The One Written on my Heart

As I sit in my favorite chair for a time of prayer and study of God's word, I have praise music filling the room.  My coffee is fully creamed, smooth to the taste and just the perfect temperature.  I have just "settled in" for an extended time of praising and praying to my Savior.  So many mornings seem to fill with busyness before I can throw on the breaks and claim my few moments of rest with my King and Life-Giver.  Today, a canceled meeting gives me a chance for extended study and I just felt so pulled to pray. 

This weekend, I heard a message that included the need for passionate ongoing prayer.  While I try to maintain a spirit of prayer through the day- lifting any thoughts and needs to Him continually as I work and go about my day- I still felt convicted.  There is one.... one, who meant so much at one time.  One, who accepted Christ as a child and yet, has struggled in recent history with living the truth.  Temptations from the world, in many aspects, became to strong and too attractive.  Yet, they have become a snare and the one is trapped in it.  I confess, I had stopped praying for that one.  This weekend I realized my sin in that and today I just spent long moments in deep, passionate pleas for that one.  Pleas that longing for the Savior would grow and swell within until they needed Christ as desperately as the air in their lungs.  Pleas for healing- ultimate and complete- from the hurts that have plagued and destroyed so much.

Is there a "one" in your life?  Have you quit praying?  Do you want change in someone you love?  Are you praying for them?  For me, it is too easy to look the other way and live my life... but, God is teaching me that isn't enough.  I must pray and as I do, I change in my thoughts and attitude regarding the one I pray for.

"You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows."  Job 22: 27 NIV

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29: 12-13  NIV

"Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith."  1Thessalonians 3:10 NIV

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

I am committing to pray daily for the one God has written on my heart and will specifically pray Ephesians 3:16-19 for that person.  My friend, please do not give up on the one God has written on your heart.... pray and plead to God for that individual- believing that if God has written them on your heart, He isn't finished with them yet!  I look expectantly for what God has in store for each of us as we grow and our hearts are changed through the power we are blessed with in prayer.  Blessing to you today my friend!

Prayers for Caleb and Matthew

Today, our son Caleb and his good friend, Matthew Schuman, are leaving for their first mission trip.  I shared my heart with you on Thursday about this adventure and asked many of you to consider praying for them as well as our Children's Minister, Derek Peters.  Here is a prayer list for them and please join in and ask others to pray with you! 

Saturday, June 23:  Please pray for them to feel your peace and joy today as they make final preparations and leave this evening.  Pray that they will feel welcome and comfortable in their new "home" for the week.


Sunday, June 24:  Please pray for them to have a wonderful time praising God in worship this morning.  Pray that God would help them focus on Him rather than any distractions that might divide their attention today and this week.


Monday, June 25:  Please pray for them as they carry out their duties and responsibilities- that they would feel and see God blessing them and enabling them to do their very best today and this week.


Tuesday, June 26:  Please pray for the children that will hear God's message to them this week and that they would accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Pray that Caleb and Matthew will have opportunities to share their heart with others who are searching for answers.... give them the right words, Lord!


Wednesday, June 27:  Please pray for strength and energy for the weary who are tired and ready to go home...Lord,  help them have courage and face the day with joy and peace.


Thursday, June 28: Please pray for open ears to hear what God wants to teach the leaders and the kids being taught this week... give the pre-teens who are leading a spriritual marker in their spriritual lives and that they will not be the same but be shaped more in the "mold" of Christ.


Friday, June 29:  Please pray for focus on this last day of the trip.  While joyful over a blessed week, please God help them finish the race strong and accomplish what you still have for them to do today. 

Thank you for praying and being a blessing to our families as well as countless others!