Sunday Praise and a Prayer for All the Saints

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you.  We lift up your righteous and holy name above all names as the one true God, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who created us to have relationship with you, to know you, to commune with you, to be a grand part of your creation that would glorify your goodness and beauty and grace. 

Father we pray for all the saints. We pray you would consecrate us, that we would understand you have made us a holy people that are meant to be separate from the world, that is, to live in a different way, to have a different perspective, to see people and circumstances through your eyes rather than as the world sees. 

We pray you would lovingly convict each of us of any sins we’ve allowed as we’ve become complacent, and that we would repent, turn, and do the right thing, live the right way so that we would honor the calling you’ve so graciously given us. 

As we do that, let us be a light in the darkness, shining brightly for the world to see what true love and grace and forgiveness are so that many come to know you through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We pray you would encourage us and fill us with joy that we might have strength in the face of the enemy, and with your peace that passes all understanding no matter what storms rage around us. 

We pray we would be one just as you and your Son are one, and that we are all one in you. 

We pray we would be filled with the Holy Spirit, that we would worship you in Spirit and in truth. 

Let us remember who we are in you, Lord, that we are children of the King, holy and righteous because, through your Son, you have made us so. 

Sanctify us that we might live as your chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that we might speak of the praises of the One who has called us out of darkness into your marvelous light.  

May we empty ourselves and let you fill us up with your Spirit who gives us everything we need to live in these hard times, and not only to live, but to prosper and to be victorious. May we come together and live for you and you alone, and bring you all the glory due your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

The Saturday Song – Remind Me Who I Am

“…beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:7

Many times in my life I’ve watched the genuine friendship and love among others and wondered what that must be like. Just this morning as I was thinking about dear Ravi Zacharias who will soon be hearing those words from the Lord “Well done, good and faithful servant,” I thought about the love pouring out to him from so many, and was thinking, he’s not only loved, he is beloved. What must that be like?

And not two hours later, the Lord led me to this song and reminded me that I am beloved.  And so are you. 

 

The Saturday Song – Peace Be Still

Today’s Saturday Song is Lauren Daigle’s Peace Be Still.  I thought it appropriate considering this month’s header picture and last week’s blog Path of Faith

Praying that even though the wind and waves may rage around us, He brings a stillness to our hearts and minds and a peace to our souls. 

Lord, strengthen our faith in you, and help us follow you wherever you lead us.  In Jesus name, amen.

 

 

I don’t want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don’t want to fear the storm
I don’t want to fear the storm

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep
Oh, peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks

I’m not gonna be afraid
‘Cause these waves are only waves
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than it’s roar
I’m not gonna fear the storm
Oh, I’m not gonna fear at all, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, oh
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace, peace, yes, over me, yeah

Oh Jesus, let Your peace call them
Ooh ooh

Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Lift your voice up higher
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me, oh oh
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, Lord
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks

Peace, peace, yes, over me
Yes Jesus
Oh, peace, peace Lord over me
Yeah, yeah

Lord Jesus, You’re the God of peace, Jesus
Ooh ooh
You’re a piece of a stone
You are in everyone, Jesus
Oh yeah, we receive it, we receive it
Oh, let the peace come
And wash all over me, yes
Oh oh
We rest in peace
Oh Jesus, You make our heart stay up
‘Cause You’re the creator, the strength of us all, ooh

Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
It’s our pray in the night
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
One more time again
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe it
Let faith rise up in me, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, Lord
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace, peace over me, yeah
Peace, peace, yes, over me, yeah

Hallelujah
You bring peace, Jesus
Yeah, let it wash all away
Let it wash all away above us

Friday Funnies – Patsy Clairmont

I have been waiting for this all week.  Patsy Clairmont is one of my most favorite people.

If you aren’t familiar with her, she has an amazing testimony of, as a young Christian, having had agoraphobia. Very basically, that’s when extreme anxiety leads a person to fear going out of the house or being around people. But not only was she confined to her house, her anxiety led her to being confined to her bed.

Through learning to be obedient to the Lord in small things, He delivered her from fear and anxiety.  And for years now she’s been an author and speaker who can take you from laughter to tears in 2.5 seconds, all while glorifying Jesus.  She is hilarious and I’m happy to share her with you, knowing she will put a smile on your face and remind you of God’s goodness, too.  (The first video leads into the next.)

Dear Father, thank you for giving us much needed laughter. We pray you would calm our frazzled emotions with your special kind of peace that exceeds all understanding.  In Jesus’ name…