#MyriadPrayer - Don't Get Sidetracked

On Sunday my pastor preached from Galations 5: 1-7.  (You can watch it here.) The last line smacked the mess out of me.  "⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"  Well, dang.  I was running a good raced but what (or who) stopped me from obeying the truth?  Did that smack you too? 

So when I got home I had to expand the chapter.  What did the Word say after verse 7?  Well, it said a lot.  Here is a snippet:

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

That person or thing that is stopping you from obeying what God has called you to do is like a little yeast.  You have to move biblical metaphors.  A little yeast changes a whole batch of bread dough, right?  Just a little time with the person that is distracting you from purpose can change your whole life.  Makes you re-evaluate your habits and folks in your life, huh?

"Father, please help me to clear out all the distractions that are keeping me from drawing closer to You.  God, please remove the people and things that are in the way of me being exactly where You want me to be.  God, remove those distractions no matter how much I want to hold onto them.  Take them away - far away- so that I may not be tempted or distracted by them again.  Father, I trust that You know best.  I love You and thank You!  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Proverbs 29:25

About a year ago, I attended a small workshop at church and the ministry leader said that whenever you need guidance turn to Proverbs and the date.  So today is 6/29/12 and I am reading Provers 29.  The part that jumped out at me was Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." 

I've battled fear for a long time.  Fear of what?  Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough.  I know what I am good at doing.  I know that everyday I am learning that God is stretching me to learn more and do more.  And I wonder what would have happened if I trusted that feeling, that inner voice that said I was "bigger than my current situation" a long time ago.  Fear makes you complacent.  Fear makes you think that just enough is ok.  Fear crushes dreams.  And let's be honest, half the time it is fear of what others will say.  But who cares what they will say?  The proverbial "they" are already talking about you, right?  And why are we more worried about what "they" will say instead of focusing on what He will say?  I want to hear "well done." 

"Father, help me to lean on You and focus on pleasing You.  This fire that You have placed inside of me to stretch, grow, learn, be needs to be nurtured and fed.  Today, I refuse to feed fear.  Today I will press on toward whatever dream, vision, plan that You have shown me.  I will trust You even when I don't see the entire picture.  Father, thank You for trusting me with a piece of the kingdom.  I love You and thank you.  Amen.  Amen."

#Myriad Prayer Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11" 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."

I love this scripture.  Why?  Because it says that while you may not always see it, God sees it.  He knows what is around the corner.  He knows when the breakthrough is coming.  He knows when the storm will be over.  He knows.  We have to trust Him.  That trust will keep you walking even when you don't see the next step. 

The prayer for today is "Yes, I will go.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer Gifts and Guidance

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for Your gifts and guidance.  Father, please shift my perspective on situations.  While I know that 'all things work together for Your good,'  I have to admit that when bad things happen, my first reaction isn't always a positive one.  Please help shift my focus so that I worship and praise first.  That will leave no room for worry or panic or complaining.  Father, I know that I don't have to like negative situations but I need to have peace in them.  Send Your Holy Spirit to envelope me and keep my fire going.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Let God Be In Control

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for giving me a glimpse of how wonderful life can be when I allow You to have control.  You have given me the blueprint and it is up to me to obey and follow it.  My mistakes are what are causing me turmoil and I have to submit to You to fix them.  I love You and thank You for the clarity!  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Praying Strength

"Father, thank You for being my strength.  I try to follow what You want for me and so many times I fall short.  Thank You for being patient with me.  Thank You for having mercy on me.  Father, re-ignite my passion in so many areas.  Please help me to continue to not only do what You want me to do but to do it graciously.  Father, I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Prayer Time

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for the power of prayer.  Thank You for providing us with a vehicle to speak with You.  Thank You for being receptive to our cries, our moans, and our words.  How often we forget that everything gets better after a conversation with You?  It goes beyond 'casting my cares' on You.   It is listening to You when You speak to me.  Thank You for thinking so much of us that You listen to us.  You care about us.  And You want the best for us.  Father, I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."