IDOK Devotion for Monday, April 19, 2010

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Updates and Requests:  Baby Ryder weighs 2 pounds!!!

Tired

I count it not a coincidence and neither in this moment do I know what will come to be written on this ‘page’.  I do know I am tired and when I am tired, I often don’t feel real spiritual.  Anybody know what I mean?

I was reading in the book of Daniel a few days ago, chapter 9 and at verse 21 I wrote in the margin that Daniel prayed even when he was very tired.  And tonight when I opened my Bible for inspiration, it opened to that very page, first thing; but I kept turning pages.  I then picked up Marion Stroud’s book Dear God, It’s Me and It’s Urgent.  And what was she saying on the page that opened?  It’s almost time for bed, Lord, and what have I to offer you out of this ordinary day? Well, I can tell you she had my attention.  And when I got to the last line of her prayer ABBA had my attention too. So, Lord, here is my day of small things—an evening sacrifice offered . . . evening sacrifice … Daniel.   Even when he was very tired.  And so I figured Daniel must be the place for us – tiredness and all.

21while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.

In our extreme weariness, in our passed tired states, He comes to us and when He does somehow we are not as tired. Anybody know what I mean?

— an evening sacrifice offered with open hands and a loving heart. Amen and amen.  Make it so LORD, make it so.

22 He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding.

This is what we want – in tiredness and in all we need, He is ready to give us insight with understanding.   We just need to come with our evening offering – our evening sacrifice of praise and He will meet with us.   He will smile upon us.  He will forgive and give us insight and understanding and He will give us sweet peace and rest at evening – and morning too for that matter.   Just come, tired as we are.  Isn’t that good news?  Whatever tiredness you are experiencing, take yourself and your tiredness to Him and He will renew you, and give you insight with understanding.  Not a bad deal, huh?

To review the list of names for prayer, please click here. Well, ABBA, I don’t feel as tired as when we began and thank You for the insight and the understanding that You keep giving. I pray for open hands and loving hearts for each of us. I pray for evening offerings.  I pray not one of us will lay our heads to sleep without at least saying I love You and thank You.  I pray not one of us will put feet to the floor in the morning without first saying I love you and thank You for the night that is passed and the day that is coming.

Thank You for Ryder’s continued improvement.  Thank You for every good report that has been received.  Thank You for comfort and strength with every report that was not as hoped. Thank You that when we are weary You are our strength.  Thank You that You are our peace and our place of safety and refuge in every storm, every trial for every name on our list.  Again, I pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection and safe and sound returns home.  We remember Israel and pray for peace.  We remember the situation with the volcanic activity and we trust You – praying that people stressed and waiting will seize this opportunity to hear You and be still and know You are God.  We continue to remember America and pray for repentance and revival; and for Houses of Prayer to pray without ceasing.   Amen and amen in Jesus Name.