Praise

PM#0160

Ps 22:3

If you were choosing friends, how would you choose them. Would you choose someone who is critical or someone who genuinely accepts you and appreciates you? You would probably choose the latter. God is the same way. He appreciates it when we given Him praise.

Ps 22:3 says "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." That means God looks for praise and that is where there is praise He is there. In praise we have fellowship with God.

If we look at our responses to criticism and how we respond to praise, we need to remember that God's response to praise is greater than any that we have.. He inhabits it.

Father, many of us have not learned to give you praise and worship. Help us to learn to do so and experience your presence. In Jesus' Name, amen.

©2006 Lewis Turner

Thanking God for Our Children

PM#0061

I I Thes 1: 12

Today, let's consider our children. Our children are important and we need to be thankful for them. They are a gift from God. When we remember good things about them it helps in appreciation of them. Children do need to hear us tell them, that we do love them and value them.

As we pray, lets consider praying with thanksgiving for our children and follow the example of the Apostle Paul in I I Thes 1: 12 who said "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers"

Father, we ask your help in being thankful for our children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Humility

PM#0251

II Chronicles 7:14

Many of us have been taught to strive for success, but if we do not put God in to the equation, where does it get us? What God wants is for us to follow His way of humility, then our success will come from Him.

The Lord instructs us to be humble in II Chronicles 7:14. Humility should be our prayer. I believe we should consider a prayer like the following:

Lord, lead me in humbleness. Teach me not to judge, because in judgment in my heart limits your work. Let me find forgiveness through humbleness. As you lead in humility may mercy be companion, and grace my covering. Through humility, may love be seen in me. May I find God’s truth, Jesus Christ in humility. Lord, help me wear the cloak of humility. May it be my mantle. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

©2007 Lewis Turner

Resisting Prayer- Discouragement

PM#0064
Eph 6:11

How do you handle discouragement? Some handle it by not talking about it, while others get lost in an activity so they do not have to think about it. Discouragement certainly effects us. If the evil one can make us discouraged, then he can keep us from fully following God's word. How then do we protect ourselves when discouragement comes? When times of discouragement come, we need God's help. The Apostle Paul wrote in Eph 6:11 "put on the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

We must learn the scriptures and be diligent and use the help that is found in God’s word. Following God's word is the putting on of armor. With armor in place, we can resist Satan through prayer.

Father, give us wisdom on how to resist the evil one in prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner

Prayer for Health

PM#0065
III John vs 2

All of us, who have children, never want to see them ill.

The Apostle John. knew that God also wanted us to have health and he prayed for our health in III John verse 2 That verse says " Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." As our children grow, we should pray for the health of our children. Will that keep them from illness? My experience in praying for my children is that they will have less sickness. When an illness tries to get them down, they will get well much faster. This is a prayer that should come out of your heart and love for your children.

Father, you have shown in your word that You want us to be in health. We ask for our children that they will be healthy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner

Children's Relationship with God

PM#0066
Mark 10:14

All of us want our children to have favor.

When Jesus grew to be a man, He grew in favor with God. That speaks of a relationship with God. Christ did not keep that relationship to Himself. In Mark 10:14b, Christ told his disciples to "suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

If Christ wanted children to come to him, then we too should want our children to have a personal relationship with God. Prayer for our children is one way that we can see this relationship develop, which Christ wants.

Father, we bring our children to you and ask your Holy Spirit to move on their hearts so that they will come into a personal relationship with You and have a hunger to know Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



©2005 Lewis Turner

Children's Friendships

PM#0067
Luke 2:52

All of us want to see our children have good relationships with others, where they are respected and accepted. Good relationships are a positive influence on our children.

The Bible tells us in Luke 2: 52 that as Jesus grew up, He grew in favor with men, which would indicate that He had good relationships with people. Almost every parent too, wants to see their children have good relationships with others.

We want our children to follow Jesus' example in relationships, so let's ask for it for our children. And let’s keep it before the Lord.

Father, encourage us to pray for our children's relationships with other people. May it reflect Christ and may they grow in favor with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner