On the Go - December 1, 2008

If we're expecting something, it would be good to let someone know what it is, don't you think?

Live it
I've forgotten what the book, Great Expectations is about, but judging from the title, it's probably like most of my prayers. That's where I'm looking for something to happen and expecting God to do it, but I've yet to ask him for it. I must consider his omniscience and omnipresence sufficient to invade my mind and read it. But there's a very important reason I should verbalize my requests with regularity and specificity. That's so I can know it is God doing it, lest I consider it just an opportunity for which I was looking and prepared.

Therein may lie the basic problem. God is so good that it's difficult, if not impossible, to view any opportunity as something he didn't present, even when I fail to ask. And he has given me so much, I live within the contentment I enjoy, failing to extend my petition beyond my own needs. So before we criticize ourselves for failing to ask God for something, we should seek his forgiveness for our failure to know how and for whom to pray.

Pray it
Thank you God for providing all my needs, beyond my wildest expectation. And thank you for giving me the desire to pray. Now I ask you to teach me how so I can know joy beyond my expectation.

Resources
We can appreciate nature without worshiping it. (2000)
Caleb: What to do when you view most of your life as having been wasted? (2001)
God not only makes promises but makes sure nothing impedes their fulfilment. (2003)
David felt he was a man of war, but showed us how to also be a man of God. (2004)
The day is coming when no one can stop us from raising our hands in praise to God (2005)
Devotional (2006)
Guilt is a symptom of a deeper problem known as unconfessed sin.(2007)
Where are you looking for God to reveal himself? (2008)

How to Pray for...
My husband or wife.
Bless my spouse today with your richest blessing in Christ Jesus.

My children.
Protect my kids today, but do what's necessary to train them to make decisions based on your Word.

Their school.
Give our kids a heart for God that is unapologetic.

Their teachers.
Bless godly teachers richly as they serve you and not man.

My children's friends.
Protect my kids from the bad influence of other kids.

My friends.
Help me be a true and loyal friend today.

My work.
Bless my family and other families through my business.

My city.
Teach our leaders the "right" way to act.

Governmental leaders.
Slow the growth of evil in government and strengthen your people.

My country.
God bless our country if she blesses and honors your Name.

My President.
Give him a tender heart of compassion for those he serves.

My church.
Make our church a place where Jesus is praised, worship is predominant and open to your leading.

My pastor.
Bless those who shepherd rightly; keep the "rancher" mentality away from your flock.

My church leadership.
Magnify the work of our church workers to reach your objective.

Sister churches.
Make all our sister churches as one body doing one work.

Persecuted churches.
Make a way to escape for our brothers in persecution, if you can be glorified that way.

Missionaries.
Provide richly their emotional, spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

The sick..
Heal those suffering with illness in your time and in your way.

The lost.
Win them through the witness of your children.

Those in despair.
Show those in despair the peace of trusting in Your Name.

Those in the hospital.
Protect them from neglect and/or abuse.

Those grieving.
Draw the fatherless to a reliance on you - our heavenly Father.

Widows.
Help us care for those widows who feel alone.

Orphans.
Help your people care for those orphans who feel alone.

Myself.
Use me to do your work and receive my gratitude- a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that praise your Name.

Prayertower Devotionals are the original creation of James R. Green:
Just Thinkin'... (2000-2003)
Read the Bible Thru in 365 Days (2004)
Pray Thru the Word in 365 Days (2005)
One-minute Devotionals (2006 to present).

Scripture provided by God's Word Translation (c)1995 - God's Word to the Nations. All Rights Reserved.