Author: Karen Carey

Pray, rejoice, give thanks…This is the will of God. Never forget God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Continue to pray daily, without ceasing. Lift up your troubles, lift up your praise. I hope that you have been blessed during our 21 days of prayer. Now let us finish out the month focusing on praise, pray and showing our love to our heavenly Father and our fellow man.

HE HEARS US! Thought for the DayIf you ask a six-year old what they want as a gift, they might tell you they want a dog…or a pony. If you ask the same person what they want when they are 35, if they still request a pony, something might be wrong. Similarly, as we mature in faith, our prayers must mature. Our earlyprayers might be all about our own lives, what we want or need to make life more comfortable. But God loves to answer our prayers when they line up with his perspective. And those prayers bring great confidence.Consider This What is a prayer for myself that I know lines up with God’s will for me?What is a prayer for my church that lines…

What kind of aroma are you spreading? Thought for the DayThe name “Christian” carries with it the idea of identity. A Christian is someone who has taken on the ways of Jesus. When we wear this name – we are communicating, “I am a person who is championing the values of Jesus and I’m following his teaching.” In a sense – “I am a Jesusperson.If you want to know what Jesus is like, you can look to what I’m becoming.” The Apostle Paul said it’s like we’re spreading a beautiful smelling fragrance that perfectly represents the heart of Jesus. The question is: What kind of aroma are you spreading?Consider ThisCan the people around me see that I’m trying to follow Jesus?Does my demeanor and personality…

Your people bear your Name! Thought for the DayWhen we do something that offends another person, it is customary to give an apology – even if we did not intend to hurt them. Intercessory prayers of repentance are an expression of Godly sorrow, not only for our own missteps, but the missteps of our people. It is possible to pray repentance over your family, your church, your community and nation. Even when we lack specifics, God hears the humble who admit their shortcomings, and he moves with power among those who seek a right place before him.Consider ThisWhere can I express godly sorrow over my own sin?How can offer intercessory godly sorrow over my church, community and nation?Where would I like God to act, for…

THY Kingdom come! Thought for the DayIn our country, talk of kingdoms conjures up images of King Arthur, Prince Humperdinck or some Shakespearian character. But kingdoms are simply the places where the king’s rule extends. Jesus prayed—and asked his followers to pray—that the kingly rule of God would extend over all his creation. Part of the job of Jesus-followers is to see that God’s kingly reign is gaining ground in our lives – and that we’re extending opportunities to others to live under his care and protection.Consider ThisIs God’s influence and kingly reign gaining ground in my life?Am I praying for anyone on a regular basis to come under the reign of God’s kingly rule?How can I change my perspective, so I see things from…

Speak up, speak out! Thought for the DayFor some reason, there are some topics that are just hard for people to talk about. We excel at discussing the weather (good or bad), sports teams and games, our favorite movies, music – but when it comes to talking about our faith, we get tense. Perhaps we’re guarding against “coming on too strong” or just not knowing the right words to say. But sometimes God is calling us to do more than set a good example – sometimes we must boldly step out and discuss spiritual things.Consider ThisDo I feel comfortable speaking casually and openly about my faith?What fears are hindering me from having conversations about something so dear to me?If fear is keeping me from talking…

Open a Door Lord! Thought for the DayThere’s a big difference between closed doors, locked doors and open doors. Anyone who has been locked out of their house or car knows the frustration of being ready to enter but knowing that a barrier stands in the way. In thinking of the mission of the church, the Apostle Paul prayed for – and requested prayer for – God to remove barriers and open doors so that the church could be successful in telling people about Jesus.Consider ThisAm I praying consistently for my church to succeed in leading others to know Jesus?What are the cultural “closed doors” that God could open for our church?What are the closed doors in the life of the person I committed to…

Knoew the Hope! Thought for the DayThere are many people with perfect vision who are blind to spiritual things. Past hurts, poor choices, and wounds from others have closed their hearts to the things of God. If only the eyes of their heart could be opened to know the hope of God and the riches of his glorious inheritance! This prayer from Ephesians is a prayer for others who don’t yet fully understand the goodness of God.Consider ThisAm I praying for anyone to come to know Jesus on a regular basis?Is there a specific person I could commit to pray for in order that they will come to know “the hope of God”?Who is that person?Prayer FocusAsk God to open the eyes of your friend’s…

You Lord are my REFUGE! Thought for the DayOur country is in the center of a season where people’s hearts have grown faint. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic we not only endured the suffering of physical disease, but we have also been confronted with the internal truth of prejudice. Prejudice is not limited by space and time. It exists in all cultures and divides people at our spiritual enemy’s whims. It gives in to our most base instincts and its only solution is a spiritual one that lifts us to a new spiritual perspective – on “the rock that is higher than I.”Consider ThisIn what ways do I need God to rid me of any spirit of prejudice and discord?Many are feeling the…