Just so you know, if you have connected with me in some way over the past few years, you are probably on my prayer list.
Connections are powerful. God has placed you on my heart, and I am praying for you. Some of you, close friends, I pray for your children and grandchildren by name.
I pray for my family members, daily, my own small circle, my cousins and relatives.
I pray for the ones that God has brought to live under the Corgi Hollows roof even for a short time.
I pray for my missionary friends, some of you I’ve only made eye contact with! You don’t even know me—-perhaps.
I pray for countries and kings, rulers and presidents, cities and schools.
I have a special “snatch list” of people that I am pretty sure do not know Jesus right now. This list of people are close to my heart, and I pray for their salvation, watch them live their lives and hope for signs of spiritual softening.
Most of these people are “influencers,” as in having a following and influence on multiple people for whatever reason—their connections, their talents, their art. I pray that through their salvation they would bring hundreds or thousands to Christ.
I pray that the Holy Spirit can touch their lives and that they will surrender to Him.
One thing this daily prayer does for my heart is pretty miraculous. You kinda sorta have to love the people you are praying for. It just flows out of your mind and heart whether you want it to or not. You may be arch enemies, but as you pray good for that person the love flows.
I may diametrically oppose someone’s politics, spiritual leanings, or decisions—but as I pray for them I FEEL love toward them. I want them to repent and come to Christ. This is love.
This is what loving your enemy means, I believe. Love in the best of ways: desiring a future of eternal hope in God.
Through Jesus Christ.
Ya’ll know that life has been politically difficult up here in the North Star State lately. It could be a time of deep discouragement with bitter cold, gray skies, massive fraud and deceit, incompetence, political embarrassment.
But I am bringing ALL OF IT to the LORD, and my prayers for all of these people keep myself in check.
Yes, I’ve had some depression. Normal depression. Who doesn’t? I always like to remember Elijah and his depression when I am down.
A handful of cashews, a swim, a half hour looking at something bright, a sweet night’s sleep, a walk in the fresh air, —–maybe something chocolate, or buttery garlic….—(in extreme cases!)
A diversion, a song of praise, a reminder to self of a promise in Scripture.
A Bach concerto.
Prayer. Crying out to God in desperation.
Save these dear ones, Lord! In YOUR TIME, not mine, but please save them in Jesus’ name.
Save them for Your glory.
Part of a prayer life is also confession and repentance of sin.
Create in me a clean heart, Lord, and renew a right spirit in me. This is certainly exhilarating!
Knowing Jesus is knowing Truth.
Praying with you, for you. Praying you can experience the JOY OF THE LORD.
MARANATHA!