Tag Archives: Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Easy Questions

March 20, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Do you ever feel sorry for game show contestants when they are asked a super easy question and just can’t come up with the right answer? Everybody feels bad when they walk away disappointed and with no prizes.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.

I John 5:1

Jesus, in His life on Earth, was a master at asking easy questions that were hard to answer. In fact, the world is still trying to answer the question He asked 2,000 years ago when He looked at His disciples and asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Unlike in the game show, there is much more at stake with that question than a few dollars and a trip to Hawaii. The consequences are so high that Jesus not only asked the question, He also answered it! “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Today, pray for men and women at every level of public service in America. Pray they will carefully consider Jesus of Nazareth and many will come to know Him as the Christ, the Messiah, and the Good News from God. They’ll not be disappointed.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Best Sandwich Ever

March 19, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Have you ever missed a meal? After a while, your stomach aches with hunger. Pangs of emptiness are all you can think about. Your mouth waters in anticipation of something good to eat. And when you finally taste that first bite of food, you think, “This is the best sandwich I’ve ever had.”

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Psalms 40:3

Waiting for things we desire often makes getting them seem even better. In the verses leading up to today’s passage, David cried out to the Lord in his despair, then “waited patiently” (Psalm 40:1). God pulled him out of a pit and onto solid ground, which filled David with a song of praise. One could say it was David’s “best sandwich” moment.

America is in need of rescue. While many Christians have become discouraged, this psalm brings a message of hope. God didn’t leave David in the pit. He didn’t leave Jesus in the grave, and He won’t leave America in despair. Call to Him for help. Pray for Him to come to the aid of your national leaders, as well as all Americans. The Creator of all things will put a new song in your mouth – the best one ever.

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Wanted: Dead AND Alive

March 17, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The worn sepia-toned handbill nailed to fence posts and trees in Western movies sought the return of the pictured fugitive – dead or alive. In Romans 6, God has posted a new notice. He wants believers dead AND alive. On its face, this is a vexing problem! But as with many aspects of the Christian life, dying and living require choice.

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.

Romans 6:10

People don’t talk much about sin these days. It’s much too uncomfortable. But its power within you has influenced your entire life. When you accepted the death of Christ as sin’s payment, that power was replaced with new life.

Does that mean you’ll never sin again? No. That capacity remains. But you are to live as dead to sin but alive to God. You can check how alive you are by taking your spiritual pulse. Are you immersed in His Word…reading, studying, applying? Are you praising and praying…improving your communication with God? Do you keep a record of His faithfulness?

As you focus on drawing closer to Him, intercede for the men and women of America’s government to find their own new life in Christ.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Faith Perspective

March 16, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

A new creation. That sounds good—a chance to start all over. But sometimes, where the Lord leads seems like the wrong direction: like Joseph in slavery, the Israelites in the wilderness, Daniel in the lion den, Mary in pre-marital pregnancy, Paul in prison. And as soon as Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him to the wilderness to be tempted.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

II Corinthians 5:17

God loves you and wants you to be successful in your Christian life, walk in His power, and carry His presence and glory. He graces you to overcome and be victorious, express Him in all you do and help others do the same. He is your greatest fan cheering you on. He wants you to walk as a new creation.

When you see the Heavenly Father as good and loving, your source, no matter what you’re going through; when you are yielded to Jesus in a loving relationship and your comfort is secondary; when you walk in faith and not by sight – you are behaving as a new creation. Today, pray God will strengthen your faith. And pray He will perform His purpose in this nation, no matter how it appears to the natural eye.

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Reminder Calls

March 14, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

A little boy walked to his friend’s house to play. His dad instructed him to call home when he arrived, but the boy got distracted and forgot to call. The father knew punishment might be necessary to teach his son a lesson, but first he decided to call the friend’s home, let the phone ring once, and then hang up. Moments later, his son called. “What took so long?” the father asked. “I started playing and forgot to call,” replied the boy. “But when I heard the ring, I remembered.”

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3:19

How often does God, not wanting to punish His children, send reminder calls? In today’s verse, John was “calling” the church at Laodicea, warning discipline would come if they didn’t change their behavior and repent. Jesus, in His love for them, wasn’t willing to overlook their sin. He would chastise so they’d see their mistakes and correct ungodly behavior.

Are you listening for reminders from God – warnings you may need to correct some behaviors? Know it’s because of His great love for you that the Lord disciplines you. Pray today, too, for God to send reminders to America’s leaders to see their errors, repent and become zealous for God.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – The Next Step

March 13, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Now that it’s March, you may notice your New Year’s resolutions falling by the wayside. Remember that January 1 is just one day after December 31. The beginning of the year is not the time to completely overhaul your life, but an opportunity for a readjustment to know your next steps are the right ones.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.

John 13:34

For three years, Jesus taught His disciples about the kingdom of God, how to love one another and how to meet needs. The night before His crucifixion, He washed their feet and told them to serve each other. He then told them of the “new commandment” to love one another, and it wasn’t the first time He told them to love others…but loving and serving in such a way that people around them would take notice was the next step.

When it comes down to specifics, sometimes knowing what God wants is confusing. During those times, ask yourself, “What is the best way to love God and others, especially in the body of Christ?” Pray that Christians will love and serve each other in such a way that unbelievers in this country will be drawn to the Lord.

Our Daily Bread — The Golden Rule

March 12, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Matthew 7:7-12

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them. —Matthew 7:12

The concept of The Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated—appears in many religions. So what makes Jesus’ version of the saying so exceptional?

Its uniqueness lies in a single word, “therefore,” that signals the generosity of our heavenly Father. Here is what Jesus said: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matt. 7:11-12 italics added).

All of us fall short of what we know to be true: We do not love others the way God loves us. Jesus lived out that admirable ethic with perfect love by living and dying for all our sins.

We have a loving, giving Father who set aside His own self-interest to reveal the full measure of His love through His Son Jesus. God’s generosity is the dynamic by which we treat others as we would like to be treated. We love and give to others because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Our heavenly Father asks us to live up to His commands, but He also gives us His power and love to carry it out. We need only to ask Him for it. —David Roper

Heavenly Father, I know that I lack Your

patience and mercy and love. Please show

Your perfect love through me in some small

way today. In Your Son Jesus’ name I pray.

We have committed The Golden Rule to memory; now let us commit it to life. —E. Markham

Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 17-19; Mark 13:1-20

Insight

In the reading today, we see how our Lord emphasized the importance of persistence in prayer. The actual Greek grammar might be better translated as “Seek and keep on seeking. Knock and keep on knocking. Ask and keep on asking.” Sometimes sincere believers may believe that a sign of faith is to ask God once for a request and never repeat it. But the teachings of the New Testament do not support such a concept. In the parable of the judge and the widow who repeatedly asked him to hear her case, the idea of persistence is central (Luke 18:1-8). As is the case with Job, King David, and other biblical characters, faith is often expressed through repeated prayers and pleading.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Disciplined and Decent

March 12, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

George Washington’s father died before the future president was a teenager, and because many of the family responsibilities fell upon young George, there was little time or money for a formal education. Washington learned social graces from a guidebook entitled The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, and some of its maxims sound almost comical to the modern ear. “Put not another bit into your mouth till the former be swallowed. Let not your morsels be too big for the jowls,” says one directive. Another says “Bedew no man’s face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.”

It yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11

Even without a father, Washington learned the importance of discipline – from his mother, from mentors and, yes, from books. And the greatest guidebook, the Bible, notes that Godly discipline “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Today’s society, from Hollywood to the District of Columbia, is characterized by a lack of restraint…and the fruit of permissiveness will be bitter.

As you pray for the restoration of American and her leaders today, ask God to make you a shining example of a spiritually disciplined and decent follower of Christ.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 9:19-27

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Not Automatic

March 10, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Cardiologists in London have ascertained that the human body begins its deterioration process at roughly age 20. The 100 billion nerve cells begin to die off, and by age 40 you could be losing up to 10,000 per day. Everything is impacted – memory, coordination, and the many functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The Apostle Paul was right: the outer nature is wasting away.

Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

II Corinthians 4:16

Diet and exercise fight decay’s ravages. Lifelong-learning centers strive to decelerate cognitive impairment with all manner of academic and experiential opportunities. But the nourishment of body and mind is ultimately a losing battle.

Decay of your inner nature, though, does not need to be automatic with the passage of time. It’s necessary to jettison anger, worry and pride, filling those newly-emptied spaces with the joy of the Lord, allowing Him to heal your hurts. Be renewed in your spirit with humble service in His name, and by passing on the love He has so freely bestowed on you. Dive deeply into the Scriptures and pray with gratitude. Let your intercessions include President Obama, members of Congress, the nation’s judiciary, and the men and women of the military.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 4:7-18

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Power and Influence

March 9, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Just about anything can be posted on the Internet – and with programs like Photoshop, a picture’s worth a thousand lies. Many websites such as Snopes are dedicated to pointing out the fakes. In the days of Christ, Scribes and Pharisees talked the talk, but didn’t walk the walk. They thought they had power and authority, but did they?

What is this? A new teaching with authority!

Mark 1:27

Jesus said the Scribes and Pharisees lay burdens on others that they themselves wouldn’t lift a finger to move (Matthew 23:4). Jesus healed the sick. The Pharisees and Scribes accused Him of healing by Satanic power (Matthew 12:24). Today’s verse shows the common people recognized the difference between Jesus’ teaching and that of the Scribes and Pharisees…which had no real power and authority.

If you want power in your life, pray. If you want God’s authority, read the Bible, receive God’s grace and yield to His Holy Spirit. If you want to do God’s will and make a difference in the world, walk in love. Back up what you believe with loving action. Pray that leaders and citizens of this nation will know Christians by their love (John 13:35) and turn to Jesus for salvation.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Long Term Project

March 8, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

One of the most beautiful buildings in America is the Washington National Cathedral. The building has hosted the funeral of Ronald Reagan, the 9/11 remembrance service and many other important events. But it was the longest-running construction project in Washington, D.C. history. Major Pierre L’Enfant, who designed the city, first proposed it in 1791. The work began in 1907 and wasn’t completed until 1990. At times, there was doubt whether it would ever be done, and no one who started the project was around to see its dedication.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Ephesians 2:10

God is making you into the person He designed you to be, but it’s a process that will continue for a lifetime. The biggest mistake you can make is to believe the fallacy that you’ll be equipped for good works only after you become a finished product. He wants you to serve today, where you are, with whatever resources He’s given you. At the very least, God has given you the power of prayer.

Today, make your heart a cathedral and lift up your nation’s leaders in prayer, asking God to guide them and draw them to the truth of His Holy Word. Finished or not, He has created you for this moment!

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Discover New Ground

March 7, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Sheep are creatures of habit. They will follow the same trails until they become ruts. They will graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes. They will pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites. However, a good shepherd will regularly move them to different pastures. When the shepherd leads them to a fresh field, even the older ewes will often kick up their heels and leap with excitement!

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3

Just as sheep will blindly and habitually follow one another along the same little trails until they erode into gigantic gullies, people cling to the same habits that ruin their lives. Yet Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

As you pray and read God’s Word each day, ask the Good Shepherd of your soul to lovingly guide you onto new ground with Him. The Lord has greater abundance, health and wholeness waiting for you! Pray also for America’s leaders to discover that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the only path toward real, lasting hope and peace.

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Rubbish Recycle

March 6, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

On average, you generate about five pounds of garbage each day. The good news is that an entire industry actually wants your trash. With high heat and a little creativity, they will turn your rubbish into something new and useful. Recyclers are cleaning up the world one blue bin at a time. It’s not just a worthy cause, but the right thing to do for the next generation.

New wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.

Matthew 9:1

The Bible says God wants to do a similar thing for you. If you are willing, God will take your old life, the one full of secrets and hopelessness, and power wash the darkness away through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Because of His Son’s work, God will actually give you a fresh new clean heart. Your life can then be full of hope and good work.

People of faith, pray for your president and lawmakers today. Plead earnestly that America’s leaders will personally exchange their brokenness for a fresh and new perspective in Jesus. Pray that America will be preserved, one heart at a time. It’s the right thing to do for the next generation.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Life Sentence

March 5, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

In a Texas town in 1986, Michael Morton was accused of murdering his wife. Despite claiming he was at work during the crime, prosecutors convinced the jury Morton was guilty. No one believed him. Their disbelief cost Morton his freedom. Twenty-five years later, new DNA evidence proved Christine Morton’s killer was not her husband, and Morton was released.

Do not disbelieve, but believe.

John 20:27

Belief is important. When the disciples told Thomas Jesus was alive, Thomas did not believe it. In today’s verse, the Son of God appeared to Thomas in person and let him touch the holes in His hands, encouraging Thomas to believe. God asks you to believe today, too. “All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23) Disbelief cost Michael Morton life as he knew it. Your disbelief can cost a life, too – yours.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) It’s a different kind of life sentence. Do you truly believe? Ask God to help your belief and that of your fellow Americans. Then pray for the president and vice-president, as well as other national leaders, to truly trust in Jesus Christ.

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Awestruck

March 3, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Did you ever go camping on a mountaintop, lay on your back on a cloudless night, and let your eyes roam the stars of Heaven? Perhaps you traced the arc of the Milky Way, shimmering with its uncountable pinpoints of light. If you have, you understand David’s reaction to God’s glory on display. Pastor Erwin Lutzer of Chicago’s Moody Church calls creation “when God went public.”

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalms 19:1

But the constellations you behold are merely a primer in announcing God as creator. Photographs taken by NASA’s 24-year-old Hubble Space Telescope reveal unanticipated galaxies and images of grandeur that leave even the casual observer awestruck. In 2018, an even larger next-generation telescope will be launched as scientists search for the edge of the universe.

As you bask in all the natural wondrous ways that God has shown Himself, draw close knowing that this same Creator loves you more than the measure of the fathomless sky – and the hands that fashioned Heaven’s glories hold you! As you enter that profound thankfulness, intercede for the leaders in America to take the time to discover God in His revelation to the world and, even more, to come to know Him personally.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Step in Time

March 2, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Shirley Temple Black’s recent death saddened the nation. She’s remembered as a child with curly hair and a bright smile who sang and danced in multiple movies in the 1930s such as The Little Princess. When she was just a baby, her mother, who loved to dance, encouraged Shirley to sway to the music. Shirley began her acting career at age three and reached international stardom by age five. As an adult, she served the nation 25 years in various political positions, including as an ambassador.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

You have a loving Heavenly Father that desires you to step in time with His Holy Spirit. As you yield yourself to Him, you won’t be dancing to the devil’s tunes. In other words, as you spend time doing God’s will, you won’t have time do anything against it.

Surrender to the Holy Spirit as you pray. Commit all things to God so you can live in harmony with Him by His marvelous grace. As Americans fell in love with a little tap dancing girl, pray that the nation as a whole will also develop a love for the Lord and His Holy Spirit.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Prison Preacher

March 1, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, was in jail from age 32 to 44. His crime? Preaching as a “nonconformist.” English prisons in the seventeenth century were dreadful places, and in addition to his own suffering Bunyan had to worry about providing for his wife and children. From his cell, Bunyan made shoelaces…thousands of them. And while he could have been released by simply agreeing to conform, Bunyan would not dishonor his faith or his family, vowing that since God had commanded him to preach, he would stay in prison until “the moss grew on his eyelids.”

Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 5:20

Are you speaking words of life to others? Many, like John Bunyan, have suffered and sacrificed so that you might have that right. Don’t take it for granted! As you pray for America’s leaders today, ask God to give you the opportunity and wisdom to communicate His truth to the world – including your political representatives, friends, co-workers and loved ones.

As you do, you will discover, as Bunyan did, that real freedom may be found by standing firm in your faith.

Recommended Reading: II Thessalonians 2:13-17 Click to Read or Listen

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – No Room For Error

February 28, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

What is tolerance? It’s defined as respecting beliefs or practices different from your own. In mechanical engineering, it means the permitted variation in a measurement of an object. It is how much error is allowed before the long-term is affected. But even small mistakes can have drastic effects on the future. For example, if Apollo engineers had miscalculated the launch trajectory of the moon rockets by just .0003 of a degree, they would’ve missed the moon by 1.25 miles.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience.

I Timothy 1:5

In today’s verse, Paul instructed Timothy to stop false teaching occurring in Ephesus. Although the errors may have seemed small entanglements in myths and spiritual genealogies, Paul knew they would affect the future of believers. Paul reminded Timothy to teach in love, with a pure heart and a good conscious, in order to advance God’s work. There could be no tolerance for error because it would divert believers from the goal of the Christian life.

As you share your faith with others, ask God to keep your heart pure, your conscience clean and your faith sincere. Pray for also for the nation’s leaders to be influenced by Christians like Timothy…so they may know His love.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Trustworthy

February 27, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

With over 20 major religions in the world and a wide variety of Christian churches, it’s no wonder people are confused or avoid religion altogether. It gets easier when you know the truth in the form of a person – Jesus. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him.

Ephesians 4:15

Yet can Jesus be trusted? He fulfilled upwards to 300 Bible prophecies. He was born of a virgin, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead and taught with authority. Then He was crucified, rose again, promised to return, and ascended into Heaven. The Bible’s prophetic scriptures are still unfolding with astounding accuracy. Once what seemed unimaginable now appears to be just around the corner. If Jesus can’t be trusted, who can?

The Christian’s job is to become more like Him, lovingly reaching out with the gospel and meeting needs. Reread the teachings of the Word of God and see how your life lines up? Pray, too, that God will open the eyes of the leaders and citizens of the United States to see Christ as the truth – and one worthy of their trust.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Place of Great Pleasure

February 26, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

If you like to golf, it doesn’t take much urging from a fellow golfer to get you out on the course. Insert your favorite activity; if there’s an invitation, you’re there. So why does the Psalmist have to ask the Lord to lead him where he delights to go? George Robinson knew the answer as he composed the words to a hymn, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it / Prone to leave the God I love / Here’s my heart, O, take and seal it / Seal it for Thy courts above.” He knew his own heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

Psalm 119:35

Do you know yours? “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick [wicked].” (Jeremiah 17:9) There is one word that should characterize your life – yield. To yield yourself to God is to have Him lead you in the right path…the path of obedience. There is no place of greater pleasure or joy than to be obedient.

Cease your struggles. Quit trying to run your own life. Yield to the One who can be your guide through every storm. Then intercede for America’s leaders, that they may come to know the God of wisdom and believe.

DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION

Tag Archives: Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Easy Questions

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Best Sandwich Ever

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Wanted: Dead AND Alive

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Faith Perspective

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Reminder Calls

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – The Next Step

Our Daily Bread — The Golden Rule

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Disciplined and Decent

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Not Automatic

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Power and Influence

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Long Term Project

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Discover New Ground

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Rubbish Recycle

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Life Sentence

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Awestruck

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Step in Time

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Prison Preacher

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – No Room For Error

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Trustworthy

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Place of Great Pleasure

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