Ephesians

Thank You for loving and caring for me. I come today with a deep concern about the condition of my heart. With the issues surrounding us today in America, I find it too easy to become cynical and unloving.

The divisions we face, the distrust between us, the unbelievable loss of our humanity makes it more difficult…and more imperative I look to You every day for purpose, hope and security.

The problem is I find it all too easy to lose sight of this truth. You have said, “…we struggle not against flesh and blood..” our enemies are the spiritual forces of darkness in this world.

Help me have the heart of Jesus…help me remember the everyday people around me are lost and deceived. Correct me when I forget!

AMEN

Scripture: “We struggle not against flesh and blood but…against the world forces of darkness…” Ephesians 6:12

I have fallen short so many times…but You are always there to lift me up and put my feet on solid ground. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me.

The rich and powerful of our country have walked away from You and have led so many astray. My heart breaks at the path many Americans have chosen. It is the easy way…go along to get along…but it leads to destruction and ruin.

Our coarse and selfish culture has hardened us to one another and created deep divisions among us. We are acting as if we no longer need You. We walk in darkness and hopelessness. We need You desperately. Reveal the way back into Your presence.

This very moment, cleanse me and make me part of Your solution.

AMEN

Scripture: “Though you were once far away from God, now you have been brought near to Him because of the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13b

You wisely established families with an internal authority structure designed to provide physical, spiritual and educational wellbeing of children.

Today’s “woke” elites have attacked the family structure, abandoned basic education for social indoctrination and are attempting to remove parental authority from the nurture and development of children. As a result, we have created a demographic of young adults confused, hopeless and increasingly suicidal.

Nowhere is this effort more evident than in the fruit of Silicon Valley’s efforts to isolate, groom and to normalize sick, evil behavior.

I’m thankful that there are signs parents are awakening to the deranged attacks that scream from our streets, “We’re coming for your kids”.

Thank You for giving them courage in the face of vicious attacks from teachers, the FBI and the media.

AMEN

Scripture: “Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Scripture explains our hope of escaping the penalty for our careless approach to You is not based on our merit.

Merit is specifically rejected. We are guilty. We cannot earn an “innocent” verdict.

Here I’m obsessed with merit, but You are focused on grace. I’m obsessed with equal opportunity, but You stress equal respect.

“All men are created equal” does not mean we all have equal assets or abilities. It means we’re given equal respect by You when we come to the cross of Christ.

No matter how good or bad…how rich or poor…how powerful our earthly connections…no matter how disdained by mankind…we’re all invited to the King’s eternal feast.

You teach we’re gifted differently but we all have equal access to heaven.

Help me share this Good News.

AMEN

Scripture: “You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.” Ephesians 2:8-9

In America it is nearly impossible to spend any time on social media, entertainment, or listening to the news without being bombed by offensive language. Communication not designed to advance any logic or make any point of fact, but rather to intimidate.

Both sides of society are guilty of fouling the airwaves and desecrating our communication with words intended only to shock and silence attempts to address the issues or add a dose of reality. This has even invaded our pulpits. We are without hope of healing our divisions if we cannot lower the volume of our conversation and listen. The “Well, they…” approach will not suffice.

Father, we cannot heal our country’s divisions without You. Start with me…help me respect others, listen first and speak with grace and love.

AMEN

Scripture: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29

How can one found guilty of failing to keep the law be found innocent before the court of law?

Is it possible that I, guilty of violating God’s just standard, can escape the death penalty and be found by the Creator of the law; innocent?

The answer is a resounding, “YES!” …IF…I acknowledge both my guilt and my inability to repair my breach of the law.

Then, God, Himself will step down from heaven and in response to my confession, pay the death penalty Himself; declare my innocence, and set me free to spend eternity…not under the curse of death; but in the joyous presence of the one who paid my debt…Messiah, only begotten Son of God.

“Thank You,” is totally insufficient for this forgiveness.

AMEN

Scripture: “so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift and not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:7-9

I am committed to praying daily the prayer for America I receive…but what more am I called to do in this spiritual battle for the soul of America?

The 2 minutes daily I commit to calling out for your help with fellow Prayer Warriors is critical, but I believe there is more required of me is this struggle against the prince of darkness. Show me Your will.  Am I called to battle for the unborn…for the children in our schools…the darkness in my community?  How can I serve…volunteering, giving, organizing a prayer warrior round table…how can You use me?

Joining this battle against the evil which at every hand seems to be gaining strength against Your truth…I cannot do everything…I can do more…show me, I am willing!

AMEN

Scripture: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10

In America today it is easy to rage at the injustice in the land and the brutal attacks being aimed at our children.

I must be careful to remember my battle not against flesh and blood but against the prince of darkness. Help me channel my anger into productive and meaningful responses.

I want to be an effective voice speaking against the evil and the rampant lies so prevalent in our social media and our mainstream press.

May You count my anger as righteousness in the spiritual battle being waged against the innocent across this great country. Help me have the wisdom, the courage, and the platform to carry Your banner into the battle that is being fought for the very soul of America.

AMEN

Scripture: “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.” Ephesians 4:26

Today is a day we set aside to tend to issues of the heart. I’m grateful to report that my heart is in the hands of the most accomplished cardiologist in the universe…my Creator and my boss.

I’m grateful You have made extraordinary efforts to make my heart tender, forgiving and compassionate. I know I haven’t always made it easy. Thank you for reminding me how valuable every person I meet is to You. They are worthy of my respect, my time and my attention.

America today has turned Your priorities up-side-down…we love things and use people. Forgive my callousness and my “me-first” attitude. We need heart transplants all across this land. Send Your Spirit to repair the sclerosis of our hearts. Continue to work on my heart.

AMEN

Scripture: “Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him.” Ephesians 4:18

Thank you for the music…beautiful music stirs our souls…it lifts our spirits.  There is something about magnificent music…every instrument and every voice working in unison to produce a message of uncommon commitment to a worthy cause that is found nowhere else on earth.

The enemy knows this power.  In response, we hear from the darkness, discordant, jarring sounds and angry lyrics, screeches that attack our peace and disturb our hearts.

Teach Your children how to make beautiful music together and the beauty and the hope of our song drown out the sounds of this world. May the beauty and power of our orchestra overwhelm even the most glorious solo.  May the joy of our melody shine Your light into the darkness.

AMEN

Scripture: “When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.” Ephesians 5:19