Shirlee Abbott

The When of Prayer

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

The Bible is clear.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
Pray continually.

Pray. All. The. Time. Easier said than done.

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Morning Prayer: Thanks for Listening

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for already being everywhere I will go today. You hear my prayers when I’m at home, on the road, at work, shopping, even when I’m running away from my problems. Teach me to turn to You when I’m worried, bored, excited, exhausted, scared, angry or resting. Dear God, thanks for listening–all the time.

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The Where of Prayer

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Where to pray?
Here, there,
everywhere.

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

Anywhere I can be, God already is. And He’s listening.

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Morning Prayer: A-C-T-S

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. You are good, I am not. I’m selfish. I’m greedy. I want the best for myself. Thank You for giving me more than I need. Teach me to willingly, gratefully share what I have with others, in Jesus’ name.

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The What of Prayer

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

What to pray? Anything, everything.

The what of prayer usually falls into one of these easy-to-remember categories:

A – adoration (praise God)
C – confession (be honest)
T – thanksgiving (be grateful)
S – supplication (ask)

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God.

God’s heard it all before. Nothing is off-limits.

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Morning Prayer: Praying for Others

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. You tell us to “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). You know, O God, that I avoid praying for certain people, the folks who annoy me, the ones who can push my buttons with a few words. I don’t beg You to bring disaster on them, but truth be told, I don’t want You to bless them either.

Grant me the self-discipline to pray for their spiritual wellbeing, simply because You say I should. They are created in Your image, same as me. You love them, same as me. Make a difference in their lives, Lord God, as You have made a difference in mine.

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The Who of Prayer

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Prayer isn’t a monolog. You speak, God listens. God speaks, you listen.

But as Paul points out, prayer’s not just you and God.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.
Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf,
and give thanks for them.

Our prayers can include anyone, everyone. Even folks we don’t know or like.

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Morning Prayer: God Hears

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. No matter the time, no matter my mood, no matter my location, You listen to me. I don’t have to wait for You to finish something else, I don’t fear interrupting more important work, I don’t have to wait my turn.

The whole notion that You, Creator of the universe, have time for little ol’ me is amazing. You keep the world spinning, You hang the stars in place, and You care about the details of my life. I am astounded, humbled and grateful.

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The Who, What, Where, When and How of Prayer

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Later his week we’ll look at the four Ws of prayer. Today we’ll look at the how.

Prayer is a conversation with God. We speak to God with our words. He speaks to us through His Word (the Bible). But there’s more.

We pray in songs. Words thoughtfully sung to God are prayers.

Finally, we talk with God through our thoughts. He hears our silent prayers.

Psalm 139:2 (AMP)
You understand my thought from afar.

Likewise, God speaks into our thoughts. Recognizing His voice a learned skill–better with practice.

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Meek (Better than Gold)

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Peter 3:3-4 (KJ21)
When adorning yourselves, let it not be that outward adorning … of wearing gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price.

God treasures a meek and quiet spirit–which is probably why the world doesn’t.

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