Prayer & Praise: May 9-15
O, give yourself to prayer! Say not that your censer has nothing to offer. That it contains no sweet spices, no fire, no incense. Repair with it, all empty and cold as it is, to the Great High Priest, and as you gaze in faith upon him who is the Altar, the slain Lamb, and the Priest, thus musing upon this wondrous spectacle of Jesus? sacrifice for you, his Spirit will cast the sweet spices of grace and the glowing embers of love into your dull, cold heart, and there will come forth a cloud of precious incense, which shall ascend with the “much incense” of the Savior’s merits, an “offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savor.”
Remember, that Jesus offers with the “much incense” the prayer of “all saints.” In that number you, beloved, are included. The tried saints, the sick saints, the sorrowful saints, the tempted saints, the bereaved saints, the weak and infirm saints, the wandering and restored saints. Yes, “the prayers of all saints” are “offered upon the golden altar which is before the throne.” Nor forget that there is evening as well as morning incense. “When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense.” And thus when the day-season of your prosperity and joy is past, and the evening of adversity, sorrow, and loneliness draws its somber curtains around you, then take your censer and wave it before the Lord. Ah! methinks at that hour of solemn stillness and of mournful solitude, that hour when grief loves to indulge, and visions of other days dance before the eye, like shadows upon the wall, that hour when all human support and sympathy fails, that then the sweetest incense of prayer ascends before God. Yes, there is no prayer so true, so powerful, so fragrant as that which sorrow presses from the heart. O, betake yourself, suffering believer to prayer.
Are you a pilgrim, and alone?
Far from the home once called your own?
From friendship’s faithful bosom wrested,
In stranger hands your comforts vested,
Your life a cheerless wintry day,
Unlit by sunshine!―Rise and pray!
Smiled on you once the bliss of earth,
And flittering joys of transient worth?
Have you adored some idol shrine,
Or bent how many a knee at thine?
Faded those creatures of a day,
What have you left?―Arise and pray!
With tears, with bitterest agony,
The Savior wrestled, soul! for thee,
Before he could all-triumphant rise
To plead the accepted sacrifice:
So, until the world shall pass away,
Shall stand his words―Arise and pray!
Bring forth, then, your censer, sorrowful priest of the Lord! Replenish it as the altar of Calvary, and then wave it with a strong hand before the God, until your person, your sorrows, and your guilt are all enveloped and lost in the cloud of sweet incense as it rises before the throne, and blends with the ascending cloud of the Redeemer’s precious intercession. Prayer will soothe you, prayer will calm you, prayer will unburden your heart, prayer will remove or mitigate your pain, prayer will heal your sickness, or make your sickness pleasant to bear, prayer will expel the temper, prayer will bring Jesus sensibly near to your soul, prayer will lift your heart to heaven, and will bring heaven down into your heart. “Lord, I cry unto you: make haste unto me: give ear unto my voice when I cry unto you. Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” “I GIVE MYSELF UNTO PRAYER.”
Winslow
May the Spirit give us this vision of Christ that He is ours and we are His. So many times I am moved out of the emptiness of myself into the riches of Christ in me by simply asking that I be given grace in the moment to be reminded of the great and unceasing concert of prayer led by Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is they who invite me to give of myself in prayer as I join them.
Could use some prayer today from the PP family.
I’ll be blunt, Mother’s Day sucks.
My pastor step-dad has taken away the one relationship…used the one thing he knew he could really hurt me with…after all the physical, mental and spiritual abuse growing up…rather than confess and repent…he took my relationship with my mother away from me.
That’s how he rolls.
I tried to send her an email…my emails are now blocked. I will try to call later today (once again) and I will get an answering machine.
I know I need to Move On, Move Forward etc.
I don’t know if that is possible. My mom is still alive…and I cannot see her or talk to her or hug her or kiss her ever again…because of the sin of my step-dad pastor.
The injustice is life-altering and intensely damaging…and continues…unchecked.
I am tempted to sin and get angry…but today, I give up. I am defeated. I am heart-broken.
Believe, will pray for you, your mom and the noted step dad .
Jesus I pray that you would open the eyes of the heart of Believe’s Mom today and renew her mind in the reality that you and only you blessed her with children and were the One to confer to her the blessing of becoming a Mother. Help her Lord over time to be built up in the strength of that love to step through the resistance of anyone who would seek to oppose what you have done. Help her Lord to let her soul find great peace and rest in You. Uphold her with your tender hand of love and protect her with your mighty hand.
Thank you Lord that one day we shall see and hear of that reconciliation brought by Jesus Christ. Until that day sustain my brother even though it may be in the place of the fellowship of your sufferings.
Father let this man who opposes your goodness become ashamed of himself as an enemy of God and open the eyes of his heart to see that in brokenness and repentance he can become a friend of God.
Lord vanquish evill and exalt virtue!
Amen
Believe, To be honest, I think all holidays suck…. you will be in my prayers as I go about my day. Please know your heart is so valued here. Bless you.
Believe,
Remember….”No weapon formed against you will prosper”
The weapons of our warfare are mighty for pulling down strongholds,
continue to walk in truth, righteousness, prayerfulness,
be strong in the Lord and the power of His might…
May God give you much grace, assurance, rest and comfort in the process
Joining in agreement with Victorious’ prayer
Believe,
I’m sorry that this is a difficult day for you. Lifting you up in prayer now.
in these unsettled (most probably ‘perilous’) times doesn’t it seem vital to have a concentrated focus on the Faith and our walk in it?
praying for all of us to be blessed with God the Holy Spirit’s powerful presence and comfort this night.
God keep
Thanks guys…I appreciate the PP family and am learning not to lash out when I’m hurt and angry…especially against those who have shown me so much kindness…pastors and lay-people.
I’m feeling spiritual oppression at work…wait, that’s probably religious b.s. ….. but whatever it is it feels intense and I can’t wait to get out of here….prayers appreciated. I’d love to walk out right now…but I gotta finish up my shift…and I need my job.
What do you do BrianD?
” Whatever those who are in Christ may need, there is a remedy provided for their poverty, as soon as they ask it from God. This is a very useful admonition; for the Lord often suffers us to hunger, in order to train us to earnestness in prayer. But if we fly to him, we shall never want what we ask, but, out of his inexhaustible abundance, he will supply us with every thing that we need.”
Calvin
I won’t be stating that here, Believe.
I know you didn’t mean anything bad…but there is wisdom in not telling everything about yourself in a public forum like this.
No problem BrianD…was just curious and understand 8)
Oh c’mon BrianD! Everyone here knows that you get paid the big bucks to publish those Linkathons!
“there is wisdom in not telling everything about yourself in a public forum like this.”
You mean I’m an idiot for spilling my guts on here? LOL 🙂
That’s entirely up to you, Believe, as to how much you tell and don’t tell.
Kevin, I get paid as much now as I did before I even found the PP 8)
Im going to OHSU tomorrow at 1600 to talk to the urologist/surgeon about the cancer in my kidney. Still praying for a miracle and to not be fearful. But even more than that; I am praying that what ever the outcome I can give God glory.
Just by way of honesty, although that’s my desire, I’m actually kind of struggling with that right now…seems God could find bigger and better way to glorify Himself than thru some insignificant person, on an insignificant planet, in one of maybe thousands of universes
You’re not insignificant… you’re a child of God.
You’re in our pryers and our hearts…
Praying for Steve,
Praying for Sarah,
Praying as the Spirit leads.
God, keep Pastor Steve close and confident in You.
FWIW years ago a mamagram hit the jackpot (that’s what it seemed like ‘they’ thought at the hospital 🙂 ). i was walking focused on the Lord and the usual daily distractions – in faith, i thought. So, i was quite surprised by the cold chill of fear that i felt off and on as they scheduled their procedures and biopsies. My point is that death is an enemy that most of us don’t look right in the face very often.
This week, keep these in prayer especially:
Steve Hopkins: “Im going to OHSU tomorrow at 1600 to talk to the urologist/surgeon about the cancer in my kidney. Still praying for a miracle and to not be fearful. But even more than that; I am praying that what ever the outcome I can give God glory.”
Nancy and her mom Be praying for Nancy as they walk with her mom through these last days. Her mom is home with them, enjoying the kitties and little Ella, and more comfortable than she has been in awhile. Nancy is still struggling with a stuffy nose that keeps her from rest…pray for all in their household as they walk through this time.
Michael Work!!! and health. Pray for Michael for his hands and his back and his lungs, and for work to be found that will sustain and provide.
Believe Lift Believe this week as the impact of Mother’s Day leaves old wounds raw…continue to lift him and his family.
Brian Pray for Brian as he deals with stresses and oppression at work, and for encouragement for him.
Nene Continue to pray for her with work as some issues have not gone well. Also continue to pray for her dad.
Nonnie Pray for her as she is in the States to be with her mom who is still recovering from surgery.
Sarah’s family Continue to pray for my in-laws as they deal with all the after-affects of the flood. Also, the funeral for Steve’s aunt is tomorrow (Tuesday).
Erunner’s brother-in-law Jeff “Jeff is improving yet the reality is he’s still in a coma. When he’s awake it’s easy to forget. The whole family could use continued prayer.”
Erunner The last few days I’ve been passing some kidney stones! My doctor should have results of my tests soon. Prayer would be appreciated.
Thanks all for your prayers…and you understanding of my fears
Solo Feeder – You can do this!!!!!
Our good friends went with me to see Jeff today. They don’t know him and had never met him. They came so the wife could cut his hair. It was Jeff’s first haircut since his accident two months ago.
Jeff is breathing on his own now. He has also received a wheelchair and he is now sitting in it daily. My sister and kids spent part of the day with us yesterday and it was a great visit.
Jeff is improving yet the reality is he’s still in a coma. When he’s awake it’s easy to forget. The whole family could use continued prayer.
The last few days I’ve been passing some kidney stones! My doctor should have results of my tests soon. Prayer would be appreciated.
Steve, I’m sorry for what you are going through with your medical issues.
Nancy, what a fine example of a daughter you are.
Sarah, you all have been through so much these last several months.
My heart is with the rest of you as well. As I’m seeing so much more of my sister it reminds of you all. In the midst of such difficult circumstances she is still concerned for the welfare of others. You are all a beautiful reflection of our God. Your treasures are stored up for you…. safe from everything. God bless you all.
reading and praying
God keep all knowing that you are close to Himself and in His care
Erunner, read your post this a.m. and have been praying throughout the day.
Bless you PP family for your prayers and encouragement.
Thank God for the opportunity to share Christ today…praying that the open door stays open and that I can be obedient to the Holy Spirit in helping this person.
I’ve been where this poor guy is at…I told him I’ve been exactly where he’s at right now…and that there is hope even when things appear their darkest. It was emotional for both of us. Please pray for Steve. Pray that he turns to our Lord and believes.
Thank you Father for the opportunity to be obedient and thank you for having mercy on me. Please have mercy on Steve and save him. Give him your peace that only Salvation can bring…peace that overcomes terrible circumstances. Do a miracle in Steve’s life. Rescue his marriage. Give him a means to support himself. Your will be done Father. Praying in the name of Jesus Christ the Messiah, amen.
UPDATE
Just returned ffrom Oregon Health and Science University and the urologist/oncologist believes the lesion in my kidney is a low grade form of cancer. So far it is not in my lymph nodes as the first urologist I saw a couple of weeks ago reported.
The doctor intends ti biopsy the lesion in my kidney and if it is indeed a low grade form of cancer, either lapriscopically, remove my Ureter and Kidney. If it is not a low grade form of cancer, then he will do open surgery and remove the kidney and my lymph nodes.
I see this as an answer to prayer. Please pray that the biopsy which will be done in about two weeks confirms it as a low grade cancer. But for now it’s good news.
Thanks to all for the prayers. As you might imagine these past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me and my family. We have the peace of God in this…and I attribute that to prayer because that kind of peace is not something I am able to muster up
Michael, if possible, I hope others will see this update
Praying for continued peace for you and your family Pastor Steve.
Steve, you are at the top of my prayer list. Thanks for the update. Your perspective has always blessed me and convicted me, in a good way. God’s blessings on you.
Continuing to pray, Steve…..and agreeing with praise that this report is an answer to prayer.