Aug 8 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  PATIENCE IN THE MIDST OF A STORM

I Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In times when everything seems to be going right and you have your plans and events that are coming, life can send you into a storm without any warning. Pray and give your storm to God, then be patient. Some storms are quick and fast, they move on without any serious damage. But some storms linger and destroy everything in their path, continue to pray and trust in God. In the midst of it all, your faithfulness to God will allow you to get the victory!

Vercilya Reese

Aug 7 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  LORD, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU!

Luke 17:15-16 “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”

With so many failed attempts at topical creams and ointments, my heart would ache watching my youngest daughter itch and scratch with little relief from eczema.  One night as I was getting her situated for bed, I saw raw, bloody spots and blotches on her skin that resulted from her scratching.  Almost in tears from what I saw, I began to talk to get her through the helplessness that I, myself, was feeling.  But, she responded emphatically, “Mama, I’m already healed!”  The BABY reminded me (the saint) of what God would do then, and now, today we thank the Lord for the healing He has manifested in her body!

Audrey Fitts

Aug 6 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  GOD HEARS US!

I John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

Knowing we can connect with God through prayer and that He hears our prayers, brings us peace and causes us to be grateful.  We can boldly go to God in prayer with a heart of thanksgiving, knowing that if we call on Him, He hears our prayer.  He neither sleeps nor slumbers.  When the world seems topsy-turvy due to a falling economy and the world is plagued with disease along with a judicial system that fails us time after time, one thing is for sure, God never fails!  He hears us!

Carlos Robinson

Aug 5 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

I Thessalonians 5:17-18 “Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

To cease indicates an end to what has been put into motion.  Prayer to the ONLY WISE GOD yields supernatural results.  Prayer in motion disturbs kings’ sleep, reverses curses, opens prison doors, provides peace beyond human understanding, and the list goes on.  Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons in a believer’s arsenal.  So, never stop praying, never stop praying, never stop praying!!!

Viola Christian

Aug 4 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH FOR DEAR LIFE

Matthew 6:9 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

With all that is coming against the Church such as Supreme Court rulings that oppose the Biblical teachings of Christ, we must petition the Lord for more power, righteousness, and love in this critical hour.  Though daily news breaks of the pandemic’s effects and civil unrest in cities across this country flood the media, the Lord reminds us in His Word “that men ought to always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).  It will take the prayer of faith to stand in these trying times.  Yet, there is an assurance that when we pray to the Father in both reverence and praise with thanksgiving, He who is holy and righteous, will sustain us.  As the Lord has given us this day to get closer to Him, let us spend more time praying, reading His Word, and meditating on Him that our faith may be increased (Luke 17:5).

Robert King

Aug 3 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  THE BENEFITS IN KNOWING THE LORD!

Psalm 103:1-2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”

The Lord is never slack concerning His promises to His people.  He is a present help in the time of trouble. The Lord wants us to come boldly before His throne. He loads us with new benefits daily through His mercy and grace.  In these uncertain times, let us remember that God will provide everything we need as long as we pray to Him with a thankful heart and live holy. 

Jordan Haywood

Aug 2 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  KEEP PRAYER FIRST!

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

For me, Philippians 4:6 means “don’t worry about the cares of this world, but take everything to God in prayer.”  Sometimes, we get so caught up in our problems and in the things of this world that we forget that God is all-knowing. He knows what we need before we even ask but He wants us to bring these needs to Him in prayer.  When we pray, we can give Him thanks in advance for what He is going to do, what He is doing and thank Him again for what He has already done.  Today, let’s not dwell on our problems, but keep prayer first by laying all of our burdens at Jesus’ feet.

Valencia Nelson

August 1 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  GIVE HIM THE DETAILS

Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Prayer is relationship with God cultivated through communication with Him.  It is through prayer that you develop intimacy with God.  If you don’t know what to say or you find yourself running out of words, write God a letter.  Then read it back to Him.   You can trust Him with the very details of your life.

Pastor Michael Bender

July 31 ~ I HAVE NO REASON TO FEAR:  FEAR NOT

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

Twenty-eight years ago, when I was pregnant with our second daughter, I was placed on bedrest and later admitted to the hospital due to high blood pressure.  Fear tried to overtake me as I worried about my health, my baby’s health, and if my baby would live. Yet, in the midst of all the angst I was feeling, my church family prayed along with my family.  Days later during a routine procedure, my nurse came in, checked my fetal heartbeat, and I was relieved to hear my baby’s strong heartbeat!  At that very moment, God gave me peace that caused my worry to cease! 

Carolyn Forte

July 30 ~ I HAVE NO REASON TO FEAR:  POWER OVER FEAR

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

We, as saints of God, can be encouraged to know that God has given us as His people, something to counter fear or any other crippling spirit of the devil.  The spirit of fear comes from the devil to paralyze and ultimately destroy the believer.  But God has given us His Spirit.  With the Spirit of the Lord inside of us, we are equipped with power, love, and a sound mind.  During these uncertain, challenging times, let’s remind ourselves that we as saints of God can be at peace because our hope and confidence are in Him. 

Reginald Barker