Tag: godanswersprayer

How to Prosper When the Heart is Weary?

God Speaks:

Psalm 68:3-6 King James Version (KJV)

3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

God’s People Pray:

Father, I ask that You healed all who have broken hearts, sickness in their body; the Tent of that is the House of the Holy Spirit, the finances of your children, and any other trouble each person is facing today, and some for many days.

Father, we bring all of our cares and needs to You in prayer. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

—

Link to my new devotional book Amazon Author’s Page. Everything about the book is found there with pictures, and more to come.
 

 

Where Do You Turn During the Hard Times of Your Life?

Today’s Bowl of Encouragement by Herb Cotton

Bible Text for Today’s Meditation and Application:

Psalm 23:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

My Reflections on the Word of God Today:

What a way to start a Monday Morning! Reading Psalm 23, and having the focal verse for today leap off the page and into my heart.

I have had the experience in recent years, and especially this year, of seeing so many people that I know who are going through a dark valley in their life or the life of a loved one.

Life in this world is hard, but the encouraging news and its goodnews are that our troubles don’t last always.

Additionally, the people of God have this blessed assurance from Our Father in heaven, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is this ironclad promise.

The psalmist, David King of Israel, was able to say, “God is with me.” Are you ready to say that based on your faith and trust in the Lord?

God rewards those who have faith in Him, and those who trust in God with their whole heart; mind, soul, and body. Are you counted with the faithful of the ages?

Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 King James Version (KJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 King James Version (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Prayer Offered to Our Father in Heaven:

Father God, we pray together and urge one another to cling to the things that are eternal in these dark and dangerous times that we live in today.

Father, we are comforted by Your promise that You will be with us; not just today, but forever.

Hebrews 13:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Father, we rest in the comfort and security of living in the everlasting arms of our creator and our redeemer. In the might name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:27 King James Version (KJV)

27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Why Should We Pray for the Churches?

Text:

Philippians 1:4-6 (NLT)

4  Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

5  for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

6  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Observation:

In our focal passage for today, the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi. Prayer is the lifeblood of the church, and Paul is certain that the Lord would complete the good work He began in them.

As we examine the writings of Paul we realize that he did not just pray for the church at Philippi, but that he also prayed for others churches that he knew about.

Paul prayed for the church at Rome.

Romans 1:9 (NLT)

9  God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:16 (NLT)

16  I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

Paul prayed for the church at Colossae.

Colossians 1:3 (NLT)

3  We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul prayed for all the churches he knew. What does this body of work say to you? There is power when we pray for others who are doing the work of building the Kingdom of God.

Jesus loved the church and prayed for her; He gave up His life for her.

John 17:20 (NLT)

20  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we give You praise and thanks for the love that You have for us.

Father, quicken our hearts to pray for one another. Father, we pray that You bless all that You have called to be pastors and teachers of Your people.

Father, I pray for all of the members of the Body of Christ, and for the good work that You are doing in them, and for the good works that they are doing in serving You through the visible Body of Christ everywhere. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

—

1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)
10  And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

Why Should You Listen When God Speaks?

Text:

Psalm 33:19-22 (NLT)

19  He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20  We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22  Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

Observation:

How great is the God of the Bible? How you view the greatness of God and the reality of God will determine how much interest you will have in what He has to say to you about your life and your destiny.

The God of the Psalmist spoke, and the result was creation.

Psalm 33:6 (NLT)

6  The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.

Who wouldn’t listen to a God like this? Yes, you can put your hope for today and tomorrow in a God like this. When God spoke in creation notice what happened.

Genesis 1:3-5 (NLT)

3  Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

4  And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

5  God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

This God who spoke in creations also speaks to individuals. It pays to listen to God today. When you trust in Him, and not in yourself, you will find that things work out so much better.

It is wise to put your trust in God and obey His Word. It is folly to put your trust in yourself, and your own understanding. If God is for you, who can be against you? Trusting in yourself tends to work against you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

6  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Prayer:

Father God, we delight to spend time in your Word and to listen to the voice of wisdom speak to us.

Father, thank You for being a faithful God. We take comfort in your unfailing love that never fails and never gives up on us. O the blessing of being loved by our Maker and our Keeper. We pray together in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

What Is Your Prayer For Today?

Text:

Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)

20  Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

21  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

What would you like for God to do in you today? The prayer that is speaking to me is the prayer that is our focal passage today from Hebrews.

This is the portion of that prayer from the AMP version that instructs, informs, and inspires my prayer.

Hebrews 13:21 (AMP)

21  Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).

Lord, my prayer today is that You would strengthen, and make me what You want me to be, and equip me with everything good that I may carry out Your will by Your divine power.

What is Your prayer for today? Have you prayed it? If not, why not pray it now?

Prayer:

Father, I exalt Your name today above every name of earth, and in heaven. Lord, I make the prayer You taught Your disciples my prayer to You for my daily bread, and the strength I need to do Your will, and Your work.

Matthew 6:9-10 (AMP)

9  Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name.

10  Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Father, to You be the glory forever, and ever, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Listen to all of the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

Do You Have Something to Thank God For?

Text:

Psalm 108:1 (NLT)

1 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!

Observation:

In this Psalm David gives three things in his heart that results in him singing praise to God with his whole heart.

Have you experienced a recent great victory in your life, and you can say with a confident heart that God did it for you? When God does something amazing in your life, why not give Him the praise that He alone deserves?

Psalm 108:3-5 (NLT)

3  I will thank you, LORD, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.

4  For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5  Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

Notice that David said, “I will sing your praises among the nations”. Next, David did something we all need to do more of; he listened to God, and heard God’s answer to his prayer.

Psalm 108:6-7 (NLT)

6  Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power.

7  God has promised this by his holiness: “I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth.

Finally, we find that God leads us to be more than conquerers through His almighty power.

Psalm 108:10 (ESV)

10  Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Have you experienced a victory in your life that you can say what David said to the Lord?

Psalm 108:13 (ESV)

13  With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Prayer:

Father God, I delight to lift my voice in the highest praise my heart can muster. Father, from the depths of my heart I will praise You, I will listen to You, and I will be more than conquerer through Your almighty power that lives in me. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Have You Considered What You Still Have?

Text:

Psalm 63:1-7 (ESV)

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

3  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

4  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

5  My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6  when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7  for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Observation:

When David wrote this Psalm he was in the wilderness of Judah. However, he was not without hope, and help.

These are three things David still had:

  1. He had God (vv. 1-2).
  2. He had a song (v. 4).
  3. He had the joy of the Lord (v.7).

In your wilderness experience, why not do like David did. Rejoice in how God helped you in the past.

Psalm 63:6 (ESV)

6  when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Rejoice in how God is a present help, and protection of your life.

Psalm 63:7 (ESV)

7  for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Rejoice in hope that God will lead and guide you in the future.

Psalm 63:8 (ESV)

8  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Prayer:

Father God, I praise and thank You for always being present in the lives of Your people. Wherever we look, we find You with us, and watching over us.

Father, help us to remember that in our wilderness experiences, we are never alone. We are so blessed, and so grateful. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV) 
10   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

In Whom Is Your Faith?

Text:

Psalm 31:19-20 (HCSB)

19  How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.

20  You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues.

Observation:

Have you ever been in a hard place, and knew in the depths of your heart that it will take a miracle for you to get out of the hole that you found yourself in. That is the case of David. In his distress David took the upward look, and called out to the God of his salvation.

Psalm 31:3-5 (KJV)

3  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

4  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

5  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

One of the things that we know about David is that he was a man who had faith in God. It is the only way that we can please God, and receive anything from Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It is not the quantity of our faith that makes the difference. Rather, it is the object of our faith. Who or what do you have faith in? This is the testimony of David.

Psalm 31:14 (KJV)

14  But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

David’s faith in God was rewarded because God heard, and answered David’s plea for protection and deliverance. What he did for David, God will do for you. When He does, don’t forget to thank Him for His kindness, and tender mercies.

Let’s agree in prayer with David by joining him in his prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Prayer:

Psalm 31:21-24 (HCSB)

21  May the LORD be praised, for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me in a city under siege.

22  In my alarm I had said, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to You for help.

23  Love the LORD, all His faithful ones. The LORD protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant.

24  Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD.

Let all who agree say, “Amen”.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

Why Is Prayer So Important?

Text:

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (HCSB)

17  Pray constantly.

18  Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Observation:

I received a text message from a friend this morning about the topic of prayer. He had me on his mind when he got out of bed this morning, so he prayed for me, and a family member. That message put the topic of prayer on my heart; so I read, pray, and write about that topic today.

Jesus Prays

Romans 8:34 (HCSB)

34  Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

The Holy Spirit Prays

Romans 8:26 (HCSB)

26  In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.

The Believer Prays

Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB)

18  Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

God Answers Prayer

John 15:7 (HCSB)

7  If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.

1 John 5:14-15 (HCSB)

14  Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15  And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe in prayer? If so, are you willing to do what the Word of God says about praying?

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I believe in You, I believe in the Word of God, and I believe in prayer. Father, my heart desires to pray constantly.

Father, I am blessed to know that Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and other believers are praying for me. Father, the greatest blessing is knowing that You answer prayer. Hear our prayers that we offer up to You today, and every day. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

Do You Believe In the Power of Prayer?

 

Text:

Psalm 116:1-2 (KJV)

1  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

2  Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

Observation:

I delight to associate myself with the psalmist in his declaration, “Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live”.

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Do you believe in the necessity of prayer?

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

One of the most profound truths I know is that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.

Psalm 66:19 (KJV)

19  But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Our needs are great; at the individual and societal levels. We might be weak, but God is strong.

Psalm 18:1-2 (KJV)

1  I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

If you know the Lord, why not call upon Him, and ask Him to be our rock, fortress, and deliverer. He rewards those who pray and wait on Him.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, You always have, and always will be a God who hears and answers the prayers of Your people. Your Word is good enough for me. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)

18  Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry