[D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I continue pause my study of Zechariah and of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. Today, my preparation to lead Sunday school at my church, where our class is doing a study on prayer based on the book by A Praying Life, moves along. I pick up today in chapter 7 - Crying "Abba" Continuously, and 8 - Bending Your Heart To Your Father. As chapter 8 winds to a close - it emphasizes how anxiety should drive us to prayer as it is "relentless." As anxiety never rests we should be driven to relentlessly seek Christ in prayer - we are encouraged to read the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-7) as Jesus shares how "God give[s] justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night[.]" Hannah's (1 Samuel 1) weeping and praying also should encourage us to let anxiety power our prayers.
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My Prayer: Father, I am utterly and completely dependent on You and can do nothing without You. Help me be in constant awareness of this and how so full of grace You are for me and I seek that this love You have for me should of course animate me to love, worship, and praise You constantly but also love others because this is what pleases You and I seek to please You. Thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me but I am undeserving. My sin is great and it continues..daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
