Lord, Change Me

Lord, Change Me

Prayer Point 162 - March 25, 2024

It’s so tempting to go to the place of prayer and try to convince God to change everyone else. If only everyone else could be more like Jesus, life would be much more enjoyable. As I’ve walked with God for the last 25 years, He likes to turn that prayer around more often than not. “Ask Me to change you,” He whispers. Time and again I’ve had to surrender to His wisdom, and acknowledge that He is more interested in changing me than everyone else. Perhaps you’re in a similar situation, and your prayers sound like mine have before. Let me encourage you to focus your prayers on “Lord, change me!” instead of “Lord, change them!” What has amazed me is how much really changes if I left Him start with me. Now that’s something to pray about!

The Sweet Fragrance of Prayer

The Sweet Fragrance of Prayer

Prayer Point 161 - March 18, 2024

Here’s a fun question: what are some of your favorites smells? For me, a few come to mind: there’s the smell of homemade bread baking, lilacs in the springtime, my little kiddos right after bathtime. By now you might be asking yourself what this has to do with prayer. Well, the Bible tells us that our prayers are like a pleasing aroma. When a Christian prays, God likens it to a sweet-smelling incense that He finds delightful. So the next time that wonderful aroma of something like your favorite food or flower fills your senses, remember that prayer is the same way. In fact, take a moment right now to lift up a request. Your heavenly Father finds it delightful. Now that’s something to pray about!

Praying Instead Of Worrying

Praying Instead Of Worrying

Prayer Point 160 - March 11, 2024

In Matthew 6:27 (NIV), Jesus asked, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” What a probing thought. We think that by worrying or being anxious that we can somehow protect ourselves or keep bad things from happening, but the Lord made it clear it doesn’t help. There is, however, biblical precedent for prayer extending someone’s life. In 2 Kings 20, Hezekiah prayed with tears, and God granted him 15 more years. With this in mind, let’s do our best to turn all those anxieties into petitions, and all those worries into prayers. Our merciful God is sure to give us His peace and protection as we do. Now that’s something to pray about!

School of Prayer - Spring 2024

School of Prayer - Spring 2024

Prayer Point 159 - March 4, 2024

Have you ever wanted to grow in your prayer life, but needed some likeminded brothers and sisters in Christ to grow with? Maybe you feel like you need some biblical instruction to help you. The one-of-a-kind Central Illinois School of Prayer Spring 2024 semester begins this week, and is intended to serve this very need. Courses will be offered on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month through May, and we’ll be exploring the prayers of Christ. Head to our website at gphop.org/school for more information including how to register. The semester is free of charge, and I hope you can join with us as we grow in prayer together. Now that’s something to pray about!

God Hears The Prayer With Tears

God Hears The Prayer With Tears

Prayer Point 158 - February 26, 2024

In Psalm chapter six, David wrote with stirring emotion, giving us one of the great passages of Scripture for those who have simply been reduced to tears. He wrote this: “For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer” (Psalm 6:8-9). David not only believed that his tears were seen by God, but cherished by God—received by Him as the special prayer that they are. Friend, whatever may have you down in this season of life, whatever may be weighing on you so heavily, know that God is near when your heart is broken. He sees every tear. He hears every grief-stricken prayer—and the answer to them is never too far off. Now that’s something to pray about!