SEPTEMBER 16
Hey there!
Today, we are going to look at one of my favorite prayers in the whole Bible.
I have come back to this prayer so many times in my spiritual journey. In the midst of this season, it is an especially good reminder. We all get weak, and we feel tired. In fact, even Jesus felt tired during His earthly ministry (John 4:1-38)!
Personally, there have been many days during this season of life and ministry when I didn’t know if I had the strength to keep going. The lack of a clear finish line has been wearisome to my soul. I have felt decision fatigue. I have felt compassion fatigue and overall exhaustion.
When I feel these emotions, I take them to God in prayer, and I ask for Him to renew me.
These verses are helpful for renewing perspective and strength.
Ephesians 1:19-21 (NLT):
“I pray also that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else- not only in this world but in the world to come.”
It’s good to know and be reminded of Jesus’ authority. He is not just above, but Paul says, “far above” any ruler, authority, power, or anything else! He is seated at the place of honor and leadership for all of heaven. All spiritual forces in the heavens must submit to His voice. He is powerful and mighty!
That same power is available to us today. It’s available for you as you are leading your Echo Group. That power is available as you are sharing your faith at work. That power is here right now to get through another day of distance learning. That power is there for all your ministry assignments.
Jesus’ power can sustain you through long meetings and video conference calls. His power can help you stop: gossiping, lying, cheating, looking at porn, or smoking pot.
His power can override your guilt, your shame, and your fears.
The same power that conquered the grave is available today. How, you might ask? By faith!!
Let’s ask the Holy Spirit, by faith, to fill us with His power right now!
You might pray something like this…
Holy Spirit, come strengthen me! I believe that the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive. I believe that your power is available to me today to live with godliness and walk in obedience. I ask that you would fill me with power. Make me bold for you! Make me a mighty warrior in the kingdom. Use me for your work here on earth. Help me stop the things that are not pleasing to you. Help me live for you today with everything that I am. I love you, Lord!
In Jesus’ name I pray! Amen.”
I pray that this encourages you today. I’d love to hear if anything in particular spoke to you in the comments below!
With love,
Pastor Andy
Comment below with your prayers, reflections, and whatever is on your heart as we pray together today.
Grow your prayer life with others by joining a prayer group.
Get these prayer devotionals straight in your inbox every morning here.
Today, I really felt the Spirit speaking to me. I have been feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. The stress I have at work as been pulling me down. I felt the the Spirit this morning leading me and picking me back up. I needed this… thank you for leading us!
I really like this
Help me stop the things that are not pleasing to you
Amèn
Thanks Pastor Andy
Fatigued of all this. Thanks for the encouraging reminder Andy. Needed that.
I’ve been living in a state of smoke and pandemic fatigue for weeks. Thanks for this
Wow!! Awesome reminder. I am in this time of low energy and feeling not well equipped. Thank you for reminding me that it is God’s power that will sustain.
So good! Needed this today.
We have the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit! Amen!!! It’s so easy to forget and to severely underestimate ourselves. What a timely reminder and encouragement to keep going, even in the face of a multitude of battles. We are more than conquerors in Christ who loves us!!
Thank you Jesus for always giving me the strength to carry on.
Pastor Andy, I was on God’s Prayer Walk today praying over the preschool and Echo.Church. I hadn’t read this today, but the Holy Spirit was wanting me to go to Galatians 5:16-18. I wanted to read 1 Thessalonians, however I was obedient to the Holy Spirit. When we got to the last door in back of the church, a fella named Sam came out and wanted to hear more scriptures. Then he started to talk about the Holy Spirit can make us obedient and please God. Wow! I remembered Galatians 5:16-18. How powerful was that! He asked if he could text us and if we could share scriptures. Wow again! That is what we are doing. Then I see the prayer and scriptures you sent today and wow again. God is powerful. I’m in awe.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!