Finding Time for Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁸Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

 

You’ve probably been disappointed more than once by emails or phone messages from family or friends that go like this:  “Sorry I haven’t called lately,  but things have been awfully busy.  The kids have all had colds and fevers lately, but everybody is fine now, thank goodness  flu season is over.   Hope you are fine too.  Well, better get back to work.  Will call as soon as I have more time to talk.  Love Ya…” 

Sometimes, I postpone phoning friends because I am waiting for a more opportune time that will allow me to talk (what I feel would be quality time) for long periods.  Not wanting to cut the conversation short because I only have a limited amount of time to stay on the phone.  So, I put off  the phone call hoping to find a block ot time that I feel would be more suitable.  This usually results in family and friends feeling somewhat neglected. 

My prayer life was similar to this type of behavior;  postponed, with long gaps in between.  I was disappointed in it and I assumed that God was too.  However, Prayer doesn’t have to be lenthy or wordy.  Instead, it can be short but very satisfying.  The purpose is to connect with our Heavenly Father.  I have learned to simply open my heart to God and allow Him to speak to me.  I don’t have to be the one doing all the talking. 

As I have found with family and friends; they don’t care how long we talk, they just want to hear from me.  God justs wants to hear from us too!  He is waitng to hear from you!  Pick up the phone and give Him a call right where you are.  It doesn’t matter how long you talk or who’s doing the talking.  There is no right or wrong way to pray!

Learning to fit prayer into a busy life is not easy.  Make a commitment to at least one definite prayer time every day.  Begin with consistency, but don’t beat up yourself if you don’t always follow through.  I have found that praying for the needs of others has helped me to remain committed.  Again, God just simply wants to hear from us. 

PRAYER FOCUS:  Heavenly Father, we need to spend time with You.  Help us to schedule our day with You included.  It is our earnest desire to connect with You as often as possible.  Thank you for allowing us access to You at any time of the day or night.  IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN. 

NAT’L CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Mark 10:14 (The Message)

 ^13-16The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and we can see according to the above passage of scripture, that children are extremely important to Jesus.  He died for us all but He said “children” are at the very center of life in the kingdom of God.  He gathered them up in His arms and blessed them.  They hold a special place in the heart of God. 

Yet, so many of our children are being hurt on a daily basis.  Child Abuse is divided into four types:  physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect.  Any child at any age may experience any or all of these types of abuse.  We ALL have the responsibility to protect and defend these children.  There are several ways to help.  If you think a child is being abused; take immediate action. 

I am a survivor of child abuse.  I’ll never forget the person that tried to rescue me.  Unfortunately, it was after the abuse had occured but, because of her intervention the abuse was exposed.  Her name was “Christine Washington” and I honor her memory today with this post.  If she had remained silent (believe me, I know it takes courage to get involved) everyone around me probably would have continued to ignore the situation. 

Jesus doesn’t want us to ignore the pain and sufferings of children.  He wants us to bring them to Him.  We can do that by rescuing a child in danger.  And there are many ways of doing it.  Contact the Nat’l Child Abuse Hotline for more information:   (1-800-422-4453). 

PRAYER FOCUS:  Father, help us to be strong in the face of possible danger.  It is our responsibility to protect all children.  We ask you to protect the children we are aware of that are experiencing abuse today.  Help us all Father to be strong and courageous until the abuse can be stopped.  IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.  

  

RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE: 

The Child:

· Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes:

· Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen;

· Lacks adult supervision;

· Is overly compliant, an overachiever, or too responsible; or

· Comes to school early, stays late, and does not want to go home.  

The Parent:

information, for conferences, or for home visits;

· Denies the existence of — or blames the child for — the child’s problems in school or at home;

· Asks the classroom teacher to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves;

· Sees the child entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome;

Demands perfection or a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve; o

 

· Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

The Parent and Child: 

 

· Rarely touch or look at each other;

· Consider their relationship entirely negative; or

State that they do not like each other 

SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:

 

· Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes;

· Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school;

· Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home from school;

· Shrinks at the approach of adults; or

· Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver 

 

· Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury;

· Describes the child as “evil,” or in some other very negative way;

· Uses harsh physical discipline with the child; or

· Has a history of abuse as a child.

SIGNS OF NEGLECT

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child: 

 

· Is frequently absent from school;

· Begs or steals food or money from classmates;

· Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses;

· Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor;

· Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather;

· Abuses alcohol or other drugs; or

· States there is no one at home to provide care.

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver: 

 

· Appears to be indifferent to the child;

· Seems apathetic or depressed;

· Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner; or

Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

 

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child: 

 

· Has difficulty walking or sitting;

· Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities;

· Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior;

· Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age fourteen;

· Runs away; or

· Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver.

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:  

 

· Is unduly protective of the child, severely limits the child’s contact with other children,

especially of the opposite sex;

· Is secretive and isolated; or

· Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations.

SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child: 

 

· Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme

passivity or aggression;

· Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately

infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example);

· Is delayed in physical or emotional development;

· Has attempted suicide; or

· Reports a lack of attachment to the parent.

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver: 

 

· Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child;

· Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s school

problems; or  · Overtly rejects the child.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth and Families

Children’s Bureau

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IS THERE A BALM IN GILEAD?

 

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

 ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
       he was crushed for our iniquities;
       the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
       and by his wounds we are healed.

 He was wounded.  He was bruised.  He was pierced.  He was stripped of His majesty and glory.  He carried All our sicknesses and sorrows upon His back and by His stripes we are healed. 

You may ask the questions:  Why is there so much pain? Why  is there so much sickness?  Why is there so much sorrow?  Is there a balm in Gilead?  What can take away my pain?  What can take away my sorrow?  Can I be healed? 

The answer is “YES!” 

JESUS, IS THE ANSWER.  HE IS THE “BALM IN GILEAD.”

My testimony is not like that of many others,  I wasn’t addicted to drugs or alcohol.  I didn’t suffer a great loss of any kind, nor was I homeless or on a sick bed.  But, I was lost deep in my sin.  I had a sorrow that no matter where I turned for the answer or healing, I couldn’t find it. 

It wasn’t until I began to seek after God that I realized, I needed a Savior.  I had heard about this Jesus.  I was told that He could take away the pain and sorrow that I was feeling.  Only, I wasn’t quite sure I would be able to follow Him.  However, in 1984 I gave my hand to the Preacher, and my heart to Jesus.  My life has never been the same. 

We are approaching Resurrection Sunday;  a day of to rememberance and honor for what was purchased for us through the death of Jesus at Calvary’s Cross.  God sent His one and only Son to suffer death on the cross that we might be saved!  He is the answer to whatever situation or sorrow you may be facing.  Won’t you trust Him today?  He is the balm you need for you healing.  No matter where you are hurting,  Jesus can heal you. 

All those that are wounded, brokenhearted, discouraged, abused and in sorrow–Jesus paid the price with His life that you might be healed.  He is the balm that was spread over all the areas that you are hurting.  Don’t deny yourself the balm that can heal you of all your “dis-eases.”  Trust Him. 

PRAYER FOCUS:  Jesus I invite you into my life right now.  Believing that only You can heal me, because You were wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities and by Your stripes, IAM HEALED.  Thank you Jesus, for all you’ve done for me.  IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.