3 Prayers

 I've recently written down in my prayer journal, three prayers from writer Chris Tiegreen. I think they're very appropriate not only for the new year, but for the days we are living in.

"Please overshadow my fears and worries with Your strength." The Bible says that "in the last days, men's hearts will fail them for fear." This fallen world has always been a fearful place to live in, but perhaps never more so than now. Institutions that we have always trusted are being exposed for their corruption. It seems like some new disease is being reported each week, and the flames of fear are always being fanned by a media held in the grip of the enemy. Wars and rumors of wars are always increasing. And many shout "peace, peace," but as the Word says, "there is no peace." Fear may be the most pervasive feeling in our culture today. Yet in it, there is One who calls us to Himself. One, who in His Presence, all fear must fall. In His Presence, fear, anxiety, stress, and every other assault upon our rest in Him are put to flight. The key is for us to live in His Presence. To live in such intimacy with Him, that that which is not of Him can have no hold on us. This kind of intimacy yields a steadfast confidence and trust. In the darkest unknown, we know Him, and we press on. May every fear and worry we might experience this year, this day, be overshadowed by the reality of Almighty God. He is worthy of our trust.

"May we know by experience that an encounter with God is the antidote to whatever it is we dread." We dread so many things in this life. Loss....of things, homes, finances, marriages. We dread what "might" happen. Dread paralyzes us, steals our courage, robs us of our peace and hope. It, and its cousin, fear, cannot stand, cannot maintain its grip in the midst of our encountering God. These encounters do not have to be of the "fire and thunder" type. They can be simple daily, even moment to moment encounters with Him through prayer, the reading of His Word, the claiming of His promises, all of which result in the laying hold of our hearts by His. Too many of us face each day without such times with Him. We never really encounter the One we say we love and follow. So, He seems a distant figure to us, instead of a present reality. Yet He invites us constantly into His presence. He invites us to live there. In such a place, dread and fear lose their grip. We're held in the grip of His life. May we this day, and every day, be held in the grip of His love and life.

"May the only thing that overwhelms me in the coming days be the Presence of God." Something I've liked to say and pray is that "God overwhelms the overwhelming." We are overwhelmed by so many things these days. We live on the edge of chaos all the time. So many of us are living in the midst of it. We don't know what to do, where to turn, or where to go. Sadly, this is true of so many who say they know Him. So many of His people are overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives. We need a fresh visitation of His presence and His reality. In His Word, He said many times, "I am God Almighty! Is anything too difficult for Me?" The conditions of our lives give clear testimony to the fact that we do think much is too difficult for Him. It will remain so until His Presence, His manifest Life takes hold of us. When we are overwhelmed by Him, we can never be overwhelmed by anything or anyone else. May we each day, so seek Him and His Presence that we are overwhelmed by His Life, His Love, Power, Strength, and Courage. When that becomes our reality, we will find that He does indeed, overwhelm the overwhelming.

Just three prayers I thought I'd share with you. May they become yours where needed this year.

Blessings,
Pastor O