Prayer – Prayers and Paintbrushes

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

PRAYER FOR AN ELECTION YEAR

These words of the prophet Daniel have been modified by me to fit my city, state and nation. Feel free to do the same for yours. If you are unfamiliar with Daniel (remember the lion’s den?)I encourage you to read and study it. For a time such as this…

PRAYER of Daniel 9:7-19 NIV
“Lord, You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Phoenix, the inhabitants of Arizona and all the USA, people both near and far, in all the places we live – have been unfaithful to You. [8] We and our government, White House and government leaders are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against You. [9] You, our Lord and our God, are merciful and forgiving, even though we rebel against You; [10] we have not obeyed or kept the laws You gave us through Your servants the prophets. [11] All THE WORLD has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. [12] You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster on every side. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what is being done in our nation and world. [13] Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth. [14] The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him. [15] “Now, Lord our God, who brought Your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for Yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. [16] Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from our city, our nation and world. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made our nation and Your people – Your church – an object of scorn to all those around us.

[17] “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on Your desolate believers. [18] Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the nation that once bore Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. [19] Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, my God, do not delay, because our nation and your people and your Church bear your Name.”

Amen. ✨Praying for the return of reason and law to our cities, nations and world.

PRAYER for ALL TIME

I have studied the Old Testament book of Daniel at least 4 times in the last several years and it never fails to be jaw dropping to me. It’s more than Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego or the lion’s den, although those are miraculous events. It’s even more than the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar or the evils of Babylon. What impacts me most are the visions God, through his powerful warrior angels, gave to Daniel about how “things would go.” Some of these “things” were prophecies of future kingdoms that have since come and gone just as the visions described them. The last visions, the ones that troubled Daniel so greatly, are visions of the end times – the very end times. And these visions align with and help make sense of the visions the aging Apostle John had many years later and recorded in the New Testament book of Revelation.

In one of my Bible studies, we took the prayer of Daniel recorded in Daniel chapter 9 verses 7-19 (NIV) and wrote it out for our times. I ask that you pray aloud (if possible) as you read it, and believe the Lord of Heaven’s Armies hears.

PRAYER of Daniel
“Lord, You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—we the people, both near and far in all the places we live – we have been unfaithful to You. [8] We and our government, White House and world leaders are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against You. [9] You, our Lord and our God, are merciful and forgiving, even though we rebel against You; [10] we have not obeyed or kept the laws You gave us through Your servants the prophets. [11] All THE WORLD has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. [12] You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster on every side. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what is being done in our nation and world. [13] Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth. [14] The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him. [15] “Now, Lord our God, who brought Your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for Yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. [16] Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from our city, our nation and world. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made our nation and Your people, Your church, an object of scorn to all those around us. [17] “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on Your desolate believers. [18] Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the nation that once bore Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. [19] Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, my God, do not delay, because our nation and your people bear your Name.”

Praying the words Scripture knowing His words do not return void and believing God works in heavenly places and in the hearts of men. Forgive us Heavenly Father as we so often forget You are here!

In the power of Jesus’ name we pray.

It is HARD, this world

I don’t much recognize this place we call our home. There has always been fighting and warring since the beginning of time, but the lawlessness and shouting for “my rights” as opposed to human rights has me dumbfounded. Mickey Mouse ears painted with rainbows, children being taught to pick their gender and choose their lifestyle, and schools encouraging this by keeping it quiet from the parents who are being called domestic terrorists… Not to mention the overall lawlessness as police quit due to the lack of support for their services…and the list goes on and on.

I confess living in these confusing days hurts my heart and messes with my mind. Everyone seems to be shouting from opposite sides with no effort being made to listen to one another. Whatever happened to discussing and respectful debate; even to 2nd opinions? Whatever happened to respect?

Come, let us reason together, says the Lord. Isaiah 1:18

How I pray to see an end to the wrangling, the war-mongering and self-aggrandizement…But that may not ever again come to our world. We are on a very slippery slope and, if you’ve read Daniel, Ezekial and/or Revelation, you know how the future of the world unfolds. . . If you have not read them, I encourage you to do so as even in the midst of the dark, you will find hope.

SO, these are my plans in these rainy, stormy days of dissension and discord: trust in the Lord and in His promises. Here are just a few

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; and YOU’RE THERE. Psalm 139: 7-12✨

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalms 118:6

Lord, help us to recognize that we are all here for a time such as this. We have a role and maybe it is just a role to encourage our family and friends. I do not wish to wage war, argue or point fingers – except as I might point my finger toward You, our Peace and our Hope – as we live out our life in what has become an unfamiliar and uncertain world. Help us to be a light in the darkness and to somehow make a difference.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. PHIL 4:6, 7

Welcoming the Easter Lamb

I’m a long way past chocolate bunnies, Easter bonnets and white patent leather shoes – not to mention Easter baskets, or dying and hiding eggs. It’s all part of the family tradition and is/was certainly fun. It has its place in our families. But the real Easter recognizes the end of darkness and beginning of Light as Jesus overcame a brutal death on the cross on my behalf – on your behalf – and resurrected to LIFE.

Without the miracle of that first Easter morning and the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no need for the Church. This is the reason He came – to buy us back offering us His righteousness for our darkness and sin. His love for us is offered as a free gift requiring only that we receive it with gratitude: open hands and open heart to receive the forgiveness and grace only He can give. It costs you nothing. But to ignore it costs you everything

I pray you will find the Easter gift of the Lamb of God – God’s ultimate sacrifice of His Son – this Easter Sunday. Watch “The Chosen,” free on “The Chosen” app, and be blessed to watch His story unfold before your eyes. Regardless, the cost to you is only a prayer away. Even if your belief is small, it is enough! Ask Him and see if He isn’t faithful to His promises. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Praying for peace in our nation and in our world, trusting that He who gave us His story is faithful and will redeem that which is broken in His time. AMEN

Are you an Ocean or a Mountain Person?

Everyone seems to be drawn to one or the other. I suppose there are some of us who are drawn to the desert as well (who would have ever thought), but usually when you take off for parts unknown it is to the beaches or to the high places.

Here are some of my paintings from my Gallery entitled Ocean Breezes

Arizona does have mountains so I share some of these with you as well. I invite you to take a look at some more of my Arizona Dreaming gallery.

Praying for you as you start this new year! Believe good things for your life, step out in faith, trust the Lord and seek after the direction that tugs on your heart.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4