Praying The Scriptures
Heavenly Father strengthen us as we pour out so that You can pour in and lead us as we pour forth in Your name.
March 30, 2020
Nothing New Under The Sun
Good Morning Princesses!
It has been said that we are in unprecedented times. Unprecedented? According to Merriam-Webster the term unprecedented means novel, unexampled. I wonder if we asked our Heavenly Father, would He say we are in an "unprecedented time"? There is an old saying that there is "nothing new under the sun". In fact, the Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
The author of the Ecclesiastes is King Solomon (David's son). According to the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon towards the end of his life shares with the reader his experience for the benefit of others. Specifically, in verse nine King Solomon expresses the cyclical nature of life. At the end of the day, King Solomon expresses that happiness can be found in God alone.
As believers and followers of Christ, our journey is to become women after God's heart. Through the Holy Spirit, we are given the ability to not only understand God's teachings in the scriptures but to also pray earnestly the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10; 15-16).
1. Praying the Scriptures
According to John Piper, founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, "If we don’t form the habit of praying the Scriptures, our prayers will almost certainly degenerate into vain repetitions that eventually revolve entirely around our immediate private concerns, rather than God’s larger purposes."
Over the course of our last two prayer sessions, we have prayed the scriptures. Even in times when we don't know what to say, the scriptures provide us with direction for prayer. Two prime examples are the early church and the Bible itself. The early church prayed the scriptures (Acts 4:23-31) and throughout the Bible, there are many scriptures that are prayers. (See, Book of Psalm or Paul's letters to the first churches)
One thing is for certain dear princesses, our prayers lead us to the heart of Christ Jesus, our first love! Over the course of this week, think about the previous statement and the following list. In a time where things can seem upside down or "unprecedented", know that nothing is unprecedented for God. Find, meditate and pray the scriptures. Ask God to direct your path in all things, even now, so that you may stand firm on His promises and be a light of hope and peace for our world.
Love, yes, in Christ.
Joy, yes, in Christ.
Peace, yes, in Christ;
Forbearance, yes, in Christ;
Kindness, yes, in Christ;
Goodness, yes, in Christ;
Faithfulness, yes, in Christ;
Gentleness, yes in Christ;
Self-control, yes, in Christ; and
Happiness, yes, in Christ.
See, Galatians 5:22-23
So, can there ever be anything new under the sun for Christ? No. How do we know this? Because through God's word, the Bible, He tells us in many scriptures, but Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 1:8 and Revelation 22:14 are just a few:
This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Dear Heavenly Father, we know that your word tells us that you are the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the Beginning and the End. In this time that we call "unprecedented" Lord, we know that there is nothing new under the sun to you dear Lord. Your word tells us that in you we can find love joy, peace, and happiness that transcends time, space and eternity. So we say thank you, Father, for who you are and who we are in you. We thank you for your faithfulness, for your many promises to never leave us or forsake us. And thank you Lord for your mighty hand of protection, for your goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives. Please guide us and strengthen us each day to seek you first in all things. In your Holy, Powerful and Everlasting Name Jesus we pray, Amen.
2. GO! 2020 Winter/Spring Bible Study Update
Welcome 2020 Winter/Spring Bible Study "What Love Is" ~ A Virtual Bible Study.
Beginning April 14th we will be hosting our What Love Is study virtually. See the Bible Study link=> HERE
3. Women On The GO! Prayer Sessions Update
Last week we held our second Women On The GO! Prayer session. Below are a few scriptures that were part of our prayers. We welcome you to join us for 30 minutes on Tuesday, March 31, please see below for the NEW call-in number:
CALL-IN +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID- 701 762 288
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 31:1-5
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God
Psalm 90:1-2
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Matthew 6:33-34
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
God is listening and waiting to hear from you. As ambassadors for Christ, the world is also watching. How are you responding?
I hope you will be able to join us for our third session this week. Please feel free to invite others to join our prayer sessions. See below for details:
Women On The GO! Prayer Session Details- see below or click=>HERE:
When: March 31 and April 7
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
How: Conference Call-In Number
(New Number) CALL-IN +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID- 701 762 288
Oh, princesses of faith...remember
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give."
Closing Thoughts
DON'T FORGET...Click on the icon below to access...
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
do things you couldn't;
feel things you didn't; and
know things you wouldn't.
GO! 3/30/20- New feature, contains a playlist of songs for your praise and worship time.
Housekeeping:
POSTPONED - 2020 WEN Symposium ~Click the following Link
Our Next Study Goes Virtual
"What Love Is~ The Letters of 1, 2, and 3 (from April 17- May 19). Want to learn more? Click HERE.
NEW Posts! ~ The FORUM!
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to... Lead, Serve, and GO!
