The HOPE Channel

He (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)
All night? People often tell me they don't know how to pray, or they run out of things to say to the Lord. Their prayers don't last more than 5 minutes, much less all night long! Think back to when you first fell in love. Couldn't we just stay on the phone with that person for hours talking about nothing? So why is it so hard to talk to the One who saved our souls? Worship Him. Praise Him. Thank Him. Tell Him about your day. Ask Him for help in EVERY area of your life (we need it, believe me.) Then when you've counted all your blessings.. ahem... begin to intercede for your family members and friends, your neighbors, and your co-workers. Pray for the homeless, and leaders of our great nation (they need it, believe me!). Talk to Jesus about everything. He cares, from the greatest issues to the smallest concerns. Prayer is not a duty, but rather a privilege. Can't sleep? He'll be happy to stay up with you... all night long.

Don't you hate when people tell you to just "get over it" when someone hurts you? But how are you supposed to do that? -
Recognize, Renounce, and Release. ;)

"It is important to name each one aloud (RECOGNIZE); announce that you forgive them, rendering their power and control over you broken in Jesus' Name (RENOUNCE); and then verbally turn them over to the Lord's admonition and care (RELEASE)."
~ excerpt from "Freed Bird"

As part of our pre-marital studies, Ed and I read "The Power of a Praying Wife/Husband" respectively.

The Word is clear about the power of intercession. In Psalm 106:23, "Therefore He (God) said that He would destroy them (children of Israel), had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them."

And again in verse 30: "Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stopped."

NEVER stop praying for your spouse, your parents, your children, your family, your friends... your co-workers, your neighbors... your pastor, your church, your Country. It DOES make a difference! :D

People get ready.
JESUS is coming.
Soon we'll be going home! 🙌

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." (Psalm 100:4)

The Bible says that praising God and offering thanksgiving for all that He has done for us brings us into His very presence; into His gates and His very courts... the throne room of the Most High. So before we just slip Him our grocery list of requests, the things that we want Him to do for us, shall we not just praise His name and bask in the light, love, mercy and grace of His presence? There's no place I would rather be.