FALL IN MISSOURI- PHOTO BY JENNIFER WEISS
Fall is in the air here. My mind immediately thinks about the activities, smells, sounds, and tastes that go along with the season. What a beautiful time. The crisp morning air, the apple cider, the baking, the football games, or raking those endless piles of leaves! My favorite thought is one of enjoying a delicious cup of coffee while curled in my favorite afghan that Grandma made for me. There I'll be, sitting by the fire....listening to the cackles and the pops of the embers and watching the flames dance... and perhaps reading a good book...or dreaming of what I'll write!
My mind gets stuck on that thought of being "wrapped up". It's comforting. It's soothing. It gives us a sense of protection. Isn't that exactly what God wants for us? To be wrapped in His endless mercy, love, and grace? As Christians, we should be wrapping our minds around the things of the Lord... "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 The verses that precede, Philippians 4:6-7, are two of my most favorite verses in the Bible when it comes to prayer. I use this passage often when signing my books! "Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God and the peace that passes understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. " There it is! Prayer wraps our hearts and minds in God's peace!
When I thought about starting a web site (especially in conjunction with my new book "Expectant Prayers for Expectant Mothers"), part of the purpose was to encourage those of you who are visiting to share your prayer requests via the guestbook. The Word tells us that we are to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). When we join together in prayer, there is power! Matthew 18:20 tells us that where two or three are gathered together, He (God) will be in the midst of them! We can all have a part in weaving the blanket of prayer together! Through uniting in prayer, a bond is made that is not easily broken. There becomes strength in numbers just like the strands of yarn in an afghan!
Some of you may be asking, "Why do we need to pray?" Well, we pray because the Bible tells us to. Prayer is simply communication with God. Jesus even prayed while he was here on the earth and taught his disciples to pray (The Lord's Prayer). Communication is vital to any relationship and prayer is how we "talk" to God. Prayer doesn't change God or alter His will... it changes us and conforms us to His ways and plans. Too many Christians today are neglecting prayer as a daily spiritual discipline. We sit there stewing in our problems when God has a remedy. It all begins with prayer.
Today I have a few prayer requests that I would like you to help me pray about:
- DEBBIE AND BABY GIRL - A dear friend here in KC delivered a baby girl yesterday prematurely via C-Section. It is said that doctors are doubting baby's survival. Pray for Debbie and her family- she has 4 other children at home. Pray for baby.
-KERRIE- Also local, high risk pregnancy and due to delivery in November. Her twins were not due until December, but doctors must take them early. Pray for the safety of the children and for mom.
Also remember two other expectant moms: STEPHANIE (due Nov.) and JULIE (due in March/April)
- SEE YOU AT THE POLE- is today across the nation. Pray for God to be proclaimed by the children of this great country and that He will be glorified through them!
Blessings upon you today as you wrap up others in a blanket of prayer!
Jennifer
