Many of us think of the Lord and immediately focus on what He can do for us. This is why we typically focus on our personal needs when praying. This isn't bad, per se, because we are told to ask so that we may receive in Matthew 7:7. Also, we are instructed in Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (NLT). As Christians, we are therefore accustomed to taking our concerns to the Lord and focusing on them alone.
And so it is easy for us to ignore Ephesians 5:10 which states, "find out what pleases the Lord." How many of us have taken the time to seek God's face to know what pleases Him? And if we have, how many of us have actively put those things into effect on a regular basis to please our King? And if you still aren't convinced, consider Ephesians 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. If we consider ourselves to be Christians who believe in God, then we have a responsibility to find out what makes Him smile and understand what He wants.
Now, ask yourself the following: what do I currently do that pleases God? What can I do to make Him happy?
All Cornelius did was give generously to the poor and pray regularly (Acts 10:2). Those steps were enough to please the Lord. If you are a regular participant in this gathering then you know that giving God praise honors Him and it is His will for those of us who believe (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Same with saying prayers of intercession for others. Then, there is the studying of God's word in the Bible and applying its wisdom each day (Psalm 1:1-2). Psalms 33:5 tells us that our Lord loves it when we are righteous and act justly towards all. Putting our faith to work also pleases our Heavenly Father. Lazarus's sister, Mary, pleased the Savior by taking the time to sit at His feet and learn instead of busying herself with other things (Luke 10). Jesus also told us that we should forgive others when they offend us.
These are just some fundamental things that please God but there are many more. God has made these accommodations available so that everyone has multiple ways to make Him smile. And the more we do so, the more we please Him, The more we please Him, the more our prayers are answered and we witness His miraculous power around us. And as we grow in such grace, we become like King David, a man whom God said pleased Him. So much so, that despite all of David's errors, he was the king of Israel that the Lord held up to every successor as the example to follow.
God bless you.
To learn more on this topic, please read these related messages:
CLOSING PRAYER
Praise be to You Heavenly Father! Once again, You've faithfully brought us to the end of another Praise & Pray (for others). We are grateful for bringing us together despite our being on different continents, time zones, and states.
You are our great and mighty God. Bigger than the biggest. Stronger than the strongest. You who put all others to shame.
Thank You for everyone who participated in today's fellowship. Lord, please remember them for serving You this day through their praises and petitions. Let it be considered righteousness unto them and may it rise as a sweet-smelling incense to You, Mighty King. I pray their lives glorify You and that You will be pleased with them. IJMN, Amen. Hallelujah!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you will continually renew us physically, spiritually, mentally, financially and emotionally. I pray that when we grow weary we are reminded of your promise in Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10,13. I pray that we will continually be strengthened by your Word and promises in your Word ijmn. Amen
From M22 - Abba I pray for the sick and recovering. I pray that your healing power permeates every inch of their body. I pray that you will heal them beyond technology, surgeries and medications. I pray that you will coordinate the eyes and hands of surgeons to carry out successful surgeries IJMN amen!!!
I pray for medical staffs that work around the clock to improve patient outcomes. I pray that you will strengthen them and help them rest in your comfort and authority. I pray that you will uproot every spirit of weariness and fatigue from their lives. I pray for perfect health for everyone of them. I pray for better wages and benefits for them moving forward IJMN. I pray that you will clear all of their student debts equally IjMN amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
We've talked about pleasing God repeatedly in this fellowship and I believe the Lord keeps pointing us back to this topic because it bears repeating.
It is easy to forget that we need to please the Lord because we get distracted by all the tasks we have to complete each day. And when we have a little spare time, all we want to do is relax for a bit and catch up with the world around us. That leads to doom scrolling on social media, searching for something to watch on our streaming channels or cable TV, or getting on the phone with our friends to chat the stress of life away.
However, God is the stress reliever we need and the more we focus on what He wants from us, the more we start to do things and they become a regular part of our existence.
So, if you haven't taken the time to consider the two questions posed in today's message - What do I currently do that pleases God? What can I do to make Him happy? - now is the time.
Ask the Lord to give you understanding of the one thing you can do to make Him smile each day. When the Philippian church sent help to Paul, he called it "a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18). Thus supporting those in need (Paul was in prison) and those who teach (he was the apostle over their church) is equally pleasing to the Lord.
Father, please help me. I want to know what pleases You and make pleasing You a key part of my life each day. Help me, dear Lord, to keep this in mind when I wake and when I go to bed. You are my King and deserving of all my attention and love because You loved me first. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you will continually renew us physically, spiritually, mentally, financially and emotionally. I pray that when we grow weary we are reminded of your promise in Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10,13. I pray that we will continually be strengthened by your Word and promises in your Word ijmn. Amen
From M22 - Abba I pray for sis @FFJ that you will continue to increase her in supernatural favour, wisdom and the anointing of the holy spirit. I pray that you will continue to enlarge her coast. I pray that you will bless her, her family, her loved ones, her Business and interests beyond measure. I pray that you will continue to steer her as she grows this community IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for myself and my siblings that you will continue to prune, renew and transform us as we progress through this year. I pray that the Fruits of your spirit will overflood every inch of us and fill us up. May w continually be burning vessels for your infinite glory. Help us to continually seek and honor you diligently and consistently. Abba please guide and direct us always. We pray that you will continually supply all of our needs through your glorious riches IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people that are uncertain about the next steps to take as the progress through this year. I pray that you grant them supernatural peace of mind, clarity and discernment to heed and recognize your voice and instructions. I pray that you will loudly and clearly show up for them so they are led by You and You alone Abba! I pray that every spirit of confusion and deception is uprooted by the blood of the lamb IjMN amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for workers and entrepreneurs. I pray that you will bless the works of their hands. The book of Colossians says in everything we do, we should honor you. I pray that these individuals honor you in every work they do whether big or small. I pray that you will bless them and multiply them. I pray that you will open up doors of opportunities for them IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you will shower us Peppers with supernatural peace of mind, favour, mercy, wisdom and the anointing of the holy spirit. I pray that you will supernaturally deliver and restore us IJMN. I pray that the heavens will open over every one of us and our loved ones IjMN. I pray that you will open doors of opportunities and blessings that no man can shut. I pray that at the end of 2024 we will look back and give you unlimited gratitude for carrying us through this year. IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for couples waiting for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful healthy babies that they will nourish and nurture in your ways. I pray that you will put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs, difficult adoption processes. IjMN Amen
From M22 - Heavenly Father I pray for children across the world. I pray that you will continue to shield and preserve them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you will nourish and nurture them spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally and in every way possible. I pray that they are attuned to their kingdom calling, position and gifts early on so they can fulfil their purpose and advance your kingdom here on earth! IjMN amen.
Our Father, I pray for our fellow P&P participants and call on You to kindly meet them at their point of need. Some seek healing, others financial security. Still others seek happiness and joy.
Whatever it is they are in need of, I know You are the God of provision, Jehovah Jireh. With You, nothing is impossible. As such, I call on You, my God, to step into the lives of Your children and give them the blessings and victories they need.
My El Gibbor, I call on You, dear Lord, to overthrow everything in their lives resisting Your promise, purpose, and plan in their lives. You who created them will complete what You have started in them to Your glory. Nothing and no one compares to You and Your power, so I place my prayer subjects before You, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I pray for individuals, families and communities affected by the global inflation crisis. I pray that you will open your storehouse of abundance over their lives. I pray that you will supply all of their needs through your glorious riches. May they never know lack in their lives moving forward. May their barns and storehouses be overfilled with provisions IjMN amen.
PRAYER TIME
One reason why we praise before we pray is because we are instructed to enter His presence with praise and thanksgiving. When we do those things, we create an atmosphere that pleases God.
And then, we can make our petitions.
So, as we have praised our King, now is the time to pray for people.
No lazy prayers are allowed in this zone, folks.
Sharing a praise point from sis @theultimaterush from three years ago -
"Thank You Lord for being a constant in our lives. I thank You that You handle our tomorrows so that we can handle today. Thank You for making promises that remain true no matter what time or space we are in."
Promise-keeping God! Covenant Keeper!
How can I thank You adequately? Let me use Your own words -
Genesis 9:15 - I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of every kind...
Genesis 28:15 - Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Nehemiah 1:5 - Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments...
Glory be unto You!
Merciful God. Thank You for the grace You afford us. Thank You for loving us despite our failures and sins. You who are steadfast and true.
Thank You for building us up with Your love. Thank You for You will never leave us and Your plans for us are for good and not for evil. Amen.