Speaking and Praying Scripture – September

Rush rush rush. Busy busy busy. Our culture demands it. Our schedules demand it. As a mom of four kids in four different schools this year, I am finding myself in the insanely busy rush of life where sometimes my prayers feel powerful and really connected with God and sometimes my prayers are an exhausted exhale of “God, you know how tired I am…”. In this whirlwind state of the middle years of parenthood (for which I am very grateful to experience) I am so thankful that God transcends time and seasons. He is never too rushed, never too busy, never too exhausted to be my Father God. Every prayer I pray, no matter how short, is an act of worship and connects me to the only One who is steady and unchanging, an everlasting rock on which to build my life. So let me share our Speaking and Praying scripture verses! The Bible calls God a fortress!

Psalm 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

What is a fortress? A fortress typically refers to a walled structure that provides safety and defense from attack. God is our fortress because he is our trustworthy refuge and shield against the attack of the enemy. You can learn more about God being our shield by reading about the Armor of God & The Power of the Gospel on my blog and you can also join us Praying through THE ARMOR OF GOD!

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 91:2 I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

One of the best things about God being our fortress and our steady rock is that he doesn’t sleep, and he doesn’t change! This is one of many reasons that God is our steady rock in turbulent times and why we can praise him even in the hard times.

Psalm 121:4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Psalm 113:2-3 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! ³From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

But not only should we praise God for who He is, but we should fear the Lord. Does that mean we should be afraid of God like kids are afraid of the dark? Certainly not. Several years ago, my life got turned upside down and my mind and body seemed to shut down with it. I had full blown anxiety and one of my biggest fears was that God was… real! That was not a healthy fear but my body’s response to trauma in my life. After weeks of counseling and a few years later, my brain healed, and I returned to a healthy fear of God – awe, reverence, and respect. This type of healthy fear is important because God is a God of love, but He also holds a standard of perfection that no one can fulfill. This is why Jesus, in his perfection, came to take our punishment and offer us Resurrection Hope – eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Once we have Resurrection Hope then we, as God’s beloved children, are instructed to fear the Lord, walk in His way, love Him, and serve Him with all our heart and soul. But remember, He is with you! You are Not Alone!

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

September

Psalm 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 113: 2-3 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! ³From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

PRAYER:

Dear God, You are a good, good Father who loves us so much. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins so that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is LORD and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead

we will be saved. Thank you, God, that you are a steady rock that never changes. Thank you for the gift of salvation that provides a fortress of protection for us from the enemy.

 We know that with you we will not be shaken and have Resurrection Hope for eternity.

God, we count it a joy to worship and praise your name from the time we get out of bed in the morning until the time we fall asleep at night, and we ask that you help us have a heart of worship and thanksgiving in all circumstances, especially when we feel grumpy in the mornings.

God, I also pray that our family has a healthy fear of the LORD of awe, reverence, and respect, knowing that healthy fear leads us in humble obedience unto Christ. I pray that we walk in all your ways, loving you and serving you with all our heart and soul.

And God, when we fail, I ask for your grace and help. We know that we can’t do these things alone with our own strength but only with you.

Thank you for loving us and for giving us the gift of Resurrection Hope.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.