Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Prayer Here Begins Today! List Yours (& Share your Blog Site)!

Have you ever had your child hand you a simple picture they drew? Wasn't anything that they gave you acceptable because of your love for your child?

So it is with God when we pray!

He loves to receive our "picture,"our prayers. Praying is all about the love relationship that He desires with us. So let's pray. The more we pray—the more we will learn to pray. I want to learn to pray!

On Wednesdays, I will be offering a prayer blog starting today.


Just list your prayer. Don't think about it too much. Just list what is on your heart and what you or someone you love needs today. Just like the picture—it doesn't have to be perfect! 

We don't have to get the words just right! God is our God of grace! He knows we are sinners and our minds can be mixed with the junk of sin. But just come to Him in His grace. It is because what He did for us when He sent Jesus that we can even come into His presence.


See the scratched frame?
I picked it because it's not perfect—just like us!
We come in Christ's righteousness, for we have no righteousness of our own! Even Billy Graham—that great evangelist—he too, can only come to God through Christ. It doesn't matter if you are a waitress or you are a millionaire. 

We all have access to God through the same Christ. So don't let your feelings of doubt or shame or discouragement or inadequacy keep you from coming like a child to his loving father with his picture! 

If we are worried about speaking to a difficult neighbor, don't say, "I can't pray for that, it is so selfish of me." You are concerned about speaking to the neighbor so that is a need!!! Let's don't try to dance around what we really think and act like we are something we are not, let's just say it like we really are, not how we wish we were. God know us, and loves us anyway! THAT IS GRACE!

Let's just start with simple prayers. Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." He knows we have simple needs each day! Don't think we are beyond asking for the simple needs in life. 

I'm excited about us praying for one another on Wednesdays! 

I'm reading Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home right now by Richard J. Foster. Let's come home to God by praying!

"In simple prayer, the good, the bad, and the ugly are all mixed together. Simple prayer is found throughout scripture. Abraham prayed this way as did David, Gideon, Ruth...Peter, James, and John. Simple prayer involves ordinary people bringing ordinary concerns to a loving and compassionate Father. There is no pretense in simple prayer. We do not pretend to be more holy, more pure or more saintly that we actually are. We do not try to conceal our conflicting and contradictory motives from God or ourselves and in this posture, we pour out our heart to the God that 'is greater than our heart and who knows all things.' (1 John 3:20)" ~Richard Foster, in Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home

You may post your prayer request below in the comments, anonymously, or you may put your first name or your whole name. If you also have a blog, feel free to post the link so we can check out one another's blogs.

If you have any trouble whatsoever, don't stop there! Email your request to me at juanamikels(at)gmail(dot)com and I will post it for you (let me know if you want it anonymously posted or with your name).

Prayer begins with simple prayer. The real condition of our hearts is revealed.  Let's don't just talk about prayer, let's pray together! This adventure is just the beginning!

I'll do the first one for you below in the comments about my sons, Alex (19) and John (21).


Then! Alex and John!
Now! Alex and John!
You are next! Click the blue word COMMENTS under my signature below. What do you need today? Don't listen to the enemy telling you that your request doesn't matter. Oh yes it does! Your need is your picture to our loving Father!

"Give us today our daily bread." ~Matthew 6:11

"He that prayeth well, loveth well." ~Samuel Coleridge

Walk by faith,

33 comments:

  1. My sons are on their first mission trip in Central America until Friday. Pray for the team's safety & for them to draw closer to God & to each other.

    Blog: www.juanamikels.com (if you have a blog, you can list it here if you'd like in addition to where you signed in)

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  2. Would love your prayers for schooling decisions for our youngest daughter, Katya. Thank you! And I've just prayed for your sons' mission trip.


    www.cindyfinley.com

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    1. Thank you Cindy! I am lifting up Katya right now. Thank you for praying for my sons:-) Will hop over to your blog to take a look, too!

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  3. Pray for me to get my prayer life back on track, in the way God wants me to. Pray for me to not focus so much on the sin /but rest assured in God's restoration for those loved one's we pray for. Pray for that peace of mind and uplifting hearts for some hurting family.

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    1. I will pray for you to get your prayer life back on! I know others reading will lift you up, too. Am lifting up your focus to be on right thing, and for your hurting loved ones. Even a mere upward glance to God is a prayer!

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  5. I'm about to launch a grief recovery ministry through my church. I would love to know others are praying for the grieving, for the church staff and my co-laborers, and for the successful launch of this program.

    My blog is mostly about my ministry's events, but you're welcome to visit my website at www.perissosonline.org.

    I am lifting the others posting here in prayer, and am grateful for the opportunity.

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    1. Got it, Lynn! We will pray for your ministry at church, to help those who are grieving. What a vital ministry. Thank you for lifting everyone up who is leaving prayers here, Lynn.

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  6. Good morning Juana, I wanted to join you in a pray request today! I have already prayed for your sons and their team today and I will lift them up through out the day:-) I hope they are having an awesome time!
    [ My prayer this morning is concerning my husband! We have been married our almost 31 years and here lately he has gotten very grumpy and very unhappy! He is a man of few words so he doesn't talk much about what is going on, but he has a very demanding job that he does not like very much! My prayer is that if God wants him to change jobs to please show him the way! If not, please work within the work place to make the situation better at work! I just want him happy! ] ~A.

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    1. You will be covered in prayer, A.! Be sure to watch my last blog where I posted Part 2 of my time with Nancy Cobb. She talks about this very thing as her husband was irate and she was the one who was the reciever of his ranting. It is at the very end of the YouTube clip that I posted on Tuesday, March 12. Praying for your response, Sister A. ! Thank you for praying for my sons:-)

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  7. I pray that my "testimony/story" which will be published in a local ministry's newsletter (this month) will reach the multitudes and that by my simple and transparent words others who are lost may be touched by the Holy Spirit and be found. Amen.
    Cindy Cook Adams (not being anonymous, actually, but I'm not well-versed in blogging, to date.

    Prayers are surely lifted for your boys and their team, Juana. In Christ's Love.

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    1. Hi Cindy! Dear Lord, we lift up Cindy's story which is really Your story that will be out later this month in a local ministry's newsletter where she lives. May your Holy Spirt work through her simple, honest words that those who are lost that will be reading it may be found. Amen! That is exciting, Cindy! Thank you for praying for Alex & John, Sis!

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  8. Found out yesterday that I may have lymphoma (cancer of the lymphnodes). Tests to continue in the next few weeks. Pray for healing of my body and rest in Christ.

    I never thought I would have to face this..Especially at 22... Really struggling with facing reality.

    Thanks!

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    1. Sarah, know that you are covered in prayer. It is no coincidence that you joined our Wednesday prayer today. Please stay with us on Wednesdays so we can keep lifting you up in prayer. May you know His peace and comfort as you walk through this process.

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  9. I'll be praying for all of you and all your needs. As for myself, today I would like to offer praise. God has performed great miracles in my life ~ He has answered prayer in ways I never could have imagined and shown His perfect love and faithfulness! I praise Him for what He has done and continues to do in my life, and for what He is doing and will do in your lives. <3

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    1. I'm praising God with you Jude, for all he has done and is doing in your life! He is faithful!

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  10. I am praying for you all.. I need prayer for my husband to encounter God. He is no longer a believer and it breaks my heart. Pray for my husband's healing of depression & anxiety.

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    1. Thank you for praying for everyone, Lea. I am lifting up your husband right now. No one is beyond God's reach. You be the sweetest wife you can be by God's grace. If you did not watch the video til the end on my last blog with Nancy Cobb, try to watch it. Her husband was not a believer. Her witness is so strong with how she responded to him with kindness when he was depressed, angry and even irate because of his job. I will keep airing more of the interview each week, so watch for it! love ya, Lea:-)

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    2. Lea, I am coming before the throne of grace for your husband now, and will continue to do so. May God do such a work in his heart that he not only comes back to Jesus, but is so overjoyed with and marinaded in Christ's love and joy that leaving Him can never again be an option. I pray that, even though he isn't following the Lord, God will cover your beloved with His wings and armor, and deliver,protect, and lift him up and away from the enemy's prison of depression and anxiety. I pray for you to be a calm, loving, and powerful witness to your husband, and that God will protect you as the enemy will fight you in your prayers. May our Abba Father wrap you in His arms of comfort as you shake the gates of hell for your husband's soul, and reward you greatly!

      For some reason, this site won't allow me to post as a Wordpress user, but my name is Jodi, and I blog at http://philosophiesofstrawberryshortcake.wordpress.com/

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  11. Praying in agreement with all the above prayers and ask that our Father continue to work miracles over them ALL. Prayers for my 16yo son to be assured of his salvation. An experience with a former youth pastor last year wounded his heart and he needs healing and assurance. Also prayers of healing and restoration for the relationship with my oldest son and his wife. There have been many hurts on both sides. For the prisoner (me) to be set free and forgive. And one other, for me to be more faithful in my blog posts.

    http://elimrenewalforawomansheart.wordpress.com/

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    1. Dear Jana, I am so glad you wrote. Dear Lord, we ask you to work mightily in the lives of Jana's sons. May your grace cover their wounds so her younger son can KNOW that he is Yours, and for restoration in her older son's marriage.Give Jana the grace that only comes from you to forgive. Help her to be encouraged to keep writing in your strength. Amen.
      Jana, I hope to add software soon to my blog so that when everyone posts their blog link, we will all see a thumbnail pic of your blog. More soon on that! Love to you Jana

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  12. I love the Lord and want to walk with Him. Please pray that I will be able to find good Biblical counsel in a specific area, and to deal with it in a God-honoring way and to experience Christ's victory and love over all of it.

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    1. I am praying with you along with the others here, that you will find a godly person to give you counsel. God wants you to find restoration and healing in this area, and we will continue to pray for you and look forward to your updates to hear how it is going. To God be the glory for knowing that you need counsel & taking the step to seeking it. Love you Sister.

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  13. My family is in a desperate financial mess. Job loss, medical bills and higher cost of living (gas, groceries, etc.) have left us with nearly no money to live on. I pray for "our daily bread" daily and I know God supplies all of our needs. But aren't paying the rent and having gas in the tank needs? We just need so much more provision than we're currently seeing. Please Lord delliver us from this pit.

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    1. Lord, this dear one needs to hear from you. She needs to know that you care. We know that you see all things, and nothing escapes your watchful eye. We lift up her need for daily bread and the basic needs in life to function. Lord, we know that you are our faithful God. Those who trust in you will not be ashamed. Lord, help my friend here specifically with her finances. Guide her in a way that she will know it could only be You. Help her to have a total peace that you are in control of it all, and how much you love her and will provide what she needs for this day. Lord, give her this day, her daily bread. Amen. I love you, Sister.

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  14. I am in full-time ministry and travel (drive) from state to state with my husband 26 weeks out of the year. This is my 12th year and I am incredibly tired. Please pray for endurance, strength, energy and perseverance. Mel

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    1. Oh, Melanie, I am so glad you wrote! Dear Lord, give Melanie endurance, strength, perseverance, and energy to follow her husband's lead and to catch his vision. She needs strength Lord to physically keep the pace up with all the traveling required to be the wife of her husband. Help her to know it is your will for now, and to trust you if and when you decide to change that. Give her strength Lord just for the day that lies ahead of her. Give her rest and refreshment Lord, maybe even surprise her right in the middle of her busyness and fatigue in such a way that her strength is renewed like the eagles! She needs you Lord! We all need you!!

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    2. Melanie, we all need to be careful not to smother ourselves with worry over if God is hearing our prayers. You may be wondering when is He going to do something about this? How is He going to change this? When is He going to change this? I know I would be tempted to think that way. Instead, know that He is not going to be late. He is not ignoring your prayers. He is simply saying, "Melanie, you have this present moment." It is where He has you in this present moment that He wants to work in your life. We are supposed to receive (talking to myself too!) whatever God gives in this present moment. Let's both say to the Lord, "Yes, Lord. I will receive in this present moment what you send or allow. I will take your lesson in this right now that you want to give me." See Him in everything!

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  15. I am in full-time ministry and travel (drive) from state to state with my husband 26 weeks out of the year. This is my 12th year and I am incredibly tired. Please pray for endurance, strength, energy and perseverance. Mel

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  16. Greetings to each of you in the name of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus my wife Cotia and I are called by God in the ministry to the lost, rejected and hurting souls. Our website is mamapleaseloveme.blogspot.com Our email address is mamapleaseloveme@yahoo.com I wrote a book about Cotia's life of abuse from her mother and family members while growing up she desired to be loved and accepted by her mother. God had his hands upon her life while growing up she gave her life to Christ at a young age. Our book is titled "Mama Please Love Me(just give me a hug) sold online Amazon you can view on google books.com and other online Christian book store sites. The story of our Ministry is printed in Challenge News Paper.org
    http://www.challengenews.org/pdf/2014/Challenge_US_30_lowres.pdf
    Go to page 10 Challenge US Issue 30. 2014 titled.....Family Hatred Broken
    Our story is published in the Australian May Edition 368 page 9
    The journalist said that it would go throughout to these other Countries.
    Australia, Africa, South African Military, Malawi, Uganda, Argentina, India, USA,
    Mexico Spanish/English and Prison Editions. Our story will be translated according to each Countries languages.
    To God be the Glory and Honor Forever pray with us that God save souls worldwide. We are excited to see what the Lord continues to do in many lives worldwide.
    Please visit our website to see what the Lord is doing in the lives of souls. God bless you
    Minister Ford and Evangelist Cotia

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  17. Hi Pastor Ford & hello to your blessed wife Cotia, oh I love to hear testimonies of changed lives & complete restoration in Christ! I look forward to researching the book you've written about your wife's past and her overcoming her trials in Christ! All his grace, Juana

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    1. Hello Juana
      Greetings to you and your beloved family in the precious name and honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Thank you for your warm email and kind words. Ford and I can feel your excitement about the things the Lord has done and is still doing in my life as well as so many others. Many hurting, rejected and abused people of every race, age, social and economical status are being ministered to and set free by the power of God from abuse. I thank and praise the Lord that He has used my horrible life of abuse and rejection He turned my life around for His Glory, my good and for the work in ministry that He has called us to do. Jesus came to set the captives free. What satan meant for evil in my life God turned it around to help others to show them that Jesus can set them free he can bring healing and restoration in their lives. The joys that we receive when people hear about my testimony or read our book "Mama Please Love Me (just give me a hug) and to hear how so many people are sharing with us how they are being delivered and helped through God from their bondage of abuse and from the terrors of holding these painful scars in their lives and have given up hope for healing when they read my story they know there is Hope for them too!, There is Hope in Christ and Deliverance I am a living witness that no matter what a person is going through or how they are rejected or abused. You can always trust in Jesus because He will never leave us nor forsake us His precious Love is Faithful to the end.
      God bless you love in Christ
      Evangelist Cotia

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  18. Bless you Cotia! I am heading right now to look up your book. Keep shining for Jesus. He has made everything beautiful in HIs time, Amen? Love to you, Sister, Juana

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