Hey, Sweet Things! I’ve been praying for you this very day. I’ve especially been praying for those of you who’ve commented about how much you want to do the Scripture memory but you’re scared of failing. First of all, I pray that God is going to give you a glimpse of what your brilliant little mind is capable of doing when doused in His Word. Second, if you spend the year meditating on 24 verses, I pray that you’ll realize that you cannot fail. It will produce a harvest whether or not you get each Scripture down word for word. The captivated mind that tears down strongholds is what we’re after. Keep that before you. Pray for a supernatural unction to internalize Scripture then thank God for it in advance. He makes a way for us to obey what He wills for us to do.
Now, on to something that I keep pondering this morning. Like many of you, I’m a thinker. Years don’t come to ends or beginnings without me getting caught up in what’s behind or in front of me. That’s good if it leads to change. That’s bad if it leads to dread. We’ve all heard this definition of insanity: doing the same thing the same way and expecting something different. Yet, for the most part,Ā we live life in that maddening loop. One of the things God has taught me along the way is to try to hear from Him about one area at a time that He’s pinpointing for change. Much more than that is too overwhelming. Anyway, He’s a God who’s into process with the lives of His children. We need look no further than Philippians 1:6 for proof of that. What He may begin in an instant He may complete over a lifetime. Instead of making a list of resolutions for 2011 that are broken by the time they’re spoken, is there simply one thing about us we really wish to change? I could think of a dozen things I’d like to change but this is the one I think God is pinpointing as our joint effort for the top of 2011: a mental loop I tend to get into when I get offended or hurt by someone I love. I have come to believe that my first minute’s reaction is what determines the cycle of the next (usually miserable) two days. So, here’s my specific prayer for the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.
My Dearest Abba Father,
I’ve lived long enough to know that any 12-month period of time on Planet Earth winds a pathway through thicket and thorns. It’s just too long a period of time not to get hurt or offended. I also know that You have tucked many joys in the oncoming year and I don’t want to miss them because I can’t quit obsessing over what’s hard. You’ve gone to measurable lengths in the last year to show me how the enemy of my soul operates in one specific area: he can’t block You from blessing Your children so he tries to block Your children from enjoying it. I do not want him to cheat me of reaping from anything rich You send my way this year. Even the treasures hidden in darkness. As this year ends and a new one begins, I am so thankful that I have Your Spirit without limit in my life and that, with You, change in a long pattern really is possible. You’ve done it before in my life. Come do it again. I am asking You in particular, Abba Father, to run to my aid in that first moment when an opportunity for offense happens and urge me by Your Holy Spirit to head into a thought-loop that spirals upward rather than downward. Simply put, help me to get over things fast. Honestly, Lord, sometimes I just make life harder than it has to be. Some things that wound me aren’t even about me. Help me to see where I’m jumping into somebody else’s loop and to quit getting hung by my own. I choose joy in resting this petition at Your feet, Lord, and I refuse self-condemnation or fruitless regret. You never would have brought this to the forefront and called for it in prayer if You didn’t have something good in mind. You began this work. Now come and take it to the next level. I’m excited about it, Lord, and see a glimpse of liberty on the horizon. Thank You, Father.
If you also want to post a prayer about ONE THING you’re asking God to do in you toward a more victorious 2011, feel free. There’s something about writing it down in a public place that makes it memorable. A record you can go back and read can be a beautiful thing. Try to resist wallowing and writhing in theseĀ public requests. It’s Satan who tries to make prayer a dreaded exercise in self-loathing. In God’s economy, even when our prayers are mostly pleas of repentance, they lead us to relief.
Hey, Siestas, let’s not respond to each other’s comments this time. By all means, let’s pray for each other but let’s leave the response space to God.
I’m honored to walk with you into 2011, dear sisters. We’re getting closer to the 1st! Hold your head up or you might miss your new beginning!
My prayer for this new year is that I would grow stronger in my walk and that I would make changes in my life to realign the priorities in life to HIS priorities….
Dear Father,
Thank you for your never-failing love, mercy and grace! As I reflect on the past year and ponder 2011, I am asking by the power of the Holy Spirit that Phil. 1:6 would be lived out daily. YOU began a good work many years ago and I try and carry out what you started in my own flesh and therefore fail. Get ‘me’ out of the way so you can start, continue and finish the work in my life daily. I am asking that the Holy Spirit would start AND finish the good works you’ve designed for me in 2011. I give you all the glory for what you’re going to do and ask this in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.
Gayna, Fort Collins, Colorado. Show me your ways, O Lord teach me you paths guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:4-5 New International Version.
Kristen from Hooksett, Ps 16: 5-6, “Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (NIV)
Heavenly Father, I long only to draw closer to you in everyday. I pray that Through Your Strength, Wisdom, discipline and Truth that anything or anyone especially my ‘self’ be moved or be used by You to draw me closer to You. Rather than list the many things I know I have to focus on following You in this New Year, I pray that I know in my heart, mind and soul that YOU are my Life and I am Yours. I love You Father and look forward to both the rain & the rainbows to come in 2011.
Sarah Victoria, Canada
” Find rest,O my soul, in God alone my hope comes from from Him,
He alone is my rock and my salvation
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6 NAS
Pam, Yorkville, IL
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 NIV
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
NIV
Kim, Troy IL
Prov. 18:10 NIV
The name of the Lord is a fortified city,
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Lord, one thing I’m asking you to do in me toward a more victorious 2011 is to infuse my soul with courage. Courageous obedience to Your Word. You didn’t call me unto salvation to sit back and watch others live the great adventure as ambassadors for You in all seasons of life. No, You called me to be strong and courageous. To be sure to obey your commandments, and to be strong and courageous. Not fearful, anxious, wrought up, prideful, or uncertain. Strong and courageous. Please Lord, do this in me. Thank You, Lord. You are Beautiful to me. In Your Precious and Holy Name, Amen.
Nancy,Harrisburg,Illinois:
Teach your way O,Lord, and I will walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
Titus 2:14 NASB
“who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds”
Mikelan
Overland Park, KS
Ingrid Lathrop, Redmond, WA
Hebrews 10:23-24 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,for God can be trusted to keep His promises. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. NLT
Cathy, Knoxville, TN For I know the plans I have for you,ā declares the LORD, āplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11,NIV
Happy New Year! Reading your blog today was timely…honestly, I didn’t even read the whole thing but I saw the prayer you wrote and decided to read it. As the Lord so often does, He put your prayer right before my eyes to let me know He enters into this year right by my side. Everything I have been reflecting on over the past 24 hours was summed up in your prayer. I too get anxious about the challenges that I know are going to come my way and pray, along with you, that I will not miss His “rescue moments” along the way. Thanks for sharing that with us…I’m going to print that out and post it as a reminder, a stake in the ground so to speak. Grace and peace from a thankful brother.
Shelley, Dallas “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 The Message
Lord, help me to take my eyes off of me and fix them on you. May I rest my mind in you alone.
This is my first time to join in the Scripture memory so I hope I am doing this correctly! I am so excited.
My first verse is Isaiah 50:4-5 NLT – Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me and I have listened.
Gretchen, Madison, MS
Rom. 14:17 NIV “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness , peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Terrie, Chandler: first time joining…Luke 6:38 “Give and It will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Thank you, Jesus!
Terrie, Chandler -Luke 6:38 is NIV version, oops
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Melissa Niota, TN
Hebrews 12:2 KJV “Looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, depsising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Tona, Travelers Rest, South Carolina: You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake. Psalms 65:11 NLT Bible
Ps 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful blessing; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
NKJ, Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you”.
peggy–Marion Ar. This is my first time so I hope I am doing it right.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Wonderful post.
Thanks for sharing this:
“One of the things God has taught me along the way is to try to hear from Him about one area at a time that Heās pinpointing for change. Much more than that is too overwhelming.”
That was a good word for me today!
What’s my prayer for change? Lord, I want more of The Holy Spirit! More of Him in me, on me, and evident in me!”
Nancy from Columbia, MO.God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites! ‘IAM has sent me to you.'” Exodus 3:14 NIV
Cathy, Richmond, VA – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Elizabeth, Glen Allen, VA – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4:6
shelley, creswell
The LORD is my light and my salvationā
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my lifeā
of whom shall I be afraid?
Ps 27:1 NIV
I need to keep my focus on God, and let the noise around me be silenced..there are certain situations in my life that I seek God’s answer to how to respond to them, and I need it to be where I absolutely know God is behind what I do.
Karen,Memphis: You crown the year with your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. The NET Bible
Oops– first time at this — PSALMS 65:11
Rebekah Prater- Rome, Ga
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart & wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27: 14 (NIV)
Excited to start off the year with Ephesians 3:20.
Dear Lord,
This wildnerness I’ve been traveling through has nearly flattened me. But finally, Lord, you’ve begun to break through and have reminded me that your love never ends and your mercies never cease, beginning afresh each morning.
My prayer is that I will never forget that again, and instead of grumbling like an Israelite, I will live expectantly, waiting to see your Glorious Presence at Sinai.
In your heavenly name Lord,
Amen.
Heather McDaniel,Ga But forget all that- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See,I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT study Bible.
Beverly, Fresno – Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23, NIV
Denise – Homestead, 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive.
Pam, Edina, MN. “I will give you the keys to the kingdom; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:29 NIV
Matthew 16:19
Becky, Naperville, IL
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly – living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! 1Jn 3:18-21, The Message
Jacqui, Naperville, IL
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Fatherās hand. Jn 10: 27-29, NLT
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”, Matthew 6:33,The ESV Bible
Lynn, Lynchburg, VA
āBeloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.ā I Peter 2:11 ESV
AK, Lexington “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:13-14 (from Daily Light also — what confirmation!)
Becky – Tacoma
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, Iam doing a new thing! Now it sprinigs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18 NIV
My prayer for this year is 1)(as always) to love my Savior more, and 2)(not as easy sometimes) to love my husband well.
According to I John 4:14-15 I know He’ll help me.
love you Beth,
Loyce
Kelsi, Eau Claire, WI: “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-24
Lori – Salem, OR
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NLT
Kristi from Charlotte, NC
“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!” Psalm 105:4 ESV