Prayer Series (Part V) - What To Pray For

It doesn’t take a whole lot to pray.

There’s no right way. There’s no wrong way.

It’s all about what’s in your heart.

Jesus’ prayer was very simple.

There weren’t a whole lot of words.

There wasn’t a whole lot of hooping and hollering.

Jesus simply asked for God’s power, protection, and provision to reign over Him.

We should do likewise.

God bless,
J.W.

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us for our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” ~ Matthew 6:9-13

Prayer Series (Part III) - When To Pray

At the pinnacle of Jesus' ministry...

When He was going through his toughest time...

When He was just about to give up...

He prayed.

So, what does that tell us about our response to difficult situations?

Who do you run to when times get tough?

God bless,
J.W.

"Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, 'Sit here while I go and pray over there.' And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.' He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'" ~ Matthew 26:36-39

Prayer Series (Part II) - How To Pray

According to the Bible, we are to pray without ceasing.

But what exactly does that mean?

How, in the busyness of our daily lives, are we supposed to be in prayer nonstop, all day, every day?

Clearly, this is not possible, you might say.

Oh, but it is!

It simply requires a change in your thinking.

It requires you to think about prayer in a new and different way.

See, prayer isn't about closing your eyes and bowing your head.

It's about connecting with God.

So, I can be typing at my computer and be connected to God.

I can be on the phone and be connected to God.

I can even be in a midst of an important business meeting and be connected to God.

It's all about what's happening on the inside of you, not what you're physically doing at any moment in time.

Make it a point to pray without ceasing today.

God bless,
J.W.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer Series (Part I) - Where To Pray

This is the first installment of a five-part series on prayer.

Enjoy!

J.W.

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Like a Southwest Airlines commercial, there were times in Jesus' ministry where He just wanted to get away.

Each time, He would use this opportunity to talk alone with God.

In essence, what He was doing was praying - simply talking to God.

And in doing so, He was being renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated for the long road ahead.

We, on the other hand, are so busy that we forget to take time to convene alone with God.

We occupy our schedules with so much activity that we push quality time with God right out of the way.

But shouldn't we follow Jesus' example?

For who had more to do on his agenda than Him?

Who was busier than Jesus?

If He took time to get away and pray, don't you think we ought to do the same?

God bless,

J.W.

"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there." ~ Matthew 14:22-23

Servanthood Series - Part V - Jesus Humble

Despite being God himself, Jesus submitted himself to the will of His Father.

As such, we should do likewise, knowing that submission to the proper authority is not a sign of weakness, but one of strength.

God bless,
J.W.

“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” ~ Matthew 26:39

Servanthood Series - Part III - The Spotlight

God is not looking for people who just want the spotlight.

He’s looking for people He can trust to be faithful to Him, even when there’s no spotlight.

So which are you?

Do you do what you do out of allegiance to God or because of the fame and glory you will receive?

If it’s the latter, your fame, glory, and honor will be short-lived.

God bless,
J.W.

“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” ~ Matthew 23:12

Servanthood Series - Part II - Who's The Boss?

In order to lead, you first have to be able to learn how to follow.

There are certain things that God wants to teach you as you serve another.

So, while you may not like your boss, while you may think he or she is underqualified or incompetent, God has placed you under that person for a reason.

Accept it and figure out what God is trying to teach you.

It may just be that God is teaching you what not to do when he places you in a position of leadership.

God bless,
J.W.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things." ~ Matthew 25:23

Servanthood Series - Part I

This is the beginning of a five-part series I am doing on servanthood.

Enjoy!

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Do you want to be great?

Do you want to be powerful?

Do you want to lead many?

If so, here’s the sure-fire way to get there.

Be a servant.

Learn how to serve others.

It’s the sure-fire way of becoming great in this world and in the Kingdom of God.

But here’s the catch: servanthood requires humility. It requires esteeming others above yourself.

Are you prepared to humble yourself today?

God bless,
J.W.

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” ~ Mark 10:43-45