Monthly Archives: August 2020

Pray for me, Jesus

Posted on by

Luke 22:31-32 (NASB)
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Romans 8:27 (NASB)
27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We have a trail in our neighborhood that runs next to a lake. I often walk this trail for exercise in the morning. What I have never done is put on headphones and listen to music. This morning I did. I listened to the album by Klaus called “Everything Lives in the River”. As the sweet melodies swept over me and the familiar lyrics that were often direct from scripture filled my heart, I found myself asking Jesus to pray for me.

Until recently, I had not connected the fact that when Jesus intercedes for us, He is “praying” for us according to the will of God. It seemed to me this morning that my prayers are often selfish and self-centered, and what I needed to do was to simply ask Jesus to pray what is best for me.

I need more of Jesus living through me because the things of this world can drag us down. I grieve for a friend from school who lost his wife this week. Jesus, pray for my friend.

Heavenly Father, I praise Your Son, for He prays over me. Give me the strength to run to Jesus no matter the circumstances. Jesus, as You pray for and sing over me, reveal your will in my life. I pray this in Your name. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Look Familiar?

Posted on by

James 4:1-8 (NASB)
1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

In this passage, James gives us a view of the world during his time. But God gives us a view of the unregenerate throughout all time, as well as the sin nature that surfaces in those that are still being conformed the image of God.

I have to be constantly reminded of verse 6 above. The sin of self pride emerges without warning, disguised as a virtue in our minds. It causes us to compare ourselves to others, lifting the image of ourselves above others, erasing any humility that should be there.

When we let pride take over, we are unable to humbly defend those in need, humbly proclaim the truth of the gospel, humbly give Jesus the glory for all.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the prideful sin in my life. It is a prayer that I need to pray each moment of every day. Holy Spirit, consume my spirit so that pride cannot emerge from my thoughts and deeds. Purge sin from my heart and replace it with a humble reliance on Jesus. I pray this in His name, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,