Category Archives: Prayers

Prayer works. In time you will learn to listen and recognize answers.

Prayer: Finding Answers to Life’s Tough Questions – Day 61: Light the World, Build the Kingdom

If you need answers to tough questions in life, please pray and ask God for those answers. Prayer works. It is a power we can grow into using more effectively with time as we learn to listen and recognize answers.

  • Answers may come while reading scriptures.
  • They may come as sudden strokes of ideas that feel like truth and/or make you feel joyful or peaceful.
  • Answers might come through a dream or a thought that keeps coming to you in various times and/or ways.
  • Sometimes answers come as what appears to be coincidences.

There are so many ways that answers may come. But the secret is to ask and then expect an answer.

From there keep your heart open and your eyes peeled. Let go of the outcome and trust the answer will come in God’s time and way. Resist the need to control or make things happen the way you think they should. God is there and He answers prayers.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day,“What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

angels on earth

Angels On Earth: Day 40 – Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

As you ask God each day what one thing you can do to light the world and act upon the answer, you have the opportunity to be angels on earth – facilitating the answer to someone else’s prayers.
 
In 1 Corinthians 16:15-17, the Apostle Paul is closing up a letter to the Corinthians. He speaks of the house of Stephanas who were newer converts to Christianity. He says “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” I love that word “addicted” in this context.
 
When we become converted to Jesus Christ, the desire of our hearts is to “strengthen our brethren.” That’s what Jesus told Peter: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). It’s really not something you have to force. Once you’re converted, you naturally reach out to others. You can’t stand to watch them suffer or wander in darkness. You want to reach out to those in need and lift them upon your shoulders.
 
Upon conversion, our desire to be like the Savior increases. We’re filled with His love which makes us want to care for, teach and love those around us. It literally becomes a sweet addiction. The wonderful thing is that it is an addiction with no side-effects! Try finding that anywhere else in the modern world.
 
This kind of love not only enables us to help others in need, but it also allows us to let others shine. When filled with this love, we no longer feel less because someone else is more. We don’t feel inferior if someone else is better than we are at something. Rather this type of Christ-centered love rejoices in the triumphs and talents of another.
 
I cannot begin to enumerate the people who have touched my life and answered my prayers. When I lacked knowledge, these people shared theirs. When I lacked vision, these people helped me see. When darkness engulfed me, these people brought understanding and enlightenment. When I needed help, they’ve been there.
 
I feel like Paul as he described his friends Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus when he said, “for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)
Copyright: AntonioGuillem / BigStockPhoto.com
God's bread trails

God’s Bread Trails – Day 37: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

You’ve had those questions before … the ones that perplex you, nag at your mind, or have you wondering what to do next. You find yourself pondering on which path to take or trying to make sense of something important to you. Jesus said, “Ask and ye shall receive,” but the thing is we rarely ask and get an immediate answer … especially for the tough questions.

Those answers come a little at a time… in a bread trail. Do you know what I mean by God’s bread trails? It’s where answers come a bit at a time. How do you know when you’re on one of God’s bread trails? How do you know how to follow them and where do they lead? That’s what I’ll explore in this episode of the Light the World, Build the Kingdom Challenge.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: k.samurkas / BigStockPhoto.com

power of praise

The Power of Praise – Day 24 – Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

What do you do when facing something daunting? Do you pray, get a feeling of peace, but things still look overwhelming as you proceed forward? If so, take a cue from King Jehoshaphat! He’ll demonstrate what to do between the time of your peaceful answer and things working themselves out. The secret is found in the power of praise.

There is a difference between praise and gratitude. 2 Chronicles chapter 20 tells the story of King Jehosaphat and the Children of Israel as they came up against an insurmountable enemy. The king’s first instinct was to gather his people in prayer and fasting. As he did so, the answer came through a prophet of God that they would “not need to fight in this battle. Set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord… Fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.” (verse 17)

To his credit Jehosaphat took God at His word. Listen to the video below to find out how Jehosaphat harnessed the power of praise to calm the people’s fears and trust God for His promised miracles. As we model the steps Jehosaphat took, we can reap miracles in our own lives as well.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

 

Featured Image Copyright: PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek / BigStockPhoto.com

receiving

Day 41: Receiving – Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Are there things you want to be different in your life? Have you taken the time to ask God for them specifically? Do you set clear intentions? Sometimes we feel dissatisfaction with situations, but never get clear enough to ask for a solution.

Today’s thought comes from Luke 11:9-13

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

Ignite Your Biz with Prayer – Day 70

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written
therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for your Word, for the blessing it is in my life. As I meditate upon it and live according to it You have promised to make my way prosperous and bring me good success.

Father, please connect me to my life purpose. Give me clarity in my creativity that I may move forward and live the divine design You have for my life. I trust that You will guide me to the right knowledge, people, and resources to live out my purpose as Your child.

I trust that you are bringing prosperity and success to me as promised and as I do according to Your will.

I thank you for the seeds of creativity You have placed within me. Thank You for making me in your image… a creator in the image of THE Creator. Please guide my creativity, make it flourish and grow. And may everything You and I create together bring honor and glory to You.

I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Ignite Your Biz with Prayer – Day 69

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the dream, the vision You have placed in my heart and mind. Thank You for the desire to reach out and serve others with the talents and gifts which You have given me.

Father, You know every piece, part and person that is needed to bring this vision into reality. You placed the dream in me and I know that Your plans can never be frustrated.

I trust that in the perfect time and way You will lead to me the individuals who have the knowledge, commitment, passion and talent to work alongside me. I trust that people I don’t even know and may never meet will be prompted to take actions that would facilitate the fulfillment of my vision.

I know that just as we do not see the swelling and sprouting of a seed in the ground and yet growth is happening, the same thing is happening for my dream. Beneath the surface it is
swelling, sprouting and beginning to grow. Everything it needs by way of nourishment is being brought to it.

Thank You, Father for Your mercy. Thank You for Your miraculous and tremendous capabilities of creation. I put my trust in You. I will not force or micromanage the creative process. I will
keep my heart and mind fixed on the vision and accept Your direction to act when prompted to do so.

And in the meantime I will continue to praise You for Your matchless power, love, mercy and miracles that are happening all around me.

In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

Ignite Your Biz with Prayer – Day 68

Dear Father in Heaven,

I put my trust in You. I know that alone I am nothing, but with You, all things are possible.

I am confident because I have confidence in You. I am successful because everything You set your hand to prospers and thrives.

Father, you do nothing small. You fed the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fish. You parted the Red Sea with a breath of your nostrils. You brought down the walls of Jericho and parted the waters of Jordan.

You are a God of miracles, taking the meager efforts of humanity — an outstretched hand, a few loaves, or walking around a city — and transform them into miraculous deliverance.

Thank you that as Your child, I am an heir of everything that is Yours. I am a joint-heir with Christ, of great worth to my God and King. Help me to feel your love today in my life. Help me to feel my worth and value in Your eyes. I accept your love and receive your deliverance.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

Ignite Your Biz with Prayer – Day 67

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the talents and gifts which You have bestowed upon me. I acknowledge that they come from You and that I am nothing without You. I offer myself willingly as Your servant. Please use my talents, hands and feet to heal the minds, bodies and souls of those in need.

Please use my talents and abilities to bless, enrich and bring joy to those with whom I come in contact. Use me as your vessel, for I know that in serving others, I am serving You. Your abundance always blesses me as I allow Your divine light and love to flow through me out to others.

I receive those blessings and accept your abundance, Father.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

Ignite Your Biz with Prayer – Day 66

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the many ideas and possibilities that lie before me. I ask that You would give me Your focus, Your ability to see the big picture. Let the clarity of heaven guide my steps that I may remain focused on making the highest and best impact in my business and my life.

I know that You see all things. I trust the things that I feel prompted to do will weave together to guide me to the resources, people and knowledge I need to create the
divinely designed outcome.

Please help me to easily distinguish between the things that are part of Your plan and those things that would take me away from it. Please guide and order my steps that everything I do would move me toward the vision you have for my life and business.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen