Tag: powerofprayer

How Important Is Prayer In Your Life?

Text:

Psalm 55:1-3 (HCSB)

1 God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore my plea for help.

2  Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,

3  because of the enemy’s voice, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me in anger.

Observation:

Notice in our focal passage for today how common, and universal are the things that David prayed about.

  • David needed someone to listen to him.
  • David did not want to be ignored.
  • David needed someone to help him.
  • David wanted someone to pay attention to him.
  • David wanted someone to answer him.
  • David was restless, in turmoil, and he needed to voice his complaint.
  • David had enemies who were oppressing him, and he felt his life was in danger.

David expresses his frustration in these words.

Psalm 55:6 (HCSB)

6  I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

Have you ever said to yourself what David said? Have you considered running away from your problems?

There is a better way than running away from your problems. The truth is that your problems will go with you. Rather, what we really need are wings like an eagle so that we can fly above our problems.

David did two things that enabled Him to fly above his problems.

First, David called upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:16 (HCSB)

16  But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.

Second, David cast all of his burdens upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:22 (HCSB)

22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

God enabled David to overcome his problems, and He will do the same for you. God is waiting to hear from you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being a loving, and caring heavenly Father who knows our needs, and who cares about us personally.

Father, give us a burning desire to call upon You for all of our needs, and to cast all of our cares upon You.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)

6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,

7  casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Father, I pray that You would hear the cry of every one of Your children who calls upon You, and puts their troubles in Your hands.  In the might 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/

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

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

What Would Jesus Do?

Text:

Luke 5:16 (HCSB)

16  Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

Observation: 

This is the situation that Jesus faced during His earthly ministry, and it speaks into my heart about the priority, and provisions that flow from making prayer a top priority in our life, and ministry.

At this point in His ministry Jesus was going about healing many sick people, and crowds would gather needing healing, and others just to observe the miracles He performed.

Notice how popular Jesus had become, and the crowds He drew. Examine what Jesus did, and compare what He did to your life, and ministry.

Luke 5:14-15 (HCSB)

14  Then He ordered him to tell no one: “But go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses prescribed for your cleansing as a testimony to them.”

15  But the news about Him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

Would you feel compelled to spend time healing and pleasing the crowds over spending time alone with the heavenly Father?

What would Jesus do? We know what Jesus did, because the bible tells what He did; and notice that He did it often.

Luke 5:16 (HCSB)

16  Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

Prayer:

Our Father, we ask You to give us a burning desire to be men and women of prayer. Father, give us the discipline to learn to pray first. Father, help us to be more like Jesus. 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/

The Power of Praise and Prayer

Text:

Psalm 65:1-4 (ESV)

1  Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed.

2  O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

3  When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.

4  Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Observation:

This Psalm is an example of God’s people recognizing the goodness of God, and showing their gratitude by offering up to God their praise, and prayer.

When we offer out of a grateful heart our praises to God it pleases God because that is His will for His people.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

16  Rejoice always,

17  pray without ceasing,

18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Additionally, we have the benefit that when our praises go up to God, the blessings come down.

Psalm 65:4 (ESV)

4  Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

James 1:17 (ESV)

17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Prayer: 

Our Father in heaven, we extol Your name, and we offer up to You the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

Lord God Almighty, we are so blessed, and so grateful for Your love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

Psalm 19:14 (HCSB)

14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

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/

Who Do You Turn to When You Have Problems?

Text:

Psalm 54:1-2 (ESV)

1 O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.

2  O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Observation:

In this Psalm David took the problems he was having with his enemies to God in prayer.

Was that a good plan? Let’s see what God says about His creation. This is God’s view of His created beings.

Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV)

26  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28  And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

This is what God said about the creation of the first man and woman, “And God blessed them”.

We need to see people through the eyes of God. I remember Judas, who I just read about in the gospel of Mark; he betrayed Jesus. If we have problems with people, and we all do, we need to take our problems to their Maker in prayer.

There is nothing beyond the reach of prayer, when we have faith in God, and take all of our cares to Him in prayer.

Notice two important things about prayer that David mentions in Psalm 54. First, he says that God hears my prayer.

Psalm 54:2 (ESV)

2  O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Then he says God is my helper.

Psalm 54:4 (ESV)

4  Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

The secret to effective prayer is to pray, watch, and wait. Then, when God answers your prayers,  be sure to give Him the praise.;

Psalm 54:6 (ESV)

6  With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Prayer:

Father God, it is such a privilege to be able to live in Your presence, and to be able to take everything to You in prayer.

Father, we approach You in faith, and with a heart filled with thanksgiving, and gratitude for You are a great and good Father.

Father, hear the prayers of Your people, as we each cry out to you for the needs of others, and our needs. 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/

Who Are You Following?

Text:

Mark 14:33-37 (ESV)

33  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.

34  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”

35  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37  And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?

Observation: 

There is much to be found in today’s focal passage, and even more in reading of the entire chapter. But, the portion that is speaking into my heart today is this verse.

Mark 14:36 (ESV)

36  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Notice this leap off the page verse; it is the condition that Jesus faced in His life. It was the time when the Father’s will was about to be done on earth.

Mark 14:34 (ESV)

34  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”

Jesus took His closest associates with Him to Gethsemane. However, when He needed them most, they were found asleep.

Mark 14:32 (ESV)

32  And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

What did Jesus talk to the Father about?

Mark 14:36 (ESV)

36  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Let’s pray the Our Father prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Surely we can stay awake for 21 seconds.

Prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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

11  Give us this day our daily bread.

12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 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

How to Live In A Fallen World

Text:

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)

6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,

7  casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Observation:

Are your circumstances, and the cares that you have weighing you down, and causing you to have anxiety in your mind and soul?

Do you have trials and temptations in your life that are wearing you down? Are the trouble within you, and the circumstances surrounding you robbing you of your peace and security?

Are there things, and people that are robbing you of your peace and joy? There is song that is ringing in my heart, and it provides the answer to all of our cares and circumstances.

“There is a place of full release,

near to the heart of God,

a place where all is joy and peace,

near to the heart of God”,

Author: Cleland Boyd McAfee, Near to the Heart of God

The place that I go, and the person who I turn to when troubles vex my mind and soul is to my God; the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When doubts, discouragement, disappointment, and the devil knocks on my door, I go to God. I open my Bible, and begin to pray. Do you realize that you have in your hands TNT (The New Testament), and that TNT is dynamite?

When troubles come knocking at the door of your heart, use dynamite to knock the devil, and his devices out of your life.

You don’t have to live under the circumstances in the world. You can rise up, look up, speak up to God, and watch the Lord as He fight the battle against all of your foes and cares.

Don’t forfeit your peace or your joy. Cast all your cares on the one who is able to help you, strengthen you, and keep you.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your name. Father, help us to remember to always take all of our cares to You in prayer. Why try to fight the battle in our strength when we can hold in our hands TNT to destroy the enemy of our minds, body, and soul. Jesus used prayer and the Word, and so should we. 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

How to Complete the Journey?

Text:

1 John 5:19-20 (HCSB)

19  We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.

20  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One—that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Observation:

Living in this world has never been easy for the people of God. You have to know the truth, and live the truth to be able to complete the journey, and fulfill your purpose for being alive. How do we persevere?

The key is preparation. Jesus alerted His disciples of the troubles that they would face in the world.

John 16:33 (HCSB)

33  I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

The enemy of our body and our mind wants to deceive us into turning away from the God who created us, and who has paid the price in full for our redemption.

1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)

8  Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

The enemy will try to use the troubles we face in the world to devour the child of God. Some of his tactics involve using these circumstances:

  • Difficulties
  • Delays
  • Distractions
  • Detours
  • Disappointment
  • Deceptions

Don’t succumb to the schemes of the devil. Put on the whole armor of God. When you get thoughts in your head that seek to destroy and devour you, do what Jesus did. Tell the devil the truth as it is written in the Word of God.

Matthew 4:10 (HCSB)

10  Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.”

The best protection for our mind, where the battle is fought and won, is the shield of faith to protect our mind.

Ephesians 6:16 (HCSB)

16  In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Are you dressed for the battlefield today?

Ephesians 6:10-11 (HCSB)

10  Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.

11  Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.

Finally, don’t forget to pray always.

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.

Prayer:

Father, we are so grateful that you are always with us.  Father, help us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of your might. 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

When God Turned My Weeping Into Joy

Text:

Matthew 26:35 (HCSB)

35 “Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Matthew 26:36-38 (HCSB)

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

38 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow—to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.”

Matthew 26:40 (HCSB)

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with Me one hour?

Observation:

Ecclesiastes 11:1 (KJV)

1  Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Today, I share a devotional I wrote in March 2012. It came to my attention because someone read it yesterday. I was prompted to read it because my wife died six days after I wrote this, and I was curious about what was on my heart that day. This is what I wrote that day in March 2012. The Word came back to bless me, and I share it with a prayer that it will bless you.

The Word of God for encouragement today touches me in a place where I am very needy. Living in the world is hard for me, but not for my heavenly Father. The bible says that, “Nothing is too difficult for God”.

Jesus could not depend upon even the promises of his most trusted disciples. In his hour of deepest need he had a resource that never fails.

The source of Jesus’ strength to obey came from his relationship with God the Father.

What a powerful lesson and example Jesus has left for us. In the time of our greatest need, we can go to God in prayer, and find the strength we need to do God’s will.

John 17:26 (HCSB)

26 I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so the love You have loved Me with may be in them and I may be in them.

Prayer: 

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that I have the same privilege to pray that Jesus had to pray.

Father God, I pray that I will be as devoted to prayer that my Savior was devoted to prayer. If ever God’s people needed to pray, it seems to me that we need to pray during these trying and difficult times. In the mighty name of Jesus I 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

Are You Facing Problems Beyond Your Strength?

Text:

Matthew 19:26 (ESV)

26  But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Observation:

Do you ever get the feeling that life is just one problem after another? As long as we live in this fallen world we will have problems. The question then becomes how to deal with the challenges we face in living in this world.

As I focused on our text for today, I was reminded of a thought from a teaching I did many years ago on the topic of prayer.

“Our problems are God’s raw materials for a miracle”. God is bigger than any problem you will ever encounter.

Let’s look at the context in which Jesus spoke the words of our text, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.

Matthew 19:24-25 (ESV)

24  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

25  When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

What problems are you facing in your life today that are posing as mission impossible?

Why not give those problems to God in prayer, and have faith in Him that He can turn your problems into solutions; your defeat into victory.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus – John Scriven

“What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!”

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I praise and thank You for being a God in whom we can trust with our whole heart, and that nothing is too difficult for You.

Father, help us to learn to lean hard of You, and not try to carry on our shoulders burdens that we are not able to bear. Father, You invite us to cast all of our cares upon You.

Father, give us the faith to release our problems to you, and receive the blessings that You want to give us from Your tender heart, and powerful hands. 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

Why Do Believers Need to Pray?

 

Text:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

1  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

2  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

3  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

4  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Observation:

The Apostle Paul is saying to the church that it is impossible to do the work of God in the world unless we make prayer the number one priority. He gets right to the point when he said, “First of all”.

Is prayer of first importance in your church? Notice the breath and length of Paul’s exhortation to pray.

  • First of all pray.
  • Pray all kinds of prayer (supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving).
  • Pray for all people.

Paul admonishes and encourages the believers to pray for kings and all who are in high positions. Make a list of the people in high positions that you are complaining about, and begin to pray for them.

My brothers and sisters it is high time that we name the enemy that we face, and his motive.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV)

8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

This is why God’s people should pray, and the results we get when we pray without ceasing.

Psalm 34:17-19 (ESV)

17  When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Prayer:

Father, I cry out to You and ask You to enable us who are believers to be obedient in doing our part. Lord, we acknowledge that those in high positions are accountable to You for how they exercise their authority.

Father, we cry out for grace and mercy that will be sufficient to see us through these difficult days. Father, give us faith to trust You more, and to never give up.

Father, give us courage to continue to do what is good and pleasing in Your eyes. In the mighty name of Jesus I 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.

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