… He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45 (New King James Version)

Listen to Sun Showers – He Said

It’s been raining sunshine for almost a month now. The grass is brown—pool bunnies, too. When my wife comes home from work, she complains to (and blames) me that the house is hot. (Though I can’t change the oil in the car or put air in the tires, she thinks I have the power to move planets and regulate the atmosphere.) It’s hot and getting hotter.

Our neighbor’s field of crabgrass suffers the same as my carpeted lawn. Weeds and bent grass bake. Oh Lord, send rain.

I received this email today: “I’m really in need of prayer right now. Received our tax bill today. $2394. Got another bill for $990. Not sure where the money will come from.” Last night I spoke with a friend on the phone. “If I don’t find work by the first of August, we might lose the house.” Oh Lord, send provision.

A friend has cancer, an aunt dementia, and my mom checks into the hospital next week to get her heart tweaked. (She wishes her son would get his heart tweaked and call more often.) Oh Lord, send healing.

Are they good or evil, Lord? I don’t know. But you’ve promised to send rain on the just and unjust so, just this once, can you send your refreshing blessings on all those who are parched, perishing, and perplexed by the unending heat of life?

You promise your Son will rise and rule over the evil and the good. I pray it will be so. But until then, it would be good if we could have some relief from our hurts, hopelessness, and this hellish heat.

Please? Won’t you hear our cry? Rain on us. Reign over us. Shower us with your tears.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. ” Psalm 19:4

Susan had a lot of degrees in front of her name but her employees gave her words for the back of her name. They began with the suffix un—unfair—unreasonable—unfriendly.

At lunch my team grumbled about Susan’s new policy changes between bites of food. Of course, the new boss’s negativity was also a hot-button topic. She was divisive and cutthroat. To her, the end always justified the means. I didn’t contribute to the conversation by putting in my two cents worth of disgruntlement, but I didn’t do a thing to stop anyone from their freewheeling expression of frustration either. I knew we weren’t accomplishing a thing by complaining, but it felt good to commiserate.

After a week of this, I felt a nudge from the Lord to put a stop to it. Actually, it was a whole lot more than a nudge; it was practically an elbow in my consciousness. I made a suggestion. “Let’s pray and fast for three days for Susan. In the meantime, we cannot make a single negative comment or share a bad experience about her.” Mouths dropped open. Eyes grew larger. Minutes later the shock wore off as everyone realized the commitment to do this. It was obviously the right thing. Everyone agreed.

The first lunch, we looked from face to face, asking who wanted to pray. Most of my team members ducked their heads and ‘passed’. Finally, a hand went up and the transformation began. By the third day everyone wanted to lead the prayer. Prayers were presented as lovely offerings.

A wonderful change overtook us all. Our team became more positive; looked for the good in every situation. We prayed for one another. A God-consciousness permeated the air. Susan didn’t change. But we sure did. And that was what was really important.

For every problem we face, there is an answer. God walks us through challenges and as we draw closer to Him, we become changed. Let’s take our faith a step further and walk next to Him in thought, word, and deed so we can have victory regardless of the circumstance. As we get on our knees to empty ourselves before Him, our intercession is exactly the life changing force we need.

Robin Shope is the Special Education Coordinator for a county juvenile justice system for at-risk kids. She has authored a number of articles and six novels. She and her husband are former missionaries and have been married for 32 years, with two grown children.Robin Shope is the Special Education Coordinator for a county juvenile justice system for at-risk kids. She has authored a number of articles and six novels. She and her husband are former missionaries and have been married for 32 years, with two grown children. Read Robin’s devotions.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NKJ

Have you ever hung up on God?

That’s a strange question, isn’t it? But I’ve done it during my prayer life—started my prayer with worship and praise for the Lord and maybe doing an intercessory request then a thanksgiving or two – and then that’s it. I’m out of my prayer closet and on to my day. But what if He had things He wanted to say to me?

The dictionary uses the words, “spiritual communion,” when defining prayer. And communion is a mutual sharing, whether it be Holy or otherwise. So where did we get the idea that prayer is just us talking/asking/beseeching God? Doesn’t it seem that He might have something to say to us during that time?

So we pray, pray, pray then say, “Amen,” and consider ourselves done. God, however, may be wanting to give us a word, from His Word perhaps, to calm our heart, or even to give a still, small “Yes” to our petition, right then, right there. How about an “I love you, too?” What a better ending to our morning devotional than an “Oops, gotta go, God; bye.”

Prayer is a two-way path of communication. So much focus is placed on us talking with God, and all that entails, which is wonderful, which is what we’re supposed to do. But prayer is also listening. Maybe our quiet time should sometimes really be our quiet time.

When you go to your closet to pray, tune out the outside world and listen. Listen for what God has to say to you.

Prayer: Lord, help us to listen to that still, small voice or to that roaring thunder when we know it comes from You. We need to honor and glorify You, Lord, and listen when You speak to our heart. Amen.

M. J. Corrales has been writing for many years with a concentration in Biblical studies and devotionals. She can be contacted through her website www.TheGloryFoundation.com or by email to director@thegloryfoundation.com. Read M.J.’s devotions.

“Pray continually;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing. Prayer should be more than a few words spoken over a meal. It is constant intercession with thanksgiving, praise and need.

Pray for situations as they occur. Instantly pray for someone who says “pray for me.” I call them arrow prayers—moments of instantaneous thoughts for those in immediate need. So often friends ask us for prayer and we agree, never taking to heart the needs they have or the importance of the request. But each request is a cry of the heart, not to be taken lightly and not to be forgotten. So, shoot an arrow prayer into heaven.

There is great power behind the words of a prayer. Jesus constantly slipped away from the crowds to talk to His Father. He came to God for His strength and the guidance and wisdom He needed daily to carry on the work He was assigned.

Conversation with God is not one-sided. Even when we feel as though He is not listening, or has turned a deaf ear to us, He hasn’t. God hears every word we utter and senses every need we own.

So, pray wholeheartedly for those who express their grief to you, for those who are sick or injured, or those who are lonely. Speak words of praise for the joys of life and the blessings that are given to you and never forget to thank Him.

Be instant in season and out of season. Be aggressive in your prayers. Faith grows when it is worked. Believe when you pray.

You don’t have to pray out loud—just have a prayer in your heart and on your lips continuously. Just try it. God will answer your prayers and you will have
accomplished what Jesus wants you to do—pray without ceasing,

Phoebe Leggett is the recipient of two poetry awards from Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in Slate & Style, Shemom, MS Focus, Who’s DANN, MS Connection, Pacific Press, and Gospel Publishing House. Several of her poems have been read on air at WORD Radio. Her current project is developing a book on grief. She is married with three grown children, (one of whom was killed in 2004), two felines, and one grandchild. Her new website is under construction and will be available at a later date.

www.phoebeleggett.com.
Read Phoebe’s devotions

“…commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
I Timothy 4:3-5 (NKJV)

“God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.”

Many of us recognize the words of this simple prayer we learned as a tot. But do we realize how important such a childlike prayer is?

Before eating, “grace” is expected by many. But is this a meaningless tradition, or is it steeped with Biblical truth, applicable for our daily lives?

I found my answer in the truth of the text above. We should, receive our food with faith and thanksgiving, by “saying grace”.

By giving thanks, we also sanctify our food. By asking God’s blessings, He sets our food apart for our good and nourishment.

According to this verse, the food we receive is sanctified by both prayer and the Word of God. I have learned the importance of speaking and praying the Word of God over my life.

Even the time-honored child’s prayer we echoed earlier attests much Scriptural truth. Consider the following:

• Psalm 48:1 – “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” (God is great.)
• Psalm 100:5 – “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” (God is good.)
• I Timothy 4:4 – “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.” (Let us thank Him for our food.)
• Psalm 103:2, 5 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul…who satisfies your mouth with good things.” (By His hands, we all are fed.)
• Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Give us, Lord, our daily bread.)

Therefore, it seems clear that our prayer of thanksgiving before our meals should include and be based upon the Word of God. In doing so, God blesses our food for us.

Be thankful. Say grace. A childhood prayer is a good place to start. For God is great. God is good. Won’t you thank Him for your food?

Kay K. Mortimer is a freelance writer, Licensed Tax Professional, and bookstore owner who lives in Aiken, SC with her husband. She writes for a local newspaper, as well as nonfiction devotions, meditations, and Bible studies. She is a member of the SC Writers Workshop. Her greatest passion is teaching and sharing the Word of God, helping Christians to grow and be encouraged in the faith.

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

Prayer is essential to our spiritual growth. There was a time when I began bedtime with prayer but I rarely got past thanking God for my family before I fell asleep. I figured that was okay since God knew my prayers anyway because He’s omniscient (all knowing).

Then I realized that if I wanted to make a bigger impact for God I needed to keep my eyes open or closed but above all alert. I changed times, moving my prayer time to an earlier part of the day but still my mind wandered. I figured that was okay since God knew my prayers anyway, what with Him being omnipresent (always there).

Finally I began to rise early and pray for five minutes. I wrote my prayers down. Soon I began to look forward to my one-on-one time with Christ on. My prayers grew longer, became more intense and more focused. I sensed God creeping into my heart.

I can’t say God answers “yes” to my prayers today anymore more He did in the past. But I do know He hears. He has promised us that. He’s also said that He’s omnipotent (all powerful) and all loving which means that sometimes His answer is no answer at all. It’s “a figure it out for yourself, Cin” silence that causes me to rely on Him more for the hard tasks that come with each day.

Do you really pray? Do you continue to seek after the Master even when His answer is silence? Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

God is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. Trust in His love. Submit to His authority. Yearn for His wisdom.

He is, your God. There is no one above Him.

Cindy Sproles, along with Eddie Jones is the co-founder of ChristianDevotions.us. Together they host Christian Devotions Speak Up on BlogTalk Radio.com and author the popular He Said, She Said Devotions.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.”– Psalm 40: 1

You could say, today I had the best of both worlds. Cliché as it is—it’s true. I often wonder as I stare from my window, just what lies beyond the rise and fall of the majestic mountains.

Some say I’m naïve to the world that lies past the rolling hills, and perhaps to some extent, that s ’true. When God created the mountains of Tennessee, He built a small protective covering around the inhabitants of the area. Life has remained simple, even somewhat pure in its hidden alcove. Things are….safe.

Today I stood on the mountaintop and peered over the edge into the valley that rolled toward the sand and surf. In the distance I could see the foam washing aground and I wondered what life must be like there.

There was a time in my life when I stood at a pinnacle, happy with the life I pursued. Believing in God but not living in Him. I thought my life was complete….I had all a simple life could offer; a family, a job, a home. I didn’t need anything else. Or so I thought.

Then it crashed around me. I found I needed more than what I already had. I needed fulfillment, peace, and assurance for something more than what the world held before me. I needed to know Him. I needed to feel as though He knew me.

I cried to Him, “Take me to the edge of the world.” And then I waited. I know He heard my cry because the clouds on the mountaintop shifted. You see, God is like that. Always listening. Always waiting for me to call to Him and when I do, He answers. He brings me into Him with a closeness that is so comfortable, I’m completely content.

We have a Father who longs for us to love Him—who patiently steps to the side while we ignore His biding. But He never leaves us.

Do you have a longing for something more meaningful in your life? Cry to Him. Listen.
Today, I began on the mountaintop and by nightfall, I stood at the edge of the world with the ocean washing across my feet. And life is good. It’s complete and whole. I cried to Him and He heard, then answered.

Christian Devotions

Cindy Sproles co-writes with
Eddie Jones in the popular
He Said, She Said devotions.
They are friends and co-founders
of ChristianDevotions.us.