful year for all manner of reasons. Stress and anxiety do manifest in physical and mental symptoms. The political divide and election have produced a tremendous amount of stress for Americans. Rather than prompting them to meaningful conversation, for many it has degenerated into name-calling, mud-slinging, rock-throwing, and even deadly riots. Even among many Christians, stress is not being well managed. At its bottom, stress leads to addictions, divorces, hospitalizations as in San Jose, and even suicide.
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Among the many dynamics involved in dealing with your stresses, the most important one can be found in prayer. Even before everything else fails, pray that God would restore your peace.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

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AS THE LORD LEADS, PRAY… 

• Pray with thanksgiving, acknowledging that God, by His own authority, is in control.
• Pray that you would be challenged into a deeper life with the Father.
• Seek His Holy Spirit’s guidance in helping you discern what is true when all about you are lies and deceptions.
• Pray that, by God’s grace, things being done in the dark inside government would be exposed to His light and His judgment.
• Pray for unity among Christians who have held widely different views during this election season as they acknowledge that it is God who has the final say.

• For God to be at work through the president and administration officials as they work to provide care for the nation’s veterans.
• For healing, strength, and comfort for the men and women who have sacrificed many years of their life in service to the nation.

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5 things we can do while waiting on God
Trust in Him
Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (NIV)
 
Pursue our faith
This is an opportunity to enter into His presence like never before. God draws us to Him when we go through trials.
Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (ESV)
 
Serve others
Remember that God gives us simple tasks now to prepare us for something bigger later. There is a purpose.
Luke 16:10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (NLT)
 
Be watchful
Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (NIV).
 
Be grateful
Many times we become hyper-focused on one issue that we forget to look around and see what God has already done in our lives.
Thessalonians 5:16–18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV)

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References / Resources:
https://momremade.com/do-waiting-on-god/
https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/pray-the-vote/#prayer