National Day of Prayer Haikus (Short Poems)

Jefferson Memorial Cherry Blossoms: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, April 2013

Today is the National Day of Prayer and my writing for the challenge resulted in two linked haikus related to the event. It was really neat to watch the activities broadcast live on the internet. Please join me in praying for our nation, leaders, military service members, veterans, families, the homeless, jobless, suffering and whatever else God lays on your heart.

National Day of Prayer Haikus

Praising God today

Lifting up America

in prayer for healing

For peace and kindness

For living the golden rule

For revival now.

May God bless America and may He bless you too!  

Abundance: Day 23 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

Today I'm focusing on appreciating the abundance God has blessed me with. I skipped the traditional Black Friday early morning shopping. I used to do a whole detailed and organized (almost like a military campaign) shopping spree on Black Friday. Yes, it was crowded and crazy, but it was kind of fun and I got some great "deals." But, it seems, the more time I spend being thankful, the less stuff I apparently need, which is great because I'm also on a decluttering and simplifying mission.

I'm blessed with abundant grace (from God, including eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and adoption into His family), love (from my husband, family, friends and cats), food, books, makeup (it's fun!), flowers (fresh and faux; surprisingly, hubby managed to find two fresh roses in our garden today), clothes and more. In addition to being thankful for my abundance, I'm praying for those in need. Please join me in praying for the starving and hungry, the homeless, those without adequate clothing or protection, the lonely and suffering. May God provide for their needs, bless them and may He bless you too!

Prayer: Day 5 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18

Today I'm focusing on being thankful for prayer. How amazing is it that we can talk directly with the One High God? The God of all creation cares about you and me! He wants to hear about all of our cares and concerns (1 Peter 5:8) and, when our wills are aligned with His, he longs to give us the desires of our heart (Luke 11:19). God hears prayer and He longs for us to seek His will through prayer. Here's a little prayer of thanksgiving that I pray blesses you.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for loving me. I praise you for you are the one true, living God, almighty, holy, yet filled with grace and love towards us. Thank you for the abundant blessings you've given me, most especially for eternal life through Jesus Christ,  but also for your Word, the Bible, abundant and nutritious food, the freedom of being an American, modern technology and medicine, music, flowers, sunshine and family pets. Everything good and wonderful comes from you and I thank you and love you. Please help me to love you more. 

In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

May God bless you and your prayer time, dear reader!

Related posts:

http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/04/isaiah-4031-prayer-for-you.html 

http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayer-for-freedom-from-limiting.html 

http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-good-news-how-to-become-born.html 

http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-years-prayer-haikus.html

http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/search?q=12+great+books

Isaiah 40:31 Prayer For You

Photograph by Ben Wheeler

 Isaiah 40:31 "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Praying Isaiah 40:31 over my dear readers today (that means you!). May God give you the strength, wisdom and forbearance to wait upon Him,may He renew your strength so you rise up on wings like eagles. May you run and not be weary, may you walk and not faint. May He bless everything you do and say and may it be according to His perfect will. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Amy Tan Attitude Quote

Loved this quote by Amy Tan so I decided to pair it with a pretty photo. Not sure whether I took this one or my husband did so the photo credit might go to Ben (my husband). If you have trouble reading the print on the photo the Amy Tan quote is: "If you can't change your fate, change your attitude." I found it on page 196 of the October 2011 issue of Reader's Digest. I think it's great advice but remember to pray too. God is great at molding our attitudes when we submit to His will. I personally find it a lot easier to change my attitudes to more positive ones when I am right with God.

May God bless you and those you love!