Manna for Your Morning

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” — Luke 22:41-42 (NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV) Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:38 NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 NKJV)

“ I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. ” — Psalms 17:6-7 (NLT) Give ear, O Yahweh, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my distress I shall call upon You, for You will answer me. (Psalms 86:6-7 LSB) For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. (Psalms 108:4-5 NLT) “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” (Psalms 63:3-5 NLT)

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. — Acts 16:22-24 (NLT) Acts 16:25 says, around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. The Word doesn’t say they were complaining, nor crying out to God “why me?” Instead, they maintained their peace, joy and faith in Yahweh and prayed and praised the God of heaven and earth. Acts 16:26 says, suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials… (See 2 Peter 2:7-9 NLT) However, the prisoners were all accounted for when th...

But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! — Jude 20-21 (MSG) The Passion Translation says: “…constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit.” (Jude 20) We should always pray and never give up, or lose heart. (See Luke 18:1-3) And let us keep ourselves in the love of God, receiving His love and allowing it to flow through us and onto others. Not only loving people, but also loving God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you [filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those who walk closely with God].  — Jude 2 (AMP)

Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love. — 1 John 4:7-8 (TPT) Beloved brothers and sisters, let us be vessels of God’s love. As He continually pours His love into us, let us be devoted to unselfishly love and seek the best for one another. In Matthew 5:44-45 (TPT), Jesus says: “love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them. For that will reveal your identity as children of your heavenly Father. He is kind to all by bringing the sunrise to warm and rainfall to refresh whether a person does what is good or evil.” Lavish the love you generously receive from God on all who come your way.

After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. — Acts 16:23-24 (CSB) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25 CSB) Even after being severely beaten and thrown in jail, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. They were not whining and complaining about how “ hard ” it was to serve God. They were not having a pity party or playing the victim role. What an example for us. Don’t let the troubles and hardships get you down. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. (Acts 16:26 CSB) Keep praying and praising God and He will loosen chais and open the doors that need to be opened for you.  Amen. The Father sent Jesus...

But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. — Psalm 42:8 (NLT) The LORD is our maker. He gives us the breath of life. In Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV) For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. (Psalm 92:4-5 NKJV) Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:3)

He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. — Matthew 12:30  (NASB) Let us gather, in love, peace and unity. Tear down the walls that separate and build bridges that connect us. In John 17:20-21 (MSG), Jesus prayed: “I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.” “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse. ”— Matthew 12:30 (MSG)

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” — John 17:20-21 (NLT) Jesus prayed for all believers, that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are to stand united. Not comparing or competing, but all being about the Father’s business, and walking in love with one another. In John 17:22-23 (NLT), Jesus continued in prayer: “ I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. ” If you ever prayed for an unbeliever to know Jesus, it all begins with followers of Christ coming together in perfect unity. Amen.

Never stop praying. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) Today, people are more into texting, but back in the day, when in a “dating” relationship, boys and girls would spend hours talking on the phone, because it made their day just to hear that person’s voice. In much the same way, our heavenly Father lavishes His love on us and He wants to hear our voice. Some people think there is a specific time for prayer, but the Word instructs us to pray without ceasing. We may spend the first part of our day locked away in a prayer closet, but the conversation with our heavenly Father is to continue as we go about our day. This continual conversation keeps the channels of communication open and we are much more likely to hear His still small voice when engaged in conversation. As we persist in prayer our relationship with Abba Father grows stronger and more intimate. Never stop praying.

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” — Psalm 32:8 (NLT) Our paths differ so let us not compare or judge one another’s journey. Know that God is guiding you along the best pathway for your life, to fulfill His purpose in you, and bring about the good plans He has just for you. Stay on the path, ignore the distractions and don’t take any detours. Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NLT). Never stop believing. Never stop standing on God’s Word and His wonderful promises. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

Blessed be God— he heard me praying. He proved he’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with him. Now I’m jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him. — Psalm 28:7 (MSG) Always trying to figure things out will lead us to question God and wander away from Him. Instead, go with what you know! His Word is true and it will last forever. Our God is rich in mercy and grace. His faithfulness has been tried and tested. He’s proven His lovingkindness to us over and over again. Know that God is on your side and He will work everything together for good in your life. Seek and deeply long for the LORD and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually. ( Psalm 105:4 AMP )

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. — Acts 16:25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had been dragged, had their clothes torn off, they were beaten with rods and thrown into prison, with their feet clamped in stocks. (Acts 16:19-24). The Word does not say they were asking God, “Why is all this happening to us, if You are with us?” It does not mention them complaining about the conditions of the prison. No, in spite of all these hardships, they were still praying and praising. The enemy could not stop their praise to God, nor steal their joy.  How do you react when adverse circumstances hit? Whether your circumstances have you locked up or not, no one can stop you from praying and praising our mighty and awesome God. No matter what comes your way, keep praying and praising God. What a glorious testimony to those who are listening to you.

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. — Acts 10:30-31 (NIV) Acts 10:1-2 (NIV) says, Cornelius and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34), just as He heard the prayers of Cornelius and remembered His gifts to the poor, as we commit our lives to Him, our prayers and acts of kindness to those in need ascend before God as a memorial offering. In every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him. (Acts 10:35 AMP). He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6b)

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! — Acts 16:25-26 (NLT) I have often heard that life is not so much what happens to you, it's more about your response to what happens. Paul and Silas were dragged, had their clothes torn off, were beaten and thrown in prison. However, they didn’t let their circumstances get them down. They were praying and singing hymns to God. No matter what your circumstance, turn your attention to God, who holds the universe in His hands. Are there things in your life that need to be shaken? Do you have some doors that need to be opened? A little prayer and praise goes a long way. And it also has a profound impact on those around you, just as Paul and Silas effected the prisoners around them. How are you reacting to...

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. — Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV) Whether in a line at the grocery store or sitting in traffic on the freeway, most of us do not like waiting. Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. During his time of waiting, he had to endure some things. May we also learn the art of patient endurance. Let us be patient in trouble, and keep on praying (Romans 12:12). The Message version says, don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Do what God instructs you to do and leave the rest to Him. He will bring it pass at the perfect time, its appointed time.

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  — Acts 16:24-25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had their clothes torn off, were beaten with rods and then thrown into prison, yet at midnight, they were praying and singing praises to God. They did not get caught up in doubt, unbelief or fear. On your worst day, when it seems as though the enemy has you imprisoned, what sounds come out of your mouth? Hebrews 12:1 says, we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Let us fight the good fight of faith by praying and praising God always, no matter what the circumstance. You don't know whose salvation is hanging in the balance as they see and hear your faithfulness or lack of it. Amen!

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” — Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV) Whatever God has done for us, let us be gracious and do the same for others. Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) When you just don't know what to do, here are some action steps that will bring a breakthrough. No matter what the circumstances are, be glad-hearted. The joy of the LORD is your strength. Stay in constant communication with God by praying all the time. And remember to give thanks to God in all circumstances!

Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this . — 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (GOD'S WORD) Brothers and sisters, keep praying! The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it (1 Timothy 2:8-10, The Message). Amen!