Prayer of Peace

I wanted to encourage a friend, and started to look up scriptures on peace. I have been so blessed by people praying God's peace over me. Almost two hours later (the Bible is full of verses on peace) I was blessed with these scriptures as I prayed them over my friend. I wanted to pass the blessing on. May the Lord fill your heart with peace today.

Lord You, give Your people strength. You Lord, bless them with peace. (Psa.29:11) Great are You Lord, who delights in blessing His servant with peace! (Psa.35:27) Those who love Your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. (Psa.119:165) You say all who listen to You will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. (Prov. 1:33) You are called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa.9:6) You say You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! (Isa.26:3) Lord, You say You will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from You. (Isa.26:12) Lord You say— You are our Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” Help us to listen to Your commands Lord! Then we will have peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over us like waves in the sea. (Isa.48:17-18) The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant heart. I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them. (Isa. 57:15,18-19) Lord, when You gave Daniel the vision and it brought him sorrow filling him with anguish, You sent a heavenly messenger and he spoke to Daniel ”Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” (Daniel 10:19) (Lord, speak these words to our hearts.) Jesus You said “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.(John14:27) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John16:33) You say in Your word letting the Spirit control our minds leads to life and peace. (Rom.8:6) God, the source of hope, will fill us completely with joy and peace because we trust in Him. Then we will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.(Rom15:13) Lord You say don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell You what we need, and thank You for all You have done. Then we will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. Your peace will guard our heart and mind as we live in Christ Jesus. You say to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. You say to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. You want us to keep putting into practice all we learn and receive from You—everything we hear from You and see You doing. Then You, the God of peace will be with us.(Phil.4:6-9) Above all, You ask us to clothe ourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And to let the peace that comes from You Christ, rule in our hearts. For as members of one body we are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Col3:14-15) Your word says, now may the Lord of peace Himself give us His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with us.(2Thess3:16) God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. (1pet.1:2) Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come (Rev1:4) Lord help us to truly say with our hearts, Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Hab3:17-18)

Why Lord?

I wrote this poem after reading my journal where I wrote out my prayers with God. My youngest brother died at 34 years of age, after only a few weeks of knowing he was seriously ill. Armand, your journey here is over and you will be greatly missed.

Lord what do I say

What do you want people to hear?

What do you want to say to me?

I need to know you are near

I am here my child, so close

And the pain in your heart I can see

Talk to me, my child

What do you want to say to me?

You know me so well my Lord

My doubts and fears, I’m trying to understand

He was so young, why him, why now?

How does this fit in your perfect plan?

Child, I love you and I love him

It is not always for you to know or understand

But to trust and have faith in Me

Believe this was My sovereign plan

Remember, I knew Armand by name

Before I spoke the world to be

I fashioned him in your mother’s womb

His whole life was laid out by Me

You know My ways are not like yours

I see everything beginning to end

I do not make mistakes my child

There is nothing torn I cannot mend

I know Lord, but many people were praying

Believing and trusting You to heal

A miracle would have been easy for You

People would have believed You are real

But You chose not to answer those prayers

You still had time even at the last hour

It is hard to accept Your will for his life

Because it was completely in Your power

I know Lord you are Elohim, Mighty Creator

The giver of life and breath

I know you are El Roi, the God who sees

But what good will come from His death?

My child as you grieve for your brother

Do not lose sight of who I AM

Nothing is beyond My control

And I do not answer to man

I am the Holy One, the Righteous Judge

I do not slumber nor do I sleep

I purchased Armand’s life with My blood

He is mine, not yours to keep

You know child, life on this earth is a journey

No one knows how long it will be

I have numbered the days of every person

Everyone’s life will end eventually

Each person is given an allotment of time

No one knows the length of his days

I have warned of this in My Holy Word

So all will follow after My ways

I long to bring all of My children home

I’m being patient My child, not slow

There are so many who still do not believe in Me

Freedom from sin through My blood they don’t know

You cannot comprehend the deep love that I have

For every single man woman and child

But sin separates them from a relationship with me

This will doom their soul when they are put on trial

Even though I am loving and kind

I am Holy and Just without sin

In order for people to be at peace with Me

They have to confess from within

The gift of eternal life I’ve made easy

But by faith alone it must be

I’ve made it available to everyone

They only need to believe

I am continually at work in the hearts of all

I use every detail of life to draw them near

I know those who will be changed as result of your loss

Your grief is not wasted not even a tear

Some will be challenged to change their ways

Some will start life a new

Some will see Me for the first time

There is a purpose for all that I do

I will give the strength to endure My child

And joy to accept Armand’s fate

But his life was necessary to end this way

So for other’s it won’t be too late

Armand Patrick, means a soldier of noble birth

Now he serves in My kingdom for My glory

Be of good cheer my child you will see him again

Your job is to tell the story

Childlike faith is so wonderful

Childlike faith is so wonderful and powerful!

We just finished a trip to the store. You know, one of those times that is fine until you get in line. I strategically picked the line I thought would be the fastest. The customer didn’t seem to be engaged in any kind of conversation that the two cashiers were having. (My first mistake was to not question why there were two cashiers.) Then it happened, the customer said something and they all started chatting away and the checkout process became longer. Normally, I force a smile on my face and pray pray pray that I will have the strength to keep my cool. But this time there was a box of “orange dream bars” and “chocolate fudge bars” on the line. I was doing okay, until the transaction was over and it was my turn. The cashier smiled at me and said, “Susie (‘m not even sure what her name was because I was so absorbed with selfishness) will be taking over for me”. I took a deep breath, this could be different than all those other times when the next cashier can’t get something working… it wasn’t. She looked at me and said in horror, “I can’t believe it, I will be right back”. Great, I thought, and started taking deep breaths all the while I imagined orange and brown goo leaking out from the boxes. She came back shortly and started ringing me up, I guess she forgot to log out of the last register. “I’ve never done that before” she said more to herself than to me. I’m glad she didn’t glance up. Still taking deep breaths I forced a smile and said have a nice day when I was done.

Did I mention the reason for going to the store in the first place? A much needed band so that Little Professor’s glasses would stay on his head. Well, you guessed it… it wasn’t rung up. I noticed before we got out of the store. In a rage I went back very upset with Curious George who had been playing with it while we waited in line. Okay… so I did over react. I just hope no one knew me or even paid any attention. I rudely stepped in front of the customer being checked out by Susie and grabbed the band that was sitting to the side of her register and went to another register with no line. All the while chastising Curious George for playing with it, and not putting it where she could see it. Like I said, I was over reacting. We quickly headed for the car and raced away.. well, as fast as we could without running over the car that decided to pull out before me and the family crossing in front of me.

Once on the road, I talked to the kids. “Guys, I’m sorry, but I’m extremely frustrated right now. I’m afraid the ice cream we bought is going to be ruined and I am very frustrated that it took so long. I know I’m over reacting and I’m just really really frustrated.”

Then it happened. My wonderful, faith filled Curious George spoke up. “Mommy, you don’t have to worry because I already prayed. I prayed that if it was God’s will for the ice cream to melt that we would be okay with it. But if He wanted to, I asked Him to make the ice cream not melt. I figure, if He can raise the dead, He could keep the ice cream from melting.” The frustration melted from me, and I said, “absolutely, that was the best prayer you could have said.”

When we got home, after several red lights, (there are only 5 lights on the way home and I think all of them were red) we all rushed to the back of the van and opened the box of ice cream… still frozen. Curious George looked up at me with a smile and said, “I knew God could do it”.

Determined Little Boy

Today my 6yo went up to a swimming instructor after his swim lesson and asked if he could take a swimming test. It involves treading water for 30 seconds and more stuff, I'm not even sure what. But my brave little boy went for it. With tears in my eyes, fervent prayer in my mind and my lips shouting encouragement, I watched my son struggle to stay on top of the water. Never having been in the deep end of the pool, I held my breath as I saw him tire, but he did it. He was too exhausted to complete the rest of test. When he finished he was dejected that he had failed. I couldn’t have been more proud. His determination to get that “green band” that says he can swim is his goal. Today he made a huge step in getting it. I tried to encourage him, but I knew he was disappointed with himself.

The instructor was as surprised as I was that he was able to tread water that long. It was a first for him, especially because he is still learning to swim. I have no doubt that my little boy will be wearing that “green” band by the end of the summer. He is braver and more determined than I am even today. He makes my heart smile.

I asked his older brother by two years if he had ever tried to take the swimming test. He said, “no mom, I’ve just been working up the courage to ask”. I’m not even sure how my 6yo knew to ask, but I can imagine he just went up to a lifeguard and said “what do I need to do to get a green band”.

As we were leaving I was telling him how brave he was to try, and that he did his best which made me proud. With a quivering lip that he kept trying to control, he simply said, “thanks”. Poor guy, he wanted it so bad and he didn’t make it.

I can’t help but think of how God might feel with us. We try and fail, and He is cheering us on. “Don’t give up, I am with you. You can do this, because I have created you for it. Keep on trying; don’t grow weary in doing good. I see what you do and I will reward you. Nothing you do goes unnoticed by Me. I know you can do it. Just because you failed doesn’t mean I have stopped loving you.”

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12

"I have loved you, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself." Jeremiah 31:3

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-29

Mother's Day 2010

Whenever you are tired

And feel you can’t go on

Remember these faces

To them you do no wrong

They love you and they need you

And they are growing up so fast

Spills and tears, fussing cries

All part of life now, won’t last

God has placed these in your care

Specifically each girl and boy

But other things will always try

To take away your joy

So cry it out and wipe those tears

Do all you do as for the Lord

And time will show through them

They are your great reward