Matthew 18:18 - 20 (Amplified Bible)

Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.















Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.


For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.

Setting of Proper Priorities

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before You. Spirit of Truth, Who comes from the Father, it is You Who guides me into all truth. According to 3 John 2, it is God’s will that I prosper in every way and that my body keeps well, even as my soul keeps well and prospers.

One thing I ask of You, Lord, one thing will I seek after, inquire for and [insistently] require, that I may dwell in Your house [in Your presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon Your beauty. I come to meditate, consider and inquire in Your temple (about success in life).

Father, You have said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let [you] down, [relax my hold on you]. — Assuredly not! (Heb. 13:5 amp). So I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say that the Lord is my Helper, I will not be seized with alarm — I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me?

In the name of Jesus, I am strong and very courageous, that I may do according to all Your Word. I turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that I may prosper wherever I go. The Word of God shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate on it day and night. I hear therefore and am watchful to keep the instructions, the laws and precepts of my Lord God, that it may be well with me and that I may increase exceedingly, as the Lord God has promised me, in a land flowing with milk and honey. The Lord my God is one Lord — the only Lord. And I shall love the Lord my God with all my [mind and] heart and with my entire being and with all my might. And I will love my neighbor as myself.

Jesus, You said that when I do this I will live — enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the Kingdom of God. Therefore, I will not worry or be anxious about what I am going to eat, or what I am going to have to drink or what I am going to have to wear. My heavenly Father knows that I need them all. But I purpose in my heart to seek for (aim at and strive after) first of all Your Kingdom, Lord, and Your righteousness [Your way of doing and being right], and then all these things taken together will be given me besides.

Now thanks be to You, Father, Who always causes me to triumph in Christ! Amen.



Scripture References:

John 16:13a Deuteronomy 6:1,3-5 amp
Psalm 27:4 amp Luke 10:27,28 amp
Hebrews 13:5b,6 amp Matthew 6:31-33 amp
Joshua 1:7,8a amp 2 Corinthians 2:14

For Those of You in the Lion's Den

I've seen many great works of art depicting Daniel in the Lion's den, but this one is my favorite because he has his back to the lions, and is looking up toward the light, peacefully praying...

What does this picture say to you about prayer?

Peace Prayer

ENGLISH

HEBREW

ARABIC

To Pray

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for calling me to be a fellow workman — a joint promoter and a laborer together — with You. I commit to pray and not to give up.

Jesus, You are the Son of God, and I will never stop trusting You. You are my High Priest, and You understand my weaknesses. So I come boldly to the throne of my gracious God. There I receive mercy and find grace to help when I need it.

There are times I do not know what I ought to pray for. Holy Spirit, I submit to Your leadership and thank You for interceding for us with groans that words cannot express. You search hearts and know the mind of the spirit, because You intercede for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Therefore, I am assured and know that (with God being a partner in my labor) all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for my good, because I love God and am called according to [His] design and purpose.

I resist the temptation to be anxious about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition [definite requests] with thanksgiving continue to make my wants (and the wants of others) known to God. Whatever I ask for in prayer, I believe that it is granted to me, and I will receive it.

You made Christ, Who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with You through Christ. Now my earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer makes tremendous power available — dynamic in its working. Father, I live in You — abide vitally united to You — and Your words remain in me and continue to live in my heart. Therefore, I ask whatever I will, and it shall be done for me. When I produce much fruit it brings great glory to my Father — the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.


1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV Mark 11:24 AMP
Luke 18:1 NIV 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT
Romans 8:26,27 NIV James 5:16 AMP
Romans 8:28 AMP John 15:7,8 AMP
Philippians 4:6 AMP

Resurrection Day Prayer

How Blessed Is The Day

How blessed is this day, when earth and heaven are joined and humankind is reconciled to God!

May the light of Jesus shine continually to drive away all darkness.

May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find his light ever burning in our hearts—he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

-- adapted from the Book of Common Prayer -1979, the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.