Mar 16, 2026 – Audacious Prayers
JC – “It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength…. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing….. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will…. Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presences.”
Prevail #75 – Taking her title, “Answer Me, So That They Will Know,” from 1 Kings 18:37, Larson offers a helpful perspective about calling on God. She writes, “Elijah asked God to show himself strong on Elijah’s behalf, both to show that He was the one true God, and to draw people back to himself. Oftentimes when we’re in a predicament, we minimize it. We assume that since we’re not facing down giants or evil kings, God’s intervention on our behalf won’t be as significant. But did you know that others are watching your life from a distance? They know you profess Christ, and they want to know how you’ll handle things when life pushes up against you…. Pray audaciously today. And tomorrow. And the next day.”
Power – Joyce uses the feeding of the 5000 in Mark 6:37-38 to further show how God is bigger than our weaknesses and our lack of resources and any “preconceived mold” of what we can and can’t do. She writes, “Because [the disciples] felt they couldn’t meet the entire need, they were choosing to do nothing.” From our vantage point, we initially find ourselves wondering why they would doubt, especially after spending time with and watching Jesus. The same could be said for us and what we’ve experienced with and learned about Jesus that should make us more bold in our faith. Joyce suggests, “Instead of focusing on what you can’t do or what you don’t have or what you’ve lost, take an inventory of what you do have…. He will do the multiplying…. Then you’ll get to use what you have to help others.”
Simpson adds his thoughts about abundant provision, “The Lord will give grace and glory. [Psalm 84:11] This word glory is very difficult to translate, define, and explain; but there is something in the spiritual consciousness of the quickened Christian that interprets it. It is the overflow of grace: it is the wine of life; it is the foretaste of heaven; it is a flash from the Throne and an inspiration from the heart of God which may have and in which we may live…. David used to say, ‘Wake up my glory.’ Ask God to wake up your glory and enable you to mount up with wings as eagles, to dwell on high and sit with Christ in the heavenly places.”
JA – “Tell Me about your feelings and the struggles you face. I already know about them, but it does you good to bring them to Me…. Seek My Face and My perspective on your life. Sometimes it’s beneficial to write out your concerns. This clarifies your thinking and provides a record of your prayers. It also helps you release your problems to Me.” When we face seemingly impossible tasks, like feeding the 5000, we need to give God the loaves and fish we have and then release the problem to Him.
[Note: The snow day photos really have nothing to do with today’s message except that it was a surprise treat from God. We braced for the predicted bad weather overnight, but had no idea that this was coming today. Snow always brings out childlike joy in both Don and me when it first starts falling.]
