Tag: prayer

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UNANSWERED PRAYER

When prayers seem unanswered
Perhaps they’re answered in other ways;
Not with the outcome we expect
But where peace it will remain.

When prayers are unanswered
It’s protection and not rejection,
Since the heart believes one way
But where God provides a redirection.

Our desires cannot observe
The bigger picture that God sees;
He has a better plan and outcome
That will last for all eternity.

Although our prayers appear sincere –
They can be sincerely wrong,
When we believe the outcome will satisfy
But where deception may be strong.

Many cases do exist
Where answered prayers were fulfilled,
But where God’s permissive will did proceed
Instead of His perfect will.

And consequences will abound
When we insist and we persist,
But when we pray His will be done
True blessings will not be missed.

If Jesus’ prayer was answered
When He requested the cup be taken away,
The course of our redemption
May have been rewritten to this day!

God uses wisdom
Always has and always will,
He knows the best outcome after all
And whether our prayers should be fulfilled.

Thank God for unanswered prayers
Because they may have been premature indeed,
And where weeds could potentially have grown
Instead of God’s wholesome, pure seed.

“Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

“When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.” Isaiah 1:15

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

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WHEN WE PRAY AMISS

When we pray amiss
It’s when we would like to see –
The outcome in its timing
And of how it all should be.

When we pray amiss
It’s so our petitions are fulfilled,
But most times they are self-focused
With an arrogance instilled.

Because the Bible makes it clear
That when we pray for our own pleasures,
The prayers do go amiss –
When our idol becomes our leisure.

There’s nothing wrong in having fun;
It’s a gift that is God-given,
But when the prayers become self-centred
By certain motives they are driven.

When we pray amiss –
With God we play a game,
Because true prayers bring transformation
Where the heart cannot remain the same.

For souls to be delivered –
And for healing from within;
These prayers are heaven focused
When we’re delivered from all sin.

Prayers for God’s direction
And where we can serve indeed,
Are priceless in God’s ears
When for souls we intercede.

Knowing that we’ll stand
Before our Creator’s throne,
Should place reverent fear in our heart
To remove that heart of stone.

Time is of the essence
And eternity is sure,
Lord have mercy and do lead us
Into the forevermore.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” James 5:13

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13

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THE ART OF LISTENING

In a world filled with noise
It’s so important to unwind;
To clear our soul from every voice
And with God to spend some time.

It’s so important that we listen
When we are spoken to,
So we comprehend the meaning
And to be perceptive in all we do.

It’s important to be discerning
And to understand the times,
Because we can easily be deceived
Very often over time.

To listen is to have respect
With what’s articulated to us,
But most times we listen to respond
When our opinion becomes a must.

When we listen and do understand
It can be a matter of life and death,
And it’s important to be attentive
So we do not have regrets.

The art of listening is crucial
So we can respond accordingly,
When the entire message is presented
So no assumptions can be seen.

When we listen to God’s voice
Through His precious sacred word,
It will equip us for all battles
When we apply what we have heard.

Jesus listened to the Father
And was obedient to the end,
He bore the fruit of the Spirit in every way;
He was truly heaven sent!

“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:32-33

“Then Paul stood up and motioning with his hand said, ‘Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.’ … ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ ‘From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior – Jesus – after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.’” Acts 13:16-24

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.’” John 8:42-43

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22

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BE LESS AND BE BLESSED

Be less and be blessed
In the way we view ourselves,
Knowing God is worthy of all praise
Where all glory it should dwell.

When we elevate ourselves
And in wanting to be seen,
It’s where we desire attention
But perhaps through insecurities.

Because it’s all behind the scenes
Where true greatness is attained,
On our knees and in fervent prayers
Where true riches are obtained.

Be less and be blessed
As God exalts the humble indeed,
And will work in the hearts
Where His promptings we don’t see.

Prayer is the most powerful
Weapon we can yield,
Because it opens doors and closes some
And it’s our protective shield.

Be less and be blessed
And understand God’s sovereignty,
As we serve with all gentleness
When not wanting to be seen.

God humbles the exalted
Perhaps not today but eventually,
And patiently waits for their repentance
So a revelation can be seen.

It’s always behind the scenes
Where foundations will reveal,
The type of structure we will build
And as to whether it will yield.

Be less and be blessed
Since a humble nature is admired,
With all faithfulness and loyalty
In ways it can inspire.

God’s ways are pure and gentle,
With love, peace and joy,
And where kindness and all goodness
Will always be deployed.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who curse you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:12-14

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,” Ephesians 1:7-8