Hear my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching

Proverbs 1: 8

          According to Solomon, the teaching of our children lies with the parents.  The greatest influence upon a child was at one time the parents.  With the change in society, that responsibility has been handed to a school system and educators (teachers and administrators).  Teaching a child is an awesome responsibility. 

          This day we lift up our parents as they teach their children.  We pray that they will teach God’s will to their children.  We pray that our children will hold on to that will.

          We pray for the teachers of our school systems, that they will teach the will of God despite the pressure that they are facing from political and social groups.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

Romans 13: 1 – 3

          No matter your political affiliation, our national leaders need prayer.  They need to be lifted up to God, for their salvation, decision making, and to hear the voice of God so that they may lead according to His will.  The same is true for our state and county leaders. 

          While we are to be in subjection, part of that is constantly bringing them before God in prayer. 

          This nation is in the situation it is in because we have forgotten to pray for these men and women who have taken the oath to be public servants.

          This day, pray for the President, Vice- President, Congress, Governors, and all elected officials.

“Not many of you should become teacher, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

James 3:1

          Being a leader in the church during these chaotic times is not easy.  Sometimes it feels like a balancing act.  Yet our church has been blessed with two good solid men in elders, Steve and Phil.  So this day we pray that they will lead the church according to God’s will.  We also pray that they follow God’s will in their lives.

          We also pray for our minister, Mark.  Preaching God’s Word is not popular today.  We pray for God’s will in his life and God’s will in his preaching. 

          Being a leader within the church is an incredible responsibility.  It is not easy.  It is not glamourous.  However, it is rewarding.  Pray for these men today and God’s will to be in their lives and that they lead by God’s will.  

“Thy will be done..”

One evening, an elderly
cherokee brave told his
grandson about a battle that
goes on inside people.

he said “my son, the battle is
between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.
one is evil. it is anger,
envy, jealousy, sorrow,
regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment,
inferiority, lies, false pride,
superiority, and ego.

the other is good.
it is joy, peace love, hope serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.”

the grandson though about
it for a minute and then asked
his grandfather:

“which wolf wins?…”

the old cherokee simply replied,
“the one that you feed”

Is God’s will the one you feed?  Pray that His will is your life today.

“thy Kingdom come…”

          Often when we pray this prayer, we quickly fly through this phrase.  What is Jesus meaning?  Is He talking about the church?  Then why did He not say the church? 

          The Jewish people were looking for the Messiah.  In the Messiah would be freedom, peace, and most of all identity.  His Kingdom would be greater than the great King David.  This phrase held a great significance to them.

          Yet, Jesus was not talking about the Messiah’s Kingdom, He was talking about God’s Kingdom.  God’s desire is for mankind’s will to be in perfect submission to His Will. 

          The prayer today is for mankind to come to know God’s Will and to submit to His will.  That also means you and I as well.

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

Philippians 1:1

          Are you really special?  Are you different?  God created everyone differently.  However, as a follower of Jesus, do you live, think, and talk differently than the world?

          The word for saint in this Scripture is the same word that is used in Matthew 6:9 when we say “Hallowed.”  Paul reminds us that we are to be holy, different, pure, clean, and scared just like God. 

          All Christians are saints (holy, separate).  While we do sin, we are to be saints, because we are set apart to God.  We are God’s.

          This day ask God to help you live a life that is set apart.  Maybe you need Him to explain or show you how to live a set apart life, ask Him?

          Write down how your life is to be according to being set apart for Him?

“Hallowed be thy Name”

Matthew 6:9

There is none like God.  No words can fully describe the Father.  He is set apart from all that we understand.

The word that Jesus uses to describe the Father is the Greek word hagion which means scared, holy, saint, pure, clean.  It is a word that carries the idea of awe and wonder. 

Do you stand in awe of who God is?  DO you stand in awe of what He has done for you? your family?  Do you stand in awe of His holiness?

There is none like God.  John in the book of Revelation describes the heaven and the glory of God. 

Have you forgotten awe that you once had for God?  This day take a moment and rediscover the awe that you once held for God.  Maybe you need to discover that awe of God.

“Our Father Who art in Heaven”

Matthew 6:9

          My father and I fought like cats and dogs.  As a teenage boy, I knew it all.  He was old, out of date, and out of touch.  We never agreed on any subject.

          Twelve years ago, my father and I began to heal our relationship.  It was difficult.  We tried.  We spent time together.  We spent many hours on the phone talking.  We spent hours working on different things together.  Before he passed away, our relationship had healed to the point he was my mentor.  He is my father.

          My father has been gone five years now.  I miss him.  I wasted so much time arguing with him, instead of getting to know him. 

          After five days of seeing our heavenly Father in different aspects, hopefully we appreciate God our Father more.  Hopefully, we see that not only is He God, He is our Creator, Protector, Shield, and Healer.  He is perfect in every way our Father.

          As we pray this day, thank Him for being your Father.  Rest in the presence of the One who will always be there for you, caring for you, and walking with you.

Exodus 15:26

English Standard Version

²⁶ saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

One of the names for God is that of healer (YAHWEH-RAPHA).  Jesus said that He did came to heal the sick.  God is our healer.  He is the one who heals our soul.  He is the one who heals our relationships, our families, our lives.  He heals completely.

          Maybe there is a relationship that needs healing in your life.  Maybe your soul is hurting and healing is needed or there is a loved one who needs healing (physically or spiritually).  Today go before the greatest Healer, the only Healer.  Go to God and ask for healing.

Exodus 3:14 (English Standard)

¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’

          God appears before Moses at the burning bush.  Moses ask God to give him His name.  God’s reply is the YAHWEH (in the Hebrew).  Some Hebrews have translated this Scripture as “I will be who I will be.”  His name is that of assurance, peace, intimacy, and more.  He will never change.

          In today’s world of constant change, chaos, and uncertainty, God never changes.  As you pray this day, look at your life and notice God’s consistency.  Notice His times of peace.  Most of all notice, He was there and He never changed.