A Puritan Prayer

A Puritan Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I believe thee,

I accept thy Word,

I submit to thy will,

I rely on thy promises,

I trust thy providence.

Thy providence has set the bounds of my habitation,

and wisely administers all my affairs.

Help me to see your providence in all that concerns me,

And may I ever give you thanks.

Amen.*

*Adapted from Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975), 296.

Taken from Barbara Rainey, Growing Together in Gratitude: Character Sotries for Families (Little Rock, AR: Family Life Publishing, 2010), 20.

Misunderstanding

Have you ever missed the Lord? Though He has indeed spoken, you have missed what He was trying to tell you? Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice..." (John 10:27a). But when you miss it, the enemy tempts you to think you are not His "sheep" or else you would've heard clearly. Your misunderstanding can give way to doubt. It is in the second half of this verse that we have the truth that sets us free from such a lie, "...I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27b). We are know by the Lord! I do believe we, on occasion, miss Him, misunderstand His words. This of course is no fault of His clearness, but rather of our sinful, finite nature. But this lack of understanding doesn't mean we are less His sheep, anymore than your children misunderstanding your parental instruction makes them less your children! Though they have misunderstood, they still hear you, and more importantly you still know them. Don't allow the devil to try to steal your identity in Christ based on your misunderstanding. Rather continue to seek and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. You are His, you are known by Him, and can hear His voice!

How to Reconnect: Slowing down a Busy Life

There is no doubt that the majority of people find themselves in a busy, hustle-bustle lifestyle.  Even if you are not part of the so called "rat race", your attention and time is pulled by work, family, responsibilities, etc.  Sadly, it often is time with the Lord that gets sacrificed.  So how can we make sure that we remain abiding in Christ (John 15:5-6) in the midst of a busy life?  Obviously the first step is to simply SLOW DOWN!  But Scripture gives us a model:

1.  "After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray." - Mark 6:46 (NASB)

Jesus had just spent significant time preaching and healing.  He had also received news of the execution of John the Baptist and was grieved.  He wanted to get away from the crowd, so He and the disciples went into a desolate, secluded place, but the people followed.  There He performed a great miracle in the feeding of the five thousand.  Then we get to verse 46, Jesus had been very busy, and needed to get away by Himself. Scripture says He went away by Himself to pray.  For a moment, He had to disconnect from the franticness of the world and just spend time in communion and koinonia (fellowship) with the Father.

STEP #1
Get away and spend time in prayer. Spend time in communion and fellowship with the Father!

2.  Martha and Mary: "And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.'
But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'" - Luke 10:39-42 (ESV)

Sometimes, our busyness doesn't have to be a byproduct of this world, it can even be in serving the Lord.  Martha had gotten so caught up in the busyness of serving, that she had become distracted from what is most important, the ONE whom we serve!  Jesus said that Mary had the correct response, she sat at the feet of Jesus and listened.

STEP #2
Spend time at Jesus' feet.  Spend time seeking Him, listening to Him, worshipping Him!

3.  ""Be still, and know that I am God..." - Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

There is little need to expound much further on what the Psalmist is saying, simply BE STILL and KNOW.

STEP #3
Be still.  Be still and rest in who God is!  Rest in His presence, rest in His goodness, rest in Him!

4.  "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Jesus bids us come to Him and find rest.  He tells us to not yoke or burden ourselves with the things of this world, but rather to take His yoke, which is easy and light and learn from Him, that we may find rest for our souls.

STEP #4
Come to Jesus and rest.  Take off the yoke of the world that so easily burdens us with busyness and toil, and put on the yoke of Christ and rest in Him!

5. "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you..." - Psalm 55:22 (AMP)
And
"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." - 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

what an amazing two verses!  God says, cast all your cares, fears, doubts, worries, anxieties, concerns, etc.(which all of that is like a rocking chair, it will give you something to do but will never get you anywhere) upon Him; releasing all the heavy weight, burden, and despair it brings, once and for all, because of His great love and care for you!  HE WILL SUSTAIN YOU! 

STEP #5
Cast away (release) all of the stress and weight the world brings and let God sustain you.  Don't worry, be happy, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!