Prayer for 2013

Prayer for 2013 Heavenly Father, I thank You for another year and for the New Year of 2013. As we look back on the past year and all that has taken place in our life, we realize that this is a time for reflection as well as celebration as we look forward, we say thank You. Let us do according to Your good pleasure and purpose, pleasing You in every area of this life. Thank You for Your mercy which makes all things new each morning even after a day of failure. In our time of need, strengthen us. You are our refuge, our strength, and our shield; You are a very present help in times of trouble. In this New Year, let us not only be a hearer of Your Word, but also a doer, help us to trust in You rather than be clothed with discouragement. Our hope will be in You to renew our strength. We will not fear, for You are with us. We will not be dismayed or overwhelmed, for You are our God. We know You will help and uphold us with Your righteous hand. We believe this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior, Amen.

A Christmas Prayer

Dear Jesus, It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation? Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows.. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence. Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene. Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger. This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us. Be born anew in us. Amen…

All I Want for Christmas is Hope

All I Want for Christmas is Hope Isaiah 9:6 The Christmas holidays are upon us and the gift giving frenzy is in the air. The real meaning of Christmas is not about gifts but hope; Hope for something better. Our future is uncertain, families are falling apart, drugs are ruining the lives of many, diseases are killing our people, hate is prefer over love, communities are decaying, unemployment is on the rise, the economy is on a roller coaster, wars still rages on, and evil and evil people continue to dominate our world. Is there any hope? There are many reasons for feeling hopeless, but they will not help a person move closer to a relationship with God. Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances within one's personal life or the world around them. Hope requires a certain amount of faith that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary. Hope works in powerful ways. It changes our focus, opens our eyes to people and possibilities. Hope takes us out of operating from a place of doubt into a place of faith. I believe every life and situations we face will improve with a little hope. Hope that a new day will dawn on the horizon. Hope that new life will spring out of what seems dead and hopeless. Hope that the darkness will turn into light. Hope that despair will turn into joy. This type of hope can shine brighter than the brightest star on the darkest night. The life of a Christian can be a glorious and hopeful existence even though we may face deprivation, illness, war, social injustices, and death, which are common to the human existence. It is during our trying times in life that Jesus is inviting us to hope. Hope for the best, hope for the impossible to be changed into the possible, hope that life can bring us what we really need or even better. Hope that we can be happy beyond our wildest dreams in face of adversity. Regardless of the situation in your life there is hope; there is only one hope that can stand against time, trial and tragedy. Only hope that will neither fade away nor crumble. Jesus was born and Jesus alone was resurrected from the dead to guarantee endless hope. With this hope Jesus gives us a new life and we can bring compassion and hope to a dark and hopeless world. We can bring hope to those without hope, but we also must introduce them to Jesus, who can put eternal hope in their hearts. Hope for the World is a much needed gift than any thing we can purchase or develop. Isaiah 9:6 says “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a on is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” In this God has already given mankind the greatest gift for Christmas, which is eternal hope through his Son Jesus Christ. Meaning anything can be accomplished by those who fully put their hope in Christ Jesus. God did not leave us hopeless; Jesus paid the price to make a new connection with us. Jesus Christ is our Hope; a hope that rests in the promise of eternal life, with God the Father, when Christ comes again. ©By: Dr. Christopher D. Handy, PhD

Prayer: Work In Me

Oh Father God, l've seen you work in others, now I want you to work in me!!!!!...