Prayer

The Blessings of Advent         November 29, 2009

The word 'advent' is Latin for 'a coming or arrival'. The idea behind it is that God came to an earthly life
and lived among us. It's something to celebrate, to rejoice, because just by being in it, God was giving
the supreme blessing to the created world. But this birth led to an execution of this same God, by us on
behalf of us, and then the greatest news that death will not end it all.
There will be life after our mortal bodies pass away.
Advent is a season of preparation. In Advent, we thank God for Christ's first coming, prepare for his final
coming at the end of time, and celebrate Christ's presence among us today through the Spirit. God loved
us and wanted to share that love. The only way to start such a thing is as a baby, and the only way to be
a baby is to be born. Hence Christmas. Because Christmas is centered in the new hope brought by a
baby, it's a very child-oriented holiday.
Because Advent leads us up to that baby, Advent is also child-oriented.
There's a time to get ready by focusing on your own personal sinfulness and wrongdoing, a time for
personal transformation/growth. There's a time to get ready by rejoicing that our God is not far away and
unfamiliar with the struggles of human life, that Christ is here right now among His followers that God
has already begun to bring in the Kingdom, and that Christ will come again.
Matthew 28:20 "...And surely I am with you, to the very end of the age"
PRAYER: Dearest Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings that you have given me today, and the
hope and peace that you allow for my future. Going into this Christmas season let me be reminded of
your constant love. These favors we joyfully ask in Jesus Name. Amen.

Thanksgiving Blessings        November 22, 2009

As I was making out the grocery list for the upcoming holiday meal, I asked my husband Tom about what
was his traditional Thanksgiving celebration meal was like. While I was expecting to hear about a
favorite food dish his mother always prepared, his response surprised me: "Having my Dad at the table
eating a turkey leg" (Dad has been with the Lord now going into 16 years!).

That response immediately reminded me of my own parents, also gone to be with the Lord for many
years. What a wonderful blessing we had, having Thanksgiving together as a family around the very table
setting we will meet at this next week - Now, creating wonderful and happy new memories for our
children and grandchildren.

We are reminded however, that Thanksgiving doesn't have to be just a single day of the year.   It is an
attitude of gratitude using love and understanding and the God-given choices we have to give of
ourselves to others. It is about caring and sharing with others ~ selflessness.

I am so thankful to my loving husband and family, my Church family, and so many friends for all the
blessings I have in my life.
I am most thankful for God in my life and the blessings he offers me each and every day!
What are you thankful for?        Psalm 30 "I will give thanks to you forever."

PRAYER: Dearest Father God, thank You for my family those with me now and those that are by your
side. Bestow the blessings that you have for me today that I may be wise to accept and honor them in
your name. These favors we ask humbly.   Amen

A Loving Family                  November 15, 2009

Have you ever noticed that we tend to be at our very best—charming, kind, considerate—with casual
acquaintances and even complete strangers? And then we act our absolute worst—rude, impatient,
moody, ungrateful—with those who are closest to us, our family? We fall into the trap of taking for
granted those who love us the most.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way!
The first step is cultivating a spirit of gratitude. When was the last time you felt thankful for the people
living in your home—and said “thank you”? The second step is simply demonstrating your love. How can
you show those in your home through actions that you truly love them? The Apostle James said that faith
without works is dead (James 2:17), and in the same way love without actions is empty.

Relationships are among the best of God’s gifts to us. We can be good stewards of those gifts by
practicing love and kindness toward those closest to us - whether it is our immediate family, our church
family or neighbor.

1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for my family and those closest to me in my life. Help me to
express the love I truly have for them. Allow me to show kind acts of gratitude towards these closest to
me as well. Amen

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER        November 8, 2009

"If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and
this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others."   Richard J. Foster

The people who are so greatly needed in this age of the church are those who have learned the business
of praying—learned it on their knees, learned it in the need and agony of their own hearts. Praying
people are the one commanding need of this day, as of all other days, if God is to intervene in the world.

In doing God’s work there is no substitute for praying. People of prayer cannot be replaced with other
kinds of people. People of financial skill, people of education, people of worldly influence—none of these
can possibly substitute for people of prayer.

The people to whom Jesus Christ committed the fortunes and destiny of His church were people of
prayer. To no other kind of people has God ever committed Himself. People must pray, and people must
be prayed for. The Christian must pray for all things, of course, but prayers for people are infinitely more
important, just as people are infinitely more important than things. Also, prayers for people are far more
important than prayers for things because people more deeply involve God’s will and the work of Jesus
Christ. People are to be cared for, sympathized with, and prayed for, because sympathy, pity,
compassion, and care accompany and precede prayer for people.

Our praying concerns not only ourselves, but all people and their greatest interests, and even the
salvation of their immortal souls. Praying is a business that takes hold of eternity and the things beyond
the grave. It is a business that involves earth and heaven. All worlds are touched by prayer,
and all worlds are influenced by prayer.
1 Samuel 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.
And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
Ephesians 6:18   Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
PRAYER: Lord, I don’t know what You have in store for me, but teach me to prepare myself for what’s
next through prayer and communion with You. Keep me strong in will and positive spirit.
With favors and Blessings. Amen

Black Canyon Community Church
SonShine Learning Center
Black Canyon City, Arizona

Prayer
with
Diana