5 eBook Giveaway of Warrior Prayers



Have you heard of this eBook, Warrior Prayers by Brooke McGlothlin?  It's been buzzing around on twitter and the blogosphere and I HAD to get my hands on it! 

Let me be honest, this eBook knocked my socks off!  I LOVE it!  Why you may ask?  Because not only is the writing open and transparent but the prayers - the prayers are exactly what I need. 

It's specifically the powerful, God-breathed prayers that make me want to shout out loud - "if you have $5.97 get this eBook!" (-and no I'm not being paid to say this! lol! I honestly believe it!) 

I find it so easy for me to get lazy in my prayer life.  I find myself just praying a list of wants to God.  This eBook has been transforming my morning prayers not just for my son but for my entire family.

 Warrior Prayers has over 220 scriptures (yes, I counted them all myself because I was blown away at what an amazing resource this really is!) written out that we can pray over our boys (and family as I have been doing!)

Let me give you an example from page 14 on the topic of Obedience:

Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, may____________(fill in your child's name) obey the LORD our God so that it will go well with him (Jeremiah 42:6).

May _______________obey his parents in the Lord, for this is right (Ephesians 6:1).

May ________________obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

May ________________show his love for Christ by obeying His commands (John 14:15).

Or the topic of love:



May _______________not love the world or the things in the world (I John 2:15).

May the Lord make ____________increase and abound in love (I Thessalonians 3:12)

May ____________ not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (I John 3:18).

May ____________love the LORD his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

This is just a small taste of the 220+ verses that can be prayed over our boys.  Brooke takes you through many scripture passages on the topics of integrity, anger, pride, purity, honor, love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness - just to name a few!

In the Conclusion Brooke writes:

"Prayer?  The desperate cry of a mama whose life has taught her she has so little control.

I cannot hold my children tightly enough to protect them from all harm, cannot force these brothers to love each other well, cannot control their actions, cannot keep them from losing the people they love, cannot ensure that they will turn out to be the men I dream they will be, cannot make them love the Lord.

I cannot change their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

Prayer is the coming to the end of myself, the letting go, and placing my hope in the God who CAN." 

Are you praying for your children?  I suggest that you pray scripture over them if you are not already doing so and this is a great tool to help you.

I am giving away 5 copies of the Warrior Prayers eBook!!!  To win simply leave a comment below before Saturday at 9pm!For extra entries:  Facebook or tweet this link for the giveaway!  I'll be giving away the 2nd edition in PDF format (which includes study questions and is newly available on Kindle here. It will be available on Nook soon.)

Walk with the King!

My Mini Faith Crisis - Does God Hear My Prayers?

 Years ago, I had a faith crisis. I questioned if God was really hearing my prayers.  God spoke to me through his word and here's what he said:





Psalm 139:17,18
"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you."


As I emptied my suitcases from vacation, I found 100's of grains of sand stuck in the corners of the suitcase and inside of shoes. Memories of reading Psalm 139 on the beach wrapped around me like a warm blanket - comforting me. 


I am on God's mind.


You are on God's mind.


Bask in this truth today!


Walk with the King!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers, Titus 2sdays, and We Are That Family.


Today is Women Living Well Wednesday! It's a Link-Up Day!!!

Join the fun, do a little blog hopping and don't forget if you join below -please add the Women Living Well Wednesdays button to your post so your readers can find us here! (posts can include the topics of marriage, parenting, homemaking, finances, recipes, organization and more!)

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Random Tips and Clips From This Week

Here's a few random happenings in our house this week:

Lexi sweeping with her new broom! What a blessing she is!

I LOVE getting the mail every single day! It's like hitting the jackpot every time I open a Christmas card from family or friends!

Here's what we do with our Christmas cards... (and I know some of you are already doing this!) We have placed all the cards in a fish bowl (you could use a basket)and at every meal the kids each pick a card out of the bowl and we pray for the two families who are chosen. We will continue to do this into the month of January! This is a fun and easy way to remember to keep family and friends in our prayers and to teach our children to pray for others.


Secondly, we had turbo amounts of snow this week, which meant lots of wet clothes and hot chocolate! So here's a tip my big sister taught me a few years ago, duct tape your children's coat to their gloves so snow cannot seep into their sleeves.

The warmer they stay, the longer they play lol!! (Only do this when you are out with them or keeping a close eye on them...)


And finally, this week my children sat down and watched sweet little Vivi from 10 Million Miles make Pebble Snacks. (Laura will be a speaker with me at the Relevant 11 Conference! Woohoo!) Here's the clip:

Then we made them!

They were SO easy (the recipe is here) and we can't wait to serve them to Grandpa today when he comes over to do some history and science with the kids!

So this is what we have been up to this week! Hope you have a great weekend! Just 7 days until Christmas!!! Oh my!!! Keep lighting your candles and covering your homes in prayer for peace. And don't forget to take care of yourself by taking a bubble bath, getting to bed early and reading God's word!

Walk with the King!

I am linked up to Raising Homemakers and Works for me Wednesdays at We Are That Family.

I Wish I Had a Counseling Degree

There are times I receive emails from my dear readers that contain questions far too difficult for me to answer. When the questions are beyond my experience or studies I often say "I'm sorry I am not a counselor. You need to seek out a pastor, trusted Godly friend or call Focus on the Family's 1-800 number (1-800-232-6459). I deeply regret this is beyond my expertise."


There are moments I feel inept to write on this blog because I am not a counselor - I just don't know all the answers and I so wish I did!~


Thankfully there is a counsellor all believers have access to who supersedes all counseling degrees - the Holy Spirit! Jesus says in John 14: 16-17 "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth."


Anne Graham Lotz says:

"Jesus described the Holy Spirit as "Another." The Greek word actually means "another who is exactly the same." So although the Holy Spirit is a distinct person, He is exactly the same as Jesus, but without the physical body. He has been described as Jesus without skin. Or, like an FBI agent, He is Jesus undercover."


Dear hurting Christian sister, you may feel all alone in your trials and difficulties. But you are not. Jesus has sent "another" counselor with the same mind, emotions, intellect and wisdom into our hearts to guide, comfort, direct, and help us manage our way through life.


Have you yielded to this Counselor the Holy Spirit? You must first be in his word, in prayer and in stillness - to sense his clear leading, comfort and guidance.


If you are hurting today - practice the presence of God in your life. Psalm 139:7-10 says:

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

Know that he is always with you. Surrender your will to him. Be still - listen - move forward in peace.


Walk with the King!

If anyone knows of any other organizations with toll free numbers for readers who need a counselor can you please leave it in the comment section. I will use it as a resource for ladies who are hurting. Thank you for your help.

My Heart Is About To Burst!

As I clicked through yesterday's marriage challenge link-ups, my heart was overwhelmed with joy! My eyes teared up and I felt like my heart was going to burst - burst with excitement for your marriages!!!

Ladies who linked up - you are BEAUTIFUL! The world has failed to praise you for your inner beauty - but I will not miss this opportunity!

I learned a lot from you all yesterday - at one point I had to pull out my journal and start writing! I think it was the transparency of those who admitted that they had never thought to ask their husband how they could pray for him or were too busy to simply pray - that touched me. It showed me growth is happening!

One woman shared how she asked her husband in the morning how she could pray for him and then he called from work and thanked her for asking! Hooray!

Another shared how her husband leaves early in the morning, but before he leaves he always covers her in bed and says a prayer over her. Beautiful!

Another has been praying for her husband since she was 12 - at the time she was just praying for the man God would bring into her life. And now she is reaping the answers to those prayers. Teach your daughters to pray now for their future husbands!

Many shared great verses. Some have the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" but have never used it and now they are pulling it out and praying! While others said they had been through the book multiple times praying for their husband. Beautiful!

One wife shared how she had given up on prayer since God seemed to be saying "no" - then she realized that God was not trying to change her husband instead he changed her!

Another reflected on how her husband is the leader of their home and the toll leadership takes on a man. The devil seeks to see him fall and if he is led astray so is the rest of the family - she motivated me to pray right that minute AGAIN for my husband!

I recommended you say a sentence prayer for your husband every time you see your wedding ring on your finger. A bunch of wives adopted other little symbols to remind them to pray such as a bicycle, Starbucks cup, ambulance, their shoes, while ironing their clothes or a black Ford F150! Some of you have committed to fast! I am doing a cartwheel inside for you!

Oh ladies - I am just so excited and so blessed and I know your marriages and homes will be too. I want to close this post with what one wife wrote at the end of her post..."please say a sentence prayer for my marriage." What a wise woman she is to know that she needs the prayer of others for her marriage also.

Ladies - do not be afraid to ask others to pray with you for your marriage. We all need prayer. I have prayed for your marriages - so I humbly ask - will you please say a sentence prayer for mine? Thank you and you are truly beautiful! Keep on praying and don't forget to ask your husband today how you can pray for him!

Walk with the King!

Book Review: The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory

Fasting is a Christian discipline that is rarely talked about in the Christian church, so I found the book, The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory, to be refreshing and enlightening. America has been plagued by an epidemic of obesity - we love our food -and for some they love their food more than they love their God! Fasting was a part of the Jewish culture and great men and women of God through out the Bible, participated in fasting and prayer. Our ultimate example is Jesus our Savior, who went into the wilderness for 40 days to fast and pray.

Have you ever gone on a fast? In the last few years I have begun to practice this spiritual discipline. Sometimes it's been with my Good Morning Girls group, often it's with my husband and once with an old friend from high school who now lives in Texas! The support through out the day of emails, texts and prayers has gotten me through some rough days of fasting - (I do love my Diet Coke! I know for others giving up coffee is a struggle!)

What is so great about this book is it provides a step by step plan - including how to prepare, some recipes that follow the restrictions and daily devotions for doing a 21 day Daniel Fast. I have not done a fast that included food so this sparked my interest - maybe I can do this!

Susan Gregory says in The Daniel Fast, "The definition of a biblical fast is to restrict food for a spiritual purpose." Susan explains there are three types of fasts - an absolute fast, a normal fast, and a partial fast. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast - abstaining from some foods but not all. Daniel abstained from all foods except foods from the seed and water. So this book explains how to follow his example.

Do you wish you had the deep faith of Daniel? One that could lock the jaws of lions in a den? I think we all wish we could have that type of walk with God and yet are we willing to do what Daniel did in order to have what Daniel had? Fasting is not so you can impress God with your "super" Christian ways - but it is for you. It is done to draw us nearer to God and without the aspect of extra prayer and time in the word - it is just a diet.

Fasting was created by God as a tool to bring us into closer relationship with Him. If you are interested in doing a 1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 10 day or 21 day fast - go to Susan Gregory's website to learn more about the Daniel Fast here. You can also read a past post I wrote on fasting here.

"Sometimes you are so hungry, the only way to be fed is to fast."Susan Gregory

Walk with the King!

How To Pray Continually

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: "16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."




(I apologize for getting the address of Jen's blogspot wrong - the correct blog address is http://www.joyeverafter.blogspot.com/ )

Also, "My Prayer Walk" was featured yesterday on Internet Cafe Devotions.

If you haven't read "My Prayer Walk" which is another method of "Praying Continually" check it out here!

Walk with the King!

My Prayer Walk

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

My prayer walk begins as I pull the crumpled blankets from a sweet nights rest up "Lord, bless the man who slept here last night - give him strength for todays trials, integrity for today's temptations and wisdom for today's decisions." I go around to the other side of the bed and pull the blankets up "Lord, help me, help me be a blessing to my husband today, be patient with the children, and wise for today's challenges."

I walk into the bathroom - bathtub toys are strewn across the floor, I pick up the match box car "Lord, bless my little boy who dreams big and plays hard - help him use his strength for you." I lay my daughter's bath baby back into her bucket - "Lord, bless my little girl, she has so many words to say, help her be wise in her word choices."

I walk down to the kitchen, crumbs are wiped from the morning breakfast table "Lord, use this table to comfort weary souls and encourage my little pilgrims on their journey". I wipe the first chair "Lord, help our leader husband to be healthy so he can complete the ever mounting tasks on his plate." I wipe the second and third chair "Lord, give the children laughter in their adventures together - knit their souls together."And then the fourth... "Lord, help - I just need help...tears bubble under the surface...no more words for her need to be said - the Spirit already understands what words cannot express."

Then into the living room, pillows are straightened prayers are said for visitors, friends and family who once sat there. Dust is wiped from the piano as praise bellows in my heart for the joy that has come through the blessing of that black wooden box with ivory keys. Memories of children singing and dancing flood my heart with overwhelming joy. The joy is broken...the newspaper is lifted from the entry way - the world's troubles vomit on me - prayers are lifted for my city, state, country, and President.

My heart is heavy as I lift the heavy laundry basket and carry it out of the room and up the stairs - the basket seems to get lighter as I thank the Lord for giving us these clothes in abundance. The drawer is opened, the clothes slip into their comfy home ready to be used.

I walk past the television and pause - "Lord, have we dishonored you by the things we have watched on there? Help us to not waste our time on useless viewing which turns into useless living."

I walk to my computer...there it sits...the world at my finger tips...it calls my name...it woos me to come and sit for a while.

My Bible is right beside the keyboard...there it sits...God's only written truth there at my finger tips...it calls my name...it woos me to come and sit for a while.

Why am I so torn - why does the computer's wooing seem stronger than the Bible's? Pause for repentance - "Father forgive me for weak moments where time spent on my computer has caused me to neglect your word."

I open my Bible and drink a tall glass of refreshing living water that is spilt on every page. Sweet refreshment - I rise refreshed as distant little voices call out "mommy"...temptations to carry my heavy burden rise with me. I move forward leaving my burden to lie at the feet of Jesus. My heart is light - I walk in peace - I walk with the King - the King walks with me.

************************************************
Today - pause, take the time to pray over the people in your home, over the places they sleep, their toys, the television that will capture them and keep them hostage for as long as you allow, the computer which can bring life or death into your home. Let God use a daily prayer walk to transform your family...if you don't pray for them - who will?

Walk with the King!

Today is National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer Website has created a list of 7 things to pray for today:

1. Our Government - pray for:

President: Barack Obama
Vice President: Joe Biden
Secretary of State: Hillary Clinton
Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates
Secretary of the Treasury: Timothy Geithner
Attorney General: Eric Holder
National Security Advisor: Gen. James Jones
Director of National Intelligence: Dennis Blair

2. Our Military - pray for those in harms way right now and for those who have lost loved ones

3. The Media - the most powerful influence in our nation

4. Business - pray that God provides corporate leaders who will conduct themselves honorably

5. Education -pray for our teachers and for children who struggle because of their faith in public schools.

6. Church - the church is not just the one we attend but there is a universal church we are all a part of - pray for purity, courage, growth and strength.

7. Family - pray that the family would be preserved in our nation despite rampant divorce and abuse and that the parents would be devoted to their children.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Join me in prayer today and Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Praying For Your Children All Day Long

I was over on Blessing Upon Blessing this weekend and I discovered her beautiful prayer cards - so with her permission I wanted to post photos and how she uses them. She actually got the idea from Bring in the Rain who says on her site:

"The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on notecards."

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)


3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)


4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)


5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)


7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

If you have little ones in your home, I want to encourage you to make some of your own prayer cards today. 7 may seem like more than you can accomplish in a day - maybe start with just two or three of your favorites? If you are crafty you can make beautiful cards - but if you are not maybe just write them on post-its notes and stick one at the kitchen table, one by their bed and one in their bathroom. I am so thankful I stumbled upon this new tool with these verses already listed - it's exactly what I need!

Also, I was featured in a "Saturday Spotlight" over the weekend on Run Watch Play Wait's website if you are interested in the interview - she is a great blogger friend - check it out!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

Fasting and Prayer

So this week I have focused on taking care of your temple - your body - and today I want to address fasting - which is a spiritual discipline that feeds your soul while you starve your body - it's a mystery how it works! You replace meal time with prayer time and each time your mind signals - "I want food" - you let that be a signal to pray. So a day of fasting equals a day of fervent prayer.

Fasting is something that I rarely hear discussed in church so I had to do a little research to learn how to do it. Dee Brestin has a book titled "A Woman of Moderation" that has been very insightful if you are looking for some help in this area. Also, John Piper has a book titled "A Hunger for God" which is all about fasting and can be downloaded for free by clicking on this link.

Here's what he says on page 20: "When midmorning comes and you want food so badly that the thought of lunch becomes as sweet as summer vacation, then suddenly you realize, "Oh, I forgot, I made a commitment. I can't have that pleasure. I'm fasting for lunch too." Then what are you going to do with all the unhappiness inside? Formerly, you blocked it out with the hope of a tasty lunch. The hope of food gave you the good feelings to balance out the bad feelings. But now the balance is off. You must find another way to deal with it.

At these points we really begin to discover what our spiritual resources are. The things I discover about my soul are so valuable for the fight of faith...I almost subtitled this book: Fasting - the Hungry Handmaid of Faith. What a servant she is! Humbly and quietly, with scarcely a movement, she brings up out of the dark places of my soul the dissatisfaction's in relationships, the frustrations of the ministry, the fears of failure, the emptiness of wasted time. And just when my heart begins to retreat to the delicious hope of eating supper with friends at Pizza Hut, she quietly reminds me: not tonight. It can be a devastating experience at first.

Will I find spiritual communion with God sweet enough, and hope in his promises deep enough, not just to cope, but to flourish and rejoice in him? Or will I rationalize away my need to fast and retreat to the mediation of food? The apostle Paul said "I will not be mastered by anything." (I Corinthians 6:12) Fasting reveals the measure of foods mastery over us - or television or computers or whatever we submit to again and again to conceal the weakness of our hunger for God"

If you've never fasted before - (and you aren't pregnant, nursing or suffering from a medical condition which would not allow you to fast) then consider - one 24 hour period of fasting. When I fast I go from sundown to sundown. So I eat my "last supper" around 5pm and then I don't eat again until the next evening at 6pm. Enjoy a day of fervent prayer and allow God to be your portion and strength.

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

God is Able!

In 1946, Darryl Zanuck, an executive at 20th Century Fox said "Television won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night." Wow was Darryl Zanuck wrong!!! He could not imagine how mesmorizing television would become for America.

Do you ever do this with prayer? You pray for something but since you can't imagine how God would answer your prayer - you lose hope - assume the worst ending. My freshman year in college I had a roommate whose life verse was Ephesians 3:20 and she would periodically say "pray for an Ephesians 3:20." Recently I was praying and her words came back to me and I prayed for an Ephesians 3:20.

Do you have something in your life that you have been praying for and it seems as though the plan you told God he should do - he is not doing! Are you worried about your husband's job, disharmony in the home, a wayward child, financial troubles, a lost family member or something else out of your control? Then you need an Ephesians 3:20.

Ephesians 3:20 and 21 say "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, acoording to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

When we cry out to God - we do not need to cry out very loudly - he is nearer than we realize. And when you cry out - remember - HE IS ABLE! Ephesians 3:20 says he is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."

Our part is in believing - that's faith - though we don't know how to ask or imagine God answering our prayers -we know he is more than able and when he does he will receive all the glory!

Now take your burden to the throne room of God and lay it at his feet - he is ABLE!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/