#prayerworks – herbcotton.org

God Speaks – Hear The Word of God

The Wisdom of the Proverbs:

Proverbs 24:10 (NLT)

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.

The Encouragement of the Psalms:

Psalm 78:1 (KJV) Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

The Hope of the Old Testament:

Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

Jeremiah 6:19 (NLT)

Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word.

The Gospel Message:

Colossians 2:8-10 (NLT)

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Observation:

How are you handling the circumstances and conditions in your environment? How are you dealing with the pressure of living in a fallen world? Do you have the strength to make it in these times of chaos and strife?

If you depend upon your strength or the strength of the world to get you through these troubling times, you will find it is too small. Where do you discover the power you need? Where can you find peace in the midst of the chaos that is happening all around the world?

Why not listen to the one who made the world and every living being? Today’s reading from the One Year Bible Reading Plan is where I started my day. Then the Lord spoke these words of comfort to my heart.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

John 14:27 (NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Prayer:

Father, we are so thankful that even in the most chaotic of times we can find in You the strength that we need and the peace that the world cannot give us or take away from us.

Father, I pray that we, the people of God, will learn to live in prayer and receive the gift that will enable us to live in peace.

Father, we are so grateful that there is nothing that is beyond the reach of prayer when we trust in God, who can do anything but fail.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

—

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

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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:

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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:

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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/

The Power of Praying for Others

Text:

1 Samuel 12:22-24 (ESV)

22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

Observation:

One of the saddest experiences in life is to look back at the decisions we make in life and say, “If only”.

King Saul experienced moments like this, and they were avoidable. If only King Saul would have obeyed God’s Word, and maintained his friendship with Samuel things would have been different in his life.

O how we underestimate the reach and power of prayer. When we pray for others that is the most we can do for them. We can eliminate the if only with prayer. If my people would pray. Let’s depend on God’s help, and pray.

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

However, there is more. Our Savior, the Lord Jesus, is praying for us in heaven. The writer of Hebrews speaking of Jesus tells of His intercession for God’s children.

Hebrews 7:25 (HCSB)

25 Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

The Apostle Paul was not too proud to ask others to pray for him because he knew the reach and power of prayer. Be humble enough to ask others to pray for you.

Ephesians 6:19 (HCSB)

19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

Prayer:

Father, I am so awed that the triune God-head in heaven, and in us prays for us. Father, I am thankful that in Your wisdom, you have told us to pray for one another. Father, hear us when we pray.

Acts 4:31 (ESV)

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Father, may the power of God fall upon us whenever we unite our hearts and voices in prayer. 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.

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Jesus – The Healer & Helper

Text:

Matthew 8:16-17 (HCSB)

16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick,

17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He Himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.

Observation:

Today’s focal passage reminds us of the greatness and the power of Jesus to meet all of the needs of His people.

In this world, we face obstacles and oppression; sickness and disease; trials and tribulations. However, there is nothing that is too difficult for Jesus.

Jeremiah 32:17 (HCSB)

17 Oh, Lord GOD! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Who is this Jesus?

John 1:1 (HCSB)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (HCSB)

14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The reason why I will look to the Lord for all of my needs is because of this eternal truth.

Luke 1:37 (NLT)

37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

So today, I will do like the people did in our text, I will bring those who are sick and have all kinds of diseases to Jesus. I will ask the greatest helper and healer I know to touch them, and make them whole and well.

Prayer:

Father, I stretch my hand to You because there is no one who can do for us what You can do.

Father, I am comforted, and encouraged by the Word, which says that nothing in impossible with God.

Father, I pray that You would touch the sick with Your divine healing hands, and restore their bodies to divine health. Father, I believe that every need You can and will supply when we bring our needs to You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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