Pray to Your Father

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. — Matthew 6:6 

God calls us to pray in secret.

Not to be obtrusive with our prayers.

Not to expect an earthly reward.

Yet the Lord knows what I'm going to ask well before I form the words.

And He knows what I need most, even when I can't see clearly.

Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayers and for giving me more than I can ask or imagine.

Knock and the Door Will Be Opened

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. — Matthew 7:7-8 

We're praying for those looking for jobs.

Many are searching.

And God is opening windows and closing doors.

He is teaching some of them to be patient.

We are asking for God's wisdom.

That He will open the door to us and will help our families and friends to not be discouraged as they hunt for work.

Pray to Your Father

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  — Matthew 6:6 

Today is the first day of October.

Only a few trees are changing color.

Things are still very green.

Oktoberfest begins tonight in La Mesa.

That's a really fun event, but we're not sure we want to be around all those people this year.

So we'll celebrate at home this year.

With tacos!

Proclaim the Mystery of Christ

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. — Colossians 4:3

Pray for me and for my family.

That God will use us to proclaim His message.

That He will give us the words to share the gospel of Jesus.

And the mystery that is His mercy and grace.

Paving the way for us to live with Him in heaven one day.

Yesterday, Abby and I went over to the Y to swim after church.

This was the first week we didn't need reservations to swim.

And even though there were lots of families, there were 3 lap lanes free when we arrived.

So we each had our own lane.

The water was warm and refreshing.

The sun was shining.

God gave us a beautiful afternoon together.

Pray for Us, Too

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. — Colossians 4:3

This week I found out that my friend may have breast cancer.

If so, it would be at stage 0.

So hopefully she would need just radiation, no chemo.

We are praying that everything will be clear.

She will have a biopsy to confirm. 

I know what an unsettling time this can be, not knowing.

Praying for God's comfort and peace for her and her family.

 

Pray for Us

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. — Colossians 4:2-3

Paul writes to the people of Colossae, asking them to pray for him.

Not only that, but telling them devote themselves to prayer.

That's really hard to do with all of the demands of a busy life.

But devoting ourselves to prayer and praying throughout the day/evening/night helps me to be thankful.

Even or especially in the midst of stressful times, God is with us to guide and direct us when we talk with Him in prayer.

We have lots of friends and family we are praying for today:

Rudy - for healing for his leg and foot infection after his release from the hospital

Beth and Mike with health concerns for their parents

John in the loss of his sister

Sheri in the loss of her mom and the health issues her dad is experiencing

Peggy for upcoming surgery

Dave for upcoming hip surgery and his wife Kathie who has been experiencing anxiety

Bonnie as she cares for her husband who has health issues

Paige's sister with triple - breast cancer who is beginning a new round of chemo

Mari's anxiety and lack of sleep

My coworker Ginger who has been up nights caring for her elderly dog 

Sandy's friend Wendy from Iglesia Presbiteriana Emmanuel whose friend was killed by a teenager who had stolen a car and ran into her at an intersection

... and many more.

God knows these needs before I do and asks me to devote myself to prayer.

Thank You, Lord.

Pray for Us

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. — Colossians 4:3

Christ's death and resurrection is a mystery.

Someday we will live with Him in heaven, but for now we "see through a glass darkly."

We need our friends and family members to pray for us.

I need you to pray for me.

That God will use me.

That He will open a door for His message.

That I can proclaim the love and mystery of Jesus.

Not through my words or beliefs, but through my actions.

Lord, help my unbelief.