DEAR GOD: You Always Hear My Voice & Prayers~

by C D SWANSON // August 24, 2024 // No Comments

“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 (KJV)

Psalm 116:1-2 is a profound expression of gratitude and devotion. The psalmist begins with a declaration of love for the Lord, rooted in the personal experience of being heard by God. This verse encapsulates the intimate relationship between the believer and God, highlighting the responsiveness of God to our prayers and supplications.

Supportive Scriptures

1 John 5:14-15: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
Philippians 4:6-7: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Jeremiah 33:3: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Visions of How Christians Should Act

Christians are called to live a life of continuous prayer and reliance on God. This verse encourages believers to:

Cultivate a Habit of Prayer: Just as the psalmist commits to calling upon the Lord as long as he lives, Christians should develop a consistent prayer life, trusting that God hears and responds.
Express Gratitude: Recognize and give thanks for the times God has answered prayers. Gratitude strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God.
Trust in God’s Faithfulness: Knowing that God inclines His ear to us should inspire confidence and trust in His faithfulness, even in challenging times.

Moral Thoughts

The moral lesson from this verse is the importance of maintaining a loving and trusting relationship with God. It teaches us that our love for God should be rooted in the recognition of His attentiveness and care for us. This love is not just a feeling but a commitment to continually seek Him in prayer.

Reflective Questions

How often do I take time to thank God for all answered prayers?
In what ways can I improve my prayer life to make it more consistent and heartfelt?
Do I trust that God hears my prayers, even when the answers are not immediate or as expected?

Meditative Takeaways

God Hears Us: Meditate on the truth that God is always listening to our prayers and is attentive to our needs.
Commitment to Prayer: Reflect on the importance of making prayer a lifelong commitment.
Gratitude: Spend time in gratitude, recalling specific instances where God has answered your prayers.

Prayer

“Dear LORD, I thank You for always hearing my voice and my supplications. Your attentiveness to my prayers fills my heart with love and gratitude. Help me to remain steadfast in my commitment to call upon You all the days of my life. Strengthen my faith and trust in Your faithfulness. May my life be a testament to Your goodness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Vision for the Day

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Let this day be filled with the joy of knowing that God hears you and is with you. Rejoice in His presence and let your heart be light, trusting in His unfailing love and care.

God hears our cries! | Bible quotes prayer, Inspirational verses, Bible ...

DEAR GOD: My Solitude Is In Prayer With You~

by C D SWANSON // April 19, 2024 // No Comments

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. – Luke 5:16 (ESV)

Solitude and Prayer in Desolate Places

In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a profound yet simple verse that speaks volumes about the spiritual life of Jesus: “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” This statement, though brief, offers a window into the rhythm of Jesus’ life and the priority He placed on communion with the Father.

The Need for Solitude

The desolate places represent a physical and metaphorical space where one can be alone, away from the noise and demands of the world. For Jesus, these moments of solitude were not mere escapes but intentional periods for reflection, renewal, and intimate conversation with God. In the stillness of these places, free from distractions, Jesus found strength and guidance for His ministry.

The Act of Prayer

Prayer, as demonstrated by Jesus, is the lifeline of a spiritual journey. It is the act of opening one’s heart to divine influence, seeking wisdom, and expressing one’s deepest concerns and desires. Through prayer, Jesus aligned His will with that of the Father, drawing on the source of all power and love.

The Moral Questions

How do we prioritize our spiritual well-being in the midst of life’s busyness?
What role does solitude play in our relationship with the divine?
Are we willing to withdraw from our comfort zones to seek a deeper connection with God?

I am sure Jesus’ words as He told us to go and pray echoes the sentiment of many of the faithful seeking solitude for spiritual nourishment. In the midst of life’s busyness, finding time for solitude and prayer can bring peace to our hearts and clarity to our minds. Just as Jesus went off to pray to the Father -we can draw strength from Jesus’ words, and His discipline to seek the Father in prayer-and from these quiet moments to live our lives with greater purpose and compassion. Have you sought Him in solitude today?

“Dear Heavenly Father, In the quiet of this moment, I seek Your Presence. Lead me to the desolate places where I can hear Your voice. Amidst the chaos of life, grant me the courage to withdraw and pray. May my spirit find rest in You, and my will align with Yours, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

In contemplating the example of Jesus, we are invited to examine our own lives and consider the place of solitude and prayer in our spiritual walk. The desolate places are not just geographical locations but states of heart where we can meet God, undisturbed and attentive. May we find our desolate place, and there, pray.

DEAR GOD: Earnest Prayers Growth In Spirit~

by C D SWANSON // February 1, 2024 // No Comments

Spiritual Growth - 3 Steps to Grow Closer to God

There are many examples of Biblical characters praying in earnest like Hannah, Naomi, and David, and Joseph in the Bible. God hears all of us as we open our heart and pray to Him. Our prayers reach the heavens, and He reacts, according to His time, and will. We mustn’t forget that our Omnipotent Father is true to His children and His love is unwavering. He is merciful and complies with our desires and wishes, when they are all part of His plan and scope of reasoning. Some examples of earnest praying are listed below.

Naomi was a woman who experienced great loss and bitterness in her life. She moved from Bethlehem to Moab with her husband and two sons, but they all died there, leaving her alone with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. She decided to return to Bethlehem but urged her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find new husbands. Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi, but Orpah left. Naomi changed her name to Mara, which means bitter, and said, “The Almighty has made my life very bitter. He has taken away everything I had. The Lord has brought me back empty. The Lord has judged me. The Almighty has punished me.” (Ruth 1:20-21) Naomi prayed for God’s blessing and kindness on Ruth, who remained loyal to her and followed her God. She also prayed for God to provide a husband and a home for Ruth.

God answered Naomi’s prayers by leading Ruth to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s husband, who married Ruth and redeemed their family. Ruth gave birth to a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Naomi’s bitterness turned to joy as she nursed her grandson and praised God for his provision. (Ruth 2:20, 3:1, 4:13-17)

David was a man after God’s own heart, who faced many trials and enemies in his life. He was anointed as king of Israel by Samuel but had to wait for many years before he could take the throne. He was persecuted by King Saul, who tried to kill him several times. He had to flee from his own son Absalom, who rebelled against him and tried to usurp his kingdom.

He also committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband Uriah, which brought severe consequences on his family. David prayed to God with honesty and humility, confessing his sins, asking for forgiveness, seeking guidance, expressing his trust, and praising God’s greatness.

Some of his prayers are recorded in the Psalms, such as Psalm 3, 23, 32, 51, and 139.

David also prayed for his son Solomon, who succeeded him as king, and asked God to give him wisdom and a loyal heart. God answered David’s prayers by forgiving his sins, delivering him from his enemies, establishing his throne, and making a covenant with him that his descendant would reign forever. (1 Samuel 16:13, 24:10, 2 Samuel 7:18-29, 12:13, 15:31, 24:10, 1 Chronicles 29:10-19)

Joseph was a son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He was taken to Egypt, where he served as a slave in Potiphar’s house. He was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. He interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker but was forgotten by them for two years. He was finally remembered and brought before Pharaoh, who had a dream that no one could interpret. Joseph gave God the credit for his ability to interpret dreams and revealed to Pharaoh that his dream meant seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh was impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Joseph prepared for the famine and saved many lives, including his own family, who came to Egypt to buy food. Joseph forgave his brothers and reconciled with them, saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

Joseph prayed to God for guidance, protection, and blessing. He also prayed for his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and asked God to make them fruitful and multiply them. God answered Joseph’s prayers by preserving his life, elevating his position, fulfilling his dreams, and making him a blessing to many nations. (Genesis 37:5-11, 39:2-23, 40:8, 41:16, 41:37-57, 45:5-8, 48:15-16, 49:22-26)

And of course, there is God fearing Hannah, who prayed for her womb to be “opened” as she was barren and wanted to bring forth a child and promised God that her son would be dedicated to Him and she would never bring a razor upon his head or strong drink. And it was granted – 1 Samuel 2:1–10,

Praying by your soul in a manner such as these significant men and women of the Bible not only will bring us closer to the LORD, but it enables our growth in the spiritual realm (by our spirit and life according to that depth) that will catapult and solidify us in a relationship with the LORD that will exceed our usual path of existence. For when we engage fully in trusting Him and loving Him, heart, mind body and soul it makes all the difference in the world and in our lives!

“Father, may I pray in earnest in my spirit to Your ears, may I be humble in every aspect of my life, and adhere body, mind and soul in my requests and my devotion and dedication to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

~Dear God With Love~

C D Swanson

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