[Yellowroseoftexas]

Well said Standing Strong. I have often thought I could not have done this without my relationship with our Heavenly Father. I would have given up.  Even with a relationship with Him I struggle. 

[megogirl]

That I should have been less-stressed about how he spent his/our money.  He was and is a spendthrift, but he works very hard for it, and I should have respected that more.

Not sure if God was behind that epiphany, but something happened, anyway.

[xyzcf]

I found this on facebook this morning and wanted to share. Happy New year everyone. May God bless you and all your loved ones and grant you peace.


A Prayer to Keep God First This New Year

Dear God,
Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.

We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which you've said "no", "not yet", or "wait." We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you've put within our hearts.

We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you.
We pray that you'd keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That you would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.

We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you.

Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your spirit.

Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distant from your presence.

We confess our need for you…fresh…new…again. We ask that you make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives, for this coming year. We pray for your refreshing over us.

Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, as you remind us we are safe with you and your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.

We ask that you would provide for our needs, we ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us, we pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help but to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.”

Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own.

May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. May we reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.

To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[Seahorse]

xy -

Thank you so much for that prayer.
It was truly a blessing this morning.
I saved it into a file on my desktop so that I can always remember my prayers and priorities for the year.

Have a blessed 2020.

Sea

[Standing Strong]

God has taught me to rely on him these last few days....... and the lesson continues 

-SS

[Standing Strong]

I do have a question for the Christians on the board..... I'm not sure if it's a lesson, but I think it is.

We all have negative/monkey thoughts, some are probably tempted in some fashion, wallow in anger/hurt, or who knows what..... but negative whatever it is.

In my case, I have bad thoughts play in my head. Not proud of it, I'd rather just be completely immune of such things...... but I let thoughts of failure, negative outcomes, worst outcomes...... all those things I just let run around in my head..... around and around, sometimes until they can almost convince me........ and then I say "No.... I don't think so. Nice try, but that is a LIE". Then the thoughts go *POOF*, gone (until the next time). I'm sure you know where I'm going with that, and I 100% believe that to be the case. Not my thoughts. I don't accuse myself or W, or believe that the worst will happen: I have faith that God will see us thru (100%, no doubt about it).

The funny thing is: Sometimes these thoughts go on and on.... won't stop. Persistent, for days on end..... but I continue to resist them (that's all I can do)...... and after a while of that, something happens which is really good, or gives me hope, or lets me know that someone upstairs has been watching the whole time. Is this a lesson or a test?.... which I'm not sure..... maybe both at times.

Is it that way for you?

One of the ways I've found these thoughts can amuse me is: I let them run rampant..... I want the full force of them to be resisted, denied and shown to be totally false. I want to face the roaring of the storm at it's peak of power/influence and yell "No" into it..... not avoid the storm. How can I get stronger if it isn't this way? Running from it gives it power. Sheltering from it is fear of the storm. To stand against it, that's where the action is! The storm rages and I have the freedom to pray and ask the lord to calm those winds.... and he does, right after the winds claim they will last forever and destroy everything.
The storm lies.

-SS

[Seahorse]

Standing -
I'm sorry that you're having these feelings/thoughts.
They can be very confusing.
But, I would nip it in the bud at first sight of one and not let it play on...

If you give a mouse a cookie...

Hugs
Sea

[xyzcf]

Today, Pope Francis addressed the world from the Vatican and many around the world joined in this time of crisis.

Here is a link to the English translation of what he said.

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-homily-at-extraordinary-urbi-et-orbi-blessing-covid19

It touched me deeply.

Praying for us all. There is hope and God will never forsake us.

[Maleficent]

Thank you for sharing.  This was a beautiful passage and a hopeful message.  I printed it and just shared it.  I now call this passage, Gracie's boat, as Gracie sent it to me on my thread during a dark day a few months ago....(Thanks again, Gracie)

I am hearing and seeing so much of the good in humanity right now.  May it continue. 

[xyzcf]

Prayer for Confidence in the Future

Lord, you have been with me from the very beginning,
and you will be there at the very end.
Looking back over my life, I can see that you were with
me even when I was unaware of your presence,
guiding me and drawing me closer to you.
Give me courage and confidence in my future,
believing that your hand is upon me every day,
whether I am aware of it or not.

 Excerpted from Living Faith: Prayers for Catholics