PRAYER FOR TODAY THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2023 – A PRAYER TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT

DAILY PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY.

Engage these Daily Prayer and Scriptures for today. Take to God all that you desire in prayers, while you watch restfully as he steps into situations to bring out beauty and colour in your live. Today, as you commune with God, know that God has settled all that concerns you, Just believe and pray with faith in your heart. Remain blessed in Jesus name, Amen.

Today’s Prayer is Authored by: Ashley Moore

Prayer Focus For Today 16th February 2023: A Prayer to Make a Positive Impact

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5, NLT
Unable to contain my deep desire to share my story with others, I began writing. At first, my passion was fueled by the hope my experiences would offer and the opportunity to share Jesus. As I began to hone my craft, I discovered that people considered writing good when it could poignantly answer a question or respond to a need. But,  I’ve concluded that the gospel is the root answer, the ultimate solution to every problem.

You see, I started out writing with the end goal of sharing my story. But the Lord turned that on its head by having me focus on Him, His story first. Then as a byproduct, I’ve been afforded opportunities to share with others. Isn’t that just like the Lord, though? It has been said that His kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. Meaning that to the world, the things of God often seem odd and a bit out of order. But it’s not God’s kingdom that is upside-down; it’s the world that has it backward.

What about you? Is there a desire God has planted in your heart? Maybe a story you want to share? Or perhaps you are in need of encouragement and looking for someone to stir your faith?

Maybe you began moving toward this desire only to find your efforts futile. No one flocked to hear your story, read your words, or give any credence to your great idea. No one noticed or tried to comfort you when you needed it most. But what if instead of allowing that to thwart our desire to make an impact, we allowed that to drive us to the source?

Jesus spoke of this heavenly dynamic when he spoke the words in our key verse. He reminded all who listened that He is the vine. He is the supplier of life-giving transformation. He is the one who provides the nutrients through the branches to bear fruit. And just like branches, if we race ahead of God, we can busy ourselves with lots of things. But I’m afraid that they won’t make much difference in eternity. Because we were never designed to survive apart from Him.

And this is good news for those of us with a desire to make a positive impact in the world around us. God has provided the pathway to do so. All we have to do is remain in Him. And oftentimes, when we go to Him first, He transforms us into people who show up in the ways we need most to comfort others with the comfort we have been given (2 Corinthians 1:4).

So as you begin, maybe for a second or third attempt, to chase down a desire to make a difference, try God’s way instead. Before you shower others with the love and encouragement you desperately need, start by lingering a little longer over the Scriptures or praying a little more throughout the day. Ask God for help and make everything you do and say point others back to Him. After all, the biggest difference we can make in someone’s life is to help them draw closer to Him, so we might as well practice that for ourselves.

PRAYER FOR TODAY.

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the desire you give us to do beautiful, meaningful, and creative things in the world. And thank you that in our struggles, you equip us with what we need to love others well. Lord, forgive us when we make things all about us and neglect to point people to you. Lord, I pray that as we move toward making an impact, we would hold our desires loosely while drawing closer and closer to you.

Thank you for directing our steps and sanctifying us into your image as we remain in you. Lord, that is the greatest impact we will ever have in the world anyways. Thank you that we reflect your image to a world of people created for communion with you.
In Jesus, name, amen.

This Is the Assurance of Answers to Your Prayers – Matthew 7:7-11

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are 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!