Quiet Confidence

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 1: 18-25

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.


PRAYER

Lord, Joseph heard you, believed you, and followed you regardless of the whispers of well-meaning people in the shadows. I pray that you would give ______ the same ear to hear your direction, the same faith to walk your path, and the same quiet confidence to disarm the impact of other’s opinions. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Don’t live your life based on the popular opinion of others. Is your heart right before God, and your conscience clear? Then walk the path he has put before you. It does not matter how right they think they are. It only matters what God tells your heart.

Compassion

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 40:11,17
11 You, O LORD, will not withhold your compassion from me; your lovingkindness and your truth will continually preserve me.

17 Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
(NASB)


PRAYER

Lord, ______ is afflicted and needy. I ask that you would help him to know that’s ok. Some of his pain is due to things beyond his control, and some is because of his own sin. But regardless Lord, he needs compassion, both from your people and you. I ask that you would move in the hearts of those around him to show compassion. I pray that you would give them a deep awareness and understanding of his pain. Help them to look beyond the veneer of “togetherness” and see the true hurt. Help them to crawl out of their own world long enough to see the reality of his world, Lord. Bring them alongside ______ so that they feel the depth of his pain with him. Move them to show compassion for him, actively, purposefully, and often. And Lord, even in those seasons when your people fail him, hold him close to yourself, and make him know that you truly do understand everything, and that you feel his pain with him. May he know the sweetness of your compassion. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

His compassion is real, powerful, and sweet. Own it. And remember, you are worthy of the compassion of his people. Their abandonment speaks more of their character than your worthiness. Forgive them, and lean on our Lord.

Weeping... then Joy

SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are days when I weep, if not with outward tears, then with inward sorrow of soul. I feel the heaviness of heart that comes from my mistakes, from the pain I have caused, or from the effect of other’s sin. There is no escape from this pain. There is no road around it, only a hard path through it. The dark clouds of painful emotions hover above, and the pelting rain of circumstance is relentless. The stinging winds of consequence buffet me about without mercy, and for a moment I know your anger Lord, but only for a moment. For though the darkening storm lasts through what seems to be a long night, yet the sunshine of joy is on the horizon. Pain is but for a season, and then you bring joy. And the sunshine of joy is sweeter for having endured the storm of pain. The flower of your favor is more beautiful because of the rain you allow. So Lord, please take me through this night as weeping overwhelms me. Hold me. Help me. Comfort me. And in faith, I long for the morning you will wipe my tears away, and give me joy. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Hold on through the night. The morning will be better. Trust him for that.

Our Prayers, God's Miracles

SCRIPTURE

 

1 Kings 16:41- 45 (selected)

 

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”

So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.

Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”

The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.

Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”…And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm…

 

James 5: 16-18

 

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, ______ has many things in his heart for which he prays, actions he would like you to take, situations he would like you to influence, hopes and dreams for his tomorrow, longings for today, desires on other’s behalf. He asks for strength, faith, hope, love, peace, and joy. He would have you effect growth in him and others. Lord, I ask that you would make ______’s prayers earnest. May he pray with a depth of passion that moves the angels to take wing and deliver his requests to you in haste. I ask that you would clothe him with the righteousness of Jesus so that his prayers come to you in power and produce results. I pray that he would fall down before you in humility and dependence, pleading his heart day and night. And Lord, I ask that you would hear his prayers, and answer them in your grace. As he delights herself in you, may you grant him the desires of his heart for which he pleads. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Elijah was no different that you. Allow your prayers to flow from a deep earnestness and powerful righteousness. Then stand back and watch God work miracles indeed.

 

God's Protection from Enemies

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 138:7-8
7 Though I am surrounded by troubles,
      you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
   You reach out your hand,
      and the power of your right hand saves me.
 8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life-
      for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
      Don't abandon me, for you made me.

PRAYER
[Pray this for yourself]

I am surrounded by troubles some days Lord. My enemies seem to sense when I am low, and under the pretense of seeking to understand, their anger lashes out with accusation. I feel unheard, misunderstood, and judged. They know well what to say, and how to strike. I sometimes feel in need of a Samaritan who will render emotional care and healing. Yet there is none, Lord, but you. Thank you that the power of your right hand reaches out and saves me. Thank you that you will work out your plans for my life with a faithful love. And most of all, thank you that you will never abandon me. I rest in your strong arms. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Hear well the promptings of our Lord, yet deafen your ear to the anger of your enemies. If they spoke the words of God, they would also emulate their Lord's faithful love. Though many may abandon you, our Lord will ever be with you.

Unfair Criticism

SCRIPTURE

 

1 Peter 3:13-17

13        Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

14        But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

15        but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

16        and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

17        For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

(NASB)

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are times when ______ suffers the harshness and accusation of a critical crowd. Sometimes hidden in the refuse of their words are small nuggets of truth, but mostly they are the judgments of small people who prefer the delicacies of slander to truth. Assumptions prevail over honest inquiry. They squint from a distance, choosing the facts they prefer, but never seeking a clear view of the whole. They purport to know the intentions of ______’s heart, but their ears are clogged with their preconceptions. And worst of all, they sometimes cloak their judgments with religiosity. Lord, thank you for ______’s openness to your promptings, for his quickness of confess, repent and obey. And in that, I ask that you would help him to feel the cleanness of a good conscience before you. I pray that you would remove from him any fear of their intimidation. Calm his heart so that he may rest in your smile upon him. And Lord, as he continues to walk closely to you, I pray that you would reveal the shame of his accusers. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Your Lord knows you. He sees right down to your very soul, and understands your heart. Don’t allow these small people to steal your peace or direct your paths. Walk with our Lord, and follow your deep heart.

 

 

Rebuilding

SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 147:1-6

 

Praise the Lord!

How good to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how fitting!
2 The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem
and bringing the exiles back to Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.
4 He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
6 The Lord supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

 

 

PRAYER

Lord, it brings such hope to know that you are the re-builder. You rebuild broken hearts, broken worlds, broken spirits and broken dreams. I pray for ______ this week Lord that he would feel the power of your attentive care. I ask that you would bandage his wounds, and begin the healing. I pray that your power would be displayed in the reconstruction of his life. May your understanding so penetrate his life that he feels known, understood, accepted and loved by you. And as he feels hid back begin to bend under the load of life, may your support be powerful and sweet. May his hope rest completely in you, Lord. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

He calls the stars by name, and yet you are more brilliant and more important still. He knows and understands you. He heals. He has both the power and the understanding to do whatever it takes to re-build you. Trust him today, and walk closely with him into tomorrow.

 

Feast Upon His Word

SCRIPTURE

 

Matthew 4:3-4

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

 

Psalm 119:103

How sweet your words taste to me;

      they are sweeter than honey.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, I pray that you would nourish ______’s soul with the sweetness of your word. I ask that when the temptations come to divert his focus to the temporal, you would feed him with the eternal. I pray that when his is pulled to worry about his needs, you would give him what he truly needs. Strengthen him with truth as it flows from your heart to his Lord. Make his mind simmer on that truth, pondering its application to his life this week. Bring to his remembrance the bread of truth you have given his soul in days past, and nourish him again as he presses its beauty into his everyday. And Lord, I pray that, as he tastes the sweetness of your word, his soul would be satisfied. May ______ live indeed by every word that comes from you to him. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

His words to you are words of true love. Dine upon them. Savor them. Feast generously. They are food for your soul.

 

 

Embrace His Love

SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:35-39

 

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 

 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, I pray that you would reach into the tender parts of ______’s heart and make him know your lavish love. The part of his heart that is broken, I pray your love would heal. The part of his heart that is desperate, I pray your love would comfort. The part of his heart that longs, I pray your love would fill. And the part of his heart that hurts, I pray your love would sooth. Lord, ______ needs you, he needs to know that he is important to you and loved by you. He needs to know that your love will never fail him, no matter what trouble swirls around in his life. He needs to know that your love makes life worth living Lord. Fill ______ with your love today I ask. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

He loves you. When all others fail you, He will not. Embrace his love in the midst of your pain. It is sweet and sure.

 

 

Live Close to Him

SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 27:4-6

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, I pray that you would put within ______’s heart a passionate desire to live his life in a continual place of connectedness with you, as if he were living in your house. I pray that he would think deeply upon your perfections, your attributes, and your beauty. And as he sees you, may his heart leap with delight, as seeing his best friend and the object of his deepest affections. May he long for closeness with you Lord. And I pray that when those moments of inevitable trouble come, you would hide him in that place of closeness with you, protecting him from the harm his enemies would seek. May he feel so loved and cared for by you, that he can hold his head high as a valued son of the King. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

The place of secure protection in times of trouble is to be near our Lord. Live close to our Lord as the dwelling place of your soul, and delight your heart in his beauty. He will never let you down.

His Abundance

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 36:7-9
7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.
9 For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.


PRAYER

Life is in you, Lord. Shelter from the storms of life is in you. Abundance and delight come from you. Lord, I ask that today ______ would bask in the generous gifts you have given him. I pray that he would feel alive indeed, and would know that this life comes to him from you. I pray that he would see your abundance in his life and heart. I ask that he would stay very near your, seeking shelter from the difficulties of life. And I pray that you would allow him to drink from your river of delights and feel the satisfaction of soul that comes. Lord, lavish upon ______ your precious and unfailing love. And may his heart be overcome with gratitude because of it. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

His love will never fail. His shelter is secure and sure. His abundance feeds, and his delights quench your thirst of soul. Stay close to him, and live indeed.

Living in Harmony

SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 133

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, give us harmony I pray. There is too much hate, too much fermented anger, and too many nurtured grudges. The embers of misunderstandings are fueled into raging fire, and the sting of pain is returned seven fold. Lord, I ask that you would make each of us aware this week of our part in the dissonance around our web of relationships. Search our hearts and show us each how to be harmonious, and with whom that should start. Move us each to do our part in being at peace with those around us, even our enemies. Restore friendships. Resolve conflict. Reunite families. Replenish love. Move us to show the love to one another that you have first shown to us. And may we experience the beauty, satisfaction, and refreshment of harmony among us Lord. Amen.

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Forgive an offense. Touch a need. Understand a deep heart. Be a friend. And feel the refreshment of harmony.

 

Acts of Kindness

SCRIPTURE

 

Matthew 25:34-40

34        "Then the King will say to those on His right, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35        "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

36        naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'

37        "Then the righteous will answer Him, "Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

38        "And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

39        "When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

40        "The King will answer and say to them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them you did it to Me.'

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, needs abound, in both ______ and in those around him. There are not only the physical needs, but also emotional hurts that run deep. Souls are hungry, thirsty, alone, uncared for, sick, and imprisoned. They need a touch from you Lord, a touch that you have designed to come through us, and a touch that is sometimes neglected by those who can give it. I pray two things this week Lord. First, I pray that you would touch ______’s deep needs by bringing to him a few who will act as your instruments of care. I pray that you would prompt their hearts to extend acts of kindness to ______ in just the way he needs, in just the manner that is best, and at just the perfect time. Meet his needs through them Lord. And I pray equally that you would prompt ______’s heart to extend his kindness to those persons you put in his heart this week. Meet their needs through him Lord. And as you do, I pray that you would close a circle of community, a circle that has you at the center. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

When you reach out and meet a need, it has the same impact and the same reward as if you did it for our Lord himself. Keep your awareness keen, and watch our Lord bring a perfect opportunity to touch “him” this week.

 

 

Strength and Encouragement

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 138:3

As soon as I pray, you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me the strength I need.

PRAYER

Lord, as ______ is crying out to you, I ask that you would answer him quickly, and I pray that your answer would carry with it your strength. There are days when he feels weak Lord. It just feels like the circumstances of his life require more than he has to give. He is not sure that he can go on, but there seems to be no escape. And his heart begins to feel the heaviness of discouragement. Oh Lord, I ask that you would give a double portion of your strength to ______ this moment. And as that strength lands in his heart, I pray that it would bear the fruit of encouragement. Lift his spirits. Fill him with hope. Cover him with peace. May that strength give him the confidence he needs to walk the path before him, with honor and grace. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

It may be that the answer to your prayer comes, not as the answer you expected, but as the answer you needed… strength. Be encouraged… you are just that important to him.

Bless the Children

SCRIPTURE

 

Luke 18: 15-17

15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are some children hovering around ______’s life that he touches. You have given him a special gift that he employs to bless these children in wonderful ways Lord. Today I pray that you would give ______ a blessing because of that. Swell his heart with the satisfaction of knowing that he has made the same tender souls important that you made important. Help him to know that his touch in their lives is eternal and powerful. Give him a glimpse of the fruit of his blessing on their lives Lord. Honor him for honoring them. And I pray that you would give him a really big hug from one of those children, accompanied by a beaming smile that says, “I love you.” Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

The difference you are making in these children’s lives is eternal, and will bring an eternal reward. May God bless you for blessing them.

 

 

Calming the Storm

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 8:23-27
23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.
24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.
25 And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us Lord; we are perishing!
26 He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
27 The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"



PRAYER

Lord, ______ may feel today that the recent storms around his life are overwhelming him with the swells of pain and sorrow. The hurt he carries feels as deep as the ocean that brings the storm. The confusion around him bites like a bitter wind in his face. And some days he feels like he is going under for the last time. The boat of his life feels as if it is becoming swamped. I ask at this moment Lord, that you would rebuke the circumstances of his life, and calm the storm around him. Bring calm and peace I pray. I ask that he would be as amazed as the men on that boat with Jesus were. I pray that he would be drawn to worship you in amazement as he sees what you have done in his life. And Lord, I pray that you would build _____'s faith indeed. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

He sees the storm, and yet he is calm. His strength can calm the storm around you. Ask him. And then trust him.

The Great Healer

SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 6:2-4

2          Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed.

3          And my soul is greatly dismayed; but you, O LORD-- how long?

4          Return, O LORD, rescue my soul; save me because of your lovingkindness.

 

Matthew 15:30

30        And large crowds came to Him [Jesus], bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them.

 

PRAYER

 

You, O Lord, are the one who heals. Though the sin of mankind has infiltrated our world, and the sins of some have shattered our personal worlds, yet you heal Lord. I ask that this day you would give ______ a quiet reassurance that your power is able, and your grace is sufficient, to heal even a greatly dismayed soul. Give him faith Lord. I pray that he would be among those who come to you, pining away and yet searching for your healing. I ask that you would flood his heart with a healing balm that could only come from the divine. May he know that you are reaching into his heart, and touching him in ways that are beyond counseling, beyond self-help, and beyond understanding. May he feel your touch Lord. And as he does, I pray that he would perceive healing. Don’t just bandaged his wounds, Lord, but take the cancer of soul away. Reach his deep places, his confused places, his blocked places, his fearful places. Heal him… completely… unmistakably… and soon, I pray. Amen.

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

He came to heal. Be dismayed, that’s ok. Ask, how long, he understands. But plead with him to give you the healing that your heart and soul needs today. Ask him. He is the great healer.

 

Wings Like Eagles

SCRIPTURE

 

Isaiah 40:27-31

27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?

      O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

 28 Have you never heard?

      Have you never understood?

   The Lord is the everlasting God,

      the Creator of all the earth.

   He never grows weak or weary.

      No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

 29 He gives power to the weak

      and strength to the powerless.

 30 Even youths will become weak and tired,

      and young men will fall in exhaustion.

 31 But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength.

      They will soar high on wings like eagles.

   They will run and not grow weary.

      They will walk and not faint.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, the more ______ waits, the more it may seem that you do not see his troubles. And some seasons of life are so unfair that he might think that you are ignoring him entirely. Those seasons of emptiness and aloneness can be consuming, almost like a low-grade terror that builds in the background of the heart and threatens to overwhelm. In those seasons Lord, I pray that you would remind ______ of who you are; the everlasting God, Creator of all the earth. Bring to his heart a vision of the amazing strength, endurance, and understanding that you make available to him. Lord, quiet his heart. Still him. Move him into your presence just to sit in silence, and wait. Wait, Lord. Remove from his mind the fear of the unknown, the worry of the future, the pain of the present. Give his heart a singular focus Lord… YOU. Open a conduit from your heart to his. And as he waits, pour forth upon his spirit a generous supply of strength to overcome his fears, of understanding to see his future, and endurance to face his present. Lift him high above his circumstances as his wings catch the wind of your spirit. Make his spirit soar Lord. Give him that surge of strength, that depth of endurance he needs to walk his path. When it comes to him Lord, may it be sudden and supernatural. May he know for sure that it comes from you. May he see WAITING as the conduit that carries this strength. And Lord, because of that, may the word WAIT become sweet to his soul indeed. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Make the waiting count, my dear friend. Wait long, not for your hopes and dreams, but wait on your Lord. Sit in his presence often and long. Worship him as creator and sustainer. Delight yourself in the intimacy of his presence. And feel yourself soar.

 

God our Father

SCRIPTURE

 

Rom 1:7b

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

PRAYER

Lord, you have given ______ an earthly father who loved him dearly. Although not perfect, he has gifted him with a treasure of memories, lessons, and love that will last forever. And most of all, he has taught him something of you, his Heavenly Father. I pray that today you would bring to ______’s heart the good gifts he has received from his earthly father, and would thus be moved with gratitude toward you, his Heavenly Father. I pray that as he reflects on his Dad, that he would have a moment of insight that would give him a deeper understanding of you Lord. As he remembers his embrace, may he receive yours. As he reflects on his wisdom, may he ponder yours. As he feels his love, may he savor yours. And as he feels his Dad’s smile, fill him with your grace and your peace. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Earthly fathers may come and go, but your Heavenly Father is always with you; always; right beside you; through anything. He will never leave you ______. Never.

 

 

As Unto the Lord

SCRIPTURE

 

Matt 6:1-6

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven... When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

 

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there is much in ______’s life that goes unnoticed by people. There may be ordinary everyday tasks that he does to serve his family, or his friends, or the elderly, or the needy, or the hurting… and those acts of service may be taken for granted or unseen by many. Very likely the time he spends in prayer, the energy he puts into meditation on your truth, and the authenticity of his honest self-reflection goes unseen by any other person on this planet. He grows in his faith, in the peace he feels from you, in the depth of obedience in his heart, and no one sees that but you. Ah, but Lord, YOU see it. I ask that you would make ______ aware of your watchful eye upon the good he does. Help him to know that you log his good deeds, and will reward them richly one day. May he feel your smile upon his life, Lord. May he feel the satisfaction of having your pleasure. And as he comes to appreciate more the fullness of your smile, may his every motive be refined. May all that he does, big and small, be done as unto you Lord. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

______, God is sees those acts of service that go unnoticed, and he is aware of the good things in your heart. He sees, and he will reward you. Be encouraged, and please don’t give up. We need you.

 

His Grace

SCRIPTURE

 

Proverbs 18:13 (NASB)

He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

 

Matthew 7:1 (NASB)

Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

 

Galatians 5:14-15 (NASB)

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

 

John 8:7 (NASB)

[Of the woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus to be stoned]

Jesus straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are times when the hateful eyes of “Christian Pharisees” are upon ______, and the venom of their condemning words threaten to bite and devour him. They feel qualified to judge, although they know nothing of the facts, have not walked his road, and cannot see his deep heart. They relish an opportunity to hurl a stone. Lord, protect ______’s heart and soul from these. Cause him to turn toward your grace, receiving your forgiveness, and continuing to walk in humble repentance and renewed obedience. Help him to know and feel your favor and grace on his life. Guard him from their bite, and make the accusations roll off his heart like water off a duck’s back. And I ask that the beautiful grace that you have given him, he would extend patiently and kindly to his accusers, that they may come to their senses and stop doing the enemy’s work. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Hear our Lord’s voice clearly through the crowd of your accusers, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

Draw Near

SCRIPTURE

Luke 10:38-42

 

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

James 4:8a

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

 

 

PRAYER

[Pray this for yourself]

 

Dear Lord, there resides beneath the surface of my heart a dull ache regarding my future. What will my life become? Will my needs ever be met? Will my longings be fulfilled? Is there hope? Will my worries become realities? Will my fears take flesh? Which will come true, my nightmares or my dreams? Lord, I do all that I can do, all that you call me to do, but there is so much that is outside of my control. I confess that at times I feel both helpless and hopeless. Help me Lord. Help me to seek you with more of my heart. Give me that singular focus that draws me to long for your attention and yearn for your nearness. I cry out to you Lord, please listen. Please listen, and please reveal yourself to me. Give me that same comfort that you gave your people, give me a comfort to know that you have plans for good, not disaster; that I do indeed have a hopeful future Lord. I need comfort. I ask you to enter that place of ache deep inside, and dissolve it into peaceful trust in you and your grace. Help my faith. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

God knows the plans he has for you. He knows. Draw near to him. Enjoy him. Rest in him. Trust him.

 

Get and Give Mercy

SCRIPTURE

Luke 18:9-14

 

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, cultivate in ______ that posture of heart that sees in one view both his sin and your mercy. Keep him from confidence in his own righteousness and the unseemliness of scorn that comes with it. This confidence comes so subtly Lord, almost unaware. It seeps in over years of religiosity and overtakes that once humble heart. And we forget from whence we came. And we think that we made our own righteousness. And we so easily look down from our self-made loftiness, guard ______’s heart from that place Lord. Give him that beautiful balance of awareness of his own sin, and yet trust in your mercy for forgiveness and cleansing. Make him feel the unworthiness and sorrow of his sin, and yet the justification that comes to him though your mercy. And Lord, may you honor his humility. Exalt him I pray. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Ok, so you have sinned. Feel your sorrow fully, and cry for his mercy. He will be pleased with your humility of heart, and will declare you righteous. Then go, and give what you have been given, mercy rather than judgment.

 

A Sure Help

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 142:4-7a

4 I look for someone to come and help me,
      but no one gives me a passing thought!
   No one will help me;
      no one cares a bit what happens to me.
 5 Then I pray to you, O Lord.
      I say, "You are my place of refuge.
      You are all I really want in life.
 6 Hear my cry,
      for I am very low.
   Rescue me from my persecutors,
      for they are too strong for me.
 7 Bring my soul out of prison
      so I can thank you.

PRAYER

It is an empty feeling to be abandoned in our most desperate time of need, Lord. And yet, it is when ______ feels the sting of consequences for his own mistakes that he is most likely to be ignored by those who were his friends. He hopes for someone to help him, but they put him out of their minds. No one seems to care. And the very ones who could add comfort, multiply pain by their neglect. Yet, it is in those times that he is most likely to turn to you Lord. Move his heart to find his shelter in you. I ask that ______ would see you as the only one who could ever really fill that empty place in his life. I ask that you would hear his cry, lift his spirit, and rescue him from those who would spit the venom of self-righteousness upon him. Their accusations are too strong for him to handle Lord. Please release his soul from this prison. Free him to live again. Bring him home Lord, so that he can lavish his thanks upon you. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT
Seek God's attentive and caring help most. It is the only sure help there is.

Pour Out Your Troubles

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 142:1-3

1 I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
2 I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
3 When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn.


PRAYER

Lord, sometimes ______ just has a need to come before you and unburden his heart. He feels the pain of trouble in his life, and the pressure gives vent to a respectful complaint. He has a case to build for what he would like you to do. I pray that you would release the constraints on ______’s heart, and allow him the freedom to tell you what he will. Lord, bid him follow the Psalmist example, and cry out with a plea for your mercy and a detailing of all his troubles. Somewhere in the expression there is hope and comfort to be found, we know. So pull from his heart the depth of pain that he holds there. I pray that he would release that pain into your hands, with details. You are big enough to handle even the raw blast of emotion he feels. You are able to sift through the words and hear his true heart. He has no risk of being misunderstood by you Lord. Give him permission in his soul to speak from that place of being overwhelmed. And as he does, I pray that you would reassure him that you alone understand the situation, and you alone know the change in direction that he needs. From the expression of pain, show him your direction Lord. Make it as clear as day. Help the eyes of his heart to see it. Help the feet of his will to follow your direction Lord, follow it completely. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

There is no shame in feeling pain, and in venting the full blast of your emotions to God. He can handle it. Tell him where you hurt, why you want it to change, and what you want him to do. It’s called prayer, and it may not look like a church prayer, but it will certainly look like a prayer of Psalm 142. God will be pleased, and you might just find some direction waiting at the other end.

Incomprehensible Love

SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 3.18

"And I pray that you may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."

PRAYER

Lord, there may be some days that ______ longs for the love of a person. He wants to be cared for. He wants to be important and needed. He wants to be listened to, understood, and admired. He wants to capture the attention and affection of someone important to him. But Lord, when ______ looks deep within, he knows that the love he really needs is yours. I ask that today he would be empowered to grasp even more clearly how amazing your love for him really is. Help him to know that the breadth of your love covers all, the length of your love is never-ending, the height of your love is immeasurable, and the depth of your love reaches the most important parts of our being. And as he grasps this love, I pray that it would go even deeper… I pray that he would know the experience of your love in such a way that his heart is touched and his life is changed. Be the lover of his soul today. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

______, always remember, the one who loves you most matters most… our Lord himself. Soak it in, bask in it, and allow that love to change you. It will never let you down. Never.

Unfailing Love

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 143:7-10 (NLT)

 

7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,

      for my depression deepens.

   Don’t turn away from me,

      or I will die.

 8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,

      for I am trusting you.

   Show me where to walk,

      for I give myself to you.

 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;

      I run to you to hide me.

 10 Teach me to do your will,

      for you are my God.

   May your gracious Spirit lead me forward

      on a firm footing.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are moments in ______’s life, when heaviness of heart would surely drown him in a sea of circumstance, were it not for you. He knows in those moments that your help, your presence, and your unfailing love are necessary for his very survival. Dear God, I ask that this morning you would land your unfailing love upon the awareness of his heart. May that love melt helplessness and hopelessness into a deep pool of trust. Lord, guide ______ with your love. Show him precisely where to take his next step. And after he takes that step, show him the next. I pray that he would give himself completely to you Lord, walking just as you would have him to walk. Rescue him from danger. Teach him your will. Lead him. And as he ponders your present love, I ask that he would feel the safety of hiding in your care. Give him both a firm footing and a forward movement as your spirit leads. Help him Lord, help him. Amen

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Listen for his unfailing love this day. It will come to you in unexpected ways. Receive it. Relish it. Trust it. And walk in it.

 

A Cry for Mercy

SCRIPTURE
Luke 18:35, 38-43 (NASB)

Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging... And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

And he said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."

Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.

PRAYER

Lord, it may be that ______ has a hurt in his life that has surrounded him for so long that survival has demanded he adjust. It is a pain that he cannot fix, that limits his wholeness, and dulls hope on the horizon of his future. He needs a touch from you in either his heart, or his circumstances, or both. I pray that he would feel your presence close by, and cry out for your mercy. And though others may not understand or approve of his plea, may he cry out all the more fervently Lord. And when you respond to his heart, may he be ready to articulate simply and precisely what he wants you to do for him. May that desire so burn in his heart that there is no pause in his response. May he tell you what he wants, with a heart that brims with belief. And Lord, I pray that you would see his faith, and grant his heart's desire. Heal ______'s hurt Lord. Fulfill his longing. Make his dream come true. And Lord, in so doing, may you enjoy the sweet aroma of his undying gratitude and praise.
Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Mercy. It flows from his heart to yours. It is released by the cry of faith. Cry out for his Mercy ______. And keep crying out.

Your Mind and His Peace

SCRIPTURE
Philippians 4:6-9

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.


PRAYER

O Lord, peace of heart is one of your great inventions, one of your most wonderful gifts. Were it not for your peace, we would be left to the agitation of mind and fear of heart that comes from not knowing the future. What an ache of anxiety _______ feels at times, Lord. He sees through the fog of his mind futures that will never be, and feels in his heart today the pain of tomorrow that will never come. And deep down he knows the waste of emotion. Lord, I ask that you would take ______’s thoughts captive, and fix his mind on those things that will lift him out of the dungeon of fear and into the light of hope. Train his mind Lord, to dwell on the beauty of this life you have given. Saturate him with your focus. And somewhere in this renewed perspective I ask that you would bring a peace that is so calming that he wonders at it. Deep within I pray that he would feel the calm of a mountain lake on a still morning. And when he looks fixedly on this calm, may he see the towering mountains of your love reflected there. May ______ know today, in a fresh way, the power of a renewed mind to bring your peace. And when he looks at tomorrow, may he see the beauty of the good gifts you are yet to give.


ENCOURAGEMENT

Think hard on everything that God is. Allow those dark elements of this world to be a blurred backdrop, only adding to the beauty of God’s gifts. Fix your thoughts on that beauty, and not only will you have the peace of God, but the presence of the God of peace as well.

Pray Big

SCRIPTURE

James 5:16b-18 (NASB)

 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

 

 

PRAYER

[Pray this for yourself]

 

Lord, help me to pray big. I confess that my small faith would have me make excuses for unanswered prayer before I even pray. The inertia of my heart believes that because I am not extraordinary, I must pray small. Lord, remind me of the importance of faith. Remind me of the Elijahs… ordinary people who accomplished the extraordinary through earnest prayer. Refresh my awareness of the critical importance of personal righteousness to the equation of effective prayer. And Lord, move me to pray great feats of prayer. Release me to ask for the absurd. Free my heart to reach for the sky, and believe that you are big enough and gracious enough to answer me. Make me aware of what I might miss because of cowardly prayers. Make me an ordinary person like Elijah Lord, who dares to ask for the extraordinary, and believes that you will answer. And change the course of my life because of it. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

Cleanse your hands, roll up the sleeves of your faith, and ask big. He longs to respond to your bold faith. He already knows the deep desires of your heart ______. And he is waiting to respond to your pleas. Be extraordinarily normal… like Elijah.

 

Be Blessed

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 37:23-24, 28; 39:2-5 (NASB)

 

So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him; and they took him and threw him into the pit…

 

Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt…

 

The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, I ask that your presence and its accompanying blessing would be with ______ in the same way it was with Joseph. Joseph found himself far from home, adjusting to a new place, new people, and a new life. And it all came about because of the impact of the sin of others. But you honored Joseph's loyalty and obedience to you, and added something special to everything he did. I ask you Lord, to bless ______ in all he does, all he touches. Lift his heart so that he sees the good in all that comes his way, so that he sees your hand of blessing in it all. As the events of life seem to slide across the table and drop into his lap, I pray that you would give him the grace to see each event as it comes, to field it, and to respond to it with honor and dignity. And may those events actually be transformed into magnificent blessings, just as they were in Joseph's life. Lord, when life gets harder, and when he feels as though he is forgotten and abandoned in a jail in Egypt, I ask that even there your hand of blessing would rest upon him and cause his heart and all he touches to flourish. Cause him to find favor in the sight of those around him. Bless ______Lord, bless him indeed. Amen

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

Alone is never truly alone. He is with you, and his blessing is all round you. Watch it come, and receive it as from him. He loves you ______, he loves you indeed.

 

A Generous Wisdom

SCRIPTURE

James 1:2-5

 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not resent your asking.

 

PRAYER

Lord, it is when troubles persist that ______ is in special need of wisdom. Knowing your truth is easier than the wisdom of applying your truth to the complexities of life. I pray that you would create in ______ a sense of need and longing for your wisdom. There will be times when new horizons present to him, when big decisions loom over him, when perception and insight beyond his ability are required. As those times come, Lord, I pray that you would swell in his heart an instinct to ask you to unleash your generous supply of wisdom. I pray that your wisdom would make his decisions insightful, his timing perfect, and his intuition divine. But most of all Lord, I pray that his faith in your present wisdom would put his heart at peace. No matter how alone he may be Lord, make ______ know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are present to guide him with the warmth of your wisdom. And may that warmth melt his fear away, and give birth to joy. Do that for him this week Lord. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

It is when you feel most alone, and most overwhelmed that God's generous supply of wisdom will be most appreciated. He will pull through for you this week as you ask. He is never far, and always listening for your plea.       

Love Your Neighbor

SCRIPTURE

Luke 10:30-37

 

Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.

The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."

Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are times when ______ is in need of a true neighbor. There are seasons when his spirit feels beaten, stripped, and abandoned. He finds himself wounded, confused, and unable to help himself. He is simply in need. Thank you so much Lord, for those Samaritans who have looked closely enough to see the desperateness. Lord, thank you that there are some who have listened long enough to understand the wounds and feel a depth of compassion for  ______. And thank you that their compassion was active enough to sooth and bandage the wounds, even at the sacrifice of time and energy. Lord, thank you that ______ was not required to meet a certain religious qualification for help, but that help just flowed from the love of a neighbor. We are grateful to you Lord for these honorable saints who are fulfilling the great commandment to love their neighbor. May they feel your pleasure for the wounds they have bandaged. And may ______ pass that same active compassion to others who hurt… even to those who may have passed him by in his need. Even those Lord. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

It only takes one Samaritan to effect a great healing in your soul. Receive that gift, and go and do the same. Learn from those who passed you by, and love them like they should have loved you.

Thy Word

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.


PRAYER

Lord, when the complications of life begin to swirl around ______, and the fog of his own heart drifts in, and bitter wind of other people’s opinions whips up, he feels confused. He begins to doubt. He gropes through the darkness, and wonders where the path is, and what obstacles might be in his future. He knows you know, Lord. But he needs to know, from you. It is in those moments that I pray he turns to you and your word, Lord. I ask that he would linger long in your word, and not just the surface truth. I pray that he would ponder, dig, meditate, and explore your word for himself. Never allow him to settle for the status quo just because it is the standard line. Press him Lord, to study your word and make it his own. Sift his decisions, perspectives and actions through the truth of your word, and light his path Lord. I pray that illumination would be the order of the day, and that you would light the path before him , today next week, and in the months and years to come. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

His word has everything you need ______. Feast on in and follow the path it lights. And remember, it’s God’s word, so you need not be concerned about what everyone else thinks, just what he thinks. Walk the path he lights before you, in obedience and faith.

Forgiveness and Obedience

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 130:3-4

3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,

who, O Lord, could ever survive?

4 But you offer forgiveness,

that we might learn to fear you.

Matthew 5:4 (NASB)

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

PRAYER

Lord, there is something in knowing what we deserve, and the forgiveness that you have lavished that draws us to respect you more. I pray that ______ would feel your forgiveness wash over him Lord. I ask that the full understanding of his failures would not pull him down, but would rather enrich his understanding of your forgiveness. Overwhelm him with the relief of that forgiveness. And Lord, as he comes to know the richness of your grace, grow his passion for obedience. I pray that he would have a deep respect for you, and the obedience that you require. I ask that this wash of forgiveness would lead him to learn reverent obedience. Change his perspective, shape his passions, and soften his will because of a deeper awareness of your grace and your love. I pray that the grace you give will lead him to repentance where needed. And Lord, replace the mourning for his sin with the comfort of your forgiveness. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Your forgiveness comes at great cost to our Lord Jesus. His love for you moved him to be your substitute. Feel the depth of his love for you, and give that love back in your obedience. He wants all of you ______.

The Great Giver

SCRIPTURE

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

"You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Matthew 7:7-11

PRAYER

Lord, you are indeed the great giver of gifts. You are the one to whom we plead. And you answer us by giving good gifts. I pray today that you would build ______'s faith. I ask that you would move his heart to ask, seek and knock. Lord, I pray that he would be so intent on receiving the gifts you have, that he would not stop asking and seeking. I pray that the door that seems so tightly shut would open tomorrow because of his persistent knocking today. Revive his passion to plead Lord. Awaken his faith to believe that you are indeed a gracious heavenly Father, and that you love to give good gifts to your children. Do not allow him to settle for what he sees today. Give him an assurance of things hoped for Lord. I pray that you would reach far into ______'s heart and pull out the deepest longings, the longings so desperate that they hurt. I ask that you would light a fire of passion in his soul to ask until you answer, to seek until he finds, and to keep on knocking until you answer. And as he feels his weight on his knees, swell the hope in his heart. Amen.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Our Lord is sitting on the edge of heaven, waiting to lavish his blessed gifts. Ask, my friend, ask. And don't stop until he opens the door.

Friends

SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
(NASB)


PRAYER
Lord, it is during times of adversity that a friend is proven to be a true friend. Thank you for blessing ______ with people who care for him, even in the hard times. Thank you for those who are sensitive, and reach out with active love. Especially thanks for those who know his failures, and reach out still; for those who look past his mistakes to see his true heart. And Lord, I ask that you would bless those who show themselves to be friends indeed. And as you pour forth your supporting love and comfort through them, I ask that a generous measure of that love and support would stick with them as well. Lord, bless them for blessing _______ I pray. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT
Appreciate your friends, and be a friend indeed. And remember that when the going gets tough, true friendship shines.



_______________________________________
Dave's Life Coaching
_______________________________________

His Provision

SCRIPTURE
Philippians 4:12-13

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:19

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.


PRAYER

Lord, at different times, life has brought _____ both abundance and want. He has known fullness and need… and not just with regard to material things. He has felt the richness of love and the heartache of loss. He has known the fullness of friendship and the vacuum of loneliness. He has enjoyed the sunshine of gracious saints, and the darkness of the Pharisees’ condemnation. He has felt the heights of joy and the depths of despair. Yes, his heart has known both a song and silence. And yet, through it all, you have been present; your strength has been available, and your glorious riches have met every need. And that Lord, I ask you to do again today. Pour over ______ a wash of contentment this moment. Give him the strength to face his present day with confidence, a confidence that comes from having you at him side. Whisper in his ear Lord, “We can do this together, we can do this, stay with me, don’t give up, keep walking with me.” And then Lord, I ask that you would do something special for him… lavish a gift today that reminds him that you are meeting his every need, body, mind and soul. Surprise him with your grace and melt the remnants of doubt away Lord. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

My dear ______, relax in his provision. Rest in his strength. Find the joy in your present day and be content therein. Your gratitude will attract his blessings.

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Dave's Life Coaching
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His Presence

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 139:7-12

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.


PRAYER
[Pray this for yourself]

I am never alone, Lord. I am never alone. Even if I to try to escape, I cannot. Even when I am by myself, I am not alone. This heavy feeling of aloneness is not reality, but is an illusion. I have your presence. Your Spirit resides with me. You are everywhere I could go, and walk with me through every part of my journey. And although at times I think I would rather have someone with skin, indeed I am beginning to see that people with skin come and go, but you are constant. People fail, but you are consistent. People will wander off, but you are a steady companion. People ignore, while you number the hairs of my head. People sometimes do not listen, or understand, or empathize, but you lavish your undivided attention, and your understanding of my deep heart. You enter my pain and sit with me there. You get me. And as I purposefully sit with you, alone, and engage your reality in the room, I begin to feel your wise guidance and strong support come to me. I begin to see that the spiritual truth of your presence is more real that a person with skin could ever be. And I begin to rest in that reality. I still miss the closeness of the touch of a kindred spirit, I still long for that soul connection, but the longing is different now. It is an added grace to supplement the main course of a deeply intimate soul-connection with you. The more I learn to savor your presence, the more deeply will I be able to one day relish the gift of a person with skin who is fully engaged in listening, learning, and loving me. Thank you Lord, for your presence, and the guidance and support you bring. I need you. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT
Seek and savor the reality of his presence. Feel the depth of his lovingkindness. Value his guidance. Rest yourself on his support. And maybe one day, you will have someone with skin too. Never give up.

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Dave's Life Coaching
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A Lift

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 145:14

The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.


PRAYER

Lord we all fail you at times, and need your help. Please help ______ today. It seems his mistakes follow him, the consequences of his past screaming out in the most important parts of his life, creating more pain than it seems he can bear. He knows that he is forgiven, but the residue of his shortcoming is always with him. The raw pain seems to be getting more intense, and he is beginning to bend beneath the load. Lift him, Lord. Make him know the strength of our hand bearing the load so that he is no longer bent beneath it. Lift his spirit, heart and soul. Give him relief from the pain that follows him. Encourage him to know that your help is near, and your support is certain. Ease the weight now, Lord. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

He is near. He will help with the weight of your burden. He sees your bent and burdened soul, and is here to lift you. Take his help… it is the only certain help there is.

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Dave's Life Coaching
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Renewal

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 94:17-19

17 Unless the Lord had helped me,
I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
18 I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
19 When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.


PRAYER
[Pray this prayer for yourself]

Lord, help me please. There are times when the hurt is so deep, and the confusion so profound that all I can do is cry, “Help!” I don’t know what I need and I don’t know what to ask you to do. All know is that I ache, and if feels as though my soul is settling down in to the silence of the grave. I am slipping, Lord. And even now, at this moment I feel your love; a strong and unfailing love; a supportive love. Stability replaces slipping, and I feel safer. The doubts about your hand in my life, your ability to work good from bad, and your attentive love begin to dissolve as you simply flow comfort into my heart. It’s a funny thing Lord, how the ache and the comfort can reside together there. But as the comfort comes, hope begins to grow again, and even a measure of joy. Thank you Lord. Thank you that somehow between the beginning of this prayer and the end you have given me a measure of renewal in my soul. I asked for help, and you gave it. Thank you Lord, thank you. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

Cry out to him. Cry out when you don’t know what to cry. He has unfailing love, comfort, hope and cheer. And he delights in renewing us. Just keep crying out. It will come.

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Dave's Life Coaching
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His Understanding and Power

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 147: 5-6a

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
The Lord supports the humble…

Matthew 19:26
…Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

PRAYER

Lord, when life does not make sense, and what we long for seems impossible, it is good to remember your incomprehensible understanding and absolute power. Lord, you understand everything about ______’s life and heart. You know. You have it figured out. You understand why. You know when. You could explain the details of how. And you see the what, before it ever comes to be. If ______ could only see what you see, he would rest. But then, that is the whole idea of building his faith Lord, so that he is convinced of those things he does not see, and is assured of that for which he hopes. Give him faith, Lord. And as he feels that his dreams are simply impossible, I ask that you would show him your power. Remind him , by something special today, that you are indeed God, and your power is absolute. You can do anything. Anything. I pray that you would convince him that you can even do that one thing that he thinks is impossible. Convince his heart Lord. And as he humbles himself in dependence upon your understanding and power, I ask that he would feel your hand encourage his spirit with your support. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

God can do it. No barrier is too high for him; no situation too complicated; no dream beyond hope. Believe. Hope. And never give up.
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Dave's Life Coaching
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