Desire

Proverbs 10:24
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Sometimes I wonder if I miss it. God's provision.

Sometimes I wonder if I create the worse-case-scenario. My own fears come true.

Do you ever wonder if we get too busy worrying about and storing up into our own houses we don't give God the opportunity to pour into us the desires of our hearts?

Faith and Patience: Fruit of our lives when we allow God to be the provider of the things we need.

Luke 12:23-25 "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?

Lord~Each day I look to you for blessing but often rely on my own abilities to bring the things I desire into my life. I worry Lord, forgive me. I stress Lord, forgive me. Lord, Help my unbelief. ~In Your Holy Name.

Please Continue to Pray for Becky G
Please Send along any prayer and praise requests.

Surrender, Day 4

As Christians we have never been promised that things would be easy. We have problems and challenges. We have tribulation and trouble. If you have taken the time to pray through our Friday prayer list, you know that many are in need and are struggling in our lives.

Surrendering to God means trusting God's promises to you. Trusting God takes faith in the things you can't see. Sometimes faith the size of a mustard seed is even hard to come by when jobs are lost and a gallon of milk is almost 5 dollars. There is no doubt that we all need to reevaluate our needs and wants list. There is also something else you can do and that is to surrender to the Word of God and know the things He has promised you. When we overwhelm ourselves with things we can't change, inevitably we distract ourselves from the real provision in our lives.
Luke 12 (msg)

Steep Yourself in God-Reality

22-24He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

25-28"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

29-32"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

33-34"Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Please continue to pray for Anna B. Respond with your prayer requests and praises and we will share them. If you have a testimony of when God provided in your time of need, please share.

Are you interested in writing one of our devotions or sharing your testimony. We are looking for a few guest writers for the two weeks of our Christmas Break. We have no scheduled subjects because Heather and I usually take these two weeks off. So, this year we would love to give you a chance to share. Just email us at womenofworship@gmail.com with your writing. We will read it over and possibly schedule it to be posted sometime between Dec 22nd and Jan 2nd. I know many of you have great testimonies that would be wonderful to share. Please, consider opening yourself up to having it posted here on our blog.

Relationships, Day 1 and 2

Relationships, Day 1 and Day 2

Relationships is not easily defined in one sentence. I am guessing we all have a good idea of what it means. Let's look at a few thoughts on how we process the meaning and what God says about it.

Romans 12:9-10
Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

I am going to be the first one to admit that I need help when it comes to relationships. This is an area of my life that I have put entirely too much thought and planning into and God has either had another plan or I have been to distracted to even hear him speak life into my relationships.

In the book "God is in the Small Stuff", the authors compare relationships to gardening, which I actually understand. Relationships are seasonal. Planting one is going to take a lot of time. This is where common interests are found. Then there is the growing stage. This takes a lot of nurturing, where you go beyond common interests and begin to appreciate each other's differences. This discovery can only be made by the time spent with each other. Interesting how this world is all about the here and now, the speed of things. One thing remains true though, there are no fast relationships that last. I heard that there are actually gatherings where people get together to find a date and they take 5 minutes to see if they connect and then move on to the next table until they find someone they might like. I am sorry, but what are people thinking. Most of those relationships in my life that I cherish and adore are the ones where the first 5 minutes didn't exactly reveal their inner selves. One of my very best friends and I joke about how we really didn't like each other at first, it was through our husbands relationships that we became friends. That friend later held my hand while I delivered my daughter, Hayden. Then there is the harvest. This is when the friendship proves to be a source of strength and encouragement to you.

We all want meaningful relationships. We desire this characteristic that God has placed in us. Fellowship, trust, loyalty. Something that goes beyond shallow courtesy, all the way to "do anything for each other".

This is possible, it will take time, your time. That is where I suffer the most. How do we all juggle the time we have for our families, spouses, friends, clubs, church, Whatever you are involved in.

The answer is NOT that simple. But I think I have a few suggestions that may help.

Form relationships within your schedule. If your children are into sports, make relationships with the other parents. If you find yourself taking care of small children during the day, join a Mother's Of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. If you like to read, join a book club. Just don't let your life be full of YOU.

I love how we are asked to take delight in honoring each other. That is the best definition that I have heard so far.

Dear Lord,
I know there is so much that can be taught on relationships, one week devotional is not going to do the job. I just ask, Lord, that you come near to us and show us where we are lacking in this area so that we can be full of delight in honoring each other. There is more to relationships, so give me the right words to teach this subject this week. Amen.

Disappointment, Day 4

There is something very important to note about disappointment. When you look it up in scripture it tells us again and again that those who believe in Him will not be disappointed.

Make a list of the top 5 expectations you have for your life and relationships. Now, take a little time to find scripture where God meets those expectations for you. If you need help finding one, add it to the comments today and I will find one for you. God will meet your every reasonable expectation, for he is the Alpha, the Omega, greater then any box you can put Him in. Keep the scriptures available so that the next time someone or something fails to meet your expectations, you can rely on the One who will meet them all.

Do you believe?

Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

1 Peter 2:6 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Please continue to pray for Annemarie M. Please send in prayer and praise for tomorrow. Also, if you have a testimony in regards to dissapointment, please share. God Bless

Contentment Day 4

Contentment Day 4

Helpful solutions to find contentment.

Resources used for this portion of the devotional:

God's Promises & Answers for Your Life

God is in the Small Stuff

And it all matters

Bruce and Stan

Checklist for Life

The ultimate Handbook

Don't acquire everything you want

Contentment with your situation breeds satisfaction

If you believe for a moment that you own even a single possession, your contentment will be tied to it.

The best time to relax is when you are too busy

If you can't get to sleep at night, check your pillow. If you can't sleep for two nights, check your mattress. If you can't sleep for three nights, check your conscience.

Since exhaustion begins and ends on the inside, that's where genuine rest must originate.

Learn to relax without feeling guilty.

Live somewhere between complacency and crisis.

Ask God for the ability to trust in His provision.

Write a thank you note to God for all the ways he has provided for your needs.

go to the Internet to learn about how you can help those who don't even have the basic needs of food, water and clothing. Read about missionaries and their efforts and how they trust God for provision. Ask God to show you where you can be a part of meeting the needs of others with your gifts.

go to http://www.worldvision.org/

Google Jim Elliot or Hudson Taylor

Reduce the number of worries you have by laying them at the feet of Jesus. Decide what boundaries you are going to set so that you do not allow the seed of worry to grow in your life. Quit feeding the seed, walk away from chaos and trouble.

Tomorrow is Praise and Prayer Fridays. If you have a testimony or found reason to praise or pray, please email womenofworship1@gmail.com or add a comment to this blog.

Dear Lord, I thank you for all that you have provided. That you are in the small stuff in our lives. Providing us with much more than we ever need. Help us to see what is most important in this life so that we can stay focused on you. I love you and pray that each of the readers will draw closer to you, even though this subject is hard. Help us to trust you and to put away all our worries and anxieties, for our trust in you is all we need right now, at this time.

Amen.

Trust through Trials

Trust through trials

Day 1

Trust

Reliance; confidence; hope; credit; that which is entrusted; safekeeping; care; management. To rely on; to believe, to entrust, to sell to upon credit, to be confident. To have reliance; to confide readily. Held in trust.

Trial

a temptation or an adversity, the enduring of which proves the merit of an individuals faith.

I am in a small group study of Daniel by Beth Moore and would like to share some of the insight I have about trusting through the trials. Some of this information is from the study. Most is from the Word of God, and then of course, I have added some insight as well. We are squeezing in 5 days of information in 4 days because of the holiday, so I apologize for the length. - Heather.

Day 2

For Christians, to encounter adversity is to undergo a trial in which their faith is proved either true or false before God, the highest judge. Since many positive things come about through such trials, Christians are urged to rejoice at their occurrence.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

1 Peter 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Christ Himself set the example in how trials should be endured when He defeated Satan's temptations by appealing to the word and will of God

Luke 4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.

10 For it is written:

‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you,’
11 and,

‘ In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

Day 3

In the book of Daniel, Chapter 3, There is an incredible example of trust through trial, there is a fiery trial, literally.

Verse 13 starts with King Nebuchadnezzar in a rage because three of his servants choose not to bow down to the image he built. King Neb gave them another chance to bow down or he'd throw them in a furnace. He asks the three "and who is the God that will deliver you from my hands?". Their God given names were changed by Neb to reflect the worship of his gods. Their names were: Hananiah (renamed Shadrach), Mishael (renamed Meshach), and Azariah (renamed Abed-Nego). In verse 16 the three tell Neb that they do not need to answer him concerning the matter. They go on to tell Neb that "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. "but if not, let it be known to you , O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will be worship the gold image which you have set up."

Now in verse 19 Neb was furious, he commanded men to bind the three up and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

I realize many already know this story, but pay attention to the details with me: the men were still clothed and then were bound and thrown into the fire.

Let's continue.... verse 22 reminds us that the fire was so hot, it killed those who delivered the men into the fire. The three men fell down into the furnace. Then King Neb was astonished and questioned the number of men that were thrown into the fire, counting 4 instead of 3 and making a statement "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose (meaning not bound), walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Do you believe that God will walk through the fire with you? Read this passage before you answer.

Isaiah 43:1 ...“ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

3 For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Back to Daniel, verse 27, it states that the men's hair was not singed and their garments were not affected and the smell of the fire was not on them.

It does not state that they remained bound!!!! Are you hearing me?

They made it through the trial and what had been binding them was no longer there. They did not smell like fire? Think back of a time you have been around a campfire, there is no escaping that smell. So they made it through the trial and the binding was released and they had nothing with them to remind them. No lingering scent of a trial.

Sometimes we face trials and get through them, but we come out smelly, we don't always come out giving God the glory, there are many times we have been released from bondage, but end up smelling so bad that no one sees our testimony, instead, they never see that they too, could be released from their bondage without the smelly stuff sticking to them.

What is that smelly stuff, well, it may not be what we originally needed to be released from. Some things that come to mind are: bitterness, unbelief, anger, self pity, resentment.... just to name a few. There are so many others, but that is not our focus right now.

The biggest thing I want to say here is that if we trust God to deliver us from trials, we need to give him the glory without bringing with us other bondage.

Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

Day 4

Praise Friday

Trusting through the trials

To help us understand better, I would like you to think of a trial you have been through recently or use the example that you have just found a mass or lump and there is enough concern from your doctor that it is rare to be benign.

Here are 3 things the Word of God tells us to do in the midst of trials.

As a Christian, we can be delivered. The first thing we should do, but many times do not, is pray for deliverance from the trial. When we pray for deliverance, we need to read God's word, listen for His guidance, and respond to him. We are told to go to a group of others and ask (where two or more are gathered....) for deliverance. This practice will build our faith as we are delivered from trials. Next time, try this instead of panic.

Perhaps we ask for deliverance, but do not receive it. There is a possibility that we will be delivered through the trial. With the above example, suppose that the tests come back and the mass is malignant. This is when we burn up at the mouth of the fire, or we go back to prayer warriors and we ask to be delivered through our trial. This is when we go back for another test and the mass is gone or the ear or shoulder is healed. This practice will refine our faith.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Last, there may be a time or a we may know someone that has been delivered by the trial. We may try a new treatment, but not be healed and delivered into His arms. The fact that we want to stay here on Earth is our inability to understand what is to come. This practice will perfect our faith. We will then be made complete and our goal here will be attained.

James 1:12 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 1:4 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now " If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Dear Lord, I know that this is a much bigger topic than we should cover in one week. But I ask that you be in the midst of those who receive it and give them the knowledge and understanding that they need when they face trials. Lord, help us to come from those fires and bring forth only praises and not be bound by strongholds that trials may cause us to carry forth. Lord, I praise you for the deliverance you have given me in the trials I have faced and I thank you for being there with me while I was right in the middle of them. I ask that you will walk through our fires with us and weather you deliver us or not, that we can trust that your will is our ultimate goal, just as your Son, Jesus Christ, was able to do. In His holy name, Amen.

Hannah

Day 1

Hannah
Her name means Graciousness or Favor
This is my daughters name.
Her character - Provoked by another woman’s malice, she refused to respond in kind. Instead, she poured out her hurt and sorrow to God, allowing him to vindicate her.
Her sorrow - To be taunted and misunderstood.
Many times my daughter, Hannah is misunderstood because of speach impairments (pray with me that she will no longer be frustrated in this area)
Her Joy - To proclaim God’s power and goodness, his habit of raising the lowly and humbling the proud.
Oh, boy, do we know it, she sure has a way of proclaiming God's power and goodness! Praise God for children who speak from their innocence, their heart.

Key scriptures - 1 Samuel 1:1 - 2:11; 2:19 - 21.

Dear Lord, help me to learn more this week, to find truth in your word and to seek you every day. Help me to find some time to bask in your love. This is a time of fruitfulness and new life, Spring is starting to birth beautiful, bright, colorful baby blooms and everywhere I look, I see your beauty. As I look upon my Hannah, help me to pray specifically for her and your purpose in her life. May I see her graciousness and Favor as you do. Thank you for my little flowers in my life and those big trees with roots buried deep. May I find a balance between learning from those you have made stronger than me and may I be an example to those who are weaker. Will you guide me in every thing I do, will you cause a rippling effect in my life so that you are seen through my actions.

Just for fun :
I asked my girls what they would think if we shared God with someone new everyday. What if we were able to share a priceless gift everyday so that even strangers will know God and rejoice in Heaven. My daughter said “well he is preparing a feast that we will all share when all those who know Him are finally with Him” Out of surprise, I said “we better talk to more people.”
What are you doing to make sure you will have a feast with everyone you have had the opportunity to share this priceless gift with?

It is spring, why not plant the seeds?, someone else may need to harvest them!

Day 2

Like Sarah and Rachel, Hannah grieved over the children she couldn’t have. But unlike them, she took her anguish directly to God. Misunderstood by both her husband and her priest, she could easily have turned her sorrow on herself or others, becoming bitter, hopeless, or vindictive. But instead of merely pitying herself or responding in kind, she poured out her soul to God. And God graciously answered her prayer.

Is there a situation in your life where the only one that understands is God. Have so many others misunderstood you to the point that you have been brought to your knees. I am the first to admit that I could use heaps more practice and knowledge in the area of communication. I am sure there are times others have thought I was drunk on beer or wine when I was just trying to communicate. How many different ways have you communicated with God? Do you do it throughout the day without ceasing?

Here are just a few examples of how you can communicate with Him, no matter what your circumstance: Request, the obvious way to come to Him. Even unbelievers do this. Many use it to cover all the bases and many use it selfishly, never giving the Glory to God when He does provide. I have seen both sides of this. As a part of an amazing army of believers who come together in belief that God can do all things. I also used to pray in hopes that if there were a God, he would make sure not to disappoint my selfish ways. Boy was that an eye opener when I came to know Him. I don’t always get what I want, Thank God!

Praise, this is a way to worship God. Just about anything can be a praise to God. To praise Him in the good times and bad is an act of obedience that takes faith.

Faith is the most meaningful of all ways to communicate. It is based in the heart. It is the believing what you can’t see, trusting what seems impossible into God’s hands. It’s loving Him unconditionally.

Worship can be done in many forms, it is an act of taking the focus off anything earthly and placing the focus on God alone. Music lyrics are commons ways to do this, poems, fasting, etc.

Confession is a way to show God that you know he knows all and that you want him to be a part of every part of your life. He knows it all anyway. Every healthy relationship has truth, even when it hurts. Consciousness of our own sinfulness. Sometimes we tend to confess to our friends, hairdressers, diaries, but the one that forgives waits for us to drop to our knees and humble ourselves.

Adoration is a way of expressing Gods great love for us. Yes this is done in words and deeds. If you love God you will treat him as your friend, your companion. You will express His love to others, yourself and Him.

Thanksgiving is a way to show gratitude. In everything, give thanks. (Col. 3:17; 1 Thess. 5:18). A prayer during a meal is always nice, but there are hundreds of other things to thank God for.
Dedicated Action is a way to show God to others. If you are in a relationship with God you will know He desires for others to meet your friend and companion, he wants to be shared with others. This is where you are so dedicated that you know you can give your life for others, you will put others before yourself.

Just remember: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

Are you aware of what you can do through prayer? God is present and listening. He is waiting. He can change the physical world through healing, parting seas, enlarging borders, preservation and sanctification of body, soul and spirit.

Dear Lord, thank you for leading me on this journey through your Word and how we should come to you for everything in every way we know how to express ourselves. We love you and pray you continue to show us how we should come to you and how we can intercede on your behalf.

Day 3

The more that I read about the women of the Bible, the more I see that I have it pretty good. In Hannah’s days, she was not a shinning star. She had many people counting on her to bear children. She didn’t just have to deal with the pain and emotions of infertility, she had to deal with the public responses. She was an outcast, not part of the group of women who were able to bless their families and husbands with children. I can’t imagine how she came to the Lord, I am sure she had no other place to turn, no one to confide in. But the very fact that she went to Him rather than anyone else, made her story one that has last thousands of years. Not the fact that she had enough faith to ask God for a child, but the fact that she went to Him above all others, recognizing that He had a purpose for her life and only He could do anything about her circumstance.

Read 1Samuel 1

What Response does Hannah’s childlessness cause in Hannah? In Peninnah? In Elkanah?

How have you responded to disappointments or failures in your life?

What impact did the reactions of those around you have on you?

Hannah stood in this very public place and poured out her pain to the Lord. Notice Eli’s reaction. Do you think she was unaware of the reaction others might have, or do you think she just did not care?

What caused the changes in Hannah after verse 18? Is there anything here that would make her sure she would now bear a son? If not, why then was she comforted?

When has God answered your prayers after a time of disappointment or difficulty? When have your prayers gone unanswered? How did God provide in those troublesome times?

How did God answer Hannah’s prayer? What is the significance of the name Samuel?
What was Hannah’s fulfillment of her vow? Why would Hannah’s vow be difficult for you?

Read 1 Samuel 2:18 - 21
18 But Samuel was ministering before the LORD -a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home. 21 And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

During the time Samuel was growing up, what do you think it was like for Hannah? What were her actions?

How did God reward Hannah for her faithfulness?

Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord by giving him up to the Lord and to the work in the temple. Are your children dedicated to the Lord? If so, what are you doing to help them grow up in him.

Dear Lord, I know I have dedicated each of my girls to you and as hard as it is to say, I know I could do better showing them how to serve you and worship you. How rewarding it would be to have all three of our girls seek you in their crisis’s. To know you are the only one worth going to for results. May you surround them with others that will encourage a daily walk and praise of you Lord. For them to love you first and foremost. Lord, I cry out to you asking you for protection on my children. Please don’t stop there, please bless those children that are part of the families represented in this devotional. Help each of us, young children or grown, to be prayer warriors for them and to trust them in your hands. Praise you , Lord for you are Almighty.

Day 4 & 5

Her legacy of prayer

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life.” - 1 Samuel 1:10 - 11

Reflect on 1 Samuel 2:1 - 10

Praise God that he knows our hearts

Offer thanks for already answering so many of your prayers

Confess your tendency to pour out your heart to everyone but God, making him a last, rather than first, resort.

Ask God to give you the grace to trust his strength.

One way to build your confidence in God is to form a habit of remembrance. it’s so easy to forget everything he’s already done by being preoccupied with what you want him to do right here, right now. But by forgetting his blessings, you form a habit of ingratitude. By frequently thanking God for what he’s done, you build a habit of gratitude, which will also deepen your trust in God’s compassion, mercy, faithfulness, and power. Find a blank notebook or a lovely scrapbook that can become your Remembrance Book be a tangible way to keep God’s faithfulness in the forefront of your heart.

Father, Thank you for all the prayers you have answered in my life. You have answered all types of prayers. Those of desperation, small ones and big ones, evening and morning prayers, soft prayers and loud prayers. You have even caused me to pray for others and I have seen your hand upon them as well. May my own prayers be shaped according to your will and purpose. Work in my life so that I don’t come to you with all my problems, thinking you will solve them all, but rather, help me to come to you for everything, including praise and worship, even when the circumstances are not according to my own will. I love you Lord.