the greenest grass around

The Lent season is a time of preparation for Easter. But it is also a time of reflection and action on our part. I do not usually participate in Lent activities leading to Easter, but I wanted to implement some things this year.

Each day I will post a Bible verse preparing for Lent.

I will post a short devotional around one or more of those Bible verses each week. In addition, the devotionals will have reflection questions and prayer points for you to use throughout Lent. I pray you will use the reflection questions and prayer points to reflect on your relationship with God and truly grow deeper in your faith this year.

This week pray and ask God to create in you a clean heart. Ask for a renewed AND right spirit. Ask Him to help you crave to seek his face and let you feel the Holy Spirit’s presence with you. Ask God to give you back the joy in your salvation and to sustain you and your spirit in this troubled world.

I love this Bible verse and the prayer. It helps us to pray. If I could remember to pray for this each day, I would have a much deeper relationship with God. I would be more focused on him than on things in this world.

Prayer is critical to a relationship with God. Just like communication is vital to any relationship. Prayer helps you communicate with God.

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7

God wants us to pray. He wants us to reach out to him and tell him our needs. He wants us to have a personal relationship with him.

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

Continue in prayer. Give thanks. Pray for peace. James 5, If anyone is in trouble, let me pray. Romans 12, Be faithful in prayer. Psalms 145, The Lord is near whenever someone calls on him. So many Bible verses about prayer.

Reflection Question #1: How is your prayer life? 

I am not going to call on anyone, obviously. But seriously, take a few minutes and think about it.

Sometimes mine is excellent, while other times it needs a little work. Sometimes I get busy and need to remember or make excuses. Sometimes I am going fine but want to try even harder. Only you and God know where you are.

Reflection Question #2: Where could your prayer life be? 

Now I want to talk about the power of prayer.

I am sure most of you have heard about the revival happening at Asbury College. I have gathered from reading news articles and blogs (not an expert here) that the leadership started praying for a movement of God about two months ago. The administration had been praying and already planning for something to happen. You can go to YouTube and see Francis Chan’s advertisement promoting a day of prayer at Asbury College on Feb 28. They planned that over a month ago. The revival started on Feb 8. That is the power of prayer. I hope you will join me this Lent season to grow your prayer life and self-reflect on your walk with God.

When you pray for rain, you better bring your umbrella.