How to Pray

He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your Name, Your kingdom come. Give us each ay our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” – (Luke 11:2-4, NIV)

Jesus said to the followers, “This is how you should pray: ‘Father, we pray that Your Name will always be kept holy. We pray that Your kingdom will come. Give us the food we need for each day. Forgive our sins, just as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And don’t let us be tempted.” – (Luke 11:2-4, ERV)

So He said, “When you pray, say, Father, reveal who You are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” – (Luke 11:2-4, MSG)

Prayer is often a space where people feel stuck or lost. Jesus knew the struggle that people had and provided a basic framework so that we would know how to get started. First, there is an acknowledgement of who God is – He is holy, and we need to know and understand more and more of who He is and how He loves. Second, we are to ask Him to supply the things that we need. We must ask to be forgiven and extend forgiveness to others. For as we forgive, is the same way in which we will be forgiven. Lastly, we need protection from temptation – both within ourselves and beyond. God is faithful to meet us as we seek Him. He hears every prayer – both those spoken aloud and those which we whisper within our own heart and mind. May we ever seek the Lord in prayer and pursue the path which He has placed before us with purpose.

Most Holy Father,

Unto You we pray;

For as we seek You,

You show us Your way.

In love, You provide,

All things that we need;

For body and soul,

With kindness You lead.

Forgive us our sins,

Where we have lacked love;

Help us forgive too,

Let good rise above.

For all that You are,

And all that You do;

Help us to give thanks,

All praise unto You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not need nor expect eloquent prayers, but rather You want us to be real with You and give You our gratitude and trust for who You are and how You love. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to pray and for the times that we only come to You with our laundry list of needs. Teach us to have a heart for prayer, as prayer is our heartfelt conversations with You. Show us how to love and pray for others. May many come into a lasting and prayer-filled relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pray to You with grateful hearts that trust You in all things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 17:6

More Than Anything, Choose Love

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, NIV) 

Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, CEB) 

Most of all, love each other as if your life depends on it. Love makes up for practically anything. – (1 Peter 4:8, MSG) 

 

We are called to love one another deeply, sincerely, as if our very life depended on it. The forgiveness that comes as a result of genuine love, makes peace possible and creates a culture within us to care well for others. Our capacity to love grows exponentially as we understand and accept the love that God has for us, individually. May we seek the Lord and receive all that He has to offer, so that we may go forth and love deeply, as love makes up for practically anything. 

 

More than anything,

We need to choose love; 

From a sincere heart, 

Grace shall rise above. 

Love knows forgiveness, 

So freely, forgives; 

Grants hope to others, 

To rise in grace, live. 

What we are given, 

We often return; 

Let us seek God’s love, 

So perfect love’s learned. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love, as love covers over and forgives a multitude of sin. Thank You that You do not call us to do anything that You have not already done for us. Forgive us for the times that we have withheld forgiveness or love toward another. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on Your grace and goodness to fill us and equip us to love at all times, even when it is difficult to love. Show us how to love those around us in a way that demonstrates Your unending goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your heart to love deeply, just as You love us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

Hands of Grace

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, NLT)

We pray that the Lord will cause you to feel God’s love and remember Christ’s patient endurance. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ERV)

May the Lord guide your hearts into God’s pure love and keep you headed straight into the strong sure grip of the Anointed One. – (2 Thessalonians 3:5, VOICE)

 

This is a week where love, patience and endurance are needed desperately. Between excitement and uncertainty, students are struggling to stay focused in classes, and remember regular rules and routines. Additionally, two seventeen-year-olds were shot yesterday morning, not far from my school, so the odds that they once attended the school where I teach, are quite high. Regardless of the circumstances that led to the incident, the very thought of two mother’s babies fighting to live, is devastating. Love, patience and endurance are needed by all to finish this week well. The better we understand and receive God’s love for us, the more we are able to extend the same to those around us. May we ever seek the Source of every good gift, so that we may go forth full of patience and endurance, to finish strong as we love as we are loved by God.

 

O Lord, hear my prayer, 

May hearts come to You;

So Your love is known,

Illuminate truth.

Patient endurance,

Granted by God’s love;

Will keep us always,

Help us rise above.

Rise above trials,

Whatever we face;

For we can do all,

In His hands of grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, You meet us and provide the love, patience and endurance that we need to navigate our days. Thank You that You keep us in Your secure grip of grace. Forgive us for attempting to power through the trials that come our way, rather than seeking You for the strength that we need to navigate well. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would allow You to lead us according to Your great love. Show us how to love those around us with patience and endurance, so that they may feel Your love and know their worth. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we lean on You to lead our hearts into a full understanding of how to express Your love, patience and endurance all of our days. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. – 1 Peter 2:19

The Love of a Father

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. – (Psalm 91:1)

 

For many, this is an excellent promise to remember, as today can be a day of mixed emotions. Though most of us have had the good fortune to have been blessed with either a father, grandfather, uncle, spouse or some male that has held a positive and encouraging role in our lives, not all have had such a gift. The beauty of this day, Father’s Day, is that we all have a Father in Heaven who is perfect in how He loves. His love never fails, and He will always be ready when we run to Him. When we choose to dwell in Him, we find rest, regardless of what is going on in us, or around us. He provides what we need, despite what we seem to desperately be lacking. May we honor Him who is the greatest Father of all, and encourage the men who are seeking after God’s own heart to do likewise. Let us raise up the next generation of young men to do the same, as we show them how to dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and know for themselves, what it is to find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 

The love of a father,

for what can compare?

All seek such approval,

without it, despair.

No matter the father,

you’re granted on earth;

our Heavenly Father,

claims infinite worth.

He sees us and knows us,

and still chooses love;

no matter our failures,

in Him, rise above.

For all is forgiven,

as we hide in Him;

and rest in His shadow,

made strong from within.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we choose to dwell in You, we find rest in You. Thank You for the men that You have raised up to lead and father well, and thank You for those whom You are refining and restoring so that they may move mountains on Your behalf. Thank You that whether we have had wonderful fathers or not, You have always been our perfect Father; ever present and always available to us. Forgive us for allowing earthly errors to skew our view of You, and teach us to trust and hold fast to the truth of who You are, and how You love. Lead us to love others well, and to aid in the raising up of the next generation of young men who will father according to Your will. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, in which their heart is set on serving You. Be glorified O God, as we dwell in Your protective shelter, and rest in the shadow of Your loving kindness. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

To Live a Holy Life

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. – (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

 

Impure is a state of not abiding by how we know the Lord is calling us to live. God invites us to walk with Him, and as we do, He shows us what it means to abide by His standards, rather than those set forth by society. As we choose to answer the Lord’s call and obey what He asks of us, we are empowered by His Spirit to live a holy life in Him. This does not mean that we have somehow arrived; but rather we are on the road that is marked by redemption, and we continue to travel in His forgiveness and grace, ever seeking to stay submitted to His standards, rather than our own. May we each rise up and heed His call to live pure and holy lives, according to His good and perfect plan for each of us.

 

For God has not called,

us to be impure;

He’s taken our sin,

and made our way clear.

His great forgiveness,

has granted the way;

to live life holy,

and in His will, stay.

Not by our own strength,

but rather by love;

He helps and leads us,

to choose rise above.

Lord, help us to live,

pure and holy lives;

extending Your grace,

so others too, thrive.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You not only have a higher standard for us to live by, but You empower and equip us to do so. Thank You that in You, we can live pure and holy lives. Forgive us for the times that we abide by society’s standards rather than Yours, and help us to easily differentiate what You are asking of us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will stand firm in the truth that You have planted within us, and not allow any of the pressures or temptations of the world sway us from the truth. Lead us to love others with Your pure and perfect love, so that they too, may come to know the fullness of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we live pure and holy lives by the power of Your Spirit within us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13