Prayer & Praise Mode
Scripture - Psalm 3:3 HCSB - But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
You ever just feel like crying? I mean like not for any particular reason?? Nothing has happened but you just get the urge to burst into tears. You might describe the feeling as having a ‘heavy heart’ or being in a ‘funk’. Whenever we have moments like these, we can go into Prayer & Praise mode.
Prayer is an awesome privilege! We can talk to God whenever, wherever, however, we need to; He is always accessible. We don’t need an appointment and we can talk to Him about anything, even in times of uncertainty … especially in times of uncertainty! And as we pray, He listens and as He speaks to us, we should listen; communication goes both ways! He may not reveal the reason for our heaviness, but He knows exactly how to draw us closer to Him. Sometimes He uses this time to prepare us and equip us for what lies ahead.
Praise has been described as “the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something." Yep, that about sums it up, wouldn’t you say?? When we praise God we express to Him how much we adore Him! We thank Him for what He has done/is doing/will do in our lives! Praising God lifts our spirits, changes our hearts and our thoughts, and it shifts the focus from us to Him! If we just start thanking Him, we wouldn’t have time to dwell on the heaviness we feel or what may/may not be going right in our lives. An attitude of gratitude will put you in a place of gratefulness … and that’s a great place to be!
After a time of prayer and praise, we will notice that heaviness, that ‘funk’, that moment has passed. If it hasn’t, then pray and praise some more! God wants to hear from us; He inhabits (lives in, dwells in) the praise of His people!
Prayer: Father, You are so awesome! You see us at our worst and yet You still want to have a relationship with us! Sometimes, You allow our hearts and spirits to ‘feel’ heavy but help us to trust You; help us to know that there is (Your) purpose in our pain! Thank you for the gifts of prayer and praise! Thank You that we have direct access to Your throne! Thank You for enabling us to be in a position to pray and praise! Thank You for being our Shield around us, our glory, the One who lifts our heads! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus’ Name we always pray … Amen!
(by Cassaundra Jackson)
You ever just feel like crying? I mean like not for any particular reason?? Nothing has happened but you just get the urge to burst into tears. You might describe the feeling as having a ‘heavy heart’ or being in a ‘funk’. Whenever we have moments like these, we can go into Prayer & Praise mode.
Prayer is an awesome privilege! We can talk to God whenever, wherever, however, we need to; He is always accessible. We don’t need an appointment and we can talk to Him about anything, even in times of uncertainty … especially in times of uncertainty! And as we pray, He listens and as He speaks to us, we should listen; communication goes both ways! He may not reveal the reason for our heaviness, but He knows exactly how to draw us closer to Him. Sometimes He uses this time to prepare us and equip us for what lies ahead.
Praise has been described as “the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something." Yep, that about sums it up, wouldn’t you say?? When we praise God we express to Him how much we adore Him! We thank Him for what He has done/is doing/will do in our lives! Praising God lifts our spirits, changes our hearts and our thoughts, and it shifts the focus from us to Him! If we just start thanking Him, we wouldn’t have time to dwell on the heaviness we feel or what may/may not be going right in our lives. An attitude of gratitude will put you in a place of gratefulness … and that’s a great place to be!
After a time of prayer and praise, we will notice that heaviness, that ‘funk’, that moment has passed. If it hasn’t, then pray and praise some more! God wants to hear from us; He inhabits (lives in, dwells in) the praise of His people!
Prayer: Father, You are so awesome! You see us at our worst and yet You still want to have a relationship with us! Sometimes, You allow our hearts and spirits to ‘feel’ heavy but help us to trust You; help us to know that there is (Your) purpose in our pain! Thank you for the gifts of prayer and praise! Thank You that we have direct access to Your throne! Thank You for enabling us to be in a position to pray and praise! Thank You for being our Shield around us, our glory, the One who lifts our heads! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus’ Name we always pray … Amen!
(by Cassaundra Jackson)
Archive
2020
January
A Prayer For the New YearGod is Not Through With Us YetJesus Savior, Pilot MeWanted: Servants with Zeal!Deer's FeetBlessed VituperationGrace ExtendedAre You Expandable or Nonexpandable Clay?A Customized CallingI Need My Share of Turbulence!Christ’s Prayer For His ChildrenThe Faith That Pleases GodIt Hurts Lord, But I Know You Love MeDo You Believe?A.C.T.S. – Back to The BasicsFinishing StrongA High-Jacked MindA New CovenantPeace in the Midst of TurmoilThe Seeds of Our DeedsIdle WordsDoes God Ever Change His Mind?Comforting OthersPress OnDon’t Worry, Be HappyMy Pleasure or YoursThe Holy Spirit Gives Us UnderstandingThe Ear and Eye GateGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleCount It All JoyThe Apron of Servanthood
February
Rock the BoatWhy Stay?Loss of Intimacy with GodThe "Restart" ButtonGod Does Use Ordinary PeopleMercy That Suits My CaseThe Ultimate SilversmithTimeless HymnsWhat Does the Bible Reveal About Astrology?Prayer & Praise ModeSecret LoverThere’s Only One Unique YouUnprofitable YokesTrue WorshipGiving ThanksAn Unexpected LoveIntimacy with GodA.C.C.E.P.T. The Way of Peace (Part I)A.C.C.E.P.T. the Way of Peace (Part II)Jesus, The Guarantor of a Better Covenant (Part I)Jesus, The Guarantor Of A Better Covenant With Better Promises (Part II)Love Covers Me from Head to ToeWe’re Safe -- God is Our Refuge!Ask WHAT, not WHY?God Directed Decision MakingWhat Is Good … For ALLSitting at Jesus’ FeetSentries On The WallStop In The Name Of Love
March
What Things Are You Anxious About Today?Deity Attributed To Christ JesusOh the Deep, Deep Love of JesusCommitting Our Works to the LordInevitable Change!Joy After PainTorn By My Feelings and The TruthCalled to EmpathizeLeaving Your Baggage BehindHeart StrugglesThe Attitude God Is Looking ForLike Arrows in the head of a WarriorAnchored in the Storm by the WordThe Need To BelieveSeasoned SaintsPraying the PsalmsTemple Care Matters!The Way of the TransgressorStruggling with Saying Yes to GodMy Weakness For His StrengthBelieve and ObeyMore Of HimRushing Ahead of GodWe're On A PilgrimageI Am Doing A Great WorkBeing Blind to the Truth About Our HeartsThe Purpose Of Scriptural QuestionsThe Faith That Impresses JesusNo Other NameBeware of Seeking Fake HappinessThe Worry Factor
April
God is Not Coming to Your Pity PartyOur ShieldThe Process of “Through” Part IThe Process of “Through” Part II"Do Not(s)" Of The BibleBe of Good Courage, a Call to WorshipObedienceOur Father In Heaven Hallowed Be YOUR NameI’ve Tested Positive for FaithChoosing: A Neglected PowerNumbering Our DaysThe Importance of HymnsBroken to Be BeautifulThe Raw RealityLook and LiveSought By The MasterMaking Me Uncomfortable, Everywhere I’m ComfortableCourage, Saints!!The Mind of ChristA Living ExampleIn the Process of Time – God Does a New ThingWe Don’t Walk AloneAre ya tellin me that GOD gave us a book?Shaking Up the WorldWhatever Happened to Godly Fear?Waiting and ListeningWriter’s BlockSpiritual FitnessYou Don’t Walk AloneTurn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
May
You Are With MeOvercoming AdversityIn Captivity, But Still His PlansTurned Into Another ManJesus is the true G.O.A.T . (Greatest of All Time)Yahweh Shalom“What God Uses: Lessons from Covid-19” (Part I)What God Uses: Lessons from Covid-19Don't Be Afraid - Be ObedientThe Impression of a MotherDescriptive Names of JesusNo More Excuses!Pour Out as God Pours InCultists Come A’ Knockin’! Part ICultists Come A’ Knockin’! (Part II)Jehovah Rapha – The God Who HealsAnd Now Let Us Stand and Turn to Hymn n. 392Broken Chains Still Worn by BelieversFriction that Brings UnityAre You PRAYING or PREYING??A Stormy ForecastSeeing Acres of DiamondsDeath of a Loved One Can Overwhelm BelieversA Right Now Praise!A Salute to Our SoldiersEXTRAVAGANT Worship!How Reckon We the Love of God?The Importance of Worship songs: Never Would Have Made ItMore Like JesusTHINK THANKSMy New Shoes
June
A Season of ChangeBe Encouraged!"Blessed Quietness"Having the Right Knowledge About GodDon’t Let the Devil Use YouThe Throne of GraceMy Strength and My RedeemerBit and Bridle Not RequiredHow Strong is Your GodLord, Empty MePettiness is Not a Fruit of the SpiritSeeing My Life As God Sees MeOBEDIENCE – Moment by MomentThe Importance of Hymns – Blessed AssuranceForgiving OthersGod Does Not Like UglyThe All Sufficiency of ChristHave “Real Life”Tomorrow is Not PromisedIn Jesus NameWhat’s Your Spiritual Diet? (Milk or Meat)Conditions for ForgivenessWisdom for TodayThrough Faith and Patience…Trials, Testing and Teachings (“A Recipe for Victory”)Koinonia or BustPurpose for SecretsYou Can’t Outrun God!When Trouble Comes AroundRadical Obedience
July
The Assured Hope of VictoryBehold the MirrorLove, Loves DetailsSafe in His ArmsRemembering the TimesA GREAT IntroductionA GREAT EntranceA GREATER ExitPrayer: The Valley of VisionHe Paused, to Write Something in the DirtOur Time To ShineI Declare!America Loves Me, She Loves Me NotAn Anchored SoulPromised RenewalPain for His PraiseColonoscopyReconciliationA Pastor’s Prayer RequestHe Said YesGet Behind Me SatanGod ProvidesImpatience That Leads to the Threshold of SinSafety, Fifth (?)Forsake Not Discernment!Divine Imbalance!Instructions for SuccessLiving Life With an Earthly Perspective- (“Under the sun”)Messy Matters That MatterLearning to ClingAspiring and Becoming
August
And It Came to PassDesiring the Requirement of OughtnessKindness, Tenderheartedness, and ForgivenessThe Battle is STILL the Lord’sThe Knife of ObedienceExcited About the Blood!Breaking and EnteringWhen No is the Will of GodMaking RoomDo What You Can DoGod Says So!Oatmeal Versus StewJesus Love MeLord Use Me As You WillGrow Where You’re PlantedLiving Clean in A Dirty WorldOur God Is PersonalNo Longer I, But Christ"BLM": Say It Loud!Face to FaithBeing Faithful in What Seems ImpossibleBearing Fruit for the KingdomTHE 'EYES' HAVE IT!The What-If ClubThe Almighty God is the God of OrderHe Knows Me Like No OtherOur Great CreatorThe Grace of God’s ForgivenessIn Due SeasonWhen Hope Is DeferredETERNAL-ISH
September
Will the Real You Stand Up?Keeping Our Eyes on the PrizeImitating the Example of JesusThe Lord Increases Our StrengthBurdened Beyond Our StrengthThe Importance of Hymns: It is Well with My SoulA Peek at MyopiaLearning to Walk AloneA Purpose for PrayerAcceptableAcceptable No ExceptionsGod is My Shelter and RefugeIn God We TrustBelieve in the Light of LifeDaddy’s GirlsMy God, That is Who You AreLooking Forward to My InheritanceSalvation is a Finished MatterI Worship You Almighty GodPursuing HolinessLost Lives MatterNo Greater LovePressing On No Matter WhatBeyond the Leaves of Our ChoosingDivine PerceptionThe Importance of a Turning PointWe Miss Our Church BuildingPut It in His HandsMy Grace is SufficientThe Saint’s Confidence
October
A Round-Trip to Remember!Rend Your Heart, and Not Your GarmentOne Really, Really Big Number EightSpiritual Fine-TuningThis is My Father’s WorldConversating with the LordJesus is Bread For a Hungry WorldAn Enduring BeautyA Message to the DyingWin SomeI Who Speak to you am HEWWJD: What would Jesus Do?Faith Over Fear Equals ObedienceFree At Last From AddictionHis Desire; Our NeedJesus’ Joy not HappinessCrying Out to the LordHe Shall Reign ForeverAlas, a Lily (Part 1)Alas, a Lily (Part 2)Blessed AssuranceAre You in An Entanglement With Christ?Oh! The Blood of Jesus!Seek the Blesser Before the BlessingHe Has the Whole World in His HandPraying Constantly Makes Us BetterSpiritual GiftsWrong Thinking Wrong Feelings = Wrong ActionsThe Answered PrayerToo Ashamed to Ask for PrayerMERRY CHRISTMAS!
November
He Never Sleeps Nor SlumberLearning Another LanguageBalance, Beloved! (Part I)Balance, Beloved! (Part II)The Great PhysicianOur Great RefinerGood TroubleThe Wisest Time Spent on EarthDiscrimination is not of GodThe Sword of the SpiritA Change is ComingWait for the LordEarthly Life: A PitstopDon't Lose HeartHe is Exalted the King is Exalted on HighExplicitly Absent – Implicitly There! (Part 1)Explicitly Absent – Implicitly There! (Part 2)Explicitly Absent, Implicitly There (Part 3)God’s Word is SettledBathed by My SaviorA Living SanctuaryHe Made Man in His ImageGod Knows Your NameWhat a Firm FoundationThe Discipline of ThanksgivingSay Your GraceFor It was YOUR Mercy!Choosing God’s Path For Your LifeHe said I thank you, and gave thanksLoving Our Enemies