Daily Treasure

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).

The key word in this verse is “believing.” God stands ready to hear and answer our prayers. He may not answer it instantly. It may be because of our lack of faith, He wants us to wait, or He may just say no. However, if we pray for anything within His Will, we shall receive a positive answer. There is nothing too hard for the Lord to handle, but we often don’t have the faith of a mustard seed to believe that. God answers prayers; we may have to step out of the way to allow Him to do whatever is necessary to make it happen. We are often our own worst enemy when we become the obstacle of unanswered prayer.

PRAY TOGETHER: March is a busy time for International Missions as they prepare for the annual World Missions Offering. Pray for Deborah St. Lawrence and all involved in this effort.

“. . . I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

If we are faithfully serving the Lord, we will clearly understand this verse. If we have transferred our trust over to God, our lives will be blessed. God wants what is best for us. Even when we feel we don’t deserve for God to give us more than what we ask or need, God wants us to be happy even in this old world. We pray and ask God to supply a certain need and then we seem amazed when He gives us more. Philippians 4:19 states, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We have the promise of an abundant life through He who owns all the “riches in glory.” He is willing to give but do we have the faith needed to receive?

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for TWG editor Sarah Fletcher as she begins work on the 2008-2009 Program and Plan Book. Much time and preparation go into this valuable tool.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God loves to give. All He asks in return is our love and trust. Though this is such a familiar verse, I could not think of a better one to exemplify the depth of God’s giving. God shows His love in so many ways by giving us blessings and providing for our needs. If we tried to list everything God gives and does for us, we could never place anything on that list that would compare to the greatest gift He ever gave. I have two grown children that I love with all my heart but would I be willing to give either of them to die for the sins of the whole world? In my human form, I doubt I could do that. Yet God was willing to give the very best He had to take our place on a cruel cross. He cared enough to give the very best. As a mere token of our gratitude, are we willing to give the best we can in service to Him?

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Scott and Staci Warren, missionaries to Salt Lake City, UT, who recently adopted an infant daughter.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the people” (Psalm 105:1).

It is such a great feeling to be in a praise service. Giving thanks to the Lord for answered prayer and showing appreciation for those who joined in our season of prayer. A great praise service starts with great prayer. Results will come after our Pre-Easter Week of Prayer because we have prayed earnestly. There will be a wonderful praise service where we all can enjoy answered prayer.

Ladies we need to be faithful and diligent in our prayer life, both alone and with others.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Panamanian National Women’s Retreat scheduled in early March.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

When we are in grief we are at a loss of what to pray. Often when we pray for our missionaries we are at a loss of what to ask. Sometimes I bow my head and can’t even pray because I am at such a loss. As you read this there are many who are saying, I know that feeling exactly. Dear sister there is one who lives in us that goes before our Father with our broken thoughts and words. Who transforms them into a request our heart desires to make known.

Ladies let’s use the materials from the WNAC office and organize our Pre-Easter Week of Prayer. Let’s make prayer lists and share with everyone. If we are at a loss the Holy Spirit is ready to help.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for women sending last minute Creative Arts entries on this final day of the contest.

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).

One of my favorite hymns is “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” We often lead stressful lives of discontent because we haven’t learned to take everything to God in prayer. I have personally found there is nothing I can’t talk over with the Lord. I don’t always practice that during times of worry and frustration. We all have faced times when it is easier to worry and fret over things than to pray. Worry and fretting never works but prayer always will.

Our Bible verse tells us it is not just necessary to pray but we need to find the faith that God will answer. Sometimes we can’t even find a “mustard seed” of faith. Then when God doesn’t answer right away we go back to worrying. How different our lives would be if during times of grief and despair we would just calmly still ourselves in His presence. We all know prayer changes things. If you don’t fully believe that, it’s time to pray more.

PRAY TOGETHER: February 29 only comes once every four years. Why not use this extra day for prayer and fasting?

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

One of the hardest things Christians find in being a follower of Christ is found in the words, “self-denial.” Having to saying “no” to what we want and giving our will over to His means, at times, sacrifice. We want something and we will move mountains to purchase it. Self-gratification is something we want more than to forego that special something for the cause of Christ. I don’t believe God wants us to give up everything we want in life. He only asks us to be good and faithful stewards. When the need arises, promoting the gospel should take pre-eminence over a new dress or pair of shoes we feel we just have to have. God’s requirement for discipleship is “not what’s in it for me,” but what we are willing to do for His glory.

PRAY TOGETHER: Thank God for our churches and friends. Don’t take for granted what we have.