Prayer Journal
Worthy Because of Christ
Have you ever considered that because Christ paid for your sins you are worthy of heaven? Say that a few times to yourself and let it sink in. “I am worthy of heaven.”
Believers are found worthy of heaven only because Christ is worthy and exchanged His righteousness for our sins. Colossians 1:10 reminds us of the implication – “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” In other words, we’re to walk in a manner worthy of or “suitably” for our Lord.
We may have a hazy understanding of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, but we know what it means to be suitable. A child who puts on dirty clothes for school is told to put on something suitable, something clean for school. In the same manner, we are to walk worthy (suitably) of the Lord. Let’s get this right.
Journaling Tip: I wrote in the “Meditations” section of my Prayer of My Heart journal, “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” Colossians 1:10. It’s a verse I want to put to memory. Writing and reviewing it helps keep me focused on this important calling.
Lord, thank You for making us WORTHY of Your presence and of heaven. Help us walk worthy of You!
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If You’re Wondering What to Do About Something
Are you at your wit’s end? Do you need someone to talk to who can help you sort out your concerns, problems, and worries? God understands. Our Heavenly Father is the original Counselor, and Isaiah 9:6 says this about Jesus as well. Not only is He our Counselor, but He is also a “Wonderful Counselor.”
Our Heavenly Father and Jesus are Wonderful Counselors because they are excellent listeners and know us inside and out. We can talk to them, knowing they hear us. When we quiet ourselves in their presence, we can hear them too.
Talk to your Wonderful Counselor, then follow His counsel. I record what God prompts me to do in my journal, Prayers of My Heart. It helps me follow through because I can reread what I’ve recorded that He put on my heart. What do God’s prompts sound like? His prompt might be, “Open your Bible and read a Psalm.” It might be, “Stop procrastinating and tackle what is before you.” His prompt might be, “Instead of wondering about someone, call them.” Or, “Do _____ today.” A wise Christian will both talk things out with their Wonderful Counselor and follow how the Wonderful Counselor prompts them. Are we wise?
Lord, You are the WONDERFUL COUNSELOR. Increase our sensitivity to Your Voice. Help us take seriously Your counsel and follow through on what You lead us to do.
Would you like an organized way to record what God is speaking to you as you spend time in His presence? Grab a copy of the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal to write down what God places on your heart.
Do You Hear Him?
Have you ever done a study on the voice of God? It’s fascinating! In Isaiah 30:30, we’re told the following about God’s voice: “And the Lord will cause His voice of authority to be heard.” The literal translation is “voice of majesty.”
How does God speak to us? He speaks through His majestic creation that He is glorious and that He is a God of order with an unlimited imagination. God’s voice speaks to us through the Bible, the wisest, most beautifully written work of all time. God speaks to us through Christ letting us know that He is sacrificial, loving, and forgiving. God’s voice speaks to us in our innermost being warning us of the dangers of sin and calling us to walk in His ways. Yes, God’s voice goes forth. He calls to us but sometimes the busyness of the day drowns out His voice.
How can we make sure we don’t miss hearing God calling to us? We can purposefully choose to slip out of our beds in the mornings and quietly meet with Him – just the two of us – so we can hear Him without interruptions. We return throughout the day to think about Him and listen for His promptings. His voice encourages us in our weariness. His voice comforts us when we repent of sin. His voice instructs us, “Take this course of action…” If we take God seriously, write down His instructions, and follow through on what He tells us, we discover He calls to us and instructs us even more. Are we listening? Are we obeying? Are we experiencing the blessed life of intimacy with the Almighty?
VOICE OF AUTHORITY, VOICE OF MAJESTY, thank You for speaking to us. Tune our hearts and minds to recognize Your voice and obey You.
Would you like to become better equipped to discern God’s voice? Listen to this free podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit. As you learn to recognize and listen to God’s voice, record what He speaks to you in the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal.
If You Think You Have Nothing, Think Again
When you were little, did you go on a treasure hunt? Today, do you put your treasured valuables in a safety deposit box? The Bible tells us that believers have a treasure within them. What is the treasure? Second Corinthians 4:6-7 explains that the treasure is God’s Holy Spirit. The treasure is the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God shining in our hearts.
“God… is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).
The treasure we carry about in our earthly bodies is God’s surpassing greatness of power. With humble reverence and boundless gratefulness, we bow and worship God for the great gift of His presence in us.
Lord, You are the TREASURE men seek and whom we have in our hearts. Help us present You well to others and share with others the surpassing greatness of Your power. We adore and worship You.
God is a treasure. We hope you are recording each daily attribute from 365 Days of Praise in Prayers of My Heart. As you do, your journal becomes a treasure of the names, titles, and character traits of God. Your journal also becomes a treasured keepsake of how God has and is working in your life and the lives of those for whom you pray.
The Difference in Slow and Fast
Are you hot-tempered or does it take a lot to get you angry? What kind of person would you rather be around – a hot-tempered or patient, loving one? What kind of Heavenly Father do you prefer? One quickly angered by your shortcomings or slow to anger?
If you said you’d rather be in a relationship with a Heavenly Father who is slow to anger and great in love, there’s wonderful news. Psalm 145:8 says, “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.” That’s something to thank and praise God for.
Lord, thank You for being SLOW TO ANGER. We love You and thank You for revealing Yourself to us in the Bible. Each of Your character traits encourages us. Our souls are at peace knowing You are an ever-present help.
The Prayers of My Heart prayer journal is a great place to record your thanks to God for all the ways He is revealed in the Bible. It is also a thoughtful and meaningful gift for someone who is going through a hard time. Share with them the benefit of focusing on who God is and because of who He is, the many ways He can help them.
When You Face Something Beyond DIFFICULT
Do you ever find something to be beyond difficult? If so, I can relate. I’ve often found myself in “over my head.” I wanted to quit. Many of the things we find difficult are not those we can or should give up on. Our marriage, parenting, families, job, health, church, and friendships all require commitment. When we find them to be difficult, we can remember what Jeremiah 32:17 says that, with God, nothing is too difficult.
“Ah LORD GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.”
Isn’t that a great verse? I hope it makes you smile. It does me. God wants us to know “He’s got this.” It’s an incredible reminder that instead of cratering when we’re under pressure, we can call on God who “made the heavens and earth by His great power and outstretched arm.” He can help us with whatever we’re facing. He wants to help us. Call on Him now. Then, prayerfully record in Prayers of My Heart prayer journal the things weighing you down. Ask God for wisdom on how to handle them. Then, be sure and record how He guides you in the “Meditations, Notes, and Prayer” section of your journal. Date and record your thanks to Him as He walks you through each day.
LORD, NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU! Thank You for Your presence, Your power, and Your provision. We love you!
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Not Just Any Man
Jesus came to earth as a baby so He might grow into a man, but not just any man. He came from heaven as our Messiah.
Andrew heard John the Baptist announce that Jesus was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world. Andrew followed Jesus and after spending time with Him, he told his brother, Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah,” John 1:41.
Andrew was intentional about his search for the Messiah and after finding Him, he was intentional about telling others. In what ways can we be more intentional about sharing Christ with others? We can begin by praying for the unsaved to turn to Christ. I label the last column in the Week at a Glance section of Prayers of My Heart: “Unsaved.” What can we pray for those who do not know Christ as Messiah? Here are 8 suggestions.
Jesus Christ, MESSIAH, You are love, forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy! Help us be as Andrew – intentional about following You and telling others about You.
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Quick Question
Heavenly Father, thank You for the MERCY You show us every day. Fill us with Your Spirit of mercy toward others.
Would you like an organized way to record you prayers and praises? Grab a copy of the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal.