‘Prayer’
(NLT)2 Peter 3:17-18
I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. [18] Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Jesus taught us to pray that we would not be lead into temptation and that we would be delivered from evil. Please do that for Your children today. While You do that cause us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes increase our love for You, for others and for ourselves.
Increase our knowledge of Who Jesus really is. There are many ideas floating around that touch on one or another aspect of His character, but without the whole picture we get a weak, watered down faith that has no power for living and no glory for You. So, increase our knowledge of Who He is. Give us a desire to dig into Your word and learn the whole story.
And may You be glorified in us, our lives, our thoughts, words and actions.
In The Name of Jesus Christ,
AMEN!!!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT)Psalm 62:1-2
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. [2] He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Father, many of us are in a time of waiting. The next step is not quite clear, or perhaps we are listening for the trumpet to sound the charge for a battle plan already laid out. Either way, when waiting we need to keep our eyes on You, for from You comes our victory. Grant Your children peace and the security that comes from knowing You are our rock and salvation, our fortress that will not be shaken.
In Christ we pray, AMEN!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT) Romans 8:15-17
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. [17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
When the enemies’ weapons are all manned
On Christ the solid rock I stand
When their weapons are depleted and they themselves defeated
In Papa’s lap I climb and curl up
I say, “Thank you, Lord. Please fill my cup.”
He wraps His loving arms around me
And there within His sweet caressing
I find my self completely resting
In Papa’s lap.
-Steve Sherwood Sr. (1980)
Dear Heavenly Father, may we be found faithful this day. When in battle clearly show us the path to victory for Your Name’s sake and for Your glory. Do not let us run from the battle or the suffering that is ours to share in. Remind us to stand on You, our solid rock.
During and after each battle remind us Whose we are. Papa, Abba, Father take us in Your arms and hold us. Remind us where our strength comes from and that we are Your children. There grant us Your rest.
In Christ our Lord, AMEN
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT) Psalm 54:1-7
Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might. [2] Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. [3] For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God. Interlude [4] But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! [5] May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them. [6] I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. [7] For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.
David was in big trouble here. This wasn’t someone just vying for a promotion at work. Nor was it an irritating neighbor or family member. These people wanted David dead. Some of them didn’t even really know him. In verse 1 he starts at the right place. He takes his burden to the Lord his God. Through out this Psalm he speaks of God as his helper.
Many would ask, “Why me, God?” Thereby, dragging their troubles into a pit of despair. Some would rely on vengeful tactics and only make matters worse. David went to the source of true help and he ended up in triumph. We know from studying the scriptures that this victory took time, but it’s culmination was in God’s perfecting timing.
Today, where will you take your troubles? Start in the right place (God) and you will end up in the right place at the right time.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT) Luke 5:15-16
But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. [16] But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
If Jesus saw fit to pull away from the hustle and bustle of life and pray, how much more should we?
This passage seems to indicate that He didn’t stick around for every group that headed His way. The urgent, important and dramatic was not as appealing nor necessary as time with His Father.
Today, when things get hectic,don’t be afraid to withdraw to a place of quiet worship, prayer or holy contemplation.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT) James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
If you are still looking for yesterday’s installment I apologize. I didn’t get it written.
I want to meditate on the phrase, “pray for each other.” It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own needs to the point we forget to pray for others. Yet often, our own healing comes while we are focused on someone else.
The model prayer uses the words, “our” & “us”.
So, below is today’s prayer for us. As you read it, pray it for us, all believers world wide.
(NKJV) Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On 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 do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT) James 5:16-18
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. [17] Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! [18] Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Elijah was as human as you. This is the guy who called down fire from heaven, raised a dead child, and blessed containers holding flour and oil so they didn’t run out for the duration of a drought. You are like him.
Yesterday I pointed out that our righteousness is in Jesus Christ. I urge all of us to be more earnest or sincere in our approach to prayer.
One of the biggest obstacles to prayer is the belief, “God won’t hear me. I mean, who am I?” You are like Elijah, a human with the same passions and desires. You are one for whom Jesus Christ died.
(NLT) Romans 8:31-32 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? [32] Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Today, take time to pray earnestly keeping these things in mind:
1. Christ’s righteousness has been imparted to you.
2. God loves you so much He gave His son for you.
3. Elijah was just as human as you and yet God answered his prayer to control the weather for 3 and a half years.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT) James 5:16-18
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. [17] Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! [18] Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Now I have no problem being earnest in prayer, but I struggle with the righteous person part.
Matthew 9:13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Okay, this I know all too well. I do not think I (Steve) am righteous.
(NLT) John 16:10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
(NLT) Romans 3:24-26 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. [25] For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, [26] for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
(NLT) Romans 4:5-8 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. [6] David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: [7] “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. [8] Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
Oh! So, it’s not about my righteousness, but about the righteousness of Jesus Christ imparted to me by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Today, rejoice and pray with confidence in Christ’s righteousness, that your prayers will be heard and will produce wonderful results.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT) Mark 4:39-40
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. [40] Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Dear Heavenly Father,
Some of our friends, Your children, are smack dab in the middle of a storm right now. Though they know the promise that You will not leave us nor forsake us, it seems to them that You are asleep in the boat.
You have carried me through many storms. At times it was clear that You cried out, “Peace, be still!” At other times I questioned Your purpose, care and love until my feet were on dry ground on the other side. A few times I stood strong, by Your grace and mercy, but in every storm I’ve been through I know You were there watching over me.
Papa, I’m asking You right now, whether You calm the storms or secretly guide the vessel, strengthen our friends with Your grace and mercy. In their weakest moments let them feel Your loving arms around them. Give them a glimpse of the shore line. Send them a dove with an olive branch, a friend with a kind word, a reminder that someone is praying for them right now or perhaps a mighty miracle. Please do not let their faith in You fail.
In the Powerful and Holy Name of Jesus Christ the Righteous,
AMEN!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NKJV) Matthew 6:9-13
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On 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 do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Yesterday we spoke about the importance of being on guard at all times. another tool to help with that is this model prayer our Lord Jesus Christ gave us.
Today pray the model prayer. Note that you are praying for “us”, that is all believers. Don’t rush through it. Stop and savor (meditate on) each line. Think about them and ask the Father to help you get the deepest meaning from each.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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