PRAYER FOR THOSE UNJUSTLY ACCUSED

Good Morning, on this beautiful day in Spring. However, there are those whose beauty does not shine due to lies told about them and their inability to bring truth to the situation. While we have been talking about praying specifically so that the Lord can answer us with solutions to our precise needs, I won’t identify one lie above another in order to protect their privacy. I encourage you to insert your own needs, and those of your loved ones, into the prayer at the heart symbol, therefore praying with exact needs in mind. My heart goes out to several people who are constantly dealing with the lies of another. You know others who are under the same type of shroud. Come my friends, the Lord knows who they are. Let us flood heaven with our prayers as we lift up the names of our loved ones, who are unjustly accused. Please pass this prayer request on to everyone you know. Let us pray:

“Oh loving father, God, author of truth and love, we praise your holy name. May your kingdom come to dwell in my heart and in the heart of the one unjustly accused ♡, and in the heart and life of the accuser. We pray that you will give strength and hope to those about whom lies have been spoken that hurt, harm, and intend to destroy. Lift them into your light, that they may be above the lies and safely cradled in your loving arms. And, for this time, we also pray earnestly for their accuser. May your truth shine so brightly in their life that you reveal the lies, and the speaker of false witness, for who they are. Cleanse the false words from their heart and tongue, oh Lord. Forgive them and cleanse their soul, for they are surely speaking falsehoods, therefore breaking one of your sacred commandment. Woo to them, oh Father. Let them clearly see their wrong doing so that they can speak truth in the presence of others on behalf of the one who bears the brunt of their lies. May there be no doubt in the accuser’s mind and heart that it is you who calls for truth. For all of these blessings, we thank you, dear Father. And to you we give all praise and glory. In the name of Jesus, your son, our savior we pray. Amen.”
Doris
Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

According to MSN Encyclopedia, Encarta, Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was a missionary in the 5th century who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. It is said that Saint Patrick used the shamrock, because of its three leaves, to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to the Irish people. The shamrock is now the national emblem of Ireland. Legend says that Saint Patrick also drove the snake out of Ireland, but others say, there never were any snakes on the Emerald Isle. Perhaps the snakes were in the form of the serpent who tempted Eve in the garden and merely a descriptive way of remembering the non-Christian practices before the people’s conversion. According to Encarta, “celebrating St. Patrick’s Day has been a tradition in the United States since 1737, when the Charitable Irish Society of Boston organized the first St. Patrick’s Day parade. New York City’s parade began in 1762. St. Patrick's Day was even acknowledged by General George Washington during the American Revolution. In 1780, during the Continental Army’s bitter winter encampment in Morristown, New Jersey, Washington permitted his troops, many of whom were of Irish descent, a holiday on March 17. This event is now known as the St. Patrick's Day Encampment of 1780.” Now, people of many religious beliefs celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.

It is said, on March 17th, everyone is Irish, with the wearing of the green which is reminiscent of the glorious lush emerald countryside of Ireland. For Christians, I believe it is a time to think about how many people we have brought to Christ. As I said, since Saint Patrick may have used the shamrock, a three leafed clover, as an object lesson, I would like to encourage us all to wear a shamrock tomorrow on Saint Patrick’s day and tell at least one person that the three leaves of the shamrock can represent the Holy Trinity, continuing to witness to others on behalf of our Lord. Let us pray:

“My loving God, father of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I bow before you, for you are holy. All the angels of heaven sing your praises and I open my heart to hear those songs each day. I ask you to receive my willing heart, oh God, to spread the message of your love, grace, and salvation to all those I meet. Give me the courage to speak out about your Son and the presence of your Holy Spirit in my life, by pointing out the little clover on my lapel. Forgive me when I have not seized the opportunity to speak out for you due to my own reticence. I give my quiet voice to you as well, that you may speak to others without my even being aware. For all your gifts and blessings, I humbly thank you and praise you, for only you are worthy of praise. In the name of, and by the power of, your sweet son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

SPRING FOLLOWS WINTER

After every Winter, a fragrant and lovely Spring follows. A maple tree in our front year is sending out new buds, announcing a refreshed life is beginning. Even the hard rain we had yesterday, that soaked the ground, has filled the streams nearly to overflowing. God is kissing the earth with evidence of his blessings.
If you watch much TV, you know that our country is slipping into panic. While we cannot control Wall Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, or even the little lane we live on, God can be in control of our home and our lives.
These are uncertain times, but we can be positive about God’s love and grace. We can claim His peace and certainty by asking him with a believing heart. Let us pray:

“Dear Abba, Father, your name is like the song of a rushing stream in our ears. May your kingdom come swiftly and find us waiting for you beside the brook. We know that the world has chosen chaos, but we do not depend on the world for our strength and hope. For this day, oh Father, we ask for the peace and calm that you have promised those whose mind is stayed on you. Forgive us when we have shown fear because we know that others look for you in us. We pray that we will always have your face before us and all the peace that shines from your countenance. And, Father, place those in our path who also need peace and freedom from fear. May we say something or do something that will bring peace to them. We pray that we do not know who the one we’ve touched is, when, or under what circumstances it happens, so that we may not be tempted to boast. We pray that you, oh God, will receive all the praise and glory. In the name of Jesus, our Savior we pray. Amen.”

Doris
Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

With a small amount of pride, I’d like to wish my daughter, Amanda, a Happy Birthday. With six children and nine-and-a-half grandchildren, many months include family birthday celebrations. Only three months ago, the world celebrated the birthday of the king, Jesus Christ. Now, during our recognition of Lent as we approach Easter, we as a nation are moaning under financial uncertainty. What short memories we all have! We praised God for the gift of Salvation through Jesus, only to say, “What are you doing for me now, God?”

We as Christians, do not base out religion on the death of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We base it on the resurrection of the Son of God on Easter Sunday and the promise that Christmas had foretold. Let us celebrate Christ’s birthday every day, with the same hope and promise and expectation that we experience during Advent. Also, we’re not Good Friday People. We are Resurrection, Easter People. Now, I remind you that we also need to live as Advent People, every day - full of joy and peace and light and color and hope and thanksgiving. The birthdays of family and friends can remind us of the precious gift of life, both in this world and the next. Yes, our finances have been rattled at this time. My friends, a great deal of what we think we need, is just fluff with no substance. Use these difficult times to focus on what is real, on helping others. Happiness is not a goal. Happiness is the by-product of the way we live our lives!

Happy Birthday, my friends, for you can be reborn each day, by the power of Jesus’s love that you accept from God and then share with others. Today and every day, is the beginning of a new life for all of us. Live responsibly, as joyous children of the Lord! Let us pray:

“Father, God, Holy, Holy, Holy is your name, not even spoken by our religious ancestors. May your throne be planted firmly on the solid ground of Christ’s promises that we hold in our heart. Oh what joy beyond speaking that we experience when we draw near to you. May your Holy Spirit direct our ways, not only during this time but always. We ask you Father, for your peace and joy. We lift up those who have lost their jobs and fear they will lose their homes. Place those in our path who need reassurance of your love and salvation so that we may be used by you to shine through our humanness and send rays of warmth and love and hope upon them. Forgive us when others only see our whining, our fear, our distrust, and our lack of stewardship of that which you have blessed us. We want to be Advent/Easter People, People of the Way. Give us strength and courage to be used by you, Lord. We don’t even want to know how or when, so that your presence may not be clouded by our pride. Thank you, thank you Father, for your son Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”