Are You Spiritually Obese?

by Tanya

We sit in church and listen attentively to the wonderful sermon that was preached and feel so refreshed by it.

We go online and read a wonderful blog about how some person has been working for the Lord.

We read the word of God and gain wonderful insights into the meaning of the passage of scripture.

Yet…we sit and do nothing.

Life happens. Work happens. Children happen . And so you find yourself too tired to play an active role in working for the Lord. And each week you return to church to receive another blessing from the service.

And so we take in and take in, but we don’t do any spiritual work.

And so we become…spiritually obese.

Well today, I want to tell us all, to get up and get moving spiritually. Let us work the work of faith.

Let us shake off the spiritual lethargy that has us failing to work in service to God in sharing God’s love with others.

As we receive the truth, let us say like Jesus:

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4, King James Version).

We don’t need any special qualifications to work for God.

We don’t need money to work for God.

We don’t need a special time to work for God.

What we need to do is to get up in faith, and share a smile, a word of encouragement, a prayer…

Then it will be that we will stop only being fed, but also share and feed others the spiritual Bread which we have received.

Prayer:

Oh Lord, help is to share Your word with others, that they too may be blessed, as we have been by receiving Your Word.

Tweetables:

We don’t need any special qualifications to work for God. (tweet this)

Are you spiritually obese? Read more. (tweet this)

 Tanya – from God’s Character

Tanya is a child of God, wife, stay at home mom and homeschooler. She loves the Lord and loves telling people about who He is. By God’s grace her husband and she intend to live out Joshua’s statement “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. And so her greatest desire is to see her Lord face to face and along with her family, join in the joyous strains of triumphant voices praising our Lord and King. Check out her blog at God’s Character.

MOVING DAY

#UTCOP is moving –

Okay this is it. I am moving all the posts of Under the Cover of Prayer over to my website, He Cares for You. I haven’t seen a flood of activity in signing up so I hope I don’t lose those who want to stay in touch.

Thanks for all your support.

Please pray that this goes smoothly.

At the end of my blogging Sabbath (mid May) I will be up and running again with posts about prayer.

Blessings,

Janis

How Does it Feel Mid Blogging Sabbath Rest?

First of all – I miss writing.

Second – I am enjoying the freedom the Sabbath is providing me.

Third – I don’t feel pressured. I feel like the Holy Spirit is leading me each day to figure out what to do next.

This is what I have found out so far.

1. I need to bring this blog over to my website, He Cares for You. www.janiscox.com.

2. I need to give my wonderful email subscribers and RSS Feed Subscribers ample time to drive over and get settled.

To that end I would ask you to do the following:

1. Drop over right now to www.janiscox.com and subscribe by email. That way when I do the export I won’t lose you.

2. Join my Newsletter at the same time and you won’t miss a thing. New surprises each edition. Free colour prints of my artwork.

Join He Cares for You Newsletter

Email Address

First Name

3. Pray that the change over will work without too many glitches. (Just today in setting up my website to prepare it for the import – many things had to be changed, new learning lessons, for his old gal.)

4. You won’t find Under the Cover of Prayer there YET. Don’t worry I will tell you when I actually move.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

A Round up of Prayer Posts

While I am on a one month blogging holiday I thought I would leave you with a round-up of most read posts from Under the Cover of Prayer in the past year. I am taking off the comments but anytime you need to reach me please email Under the Cover of Prayer. I hope you enjoy these:

Peace by Janis Cox

At our church we have a song we sing at the end of most services called “Go Now in Peace”. That is so important – to remain at peace – even in the middle of a storm. Read More.

How Do I Pray When Words Fail? by Mark D. Roberts

“O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning” (Psalm 5:1 NLT).

 What is prayer?

The most basic answer says that prayer is talking to God. Sometimes we talk to God through singing. Sometimes we talk silently with words that are not actually expressed. But, for most of us, most of the time, prayer is talking to God. Read more

How Can We Learn from the First Prayer in the Bible? Ron Hughes

If you accept the idea that prayer is a conversation with God, the first prayer recorded in the Bible is found in Genesis. The context suggests that human/divine interaction “in the cool of the day” was a regular feature of life in Eden. Read more.

 Tweetables:

A round up  #UTCOP prayer posts. @markdroberts @ronhugheswrites @authorjaniscox (tweet this)

How do I pray when words fail? @markdroberts (tweet this)

What can we learn from the first prayer in the Bible? @ronhugheswrites (tweet this)

What is prayer? @markdroberts  (tweet this)

@markdroberts

 

@markdroberts

Can You Wait?

Photo credit: Jacob Bøtter, retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crocus-jakecaptive.jpg)

by Susan Hitchman

Why do we buy potted tomato plants in spring instead of tomato seeds in winter? Why do we see movies on their opening weekend instead of several weeks or months later? Why do we stop by fast food restaurants instead of pulling a recipe book out of the cupboard?

 Because we are a generation that just cannot wait.

Some things can’t be rushed, though. The crocuses and hyacinths that are flaunting their purple petals in the garden kept us waiting all winter to see their fresh spring faces. The newborn baby that was due a week earlier kept her family wondering, breathlessly awaiting her arrival.

 And prayer is a lot like spring flowers and babies’ births.

James, bishop of the first church in Jerusalem, wrote about the relationship between prayer and waiting, saying:

Be patient, then, brothers…( James 5: 7-18, NIV).

Just like the farmer waits for crops to ripen and rains to come, we pray and wait. Just like believers anticipate Christ’s return, we pray and wait. Just like Job yearned for better times and we long for suffering to be over, we pray and wait.

There is nothing instant about the process of prayer, is there?

James reminds us that even Elijah, the LORD’s prophet, needed to wait. He waited three long years to have his prayer answered, ending a paralyzing drought. And somehow, James invites us to be women and men like Elijah.

He coaxes us to accept the challenge, to see prayer as an identifying marker of our faith. It is an expression of our belief in the immortal, invisible, eternal One who exists outside of time. For Him, a day is no different than a thousand years, or a thousand years than a day.

From His vantage point, God can see when a prayer’s answer will most transform lives.

And while we wait, God is not idle. We who pray are being changed; our faith is stretched, our motives are purified, our concern for others is deepened. We become as we pray.

Make a mental note: the next time we see a spring flower or a baby, a new blockbuster or a fast food restaurant, let’s think about prayer and waiting. Let’s embrace the partnership between the two that can be, as James reminds us, powerful and effective.

We who believe are called to wait.

The One who calls us is faithful and He will do it.

 Tweetables:

There is nothing instant about the process of prayer, is there? (tweet this)

We who believe are called to wait. (tweet this)

Sue Hitchman

Sue  seeks to integrate the adventure of following Christ with her roles as wife, mother of five, co-leader of a women’s Bible study group and parent prayer group, and retreat speaker.  She is a member of The Word Guild and NCWA. Outdoor pursuits (cycling, gardening, hiking, & kayaking) remind her of God’s creative bent and constant presence. She writes to encourage others in their journey of faith in God.  Visit her blog at: Word Made Flesh

Can You be a Pinch Hit Prayer Warrior?

Pinch Hit Prayer Warrior

by Stephanie Nickel

Photo from FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

We all know them
The pray-ers
Those we can go to
When we are burdened
For ourselves
Or someone else

They’re the 1:00 AM Prayer Warriors
We don’t have to worry about disturbing them
It’s no surprise when we find
They’re already awake
In prayer
Maybe even for us

But what happens
When the pray-ers
Are tired
Or knocked out of the game
By a ball they didn’t see coming

Who can they call on
When they have to sit out
For an inning or two

When we’re called in to be
A pinch hitter
Will we be ready?

Not to do things like the Warriors always have
But to face the challenge

Step up to the plate
And hit a home run
For the player on the bench
And the entire team

Who is now counting on us

Dear Lord . . . May I be willing to step up when those precious Prayer Warriors need to step back. I pray that You will surround them with Your love and peace. And may they rest assured that You will raise up those who will faithfully pinch hit on their behalf. Refresh them. Renew them. And restore them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tweetable:

Can You be a Pinch Hit Prayer Warrior? (tweet this)

Steph Beth Nickel

Steph Beth is a wife of over 30 years and the mother of three grown children. Steph’s eclectic interests include writing, editing, fitness, and childbirth (she is also a labour doula).
Steph’s was honoured to co-author former Paralympian Deb Willows’ memoir. Living Beyond My Circumstances is scheduled for release at the end of November 2013.
Steph edits for Christian Editing Services under the leadership of Karen Burkett. She is a long-time member of The Word Guild and a recent member of InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship.

Steph blogs at Steph’s Electic Interests. Her new author website, Steph Beth Nickel , is a work-in-progress.

Teach Us to Pray

Let us each come to Jesus today – and as our Intercessor lay down all those thoughts, troubles, thanksgivings and hopes to God. Have a blessed Sunday. Thanks to Days N Thoughts for this wonderful devotional.

Days & Thoughts

(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/smarnad)

This is an edited repost from January 2013 …..

Dear Jesus, how desperately I need to learn to pray. And yet, when I am honest, I know that I often do not even want to pray.
I am distracted!
I am stubborn!
I am self-centered!
In your mercy, Jesus, bring my “want-er” more in line with my “need-er” so that I can come to want what I need.
In your name & for your sake, I pray.  —Amen.

(taken from Richard J. Foster, “Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home”, page 15)

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord teach us to pray…”. (Luke 11:1)

Today I am joining … Still Saturday and Sunday Stillness and Spiritual Sundays and Scripture & a Snapshot .

View original post

What I Want to Learn about Prayer

by Janis Cox

I started Under the Cover of Prayer in 2010 because I felt God calling me to bring pray-ers together; to teach more about all the facets of prayer; and to make me a better pray-er.

He has done more than that. He has built a community, what I have started to call a Tribe of Jesus. I have started to use something called a hashtag (#) which helps people locate everything to do with this blog. I am using:

#TribeofJesus

#UTCOP

I have read many prayer books. I study the Bible. I focus on what I hear and see.

Today’s reading from Oswald Chambers really struck me.

How does God view our prayers and our pray-ers?

Worship and intercession must go together, one is impossible without the other (Oswald Chambers, March 30)

And from the Bible:

Your attitude should be the same as Christ (Philippians 2:5, NIV).

Now that makes me think long and hard and ask myself some questions.

• Am I pleading without being with the mind of Christ?
• Am I thinking of myself and my feelings, and my agenda when I pray?
• Do I question God and ask how can I do this?
• Do I let tell Him, ‘it is impossible’?
• Do I decide for Him whether something will work or not?

Oswald Chambers says we need to aim to:

live in a holy relationship with God … having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray.

For that reason I need a blogging holiday – not just one week, but at least one month away from blogging.

Please pray for me while I take this time to renew, refresh and rekindle that intimate relationship that I crave.

From April 10 – May 10th. I want to R.E.N.E.W.

If you need to contact me during this time please email Under the Cover of Prayer.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you have told me to take this time away to renew. Please help me to hear clearly what is important to you. In Your name, AMEN.

Blessings,

Janis

Tweetables:

I want to RENEW my relationship with Jesus (tweet this)

Why am I taking a blogging holiday? (tweet this)

 

You Want Me to Pray for Whom, Lord?

by Jen Cudmore

Recently a person very close to me began to make some ungodly choices in her life, which grieved me greatly. One day she sat beside me in church, and while it was a bit uncomfortable, I did my best to focus on the lesson. Then, as the pastor prayed to end the service, I felt the Lord tap me on the shoulder.

“You feel this negative energy right here beside you? You can fix that.”

“What?” I said. “It’s not my problem. It’s hers.”

“Yes, but I’ve been telling you for months to get on your knees for her and you haven’t done it. Remember that verse:

I found no one to stand in the gap (Ez 22:30)?

Seriously chastised, I pondered those words for the rest of the day, and in the morning during my prayer time I asked God for help. You see, I had actually said a few prayers for my friend, but I never focused on fighting for her. I was too annoyed by her bad choices. I was so disgusted with her behavior that I didn’t want anything to do with her. And that is a very bad place to be.

Once when I was in high school, I mentioned to my mother a situation with a girl I really didn’t like. Her response was to pray for this girl, to which I’m sure I scowled. Why would I pray for someone I planned to avoid?

Mama told me about the verse that says we are to pray for our enemies (Matt 5:44). When I responded, that technically this girl wasn’t my enemy, Mama was armed with an answer. “You dislike this girl just as much as you would someone who mistreats you. You don’t like to be around her and cringe when she comes near. Same concept.”

So I begrudgingly began to pray for the girl, and to my surprise, it only took a couple months before we became friends!

God changed my heart, but I had to take the first step.

The same thing happened in recent months. As I began to pray for my backslidden friend, God began to soften my heart toward her and helped me see her as He saw her, a lost and confused soul who just needed someone’s support.  Now, she’s growing closer to the Lord, and there is much less weirdness between us. All because I was obedient and prayed.

The Bible tells us to pray for each other (James 5:16).

Don’t hold back because you have negative feelings toward someone!

Your prayers are powerful. No matter who God lays on your heart, be sure to be consistent. Then sit back and watch Him work!

Tweetables:

You want me to pray for whom, Lord? (tweet this)

Don’t hold back because you have negative feelings toward someone! (tweet this)

Why pray for someone you don’t like? (tweet this)

Jen Cudmore

Jen grew up on the Columbia River Gorge and currently lives in Alaska with her husband, two children, two boxers, and two cats. Her goal is to write novels that encourage women to look for positive qualities in a life partner, and to foster an environment of real romance, rather than fantasy, as they grow old with their spouse. For more, visit her website at http://www.jencudmore.com/. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

How to Pray Through Memory

by Kimberley Payne

Photo from FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

And now, O Lord our God, who hast brought Thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast made Thee a name, as at this day (Daniel 9:15 NIV).

In the Bible, we see that Daniel was a righteous man who prayed regularly to God. He spent time reading the scriptures and talking with God.

Daniel knew that God kept His promises and fulfilled prophecies.

When Daniel prayed, he reminded God of the mighty acts He’d performed.

Has God moved in your life with answered prayer?

When you pray, do you rehearse the great acts that God has performed in the past as you ask for His intervention in the present?

Next time you make a request in prayer, start by recalling all that God has done in the past. Include His miracles from the Bible as well as from your own life.

Praying with a memory will help grow your faith.

Tweetables:

Has God moved in your life with answered prayer? (tweet this)

Do you know how to pray with a memory? (tweet this)

Kimberley Payne

Kimberley is a motivational speaker and author. Her writings relate raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. Through her work, Kimberley hopes to inspire people to live lives that glorify God. You can visit her website at www.kimberleypayne.com