On this thanksgiving day in the US, take time to reflect and give thanks to God for all of His blessings in your life. Whether you are eating turkey or pies, playing games with your family, watching T.V, or visiting friends or family, remember to take time to focus on God’s goodness. Count your blessings and notice all the grace, favour and love that God has given you.
If you’re not American the Bible says we too should give thanks. Psalm 95:2 says to “come before His presence with thanksgiving…shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” This scripture reminds us that we don’t have to wait for a day to give thanks, we should do it always. No matter the circumstances in your life, give thanks and praise to God for all that He has done.
Today, remember how good God is and that His love will endure forever. The Bible says that you show your love and real thanks to God through your actions toward other people. Reach out to those around you today who may not have family, friends or food. Share His love and forgiveness with them. Be thankful you can be a blessing to others!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, no matter what the circumstances, I always give thanks to You for the blessings in my life. Father, help me find the time to serve others during this busy season and throughout the year. God in doing so, may I draw closer to You, in Christ’ name! Amen.
Most people seem to be living in fear while others are uptight, worried and anxious, filled with frustration and concern. In the natural there may be good reason, but understand, living that way is not God’s best. God doesn’t want us to be filled with anxiety and frustration; He wants us to live in peace. You can find rest in Him knowing that no matter what is happening around you, Yahweh has His hands on you.
Remember todays verse the next time you’re tempted to worry or be anxious. God invites us to come to Him. In fact, the Bible says He rewards those who diligently seek Him. But notice, we can’t just come to Him any old way. He wants us to come to Him with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving.
Today, begin by simply saying, “Father, thank You for the privilege to come before You. Thank You for hearing my prayers.” As you come to Him with an open and humble heart, He will hear you and fill you with His peace and joy, to live free from anxiety all the days of your life!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NASB)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I choose to be anxious for nothing. I choose to set aside my worries and concerns. I thank You for Your faithfulness to meet every need in my life, in Jesus’ name! Amen.
As the Chaplain of a Christian School, often I see more potential in the students than they see in themselves. When you speak vision into your youth, when you tell them what they can become, you can help set the direction for their life. Your words have the power to push people into their divine destiny.
I believe that the reason some youth are not living at their full potential, is because no one has ever spoken faith into them. No one has taken the time to say, “hey, you’re great at this. You’ve got a gift here. You’re going to do something amazing.” I believe that one of our assignments in life is to call out the seeds of greatness in our youth.
Today, look at the young people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. Take time to study them. See what they’re good at. What are their gifts? What do they excel at? Don’t just think about it, speak into their lives vision and greatness. Tell them what they can become. Let your encouragement ignite greatness on the inside of them. Help them rise up in confidence, so they can be all God has called them to be!
“…God…calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” (Romans 4:17, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for the young people You’ve placed in my life. Father, I want to be faithful to our youth, give me the power, despite their behaviour, to speak life and call forth greatness in them. God, thank You for putting them on my mind today, and for bringing them to new levels by faith, as we help them rise higher. Please divorce them from the enemy, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
I hate waiting. Nowadays there seems to be queues everywhere. What are you waiting for God to do in your life? One thing I’ve learned is that waiting should not be a passive thing. When we’re waiting, we’re on the lookout, we have expectation. We speak what we are expecting from God. We act like it’s going to happen. We spend time making preparations.
When you’re expecting someone special for dinner; you don’t wait till they show up before you decide to start cooking. Most likely you start early in the day. You make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store, and maybe you buy some flowers for the table. You make preparations because you’re expecting someone. Staying focused as you wait with excited expectation.
Today, the attitude we need to have while we’re waiting for God’s promises to come to pass, and our prayers to be answered, is one of excited expectation and preparation. Put your faith to work as you prepare for God’s answer to come. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep hoping because your answer is on the way!
“…faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I choose to put actions behind my faith today. Father, I trust that You are working in my life as I wait for Your promises to come to pass. God, I will wait the right way – with expectancy and without complaining and worrying, knowing that my faith in You opens the door for Your hand to move in my life, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
I hate waiting. Nowadays there seems to be queues everywhere. What are you waiting for God to do in your life? One thing I’ve learned is that waiting should not be a passive thing. When we’re waiting, we’re on the lookout, we have expectation. We speak what we are expecting from God. We act like it’s going to happen. We spend time making preparations.
When you’re expecting someone special for dinner; you don’t wait till they show up before you decide to start cooking. Most likely you start early in the day. You make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store, and maybe you buy some flowers for the table. You make preparations because you’re expecting someone. Staying focused as you wait with excited expectation.
Today, the attitude we need to have while we’re waiting for God’s promises to come to pass, and our prayers to be answered, is one of excited expectation and preparation. Put your faith to work as you prepare for God’s answer to come. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep hoping because your answer is on the way!
“…faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I choose to put actions behind my faith today. Father, I trust that You are working in my life as I wait for Your promises to come to pass. God, I will wait the right way – with expectancy and without complaining and worrying, knowing that my faith in You opens the door for Your hand to move in my life, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
Have you had folk come against you, make fun of you and rip your name to shreds? King Saul in the Bible had people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m the leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.”
In my life I have had to deal with those naysayers in and out of the church, but I had to stay focused and pay them no mind. Sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realise that some people are just jealous or driven by the enemy. Not everyone is going to have your best interests at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best.
Today, instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, gossipers and evil surmises, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore those critics so you can be all that God has called you to be. Hallelujah!
“But some scoundrels said, ‘how can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.” (1 Samuel 10:27, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You no matter what is said about me. Father, I will ignore the naysayers, gossipers and evil surmises and turn away from negative voices. God, I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me, as I daily put Your voice and will first in everything that I do, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
I read in the Bible that we have the same resurrection power that Jesus had. I found that so hard to believe, then this thought came to mind. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and get baptised, the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of us, just as He did at Christ’s baptism.
That same Spirit, with the same power that worked miracles and raised Christ from the dead, that resurrection power can do the same for you. It will bring back health, strength and life to your physical body. It will restore hope and breathe life into your dead dreams. In fact, the Spirit can resurrect any area that may seem dormant in your life today. The next time you feel overwhelmed by sickness, challenges or despair, remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you through Christ Jesus.
Today, you may be burdened by an addiction, fear or worry, but there’s nothing that can stand against the power of God. So rise up and declare by faith, “he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed in the name of Jesus! No weapon formed against me can prosper!” Receive His truth, declare His Word, and activate His power within you!
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Ghost power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Father, I will feed my faith by declaring Your Word. Father, I will walk in Your ways, and honour You in everything I do, and exercise your resurrection power in all the dead areas in my life, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
As a believer in Jesus, you can approach each day with boldness and confidence. Why? Because He is with you, and in Him is everything you need. That means if you need provision for something today, provision is with you. If you need wisdom today, wisdom is with you. If you need strength, joy or peace today, they’re with you. Hallelujah!
Friends, you can be confident today, knowing that all of your needs are supplied spiritually, physically and emotionally, because the Lord is with you. And best of all, He’s promised never to leave you! Isn’t it good to know that you will always have whatever you need, any time you need it?
Today, please don’t let the devil’s lies, or pressure from the world, keep you from taking hold of everything the Lord has in store for you. Open your heart by faith, and receive whatever it is that you need right now. Just begin to thank Him for His provision in your life, and move forward in confidence and strength, knowing that the Lord is with you!
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for loving me. Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. I know that You are closer to me than the air I breathe. Thank You for supplying all my needs. Today, I receive Your promises in faith, and choose to cast all of my cares on You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
What are you seeking God for? Does it seem like it’s taking a long time to come to pass? Please be encouraged, because the Scripture says that through faith and patience, you will inherit His promises! If you’ll stay in faith, if you’ll keep on seeking Him, it won’t be long until you see that breakthrough. Hallelujah!
Many of us give up just before we get our miracle. We stop when things get hard, or when we don’t get the answer, we want the first time. Today’s verse encourages us to continually ask and continually seek. That doesn’t mean that we seek Him one time and then stop. No, we seek Him until we have the promise!
Today, submit your most desperate prayers to the Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. Know that God is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don’t give up! Instead, start thanking Him for His faithfulness in your life. Thank Him for His promise that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him! Hallelujah!
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for blessing me with a diligent spirit. Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. God, give me strength to stand and seek You, until I see Your promises fulfilled in every area of my life, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
Have you made the decision to forget the past? Many people don’t fully understand what that means. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget is to disregard intentionally or to overlook. In other words, you have to choose to disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.
Today it doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice live forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you’ll move forward. You’ll see increase and blessing and live the abundant life He has in store for you!
“…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead”
(Philippians 3:13, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I choose to forget the past. I don’t want anything to hold me back from what You have in store for my future. I choose forgiveness. I choose peace. Help me, by Your Spirit, to press forward into the life of blessing You have for me in Christ’ name. Amen.
Oftentimes, people set their focus on what God has done in the past — how He parted the red sea, or stopped the sun for Joshua, or fed thousands of people with just a little boy’s small lunch.
Yes, God has performed many amazing miracles throughout history, and it’s important that we give him praise and glory. But at the same time, we also have to look forward to what God wants us to do in our lives today.
In this verse, Paul says that “in the ages to come” God would do things that far supersede anything He’s ever done before. I believe that the “ages to come” that God’s talking about, is this day and time we’re living in right now. God wants to outdo himself in our generation!
Today remember God is a God of increase. Where you are today is not where you are supposed to stay. He has greater levels of His favour and blessing in store for you so dare to dream big! Dare to keep a God-sized vision in front of you! and dare to take hold of every blessing that the Lord has in store for you!
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4–7, NKJ)
Pray With Me Yahweh, thank you for your faithfulness in my life. Today I open my heart and mind to you so that I can see the greatness of what you want to do in my life. Use me for your glory. Thank you for your favour. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
This month is black history month in the UK. As people of colour we have been through and still go through seasons of difficulty and storms in life. But during those times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than any struggle we face! He will carry us through those challenges and use them to strengthen us, like He has always done. But we have to do our part and take a step of faith toward our victory.
When I think about Black people, I’m reminded about the caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. When it’s wrapped in its dark cocoon on the backside of some tree, it doesn’t look like it has many options. But inside that cocoon as it becomes a butterfly, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out. No, that butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to fight and continue to fight always doing something to get out of the confined difficult places we are in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and we have to press through to victory.
Today, no matter what race you may be or how tough things get, remember His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. He has given you everything you need to overcome in this life. Now is the time to break free from negative thinking and rise to new levels because He has victory and blessing prepared for you!
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'” (2 Corinthians 12:9a, NKJV)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for giving us the strength to make it through any challenge we may face. Father thank you for Black History month here in the UK, because it teaches me that I can trust You. I declare that You are good and faithful. Thank You for equipping me for victory in every area of my life. God, today I leave the confined dark place of caterpillar and declare I’m free like a powerful colour filled butterfly in Christ’ name. Amen.
We pray because we want something to change in our lives. Every day, we are attacked by many different circumstances — financial insecurities, health problems, or even relationship issues.
Most of us find prayer “a remedy” to these problems. But what if the answer is different from what we expected?
That’s probably why God used many people in the Bible about prayers being answered. These faithful heroes begged God to intervene in their troubled lives, which He reasonably did.
As you read along, observe these two things:
The reason why that person prayed (intention and attitude)
How has God powerfully answered the prayer
And who knows? It may also change the way you pray and receive God’s answer.
The Heroes Who Prayed
Hannah
In Bible times, when a woman is barren, it brings deep shame to the family. This is because children are seen as God’s gift, and being infertile is a challenging situation.
Like Hannah, you may be in a position where everything is hopeless. You may have already questioned God why you feel that “deep shame”.
But, recorded in 1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV) is Hannah’s prayer of faith.
She said, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
As you see, Hannah already claimed that God would fulfill His promise in her life even before she was pregnant. Sure enough, Samuel went down in history as Israel’s greatest prophet.
Just like Hannah, you can manifest God’s promise in your life and let Him be God.
Daniel
Imagine being in a place where no one knows you, and you’re being kept as a slave. You might have questioned God and blamed Him for your circumstance.
But Daniel reacted otherwise.
He knew God and how to communicate with and listen to God. Also, he made God his Friend in a country where he knew no one. Daniel 2:27-28 (ESV) describes Daniel as one great man.
It says, Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:”
Daniel was successful because He gave God all the credit. And because of that, he became chief administrator of the whole Medo-Persian kingdom!
Daniel might have become proud and arrogant. But, he understood that he was just a servant in the hands of an omnipotent God.
And that understanding came from his personal connection with God through prayer.
Jairus
Let’s talk about something more serious—death.
Jairus had a dying daughter. According to Mark 5:23 (NIV), he pleaded earnestly with Jesus, saying, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put Your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”
All of us are desperate for healing, especially when it is our loved ones who are at stake. We tend to pray and bargain with God to heal them from whatever they’re suffering.
In this story of Jairus, maybe God is just testing our faith. His daughter already died before Jesus arrived at his home!
But Jesus had more than a cure in mind when He urged Jairus to believe. When Jesus entered the house, He resurrected the girl from the dead.
Jesus wants to go above and beyond our expectations—He wants to revive our faith!
Elisha
Have you ever been in a situation where you are responsible for something yet don’t know what to do next?
Elisha did. God gave Elisha prophetic skills and abilities, and these threatened the king. He sent a troop to encircle Elisha’s city and initiate an assault. This news caused Elisha’s servant to panic.
There may be moments when God entrusts us with something, and along with it are circumstances that can harm us.
Instead of panicking, Elisha told his servant. “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16, NIV)
God answered Elisha’s prayer by blinding the opposing army. He then led his people out of the city.
You will also have the confidence to accomplish anything God asks of you. This is possible if we seek His protection surrounding us, knowing that our circumstances are blind to His might!
Joseph
The slave who turned into one of the best leaders in Egypt.
The Bible states that Joseph had a close relationship with God, and this is because of his prayer life. Because of this, even his master saw how close he was to God and found favor in him.
Genesis 39:2-4 (ESV) describes how Joseph is with his relationship with God.
It says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.”
Because of his faithful prayer life, God used him to govern Egypt and deliver them out of famine.
You might relate to Joseph in a way. Your business is not doing good, you have failing grades at school, or a really good friend betrayed you.
Regardless of how bad your situation is, remember that the God who led Joseph from rags to riches will definitely give you a way out, too. Just pray.
David
David was known to be the man after God’s own heart. But, how did he become one?
What does his prayer life look like? David was just like any of us. He committed mistakes, and he admits that he has deeply sinned against God.
But what made David successful was how he acknowledged his mistake and confessed to God. Psalms 51:10 (ESV) says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
After having heartfelt repentance and a deep talk with God, he felt a sense of peace in his heart and accepted that God already forgave him.
In our journey to success, we might experience a lot of temptations and stumbling blocks along the way. But, our persistent surrender to God will make us successful in our day-to-day battle with trials.
Jesus
Really? The Man who saved the world from sin prayed, too?
Yes. Jesus was not exempted from the benefits of this ultimate secret. As recorded in the Scriptures, He spent many, many hours in prayer.
Jesus could’ve just skipped the prayer part and went on to save the world.
But, no.
Every day, in the early hours of the morning, He kneeled and prayed to God the Father for protection and guidance.
“But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray,” according to Luke 5:16 (ESV). By spending time with his Father regularly, Jesus stayed in touch with His desire and purpose.
Why did Jesus do this?
Because He wants to be an example of how powerful prayer is.
Even before He was crucified, He prayed and pleaded to God to let the circumstance pass. But He was willing to submit Himself for God’s leading and will, and that was how the most extraordinary love story started.
There is Power in Prayer
Prayer has worked wonders in the lives of people in the Bible, and it can work for you, too!
It will help you to:
Acquire peace of mind
Be patient
Become the person God wants you to become
God’s Word is transparent in how great heroes in the Bible are and how dependent they are on God. He wants us to be comforted that He always provides the best answers only if we allow His power to influence our lives.
Author Bio
Heroes 2 is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version is on 3D graphics and animation, enhanced with unique features and more challenging Bible questions. It comes in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.
Is there something that you’ve done in your past that you’re not particularly happy about? A choice that you regret? The good news today is that you can be free of guilt and condemnation. You don’t have to live with that burden any longer.
The Bible tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. He’s not ever going to run out of compassion. He’s not ever going to run out of forgiveness. He’s not ever going to say, “well, this is the last time I’m going to give you mercy.” No, you can have a new beginning every single day!
Today, if there is anything from the past that you may still be carrying, take a moment and call on His faithfulness. Call on His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Let Him refresh and restore your soul right now. Praise Him and thank Him for the work He is doing in your life, and enjoy a fresh new beginning today!
“…His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
(Lamentations 3:22–23, NAS)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I choose to let go of every single sin, issue or weight from my past. God, I call on Your mercy; I call on Your grace. Father, thank You for hearing me and delivering me. I receive Your love and forgiveness today, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
As the football season begins, the thought came to mind in regards to teamwork. Your destiny is too big to accomplish things on your own. God has already arranged for certain people to come alongside you and speak faith into you. He has already placed in your path people who will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams.
Some people never reach their highest potential because they never get away from the wrong people. Recognise that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always putting you down, telling you what you can’t do, or who refuse to give you their approval no matter how hard you try.
Today, realise life is too short to drag people along who will hold you back from your God-given destiny. Ask God to help you get the wrong people out of your life, then He will help you make the right connections, so you can fulfill the destiny He has in store for you.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for placing godly people in my life. Father, help me to discern the right connections You have for me. God, give me strength to release the wrong relationships, so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me for your will to be accomplished in my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.
We all face storms in life. But during those times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than any struggle we face! He’ll take those challenges and use them to strengthen us, but we have to do our part and take a step of faith toward the victory.
When a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, it’s in a dark place on the backside of some tree, been battered by the storms of life. it doesn’t look like it has many options. But when it becomes a butterfly i, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out of it’s cocoon. No, that butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places life has placed us in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and we have to move into our victory .
Today, don’t just sit there! No matter what you may be facing, don’t forget, His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. He has given you everything you need to be an overcomer in this life. Now is the time to make a move break free from the clutches of the storm and rise to new levels because God has victory and blessing prepared for you!
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’…” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)
Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I may face. Father, I will not stand still in my struggles , I will move beyond them putting my trust in You. God, I declare that You are good and faithful. Thank You for equipping me with strength for a powerful victory in every area of my life in Christ’ name. Amen …
