2 Corinthians 12:7-8 - ...Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
These words were written by Apostle Paul and for a long time, they made me scratch my head. Why would the Lord send someone or something to "torment" him? Why would such a great servant of God have to repeatedly ask to be free from his tormentor? It's hard for me to believe that this happened to Paul because he was being punished. It's not impossible, just hard to believe. So, we come back to the original question - why the need for the tormentor.
Over time, the Lord kindly opened my eyes to understand a few things. God will give His faithful servants something to endure, a tormentor of sorts. His servants have to rely on His grace to get through. They can't lean on their own understanding or prior experiences. One way the Lord clarified things to me was through an experience from a few years ago.
I was on a trip to a nearby state when a serious rain storm came out of nowhere. It was around 8pm at night and suddenly, visibility was zero. I couldn't see any cars on my sides, ahead or behind me. I turned on my hazards. While I could see a pair of flashing red lights in front of me, because of the amount of rain, I couldn't adequately gauge how far it was. Yet, I couldn't stop as I was on a highway and stopping would have meant an accident. I also couldn't pull over as I wasn't sure whether a car was beside me.
All I could do was keep going, trusting the Lord would bring me through the storm. And, glory to His name, He did.
This is what it means to rely on His grace when a tormentor, a test, or a trial arrives in your life. Don't stop moving with the Lord. Don't stop trusting Him. Definitely don't pull over. Move forward, relying on your Creator.
And this is a reason why God will allow for a tormentor in our lives - to teach us to rely on Him and Him alone. These experiences are never easy, but they are meant to teach us lessons, toughen us up, and equip us to serve Him in some way or another. If we switch our perspective, we'll realize God won't put us through something we are incapable of getting through victoriously. So, if He says you're up for job, you're good! Trusting in Him is the key to get through. I know He's teaching me this and I pray you will receive this message too.
May the Lord continue to help each of us as we deal with the tormentor trying to test us. May His grace remind us that He will never forsake us, no matter the trial we face. For He has promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, IJMN, Amen.
Here are some helpful older P&P posts:
Trust God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 30, 2020
Being Tested - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) September 29, 2020
When Things Go Wrong - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 13, 2020
Muscle Memory - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) January 26, 2021
Wait on God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) May 18, 2021
Viable Seeds - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 29, 2021
He is For Me - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 10, 2021
God's Discipline - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 16, 2022
The Tormentor - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) October 7, 2022
From BI- Almighty God, I come to You praying against gun violence. Lord, bind up the wounds of all who suffer from gun violence, those maimed and those that are grieving. Bless them with Your presence and transcending peace. Lord, help us to remember we are all Your children, created in Your image. Bless Your children with the courage to put down weapons and pick up the word of God. Lord Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, make all men, women and children witnesses of truth and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace. Bless Your children with the strength to not give in to the fear that nothing can be done. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with Your children all over the world IJMN Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, please take all the glory for this hour of fellowship. Thank You, once again, for bringing us together today. I call on You to please receive our praises as a sweet-smelling incense and our may our prayers be pleasing to Your ears. IJMN, Amen.
On behalf of today's participants, I lift up 2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Father, I pray for Your grace and peace in the lives of Your people. That as they experience any tormentor, Your blessed presence will enable them to hold onto You and come out as a worthy vessel for Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
So, have you ever felt like Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12? Did you think there was something or someone sent to torment your life? Did you pray to God for help but saw none materialize?
Paul's experience is a reminder that God puts us through experiences for our good. Imagine, although Paul didn't enjoy having to deal with the tormentor in his life, the result was he heard from the Lord. And what did God say? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
That might not be what you want to hear when you're dealing with a tough situation, but God wants each of us to rely on Him. He requires us to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). He never promised it would be easy, but He promised that no matter what, He'll be right by our side (Isaiah 41:9).
Today, let us recommit ourselves to trusting the Lord and waiting for His grace as we deal with anything that torments us.
Jehovah Shalom, thank You for being the God of all things. Our Father and our Defender. Dear Lord, You have allowed us to face different trials but we thank You for no matter what Your word remains true. You are faithful to save and Your plans for us are for good and not evil for we love You and are called according to Your plan.
Grant us grace, dear Lord, to remember that in the tough times, we need to keep moving with You. We need not stop, pull over, or slow down, but keep our eyes on You to go forward until You get us to our destination safely. IJMN, Amen.
Lord, our Savior Jesus noted that we human beings will not believe without seeing signs and wonders. Lord, we know this is not good and I repent on behalf of myself and others who are this way. Father, please have mercy and wash us clean of iniquity, IJMN, Amen.
Still, what the Savior said was true, God. And so, I lift up John 14:11 - Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Sovereign Lord, in Your mercy, let people see Your works. That the unbelieving will believe and the unseeing will see. There are so many who have not experienced Your goodness and do not believe it can ever touch them. God, please, I cry out for a change. That hearts will clamor for more of You not just for miracles but for a genuine relationship with You. And that hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh that beat for You, IJMN, Amen.
*From BI* - Almighty God, I come to You praying against gun violence. Lord, bind up the wounds of all who suffer from gun violence, those maimed and those that are grieving. Bless them with Your presence and transcending peace. Lord, help us to remember we are all Your children, created in Your image. Bless Your children with the courage to put down weapons and pick up the word of God. Lord Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, make all men, women and children witnesses of truth and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace. Bless Your children with the strength to not give in to the fear that nothing can be done. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with Your children all over the world IJMN Amen.
Father, we rely on You for guidance.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 nkjv
Great God, we cry out to You, He who formed our innermost being (ps. 139:13) and knows our spirits (prov. 20:27). Please speak to Your children and reveal to them what they need to know. May Your people heed Your wisdom and be blessed.
IJMN amen.
From sis @MamaFatCheeks - Good morning and Happy Friday! Just checking in before infusion. Give my love to the Peppers!
*From AW* - Today I'm praying for a sick friend "FS" dealing with a mystery illness that has yet to be diagnosed. I am trusting God for a favorable outcome.
*From BGB* - Thank you I really needed this. My boyfriend and I going through some major issues, I hope we make it through. I've been praying for a sign to stay or leave and maybe this is the sign. I'm just confused, weary, and everything above. I know if it's God's will we'll remain. Guys please keep me in your prayers.
🎶 called out music -- no better day
King Jesus! Hello, my Lord.
Praise be to God, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19). My King, I place before You, the matters of those who are being plagued with worries about issues in their lives. Mighty One, let it be that Your words are soon fulfilled in their lives, since as You have spoken, so it shall be. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Lord, please help us to rely on Jesus and to rest all our hopes in His Holy Name. For in so doing, we rely on You, the King of kings and the ultimate authority. Help us to not feel self-dependent but to humble ourselves before You God, IJMN, Amen.
PRAYER
Got the name of people you're praying for? Or will you be praying on issues such as your school, your nation, the poor, the sick?
Whoever or whatever you are praying for, the time is now.
Let us pray for others.
*From AC* - Abba, this is the day that You have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it! To you I give all glory! In Jesus' name. Amen!
Today is a Fred Hammond get your praise on, day over here
Thank You for life, good God. You who are worthy of our praise go out of Your way to bless each of us and we are grateful.
Thank You for Your grace and for being the Lord who allows His "sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45).
Thank You for showing kindness to all!
Hallelujah!
From PBS - THANK YOU JESUS FOR CALVARY!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR TAKING MY PLACE ON THE CROSS!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR DESTROYING ALL OF THE ENEMY’S POWER!
THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE KEYS OF VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESURRECTION!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR BREAKTHROUGHS, MIRACLES, BLESSINGS, LOVE, AND ETERNAL LIFE!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR NAME THAT IS ABOVE ALL NAMES!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR UNIFYING US WITH THE FATHER.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Thank you Lord! Oh magnify the Lord, He is Worthy of All Praise!
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 -
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for all You have done for me, all You are doing for me and all You are going to do for me. All glory, honour and power belongs to You my Abba Father.
From AW - Father God, thank you for seeing my family through many challenges this year. We could not have done it without your grace and mercy.
Guys, the Lord is talking to me today through music and I just have it on my heart to share this with you all. If this song is meant for you, please just thank the Lord Almighty. This is a promise for you. His dreams for you are coming.
It’s a been a long time coming
I almost gave up
I spent a long time running
I almost lost hope
But glimpses of the future kept that fire burning deep inside
Your words of affirmation let me know that I was right on time
I just had to surrender my dreams for Yours
I just had to surrender my will for Yours
Cause Your dreams for me are bigger than I can imagine
Your dreams for me are bigger, yes they are
Your dreams for me are bigger than I can imagine
Your dreams for me are bigger, yes they are
Spent a long time fighting against these odds
Spent a long time doubting if I was good enough
But glimpses of the future kept that passion burning deep inside
Your words of affirmation reminded me I’m a child of God
I just had to surrender my dreams for Yours
I just had to surrender my plans for Yours
What You have for me is for me
And can’t no one take that away, that away
The plans You made for me are perfect
So I will trust You and obey, and obey
From AW - Hey y'all. I'm so weary today.
I had oral surgery earlier this week. I was in pain for 2 weeks before the surgery (waiting for a surgery date to open up), so that's 3 weeks of pain. Today it's hurting so bad I can barely think straight.
I'm still here and will be joining you all today, pain and all.
God, I want to thank You for answering one of my prayers yesterday. Thank You for working all sorts of miracles out for me yesterday. You said Yes when the devil said no and despite all the obstacles You made a way.
Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Amen!
PRAISE
Ready to give God praise for what He's done?
Ready to worship Him for who He is?
Well, get to it!
Don't let the tormentor slow you down.
*From IDQ* - Good morning everyone! Father God I will continue to follow your guidance. I am grateful to see another day! Beautiful prayers from everyone this morning. Have a great Friday. God bless you all!
*From CD* - Good Morning & Happy Friday Family,
Today, I am purposing to remain in peace because God gave it to me and no one, NO ONE can take it from me...only I can give my God-given peace away!!
Just keep going, He will get you through!
*From K* - Good morning, as always I am forever grateful to GOD for another day. I won't be able to make it today, my husband is in the hospital, he had a seizure, please pray for him.
*From B2* - Good morning, P&P family! May all of you have a blessed, beautiful day! Thanks, Plunderer, for today's message, it resonates with me. @PBS I touch and agree with you in Jesus' mighty name.
I pray that I will be awake to join in fellowship today!
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
From AC - AMEN!! Thank you for this message sis. My husband and I just LITERALLY finished having a deep hr long convo about this exact same subject. I had to call him over just now to read him this message. Don't you just love it when God gives you confirmation?! Thank You Abba! You are worthy of all praise!
In agreement with our darling sis PBS I also love to reference the book of Daniel - and Isaiah as a reminder of God's promises when I am in the midst of a storm.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2
Thank You Abba, for walking with me through fire and flame. For guiding me through uncharted waters. For the divine breakthroughs and victories. For always being by my side and never forsaking me. Thank You, Lord! For everything the tormentor has meant for evil, You have turned it around for righteousness and good. Hallelujah! Abba I give You all honour and praise. Amen! Amen!
See you all tomorrow at noon, God bless!
*From PBS* - Hey Sis Plunderer lol I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to share these thoughts…even though I tell myself I’ll remember for later, but unh-unh, I might forget :laugh2
I love Daniel 10:10-20 as a reminder during those trying times—that there are things happening in the spiritual realm that our natural eyes don’t see in the physical…and how weary, frustrating, and daunting it is to only focus on what we see/naturally sense, AND have to rebuke satan from snatching the faith and trust in God’s promises through discouraging thoughts, people, injustice, out of the blue situations, etc.
The more I’m growing in the Lord, the hotter satan becomes and his attacks are relentless in these last days…but what I discover each time is whenever I press into the Lord, seek/praise/trust/worship hope in Him, with the joy of the Lord wrapped about me like a lifeguard float that I may have to physically fight to hold on to, there is always a blessing, lesson learned, miracle, breakthrough…something hugely beautiful and loving that appears, and it sweeps in and overtakes everything painful and negative that preceded them.
So, Jesus saying this John 16:33 verse and declaring this over us to the Father before we were even born, just catapults faith to the next level.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
HALLELUJAH!!!
The armor of the Lord gets stronger, wisdom/discernment/understanding are sharpened, and the spirit, soul, and body are renewed, strengthened, assured, and refreshed.
Lord, You are Amazing and surpass all time and reason. Thank You for Your Salvation, Deliverance, Goodness, Grace, Mercy, Power, Presence, Justice, Favor, Love, Prosperity, Peace, Holiness, Glory, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Healing, Wholeness, and all that You are!!!
With You, we will ALWAYS have the victory over EVERY storm…THANK YOU JESUS!!! :heart:
((Hugs see ya tomorrow))
*From MALM* - Thank you for sharing. I’m touched. I know better but haven’t done better. Enough is enough and it’s time for a change. THANK YOU LORD! HALLELUJAH!
Mark 16:17: Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
While I'm not going to wade into the debate of whether genuine believers need to be baptized in water, I am going to continue talking about the need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit of the Lord. God wants each of us to want the gifts and keys He has handed to us for our good.
So many of us call ourselves Christians but haven't encountered the Holy Spirit. We can't afford to continue walking through life - a literal battlefield - without our Guide. We spend more time listening to Waze and Google Maps, meanwhile, God has given us the ultimate GPS for life and we aren't opening ourselves up to that privilege.
We each need to desire the experience the first Christians had on that Pentecost following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 2 gives us a vivid description of the encounters God's people had. A wind. Flames of fire. People speaking in different tongues!
We need the mark of Christ upon us - Holy Spirit - even more desperately now. Look around you. Do things look like their getting better? Satan has taken over so much of this world. You think money is the solution? It isn't. Power and connections are irrelevant. If they were, the richest people you've ever heard would not be fearful of losing everything in an instant. And believe me, that is their state of mind. Their money, power and connections would keep them from sickness and the grave.
But you have the chance to live a life free of affliction and filled with the voice of God as a constant friend and helper. A partner whose job it is to get you to heaven at all costs!
Why don't we say a short prayer together? Let's open our hearts to God's love...
Lord Jesus, as You gave Yourself totally for me, I repent of my sins and call You to wash me clean. I now choose to give myself totally to You! I declare that I now belong to You! All that I am and all I have is Yours! I choose to live my life in covenant with You. Amen.
I also cry out to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jut as Peter and the other believers received, I also want to swell up with Holy Spirit. IJMN, Amen.
If you said that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the Body of Christ! You may not feel different yet, but God's going to switch things up for you. Hallelujah!
Please study the Bible so you can learn what it takes to obediently walk with the Lord. Try reading the Epistle of John, the Book of Acts and the Book of Romans. I pray they build your faith and understanding. Join a church congregation (in person or virtual) and dive into the goodness of God. Ask God to lead you to the right church for you and thrive in His grace!
May the Lord bless and keep you! Welcome into His love! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
Check out bit.ly/2TUlalj for more.