A Prayer for You #230

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (NIV 1984)

Have you ever picked a special verse for the New Year?  Are you praying a pray to support the verse? Consider these verses as the basis of your prayer for the coming year. The heart’s desire of God is that you would grow to maturity in your faith. The Apostle Paul speaks here of what that might look like. First he prays that God would give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in order that you may know Him better. A theme throughout the Bible is God’s desire that you know Him.

Next he prays that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. It would seem strange to consider your heart as having eyes, and yet God knows you need the light to come on so you would know three very important truths.

He first wants your heart to be enlightened to the hope you have in Christ. He secondly prays that you would wake up to the realization of the riches of His glorious inheritance He has in you. Lastly he prays that you would know God’s incomparable power. As a believer you have the power of God. He has given you the same power He gave to Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly realm.

The power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly realm is the most awesome power in the world. He wants you to know you have that power. Your New Years verses and your prayer will give hope and encouragement. Use this prayer daily in the coming year.                                                                         

_______________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Our family celebrated Christmas Day with good food, lots of gifts, love, and appreciation for the birth of our Lord Jesus. It was great to have all five of the grandsons able to be with us. We of course were not sure about Justin Thomas. He is still pretty small but doing wonderful. Sandy and I are so blessed. (see pic)

Our pastor asked the question at the Christmas Eve Service "Why do you celebrate Christmas?" He followed that with the question, "What are you thankful for at this Christmas." I have so many things, but immediately my mind went to over six years ago when it was questionable if I would still be alive to celebrate Christmas. This is now seven times I have had that privilege of being with my family on Christmas. I AM THANKFUL!!

Sandy, Susan and I went to Collin's last Band concert of the first semester. It is fun to watch and listen to him play his trumpet. He enjoys it and is talking about auditioning for his middle school jazz band. (see pic) He celebrates his 12th birthday on the 28th. 

I have been blessed with the opportunity of preaching the next several weeks. 

*Skyline Fellowship in Mesa, AZ on December 30th.

*Laveen Baptist Church in Laveen, AZ on January 6th.

*Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church in Quartzsite, AZ on January 27th.

Sandy and I will be teaching at the Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church January 20-25 during the Rock and Gem Show. We will also be speaking at the Mission Service Corp annual retreat February 4-5 in Gold Canyon, AZ.

As we close out 2012 I can honestly say it has been challenging. Know doubt you faced some struggles as did our family. I listened to enough political debates that I think 2016 will come too soon. I got to spend another three days in the hospital, but thank God I am doing well now. God opened many doors for the ministry. Sandy was able to teach women's Bible study at our church and God allowed me to preach almost half the summer at First Baptist Church of Tempe. 

Christmas Day I joined with our church as we fed the homeless in a park in Tempe. What a joy it is to meet needs. How heartbreaking it is to realize how many people live on the streets. 

Happy New Year! Can you believe it is almost 2013? I hope and pray for you that 2013 will be a year of faith, love and hope. You cannot go wrong when you totally trust God. I did not say 'things' will not go wrong' but you won't. Faith is so vital to living every day. Love one another is a command of Christ. He even qualified the way to love. He said to love as He loved you. Have hope. Face the future with the anticipation and excitement of God going before you. That is hope. He is able to provide, protect, guide and sustain you. The real hope is that this might be the year when we see the return of Jesus. He promised to come again. Keep watching, waiting and praying. 

God bless you in 2013.  ~ DGW