Rest

Eccl 4:6 -- One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Ps 37:7 -- Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Is prayer working for you? It should be rest. It should be setting aside burdens, setting down burdens -- it should not be a burden. Take it all to God today. Take GBC to God today. Rest assured God can bear that burden.

This concern is especially true for one of the GBC planners who is getting married in a few weeks. Needless to say that creates a whirlwind of a schedule. Please pray for him as he tries to juggle all those balls -- and ask God to bless his union!

What Really Matters....

From the ever reliable Oswald Chambers:

God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, "I will be with him in trouble . . ." ( Psalm 91:15 ). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. "In all these things we are more than conquerors . . ." ( Romans 8:37 ). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are "super-victors" in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.

"Nothing affects our essential...." What great words. GBC, as wonderful as it will be, is but one small thing in a vast ocean of God's work and His kingdom. As we struggle with it, and think about it, and work towards it -- we need to keep that in mind. Pray for perspective for all involved today.

Reliance

Isa 50:10 - Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Prayer is about reliance on the Lord. It is about proper perspectives. When you pray do you do so as a child approaches a parent? Even that utter reliance is insufficient to describe the reliance we should have on God. When you pray about GBC, or anything else, place it all on God. Don't ask for His help, ask for His relief. Don't ask for assistance, ask that the burden be removed -- totally. Rely on God.

Jesus...Please

From the Greek Orthodox Prayer book...Just liked it.

Praising Thy Incarnation, we all glorify Thee and, with Thomas, we believe that Thou art our Lord and God, sitting with the Father and coming to judge the living and the dead. Grant that then I may stand on Thy right hand, who now cry: Jesus, Eternal King, have mercy on me! Jesus, sweet-scented Flower, make me fragrant! Jesus, beloved Warmth, make me warm! Jesus, Eternal Temple, shelter me! Jesus, Garment of Light, adorn me! Jesus, Pearl of great price, beam on me! Jesus, precious Stone, illumine me! Jesus, Sun of Righteousness, shine on me! Jesus, holy Light, make me radiant! Jesus, deliver me from sickness of soul and body! Jesus, rescue me from the hands of the adversary! Jesus, save me from the unquenchable fire and from the other eternal torments! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!

I love the way this prayer looks to Jesus for EVERYTHING. We should rely on Him so, as should GBC.

Approach

Sometimes, it is very hard to ask God for what we want -- we think it is not imporant enough.

Matthew 9:20-22

And behold, a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I shall get well." But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." And at once the woman was made well.

That's OK. just approach God as best as you can. He will know you are there and He will respond. Sometimes, I wonder if GBC is worth all this effort, if it really important enough to blog a prayer daily. All I can do is lay that at God's feet. Won;t you join me?

COME!

Found this little prayer at the Upper Room Devotional site

Come, Holy Spirit, come! Empower us in this day to witness through word, deed, and sign. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Do you invite God to be with you when you pray? What a great way to start. Before you dive right in, ask God to join you...then ask HIm to bless GBC>

Sacrifice

Psalm 50:14 - Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High;

Do your prayers cost you anything? I see verses like this and I wonder if they ought not. Prayer should be joyous, but it will also involve effort. Pray hard today, make it an effort. Especially when you are praying for GBC.