Return America!

O Father, I pray that America will return to You.

I pray for my country, my family, myself. Judgment and punishment are at our doorstep, and our only hope is to return to You.

Help us return to You to acknowledge and praise You!  Reveal the wickedness and godlessness that has led us so far astray from the godly, moral values we were founded on.

Father, as in Jude’s time, many men have “slipped in among us” to lead us away from You.  In Jude’s words, “godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny You” as Sovereign and Lord. Jude 1:4

I believe this has happened in America. And we have fallen for their deceptions. They claim a righteousness, but it is not Yours. They divide even the faithful – like wolves wearing sheep’s clothing.

Show me how to see these people, these philosophies for what they really are, and not be misled by them.

I see what Hosea recognized: “Hear the word of the Lord, America, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: ‘There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.   There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.’” Hosea 4:1-2

Solomon also knew the people well.  Even as You inhabited the Temple, and Your Glory shone all around, he knew Your people would turn away from You.  He prayed for Your forgiveness and mercy, and You answered with a promise we can claim today.

“If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

Father, I humble myself before You.  I have not measured up in so many ways.  I do not deserve the blessings You pour out on me.   Show me where there is wickedness in my life: my words, my actions, my attitude.

Forgive me when I have spoken but should have held my tongue.  Forgive me when I held my tongue but should have spoken.

Forgive me when I have acted and should not have, or should have acted, and did not.

I have allowed fear to dictate when I was willing to stand up for You when it was easier not to.  I have allowed my comfort to set the limits of my generosity when it comes to giving of my time and talents and treasure.

Lord I seek Your face to bring a spiritual awakening and revival upon my country.  Renew the Biblical values this country was founded on.  Let Your people once again know Your presence, Your power and Your blessing. And not accept politicians any longer who offer counterfeit blessings!

Father, bring America together in unity, across boundaries of race, politics, faith, status, income.  Help us join together to seek the common good and Your direction for our lives and our country.

Oh Lord, hear and act!  For Your sake, my God, do not delay. Let this vote be a turning point in America’s people waking up to the lies and deception of politics, and turn back to You!  Amen

Would you say a prayer right now for America…thanking GOD for our freedoms, for His protection

Pray for our elections…for our people to be protected from violence…for any who plan violence to be stopped…

for godly leadership…for healing in families – communities – political parties…for revival!

In the Battle again

If you didn’t read the last blog, please do, and see how in this time of “refraining from embracing” (Ecclesiastes 3:5). I’ve been “embracing” God’s will, God’s direction, and God’s purpose for this time of my life.

I believe God has put on each of our hearts something we cannot do alone…something we need His help, His strength, and His direction to accomplish. Something God-sized! What does that look like in your life?

If you’re not sure, ask Him. He’ll tell you.

Things have been going so well and moving forward as God has led me to publish now 4 books on prayer, and pray for and with so many people going through difficult times. And though my kidneys are close to failing, God has brought hundreds to pray for me. It has been so encouraging! And now He has brought a Living Donor forward for me after being on the transplant list for 2 years. We don’t match blood types so matches for each of us are being located.

So many things have come together that God has had a hand in and I have been feeling extremely blessed and so grateful, giving God thanks and praise for all of it.

But guess who is not happy about that and the credit God is getting?

Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) And comes to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10)

And just when we think things are really going well, Bam! We are under attack!

Have you felt like this? Things seem to be going so great, and then Bam! With just a few well-placed words or thoughts, the devil has you in knots.

Put on your Spiritual Armor every day – so that you can spot the schemes and lies of the devil. When things are going bad, and when they are going good.

Even when you least expect it – like I did this week!

Out of the blue, I was under attack, and it worked…for a few hours. But God’s armor protected me and I recognized the attack. Calling out to God, He formed this verse to help me remember what happened. He will help you too!  Call out to Him!

Oh Lord I’m in the battle

And the enemy I face
Speaks lies to me
And leads me to
A cold and darkened place

He tells me how I’ve failed You
How disappointed You must be
That I’m not worth the effort
Or the blessings given me

He drags out all my failures
Piles them on me one by one
Till I am overwhelmed
And he thinks his job is done

I sit with the emotions
Shame and Grief and Fear
Feeling so unworthy
But then I sense You near

Through the lies and misdirection
I can see the Truth
It was never about my worthiness
But always about You!

You have armed me for this battle
For the enemy I face
And I know that in the end
You will put him in his place

So I pray and seek Your comfort
As I put my faith in You
I thank You in advance for help
trusting You will see me through

Until this siege is over
And the enemy moves on
I have your strength and healing
The battle’s as good as won

Laura Fail Shaffer © 10-22-2022

Back to School ? !

I truly don’t know where the summer went…May and early June were filled with doctor appointments. Then the heat turned up and we stayed mostly inside and I worked a lot finishing the 4th and 5th books in the 40 Day Prayer Guides series: Praying for your Grandchild and Praying for you Pastor ready.

Before the end of July I started seeing ads for Back to School and now my husband tells me Christmas decorations are up at Costco!

Just last week we went to sit our Grand-dog, and on the way back home, stopped at our favorite Mexican food restaurant. Their expanded outdoor serving area was shady, breezy, and completely empty so we sat there enjoying our very favorite soft green chili Rellenos! Sooo yummy!

We took the scenic route home through shady neighborhoods and twisty roads and stopped for fresh fruits and vegetables at our outdoor market. So to me, It felt like I finally got to enjoy my first outdoor summer day!

And now it‘s back to school! Getting school supplies, preparing tots for the first day of kindergarten, shopping for all those nutritious snacks to put in lunch boxes, making lists of what’s needed for the college dorm room, and pondering what things you want to say to that child – either the one leaving home for mere hours of the school day for the first time – or the one leaving for weeks or months at a time for college or a job away from home.

At least that’s how I’ve seen it before from my perspective. But for some reason today I’m thinking about the perspective of those teachers preparing to go back.

Some who can’t wait to get back in the classroom and are energized by seeing smiling faces ready to learn, and the joy that comes from knowing that they’ve impacted student’s lives for life and taught lessons that blessed and helped children toward their potential.

And some teachers who are excited to be back but are feeling weary perhaps unappreciated and find it challenging to get up every morning and face of classroom with the problems inherent in school administrations and the conflict between students and the misunderstandings or non-participation of parents in their child’s lives.

And then those who return to the classroom with downright fears of what is happening in our world and what might happen to them during the course of the year.

And my heart turns to pray for all of them…Heavenly Father, protect our teachers in their classrooms, and their comings and goings. They are strong and courageous and caring to take on the task of guiding our children through their day at school in so many ways – providing mental, social, emotional, physical growth.

Give teachers the wisdom and time they need to learn how each student learns best. Ensure that each teacher has the support they need in their classroom, from the administration, the district, and the parents, to do the job they love. Make sure they are treated with respect by their students, and are able to impart the gift of learning to every student. And encourage them by letting them see ways their teaching is making a difference and impacting lives.

1 Cor 15:58  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

** And if you know a teacher – send them a Welcome Back note with a scripture or word of appreciation.

A Song for you…

How many of us are going through a hard time right now? Or know someone who is??

Personally, I’m in a challenging place right now with my health. And I have several friends who have lost a loved one recently, others are in a hard place financially, or have put much of their life on hold since the pandemic. And loved ones who have wandered away from the Lord and just need some direction and hope in their life.

A friend sent me this song from youtube. It’s actually a prayer. And the words reflect what I want to say/pray for so many friends.

So I’m sharing it with you. Thank you to Jeff Pardo, Ethan Hulse, David Andrew Spencer and Katy Nichole for these amazing words. For so many, I pray for their healing, and for their circumstances to change, for fear to be released, for miracles and a breakthrough. And for some, I just speak the name of Jesus over them, because it’s the best thing I can do for them.

These words come from my heart too and go out as a prayer as I sing along.

And the music! Is so powerful and moving.

Thank you to the person who put together this version of the video, as the photos are also powerful.

I pray it will touch you  too, and give words to your prayers for those you love in your life too.

And thank you Patricia for sending it my way 🙂

Do you want to bless and be blessed?

I believe we all want to be blessed.

But I don’t know that we really understand what that word means?

Merriam-Webster says it means having a sacred nature, holy, or connected with God. Or very welcome or pleasant.

A Greek word I learned for blessed is “makarios” translated as being supremely fortunate. I remember it because it reminds me of that happy dance that became a craze in the 90s – the macarena.

But that too has a connotation of just being happy. And like the difference between happiness and joy – with the one being dependent on your circumstances, and the other being an inner emotion based on something deeper and more meaningful, I think “blessed” means more than just happy.

Several places in the Bible tell us about those who are blessed, or how to be blessed. I want to start off the year focusing on being blessed and blessing others. I’m asking God to help me be attentive to how I can bless those He brings across my path, and to be sure I’m doing what I should to be blessed by Him.

You are invited to pray Psalm 1 with me to step into His blessing as well. Based on Psalm 1:1 from The Voice translation and the Amplified Bible:

Heavenly Father, do not let me follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, who plan harm to others or act with evil intent. Regardless of what the culture tells me or encourages me to do or think, I want to seek Your wisdom for my life, my actions, my decisions.

Don’t let me hang out at places where people mock You, are judgmental, rude, or sarcastic, belittling others. Guard my speech so I don’t join in with them or even enjoy their company.

And keep me from taking the easy way that temptation and sin offer so I can grow the way You intended…with all I need to be fruitful and hardy, regardless of the circumstances I face.

Thank You for Your blessing on me and on my life. Help me see when You are helping me and blessing me. And show me how to share that blessing with others. Amen

So I may not feel like dancing all the time, but I do want to be blessed. And learn more about being intentional and consistent in blessing others.

Check out my book, it’s a 40 Day Prayer Guide  – Praying a Blessing for Others: Powerful day-by-day prayers inviting God to forever change a life

In 1 minute a day, you can bless others with the written prayers, or pray them for yourself.

Psalm 1:1-3 The Voice; Psalm 1:1-3 Amplified Bible

Macarena photo by the Australian Paralympic Committee