SEPTEMBER 18
Hey my friend,
I’m so grateful that you keep making time to pray. I know Jesus is really happy with your effort and faithfulness. For whatever reason, my body woke me up really early today… 4:00 AM to be exact. Do you ever have days like that? It seems to happen to me more now than ever before.
As I laid there in bed, I asked the Lord to help me fall back asleep. He didn’t help me fall back asleep, so I assumed He was waiting for me in my office. Sleep is very important, but sometimes God has other things in mind.
Don’t you just wish you could see into the mind of God to know what is most important to Him? In instances like that, I often ask, “God, would you rather me go back to sleep, or get up and pray?”
Prayer is one of the greatest conduits for knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Prayer helps us align our hearts and minds to the things of God. I love this powerful prayer from The Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:9:
“I pray that your love will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you will live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”
When we understand what matters to God, we are more likely to live for God. Sometimes we stress over things that don’t really matter, and then other times we don’t concern ourselves with things that really do matter to God.
Would you take a moment to pray for yourself and those around you to overflow with God’s love, as well as for knowledge and understanding?
Also, let’s pray that The Holy Spirit helps us become more aware of what really matters to the heart of God.
You might pray something like this…
“Holy Spirit, please come and fill me up with the Father’s love today. Help me to grow in understanding. Give me eyes to see what truly matters in this life.
I pray for my friends and family. Help me shine your light and point people to Jesus. I pray that you would help my life be pure and blameless, so that I can represent you well.
Please help our church be a source of life to our community.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Have a great day!
With love,
Pastor Andy
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I often find that even though I heard or learned something the day before, it’s not until I pray that I realize the impact or the required action on my part.
Philippians 1:9: “I pray that your love will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you will live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.” Thanks Pastor Andy for sharing this uplifting verse this morning! Just reading the words gave me such peace of mind. Walking in faith is a lifelong journey and I look forward to growing stronger in my faith each day through prayer. God’s love is a selfless love. I pray that God will reveal to me what he wants me to work on to build up his people and kingdom. Show me what really matters to you. Amen
Amen. Holy Spirit, help us be your lights of LOVE in the face of opposition and hatred. Lead people to you through us, your Church!
I use these prayers on God’s Prayer Walk. They are beautiful. Thank you Pastor Andy. I hope and pray that your blogs continue.
Also, Jesus prays for us. John chapter 17. Very powerful
Often the same thing happens to me, I can’t sleep … on Thursday I couldn’t sleep all night, usually I force myself to do it or I despair trying. But just like you, I got up and started to pray and read the Bible and so the morning came. I started my day without sleep, but God strengthened me greatly! And as you say, it is important for your health to sleep well, but when you cannot, it is better to take advantage of the time, or maybe (as you say) God is calling us to be more prayerful.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article. https://www.binance.info/sk/join?ref=YY80CKRN
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?