pray more

photo credit 

"I'm going to pray more."
It's been said before, and often. How did that go?

I can understand the prayer-less life of a person who has never experienced the power of prayer. But to those of us who have experienced the miraculous, the spectacular, the awe-inspiring power of prayer, we have no excuse. What possible excuse could we give to the God who gives all to us?

It has been in my personal time of prayer that I have grown in faith. For it takes faith to believe that God is who He says He is. It takes faith to believe that God hears my prayers. It takes faith to believe that God cares for the words I say. It takes faith to believe that He will answer, guide, and provide. It takes faith to believe that He has a plan, a purpose, and a will for all my petitions, concerns, and thoughts. And so with every prayer lifted to Heaven faith is increased, and my fears, doubts, and unbelief are shattered. 

Yet, if I only pray my benefit, than I have lost the greatest reward of all... I've lost Christ. It has been those moments that in prayer God speaks to me that have transformed my faith. Prayer is more than simply speaking, it's also about listening. I think this is why so many (myself included) claim to have prayer lives but are found spiritually malnourished. After all, Jesus did say that He is the bread of life. He longs to feed us as we pray.

Hunger for a transforming prayer life. 

Purpose with me to expect the miraculous. 

Purpose with me to seek spectacular conversations with God. 

Purpose with me to be inspired by His silence as much as His words. 

Purpose with me to pray more. 

Lyrical Friday - Wonderful

sunrise worship with friends / South Beach, Florida

oh happy day!
Yesterday I cried. Out of frustration, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of failure. In that vulnerable hour I had to make a phone call that devastated me. A good friend answered the phone and at the end of our conversation she prayed for me. Its crazy how immediately after sorrow was removed, and replaced with peace and laughter. That's when I burst out singing, " Creator... Sustainer... Abba... our Father.." but I couldn't think of the words in between.

We live in the time of the googles, and I found the song. Sure in enough, its a song I have played on shuffle many times from my phone. Brenton Brown is a present day Psalmist with a great ability to mix words and music to the tune of our hearts. The lyrics of Wonderful lifted my spirit and connected with the prayer I had just received. God had seen the need of my heart and faithfully met me there. He is Wonderful!

My prayer for you is that your strength would be renewed through the Psalm that inspired the lyrics, and the lyrics itself. May you long for the Lord and His courts, His presence, and His voice. With loving-kindness the Lord is drawing you to Him, respond with shouts of praise.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, 
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring; 

The rain also covers it with pools. 

They go from strength to strength; 

Each one appears before God in Zion.  

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed. 

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. 

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God 

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; 

The Lord will give grace and glory; 

No good thing will He withhold 

From those who walk uprightly.  

O Lord of hosts, 

Blessed is the man who trusts in You! 

Psalm 84:5-12

Wonderful, Brenton Brown


Creator, sustainer
Our hearts were made for You
Our Abba, our Father
The home we're running to 

Drawn by Your kindness
Held by Your grace
Your generous mercy inspires songs of praise

Wonderful, wonderful
You're the one thing that we need
How we long for Your house
For the healing that it brings

Protector, provider
The God who calls us friend
Our shepherd, our shelter
We turn to You again

Drawn by Your kindness
Held by Your grace
Your generous mercy inspires songs of praise

Wonderful, wonderful
You're the one thing that we need
How we long for Your house
For the healing that it brings

Beautiful, beautiful
More than any other thing 
We were born for Your courts
For the presence of the king

You're all we need Lord
Jesus, our hearts were made for You
You're all we need Lord
Jesus, no other God will do
You're all we need Lord
Jesus, our hearts were made for You
You're all we need Lord
Jesus, Jesus

you will sing

In that day you will sing:
“I will praise you, O Lord!
You were angry with me, but not any more.
Now you comfort me.
See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in Him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
He has given me victory.”

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!

In that wonderful day you will sing:
“Thank the Lord! Praise His name!
Tell the nations what He has done.
Let them know how mighty He is!
Sing to the Lord, for He has done wonderful things.
Make known His praise around the world.
Let all the people shout his praise with joy!
For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

Isaiah 12