5 Things Jesus Taught His Disciples They Need to Pray

The Lord's Prayer is the perfect prayer model for disciples of Jesus. It teaches 5 things we all need to pray to persistently rely on Father in faith. #Lord'sPrayer #PersistentPrayer #AskSeekKnock #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers

I did a quick search on Amazon for books on prayer and the results included more than 70,000 titles.

So, it appears that many people continue to ask…

“Lord, teach us to pray.”
Luke 11:1

Jesus replied with a model for prayer…

“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
Give us each day the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.”
Luke 11:2b–4

5 Things Jesus Taught
His Disciples The Need to Pray For

A Relationship to a Holy Father

When you and I pray we are going to the God of the universe who alone is worthy of all worship and honor . . . who knows every detail of our lives and still He loves us and wants an intimate and personal relationship with us.

His Coming Kingdom

Jesus brought God’s Kingdom to earth and when you and I pray for His Kingdom to come we are asking for more people to come into the Kingdom through faith and for Jesus to return to celebrate His victory with all His followers.

His Provision

God’s provision is daily; so, we need to pray daily. He does not give it all at once and then walk away. He gives us what we need one moment at a time that we might learn to fully depend on Him.

His Forgiveness and Ours

God’s love and forgiveness are overwhelming. He completely erases every sin that is ever brought to Him in humble repentance. And for those who have received the Father’s forgiveness . . . forgiving others becomes a grateful response.

His Protection

Paul wrote, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

When you and I ask God to keep us from yielding to temptation we are praying for the wisdom to set healthy boundaries and the strength to walk away in obedience.

Personalizing the Prayer Jesus Taught

Father, thank you for being my perfect loving parent. I love you and ask that You will help me honor You in all I do and say.

Please help me to faithfully focus on You that I might courageously, gently, and respectfully share Your love with others. And by Your grace help me to maintain an eternal perspective always anticipating Jesus’ glorious return for all who love, trust, and follow Him.

Please keep me free of worry and anxiety. Help me trust You with all my needs and the needs of those I love and care for. Today I specifically lift up ________________.

Please forgive me for __________. I want to obey You. I’m so sorry for failing to follow Your will and I ask You to please give me everything I need to quickly and humbly forgive those who hurt me.

Please give me a hunger to KNOW Your commands and promises, and give me what I need to fight temptation with the Sword of the Spirit—which is the truth of Your Holy Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus knew that we need to pray!

And He knew we need to pray with persistence.

I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9–10

Persistent prayer changes our hearts and minds to understand our need for Him and recognize His work in us, around us, and through us.

On today’s note write:

Persistently pray to the Father about everything.

May the Lord bless you today as you persistently pray the way Jesus taught.

Click here to read all of Luke 11.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Powerful Words of Jesus that will Make You Want to Pray

1 / 12 / 2112 / 29 / 20

Some of the powerful words of Jesus make me squirm but others make me want to go to God in prayer and trust Him to respond with love, care, and compassion. #Faith #Prayer #AskSeekKnock #WordsofJesus #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Wow, Matthew 7 contains words of Jesus that everyone seems to know . . . no matter what they believe. Words that many love to apply to others but don’t want to apply to themselves.

Like…

“Do not judge others and you will not be judged.”
Matthew 7:1

And…

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
Matthew 7:12

Don’t we all want the people around us to live those words while finding it hard to follow them ourselves? And how often have you heard one of those verses being used to point out someone’s hypocrisy?

It’s hard, isn’t it?

But then, right between those words of Jesus that make us squirm is this verse that draws us in and soothes our restless souls.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7

Powerful Words of Jesus that will Make You Want to Pray

Jesus invited His followers and He invites you and me to persistently go to the Father and…

♥ ASK – like we are lost and needy.
♥ SEEK – like we are looking for something precious.
♥ KNOCK – because we trust the Father’s love.

We have a Heavenly Father who is loving and understanding, caring and compassionate. One who wants to spend time with us.

When we find ourselves squirming because we judged when we shouldn’t or failed to treat others as we should, Jesus wants us to remember that the Father knows us, even our flaws and weaknesses, and He loves us anyway.

So much so, that He wants us to come to Him constantly . . . asking, seeking, and knocking—trusting that He will always give us His best, show us the way, and throw open wide the door.

Will you pray with me, right now?

Father, thank you for inviting me to come to You in prayer. Thank you for loving me even with all my failures and weaknesses. I can be so quick to judge others without pausing to know them or their story. And oh how I fail to treat others the way I want them to treat me. Please forgive me.

I need You! By the power of Your Holy Spirit, please increase my faith that I might trust and obey Your Word. Please give me everything I need to never stop asking, seeking, and knocking. Make me confident that I can do all things with the strength You give me through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13) In whose name I pray. Amen.

On today’s post-it note simply write:

ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK

And remember…

Your heavenly Father would never invite you to pray and then refuse to hear you or give you something that would hurt you. He loves you and promises that He will give you everything you need, guide you along His paths, and fling wide the door to His presence.

And that is GOOD NEWS!

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Day 1 – Is Just A Simple Prayer of Thanks

11 / 22 / 1811 / 23 / 18

How perfect that our 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayer Journey should begin on a day that so many of us celebrate as Thanksgiving Day.

Because beginning with thanks and praise is the best way for you and me to take the focus off ourselves for just a moment and turn it to the One who loves us so much He sacrificed everything to make us His own.

So, Day One…

Just a Simple Prayer of Thanks

Father God, thank you! You alone deserve all my thanks and praise. So, today, I join the angel voices proclaiming:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 7:12

Father, You pour countless blessings into my life the greatest of which is calling me through the power of Your Holy Spirit, allowing me to know and love You—the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth. John 17:3 And through Him, You have made me Your very own child.

A child who is not only invited but who is welcomed into Your holy presence at any time through the gift of Your Word and prayer.

It’s a gift too amazing and wonderful to comprehend. Yet, in faith, I proclaim, “AMEN!”

Because…

All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20

On top of this greatest of gifts, You bless me with family and friends to love, a home to shelter me, food to nourish me, and things to do that I might know purpose in my life.

Your grace overwhelms me. Your mercy humbles me. Your love … too wonderful for words.

Father, even in this prayer of thanks I know there are things in my life that are broken and need Your healing touch. Yet, I will thank You! For it is in those things that I recognize my great need for You.

So, today as I begin this 40 Day Prayer Journey…

Please fill me with Your Spirit.
Please give me the weapons I need for the battle at hand.
Please increase my faith and give me eyes to see the mountains You are moving.
Please make me bold…

Solomon wrote that “the godly are as bold as lions.” Proverbs 28:1

And Paul wrote that under the New Covenant of the Gospel, the promise we have in Jesus through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, we have this “new way [that] gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12

What an awesome and beautiful gift it is to be allowed to boldly come to You with the trust of a little child, who is confident and secure in her Father’s love.

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!”

And AMEN!

I am so excited that you’re here…

You’ll want to subscribe to Counting My Blessings (if you haven’t already), to receive a link to 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayers in your inbox each morning.

It’s true! This is the busiest time of the year but I promise this will only be a 2-minute a day commitment…

One that will ask and seek and knock through bold prayers … and watch what only God can do when we go to Him with anything is possible mountain moving prayers.

Subscribe here!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and tell us about the mountains God is moving in your life.

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone?
Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

Just imagine what God will do as His people come to Him in faith and prayer!

Mountain Moving Prayers that will Empower Your Faith

11 / 19 / 1811 / 19 / 18

What’s your one thing?

Well, let me back up for a minute.

The other morning I woke up with this thought on my heart and mind…

End the Year with 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayers

I’ve finally realized that the Lord often wakes me with a prompting because it’s one of the few times during the day that my head isn’t full of thoughts racing around like a toddler on a sugar high.

That morning’s prompt challenged me to pray bold prayers every day for the last 40 days of the year.

Which is why I began with the question … what’s your one thing?

What’s that thing you’ve been praying for as long as you can remember. And if you’re honest, it’s that thing you’ve prayed for so long you’ve started to lose hope.

I have one! Really, I have more than one. And I’ll bet you do too.

Maybe you’ve prayed for…

A loved one to know and love Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The chronic pain that is limiting you to end.
The broken relationship with a parent, child, sibling, or friend to be healed.
The job opportunity that you long for to finally come along.
A church family where you can feel like you finally belong.
The healing of a loved one who needs a miracle.

Or maybe your prayer is for…

A stronger faith.
More hope.
Increased wisdom.
Or courage and strength.

Maybe your one thing is something else, some burden that’s always with you … just below the surface.

You need a mountain to be moved!

There is an account in the Gospels where Jesus had revealed His divinity to Peter, James, and John through a literal “mountaintop” experience. And as they stepped back into ministry, they were encountered by a father pleading for his son. Jesus challenge to them all was…

“You don’t have enough faith, I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20

I’ve always felt convicted by those words as I’m well aware that I fall short of having “enough” faith for the impossible.

Mark fleshed it out with a few more details…

“One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so You could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it … Have mercy on us and help us, if You can. v. 17–18, 22

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve entered the heavenly throne room feeling helpless and hopeless praying, “Have mercy on me and help me, if You can.”

And every time, Jesus reply is the same…

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” v. 23

Anything is possible! Even mountain moving.

Yet, like the father pleading for his son, my cry is …

“Lord, I believe. Please help me overcome my unbelief.” v. 24

Oh, how I want anything is possible mountain moving faith. I want to go into 2019 completely surrendered, watching for miracles. I want to fully trust that when mountains move in my life, it’s not the size of my faith but the greatness of God that made it happen.

You see, anything is possible!

But mountain moving faith isn’t about you or me…

Mountain moving faith is about trusting that God is sovereign and completely in control. Mountain moving faith is keeping our focus on Jesus, “Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect.” (Hebrews 12:2 NLV)

Too often I feel like there’s something I need to do to have mountain moving faith. I need to spend more time studying the Bible or praying without ceasing. I need to be more obedient or do more ministry.

And although those things are all great and certainly bless my relationship with the Lord and His people, I wonder if maybe anything is possible mountain moving faith is as simple as asking, seeking, and knocking…

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

And that’s why I’m inviting you to join me for 40 days beginning this Thursday…

I want to ask, seek, and knock.

I want to Pray 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayers.

So…

Every day from November 22nd through December 31st, I’m going to share a 2-minute post that will inspire you to keep praying bold prayers for your one thing.

♥ We will ask God for mountain moving faith.

♥ We will seek Him through the verses of Scripture.

♥ We will knock on the door of the heavenly throne room in prayer.

I would love for you to subscribe to Counting My Blessings, if you haven’t already, so you can receive the link each morning in your inbox.

I know! This is the busiest time of the year and I’m asking you to sign up for one more thing but I promise this will only be a 2- minute a day commitment…

Honestly, I think I’m a little crazy to be committing to writing every day right now. But God is inviting us into something I believe will be life-changing.

I believe we are going to see mountains move.

Because I believe … with God everything and anything is possible.

So, let’s ask and seek and knock … and watch what only God can do when we go to Him with anything is possible mountain moving prayers.

You can subscribe here!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I LOVE hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone?
Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

Imagine what God will do as His people come to Him in faith and prayer!

Pray When You Need to Know the Truth

9 / 13 / 187 / 29 / 20

I want to know the truth.

No.

Truth is so important to me, it feels more like a need than a want.

I have learned however that my need to know the truth can be challenging in a world where truth is commonly believed to be relative. Where what’s true for me isn’t necessarily true for you. Where truth is distorted and manipulated by those who believe “the end justifies the means.”

And where beliefs change from day to day and place to place.

I need a truth that keeps me from being tossed about by every idea that blows by.

Paul wrote…

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14

I believe that’s why God gave us His Word.

The Psalmist wrote…

All of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your laws, which are always right, will last forever. Psalm 119:160 (NLV)

And Jesus told those who followed Him…

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6

So, if, like me, you need to know the truth … please join me as I pray and ask God to help me know and trust His truth that it might be the solid foundation of my life.

Pray When You Need to Know the Truth

Psalm 119:28

Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in Your instructions.

Father, life can be so confusing at times. There are as many opinions of the truth as there are people on the planet. I need Your Spirit to help and guide me. I need a foundation on which I can rely. I need Your absolute truth. Your true for everyone, everywhere … always truth. Lord, please open my heart and mind as I study Your Word. Reveal Your truth to me and by Your grace, give me all I need to trust and obey You. Amen.

Psalm 25:5

Lead me by Your truth and teach me,
for You are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.

Father, I believe You are Truth and Love. You are my Savior, the One in whom I place my hope. Father, even throughout the church there are so many ideas, beliefs, and teachings each claiming to be the truth.

I need Your help. I need Your Spirit to teach me. As I turn to Your Word, please grant me the discernment to know and understand which teachings align with Your truth. Help me know those things that are important to You and trust You with the rest. And by Your grace help me to continue searching Your Scriptures each day for the rest of my life. Amen.

Proverbs 30:5 (NCV)

Every word of God has been proven true.
He is a safe-covering to those who trust in Him.

Father, throughout history people have challenged and distorted Your Word. Yet, it withstands the test of time. And as historical books and documents are discovered, Your Word has been proven true repeatedly. Thank you!

I love that when I trust Your truth, my life is blessed with the fruit of Your Spirit. Keep me so focused on You that the world’s lies and temptations have no power over me. By Your grace, fill me with Your love and grant me Your peace. Amen.

John 5:24

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my
message and believe in God who sent me
have eternal life. They will never be
condemned for their sins, but they have
already passed from death into life.”

Lord, I love this truth. This promise. You are the Word made Flesh. You are God’s promise of forgiveness and life. Thank you!

Father, I don’t want to just know Your truth … I want to live Your truth. Please help me follow where You lead. Help me to faithfully obey You … without doubts or questions but trusting that every Word is true. May I say like the Psalmist: “Every word of God holds true and we can trust everything He does.” Psalm 33:4 Amen.

Colossians 2:6–7

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as Your Lord,
you must continue to follow Him.
Let your roots grow down into Him,
and let your lives be built on Him.
Then your faith will grow strong in the
truth you were taught, and you
will overflow with thankfulness.

Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus. By Your grace, I will follow His Law of Love. I will study Your Word that I might know and love You more. I will build my life on the foundation of Your truths and promises.

Please protect me from empty philosophies and worldly thinking. Give me the courage to stand strong as I share Your truth with love … with gentleness and respect. You, Lord, are the Truth that meets my every need. In Jesus precious name, I pray. Amen.

Friends, when you want to know the truth … pray!

I’ve learned there will always be ideas and philosophies that claim to provide a better way. Those who claim to have the answers for life will accuse you of being narrow-minded and naivé.

But praise God, we have His Word of truth to guide us and the blessing of prayer to focus our hearts and minds on who He is and what He does.

We are so very blessed! Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He wants us to know the truth!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

6 Ways Your Faith and Prayers Matter

4 / 22 / 167 / 7 / 16

Am I the only one who writes a post and then thinks better of it and starts over questioning whether or not I’ve said anything that makes a difference . . . something that points to the amazing difference the Lord can make in one small life.

A life that can’t boast of any major accomplishments. A life that can’t really point to anything other than clinging white-knuckled to the One who pulled her out of the pit.

These first few months of The Faith Project have overwhelmed me. It’s hard to explain. I just know that every month I’ve been challenged big time.

It shouldn’t surprise me. That’s what the enemy does isn’t it? He makes us question things like freedom, wisdom, and love. He wants us to feel weak and useless, powerless and afraid . . . to doubt.

It’s the first temptation isn’t it? “Did God really say..?”

Did He really give that command? Does He really expect obedience? Did He really make that promise? Is He really able to keep it?

You know the questions. They surface when life is hard.

In the quiet when…

The past haunts and hurts.
Friends betray.
Old bad habits return.
A loved one is gone.
Your heart is broken.

And the enemy says, “Did God really say..?”

“I love you. I will never leave. You are forgiven. You are mine. Nothing can snatch you from my hand.”

I dig. I ask, seek, and knock. He answers and faith grows.

I’m trusting His promises a little bit more. Trusting His love not just for the world but for me.

He is who He says He is. He is able to do what He says. He will accomplish His plans and purposes.

I really shouldn’t be surprised that…

The Faith Project has been harder than I imagined and WAY more of a blessing than I’d hoped.

Friends…

Your Faith and Prayers Matter

Your faith matters.

Not just to you but to the people around you.

Your Faith…

Glorifies your Father who loves you.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. Psalm 86:12

Shines His love to others.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Shows the hope He gives.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

Displays His ability to strengthen.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Reveals His peace that passes understanding.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Helps you overcome life’s challenges.

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4

Gives life.

Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. John 14:6

Your prayers…

Make a difference.

The Lord has heard my cry for help; the Lord will answer my prayer. Psalm 6:9

When a believing person prays, great things happen. James 5:16

Moves the heart of God.

But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. 2 Chronicles 33:12–13

Friend, you may be ending a really hard week. The week ahead may not look much better.

Remember…

God has and will give you everything you need.

Your Father who loves you. Your Savior goes before you. And the Spirit is always with you to help, comfort, strengthen and give you peace.

When you praise Him in the storm you give Him glory. You shine His light.

So when the days are hard. Possibly harder than you imagined. Hold on to your faith – dig deep into God’s love and presence. His amazing love and faithful presence are always more of a blessing than you could ever hope for.

Now it’s time for…

Faith ‘n Friends Blog Hop

We’re so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

I’m excited to share two posts with you this week.

by Deborah Haddix

26 Simple Ways to Love on a Friend

and

by Debbie Williams

@ Blogger Loves the King

Easy Ways to Memorize Scripture

Thank you, Deborah and Debbie, for joining the Blog Hop!

(It’s the Debs day here at CMB!)

No More Rules Blog Hop

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.

We would appreciate it if you would
Grab the Button or link back to the hosts.

[inlinkz_linkup id=626492 mode=1]

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts below.

Would you do me a favor — if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone else? Maybe a friend, coworker, or family member…

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…