When We Pray...

It's summer-break time so this will be
the last post for a week or two!
God bless and keep.

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are tens of thousands--thousands of thousands are they; 

the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.

Psalm 104:4
He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” 

And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills 

were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

We have within a whisper’s reach, nay, closer yet than this

Access to a shelter beneath the roar of much amiss

The Unknown like the Red Sea rolls; faith’s enemies pursue

But we may still have confidence to fearlessly pass through

We have within surrender’s grip hope’s lifeline held secure

Because of He who left His throne our pardon to endure

Twixt folded fingers, bended knee and heart yielded and still

We may approach the throne of grace to Mercy’s perfect will

We have, no matter who or where we are, an equal claim

No one greater or lesser as we call upon His name

His eyes are on the righteous; his ears open to their cry

Where, when we pray God’s chariots of fire fill the sky

© Janet Martin

Psalm 34:15 (click link to read the whole glorious chapter!)

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and His ears are inclined to their cry


Morning Meditation

As feet touch down on the Great Unknown
Is it not sweet to know
We have access to Mercy's throne
Wherever we may go

Where all that stand twixt Him and us
As we bow down to pray
Is our own unwillingness
To trust Him and obey

 © Janet Martin

Pray Again and Again

Search me, O God, and know my heart: 

try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 

Do you ever feel like your prayer is a well-learned repetition

for strength, guidance and grace?!

For forgiveness, for meeker trust,
for healing for body and soul?

For courage, for true love for haters, 

for our leaders and followers,
for comfort for sorrow,

for firmer knowledge of the truth,

for kind keeping for our elderly and youth
for the lost to find The Way...

Praise Him! He welcomes our prayers,

He wants our prayers.
He hears our prayers

He cares! over and over and over.

Praise Him and pray To Him
again and again!!

No need to plead excuses; no need to apologize

God’s ear never refuses the humble heart’s sincere cries

No cause to be embarrassed by the appeals we repeat

He bids us to come boldly before heaven’s mercy-seat

No fear that He's too busy to be bothered by our cares

He seeks hearts of true worship to pour out hope’s earnest prayers

No reason to pause praises to He who loves us so dear

No need to book appointments; but just pray and He will hear

No need to question answers; whether yes or no or wait

The author of forgiveness does not reproach or berate

But loves mankind completely though He knows our heart of hearts

He bids us pray and meekly trust the answer He imparts

© Janet Martin

Prayer Changes Things

Though for some prayers, we are still waiting 

with exceeding earnestness for 'answers',

others prayers are answered 

and hearts overflow with joy!

With my friend's permission I am sharing her personal thank-you 

for prayers from our church family...

" I want to thank all of you for prayers, meals, encouragement, 

gifts and any way you supported us through the last few weeks.

 Our outbreak at work was declared over by public health 

and I am no longer in isolation! 

 God is so good and He had been our strength, 

thanks again for all your prayers" ❤️

 Keep praying

because

Prayer Changes Things!

Prayer changes things

Like eagle’s wings

Hope soars above depths of despair

Though trust is tried

Through wants denied

We learn to lean on God

Through prayer

Prayer changes things

From broken strings

It orchestrates faith’s melodies

As music of

Earth’s truest love

Ascends from minstrels on

Their knees

Prayer changes things

The cares man brings

To lay before God’s mercy-seat

Gently imparts

Through yielded hearts

The love that makes our

Joy complete

© Janet Martin

 Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 

that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

How Are We Praying?

"Prayer is the most.important thing you will ever do."
and

"Prayer is the most important event in our life!"

two quotes from Charles Stanley's message below

Rejoice at all times.

Pray without ceasing.

Give thanks in every circumstance, 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thess.5:16-18 

Lest bitterness takes root and from it sprouts a deadly tare

Then lest it lessens strength while it compounds a weight of care

Teach me to rev'rence Thee, Oh Lord, for prayer is not a kite

To frantic'lly fling heavenward when things aren't working right

Lord, help me first to recognize Your divine holiness

Lest, not so much by word as deed I reject free access

Because the throne of grace is not some wishing-well-like thing

To toss down penny-wishes to a puppet on a string

…for prayer is not a quick-fix-it demand or pious nod

Prayer is faith’s humble reckoning and beckoning to God

So lest, I’m like a child prepared to snatch treats from a jar

My first request to You, oh God, is, teach me who You are

© Janet Martin

Today's devotion...

In The Valley of the Shadow...HE IS!

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,

Psalm 23:4

So many people are walking through the valley of the shadow of death

and we would surely fear evil without

God's rod and staff to comfort us!

My friend and I were chatting a bit last night about

how the mind can be an enemy if we let fear dominate...

instead, we said, isn't it a great picture to visualize, as we pray,

Light bids dark evil flee 

for prayer defeats the enemy!

In the valley of the shadow where death stalks its primal prey

Waiting to besiege the pilgrim with Dark Fear’s deceptive sway

HE IS, still mighty in power through the Author of His Name

For in Calvary’s dark hour He fought Death and overcame

In the valley of the shadow where death lurks at every turn

Like the enemy in ambush, (but already overcome)

HE IS, like a tender shepherd never forsaking His sheep

Lifting us upon His shoulder when the shadows grow too deep

In the valley of the shadow where death would its dread instill

There His rod and staff bring comfort and we do not fear evil

HE IS preparing a Table in the presence of the foe

With His goodness and His mercy Heaven’s wellspring’s overflow

In the valley of the shadow where death lies in shrouded wait

Prayers are rising like a fortress evil cannot penetrate

HE IS, WAS and ALWAYS WILL BE, He IS behind and before

And He hems us in until we dwell with Him forevermore

© Janet Martin

 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:5

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.^a
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness^b
for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^c
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely^d goodness and mercy^e shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell^f in the house of the Lord
forever.^g