Show Love

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for slain offering, a sacrifice and us to God a sweet fragrance." Ephesians 5:2

God of grace and God of Glory, thank you for loving us with an everlasting love.

Purge us and cleanse us of all sin and wrongdoing; we confess and you are faithful to forgive us of our sins. Thank you.

Cause us to live so close to you that others will notice that we have been with you.

Open our hearts so we may stand for and with those who are in need. Guide us to love one another and bear one another’s burdens.

Bless where there is pain of any kind or illness, brokenness, anxious hearts and unresolved issues.

Help us to show your love in thought, word and deed today. Show love not just to those we love but even to those who do not have our best interest at heart. It doesn’t mean Lord, that we become their doormat, it means we love you and ourselves too much to drop to their level.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

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The Greatest Of These is Love mix tape is now available for you to download. There are ten messages about love found, lost or floundering. It is perfect today, Valentine's Day or any day. Get it for yourself or as a gift for someone else. Ten love notes from me to you.

Go to:http://thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com/store-tab/.

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Divine Way Maker

Gracious and Generous God, thank you for the opportunities to exercise the gifts you’ve given us – the gift to write, create, invent, discover, organize, dance, sing, invest, grow businesses, improve communities, network, build, gather, share, and all the other complex gifts of creativity. Help us to build on the foundation left by our ancestors and at the same time create new pathways of success.

Help us to resist self-destructive actions that could ruin the lives of those we love. Help us to embrace Holy living so that everything we do brings honor and glory to your name.

Go with us today and be our human resource counselor, relationship advisor, problem solver, finance officer, promise keeper, protector, defender and divine way maker. Amen.

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PRAYER TIME

Praycation, a prayer break from routine or Selah, meaning to stop here before moving forward, is not your grandmother's prayer meeting. It is a digital spiritual discipline to guide you into prayer or help to get started to pray without ceasing as Paul suggests in the word of God.

More than 200,000 people have prayed and more than 400 are regular subscribers. Since prayer changes people and perplexing situations, invite others to be a part of this prayer journey. Subscribe yourself, if you haven't already. Make this prayer blog a part of your daily routine. Share this blog with others. Share your prayer experiences and send us your prayers so we can share them with others at www.praycation2@gmail.com.

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Breathe On Us

Let us pray together:

Breathe on us, breath of God. Fill us with life anew.
Come and breathe on the anxieties that are capable of keeping us from You. Breathe on the habits that keep us from doing Your will and Your word. Breathe on the thoughts that hold us back. Breathe on the weaknesses that hold us down.

Enable us Holy Spirit to discover the vast sources of power, strength and trust you have made available to us in our innermost heart. Breathe on us, breathe of God!

In Jesus name, Amen

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Right Motives

"You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives..."

James 4:2-3

Lord, help me to ask for the right things in the right way with right motives. Help me to cooperate with you, my savior, to accomplish your will for my life.

Forgive me when I have been too impatient to wait for your answer. Forgive me that I've mistakenly taken matters into my own hands moving ahead of your guidance. A non-answer just may be an answer after all.

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Endless Love

O lord, our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. Forgive us for coming too often with our petitions for our right now and tomorrow needs without proclaiming your great and mighty acts or thanking you for the joy of our salvation.

We rejoice this morning for your unfathomable amazing grace, unequaled peace and endless love. Help us to make known today all the marvelous things you have done in us and in the lives of those we know and love.

We pray for the victims of earthquakes and tsunamis; gang violence and acts of hate; victims of AIDS and other diseases; and those who live in the gap between what is promised and what is delivered. Giver of every good and perfect gift, help us to share with the hungry and marginalized; help us to bless those who can't bless us back.

In Jesus name, Amen
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A Fresh Break In

O Lord, our God, you have called us to be your people and to bring honor and glory to your name. We confess today, that we have tried to figure things out on our own and have failed. We relied on our intellect and education and still insight alludes us. We counseled with friends who have wrestled with similar struggles to no avail. We sat with those who have specialized knowledge but new issues arise and the mystery deepens.

O Lord, Our God, we need your Holy Spirit to break into our lives afresh. Fill us with your truth and ”… grant us wisdom for the facing of this hour.” Give us renewed strength to deal with the multitude of issues we face in this world. Empower us with your power that meets our weakness with a power not our own. In Jesus name, lead us through the moments of this day anticipating the joy that will be ours when we experience your grace, Amen.

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'Tis So Sweet

Dear God,

The news is not good today. Everywhere we turn there is something else to cause anxiety or something to be afraid of. It could be another flood, tornado, tsunami, nuclear reactor, high gas prices or unemployment that weighs heavy upon our hearts.

Help us to stand on your word to trust in you and lean not to thin own understanding. O Lord, we put our trust in you.

In spite of today's news reports and the constant threat of danger, we seek you knowing we will find our strength and security in you. We can move forward today and rest peacefully tonight with the wonderful assurance that you' ve got our backs! Amen and Amen.

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PRAYER QUOTE

"In prayer, we are aware that God is in action and that when the circumstances are ready, when others are in the right place, and when our hearts are prepared, he will call us into the action. Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts."

Eugene Peterson

PRAYCATION CONFERENCE CALL TOMORROW!

Our monthly Praycation conference call will be every first Thursday of the month. Join us for prayer, study and testimony at 6 AM CDT/7 AM EDT. Just call 1-218-936-2800, access code 812713. Share with others!

Seek and Ye Shall Find

Early we seek you this morning to pause in your presence; to breath out impurities and breath in whatsoever is kind, good, and lovely, to think on these things before the intrusion of whatsoever is deep, dark and real.

Strengthen us for the journey ahead; equip us to stand before our adversaries as we humble ourselves before you.

Lift us up to live the abundant life you came to give us and help us to lift others, the lonely, least and left out so that they may have a vision beyond what their eyes can see to what is promised in Your word.

In the name recognized in heaven, earth and hell, Amen.
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MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT

Pray for those who must beg for food today. Pray for those who beg for food at traffic stops, dig in dumpsters, or ask friends or neighbors for food.

PRAYCATION LENT 2011 CONFERENCE CALL ON THURSDAY

Remember that the Praycation Conference call is tomorrow, Thursday, March 24th at 6 AM Central/ 7 AM Eastern. Call 1-218-936-2800, access code 812713. It is our time of prayer and study. Join us and invite others to do the same. You can also click on the followers icon on the right side of the home page to receive new prayers when they are posted in your email inbox.

Dance In Your Presence!

O God, we open ourselves with great anticipation to the experiences of a brand new day. Create in us a clean heart, renew a right spirit and a boldness that keeps us lifting the name of Jesus in the world.

Strengthen our conviction to incorporate your teachings about love, grace, and service into our lives. Thank you for creating channels of service in the marketplace and around the dinner table.

May we dance in your presence embracing a love so divine. In the name of whose way we follow and in whose name we pray, Amen.

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When and When Again

Let us pray this prayer together:

When my flesh fails wrap me in a love that does not flinch.
When my heart falters, wrap me in a love that creates clean hearts and renews steadfast spirits within.
When my attention span causes my mind to wandering, gently knock upon the door of my heart again.
When I am surrounded by noise and violence, lead me to a quiet place.
When the silence is intimidating, transform the threats with your tranquility.
When doing becomes more important than being, help me to be still and know the power of your presence.
When I am tempted to go another way, whisper in my ears your marching orders.
When I am are thirsty, let me drink from your cup of grace.
When I am hungry after righteousness, feed me until I want no more.
When I am are empty, step into the void and darkness and say, “Let there be light”.
When I am blinded by the idols of this world, give me the courage to see that yours is still the kingdom and glory, forever.
When the time to be silent is over, speak through me words of life to a dying world.
When and When Again,
In Jesus name, it is so!
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Strengthen, Save and Stand

“The day and night are yours. You set the moon and the sun in their places.”

Psalm 74: 16

Creator God, we stand today in awesome wonder of your mighty works. You have set in motion the universe and still have time to create a day and a night just for us. You have so ordered the planets in their places and the seasons in their sequences.

Forgive us where we have failed. Strengthen us in our weak places and strengthen us again in the places where we have served you well. Save us from despair because of our spiritual shortcomings. Save us from over confidence because of our spiritual successes. Help us to run from complacency and run towards you daily our Christ, Amen.

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Forever Love

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7

Gracious loving God, remember those today who have covenanted with you and each other to live and share in a forever relationship. May days of comfort outweigh days of challenge. Help them to draw closer to you as they draw closer to each other; and may they live long prosperous lives together.

Today we lift before you couples who are under stress; couples with no openness, no trust, no work, no money, no united front or fierce loyalty to one another. We pray for couples just starting out. Protect them and the love they share. We pray for couples that have been together for a long time. May the love that brought them together grow, flourish and mature with each passing year.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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Read through the Bible in one year. Start today. This month's Bible verses are on the right side of the home page of this site. Remember, there are Love Week messages on our companion site -www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com

More about love is found in my book Swapping Housewives available at your local book stores or just click the Amazon.com link on the site.

Everlasting Love

“Let the morning bring word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way O should go, for to you I lift up my soul” Psalm 143:8

Lord, thank you for loving us with an everlasting love. Your love permeates our very being and guides us through the ups and downs of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Develop in us the character of your Son so that we may love each other with honesty, kindness, understanding and forgiveness. Help us to be a friend who listens, encourages and cares. Help us to be patient with each other’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths.

Forgive us when have let love down. May our love for you be reflected in the love we demonstrate to each other. In Jesus name, Amen.

Love that Lasts: It's Love Week!

This week there will be prayers that are reflective of our love for God and God's love for us. There will also be prayers for those striving to love their neighbors (spouses and friends) as they love themselves.

It is also Love Week on www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. Listen to the daily messages and share with those you love!

Subscribe today and invite others to do the same.

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Texting, Tweeting and Tinkering

“My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all day long, thought their number is past my knowledge.

Psalm 71: 15-16

Almighty and Everlasting God, you have richly blessed us beyond our imaginations. If it had not been for the presence of Christ in our lives, we would have perished a long time ago. You reached beyond the noise of this world to speak to our hearts of your grace and glory. You captured our attention with a love too wonderful for words. We eagerly turn from our texting, tweeting and tinkering ever mindful of the call to be “doers of your word.”

We can’t help but sing of your righteous acts. We sing your praises in our hearts all day long. We sing of your deeds of salvation even though only a fraction is known to us. In Jesus name, we worship you and you alone, not ourselves or each other. Amen

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Praise God!

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you everyday;

Psalm 145: 1-3

Today we praise you our God, Redeemer and King! We praise you for who you are and what you mean to all creation. Thank you for being our protector and provider. Thank you for the community of believers who help us to mature and grow into people of your word.

We pray to exalt you in our living today. May our thoughts, words and deeds praise you for you are more than worthy of praise! Amen and Amen!

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Unwavering Trust

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

Psalm 37: 5

We come today with joy in our hearts grateful for another opportunity to do all to the glory of God. Our spirit sings as we face the challenges and changes in our lives in your presence.

Forgive us when we have spent too much time murmuring and complaining. Deliver us from unwholesome thoughts and unchastened desires. Turn our hearts away from hopeless brooding and faithless reflection.

We commit to you our souls, our bodies and ourselves. Increase our faith as we declare today an unwavering trust that in your steadfast love. We commit to your care the sincere desires of our hearts trusting that you will act on our behalf. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Wrong Things Right

"Arise, O God, judge the earth; for to thee belong all the nations!"

Psalm 82:8

Arise, O God, our hope is in you, for putting right all things wrong, all things misunderstood, and all things that seem futile especially when we are tempted to give up discouraged.

Open our eyes to see through faith that you are at work in our present circumstances. Make us strong and faithful in our service and stewardship towards you. Forgive us when we fall short of the mark...again.

We beseech you on behalf of someone whose heart is burden, whose back is against the wall and whose mind is in turmoil. Thank you that we do not have to stay defeated but can be reborn, transformed and redeemed from defeat to victory in your name. Grant that triumphant experience to someone today. In Jesus name, Amen.

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The Invisibles

O Lord, Our God, forgive us for being invisible men and women who fade into and out of the lives of other people. We slip pass them without a touch. We observe them without being seen. We hear without responding. We become invisible because we are afraid of saying or doing something foolish. We're afraid of rejection or abuse. It is easier to become invisible rather than risk intimacy with others.

Forgive us Lord also for making other people invisible. We refuse to see their side of the story or turn a deaf ear to their cries for help. We self-medicate ourselves so that we become numb to their touch. We are blind to their presence because their needs makes demands upon our time and treasure.

Forgive us of our fears. May your perfect love deal perfectly with us to make visible your love in us and through us. You have sent someone who is Forgiveness who paid the ultimate price. Thank you Lord that we can confess be free. It is in the name of Forgiveness we pray, Amen.

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Read through the Bible in one year!

The Scripture reading for the month of January are on the right side of this blog. Just scroll down and read the Bible daily. By this time next year you would have journeyed through all 66 books of the Bible. If you miss a day....never fear, just pick up where you left off. Come...lets dig deeper and discover the transforming power of God's Word.

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Praise God for a New Year!

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God with my last breath!

Psalm 104: 31-35

As long as I live, Lord, I will praise you with my whole heart. You have blessed beyond measure, more than we deserve. You have sheltered us in your arms and kept us in safety. Your love has shattered our fears. Your grace came daily unearned to lift us over the rough spots we encountered or we created. May your love and compassion touch every heart today, in Jesus name, Amen.

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READING THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR - DAY TWO

Remember to go to the right side of this site and scroll down until you see reading Through the Bible in One Year. The daily reading for the entire month of January are listed. Start today and see what wonders will be revealed in going deeper into God's word.

Silent Night

Nights are rarely silent and holy these days. Lord, help us to carry a little bit of the silence that is pregnant with your perfect peace within us as we meet the busy rush of crowded streets, malls and agendas, tinkling brass and sounding cymbals.

Help us to enter into the chaos with your silence to encourage others to be still and know that you are God. Help us to be holy because you are holy in thought, word, and deed. Help us to have the extra calm so that wars and worries won’t capture us today. Help us to reach beyond our own midnight wanderings to help someone trapped at the threshold of Christmas.

When we come to the door of the celebration, Lord show us how to set down our bags and baggage to reach to the door of a new year. It is hard to open the door while holding on to our heavy burdens. Free our minds, freed our hearts and our hands to grasp your new emerging realities.

And when the night comes, may we sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Merry Christmas to you and your families. Plan to begin the New Year with us for a new discipline: The First 31 Days. Do not lose Christ in the celebration but keep Christ in the center of all you do this holiday season. Share your prayers, prayer requests and prayer experiences at praycation2@gmail.com.