Many think the answer to fear is faith. The idea is that if someone's faith could be stronger, they wouldn't have any fear. While that may be true, please consider a slightly different hypothesis. What if another answer to fear is love? Specifically, God's love.
Look at 1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
When fear has become a dominating emotion in a person's life it is because they are unaware of the depths of God's love for them. The average person has been conditioned to expect heartbreak in their interactions with others. They've been let down by friends, businesses, political and religious leaders, to name a few. They don't believe that anyone can be consistent or truthful. They see everyone as a liar, a cheat, and a source of potential disappointment.
They view God through this perspective, ignoring that He is not a man that He would lie (Numbers 23:19). Plus, as many don't study their Bibles, they are unaware of the love letters it contains. They, therefore, know little of the Lord's commitment to them. They have no idea that they are the apple of God's eye or that He has promised to keep chasing them.
Most people don't realize the walls they've put up because of the heartbreak they've experienced. Those walls limit their ability to fully experience love, even the love God wants to shower them with. However, if they let God pull those walls down they'd be surprised what He will do.
Personally, it wasn't until I was in a true relationship with God - studying the Bible regularly, worshiping, and more - that I learned what love was. He kept showing up in the tough moments and I became convinced that He was head over heels in love with me.
As I became convicted of that knowledge, the fear satan had used as a weapon against me had less effect. I trusted that the lover of my soul would show up and show out on account of me no matter the situation. Over time, this allowed me to sit back and let Him do the heavy lifting rather than me constantly seeking out solutions to problems. And as time progressed, fear continued to disappear. Sure, I'd jump when a family member crept up behind me to play a prank. I'm still a work in progress, but the irrational concern that nothing would go well or that my prayers wouldn't be answered lost its impact.
Many of us need to open our hearts to receive God's love. We need to understand that He's not interested in hurting us. He desires to love us with an unimaginable intensity. We have to be willing to let go of the walls we've put up because as we experience more and more of God's love, the crippling fear sent by the devil will evaporate. That arrow of fear presents as anxiety, insecurity, self-doubt, and self-hatred. God's love for us is freedom from all of this and more. He wants each of us to be showered in love.
The Bible states repeatedly that His love endures forever, meaning, He doesn't love today only to ignore tomorrow. He plans to love you forever. So tell the Lord you want to experience His perfect love which chases all fear away.
To learn more, please consider:
GOD Loves You - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) March 30, 2021
Abounding in Love - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) October 15, 2021
Love One Another - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 19, 2021
Love (P&P 100) - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) November 9, 2021
Don't Forget God's Love - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 24, 2021
Fear of the Lord: Love & Generational Blessings - Praise & Pray (for others) Friday March 11, 2022
God's Love Trumps Fear - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) May 3, 2022
How do you love? - Praise & Pray (for others) October 4, 2022
FINAL MESSAGE
I hope you enjoyed Praise & Pray today. I know I feel refreshed and ready for whatever might come my way. Only because the Lion of the Tribe of Judah stands before me and is all around me. His love surrounds me.
I pray you feel the same. If for some reason you feel down, please remember that God is He who is spoken of in Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Know that you can't rely on yourself so cry out Him. Play worship music, pray, read your Bible, do anything to put that spirit of unease at bay.
And please remember 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Let us also continue to pray for one another so we help our brothers and sisters in Christ as instructed in Ephesians 6:18.
God bless you all!
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for once again bringing us to the end of another hour of fellowship. Father, I pray that our praises and petitions rose as a sweet-smelling incense to You.
Lord, I pray for today's participants according to the word in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. Dear God, help each one by making them worthy of Your calling. I pray that by Your power, You oh Lord will bring to fruition their every desire for goodness and their every deed that has been prompted by faith. So that Your name oh Lord and the name of our Savior Jesus Christ will be glorified.
And may they come to be enveloped in Your loving embrace and become familiar with it. So that no matter the circumstance, they know they are loved and need not fear the challenges that come their way.
IJMN Amen.
From AW - Hey y'all! Sorry I'm late. I got caught up working on a school assignment. Today I feel compelled to pray for those believing in God for home ownership.
Father God, I come to you today on behalf of those individuals and families who are diligently praying for a house. Please grant them strength and endurance during this time of waiting. Help them keep their faith strong and trust in your divine plan, knowing that you have a beautiful home prepared for them.
Provide comfort to those feeling anxious or discouraged while they wait for their prayers to be answered. Surround them with your peace and reassurance that you haven't forgotten about their needs. Let the journey of finding a home strengthen their bond as a family and draw them closer to you in times of uncertainty. Thank you for hearing our prayers and working all things together for our good. IJMN, amen!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Did you ask the Lord to show you His perfect love yet? If not, join me in praying the following:
Lord, please forgive me for dealing with You and thinking of You as if You were a mere mortal. I sincerely apologize and ask You to forget my iniquity.
God, I know now that You love me tirelessly and are always running after my heart. I accept Your love, Almighty God. I accept it full-heartedly.
Help me to rest in that knowledge because then the devil cannot use fear as a weapon against me and I will walk in Your wonderful peace.
Let me experience Your rich love and bask in it. IJN, Amen.
fROM M22 - Abba Father I commit sis @FFJ into your hands. I pray Abba that you will continue to expand her territory. I pray that you will continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, favour and the anointing of the Holy spirit. I pray Abba that you will provide for and protect her, her family and her loved ones. IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba Father we pray that you will continue to order our steps for the rest of the week. Your word in Proverbs 16:9 says we make our plans but your order us. I pray Abba that you will continue to Supernaturally guide and direct us IJMN amen.
Sovereign Lord, thank You for what You have done for Bro S. The waiting is never easy but You are the God who will not deprive the blameless of any good thing. Your word is that You have answered prayers before we uttered them and that You hear us even as we speak. But most importantly, You have committed to never allow Your children to be put to shame. Therefore, thank You for keeping Your word on Bro S's situation.
All glory belongs to You and You alone for what You have done!
Hallelujah!!!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people in the waiting season. I pray that your promise in Isaiah 40:31 comes to pass in their lives. I pray that you will continue to strengthen their faith. I pray that you uproot every spirit of fear from their hearts and fill them up with your supernatural peace in Phillipians 4:7 IjMN amen. May they testify 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 -Abba Father I pray for couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. As you answered Rachel, Hannah and Manoah's wife. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful babies. I pray that you will put an end to cycles of failed IVFs, miscarriages and difficult adoption processes IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. As you answered Rachel, Hannah and Manoah's wife. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful babies. I pray that you will put an end to cycles of failed IVFs, miscarriages and difficult adoption processes IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba Father please forgive for us for every way we have been ungrateful. Forgive us for falling into the comparison trap. Help us to be content with what you have blessed us with even if we want much more. I pray Abba that you align our needs, wants, desires and expectations with your will for our lives 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 Peppers that you will continue to strengthen, transform and renew us. I pray that you will continue to supernaturally deliver, restore and increase us on all sides. I pray that you will uproot whatever you have not planted in our lives. I declare your blessings in Phillipians 4:19 and Deuteronomy 28:12 over us. May we never grow weary according to your word in Isaiah 40:31. May this year end in praise for us all Amen!!!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for children across the world. I thank you for shielding them from violence, harm and abuse. I thank you for nourishing and nurturing them to maximize their potential. Thank you Abba for helping them stay rooted in their kingdom positions and use their Kingdom gifts for your glory. I pray Abba that you will continue to increase them in wisdom, knowledge and understanding IjMN amen.
Father, we lift Your Holy name. Praying for the strengthening of Your children's faith in You. You are the Lord who has always done the incredible. Because of Your Spirit in Him, Peter's shadow healed the sick and napkins pressed to Paul's body rid people of foul spirits!
We call on You to continue to be magnified through the feats You do in the lives of people everywhere.
Let there be an outpouring of testimonies to Your glory. Indeed, your word is that The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:9)
Let the latter days of the lives of Your children shine as a reflection of Your might and mercy. Their bodies are Your temple, God in accordance with 1 Corinthians 6:19.
IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Ebenezer for your grace upon me and my siblings. Thank you for being our father and mother. Thank you for transforming us and renewing us. Thank you for speaking for us where we have no voice. Thank you for everything you have done, you will do and you are yet todo. We collectively exalt you in Jesus name! Amen!
PRAYER TIME
It is time for us to seek the Lord's face in prayer and supplication. Let us honor His instruction contained in 1 Timothy 2:1 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.
Know someone who needs something from God? Mention it here using that person's initials or whatever else and we'll join in praying for them.
If you have a prayer request, drop it in here so we can lift it up before the Lord.
Please do not deny us the opportunity to pray for you and yours. We are blessed when we do so.
Let us pray...
Thank You Lord for loving us. Thank You for showing us what love truly is. Thank You for loving us first.
Take all the glory, God!
fROM wiw - Present! Did my praise n pray today.
Hallelujah!!!
Thank You great and mighty King for You are the God of Promise! Thank You for making us heirs to Your grace and wonder. Glory be to You oh Lord. You have rained down blessings and gifts upon us.
From the air we breathe to the fact that we can fix our eyes on You in this moment...
Father, please take all the glory as we laud You for being You. He who is mighty in battle. He who destroys the devourer for our sake. He who the 24 elders and the four living creatures praise over and over.
If they can praise You continuously, we can surely shout a Hallelujah for You!
Hallelujah!!!!!!!
From M22 - Thank you Abba Father for your infinite grace. Help us to focus on you no matter what!! Helo us to trust in you even in the midst of uncertainties! Amen!
Heavenly Father, thank You for life. The air that flows through our lungs came from You and we're grateful You gave it to us.
Thank You that our hearts continue to beat and that our bodies function as they do. May our hearts praise You continuously for this and every other mercy You have so graciously shown us.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
ALTAR CALL
At each Praise & Pray (for others) gathering, I invite participants to give their lives to Christ and accept Him into their hearts as their Lord and Savior.
Today, I'd like to share the following scripture -
1 Timothy 1:15-16 - This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them, but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life (GNT).
Jesus died on the cross because of the love He and the Father have for each of us. He died because our sin created a distance from the Lord and allowed satan to have authority over our lives and where we'd end up after death.
Give your life to Christ and experience the reconciliation you need to have with God. That reconciliation is just a step toward the freedom you need from all the things seeking to keep you from enjoying a better life filled with God's fullness of life and His goodness. A life that you will navigate with Him, holding your hand and leading you to reside in heaven forever when your eyes close on this side of reality.
If you would like to be born again and receive the Holy Spirit, please say this prayer out loud -
Jesus. Thank You for dying a painful death on the cross for my sins. I admit I am a sinner and repent for all of my sinful ways. Thank You for Your sacrifice washes me clean and takes me out of the devil's clutches and into God's embrace. From today, I commit to follow You and to let You lead me to my Lord so I may be seated in heavenly places with You. Thank You for caring so much about me, IJN, I pray, Amen.
As you've prayed, you've dropped the yoke of sin satan placed on you. You are now a bona fide child of God. It is time to give Him thanks!
Now please make prayer a regular part of your life. It is simply you talking to the Lord. Also, please start reading the Bible and ask God to make it come alive for you. It holds all the answers you need. Get water baptized as quickly as you can and ask God to lead you to a church of His choosing.
To learn more about the faith and find answers to some questions you might have, check out this handy page - How to have a stronger relationship with YHWH God! And consider watching this series on the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
PS: If you've got questions about the New Life with Christ, shoot me a message. I trust the Lord to guide our convo.
Glory to God!
Let us praise the God of the Promise!!!
He is steadfast and true. We might not feel particularly blessed at the moment for one reason or another, but if we set our emotions aside, we'll realize the Lord has done so much for us and He is worthy of our gratitude.
Psalm 136:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
Please join me in honoring the Ancient of Days. The God of incredible feats. He who contends with those who contend with us.
Jehovah Jireh - the Provider.
PRAISE TIME
Come down, Holy Spirit. Fill the atmosphere with Your great, heavenly presence. Lead us as we fellowship in glory to the Lord.
Psalm 68:20 - Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
Welcome guys! It's time to worship our Redeemer. He is the source of our purpose and our blessings. He is the one who created us and has an abounding love for each of us.
Think of what He has done for you. Have you heard of or read any testimonies lately? Thank Him for these things. Let your heart perk up. 2020 has been tough for all, but God has shielded His own and continues to rescue. Even in the roughest moments, there is a reason to praise our Savior.
With that said, Let's get ready to praise over the next 25 minutes!
From M22 - Thank you Abba for your unending love towards us. Thank you for your limitless love in Romans 8:38-39. Thank you Abba for life, mobility, shelter, grace, abundance, provision, protection and much more. Thank you for your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for holding us up by your mighty right hand according to your word in Isaiah 41:13. We exalt you Ebenezer! Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . Today's word is powerful as always and it's definitely worth reflecting on as we move forward this year. Fear is something that I have always allowed to affect me and even recently I have had to deal with the consequences. I just really pray we all realize every waking day how much God loves us. I know life is so up and down right now but I want us to be reminded of Gods promise for us in Romans 8:38-39. And like sis @FFJ said, God's word is a love letter to us so we can turn to scriptures like Psalm 139 to remind us of how much God sees us and watches over us. I pray that we will continue to be wrapped up in his love. Amen!!!