The patient nature of God is explained in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Although we've likely heard that scripture too many times to count, do we really understand what His patience means?
From our perspective, the Lord seems slow to punish but that is one way to comprehend His patience (2 Peter 3:9). He kindly gives people ample time to choose Him, so much so, that the wicked begin to think there will be no consequences for their evil (Zephaniah 1:12). However, His patience is an opportunity to spare many from an eternity in hell. Sadly, they're often too stiff-necked to realize before it is too late.
Another key way the Lord displays His patience is in how long He waits on us to figure out His word has already been spoken concerning our lives. Covenants and promises made long before we were born. All assuring of His love and the great inheritance He's apportioned to those who would have confidence in Him. He's just waiting for us to believe what He said because without that faith, we'll miss the miracle making a beeline our way.
It is easy to think God is slow to keep His promises. We may think He has delayed in fulfilling His word in our lives. But what if the person who's been slow and the one who delayed was...you?
God is waiting on us to believe He is faithful and to trust Him. He wants us to study His word and know that He poured out His compassion, love, grace, mercy and more through it. He is waiting for us to believe He is able. He is waiting on us to have faith that He will do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. He's waiting on us to ignore that voice of disbelief and fear that chokes out faith. He wants us to take a Jairus Stance and believe the word Jesus spoke in Luke 8:50 - ...Don't be afraid; just believe...
Walking in faith isn't easy but God is determined to help every person that is willing. When our confidence in Him fractures, we must speak out like the father in Mark 9:24 who cried out to Jesus, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." And we must be like the disciples who said, "increase our faith" in Luke 17:5. The Lord enjoys answering our prayers. He understands we are mere mortals and so it is in our weakness that His power is displayed (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May we all realize that we simply need to believe without a doubt that God is faithful and will do what He has said He will do. He will help us to continue to serve Him (Philippians 2:13). We must repent when we sin, listen to His Holy Spirit, and choose to be guided on His path of righteousness. Through Jesus, we have overcome the evil one. We are more than conquerors by our testimony, the blood of the Lamb, and our lack of fear of even death (1 John 2:13; Romans 8:37; Revelation 12:11). Our miracle shall surely become tangible and IJMN, we shall be like those who proclaimed, [w]hen the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed (Psalm 126:1). Amen.
And as we allow Him to help us in our faith journey, He will patiently persevere for our hearts, minds, and bodies. Waiting on us to believe Him fully in all things.
To learn more, please read:
Trust God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 30, 2020
Patience - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 5, 2021
Patience: A Fruit of The Spirit - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 6, 2021
Frustration & Impatience - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) April 27, 2021
Trusting God When Things Go Wrong - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 1, 2023
Show God You Trust Him - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 20, 2024
Holding On To The Promise - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) April 19, 2024
From MFC - Loving Lord, there are so many things that are just not how they should be in our world today. I know that it grieves You that Your children are not more engaged in prayer about these atrocities. Father, I want to be a part of the change. I may be just one person, but with You, I know I can move mountains. Please give me Your compassionate heart, the eyes to see situations from a spiritual perspective, and the words to pray over them. Amen.
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FINAL MESSAGE
It will be Thanksgiving Day this Thursday in the US.
I want to encourage us all to take some time that day to give God an extra praise. Matter of fact, give Him some praise right now!
Praise Him for who He is and what He's done. Praise Him for all He will do for humanity and yourself.
We can never praise Him enough, you know?
May the good Lord give you cause to shout a praise to Him alone always, IJMN Amen.
See you on Friday, same place, same time, by His grace.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, once again, in Your grace and mercy You've brought us to the end of another hour of fellowship. Glory be to You now and forever!
As we go our separate ways, I call on You to bless Your children. Let Your word remain in them and their eyes be turned to You. Help them to walk in the confidence that You will never abandon them. May they always know that You are their Defender and they need not plot vengeance for it is Your job to avenge all wrongs. IJMN I pray, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today, we will combine three scriptures as we pray for ourselves.
Mark 9:24 - "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
Luke 17:5 - "increase our faith."
Zephaniah 3:17 - "...With His love He will calm all your fears..."
Father, You are worthy of all my trust for You have proven Yourself faithful repeatedly. Therefore, God, I pray for healing and that You will help my unbelief. You did not plant it in me and the Bible teaches that everything the Father did not plant will be uprooted. Therefore, uproot unbelief from my core, oh Lord. Increase my faith so I stand firm in the midst of the noise and chaos around me or that tries to stir up within me. Your word tells me that with Your love will You calm all my fears and I hold onto this and every other promise that is for my benefit now and forever more, IJMN, Amen. Thank You, Lord Almighty.
From RN - I'm the only one holding myself back from receiving my breakthrough. Amen <3
From MFC - Happy Thanksgiving Peppers! I pray that you all are doing well. With my work schedule, I have been unable to join live for a long long time. Our family has faced tremendous trials this year, But God! We give thanks for the faithfulness the Lord has shown through job changes, car trouble, and health challenges.
Today's word really blessed my spirit, thank you @FFJ.
It brings to mind the story of the fishes and loaves. Jesus tasked the disciples to feed the crowd. Yes Jesus provided the miracle blessing and the disciples followed the call. Because the disciples were obedient, they were able to carry forward the miraculous work through the methods placed in their hands.
Thank you Heavenly Father for endowing us with the strength we need to pray for others, even in the midst of our trials and weakness. Dear God, thank You for including us in Your amazing work. Please take whats in our hands and do wonders with it. You are our King of Kings, the God above all. Whatever our trial, we can take comfort knowing that God is near to our broken hearts, because our God is faithful.
"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his. We are his people." Psalm 100:3
Lord, You have promised that the hungry shall eat and be satisfied (Psalm 22:26). Around the world are reports of increased food costs, food insecurity, drought and flooding wiping out agriculture.
The poor, the hungry, the desperate need You, Lord.
In this season, I call on You, great King, to destroy the tools causing famine, hunger, desperation. Let people eat and drink till they are filled. I call for miraculous provision and blessings to Your glory, my King.
You who will have mercy and show compassion where You deem fit (Exodus 33:19). Mercy, Lord. Let Your blessings rain down. And as we raise our praises, may the earth yield her increase, IJMN, Amen. Lord, Provider of Manna, we look to You!
@NalanaJ raised the issue of finances, so I pray -
Lord, You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider of what is needed. You are the giver of all good things and today I place before You those in need of finances.
Haggai 2:8 - The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
God, the devil thrives in making people think that they cannot access what belongs to You. But, You are the God who gives. In fact, Psalm 23:1 states, the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want.
And so, I bring before You those in this fellowship seeking financial help from You. I call on You Lord to open the door that cannot be shut for them. May they access the silver and gold that You have for them, breaking every basis the devil has used to keep them from what is theirs. Lord, Your word indicates that when the thief is found it must pay back seven-fold, even if it be the last wealth of its house. I decree that what was stolen be returned seven-fold. I call on You oh Lord to break every chain, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people waiting on you in this season. I pray that you will increase them in supernatural patience as they wait on you for their desires. I pray Father Lord that you will fulfil their desires according to your will for them. I pray that your promise in Isaiah 40:31 will come to pass in their lives IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for countries across the world that have been ravaged by war, famine and natural disaster. I pray that you help them rebuild and restore everything they have lost. I pray that you will accept the souls of the departed in your hands. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of the government, ministries and agencies to work for the best interest of citizens IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those looking for shelter and their next meal during this holiday season to be blessed with libations and shelter. I pray that You Lord lead them to a safe place so that their needs can be tended to. I pray that You watch over them Lord and they take You as their refuge. I pray that You give them the strength and courage they need to keep going and You provide them with opportunities to heal and get back on their feet. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for couples waiting on the fruit of the womb. I pray that you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray as they wait on you, they will not make their desire an idol. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful and healthy babies that they will nourish and nurture in your ways. I pray that you put an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IjMN Amen
Heavenly Father, I thank You. Praise be onto You, Redeemer. The One who speaks and it is done. Glory to Your name!
Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Father, waiting is hard and so many of your children stumble under the weight of the wait. Then the devil takes advantage of that season, and tries to dissuade them from continuing their journey with You.
But, I know You can do all things and Your purpose cannot be thwarted.
Therefore, God, I come to You on behalf of the weary, the ones who are waiting, the ones who are teetering on the edge of giving up. Heavenly Father, remember Your word in Proverbs 13:12 and fulfill their longings. Quench their thirst that they be revived and refreshed as they wait on Your appointed time. May they in turn do the needful and remain in You that the times of refreshing will come upon them and overtake them, by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I thank you for this wonderful family of Christ. Thank you Father for being us together biweekly to honour and glorify your name. Father Lord I pray that you continue to strengthen us and I pray that every part of us is sensitive and obedient to your spirit within us. I pray that you will continue to bless us and expand us IJMN Amen
Glorious God. You are the living God and You endure forever; Your kingdom will not be destroyed, Your dominion will never end. You rescue and save; You perform signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth (Daniel 6:26-27).
Mark 3:27 - In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.
Lord, the devil thinks it can hold onto those whom Jesus died to set free by binding them in strongholds.
However, You are the Mighty God who set the captives free. Your righteous right hand is forever at work!
Therefore Lord, we declare the destruction of strongholds against Your people. We bind and destroy every strong man and declare that even those deemed lawful captives are released from bondage, IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I lift up orphans, widows, widowers and single parents at your feet. I pray that you will continue to hold their hands as they navigate each day. I pray that you fill them up with your spirit and they are led by you. I pray that you silence the voice of the accuser in their lives. I pray that you give them supernatural wisdom, knowledge and understanding they need to walk through each day. Father Lord I pray that you open doors of opportunities for them and help them to walk through it with the assurance that your provision is infinite for them. I pray Lord that they will never deviate from your plan and purpose for them IJMN Amen
PRAYER TIME
Take some time to think of who to pray for, if you haven't. Then, lift up that person, place, or issue to the Lord.
Cry out to God others, putting your own desires to the side. This is our opportunity to trust that God is indeed faithful. That though we aren't praying for ourselves, the God we pray to will nevertheless fulfill our own personal needs.
From M22 - I lifted this prayer from a wonderful book I am currently reading.
"Dear Lord, I'm so glad that I'm a child of God. I'm so glad I'm saved. I'm so glad I have been born
again. I don't feel anything—but that has nothing to do with it. My inward man is a new man. My inward man is a new creature in Christ. I want to thank You that not only am I born again—but I am filled with the Holy Spirit. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit reside in me. I want to thank You for that. Hallelujah!"
From M22 - Thank you Father for being patient with us. You love us so much you don't want us to perish. You love us so much that you have given us the holy spirit to reside in us vwe bless you for your generosity towards us. Your richness in love and mercy is unmatched. We exalt your name. IJMN Amen