Ever wonder what it means to watch and pray? What does that look like? On your knees, hands folded, eyes closed? “Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation.”

If we have our eyes closed we cannot watch. Did Jesus keep His eyes open to be aware of what was going on? Do you think He was looking into the eyes of the woman with the issue of blood when He said “your faith has healed you.” ? He went away from the crowds to be alone with the Father, but His public prayers were mostly one or two words. “get up” “Be healed” “Come out”. Most likely His eyes were open as He called Lazarus to rise, the paralytic to walk, the blind to see. So when someone asks for prayer, look them in the eye and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through the windows of the soul. AMEN ❤️

God sets clear boundaries for us. He outlines behavioral territory that is safe for us, and He also defines for us places of danger. There are blessings and curses to be had in life, and we have been given the freedom to choose a path that can lead in either direction. God has given us rules to live by, intended for our benefit and blessing. When we choose to disobey, we often find ourselves accursed…that is the cost of freedom. God has set life and death, blessings and curses before us. God is not dispassionate, He desires that we choose the way toward life and blessing. Do the right thing, forgive others, issue mercy, be kind. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 ❤️ Do I lack joy? Do I have HOPE for my future? If not, spend time in prayer and ask God to increase your faith in Who He is. It is time to get right with God. Just open up your heart and ask the Father questions. Tell Him why you are mad, why your faith in Him is weak or resistant. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. AMEN

REMEMBER that not all people that God places in our path have a soft, seeking heart. The hard hearted have witnessed the glory of a sunrise, and many religious folks watched Jesus raise the dead, but clung to their ways. The people who have encountered God and believe in His word, those people are filled with HOPE even in the midst of undesirable circumstances. A great prayer is “Lord, bind my flesh to not influence my mind that Thy will be done in and through me. I welcome the Holy Spirit to powerfully influence my mind and heart as He redirects my way of thinking, believing and acting. I submit to God and resist the devil’s plot to Steal the promises of God, to Kill my effectiveness for the kingdom, and to Destroy my faith in what Jesus accomplished for me. I believe in the resurrection power of Jesus, and I trust that no weapon formed against me will work! For more on dunamis power click All Greek to Me

God is for you, not against you. Many avoid talking to God because they feel unworthy. Feeling guilty for not believing in Jesus did not stop Jesus from revealing Himself as God to the prostitute at Jacob’s well. We may condemn ourselves, but our Father does not. We focus on our failure instead of His goodness. Just begin to praise God. Thank Him for His constant supply of food, air to breathe and people to love on. Enter into the Kings presence, knowing that He is definitely glad to see you. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Matthew 6:9 Talking to God is not a religious duty, it is a glorious opportunity to consider all He has done and is now doing. Look up and know that God sees you and He welcomes you.

Marvel, be still, be open, and receive all the love He has for you. “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites are, for they love to pray.” Matthew 6:5 Jesus tells us what prayer is not, then He tells us how to pray in Matthew 6:5-13. Our prayers will never manipulate or motivate God to do anything that He has not already done, or plans to do. Our Father knows the content of our hearts and He knows what we need. His ways are not our ways, and we can trust that He will not give us what we want, but He will deliver unto us all that we need. He knows our motives and He is more interested in why we are praying more than our lengthy explanations. Before we take a personal inventory, it is a good practice to ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light on that in us that pleases God, and also that He point out anything in us that does not please God. We quickly confess any pride etc, then begin praising God for His mercy, provision, doors He opened and His grace. Know for sure and certain that you are in God’s will as you obey His word. The Holy Spirit enables us to rightly discern the Word and He gives us words to speak that edify others. Recite this short prayer with HOPE in your heart. Bless Today

Knowing every moment is filled with opportunities to “walk in His way” —according to the plan He has for us, we REJOICE in the truth and welcome the miraculous healing power of God. We choose to NOT obey our feelings, but we trust and OBEY God. Those around you with zero HOPE, they do not believe in miracles, in healing, or that God’s word is truth. God still performs miracles, I know because I am one! God is faithful even when we are not. The Word of God says repeatedly “Jesus healed them all.” Dive into His Word knowing that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and that the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. Get comfortable with the truth, God saved you from eternal damnation to use you for His glory. Use the personality and talent He bestowed. Think about Jesus, thank Him for various doors He opens, and closes. Read Psalm 77 during any struggle and remember that bad things happen to good people, but our trials strengthen our faith in His plan and purpose. People are watching – so represent God in such a way that people want what sets you apart. Refill on His goodness. Emptiness filled

A PRAYER LIFE seems to be doable continuously: With my eyes open to praise God for what He puts in front of me, good or bad. Eyes closed, being stilled by His holiness. Tears flowing silently in worship. Being grateful to be chosen and for another day of grace. Being aware of His glory, His presence. Being still and reflecting on His goodness, on all He provides, on His mercy towards you, such reflection is adequate prayer. Our Lord knows our thoughts before we speak a word, He knows how much time we spend praising Him in silent worship. Our Father is pleased with us, He loves us. God says “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” Hebrews 11:1  Am I certain that I am saved by His grace? The voice that is condemning you is NOT the Father. His voice says, “Come to me all who are burdened, and I will give you rest”. Ask and receive the gift of salvation, and the spirit of gladness.

“Great multitudes came unto Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down to Jesus feet; and He healed them.” Jesus healed those who never read the Bible or the Torah. He healed those that could not read or write. “Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, to lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:30-32 KJV Give Glory to God and not to the devil’s schemes to Steal, Kill and Destroy the FAITH. Satan wants you to be mad at God and to not trust the believers who do. “Lord my God, I called upon You for help and You healed me.” Psalm 30:2 Zachariah doubted and was silenced but the miracle the mighty angel Gabriel foretold came to pass. When Peter cut off the ear of a centurion and Jesus quickly restored his ear, that centurion did not believe in Jesus before the miracle, but after his ear was put back on….think about why Jesus performed miracles? To cause faith to be established in Jerusalem among a people governed by the law. “With His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:5 that prophecy was to be fulfilled. We live in new testament times! Halleluiah! “By His wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 When we come to the Father and pray — as believers in His living and active Word — we should be standing on the truth, and thanking Him for what He already accomplished on the cross. All Greek to Me

Ephesians 1-3 ➕Spurgeon commentary. “We are not sitting here, and groaning, and crying, and fretting, and worrying, and questioning our own salvation. He has blessed us; and therefore we will bless him. If you think little of what God has done for you, you will do very little for him; but if you have a great notion of his great mercy to you, you will be greatly grateful to your gracious God.” ❤️ “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” ❤️ Changing Times

With renewed FAITH PRAY 🙏 Jude 1:17-25 “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” 👍 The truth is miracles still occur! Allow Jesus to give you HOPE for your future.