Prayer – Page 2 – Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess

Do You Remember?

Posted on September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

What were you doing on that Tuesday morning September 11, 2001 when America was under attack by terrorists? Ninety percent of adult Americans will remember the nightly news reported. Honestly, I think even that percentage is low. I remember being in my kitchen alone that day mixing up banana bread. The television on the counter was turned down low. I glanced and saw chaos on the screen. As I watched in horror a second plane hit and the news reporters were frantic. The bowl of batter dropped from my hands as I fell to my knees in prayer.

My phone rang nonstop. Friends and family called in disbelief. My daughter was in college and I just wanted her home. Same thing with my working husband. He is ever the voice of reason and I needed him. My son wasn’t home either. He had his own house. I wanted them all here so our family was together and safe. The sky was eerily quiet without a single aircraft.

Church was more emotional than ever before on Sunday. Attendance was extremely high. In crisis we turn to God, don’t we. Isn’t it a shame we all don’t stay that close after it is over? It looks like our country could use His protection, guidance, and healing again. The death total was just under 3,000 while the injured was twice that. The terrorists coordinated four airplane attacks to kill Americans. Innocent people in what they deemed a Holy War. I cannot imagine how saddened God was by this. We all were, and we don’t even begin to love like Him.

America pulled together then, and we turned to God. What changed that made some of us turn our backs on Him and His commands? Why have we turned on each other? Where did our love, compassion, and kindness go? We need to take back our patriotism and faith. Give up this name calling and bickering. Kneel and pray for each other. As the Bible says “humble ourselves”. If we do, then we will start to see more unity.

If you can remember where you were, you will remember the horrible feeling of terrorism, and the wonderful feeling of unity in America. Our nation was one. Let’s stand together again in memory of those that lost their lives that day. Remember, except for the grace of God, it could have been us dying in an attack. God didn’t save us to bicker, insult, and fight.

Kindness…..Let’s Start a Campaign!

Posted on July 15, 2018July 15, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Thanks for joining me today. There is something I’d like to ask you. Would you join me in something else? I am wanting to start a kindness campaign. What do you think? There is absolutely no money involved unless you are moved in that direction for some reason. Doesn’t this sound like a wonderful project? Thanks! I think so, too.

First, we sorely need this now because electronic devices have taken personal interaction and emotion out of our conversations and day to day dealings with each other. Isn’t it quicker to send a text than call? However, many times words written are more harsh than those spoken. In fact, the same holds true with telephone calls versus face to face conversations. Right? It is a bit harder to be mean and cold when looking someone in the eyes and being able to see the hurt you inflict.

What would this kindness campaign be? I suppose we need to get to read the definition of kindness first. The dictionary says kindness is the quality of being friendly, considerate and generous. Kind is an adjective meaning having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. Well, that sounds familiar. Synonyms for kind are good-natured, caring, selfless, compassionate, understanding, friendly, thoughtful, loving, good, attentive, and hospitable. Antonyms are mean, selfish, and inconsiderate. Sounds reasonable to me. What do you think? Which would you rather be?

Does the Bible say much about kindness and being kind? Yes, it does. Our instruction book for life is filled with verses about it. Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Who wants to wear kindness? I bet that looks beautiful on everyone. Another one in Ephesians 4:31-32 “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Now that is very clear. A simple be kind to one another.

It is my true desire for us to show kindness to others. Yes, some do mean to harm us, but there is an internal war going on here. Friends and family are saying many hateful, absurd things that are fueled by mobs of people they have never met. We need to step back, regroup, and be kind. None of us are perfect. We all mess up and sin. Everyone needs grace, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness.

Join me in being kind. This movement needs to start some place, why not with us? At least try it for the remainder of July. Refrain from the negative political and newsy posts. Stop demeaning and attacking people that have not personally interacted in a hurtful way with you. Be part of the solution and stop fueling the fire. Spread kindness, joy, and smiles. Take a break from stress, meanness and finger pointing. Recruit others to our Kindness Campaign. Spread kind words and deeds. Who knows, by August we all might feel so wonderful that we continue. Most of all, please pray. Pray for kindness in others and yourself. Then just like the old song says….”and the world will be a better place for you and for me, just wait and see!”

I Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 16:23-24 From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Watch Out Where You Get Advice

Posted on April 25, 2018April 25, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

For a parent, grandparent, aunt, or anyone that has a younger person in his/her life, there is seldom any feeling that competes with the joy felt watching them make good, Christian decisions. Right? We pray for their success, salvation, and decision making.. It isn’t often we are fortunate enough to witness it in action. Recently I was and it touched me so deeply I cried happy tears.

We have a beloved family member that is truly ill and frankly just not himself. It is an ongoing issue that has lasted three years. Talk about a test of faith! Well, that’s an entirely different blog. In this situation advice is overflowing on what others would do. We are never at a loss for unsolicited, well meaning counsel. AB1DE8CF-BDD4-4FE3-8861-552A9E0B6EF2

Much of the advice is tough love and some not even Biblically based. Discussions with this sweet family member and others border on disrespectful. It all breaks my heart. How is that going to help? Being disrespectful will never aid in any circumstance.

Last week I sought advise from my adult son. He was raised in our Christian home so I decided it was time to trust my work and him. Wow. I was not disappointed and can honestly say I was overcome with joy. His response to me was “My thoughts are to try to treat him like Jesus would. You know, the whole What Would Jesus Do. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?” I was speechless as I nodded.

Leave it to my adult son to remind me of what I already knew. There is no secret fix or magic involved to help a loved one. Lift him up to God and love him. Treat him tenderly. Isn’t that what Jesus would do? Didn’t he teach us by example that we are to love others more than ourselves? Jesus did not teach disrespect, yelling, fighting, and leaving. No, 0FBBC620-EBD2-4133-9665-C1E38AE7174C

He taught compassion, love, and caring. Any and all I needed can be found in my life manual, the Bible. I just needed to think about what would Jesus do, and then do it.

I realized then that I had known all along what to do. Like Jesus I needed to listen to God and obey Him. I needed to be sweet, tender, caring and giving. There is no place for disrespect in this situation. Just respect and kindness. Often when we are sick, we aren’t ourselves. Having someone talk sharply can only make things worse. Ignoring the sick person or withholding care is a horrible idea. Leaving is definitely not the answer. I can never go wrong with loving and praying. Bet you won’t either if you ever need my two cents.

Try a little tenderness and honey instead of harshness and vinegar in your words. My sweet Mammaw would say “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” How true. We need to try some love and Jesus. I know I will. Thank you, oh wise son, for the reminder. Out of all the advice, yours was right on the money. Your advice is the one to follow. In fact, I am going to look for my WWJD bracelet, too.

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

Proverb 16:24 KJV

Find a Book Friday: The Prayer Map Journal for Women

Posted on April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today I have a very different book for you. It is a prayer journal. Do you use one? Would you like to try? Journaling while praying is one way of keeping track of when and what you and our Heavenly Father discuss. It offers a record to go back and review. Most importantly, if you say you are going to pray for someone, please do. A journal is a good place to list that. 09F4AE98-0700-4C4A-82A4-C0EB5037D870 Praying for someone is lifting them up to Jesus for intercession. No better problem solver ever. Let’s check this journal out.

The Pray Map Journal for Women by the Barbour Staff is a spiral bound paperback providing a delightful way to record daily prayer time with God. Published by Barbour Books this 176 page Women’s journal has a whimsical cover and inside road map for prayer. It would be an easy to follow outline for someone wanting to dig deeper into a prayer life.

This guide to prayer journaling is not just for women. Teenage girls and preteens would benefit from this as well. Each entry or day consists of two pages with different sections and a road with arrows directing where to go next. Beginning with the date, readers are guided to a section for prayer, followed by one on thanks. The next destination is “I am worried about” which did not settle quite well with me. C0D229C1-5568-4EAB-A509-3F1D831C0F13

I am hoping (and suggesting) in reprints that the word “worried” is replaced with concerned or something else. (It is a goal of mine to stress not to worry as Jesus teaches us.) After that stop, readers go on to listing people they are praying for and then themselves. There is a wrap up, scripture, and that day is complete. It sounds more detailed than it really is. This is easy to understand and follow.

The Prayer Map Journal is a great tool for any woman or young woman of faith. Whether you are just beginning or have been doing this for years, this journal will be a tangible reminder of what you have been bringing to the Father and the date. It is a medium size 6” x 8” paperback and not too thick. I can fit it in my purse or tote bag, and it is lightweight.. Retailing for just $7.99 makes this jewel very affordable. It would make a nice gift for a prayer group, girls’ small group, women’s group, graduation or Mother’s Day. I highly recommend it and give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would have given it 5 except for the “worry” reference. Whether you decide to journal or not, keep praying.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Teaching through Parables and by Example

Posted on March 27, 2018March 27, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Have you ever thought about what happened after Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem. That was on a Sunday, but what happened the rest of the week? How did He spend Monday and Tuesday? He taught.

“Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.” Mt. 21:19

Jesus spent much of His time teaching. On Monday He taught His disciples a parable about faith when He cursed a fig tree that did not produce fruit. Do you remember that one? They were hungry and saw a fig tree with many leaves. When they looked for the fruit, none could be found. It was barren. There was just leaves on the tree and no fruit. Many believe the tree being cursed represents God’s judgment on those that are spiritually dead. Parables are an effective way to teach lessons.

Jesus also went into the temple and cleared it out of the dishonest money changers. Jesus went through overturning tables and saying: “Scripture says ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” He drove the money changers and their animals out of the temple. How angry He must have been, but Jesus took time to really think about the situation. Before He acted Jesus made sure He didn’t just react.

“So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” John 2:15

What stayed with me about this is that Jesus stopped and braided a whip so that He could ponder what He was going to do. He didn’t fly off the handle but took time to think about the situation. His anger was righteous. Maybe He prayed. I would think He did. Asking for guidance and God’s will were probably foremost in Jesus’ mind. Jesus taught us through His actions to think first before we jump into any situation, especially emotional ones.

Could you do this? Wait and cool off so that you reacted in a Christian manner? Make certain the anger you feel is real and not just a reaction? I can’t tell you how many times I have flown off the handle in anger and later saw how wrong I was. Acted quickly without thinking things through. My mama calls it having a short fuse. It is something I need to work on not doing. Not so with Jesus. He reacted in a Christian manner toward what was happening. They were desecrating God’s holy place of worship and needed to be stopped. It needed to be done. How many times have I corrected things that didn’t need to be? Multiple. I would just go off on my own without asking Abba to guide me. If I waited, prayed and listened a lesson would have been learned. My lesson.

Tuesday the disciples walked back by the fig tree. It was now withered and dead. Jesus used that to teach them about faith, true faith. A person or nation that does not produce fruit for God, do His work, will wither and die all the way down to its roots. The tree had leaves so by first sight it looked like it was producing. A closer look revealed no fruit. Then Jesus cursed it. Makes me wonder about our nation. Are we producing fruit for God? Ponder that for a bit.

Are you personally producing fruit? Are you leading people to God? Helping them find salvation? Everyday is a new chance to teach and be an example. Are you using the new day to share fruits of the spirit by being loving, kind, selfless, good, joyful, and peaceful to others? Don’t wither away. Grow tall and produce fruit. Increase in your faith. Flourish in your faith. You will be amazed at the things that will happen when you believe and have faith. You will a beacon to others longing for Him.

“Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” My. 21:21-22

Writing Our 2018 Story

Posted on January 1, 2018January 1, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

We have closed the last page of our life story for 2017. I hope it was a best seller in your eyes. A new year brings a new beginning or book. It comes in with a blank page or clean slate. Are you hoping the year that begins today is better than the one that just finished?
A new year carries endless possibilities with it. I read posts on Facebook stating that New Year’s Day was the beginning of a blank 365 page book for each one of us, and that we should write a good one. Some claimed 2017 to be the worst year on record for them. Others wrote about the things they wanted to improve upon or change starting today.

Let me challenge you. Get a brand new journal and write down an outline for your 2018 story. I know it hasn’t happened yet, but think about what you would like to happen. For me reconnecting with some old, dear friends is very important and long overdue. My Christian novel remains half written so 2018 is the perfect year to complete it. Cookbook #2 is a little closer to being finished but needs work. Any year past, present, and future is the time to deepen my relationship and walk with Jesus. Of course I need and want to get healthier, too. In August 2017 I began a new venture selling a Pampered Chef. It is my hope to improve on that this year. How about those goals? Pages and chapters for me to live and write.

Will you partner with me? We could try it together and encourage each other. Over our blank pages we need to speak and pray positivity. Begin by asking God’s will to be done. Thank Him for guiding and directing. No more “I can’t lose weight, I am stressed and too busy, or it is never gonna happen.” Replace those with “absolutely I will lose weight, there is time, and yes, it will happen!”

Get your inspiration from your Life’s Rule Book or Holy Bible and your Heavenly Father. Design Scripture will give you the help, peace, and strength you need. Remember the verse in Matthew that says “With God all things are possible?” How about in Philippians where it tells us “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Proverbs gives great counsel “Trust in the Lord with all your heart….” We need to commit Bible verses to memory and claim the promises they give.

Keep me updated on your happy story. Working together we can make a positive difference in 2018. We will start with each other and see what trickles down from there. I think it is time to turn a “no” into a “go”! It is exciting to realize that we have the pen and blank paper for our 2018 story, not to mention the best Editor ever. I am ready to start my new story. Are you?

God Has 2018 and You

Posted on December 31, 2017December 30, 2017 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Goodbye, 2017 and hello, 2018! Here we are again. Another year is winding down to a close. Don’t worry. There is a brand new one just waiting to take 2017’s place. Whether this has been your best, worst, or just an average year, it is time to take inventory and plan for the next one. Do you have expectations for 2018 or yourself? A new year is wonderful. It’s like getting a blank piece of paper to begin a new chapter in your story. Exciting, isn’t it?!

Do you have a tradition for New Year’s Eve or Day? Many people start the year with a resolution or two. Not a bad idea, but how many resolutions make it all year? Grand plans and hopes turn to ashes when someone offers a piece of homemade fudge or favorite cookie. Even a 75% off sale and crash plans for saving more money. My hubby made a resolution a decade or more ago that he continues to keep……”to stop making New Year’s resolutions.” Perhaps I should try that one. My resolutions don’t seem to make it very long.

Let me offer another thing to try along with your resolution. One tradition that I love to do is to think about my prayer list. Design On it is usually one item that seems greater than any of the others. If you have a prayer list you know the one I mean. It is the one you give over to Jesus to handle and take to the Father. Then later that day you start fretting over it again and try to tell Him how to work it out. (How silly!) You pick it back up and cannot seem to give it away. The problem is so big and seems unsolvable. Oh, but I have great news for you. God is bigger and more powerful than anything. Period. He is also in the business of miracles.

This is all I do. I will take a piece of paper and jot down that problem which has now become a mountain. When I pray about it now, I completely surrender it to Jesus, throw it in the fireplace and watch it burn. Design As it is eaten up by flames and disintegrated, I give thanks that the problem is out of my hands and into His. I have totally surrendered it. He is doing what needs done according to His perfect will. Before my prayer ends the paper has turned to ashes, tears stream down my cheeks, and my worry has vanished. I am at peace.

Try it with one of your problems that has grabbed onto you and won’t let go. God said not to worry. We can do that only by praying and turning things over to Him. He is good and He is faithful. God won’t let us down. Go into 2018 with one less issue hanging over your head, and with you holding on to Jesus’s hand. Give it to Him. Trust Him. He has this, He has 2018, and He has you!

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