Thank You Lord!

"I will lift my eyes to you whose throne is in heaven."

Psalm 123: 1 (REB)

We lift our eyes today to see your handiwork from the first blush of dawn to the first blush of spring flowers who seem to be blooming out of time. We are amazed again as you transition us into a new season.

We stand in awesome wonder as birds migrate to new nesting places in the north and other animals shake off the sleep of hibernation. In these brilliant days of early spring, we see your creativity and feel your presence in the unusual warmth of the air.

May we never be in such a hurry to handle the business of this day or any day that we neglect to take the time to observe the beauty of your creation and be thankful!

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THE LENTEN JOURNEY; YEA THOUGH I WALK

Remember to keep your gratitude list going. Everyday write down the people, places and things you are grateful for. Take a moment for a thanks break...thanks God for the things on your list. Pull the list out whenever the events of the day sap the thanksgiving right out of you!

Go to www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com for your daily Lenten devotion. Keep up at www.twitter.com/vashtimckenzie.

Fresh Courage

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4: 8-9

I remember the awareness of the spirit of God that sought me out in my aloneness and gave me a sense of assurance that undercut my despair and confirmed my life with new courage and abiding hope. Amen

Howard Thurman

Let us pray:

Give me everything I need today Lord, to face critical challenges, crises and change! Amen.

THE LENTEN JOURNEY: YE THO' I WALK

Remember to read you daily devotion at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. Keep up at www.twitter.com/vashtimckenzie. Increase your prayer time to three times daily, dig into God's word and/or do the Daniel Fast.

First Light

"In the morning, O Lord, hear my voice. In the morning, I lay my needs in front of you, and I wait." Psalm 5:3

Orchestrator of the Universe help me this morning and every morning that you grant me life, to come to you in the quiet of dawn's early light, before caffein, rush hour, the opening bell, the punched clock, the Tweets and texts while there is a hush all over the house. I come before I take on too much of the day or before the day takes too much out of me. I come before you to hear Your voice behind me telling me which way to go.

I present myself, my soul and body as a reasonable sacrifice. I bring you praise and thanksgiving before I lay my needs before you. I bring the possibilities of the day and ask you to use it for your glory. I bring whatever patience I can gather to wait, wait to hear your voice in every matter.

Heal the wounds of the past so that I do not bleed over everyone today. Pick up the chards of my broken dreams and bring them to life again. Pour into me a love that will not faint in the challenge of everyday life. In Jesus name, Amen.

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THE LENTEN JOURNEY: YEA THO' I WALK

There is till time to take advantage of an intense prayer experience during the season of Lent. We're moving towards Resurrection morning in April by increasing our prayer time, digging deeper into God's word, read the daily devotion and/or doing the Daniel fast. Let's see what God has to say to us during this season!

Daily Lenten devotions are at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. Share your thoughts or prayer experiences in the comment section.

The Forgotten

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them-- they are counted among the blessed in the land-- he does not give them over to desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness."

Heavenly Father,

As the seasons are changing, we see many of our brothers and sisters on the streets exposed to the elements-- Lord be their shelter when they have none; be their provider when others fail-- be their resource, giving them everything they may need. Let them not be forgotten on today.

Lord, touch the hearts of those who may come across those who are less fortunate then themselves this season and allow them to show themselves friendly. Make ways for those who need you to be able to find strength in you. Proctect them dear Lord from sucumbing to trials and times of trouble.

Deliver us; Equip us; Empower us; Rebuild us; Help us being a blessing to others in this season and have kinder regard for those who can not do for themselves.

And God, bless those who are sick on today-- sick with pneumonia, sick with colds and influenza, sick with diabetes, cancer, and other illness that have riddled our bodies. Bless those who are ill and restore their bodies even now. We lift up our loved ones who need you to be a healer on today. Restore them; Heal them and keep them.

In your name we ask all these things, Amen.

Jasmine Saint Jean

Empowerment Temple AMEC

THE LENTEN JOURNEY: YEA THO' I WALK

Take the journey or start the journey today! Just increase your prayer time to three times daily, start or continue the Daniel Fast and go deeper into God's Word. Be sure to pray daily the Lenten prayer and read the daily Lenten devotion at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com

Weather The Storm

Father God, Today I am afraid. I look around me at this world that is changing so fast and I feel lost like a small boat in the midst of a storm. I am not built to weather the battering waves or the howling wind. So I wait now in your presence. You spoke the oceans and the four winds into being. You threw the stars in the sky and separated the sea from dry land. You took the hand of Peter who was sinking into the depths of the water and walked him to safety. I choose now to fix my eyes on you and not on the storm. I settle my heart on your love and not on the current that threatens to pull me under. Thank you that you are my firm anchor even through the darkest night, Amen

From Sheila Walsh author of "Let Go"

THE LENTEN JOURNEY: YEA THO' I WALK

It's hard to believe that Holy Week is just two weeks away. There is still time to join the journey while we have Calvary in sight! Just read the daily devotions at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com, the prayers on this site, increase your prayer time and/or join the Daniel Fast. Share your prayer thoughts in the comment section!!

The Work is all Divine

Father God,

Your work is all divine. I thank you for all the work you have done on me and through me. I truly desire to pursue my purpose to your honor and your glory. I thank you dear Lord that you know my heart, you know my desires, and you know your plans for my future.

I will keep on pressing to reach the place where you want me to be. I have made mistakes. I have done and said the wrong things at times in my life. I have gotten off track. I thank you that I can hear your voice when you call me back on track. I pray that all of the women of God will answer when you call them to their purpose.

I bless your name as I walk in the authority you have bestowed on me. I ask you God for your blessings, your guidance, and your supernatural power as I pursue my purpose in life. Grant me the clarity to recognize that you are preparing me to step into the fullness of my purpose. I pray that you grant me the steadfastness and the fortitude to not turn back.

Lord, please strengthen me in my weak places, heal me in my broken places, and deliver me from my sinful nature. Where there is fear Lord, I ask that you replace it with power, love, and a sound mind. Knowing the depth of your love for me, there is no way I want to cause you grief by being stubborn or disobedient.

I love you and I thank you for sending your best to me, Jesus the Christ. And so, I commit to giving my best to you. I commit myself to the building of your kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. Lord, thank you for giving me a purpose. In Jesus’ name I say thank you.

In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.

This Reflective Prayer was taken from Chapter 1 of “Our Savior, Our Sisters, Ourselves” Biblical Teachings & Reflections on Women’s Relationships written by Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning, Co-Pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Fort Washington, MD.

Perpetual Praise Psalm

"Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever."

Psalm 145:2

Lord, we bless you and praise your name forever! We cannot stop thanking you for the gift of life in good times or times of challenge. Out of our mouths flows the sacrifice of praise as we bless your holy name forever.

We lay our burdens at your feet along with all doubts, fears, worries, uncertainties, and failures. We release to you our stresses and strains so we can rest in your powerful presence. We give ourselves to you again. Forgive us Lord so we can grow beyond the sins that so easily beset us.

Strengthen and sustain us to be a perpetual psalm of praise of your wondrous works through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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THE LENTEN JOURNEY: YEA THO' I WALK

During the Lenten Journey, lay your stress, strains human strategies at the feet of Jesus. You cannot add a single hour to your span of life by worrying. (Matthew 6:27) Lighten your load and become a perpetual Psalm of praise!!

During this season, increase your prayer time, join the Daniel Fast and read the daily Lenten devotion at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com. Let know you are on he journey with us. Share your experiences in the comment section.