Your Faith Is Growing

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - Your Faith Is Growing - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – Your Faith Is Growing – Growing As Disciples

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV) 

Received

That is a very important word. What’s that? Received, is a very important word. How so? I will ask you a few questions to help you understand the importance of the word, received. Go ahead, I’m listening. It is very good that you are listening. Here are my questions. How are you receiving my word into your life? How has receiving my word into your life allowed me to use my word to work in your life? How have I used my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? How are your thoughts, words and deeds different because my word has been working in you? How has the entire course of your life changed because my word has been working in you? What will happen to your life if you do not continue to receive my word into it? You have asked a lot of questions. You can start answering them now. 

I will start by answering your first and last questions. That’s great. I am meeting with your word. I have set apart a time and a place to meet every day with you in your word. I am meditating on your word day and night. I am letting your word dwell in me richly. How so? I am reading your word. I am studying your word. I am meditating on and memorizing your word. I am praying your word. I am proclaiming your word to others. I am taking a firm hold of your word so that it takes a firm hold of me. What do you mean by that? Well, in every way possible I am receiving your word into my life and then I am putting it into practice as I love, follow and serve you. That is very good. What would happen if you didn’t receive my word into your life and then put into practice? That was your last question. Yes, it was. Your working in my life will be hindered and short circuited if I don’t receive your word into my life and then put it into practice. That’s true.

What kind of work has my word been doing in you? Your word has been changing my heart, transforming my mind and guiding my life. How so? Your word has broken me free from bondages that once entangled my life. Your word has made me able to stand against evil and resist temptation. Your word has given me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. Your word has set me on fire to want to know and do your will. Your word has given me a passion to want to do what is pleasing to you. Your word has changed the entire course of my life. Yes, it has.  Keep on receiving my word into your life. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Daily I am receiving your word into my life. Use your word to do your work in my life. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Thank you for molding and shaping me with your word. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – 2 Thessalonians 1-3 – Your Faith Is Growing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Victory

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 1 Corinthians 15:57 - The Victory - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 1 Corinthians 15:57 – The Victory – Growing As Disciples

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Victory

What does the victory that I have secured for you look like in your daily life? That is quite a thought provoking question. That’s exactly what I want to hear, your thoughts. Everything thing about my life has been changed since you are my Savior and Lord. How so? I no longer fear death. I am looking forward to the day that I will come to live forever in heaven with you. Every day I keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. How are you doing that? I am drawing near to you. I am listening carefully to you. I want to live the life that you have called me to live. I want to go where you guide me. I want to do what you ask of me. It is my pleasure and joy to do what is pleasing to you. That’s good.

Your victory is both here and now and not just there and then. What do you mean by that? You haven’t just given me victory over death and eternal life in the future. That is quite an amazing gift for which I will always be grateful and can never give you enough thanks and praise. But, you have also given me victory over sin and temptation and evil in this life. You have made me able to live my life with and for you now. You have broken the power of sin over my life right now. So, in a sense, my eternal life with you has already begun. Yes, it has. The eternal life I have with you guides the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life as I love, follow and serve you. That is very good.

I have also realized something about time. What’s that? I do and don’t have forever. Explain that. I have come to understand that my time on this earth is very brief. I am like a visitor passing through this short life. I have a very limited time in which I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. You have given me this life to live. You have purposes and plans for me to accomplish. You have work for me to do for you. Yes, I do. My life should have some urgency about it. So, I am asking you to help me to number my days. By that, I mean I want to know how to best use all the gifts, talents, abilities and resources you have given to me. I want to be steadfast and immovable in the work that you have given me to do for you. One day, from eternity, I want to be able to look back with you over my life and know that it was well used in your service. That will be very good.

Lord, thank you for securing victory over sin and death for me. I know my eternal future in heaven with you is being kept and guarded by your power. Help me to live each day with my heart and mind and life focused on you and the life you have given me to live. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – 1 Corinthians 15-57 – The Victory – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Forget Not All His Benefits

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Psalm 103:1-5 - Forget Not All His Benefits- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Psalm 103:1-5 – Forget Not All His Benefits- Growing As Disciples

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)

Remember 

This is more than a little troubling. This is where I dramatically fall short. Here is miss the mark by a wide margin. How so? I seldom take time to remember all that you have done for me. I don’t often stop to consider how you have so richly blessed my life. Why is that a problem? I know that ungratefulness is a sin. I know that failing to give you thanks and praise is not pleasing to you. I suspect that being ungrateful and unthankful is rooted in pride. How so? If I think that I have worked hard and earned something by my own efforts, why would I bother to give you thanks for receiving it? If I have come to expect good things to come to me because you owe me something, why would I bother to give thanks to you for what I deserved? If I am self-absorbed and in a flurry of self-centered activity, why would I ever find time to give you thanks and praise? None of these thoughts are true. Why not? Every good gift comes from you. I could start listing your good gifts to me and never stop. You have richly blessed my life. I have nothing that has not come from you. I am nothing that has not come from you. I will accomplish nothing that has not come from you. All that I am and all that I hope to be has come to me as a gift from you. Like what? For starters, you created me. You gave me life. You gave me a desire to love and follow and serve you. But, I screwed that up. I wandered away from you. I lived my life as if I didn’t want or need you. I walked on a path that led away from you. I led a bruised and battered and broken life. But, you redeemed me. You forgave my sins and cleansed my unrighteousness. You healed my bruised and battered and broken life. You pulled me from out a pit. You set my feet on solid ground. You rescued me from a life without you. You showed me your compassion. You showered me with your love. You restored me into a new relationship with you. You renewed me. You refreshed me. You revived me. You set my life on a new course of loving, following and serving you. Now, there is no place I would rather be than in your presence. Now, there is nothing I would rather do than serve you. That is very good.

What else do you want to do? I want to make it my regular pattern to stop to remember all that you have done for me. I want to regularly give you all my thanks and praise for all that you have done, are doing and will do for me. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I will never forget all you have done for me. You have forgiven my sins and redeemed my life. You have renewed me and healed my diseases.  You have crowned me with love and compassion. You have generously satisfied me with good things. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Psalm 103-1-5 – Forget Not All His Benefits – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

As He Had Done Before

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Daniel 6:10 - As He Had Done Before - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Daniel 6:10 – As He Had Done Before – Growing As Disciples

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 (ESV) 

Decide To Pray

Do you have a place to pray? Do you have a time of prayer? Do you make it your regular practice to pray? Are you asking me if I have developed a daily pattern of prayer in my life? Are you asking me if prayer is the highest of priorities in my life? Are you asking me if prayer is a consistent and unchanging habit in my life? Are you asking me if I will pray through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of life, regardless of my circumstances? You understand my line of questioning. I want prayer to be the utmost priority in my life. I want prayer to be a consistent and unchanging daily habit in my life. I want to keep on praying no matter what my circumstances are in life. I want to pray when I am happy. I want to pray when I am sad. I want to pray when I am confident. I want to pray when I am fearful. I want to pray when I have great need. I want to pray when I am thankful for what you have done or for what you have given to me. How can praying to you become a consistent, continual and unchanging daily pattern in my life? That is a very good question. 

If you want prayer to be a daily pattern in your life, set a time and pick a place to meet with me in prayer. Carve out a sacred space in your life that you will devote to our time together in prayer.  Does this sound too simple and easy? Is this something that you will quickly dismiss as being insignificant and unimportant? Are you looking for counsel that is somehow deeper and more dynamic? Don’t pass over my words. Don’t leave my words unapplied for another day. Consider deeply what I have said to you. You will only learn to pray by praying. You will only develop a pattern of prayer in your life by setting a time and place to meet with me. Don’t let the noise and busyness of life rob you of the time and opportunity to meet with me in prayer. You will only pray when you make time to pray. I get it. Will you meet with me in prayer? Will you set aside a time and place to meet with me in prayer? Yes Lord, I will. I have made my decision. I am deciding to pray. That is very good. 

Lord, I will make prayer the utmost and highest priority in my life. I will set aside a sacred time and place to meet daily with you in prayer. I will not let the noise and busyness of life rob me of the time and opportunity to meet with you in prayer. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Daniel 6-10 – As He Had Done Before – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Clear Conscience

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude- 2 Timothy 1:3 - Clear Conscience - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude- 2 Timothy 1:3 – Clear Conscience – Growing As Disciples

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 2 Timothy 1:3 (NIV)

Take Steps

Do you want to live with a clear conscience? Do you want your prayers to be unhindered? Do you want to live with a thankful heart as you pray for others? Yes, I want all these things. How can I live with a clear conscience? How can my prayers be unhindered? How can I live with a thankful heart as I pray for others?  Those are good questions. I want to clear something up before we talk about these questions. What’s that? You are a sinner. There is no doubt about that. I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words and deeds. I have sinned against you by what I have done. I have sinned against you by what I have not done. Not only that, I have sinned in all these ways against others. That true. What is also true is that you have confessed your sins and asked for my forgiveness. You have been forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. Your sins have been washed away by the blood I shed for you on the cross. You are now holy in my sight. You can’t do anything to earn my forgiveness and cleansing. You have received my forgiveness and cleansing as a gift. Is that clear? Yes, that is very clear. That’s good. That needs to be your starting point before we talk about having a clear conscience. I get it.

To have a clear conscience you must do two things. What’s that? You must continue to confess your sins to me and to the people you have sinned against. Are you willing to keep on doing that? Yes, I am. How hard has it been to keep on confessing your sin to me? Sometimes, I have failed to acknowledge my sins. Sometimes, I have even tried to hide my sins. How has that worked out for you? How has your conscience felt as you have hidden your sins? I have had a guilty conscience when I did not acknowledge and confess my sins. Did your guilty conscience hinder your ability to pray? Yes, it did. Did your guilty conscience make it hard to live with a thankful heart that was filled with prayers for others? Yes, it did. So, first you must confess your sins to me and to anyone you have sinned against. I get it. That’s good. What else do I need to do to have a clear conscience? You will need to take steps to make things right with anyone you have sinned against. What kind of steps do I need to take? You tell me. I will need to admit my sin and ask for forgiveness. That’s right. Then I will need to repair what has broken, replace what has been taken or restore what has been lost. I need to make every effort and take every step I can to be reconciled to anyone I have sinned against. That will be every good. Then I will be able to live with a clear conscience. Yes, You will. 

Lord, I know you have forgiven me of my sins. I cannot earn or merit my forgiveness. Yet, I know you want me to take steps, when needed, to make things right with others so I can have a clear conscience before you and others. I’ll take those steps with you. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – 2 Timothy 1-3 – Clear Conscience – 4 Page Discipleship Study Devotional Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Make Known

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Isaiah 12:4 - Make Known- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Isaiah 12:4 – Make Known- Growing As Disciples

In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.              Isaiah 12:4 (NIV)

Tell Others

What have I done for you? I don’t know how to answer that question. Does nothing come to mind? Can you not think of something that you are thankful for? Is there nothing for which you want to give me your thanks?  Do you have any desire to make known to others all that I have done for you? It’s not that nothing comes to my mind. It’s that I hardly know where to begin. You have done so much for me. I have so much for which I am grateful and thankful. I am filled with desire to tell others about your kindness, mercy and love. It would be my honor and joy to tell others all that you have done for me. I am not reluctant.  I have no hesitation to proclaim all that you have done, are doing and will do for me. Where do I start? Start anywhere. Say what is in your heart and on your mind.  

You saved me. I was on a path walking away from you. I was living in sin. I was walking in darkness. I was living a bruised and battered and broken life. You pulled me out of the muck and mire. You turned my life around. You helped me to draw near to you as you drew near to me. You forgave my sin. You cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You set me on a new path of loving, following and serving you. You gave me a completely new life to live. Will you tell others about me? Yes Lord, I will.

You made me. You are with me. You are helping me.  You are guiding me. You are molding and shaping my life. You are changing my heart. You are transforming my mind. You are giving me thoughts to think. You are giving me words to speak. You are giving me deeds to do. Everything I have and everything I am and everything I hope to be comes from you. There is nothing that I have done or will do that you have not made me able to do. You have given me gifts and talents and abilities with which I can serve you. You have made me able to bear fruit for your kingdom. You have made me able to bring glory to your name. You are making me to be a light to shine for you in the darkness of this world. Will you tell others about me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, you are worthy of all my thanks, praise and worship for who you are and for all that you have done. You are my Savior and Lord. I will call upon your name. I will make your name known to those who need you. I will bow down and proclaim your goodness. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Isaiah 12-4 – Make Known – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Without Complaining

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Discipleship - Philippians 2:14-16 - Without Complaining - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Philippians 2:14-16 – Without Complaining – Growing As Disciples

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)

Shine Brightly

Do you want to shine as a bright light in the world for me? Do you want people to be drawn to you? Would you like the opportunity to hold out the word of life to those who do not know me? Would you like to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name? Yes, to all the above. I want to shine like a bright light in the world so that people will be drawn to you. I want them to see that you are living in and through my life. I want to bring attention to you. I want to bring glory to your name. Yes, I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. I don’t want my life to be about anything less than that. I want my life to have counted for all eternity. I do not want to someday find out that I lived my life in vain. I want you to lead me. I want you to guide me. I want you to use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That’s what I knew you would say. That is what I am glad to hear you say. I’m glad this subject has been exhausted. Your questions and been asked and answered. Not yet. Not quite. Not so fast. We have more to talk about. Like what?

There is a major threat to your life being a bright witness for me in the world. There is something that you need to think about deeply. What’s that? You like to argue. You like to complain. That would be true. I have made arguing and complaining something close to a hobby of mine. If you want to shine brightly in the world for me that will need to stop. Why is that? You’ve seen plenty of arguers and complainers. Yes, I have. So, you would say that arguing and complaining is common place in the world? Yes, I would. How attractive are the people that argue and complain? How interested are you in being in the company of someone who is constantly arguing and complaining? I see where this headed. Tell me where this is headed. Arguing and complaining will tarnish and diminish my witness for you in the world. Arguing and complaining will make it impossible for me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That’s right. You got it. Will you stop arguing and complaining so you can hold out the word of life to others who do not know me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. That is how I want to use you.

Lord, I have done plenty of arguing and complaining.  I never gave it any thought that all my arguing and complaining might tarnish or diminish my witness for you in the world. Forgive me. Help me now, to hold out the word of life to those who do not know you. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Philippians 2-14-16 – Without Complaining – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional  Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Indescribable Gift

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - 2 Corinthians 9:15 - Indescribable Gift- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 9:15 – Indescribable Gift- Growing As Disciples

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Gift

How would you describe the gift that I have given to you? Are you asking me how I would describe the gift of salvation that I have received from you? That’s right. I can’t possibly begin to describe all that you have done, are doing and will do for me through your gift of salvation. Why not? Your gift has a past, present and future. I could describe some of what you have done for me already, even though, I’m sure I inadequately understand even that. What you are doing for me now is unfolding. My mind hasn’t caught up with all your present activity in my life. I certainly don’t know all that you will do for me in the rest of this life or in my life forever in heaven with you. No, you don’t. But, I’m excited. I’m waiting. I’m filled with wonder and anticipation. I’m joyfully looking forward to living each day with and for you. That’s good.

Describe what you can about my gift of salvation. I will give it a try. You wiped my slate clean. You gave me a fresh start. You forgave all my sin. You cleansed me of all my unrighteousness. You healed my battered and broken life.  You have restored my soul. You have refreshed me in your presence. You have allowed me to taste of your kindness, mercy and love. You are my God and Father. You are my God and King. You are my fortress and deliverer. You adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You filled me with your Holy Spirit. You helped me to walk away from my old life. You have been using your word to change my heart and transform my mind. You are allowing me to think your thoughts, speak your words, and do your deeds. You have given me a completely new life to live. You have given me a future and a hope. You have a purpose and plan for my life. You are leading every day as I love, follow and serve you. I am holding on to you as you hold on to me. You are drawing near to me as I draw near to you. You are allowing me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Your hand is on me. You are lavishing me with your life. You hear and answer my prayers. You listen to me as I listen to you. My life is in your hands. I look forward to the day when I will come to live forever in heaven with you. That is very good.

Heavenly Father, your gift of salvation, through your Son’s death on the cross for me, is too wonderful for words to describe. I can’t stop talking about all that you have done, are doing and will do for me. I can’t even conceive of what my future with you holds. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 9-15 – Indescribable Gift – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Watchful

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Colossians 4:2 - Watchful - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Colossians 4:2 – Watchful – Growing As Disciples

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV) 

Devoted To Prayer

What would your life look like if you were to devote yourself to prayer? What would you do that you are not now doing? Those are good questions. I want to devote myself to prayer. I will devote myself to prayer. I think it is important to start by saying yes to that decision. That’s true. I know that you want me to devote myself to meeting with you in prayer. I can hear you calling me to come to you. That’s good. I know that you are inviting to come into your presence to meet with you. You want me to draw near to you as you draw near to me. Yes, I do.

I have not been fully devoted to prayer. I have been praying daily. I have been meeting regularly with you in prayer. But, I know that you want to take me deeper. You want to develop my life of prayer with you. Yes, I do. I’m not sure what that will look like. There is only one thing that I know for certain. What’s that? You will develop and deepen my life of prayer with you if I make myself fully available to you. How will you do that? I will set apart a time and a place to meet with you in prayer. I will enter your classroom of prayer. I will draw near to you. I will remain in your presence. I will be still before you. I will allow you to teach and train me how to pray. I will pray the prayers that you give me to pray. That will be very good.

Do you have something you would like to ask me? I would like you to help me to be devoted to you in prayer. Give me an insatiable hunger to meet with you in prayer. Make me to be an enthusiastic student of prayer. Help me to be watchful to whatever you want to show me. Help me to listen attentively to your voice. Help me to know your will. Guide my steps. Direct my path. Guard my life. Lead me on this journey of prayer with you. Help me to live my life in a constant dialogue of prayer with you. Do all your work in me. Help me to live the life of prayer that you are calling me to live. Do you believe that I will hear and answer these prayers of yours? Yes, I do. Why is that? You have given me this desire to be devoted to you in prayer. This desire that you have given to me, you will surely grant. Yes, I will. 

Lord, I will devote myself to living a life of prayer with you. I will set apart a time and a place to meet every day in prayer with you. Use our time together to help me to see what you want to show me. Help me to be watchful and thankful as I pray to you. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Colossians 4-2 – Watchful – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Present Your Requests To God

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Philippians 4:6 - Present Your Requests To God - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Philippians 4:6 – Present Your Requests To God – Growing As Disciples

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Specific Prayers

Do you have really vague worries? I’m not sure what you mean. Do you feel worry but don’t know what you are worrying about? No, I can’t say that I do. That’s what I thought. My worries are usually very specific. I may have no real cause to worry but at least I know what I’m worrying about.

So then, if your worries are well defined and quite specific why do you offer vague prayers about them? I’m not sure. If you offer a very vague prayer how will you ever know if I answered it? I might have a vague feeling that my prayer was answered. That’s my point. You would never know for sure if your prayer was or wasn’t answered. I get it.

When you pray do you really expect that I will hear and answer your prayers? I hope that you will. That doesn’t sound like a real answer to me. When I pray I wonder if I’m asking for something that is worthy of being asked and answered. Let me tell you something. What’s that? If something causes you to worry then its worthy of turning it into a prayer to me. Do you know why that is? You don’t want me to worry. That’s right. What do I want you to do instead of worrying? You want me to have faith in you. Yes, but be more specific. You want me to have faith that you will hear and answer my prayers. Why would I do that for you? You love me and I am your child. Yes, you are. Do you delight in hearing and answering requests from your children? Yes, I really do. You can be just as sure that I do as well, even more so.

If you have faith that I will hear and answer your prayers, with what attitude will you make them? I will make my prayers to you with joy and thanksgiving because I know that you are listening to me. Yes, I am. What then will happen to the worry and anxiety that you have been carrying? When I pray to you my worries and anxieties will be replaced with joy and thanksgiving. Yes they will.  Now start praying specific prayers that I can hear and answer for you. Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I will no longer hold on to my worries and struggle through them on my own. I am so thankful that I can turn all my worries into very specific prayers and petitions to you. Thank you for hearing and answering me in my need. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Gratitude – Philippians 4-6 – Present Your Requests To God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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