International Day of Prayer

Calligraphy by tonirypkema.com

Does nature speak louder these days? Loud thunder, close crashes of lightning? Outrageous sunsets and glorious sunrises? Do the birds sing in multitudes of praises in the morning?

As millions of people are displaced and “not at home,” and noises of confusion are all around,

God is God. And He speaks.

Today, for this ‘national” day of prayer, let’s pray internationally and wholeheartedly.

God has a plan. He’s on the throne.

“Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth” Psalm 124.

Here are some more scriptures to encourage us in our prayers:

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” Luke 18:1.

Jesus then told a story of an unjust judge who cared notfor God or man. A widow “kept coming,” time and time again, “Grant me justice against my adversary!”

Over and over again, the widow would come, to plead with the judge for justice. Exasperated by her persistence, the judge granted her request so she wouldn’t “bother” and come back to “attack” him.

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?

Will he keep putting them off? 

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 7-9.

Will Jesus find me with faith on this earth, today?

Also, God has told us in His Word:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls . . .
 
 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity,
Psalm 122: 6-9.

My attitude towards Israel matters to God, (period.)

Is our faith in God genuine? Let’s pray we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for His friends.

Today, let’s become “friends” with Jesus, spend time with Him, and His Word, and agree with the Lord and His Word.

If today is the day you choose to receive His forgiveness and salvation, pray He come to dwell in the rooms of your heart and make you a new creation in Christ:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Finally, I share the voices of children singing the Lord’s Prayer. Upbeat and sparkling as the stars in the night sky. Let’s pray with hope and joy because Jesus loves all the little children—

and all the children of the world. He promises salvation and life to all who call and believe in His name, . . . today.

If this is you, please tell me or someone close to you, today is the “first day of the rest of your life,” in Christ!

Pray this Prayer / Music by tonirypkema.com

“The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace,” Doxology. (Amen, amen.)

Do Your Kids Need: To Learn the Lord’s Prayer?

Kids teach each other the Lord’s Prayer with song

Many adults have the Lord’s Prayer, (Matthew 6:9-13) memorized and through time developed a good understanding of each phrase, but what about the kids?

For me, in the course of a day, I’ll recite these Words of God many times. Kids today will benefit greatly to have this great treasure of Scripture hidden in their hearts and mind.

Give a listen. Commit to share it with the kids and grandkids and sing along with them.

To commune with God draws us near to Him. He draws near to us as we seek Him in spirit and in truth.

He meets us right where we are.

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13.

This is an excellent and essential use of our time. Spurgeon is quoted:

 “If there be anything I know, anything that I am quite assured of beyond all question, it is that praying breath is never spent in vain.”

Today, let’s take a moment and let a child’s voice speak Jesus’ model to talk to God. Let the melody and the Word stir up an attitude to speak with our Maker in an all-inclusive way, and not fret, worry, or lose heart over anything.

May the melody to the Lord’s Prayer with kids bring us refreshing and rescue, this day and every day.

“Just keep singin'” to Jesus and cast all our cares on Him. 

“For His is the kingdom, the power, and glory, forever. “

Amen. 

P.S. Let me know if your kids enjoy learning the Lord’s prayer with Kally, Graham, and Irelyn!

I’m working on a Bible Songs Alive Resource for Christian schools, churches, homeschools, and families to pull up kids singing wonderful Scripture memory songs. 

Please pray for the Lord’s leading and blessing in this project I’ve been working on for over 10 years! — Toni