I am sure you have seen professional athletes after completing an amazing, or very difficult goal, basket, touchdown or other play, stop and point to the sky, pointing to God. They may not know it, but they are expressing this Latin phrase, Soli Deo Goria which means To God Alone the Glory.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This is truly our mission here on earth, to glorify God. He has given us all skills talents and situations to allow us to do this in our own way. We can do it by sharing Gods love with the poor in the soup kitchen line, or we can do it on national television using amazing athletic skills God gave a few. We should remember it is not how amazing we are, it is how amazing God is.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that all we have came from You, and remember to give you the glory for the great things we can do and the great things we have. In Jesus’ name we pray. Soli Deo Gloria! Amen.

As Christians we believe and frankly we know that God hears our prayers and answers them.

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Never stop praying.”

James tells us in James 5:16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

I know many of you need prayers for help and healing. I pray specifically for those of you whom I personally know are facing struggles. I would also encourage you to let your Pastor’s, churches’ and friends know your needs so that they may also pray for you.

Dear Lord, we know you hear our prayers, we know that you have complete control of all things. Give your physical and emotional healing to all those we pray for now. May their recovery bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:7-8, “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Pagans do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

This text is followed by Jesus explaining to pray what we now call the Lord’s Prayer.

I timed myself praying the Lord’s Prayer, and it took 25 seconds.

In Matthew 26:40, Jesus scolds the disciples for not being able to stay awake while He prayed for “only one hour.”

If God already knows what we need, and we do not repeat our requests over and over, what does one do when praying for an hour? Maybe most of the time is to listen for God’s answer and guidance.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that prayer is our connection to you, not only for us to talk to you, but for you to talk to us. Help us take the time to quietly wait for your messages. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A very close friend passed away many years before she should have. It is a painful tragedy for her friends and her family.

It seems impossible to know what to think and what to say. We can, however, pray for, and comfort those who suffer as a result.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3,4, “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Please join me in praying for comfort to the family and friends of my friend Kim.

Dear Lord, you are the source of all comfort, hold closely those who suffer as a result of this tragic loss. Give them your peace to endure and the strength to overcome. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think we all encounter situations where people we know in our churches, workplaces, or family complain and expect the worst, using one small negative experience as an excuse to expect everything that follows to be terrible. I call it the Chicken Little mentality, after the children’s story about the chicken who was convinced that the sky was falling because one acorn fell on his head.

The solution is to put our focus and faith on God.

This situation occurs in the book of Exodus, while the Jews are leaving Egypt, and Pharaoh’s armies are chasing them. Exodus 14:11-14 says, “And they turned against Moses, whining, “Have you brought us out here to die in the desert because there were not enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Isn’t this what we told you, while we were slaves, to leave us alone? We said it would be better to be slaves to the Egyptians than dead in the wilderness.” But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch, and you will see the wonderful way the Lord will rescue you today. The Egyptians you are looking at—you will never see them again. The Lord will fight for you, and you won’t need to lift a finger!”

The subsequent verses tell the story of the parting of the Red Sea and destruction of Egypt’s armies.

One leader, with his faith in God, overcame their Chicken Little mentality.

Dear Lord, help us be the faithful leaders in our churches, families, and workplaces that overcome the fears and negativity over others by putting our trust in you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.