Category: prayer

Holy Living

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 1 Timothy 1:9

We have nothing to offer to a holy and righteous God who loved us and cared about us before we were ever born. How many people have ever lived on this planet at one time? He loved them all and has a purpose for their life. All of us impact each other’s lives and we need to work together. We owe God our very lives because he forgave us and offers all the help we need to live holy lives and making that possible for all of his children. It doesn’t matter what they are doing or how we impact others because he makes it all work perfectly. His plans are good and we can trust him to keep his promises for us. How many verses are there in the Bible? Each one is full of encouragement, wisdom, and promises for our lives. If we drink in the words written thousands of years ago then our lives will be rich and abundant. We can do anything we want but that usually just causes us more problems. His ways really are better than ours and if we want to see the great things he has for us we need to cooperate with him and do the things he has told us to do for that rich and abundant life. A good life filled with joy and excitement. He never does things part way but always the best ways for everyone. I’m ready to be apart of those good plans, how about you?

Praying With Confidence

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“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14

So much can be accomplished through prayer. It is really the only way we can have some control over the problems that come into ours and others lives around us. We are guaranteed to have troubles and we can overcome them by prayer. If we pray for God’s will. But how do you know God’s will? By immersing yourself in the word of God you will get to know his character and his ways. The more you know about God the more you can pray with confidence. That just means he hears you and that he knows you care and he will do what is best for the situation. It may not always be what we want or how we think he might do something but he does know best. Sometimes people still die even though we pray believing but if they are saved they get to go home to their mansion in paradise. Now that is perfect for them but he will give us peace and strength to get through even though it is hard. Also people can have terrible things happen to them that really are good things. Example: I had a bad stoke and it left me in a nursing home unable to care for myself and unable to do a lot of things like walking. It saved me from myself. I wasn’t living for the Lord but for myself. It also gave me plenty of time to really get to know the Lord and it totally changed my life for the better. I’ve found my purpose for living and am protected from the evil in the world in my own little bubble. Where I don’t have to do anything but get to know God better and keep my mind sharp so I hear him. So now I’m happier than I ever was before my stroke. I may not be healed physically but my mind and attitude are better than ever. So basically God will do whatever is best and only he knows what that is because he made us and he knows our hearts and minds.

Pray Without Ceasing

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Have you ever thought of being anxious as sinning? If you should do something and you don’t do it, it is sin. God has told us to pray always. If we don’t ask then we don’t get. We should trust that if we ask he hears us and will answer. Not always exactly what we want, but what is best. I find myself lately asking a lot of things that I used to never think of asking. But if I’m thinking about it or upset about it I need to address it. From wisdom to healing to help for someone I care about. It doesn’t matter what but why. God is the only one who can help and I know he is willing so why not ask. As a child we never hesitated to ask our parents what we wanted. So many things were not really good or necessary but we wanted them so we asked. God is the perfect Father and will always take care of us. His are always the best answers even if it may not seem like it. Our thinking is not perfect and we shouldn’t rely upon ourselves. He is right on time with the best answers even though sometimes they are delayed. Life is hard and not always easy but in the end we can see Gods wisdom. I’ve gotten things that I didn’t know I needed when I just trusted in his Devine wisdom. He will always answer prayers that aren’t spoken when we can’t pray or don’t know how to pray or are resting in his peace. He does know our needs all the time. Then we have to be thankful. Someone said that we aren’t thankful because we think we are entitled to things. No matter how simple or even if you don’t need it or want it, you should be thankful that your needs, not always your wants, are met. This time of year spend more time thinking about what you have and a little more time being grateful and then let that become a habit.

Praying

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Praying is one of our most valuable gifts. There is so much power in prayer. But. There are many things we need to do if we expect God to answer our prayers. He isn’t a genie that gives us everything we want. There is an exact way to ask. And he spells it out in his word so we will succeed in our asking. First he asks us to pray about everything important to us. He likes to hear them all because we can’t get answers without the asking. Then we need to ask specifically and not generally. Now that doesn’t mean we get everything we want or how we want or even when we want it. God does know what is best and he can and will do it. He also wants and deserves thanksgiving for all he has already done and continues to do. Ungrateful askers can’t expect much. Ask with boldness and knowledge that he can do anything if it is best for all parties. You may not think something is possible but it is so possible with God. Don’t underestimate him ever. Never stop asking because persistence is rewarded but sometimes the answer is no, not right now, or I have something better for you. We may not always see it as better but trust me he does. Someone we don’t want to die, but does. But maybe it is just time for them to experience heaven and all it has to offer them. God knows. He works some amazing things out in peoples lives that I’m praying for every single day. I’m amazed at some answers I could never have predicted. I see so many incredible and awesome answers and I only see a tiny bit of all God is doing. He’s working behind the scenes all the time and sometimes the enemy tries to get in the middle of it. But we need to relax and let him take control.

Prayers

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“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7

Jesus was so close to his Father and wanted to do everything to please his Father. But he was still human. He needed extra strength and wisdom to do what he was called to do just like we do but he also felt pain, anxiety and hurt. He had honest emotions just like we have so he does understand all we go through. But does that mean that God didn’t hear his cries? Of course God heard and he always hears are cries also. But sometimes we need to go through certain times for a very good reason. It may be just as simple as gaining strength. I know for sure I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for the trials. It also has helped me grow in trust because I have seen God overcome so much in my life and in lives around me. We may want our prayers answered the way we want but that’s not always best because we don’t know all the ramifications. It doesn’t do us any good to get upset with God and basically demand our own way. That would just lead to hurt feelings and frustration. Just imagine if Jesus had not suffered and died on that cross. If there was no death there could be no resurrection. If Jesus had never been resurrected then we could never be resurrected either. I am so glad God stuck to the plan and one day I am assured eternal life in paradise with him forever.

When You Need Prayer

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“…you do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3 NIV

Whenever you need something come before God. Even though he knows our needs before we ask does not mean that we do not need to ask. The Lord loves to answer our prayers when we ask. If it is important to you it is important to God. Don’t think you are bothering God, or that it is too petty to take before God. Everything you tend to worry about, or get anxious about is important to give to God. It is important to be specific about what you need. Tell God what’s wrong but you don’t need to tell him how to fix it. He may not do things exactly how you see them as being done. He knows us because he designed us. He knows exactly what is best for us. Just because he does not answer immediately just the way you think he should does not mean he’s not listening. He will always answer. In his time, in his way, and always what is best for the person involved. If it’s not for my best, I don’t want it. I trust him. I don’t always understand why someone is not healed, or dies when I had been praying for them. Like when my grandson died just before his fourth birthday. I had prayed for him to be healed every day, but he died. Sure it would have been great if he had been healed. But was that the best thing for him? Or was that the best thing for me? Sure I miss him and my daughter misses him but so many things tell me he is better off. He is in heaven in a perfect body with No pain forever. All his Tay-Sachs friends are with him and they’re all perfect . His grandfather, who always wanted grandkids but died before any were born , and his great grandpa are with him. He’s with Jesus. There is something I have learned about prayer. I always ask God if I can be a part of what he is doing in the world. I want to make a positive impact on the world. He showed me I can do that by praying. Praying puts me in miracle territory. When ever you pray for needs you get to be apart of the miracle when those needs are met. In my prayer life I have seen so many prayers answered in such unique and special ways. Just recently a friend and minister from camp was on his death bed with covid19. On a ventilator and unconcious. Drs we’re giving up. But two weeks later he’s up and walking with a walker. This has brought boldness to my prayers. When I see great answers I get excited and pray for more. It is a privilege to come before God and see him answer.

Do you know someone who needs prayer today?

Open Our Eyes

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“Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your laws.“ Psalms 119:18

Over the last several years God has opened my eyes greatly to several truths and things in his laws. In 2013 I set out to seek the Lord with all of my heart. I made a deliberate effort to pray every day and to read my Bible daily. Those were my two main goals. I still keep those goals every day but it is habit now. If I forget the day just doesn’t go as good. I know God doesn’t expect perfection from us. But even if I realize it at 10:00pm I can’t sleep till it’s done. I used to get up early in the morning and go outside to pray. That was nice but three years ago I had surgery and it took a lot to recover from it. So I began sleeping in. So I would pray before getting up. Now I relish that time I have to just talk to God for an hour or two and hear him speak to me. He has shown me how important praying is. Lately I’m wanting to be bolder and ask more from God. I see it as a privilege to get to pray for others and to see God working in their lives. I see miracles happening all around me. It feels so indulgent at times laying in bed but God has shown me so much lately. I have also read through the Bible several times over the last 15 years and those words are getting seared into my brain. His laws are important. He gave them to us for our good. Each law has a purpose. By following them we will live a better life. Without them we would be lost. I know that people see that laws as restricting us from freedom. But I do not wish to be free to screw up my life. I have had my eyes opened to his ways. Another way he has opened my eyes is in worship. I love to sing and love music. I listen to praise music often because it lifts me up. One day I went from singing along not really thinking about the words. Then ‘Pow’. One day I heard every word and what it meant to the writer, and now I sing with passion and understanding in my heart. Praise and worship will never be the same. He has shown me a great love for his ways. I can lay around in the mornings and get so inspired by how great and awesome our God is.

Do you understand and try to keep his laws?

When You Need Prayer

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“…you do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you have wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on pleasures.” James 4:2-3 NIV

Whenever you need something come before God. Even though he knows our needs before we ask him, does not mean that we don’t need to ask. The Lord loves to answer our prayers when we ask. If it is important to you, it’s important to God. Do not think that you are bothering God, or that it is too petty to bring to him. Everything that you tend to worry about or get anxious over is important to give to God. It is important to be specific with God. Tell him what’s wrong but you don’t need to tell him how to fix it. Remember his ways are not always ours. He may not do things exactly how you think it should be done, but his ways are best. He knows us because he designed us. Just because he doesn’t answer immediately or the way we prefer does not mean he isn’t listening. He will always answer. In his time, in his way, and always what is best for us. If it’s not for my best, I don’t want it. I trust him. I don’t always understand why someone isn’t healed, or they die, when I had been praying for them. Like when my grandson died before his fourth birthday. I wanted him healed so badly. I prayed for him every day, but he died. Sure it would have been great had he been healed. But was that the best thing for him? Or was that just best for me. Sure I miss him and his family misses him but, so many things tell me he is better off. He has a perfect body and no pain. All his Tay-Sachs friends are there with him and they are perfect too. His Grandpa, who always wanted grandkids, but died too soon, and his great grandpa are with him. He is with Jesus. There is something I have learned about prayer. I have always asked God if I can be a part of what he is doing in our world. I want to make a positive impact on our world. He showed me how I can do that by praying. Praying puts me in miracle territory. Whenever you pray for needs then you are apart of the miracle when those needs get met. In my prayer life I have seen so many prayers get answered in unique and special ways. This has brought boldness to my prayers. When I see great answers I get excited and want to pray more. It is a privilege to come before God and to see his answers.

Do you know someone who needs prayer today?

Treasures

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:20 NIV

This time of year we need to think of others. God tells us to give 10% of our income to the local church. If we all did this there would not still be needs all over the world but people, at least most people, believe that if they have left over money at the end of the month then they might give some to God. Wrong! That is not what the Bible says. First of all God was here first and all that ever was or ever will be was his, everything. That is why I know that anything I have or earn is from God. It is for me to use to do his will and I will obey his commands. I was raised in the church and my father taught me about tithing when I was a little girl. On weekends I got allowance say $1.00 so I took 10 cents with me to Sunday school for my offering . It doesn’t matter if you get $1.00 for allowance or $2,000.00 a week in pay. It’s still 10% that God expects. 90% of your income totally blessed will go so much further than 100% cursed by God but in your pocket. I have a silly example of tithing. When I decided to tithe after my stroke I had 0 income. I received disability from Uncle Sam and decided to tithe on that. I don’t have a lot of needs but I buy mascara because I have beady little eyes I don’t like. I used to buy a few tubes at a time. Then I began tithing and I don’t remember the last time I bought mascara but it was years ago and it hasn’t gone dry yet. I never need body wash because I always get scented ones as gifts. So God does supply all of my needs, always. Everyone has heard the phrase “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” I really don’t need one more trinket. My room is the only home I have and it is only so big because I live in a nursing home. This morning I was given a little bear. Cute but I didn’t need it. So I gave it to a dear friend worrying about an upcoming surgery. He was upset and scared so I hope it helped. It did feel good. I love to give every time there is a special new need. And I do above what I tithe because My God loves a cheerful giver. I get so blessed every time. Our church has a motto “find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it”, well they take that very seriously. Our church has spent millions of dollars doing just that. Now they are having a fundraiser to collect money to help with human trafficking. They are having a walk-a-thon in January and I have decided to walk. Ok so I can’t walk but I will roll for $. We can all be used by God and it can be in simple ways. He just asks for a little. So little that you won’t miss it. Another way to help is pray. It is free! God is still large and in charge and he does answer prayers. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. I have seen some crazy wild answers to prayer and have been blow away time and time again. I get to be apart of it wow!

Wouldn’t you like to be apart of what God is doing in the world today?

Is Faith Enough

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8 NIV

When we go through trials and difficulties we need to run to the Lord. We need his strength and wisdom. Jesus was living a life that was hard and he went through so much. He can understand our struggles. He can relate. He, more than anyone had faith, and trust in his father. Over the last few weeks I have had challenges but through them God has shown me so much. Trials are tests and God may not remove them but he will help you through them. I have an electric wheelchair and have had for 12+ years. My chair is comfortable and allows me independence. My chair will recline to relax. Over a week ago it just shut off and wouldn’t come back on. They put me in a manual chair but it is uncomfortable and I can not move an inch on my own. I can take it only so long. I hate to be so dependent on others. I also have been fervently praying for several others who are knocking at deaths door. People who are young and have so much to live for. I found myself crying out to the Lord. We have been promised that if we have faith we can move mountains. When you really want those mountains to move you will cry out. Jesus really had faith. He was perfect. He commanded storms to calm, the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to rise. When he spoke things happened. As he knew his death was near I know he did not fear death. The chance of being back home with his father was a welcomed thought. But like all of us the suffering coming was unwelcome and unwanted. He cried out to God to take this pain away. Not once, not twice, but three times. When God does something three times it is significant. Jesus was doing something we do instinctively. Help, Enough, I can’t do this. God doesn’t expect us to do more than we can but sometimes he does know more than we do. I was praying for a young guy that was in a tragic auto accident that killed his grandma instantly and by all intent he should have died instantly too. But he held on and everyone was praying for a miracle. After a couple weeks the Lord took him home to be with him. Why didn’t God answer our prayers? Why didn’t God answer the fervent prayers of Jesus? Why did Jesus even pray them if it was not Gods will? We have to trust that God sees the big picture. Everyone and everything involved has needs, and God is working in the best interests of everyone involved. That one trial may have far reaching causes. Just think what would have happened if Jesus had not died for our sins? We were lost and needed a savior. It had to be somebody perfect like the father’s son. He is the only one who could do it. Might God have found a different way? Maybe. But the impact of that sacrifice has changed so many lives. It was not easy but it was God’s will to save the world. Jesus did it gladly and looked forward to the day he would see each of us in heaven with him. God helped him endure the suffering and he will be our strength too. Trials do help us grow. The more we go through the stronger we become. Physical, mental, and spiritual strength.

Can you trust that God does know what is best?