Soldiers rasing the US flag

United We Stand

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

United We Stand

One Nation Under God

President Harry S. Truman once said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” We do not have to look very far to realize there are many things which need prayer in our nation today. Fear is widespread. Anxiety has gripped many. Uncertainty has touched us all. Yet, none of those things are to move us as we stand together in unity and pray for our country.

There is a place where God commands a blessing. That place is unity. Our country is called the UNITED States of America. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word united is defined as: Joined; made to agree; cemented; mixed; attached by growth. The enemy has fought the most in our nation at the place of unity. He is doing everything he can to create division. Division in race. In politics. In gender. His plan is to divide. There is no commanded blessing from God where there is division, and he knows that. While we know it is not possible for us to agree on all things – We can agree on some things.
We can agree we desire the plan of God for our nation. We can agree we want the best for the people of this nation. We desire one nation under God. We can agree we want to please God with our faith and prayer life. Then let’s unify and pray for unity in our nation.

Together let’s pray that first of all, truth be revealed all across America. Then pray for unity. Unity in your home. Unity between man and wife. Unity with your children and grandchildren. Unity in your city. Unity in our government, and unity in our great nation.

Let’s lay hold of the promise in Psalm 133, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity…there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Let’s stand together and bring unity back to our nation! For with God all things are possible, and nothing is impossible to him who believes.

Men praying

The following prayers for our nation are from Intercessors of America. This organization publishes prayer resources and unites Christians in prayer for our nation since 1973. Their mission is to inform, connect, and mobilize a network of those who pray and fast for America.

PRAY for these leaders to recognize their own inadequacy and seek the will of God. (Prv 3:5-8)
PRAY that they would fear God and that God would be glorified through their actions. (Prv 9:10)
PRAY that the idols of Washington, D.C. would be struck down, and only the one true God would be honored. (Is 42:8-9)
PRAY for God’s will to be done in our nation, and that our leaders would honor biblical values in their rulings, laws, and decisions. (Mt 6:10)
PRAY that any hidden agenda, deception, or subversive action would be brought to light and not profit. (Jer 7:8)
PRAY for God’s glory and presence to affect Washington, D.C. and our government in greater measure, that light will displace the darkness. (Is 60:1-2)
PRAY that any spiritual battle that wages in the Administration and its offices would result in a victory against any plans of the Enemy. (Eph 6:12)
PRAY that these leaders would encourage religious freedom so that our nation may be free to follow the Lord as it says in Scripture, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” (Ps 33:12)
PRAY that these leaders would have humility as they recognize that God has given them any ability they have, and that their lives should be lived in honor to the Lord. (Jas 4:10)
PRAY for protection from temptations to seek power, follow evil, and empower ungodly principles through the overcoming power of Christ. (Prv 16:25)
PRAY for strength to do what is right even if they see that it is not popular. (2 Tim 1:7)
PRAY that they would seek a community of believers to uphold them in prayer, encouragement, and accountability (Is 33:6)
PRAY that any ungodly plans put forth would encounter a spirit of confusion in its planning and would not come to fruition. (Mt 6:33)
PRAY that those hidden servants of God, Christ-followers within our nation’s government, would be protected, elevated, and guided as they serve our nation and the Lord. (Ps 91)

Boy saluting US flag

Wicca girl

Keep the Hearts of this Generation

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

Keep the Hearts of this Generation

Understand the Hidden Traps of Wicca

What would you do if you found your teen was being trained to: “Practice the Down-Low”: “keep it secret from your parents…We don’t recommend keeping secrets from your parents but sometimes practicing on the down-low is necessary because of religious differences, or you may feel your parents will think it’s silly. Understand…You will be out on your own soon enough—it won’t hurt you to follow your parents’ rules a little bit longer. Until then, hopefully, these tips will make living under your parents’ roof a little bit easier.”

Wicca is the fastest-growing religion today among high school and college students. The influence of pop culture has made witches and witchcraft appealing to today’s teens. Growing up on Harry Potter books and movies has further opened doors for teens to experience both a curiosity and a familiarity with witchcraft. Increasingly, towns in the heartland of America, once known for their strong Christian heritage, are becoming hotbeds for Wicca, a pagan religion that emphasizes the worship of nature.

Why does it appeal to teens?
Four key words – freedom, control, power, and experience. It’s the “whatever” religion that works perfectly in our relative truth culture. Teens like the freedom that Wicca offers to worship whomever they choose. They also like the idea of being able to control everything about their life – including their destiny. Then comes the issue of power – a lot of teens are looking for it. They want the power to help them feel special, power over their circumstances, and sometimes power to get vengeance over those who’ve hurt them. Wicca is also a very experiential religion.

There is much information out there but it’s good to have a starting point. Their rule contradicts the Golden Rule in Luke 6:31. Wicca Rule: “Do as you will and harm none.” So basically, you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t hurt anyone else or yourself.

 

Wicca girls dancing

 

*Suggested ways parents can respond when their teens express curiosity?

1. Understand the key differences between Wicca and Christianity?

If you start closely examining the beliefs you will see that their essential concepts – God, truth, reality, the basic problem of humanity and the solution – are very different. By looking at the following brief comparison, you will see why this type of spirituality is so dangerous to believers. That’s why God warns us in His Word to stay away from Wicca and witchcraft.

• Most Wiccans believe in some form of reincarnation. Instead of an endless ‘karma’ witches view reincarnation as something positive that takes the soul upward in its advancement towards godhood. The Bible is very clear when it says we die only once and then we are judged (Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 2:9).

• The Wiccan view of salvation can be summed up with this statement: “We can open new eyes and see that there is nothing to be saved from; no struggle of life against the universe, no God outside the world to be feared and obeyed.” Christians believe that we are all born with a spiritual terminal disease called sin that causes us to disobey God and go our own willful way. The remedy was Christ’s death on the cross (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Isaiah 59:2; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18).

• Wiccans believe that experience is a more important revelation than any code of belief. Christians believe that the most important revelation of truth is the Bible (Psalm 119:47, 72, 97; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).

• Wiccans worship the Earth and creation. Christians believe in worshipping the Creator, not the creation (Deuteronomy 4:39; Romans 1:25; Jude 25).

• Wiccans do not believe that Jesus was God in the flesh or creator of the universe. They view Jesus as “a great white witch who knew the Coven of Thirteen.” The key principle that sets Christianity apart from any other religion is the belief that Jesus is God. (Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1, 14, 18, 8:24; Philippians 2:5,6).

2. Engage in the conversation

Christian parents may have a limited understanding concerning the world of witchcraft. But a growing familiarity among teenagers begs for parents to engage in the conversation and to study and research to understand.

3. Listen, really listen

Don’t be afraid of questions that need answers. Answer your teen’s questions without condemning her curiosity. When you don’t know the answer to a question, help her search for it.

4. Engage culture

Some parents have no clue what’s on their kids’ iPods or iPhones. Carefully research the books, movies, music and religions, such as Wicca, that define your teen’s generation.

5. Talk about the why

Ask your teen why he’s interested in certain books, movies, music, and so on. Have him write out a list of the possible benefits and harmful effects. Encourage him to find Scripture that supports his point of view. Many teens will figure things out on their own if you show them how to reason.

An ongoing line of communication will also help you gauge the influence of peers and social gatherings. Watch to see which friends and activities may encourage your teen to play with a Ouija board or participate in a séance. Talk with your teen to determine how others are influencing her. Keeping the dialogue open is important. It’s equally important not to downplay the serious consequences of dabbling with witchcraft, Alupoaicei says. “If parents see warning signs or discover that their child possesses witchcraft-related paraphernalia (such as Wicca books, spell books, tarot cards, crystals, etc.), they need to discuss the matter with their son or daughter right away.”

Christian parents need to talk with their teens about witchcraft and culture. But they don’t need to fear it. The Bible reminds us, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”,1 John 4:4. As the parent, you still have the privilege and responsibility of praying for protection and understanding in your teen’s life.

*Focus on the Family, “Why Teens are Attracted to Wicca”

Woman walking down a dirt road

Understanding Mental Health

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

Understanding Mental Health

And the Path to Restoration

To really face mental health issues, you have to dig deep into what’s causing pain, fear, or anxiety. For example, anxiety isn’t a thing. It’s the symptom of a thing and so we have to go a little deeper and ask a question, ‘What is making you anxious?” Many times, too much credit is given just to anxiety. What was happening is something or someone was making you anxious. We must go beneath the surface to ask, ‘What is it that you’re afraid of? Who is it that you’re afraid of? What was said that you wish you could now manage the way it was said? You cannot manage every outcome all the time but you can take steps to healing and freedom.

Signs on a fence

1. Love and value who God made you to be:
To value is to love. Loving yourself is being thankful for being who God created you to be, “I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made,” Psalm 139:14. Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do plant a garden, take tennis lessons, learn to play an instrument, volunteer at church, or join a club.

2.Take care of your body, it belongs to God:
Caring for your body glorifies God, it demonstrates a good testimony to others and it gives you the energy that you need to do God’s will. We are told, “Whatever we do, we do to the glory of God,” I Corinthians 10:31. Our primary purpose in life is to glorify God. Taking care of yourself physically can also improve your mental health. For example, by:

    • Eating nutritious meals
    • Avoiding bad habits
    • Drinking plenty of water
    • Exercising regularly
    • Getting enough sleep
    • Praying and reading the Bible

 

3. Surround yourself with good people:
People with strong family or social connections can inspire you to work toward your goals. “Continuing with one mind and breaking bread from house to house they were taking meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,” Acts 2:46. Make plans with family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people; such as in church, a class or support group.

4. Give of yourself to serve others:
We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. “Every Believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another,” I Peter 4:10. Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You’ll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need — and it’s a great way to meet new people.

5. Learn how to deal with stress:
The best part about having God on your side is that He is always guiding you. “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight,” Psalm 119:143. Practice good coping skills: pray, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or journal Bible promises. Also, remember to smile and to see the goodness of God. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.

6. Quiet your mind:
Try meditating and praying God’s Word. “Keep the Word always on your lips; meditate on it day and night…then you will be prosperous and successful,” Joshua 1:8. Take time to relax in His Presence. Meditation and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of healing.

7. Set realistic goals:
Decide what you want to achieve spiritually, professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic and don’t over-schedule. You’ll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal. “Write the revelation and make it plain on tablets so you can run with it. The revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false,” Habakkuk 2:2-3. Goals should be specific and concrete so you have a clear idea of what actions you need to take.

8. Break up the monotony:
Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can be energizing and exciting. Alter your walking route, plan a road-trip, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant. Those physical changes can bring spiritual changes. You grow and learn new things every time something changes. “I’ve done the former, a new thing will I do..,” Isaiah 42:9 God wants to grow your spiritual realm. As you become flexible and adapt to change in the physical realm, your spiritual realm will also increase.

9. Avoid overeating, alcohol and other drugs:
Keep all things to a minimum and avoid bad habits. Sometimes people use food, alcohol and other drugs to “self-medicate” but in reality, these only aggravate problems. One must admit that it is a bad habit and you need to stop. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, instead, be filled with the Spirt,“ Ephesians 5:18. Bad habits will continue if one tries to justify in their minds, “It’s okay if I don’t hurt anyone else.” If one feels they can justify, their sin nature will take that opportunity and keep them stuck.

10. Get help when you need it:
Seeking help is a sign of strength — not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives. “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life,” Proverbs 19:20-NLT

Walking on a log in the forrest

*Adapted from the National Mental Health Association/National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

Lady on mobile phone

How to Overcome Temptation

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

How to Overcome Temptation

Resist what’s restricting you!

People give in to temptations for many reasons. The research from Barna Group shows nearly half of Americans say they are tempted to spend too much time with media, including the Internet, television, and video games. Another form of temptation is to express anger or “go off” on someone by text or email, to escape or get away from “real life” for a while, to feel less pain or loneliness, to satisfy people’s expectations, to take a shortcut to success, for personal pleasure or because “I enjoy it”.

Temptation can be a serious issue when its long-term consequences lead to loss of job, home, health, livelihood, or relationship. If you experience a strong desire to act in a way you know isn’t good for your health, there are steps to resist what’s restricting you from leading a long, satisfied life.

All temptation is linked to what you think on.

You can’t be tempted unless you have first thought about it. Therefore, whatever you agree with, you give your power to that thought. A simple formula is to control your thoughts, and you will control temptation. It’s like a woman who doesn’t want to get overweight but continues to eat to fill a void. Sooner or later, she will be overweight. Maybe you sometimes look in the mirror and think, I wish I was a better person. Are you sometimes disappointed with yourself? Maybe you get angry or selfish or have some bad habits, maybe you let yourself down and you let other people down. You’re not really the person you had hoped you were. I think all of us feel like that from time to time. If anyone thinks on the wrong things long enough, and sooner or later they will give into sin when tempted.

Lady holding Bible

The Bible helps you resist what’s restricting you.

The Bible has a special ability to change people for the better. It doesn’t happen immediately. It’s not like reading one verse, and whoa, you are now a perfect Superman or Superwoman. But it happens over time. The more you read the Bible, the more you absorb it, the more the Bible will change you into a better person.

What is that source of temptation? “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire,” James 1:14. Let’s get to the root! Temptation draws its strength from desire. This explains why not everyone is faced with the same temptations. The lure of internet pornography is a serious temptation for one person, while for another it is not. Both have the same access, only one is tempted. What is the difference? The difference is desire. The opportunity to gossip exists for all, yet some gossip and others do not. Why is this? Some want to, others do not.

By seeking truth found in the Bible, words read will speak to you and suggest things you can improve. As you read day after day, week after week, month after month, your mind will be shaped into the values of God Himself, who inspired the Bible. You are shaped into God’s values in a supernatural way. We can’t explain it other than that this book is supernatural.

Those who resist temptation are those who love God.

God’s love thinks the eternal perspective. James 1:12 reminds us that the crown of life is given to those who resist temptation. The root of the issue is guarding our desires and thoughts by focusing on our love for God. The Scriptures are clear that a choice must be made, for one cannot love God and sin at the same time: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,” 1 John 2:15.

How do we love God? By knowing who He is, and who He is for us. It is a call to establish our hearts by remembering the character of God. He is compassionate and merciful, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…,” Exodus 34:6. It’s the same description used of Jesus, the one “full of grace and truth,” John 1:14.

The Word of God is powerful—use it when tempted. Jesus countered every temptation of the devil with the Word. Think about it, Jesus was the Word, and everything He said would have been Scripture and more than sufficient to rebuke the devil. Yet He would say, “It is written” then He quoted God’s Word. It’s important for us to do the same. We must know God’s Word to effectively overcome temptation. That goes back to being prepared; you can’t quote scripture you haven’t learned, and there isn’t any power in what you don’t know or understand.

Temptation will come, but it’s hard for the devil to deceive you when your mind is stayed on the promises of God. Satan can only work with what you give him, so don’t give him any space in your mind. You’ll be able to avoid many of the temptations you face if you will put this into practice, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16.

Woman with her hands outstretched over water

Man sitting on rocks at lake

Freedom from Your Past

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

Freedom from Your Past

Embrace It with Purpose

Let’s talk about the past. It’s a big thing. We all have different, challenging experiences and failures. It’s part of living in a fallen world. But if we focus on the negative, it binds us to depression, hopelessness or despair. Now we’re stuck with mind-binding spirits that opens the door to regret and deception. Unfortunately, there is a strongman operating behind one’s thoughts that is keeping anyone from freedom. Mind-binding spirits lock you down and prevent you from moving in a positive or forward direction. They are paralyzing spirits that attack your thinking and physical movement. They keep you in a place of defeat instead of moving you forward to victory.

The solution is to firmly and verbally talk to the evil spirit that is behind the thought. For example, if your mind is obsessively attacked by thoughts of giving up or fear, you should quietly, in a firm tone, command the evil spirit behind the thought to get out of your mind using the Name of Jesus. This is an example, “You evil spirit that causes me to agree with fear, I command you in the name of Jesus, get out of my mind.” Repeatedly say this and you will discover that within a short time the obsession will disappear. This first step leads you to living victoriously and winning the battle of the mind.

The second step is to understand, “What the enemy intended for wrong, God will turn for good,” Genesis 50:20. Interestingly, that place of disappointment or despair leaves wounds that leave a mark on our life emotionally, physically or spiritually but by the power of prayer, it can be transformed into a testimony of greatness. The Bible states, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy,” Revelation 19:10. When you share your story of how God set you free, it gives hope to others. If God did it for you, He will do it for them. Your personal testimony may be the only Bible someone will read.

It’s time to move into the future and to know God is not hung up by your past. In John 4:4-26, Jesus met the woman at the well. She had five husbands and was living with another man. When she met Jesus, she became free from her past and shared her story with others. She is honored today because of the influence she had in her life when she let go of the past and received forgiveness and freedom. She found her hope in God. As we find freedom from what the world tells us about our past, we receive hope for the future by taking these steps:

 

SUNRISE

 

  1. Embrace your past. It is a part of your life and part of your story. You don’t have to like or accept the way everything went down, but it’s a testimony of the goodness of God. It is part of your story. Imagine what the woman at the well went through being married to five guys? God brought her into the future without shame. Her testimony gives hope for others today.
  2. God knows everything. He knows every thought and motive about our past and never gives up on us. He will always provide a future for us so we can move from the old to the new. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “We are a new creature…”. His love and forgiveness open the door for freedom to a new beginning with purpose.
  3. Freedom is in the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished!” All our guilt, shame, grief, sorrow, sickness, infirmity was cancelled. Jesus triumphed over our past so we can live victoriously. “You are worthy because you were slain….”, Revelation 5:5. Now Jesus’ past is celebrated in heaven as He bore all our grief and sorrow for total freedom. He alone is worthy to open up the free gift of salvation and to usher in freedom from the past. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can embrace our past with a purpose. We have a powerful testimony to encourage others because, “old things have passed away, behold, all things are new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

 

Girl on the beach reaching for the sky

 

Sad girl

Power in Prophetic Intercession

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

The Power in Prophetic Intercession 
Is Praying with God, not to God

With everything happening in the world, there are many who are walking in fear, lack, and/or depression. Do you know of someone who needs a miracle in their life? Maybe you are carrying a burden for a neighbor who isn’t walking with the Lord or has been trapped into making poor choices? God’s desire is for everyone to know Him, trust Him and follow the plan He has for them. The Bible says, “He would leave the ninety and nine to go after the one who doesn’t know Him”. As an Intercessor, we are called to partner with God by praying for those who are lost or who have fallen short. We may have little natural knowledge about a person but the Holy Spirit will lay someone on our heart and will give us the urge to pray. By praying, we are partnering with God as we pray from His heart. “My heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for the lost to be saved,” Romans 10:1.

PRAYING AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN
1. Ask the Father to draw them to Jesus. God draws people to Him. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,” John 6:44. It’s not something we can make happen out of our own efforts, so we need to be faithful in praying that the Father would draw those He’s placed on our hearts to Jesus.

Prayer: “Father, I pray for the people around me, my family and those who are lost; that you would supernaturally draw their hearts to you. Send your Holy Spirit to them, and give them the desire to give their lives to You. Help them to recognize their longing for more in life as a spiritual thirst only you can quench. Open their ears to hear your voice.”

2.Bind the spirit that blinds their minds. The truth can be right in front of people, but they still can’t see it because their view of God is blocked. 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Prayer: “Father, bind the evils spirits that are blinding the minds of my family and the people around me. In the name of Jesus, I pray they would be able to see clearly, to recognize who You are, and to give their hearts to You. Remove all hindrances the enemy would use to distract them from Your truth. Open their eyes, Lord, that they might see Jesus.”

3. Pray they may have a personal relationship with God. Jesus came to have a relationship with his children. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about our adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba Father”,” Romans 8:15. Pray for people to have personal encounters; it reveals how much God loves them.

Prayer: “Father, I pray that people will understand how much You love them. Loose the spirit of adoption for the people around me, so that they come into a meaningful relationship with You. Stir in their hearts a longing to come home, to hear Your voice and to see You welcoming them with open arms. Let them know You are always running to meet them and hold them close.”

4. Pray for believers to cross their paths. Pray for people to go into the world and to share the good news to all. “Ask the Lord of harvest; therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field,” Matthew 9:38.

Prayer: “Father, I pray for the lost around me to meet believers who will influence them in a positive way. Lord, let my life shine in such a way that people want to know the God I serve. Allow others to see my genuine love and concern for them in all that I say and do. Let me be Your hands and feet to serve them and let them know just how much You love them.”

5. Pray the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation on everyone so they may know God. People need to see their own sin, understand what Jesus did on the cross, and receive the hope that comes from giving their life to God. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, so that you may know him better,” Ephesians 1:17. People need wisdom, not just knowledge, of spiritual things into how spiritual realities directly impact them. This kind of supernatural revelation only comes from God.

Prayer: “Father, I pray for my family and the people around me to experience the spirit of wisdom and revelation. I pray that they would truly understand their spiritual condition and see what Jesus did for them on the cross. Help them to have the information and experiences needed to come to You, so they can understand all You have for them.”

Women praying together

Woman with her head on man's shoulder

Freedom from Stressful Events


Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

Prayers that will Restore Hope

Have you ever had a stressful event happen that diminishes your sense of security and involves a threat to peace or hope? Or have distressing experiences exceed your ability to cope, and your ability to process emotions involved with the experience? These can cause you to feel helpless and leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust others. When bad things happen, it can take time to get over the pain and feel safe again. Whether the event happened years ago or yesterday, you can make healing changes and move forward with your life.

God’s Word and prayer restores our hope. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When sadness and depression settle into one’s mind, heart, and soul, it is not easy to shake the feelings off, break out of the rut, and move on as some may suggest or think. At times, inner despair remains, regardless of the goodwill offered from those that care. If this sounds like you, realize you are not alone. Many others have battled or are currently battling with valleys of darkness.

During times of trial in our lives, it is our human nature to power through and try to fix the situation ourselves. But God uses those times to foster a greater reliance on Him and His healing power – if we are willing to listen. As you spend time with God, restoration comes when we focus our prayers on His ability to heal you and your loved ones. Whether you’re dealing with grief, divorce, or physical pain, He is the only one who can mend you. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

To help guide your prayer life, below is a prayer that focuses on the healing power from any trauma, stress or anxiety. This prayer can bring freedom to any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and frightened. God’s heart has always been, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door is open,” Matthew 7:7-8.

Father, I ask in Jesus Name for healing of any unwanted memories, fear, anxiety, nightmares, depression, or any triggers due to trauma, depression, stress and anxiety. I believe in the power in the Name of Jesus and the authority you’ve given me in Luke 10:19 to speak to the hurtful events and memories in Jesus’ Name. I receive that authority to conqueror all memories or setbacks connected with fear, anxiety and trauma.

In the Name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, I speak to this event that opened the door for suffering and decree in Jesus’ Name, “Trauma, setbacks and memories, you are a name, and in the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I command you to leave me and to never return!” I bless myself and receive the promise in John 8:36, “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!” I decree because of Jesus; I am free from past trauma, setbacks, memories and forbid it to come back again. Thank You, Father, for severing all fear bonds, trauma bonds, and all unhealthy and unholy soul ties that have been created through fear, anxiety and trauma.

Thank you, Father, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power and soundness of mind, and that is what I claim and receive today. Fill every part of my being with your love, peace and hope. Keep me in perfect peace, especially in the night seasons and bring sound sleep and rest. Send angels to guard me as I sleep and calm me with your perfect love and peace. Thank you, Father, for loving me, healing me and for hearing my prayer. I receive Your Presence and freedom in Jesus Name. Amen

Christmas Ornaments

A Christmas Prayer

Posted by Pastor Susan Dyer on

A Christmas Prayer

Will Bring Heaven to Earth

In a season where everything seems to come with a price tag, this gift is free. The hardest part is to be disciplined to take time to identify a need, find a promise, and to faithfully pray. A Christmas prayer is caring for others and using the authority Jesus has given us to decree a blessing over someone. A blessing is God’s favor poured into someone’s life. “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8-10. That’s where our most thoughtful gifts are given, to take the time to pray.

What is a Christmas Prayer? It’s a prayer when there will be no time-lapse, from the time you pray to the time you receive an answer. Jesus taught, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:10. God wants us to bring heaven to earth. “He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:3. He’s asking us to speak His will, His promises into existence, and to expect a move from heaven to earth.

Prayers have power. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” James 5:16. This kind of prayer is quite the opposite of a weary, repetitious or superficial type… because this prayer expresses an intense sincere confidence in God. This might also be described as praying “confidently,” in faith with all your heart. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us,” 1 John 5:14-15.

Stars

 

Prayers pull the promises from the eternal realm and bring them into the natural realm. Jesus demonstrated this when he got into the boat and was immediately on the other side. Jesus knew the Father’s will, “I only do what I see My Father do..,” John 5:19. Since there is no time or distance in the eternal realm, He called heaven to come to earth and made a deposit into the natural realm. We are to follow Jesus’ example:

    1. Know God’s will. I John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him”. First, identify the need and find a promise in the bible, “every promise is yes and amen to the Glory of God,” 2 Corinthians 1:20. We are to be confident that God has heard and will answer.
    2. Believe the Promise. Mark 11:24, “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. when you pray.” Faith is to believe and to know you will receive it. This prayer takes from the eternal dimension and pulls it into the natural realm where there’s no time or distance.
    3. Start expecting. John 15:7, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Start expecting your prayer to close the gap and deposit an answer.
    4. Pray in faith. Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. … And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Know in your heart God has answered that prayer, because “His Word never returns void”, Hebrews 4:12.

 

Christmas decorations are beautiful, a delicious dinner is always welcome and freshly-baked cookies are wonderful. But one of the most special, heartfelt things you can do at Christmastime is to experience answered prayer. What a wonderful way to let family and friends know that you appreciate them. The song, “Joy to the World” will take on new meaning as you celebrate heaven coming to earth through the power of prayer.

 

Jumping at sunset