Scripture at Sunrise 03.28.2023

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7

No care but all prayer. No anxiety but much joyful communion with God. Carry your desires to the Lord of your life, the guardian of your soul. Go to Him with two portions of prayer and one of fragrant praise. Do not pray doubtfully but thankfully. Consider that you have your petitions, and therefore thank God for His grace. He is giving you grace; give Him thanks, Hide nothing. Allow no want to lie rankling in your bosom; “make known your requests.” Run not to man. Go only to your God, the Father of Jesus, who loves you in Him.

This shall bring you God’s own peace. You shall not be able to understand the peace which you shall enjoy. It will enfold you in its infinite embrace. Heart and mind through Christ Jesus shall be steeped in a sea of rest. Come life or death, poverty, pain, slander, you shall dwell in Jesus above every rolling wind or darkening cloud. Will you not obey this dear command?

Yes, Lord, I do believe thee; but, I beseech thee, help mine unbelief.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 04.21.2022

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9

“The promise is ‘My grace is sufficient’ (2 Cor 12:9), not ‘My grace will abolish your thorns.’” –Elisabeth Elliot

Scripture at Sunrise 11.18.2021

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Matthew 26:41

A prayer when facing temptation…

“𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑, ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 𝐼 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛.”

Make me sober-minded.

Amen.

-Garrett Kell

Scripture at Sunrise 11.17.2021

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” -James 5:16

“Don’t think it’s your prayer that accomplishes great things. God’s power accomplishes great things! Prayer shows our dependence on Him.” -Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpts from “The Righteous Man’s Prayer” – Listen)

Scripture at Sunrise 10.26.2021

“For the elect’s sake those days be shortened.” -Matthew 24:22

For the sake of His elect the Lord withholds many judgments and shortens others. In great tribulations the fire would devour all were it not that out of regard to His elect the Lord damps the flame. Thus, while He saves His elect for the sake of Jesus, He also preserves the race for the sake of His chosen.

What an honor is thus put upon saints! How diligently they ought to use their influence with their Lord! He will hear their prayers for sinners and bless their efforts for their salvation. He blesses believers that they may be a blessing to those who are in unbelief. Many a sinner lives because of the prayers of a mother, or wife, or daughter to whom the Lord has respect.

Have we used aright the singular power with which the Lord entrusts us? Do we pray for our country, for other lands, and for the age? Do we, in times of war, famine, pestilence, stand out as intercessors, pleading that the days may be shortened? Do we lament before God the outbursts of infidelity, error, and licentiousness? Do we beseech our Lord Jesus to shorten the reign of sin by hastening His own glorious appearing? Let us get to our knees and never rest till Christ appeareth.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 09.06.2021

“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.” -Nehemiah 2:4

To be a better servant of the Lord, we must be patient, show respect to those in authority, have a lifestyle of prayer, give God the glory, expect opposition, pick your battles, and understand that the battle belongs to the Lord. Have faith in Him! (excerpts from Sunday Evening Sermon “Being a Servant of the Lord” from Nehemiah 2)

Scripture at Sunrise 03.11.2021

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” -Acts 16:14

“The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14

Let this great act of heart-opening govern and gladden your prayers for those whose hearts are closed.

-John Piper via Twitter

Scripture at Sunrise 03.10.2021

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” -Isaiah 55:8-9

Do not bring before God stinted petitions and narrow desires, but remember, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are His ways above your ways and His thoughts above your thoughts. Ask, therefore, for great things, for you are before a great throne. —Spurgeon

Scripture at Sunrise 03.09.2021

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pay unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” -Jeremiah 29:7

The principle involved in this text would suggest to all of us who are the Lord’s strangers and foreigners that we should be desirous to promote the peace and prosperity of the people among whom we dwell. Specially should our nation and our city be blest by our constant intercession. An earnest prayer for your country and other countries is well becoming in the mouth of every believer. Eagerly let us pray for the great boon of peace, both at home and abroad. If strife should cause bloodshed in out streets, or if foreign battle should slay our brave soldiers, we should all bewail the calamity; let us therefore pray for peace and diligently promote those principles by which the classes at home and the races abroad may be bound together in bonds of amity.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 01.28.2021

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.” -Psalm 119:18

As you open your Bible in 2021, pray:
I: “Incline my heart to your Word, not to selfish gain” (Ps 119:37)
O: “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your law” (119:18)
U: “Unite my heart to fear your name” (86:11)
S: “Satisfy me with your unfailing love” (90:14)
—@JohnPiper