Tag: #pray

The Word of God Speaks, and God’s People Listen and Obey

Today I am changing the format of the presentation of the Devotional that I have been writing for over 18 years.

I will not be writing five days a week unless that LORD gives me something more to say.  I just published my first devotional book.  Information about the book is found at the bottom of this page in the SIGNATURE BOX. I’m also writing a journal daily and will see with the unfolding of time if a second book will be the fruit of my labor together with our LORD.

I am deeply concerned about the division in my homeland; the United States of America. If you are citizens of another country, I believe that you have concerns for your homeland also. The whole world is changing, but our God remains the same.

Numbers 23:19 (NKJV) 

 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? 

One of my mentors in leadership and writing is John Maxwell, and he has written a book about it.

John C. Maxwell

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

All of us are leaders, and the first person we lead is ourselves. I have started asking myself better questions, and I have talked to my family about the importance of asking themselves better questions.

How can we heal the divisions in our country among the left, the moderate, and the right?

What outcome do you have in mind for the position you know hold? Will it result in a better opportunity for everyone?

God Words Speaks:

1 Peter 5:5-7 (NKJV) 

 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 

 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 

 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

When God’s People Pray the Word:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) 

 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

—

My new book was released on December 8, 2017, and is currently available at the following links. It is possible for your local bookstores to obtain the book from the Ingram Network, a primary distribution source for Book Stores nationwide.
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Xulon Press
Title: 31 Days of Hearing God Speak

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

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 Are You Doing While You Wait On God?

Text:

Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV)

1  For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

2  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:5 (ESV)

5  For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Observation:

While you wait on God it is not a time for worrying and whining. Rather, it is a time for walking with God, and joining Him in the work that He is doing as you walk in His steps.

When you walk with God you are never alone. He covers you each step that you take as you walk with the Lord.

We are in such a better place when we pray, watch, and wait, and do all in the presence of the Lord; with Him leading and guiding each step we take, and each move that we make.

1 John 1:6-7 (ESV)

6  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Who is willing to come and walk with Jesus for the remainder of our journey in this world? Let’s sing this hymn to the Lord as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

“Walking in sunlight all of my journey,

Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee-

Promise divine that never can fail.”

Psalm 62:11-12 (HCSB)

11  God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God,

12  and faithful love belongs to You, LORD. For You repay each according to his works.

Prayer:

Father God, You have spoken, and we have heard, and believe Your Word. Father, we look to You for strength because it belongs to You. 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/

How to Get Answers to Prayer?

Text:

Mark 11:22-23 (ESV)

22  And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

23  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

Observation:

The answer to fear is faith in God. I woke up this morning with the Lord on my mind, and the needs that so many people have in their lives. Some of those people have asked for prayer.

God began to speak into my heart, and He led me to the passage that is our text for today. Jesus teaches His followers some important things about prayer, and getting answers to prayer.

Jesus gives the first principle of prayer, and it is this, “Have faith in God”. The object of faith is God himself. The most important thing is not your faith, but the object of your faith. It’s not the quantity of your faith that determines the results, it is God who gives the results.

Faith has no power in itself, but if the object of your faith is God, there is nothing that is impossible for Him.

Faith requires that you know the object of your faith. Do you know the God to whom you are praying? The more you know God, the more you believe in Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe that He is sovereign, and that nothing is impossible for Him? If so, then go to Him in prayer, and tell Him all about your problems. Give your problems to Him, and leave them with Him.

My heart is singing this hymn:

“Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

? Refrain:

? Leave it there, leave it there,

? Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there;

? If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out—

? Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Prayer:

Father God, I am so thankful for the privilege of prayer, and to know the God who hears, and answers prayer.

Father, I pray that each of us will be willing to bow the knee, look up to You, and take all of our burdens to you in prayer, and leave them in Your capable hands. 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

How to Turn A Day of Trouble Into Triumph?

Text:

Psalm 20:1-4 (HCSB)

1  May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.

2  May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.

3  May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering.Selah

4  May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.

Observation:

As I read the Psalms it is easy to detect that David was a man of God, and a man of prayer. In our focal passage we see him, and his men in a posture of prayer before going out to battle.

The key for David in facing his troubles was the name of the Lord. Notice what he wrote in the first sentence of the Psalm, “May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble”.

There is nothing more effective than starting our day with prayer to the Lord. He is willing to help you, and able to help you. There are three keys that I see to victory in overcoming our troubles.

David came to the Lord with an attitude of gratitude; with praise, and thanksgiving on his lips.

  1. It was sacred.
  2. It was sincere.
  3. It was sacrificial.

We don’t have to carry the burdens that we face on our shoulders alone. We can take our burdens, and troubles to the Lord, and offer up to Him our praise, thanksgiving, and our troubles. The Lord invites us to do that.

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.

We can turn our troubles into triumph when we trust in the Lord, and give Him our troubles. The God I serve hears and answers prayers.

Psalm 20:4 (HCSB)

4  May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your most holy and righteous name. Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in prayer, and thank You for the provisions that we receive when we live in Your presence, and walk in your ways.

O the blessing of being called by You, “My beloved”. We praise You, and thank You for answered prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus, 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

Be Forbearing with One Another

 

Text: 

Colossians 3:12-14 (HCSB)

12  Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

13  accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also ?forgive?.

14  Above all, ?put on? love—the perfect bond of unity.

Observation: 

Today I want to look at this passage with the focus on accepting one another. If there was ever a time in the Body of Christ that we needed to put on something, it is surely now.

Colossians 3:13 (AMP)

13  Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

Think about the vices that the Apostle Paul urged the believers in Christ to put off.

Colossians 3:8 (AMP)

8  But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!

What a difference it would make in our world if God’s people would put on the virtues that are found in Jesus. O, that the Christ in us was unleashed from us, and would shine brightly upon a world that needs some light in these dark and dangerous times.

Prayer:

Father, I lift up and exalt Your most holy and righteous name; the name that is above every name on earth and in heaven.

Father, I ask that You would stir the hearts of Your people, and draw us closer to You, and to each other. Father, helps us to make allowances for the faults of one another, as You have done for us. 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

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

What To Do After You Pray

 

Text:

Colossians 4:2 (HCSB)

2  Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:5-6 (HCSB)

5  Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

6  Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Observation: 

I have a reminder posted prominently before me in my prayer closet that reminds me of my one word goal for this year, which is the word “First”. The verse that I have to encourage me in that goal is this one.

Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)

33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

This morning I woke up and just opened my heart to receive a word from the Lord before beginning my day. The next thing I did was listen to the verse of the day on my iPad.

Another poster I have in front of me each morning has these 3 things:

  • Lord, help me.
  • Lord, guide me.
  • Lord, use me.

The verse of the day I listened to this morning was Colossians 4:5-6. After I prayed, I was prompted to think some more about this passage. My goal is to be alert for opportunities for God to use me for His purpose, and to guide me towards my purpose.

As I reflected upon today’s focal passage, I wrote these things down to remind me that knowing is not enough, that I must do these things.

  • Live wisely before everyone.
  • Make the most of every opportunity.
  • Be gracious when I speak.
  • Listen with the intent of understanding others.
  • Speak wisely and with kindness.

1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)

15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be Your name. Father, I need You. Father, they need You. Father, grant us the grace and mercy we need to be who You made us to be, and do what You tell us to do. 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