Tag: PrayWithoutCeasing

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Praying, Lots of Praying

Lots of prayer this morning. So many loved ones and situations to talk with the Lord about. I am so thankful that He always has a listening ear.

“ Always be full of joy. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ERV

There is such a connection between prayer and joy.

Prayer is expressing our need; joy is an expression of God’s provision and faithfulness. Thankfulness is trusting God for the right answer.

Seasons change and so do situations, but God never changes. He is always faithful, always good, always loving, always just, always gracious and merciful. Always true to His word.

“ My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.

5 Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind. ” James 1:2-6 ERV

When we come to the Lord with heavy hearts He promises to give us rest. We lay our burdens down and He takes them up. He carries them and He works all things out for our good.

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

I know I’ve used this example before, but this verse reminds me of a little child coming to their parent with a broken toy. “Fix it daddy, fix it”, they say. When the Father reaches to take it, they cry. “No, let me hold it”. To which our Father gently replies “You must give it to me if I’m to fix it. Let go. I’ll handle it from here.”

The hard part is in letting go but we can trust our Father, He only wants what is for our good.

I’m going to close this morning and go back to my time of prayer. A time to “be still and know that I am God”.

“Thank you for Father for perfecting those things that concern me. Thank you for working all things out for my good. Thank you for listening, loving and leading me. In Jesus name, I proclaim, Amen!”

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Sincere Prayer

Yesterday a friend reminded me that I need to write a short blurb about the prayer meeting nights we will have this season.

I’ve been thinking about that, even composing some thoughts in my sleep. When I woke this morning, I still hadn’t completely decided on what to share but after my Bible reading the Lord prompted me to focus on sincere prayer.

So, before I share it with them, I will share it with you.

“Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is.
18 The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help. 19 He listens to his followers and does what they want. He answers their prayers and saves them.” Psalm 145:17-19 ERV

Prayer doesn’t need to be lengthy, and it certainly doesn’t need to be filled with Thee’s and Thou’s, but it does need to come from the heart. Our Father does appreciate honestly and sincerity.

“ Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 ERV

God has given us an open door. His desire is that we come to Him in time of need. He wants us to know that we will find the help we need when we come to His presence.

“We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:14-15 ERV

Prayer is more than just asking for things. Prayer is talking to the Father, getting to know His heart. Sharing our joys and our sorrows. Learning what He wants for us and who He wants us to become. He wants us to know His will.

How do we know His will? Good question. Glad you asked. His will is His word. Every time God made a promise that was His will and He does not lie. I love what Jesus said on the sermon on the Mount. (Remember, we studied that whole sermon verse by verse about a month back.)

“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.

9 “Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! 11 You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.‘ Matthew 7:7-11 ERV

Our heavenly Father desires the very best for us. He knows better than we do, what we need. We can be confident that when we pray and ask for something He will never give us something that will be detrimental to our lives. His gifts are good.

And, to close, prayer must have an element of gratitude. We don’t just come asking but we must come with a grateful heart knowing we will receive.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.” Philippians 4:6 ERV

Sincere prayer is a child (us), coming to the Father, asking for help. Thanking Him for all He’s given us and leaving our request in His hands, knowing He will work everything out for our good.

May all our prayers be sincere!

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Prayers of Hope

I sit here this morning in prayer for all those in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Those who have missing loved ones; those who have loved ones who have died and those who have experienced the loss of their earthly possessions.

Praying also for those who are coming to help. First responders, good Samaritans bringing medical aid, food and water, clothing and temporary shelter. Those bringing hope!

I saw a post by Franklin Graham that over 800 volunteers have arrived to help the people in North Carolina. Medical teams, field hospitals, water, clean-up crews working and praying in those communities. May I encourage you to give a donation to Samaritan’s Purse to help fund these efforts.

Many of you are like me. So far away and unable to physically help but we can pray!

Prayer is never a secondary response. Prayer is powerful.

This morning my heart was drawn to two different Psalms.

“I will always praise the Lord.
2 With all my heart,
    I will praise the Lord.
Let all who are helpless,
    listen and be glad.
3 Honor the Lord with me!
    Celebrate his great name.

4 I asked the Lord for help,
and he saved me
    from all my fears.
5 Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun
    and never blush with shame.
6 I was a nobody, but I prayed,
and the Lord saved me
    from all my troubles.

7 If you honor the Lord,
    his angel will protect you.
8 Discover for yourself
    that the Lord is kind.
Come to him for protection,
    and you will be glad.” Psalm 34:1-8 CEV

“I look to the hills!
    Where will I find help?
2 It will come from the Lord,
    who created heaven and earth.

3 The Lord is your protector,
and he won’t go to sleep
    or let you stumble.
4 The protector of Israel
doesn’t doze
    or ever get drowsy.

5 The Lord is your protector,
there at your right side
    to shade you from the sun.
6 You won’t be harmed
by the sun during the day
    or by the moon at night.

7 The Lord will protect you
and keep you safe
    from all dangers.
8 The Lord will protect you
now and always
    wherever you go.” Psalm 121 CEV

“Father, we pray for all who are recovering from this devastation. Comfort them, protect them, give them courage and hope. Let them experience Your love in a powerful way. Provide for them as only you can. Let them know that You are there! A very present help in time of trouble. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

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Just A Little Talk

One of my favorite memories of Sunday night church services was the men’s quartet who would sing in wonderful four-part harmony. The songs were so upbeat. One of my favorite songs was “Just A Little Talk With Jesus”.

“I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in
And then a little light from Heaven filled my soul
He bathed my heart in love and wrote my name above
And just a little talk with Jesus made me whole

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry and He will answer by and by
Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
You’ll know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right”

Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right – all right!

You know it does.

Believe it or not, we’re still with Jesus and his teaching on the mountain. You know the teaching that started with the be-attitudes. The one that told us to love as God, Himself, loves. The teaching that instructed us not to be show-offs, now gives us instruction on prayer.

“When you pray, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. 8 Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask.

9 You should pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
help us to honor
    your name.
10 Come and set up
    your kingdom,
so that everyone on earth
    will obey you,
as you are obeyed
    in heaven.
11 Give us our food for today.
12 Forgive us for doing wrong,
    as we forgive others.
13 Keep us from being tempted
    and protect us from evil. The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

14  If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. 15 But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:7-15 CEV

I love that Jesus starts with our Father. He was a man of prayer. Often, He would stay up late or rise early to go to a quiet place just to talk to His Father. He knew His Father had the answers and the strength that He needed to live life as a human.

This prayer is short, sweet and to the point. The one praying it doesn’t need to be a seminary graduate, an ordained minister or priest. Prayer is a child talking to their parent, telling Him all their troubles and having confidence that “Dad” has heard and is there to help.

“ We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. This is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Prayer doesn’t need a lot of thee’s and thou’s; it’s us talking to our Father. Just conversation.

Just a little talk, leaving our burdens and cares with Him, makes things right, all right!

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It Means So Much

The other day I received a text from a friend halfway across the country. This is what she said.

“Hello friend. How can I pray for you today?”

Little did she know but at that moment, that very hour I needed prayer. She didn’t know but God did! We should always be ready to pray.

How many times have you been driving down the road or going about your business when a name pops to memory and you ask, “I wonder how they are doing – haven’t seen or thought about them in forever.” What do you do with that thought? Do you smile at remembering an old friend and let it go at that?

I have found when people are brought to mind that God is bringing them to mind for a reason. Most of the time I stop to pray for them when the thought comes, praying in the Spirit, knowing that the Holy Spirit is leading me to intercede for them. The Apostle Paul said at the beginning of nearly every epistle he wrote

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy” Philippians 1:3-4.

If Paul was faithful to pray for people upon every remembrance of them, it is a good example to follow.

Many years ago Dave & I lived on a remote ranch in AZ. No cell phones and we were way past the landlines. I had a few friends that would ask, if we need to get a hold of you what do we do. My answer was a simple one – pray. God will get us the message.

One morning I got up earlier than I normally do. My heart was heavy, and I began to pray. I knew I was praying for a friend and her daughter in Hawaii. I later learned that the daughter was in a life and death situation. Life won!!!!

“The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.” John 16:13 ERV

I believe that when we are open to the Holy Spirit, He will bring things to our remembrance and will show us what we need to do. Remember, when the saints were together praying for Peter’s release from prison as they were praying an angel went to the prison and released Peter. Spirit led prayer is effective.

“… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James 5:16-18

I can hear someone saying, but how do you know it’s the Holy Spirit leading you and not just your own thoughts? If it’s your thoughts or God prompted, it can’t hurt to pray for someone, it can only benefit them. Right?

“Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.” John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father to help us and to always be with us, to live in us. So, when someone comes to mind, I trust that it’s the Holy Spirit bringing them to remembrance.

As you’ve read this, I’m sure that the Holy Spirit has brought someone to mind, maybe it’s me. Pray for them; they will feel it!

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Pray for Everyone

Last night the following verses became my command for the evening.

“First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. 2 Pray for kings and others in power, so we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. 3 This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Savior. 4 God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth, which is,

5 There is only one God, and Christ Jesus  is the only one who can bring us to God. Jesus was truly human, and he gave himself to rescue all of us. 6 God showed us this at the right time.

7  This is why God chose me to be a preacher and an apostle of the good news. I am telling the truth. I am not lying. God sent me to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth.” I Timothy 2:1-7 CEV

I had a private prayer meeting. Others had been invited but I soon realized the room would be filled with just two attendees, myself and precious Holy Spirit. I sat and prayed in the quiet, wondering if I should just leave.

No. It was time to pray.

First of all, I prayed for our political leaders, the ones I agree with and the ones I don’t. I prayed for the Lord to reveal Himself in a mighty way to each of them – letting them know His love and His truth. And then I prayed that God would remove from office those who don’t honor Him and aren’t willing to lead according to His plan and purpose. The rest I will leave up to Him.

But then the words “pray for everyone” kept circulating in my heart.

We live in a small community where I am familiar with most of the names but not all of the faces, so I felt prompted to take a walk through the neighborhood in my mind’s eye. Stopping at each residence and praying for the occupants.

Some have physical needs, others have financial and emotional needs, and we all have a need for a deeper relationship with Jesus, who is our Lord and Savior.

According to the Apostle Paul this kind of prayer is good and “God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth”. Our heavenly Father isn’t a narcissist or an egotistical dictator. No, He gives each of us a free will to do as we please. However, He does know that when we follow Him and His plan for our lives, we will experience a true and abundant life.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV

After I prayed for all of them, I prayed for you, my readers.

Never consider the time you spend praying or studying God’s word to be a waste. That is precious time that will enrich your life with strength and power.

“I pray that God, who gives peace, will make you completely holy. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept healthy and faultless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 24 The one who chose you can be trusted, and he will do this.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24 CEV

I encourage you to make time in your day to pray.

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Learn to Sing

I’m not sure what goes on in your life on a daily basis, but I know that some days I face more challenges than others. Some days it’s easy to sing because all seems right with the world, but other days come with unexpected distractions and joy-robbing obstacles.

That’s where singing comes in – singing lifts the heart, it can make the heart skip and brings a lightness to our step.

Remember Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They had been beaten and were chained in the prison cell but at midnight they chose to sing. I don’t believe they were singing the blues either, “nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen”. No, I’m sure it was something to give God glory and praise.

I was downloading some music the other night – songs of praise – and I came across this one that’s a favorite with me. It’s by Katy Nichole, In Jesus Name (God of Possible).

“I speak the name of Jesus over you
In your hurting, in your sorrow
I will ask my God to move
I speak the name ’cause it’s all that I can do
In desperation, I’ll seek Heaven
And pray this for you

[Chorus]
I pray for your healing, that circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus’ name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus’ name
In Jesus’ name”

This is what I am praying for each one of you – right now. I’m praying and singing over you.

Sing songs of praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of your soul. Sing songs of healing, songs of peace, songs of victory, songs of deliverance, songs of the matchless love of God.

“Sing joyful songs to the Lord! Praise the mighty rock where we are safe. 2 Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise. 3 The Lord is the greatest God,

king over all other gods. 4 He holds the deepest part of the earth in his hands, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The ocean is the Lord’s because he made it, and with his own hands he formed the dry land. 6 Bow down and worship the Lord our Creator! 7 The Lord is our God, and we are his people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture.” Psalm 95:1-7 CEV

In the wee hours of the morning, I am singing over you. In the wee hours of this morning, I hear God’s songs of deliverance – He is singing over you also.

“ How happy he is whose wrong-doing is forgiven, and whose sin is covered! 2 How happy is the man whose sin the Lord does not hold against him, and in whose spirit there is nothing false…You are my hiding place. You keep me safe from trouble. All around me are your songs of being made free. 8 ‘I will show you and teach you in the way you should go. I will tell you what to do with My eye upon you’…10 Many are the sorrows of the sinful. But loving-kindness will be all around the man who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord and be full of joy, you who are right with God! Sing for joy all you who are pure in heart!”. Psalm 32 NLV

Sing, for joy comes in the morning!

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Pray Always

This morning my heart is heavy. When I woke there was a news story of a rocket attack on Israel. By the story’s account it was an unprovoked attack. Immediately I began to do what God’s word has commanded us to do.

“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls  and prosperity in your palaces.” Psalm 122:6-7 NLT

I hope all of you will stop now and pray for the leaders and the people of Israel. Pray for wisdom for their leaders and for the safety and protection of their citizens. Thank you.

One of the things I enjoyed most about our experience in Greece was the churches. We toured several of them – the grand, exquisite cathedrals and the small chapels. The doors were open and welcoming to anyone who wanted to stop and pray.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. 2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,” Psalm 92:1-2 NLT

I kind of expected to see people stopping to pray in the larger cathedrals but what surprised me was that they also stopped at the little prayer rooms in the shopping district and at the Mariner’s Chapel at the harbor.

We saw chapels high on the hills, with no houses around. There was a chapel on an island that only had two other buildings, it had been built by the fisherman who lived there to honor God and be a place of prayer. There were chapels as we traveled along the roadway from one town to another, sometimes they were less than a quarter mile apart. Always a place to pray. To me, it was a living example of the command we have been given:

“Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

I think that we often get too busy to remember to pray. Oh, if it’s a time of crisis we stop to pray. But during the ordinary routine of life our focus on prayer can wane. I definitely pray when we are on the freeway and over meals. I pray in the morning for friends and family, for society and for our leaders.

But I want to be more mindful to pray. Thankful for the warmth of the sunshine and the cool breeze. Praying when I see someone less fortunate than I, asking the Lord to provide for their needs and to use me if that’s what He desires. Seeing someone with a sad and downcast countenance and praying for them to have a renewed joy.

Praying always.

As you’re reading this maybe the face of a friend has come to mind, maybe a situation at work or a family issue – now is a good time to stop and pray.

Jesus often spent the day healing and preaching, ministering to people who needed a touch from the Father and then He would spend His evenings in prayer.

“ After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.” Mark 6:46 NLT

My desire is to cultivate a more consistent and deeper prayer life. I hope that’s your desire as well. Let’s purpose to never stop praying!

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Spa Day

Let me share some of my day with you.

I’ve been waiting for yesterday to come. You see I had a very special appointment. For my 70th birthday my family, kids and grandkids, gave me the one thing I asked for – a spa day!

Oh my, I’ve been looking for to it for weeks. Facial, massage, mani/pedi, the works. Believe it or not, I’ve never been pampered like this. I had imagined how wonderful it would be. My appointment was for 11:30, I was there by 11:15.

I walked in and since no one was at reception to meet me I signed in. I sat there patiently for the next 15 minutes. Finally someone came to the reception desk and asked why I was there. I told them I had an 11:30 appointment. Her next words caused my heart to sink, “I don’t have anyone scheduled at 11:30”.

“Surely, there’s a mistake” I said. “I was called yesterday to confirm my appointment”. After this dialogue she assured me that I was in the wrong. I asked if they had another location and she told me there was another location at least 20 minutes away. (I won’t explain how there is another spa with the same name and they are not affiliated but it’s a thing.)

I left there, almost in tears and called the other location to let them know I would be late and explained what happened. The young woman put me on hold and when she came back she told me that I would probably not get my massage, because I was late, but they could do the facial and the mani/pedi.

Big sigh!

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

Now, it was time to pray. Before any of you think this is too petty to pray about your wrong. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing and to pray about everything. I resolved not to be disappointed if I couldn’t get the massage I had been looking forward too and to keep my attitude pure.

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. 24 Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.” Psalm 139:23-24 ERV

When I arrived, the masseuse was at reception. She understood my frustration and said this has happened before. She had looked at her appointments and would be able to fit me in if we rearranged the order of my services.

Thank you Jesus!

What I’ve conveyed this morning is not some deep Biblical truth, it’s simple. The Lord cares about us and all we do. He’s big enough to heal cancer and also concerned about the small things in our life like a delayed spa appointment.

Plain and simple the key to walking with the Lord is trust.

The more we read His word, the more we will realize the many facets of His character and as we grow in knowledge of our heavenly Father our faith will grow also.

Each day walk with Him, trust Him. He’s even concerned about a spa day!

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Praying Grandparents

This may seem like a natural occurrence, but I want to draw attention to it anyway.

I grew up with a praying grandmother. Each morning she started her day with prayer. I have no idea how long she spent, sitting there on her couch, apron tied around her waist, Bible in her lap and head bowed in prayer.

I know that after my grandfather died, I would walk over to her house from elementary school for lunch and when I would come in the back door many times she would still be there, on the couch praying.

Grama had five children, 26+ grandchildren (some of them were step-grandchildren), plus the children and grandchildren of her second husband. She had a lot to pray for. As we, the grandchildren, married and had children of our own her list got longer. She was committed to praying for us each day.

I remember how lost I felt a few days after my grandmother’s death. I asked the Lord, “Who’s praying for us now”? Even now, I think about it and tears fill my eyes and I get a lump in my throat.

I’ve been reading the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in the book of II Chronicles. A striking comment is made about each of the kings.

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah. He was king for 55 years in Jerusalem. 2 Manasseh did what the Lord said was wrong. He followed the terrible and sinful ways of the nations that the Lord had forced out of the land before the Israelites.” II Chronicles 33:1-2 ERV

“ Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He was king for 31 years in Jerusalem. 2 He lived in a way that pleased the Lord, always doing what was right, as his ancestor David had done. Josiah never changed this way of life. 3 When Josiah was in his eighth year as king, he began to follow the God worshiped by David his ancestor. He was still young when he began to obey God.” II Chronicles 34:1-3 ERV

This is just a sample of how the entire book reads. Manasseh did what the Lord said was wrong. Josiah, his son, lived in a way that pleased the Lord. What made the difference between father and son? I don’t know but it says Josiah lived as his ancestor King David did and he never changed this way of life.

Josiah was only eight when he became king, but he must have heard stories of his wonderful, many-generations-back, grandfather. Theirs was a spoken and written history, no pictures like we have now, and I imagine that someone told him about a young man who killed a giant, ruled Israel and served the Lord God. He certainly didn’t see it modeled by his father.

“I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith.” II Timothy 1:5 ERV

Paul wrote those words to Timothy, his son in the faith.

Dave and I are blessed with seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. It is my prayer that they love the Lord and grow in a constant and abiding relationship with Him. A relationship that their grandchildren will want to emulate.

Grandparents, the greatest gift we can give our grandchildren is living a life of prayer!

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