Tag Archives: thanksgiving

When You Only Have a Few Minutes to Pray

When You Only Have a Few Minutes to Pray

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How one to three minutes can focus our minds and hearts on adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. (image, Centreville United Methodist Church)

My wife is a professional counselor and a good one. Her workdays are divided into listening to and helping many different people, 55 minutes at a time. She has often said she’d like to have a 50- or 55-minute hourglass for her counseling sessions. It would be not only a helpful way to keep track of time but also a focusing and soothing influence on both counselor and counselee! So this past fall I ordered her a custom hourglass to give to her as a Christmas gift.

That got me thinking, which is always a risky proposition. Hourglasses come in all shapes and sizes. We even have several one-minute and three-minute versions in our home already, packed in various board games and group game boxes. So why not put them to even better use—in prayer?

So, new year, new things. I plan to try it.

For example, I can follow the ACTS pattern using the three-minute timer for each type of prayer:

  • Adoration and praise
  • Confession
  • Thanksgiving
  • Supplication (asking in earnest) and intercession (praying for others)

I might use the one-minute hourglass to focus my prayers on family: a minute of intercession for my wife, children and grandchildren.

Something else I might try: using the one minute timer for “lightning round” prayers, like game shows sometimes do, particularly in the middle of the day. So even when I have only a few minutes to pray, the hourglass can help focus my thoughts and prayers.

I bet the hourglass can even help me practice silence. I can use one of them to focus my thoughts at the beginning of my prayer time, watching the grains of sand flow silently downward. Or let the sand be a benediction of sorts to conclude a period of prayer. And on those occasions when I am hurried or stressed, maybe I can let the hourglass calm me for a minute. . . or three.

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Praise and Prayer, December 2015

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EMS OF ECWA
PRAISE & PRAYER, DECEMBER 2015
Prayer/Counseling hotline: 08033673654, 08051614880
E-mail: prayerpromotion@emsofecwa.org
Website: www.emsofecwa.org
Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess. 5:25)
 
WEEK ONE-FOCUS ON PRAISE/THANKSGIVING
“Give unto the Lord the Glory due unto His Name; worship the lord in the beauty of his holiness” (Ps.29:2)
 
TUESDAY 1ST Worship God for His Divine Favor, Grace, Safety, Protection, and provisions this past Eleven Months. Give Him glory for His good plans For His Children in the month of December and in the year 2016.
WEDNESDAY 2ND Worship the Lord and thank God for the lives of EMS supporters for being so committed to their cause despite financial challenges faced by a lot of them following delays of salaries and the general economic stagnation and downturn especially in Nigeria.
TURSDAY 3RD Give thanks to the Lord for the success of Programs held in the year 2015 by EMS headquarters, coordinators, and missionaries in various mission Fields across the country and abroad. Worship Him for the bountiful Harvest of Souls recorded through these Programs.
FRIDAY 4TH Praise God for the successful operation/surgery of Mrs. Iremiya Bala at Burum, lafia DCC, Also pray for speedy recovery from the operation.
SATURDAY 5TH Praise God for the gradual but sure growth of the church in Gambia as members are realizing what it means to be born again and are becoming committed in sharing their faith and spreading the word of God among their countrymen.
Thank God, for answered prayers for the need of a resident permit for Rev. Nadabo and his family in Ghana.
WEEK TWO-FOCUS ON EMS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND HOME MISSION FILDS
“…Put ye the sickle, because the harvest is come”
Mark 4:29
SUNDAY 6TH Thank God for the gift of another car last month to the EMS Medical unit, pray that the Lord will replenish the donor and grant them increasing favor on every side.
NOTE: “WE ARE FASTING TOMORROW”
FIRST (1ST) MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH IS TO BE OBSERVED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS EMS PRAYER AND FASTING DAY. ALL EMS ARMS, MISSIONARIES, OFFICE STAFF, PRAYER PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS SHOULD PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO JOIN THE EMS INTERNATIONAL HEAD OFFICE IN PRAYERS AS WE TRUST GOD TO BE JOINING FAITH IN ONE ACCORD WITH BRETHREN AROUND THE WORLD IN PRAYERS FOR A STEADY AND A FRUITFUL GROWTH OF EMS, PEACE AND THE SALVATION OF NATIONS, AND FOR REVIVAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH. OUR COOPERATE PRAYER TIME AT THE HEAD OFFICE, IS 8-9AM, 12-1PM, AND 4-5PM RESPECTIVELY. YOU CAN JOIN US IN PRAYERS WHEREVER YOU MAY BE AT THOSE TIMES OR MAKE OUT TIME OF YOUR OWN CONVINIENCE PLEASE AS YOU ARE LED TO BY GOD. WE BE GLAD THAT YOU PRAY ALONG AS YOU FAST.
MONDAY 7TH Thank God for the ministry Lifetime of all retiring EMS missionaries, and ECWA Pastors. Pray that the Lord will refresh them and increase upon them Grace to serve Him better even as they are retiring from active ministry this year.
TUESDAY 8TH Pray that God should bring about revival upon the church at Kudugba in the mid-east region, where members are increasingly becoming drunkards/smokers and putting on non-challant attitude to church programs.
WEDNESDAY 9TH Pray for Pastor Stephen John serving at Adoka mission station, that the Lord should endow him with wisdom as he handles the issue of syncretism and strange doctrines in the young church he is planting.
THURSDAY 10TH Ask the Lord to touch all EMS field missionaries and their family members suffering from one ailment or the other with His mighty healing hand. Pray for God’s touch on the son of Pastor. Iliya D. Bawa, of Akwanga DCC, who has not been able to walk for the past 15 years. Also, pray for Pastor Obadiah Ishaku’s wife who was delivered through C.S, and for the wife of Pastor Philemon Zakka, Mrs. Hajara Philemon for Gods perfect healing.
FRIDAY 11TH Pray for Mr. Ibrahim Musa, his wife and their 2 children in Nasarawa who have just been converted to Christianity from Islam. Ask that the Lord should strengthen them and grant them divine cover and courage.
SATURDAY 12TH Pray for Gods deliverance of some members of the prayer house at Amburma in Panda DCC who have been confirmed to be involved with witchcraft. Also, Pray for the Pastor that God should grant him enabling grace as he works on helping these ones come out of this satanic bondage.
WEEK THREE-FOCUS ON CROSS BOURDER MISSION FIELDS
“… Go into all the world and Preach the Godnews…”
Mark. 16:15
SUNDAY 13TH BENIN REPUBLIC:–Pray for Gods provision and favor towards sevral missions projects in Benin including and especially the landed properties needed to be purchased in order to build churches.
MONDAY 14TH THE GAMBIA:- Thank God, for the Muslim and pagan converts who are being followed up at different locations; pray that they remain faithful to Him who called them by His grace.
Pray that God should help Gambian indigenous Christians to take their walk with Christ seriously and be committed to the things of God.
TUESDAY 15TH BURKINA FASO: – Pray for God’s increasing anointing and divine protection for Pastor Dauda Iliya, an EMS missionary at Burkina Faso with his family, as he is increasingly spiritually tasked with cases of deliverance of people from demonic bondage. Praise God for the life of many who are coming to the saving knowledge of God as they witness the total deliverance of their love ones from Satan’s grip.
WEDNESDAY 16TH TOGO:-Thank God for spiritual revival in our Lomé churches and the return of many back to the path of truth and righteousness.
Pray that God will make provisions towards the starting of the theological training center at Wahala Mission station for the training of Togolese.
THURSDAY 17TH GHANA :– Pray for Gods leading as plans are ongoing towards the handing over of the Zenu Church to Pastor James, and for grace upon him as he works on starting another branch in Accra town by January 2016.
FRIDAY 18TH NIGER REPUBLIC: – Pray for the total yielding of Panuma community in Niger republic, as Rev. Likita Prepares for a special programme for them during this forth coming Christmas. Also, pray for the country’s peace, as Niger Republic looks fort to its general election in 2016.
SATURDAY 19TH Pray Not less than N300, 464,000 (Three hundred million, four hundred and sixty four thousand naira only) is urgently needed for critical cross Borders projects. Let us pray that the Lord by his generosity will open doors of resourses for this need to be met.
WEEK FOUR-FOCUSES ON CHURCH GROWTH AND REVIVAL
“Behold am the lord the god of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?’
Jeremiah 32:27
SUNDAY 20TH Pray against spirit of malice, strive, unforgivenes and Luke warmness in the life of ECWA members wherever they may be found.
MONDAY 21ST Magnify the savior Jesus Christ, and appreciate the Holy Spirit for the souls added to the kingdom this year. Ask that they be rooted in faith.
TUESDAY 22ND Pray for the Lord to sustain upon the church the burden for holy living and witnessing. Pray that the year 2016 becomes a prosperous mission’s year for ECWA in particular and the Nigerian church in general.
WEDNESDAY 23RD Ask the Lord to grant ECWA ministers consistent victory over every strong hold of wickedness that is waging war against their spiritual growth, fruitfulness and stability.
THURSDAY 24TH Pray for ECWA families that are faced with financial, health, and peace crises that God will visit them and restored peace and stability in their homes.
FRIDAY 25TH Pray that God should reverse the current trend of selfish and self-centered doctrines that has become the bane of churches today in Nigeria and the world over. Pray For more men to be deployed into God’s missions’ fields all over the world in 2016.
SATURDAY 26TH As ECWA Theological Seminaries graduates ministers on training this month, pray that we will have successive generation of passionate and intentional laborers, men and women who are passionate for souls winning and submissive to the scriptures.
WEEK FIVE-FOCUS ON THE PEACE AND SALVATION OF THE NATIONS
“I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beast from the land, and the sward will not pass through your country”
Lev.26:6.
SUNDAY 27TH In line with God’s promise in the above Bible passage, Pray for Global peace and security throughout this last month of 2015. Also, ask the Lord to continuously heal, provide and comfort grieving families who lost friends, relatives, properties and business in war, violence and religious crises in these past eleven months across the country and beyond.
MONDAY 28TH Pray against all satanic activities and effort to distract people from paying attention to the gospel this last month of 2015.
TUESDAY 29TH Pray against all hidden agendas, and that any attempt to deliberately orchestrate violence between the religious communities of Nigeria would come to nothing. Pray that every evil counsel that is in existence be destroyed. (Job.5:12-14).
WEDNESDAY 30TH Pray for wisdom for Nigerian leaders in the utilization of the nation’s resources especially the oil. Let us pray that every corruption, injustice and wickedness in high places be brought down and destroyed in Jesus mighty name.
THURSDAY 31TH Thank God for bringing us to this last day of the year. Pray for road, air, and sea transport safety for Nigerians in the month of December, especially for all Mission partners, Mission agencies, Missionaries, Pastors, and Evangelists traveling. Pray for a peaceful and glorious cross over into the New Year tomorrow.
To this end have you faithfully labored with us in prayer, and because you have not relented, we pray for you that:
God would bless the works of your hands (Psalm 90:17) and that before you call, the Lord will answer you; and while you are yet speaking, he will hear you in Jesus most gracious name. Amen!!! (Isaiah 65:22-24)
THANKS FOR BEING A MEMBER OF THE EMS FAMILY. SHALOM
 
How to Teach Your Kids to Be Thankful

How to Teach Your Kids to Be Thankful

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You can instill an attitude of thankfulness in your children. (ECWA Archive)
 
As I'm writing this, it's a week before Thanksgiving, but I already have my turkey thawing in the refrigerator. My menu is simple: turkey, ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, pie. The recipes are ones I've been making for 20 years—nothing fancy here. Our table will be set like any Sunday dinner. I'll even admit I don't have one turkey decoration in our whole house.
 
Instead of planning for a party, my focus this month has been on my idea of nixing the entitlement attitude in our family. Yes, I'm thankful for all I have, but is it possible to take that thankfulness one step further and try to root out my entitlement attitude? I think so.
 
I haven't been making holiday crafts; instead I've been cleaning out my closets. Three large garbage bags of clothes have already gone to the teen moms that I support. These are nice clothes, name-brand clothes … but do I need them all? No, I don't.
 
I've been trying to pass down this idea to my kids too. I get on them all the time about all their wants. That's all I hear from them at the store: "I want. I want!" I don't act that way, of course, but that's because when I want something, it's easy just to put it in the cart. I'm not pouting, mostly because I have the money to enjoy that little treat. After all, what's another $2.99 going to hurt?
 
It hurts because I'm not modeling good stewardship to my kids. So instead of throwing things in my cart, I've been confessing my own desires. And today, instead of buying things for us, we purchased gifts for three kids through Angel Tree. My kids were so excited about their purchases … and they truly were thankful givers! (You can find out how to donate to Angel Tree here.)
 
In addition to taking the focus off our own wants, there are a few other things to stop entitlement and be truly thankful in my family. Some ideas are mine, and some are from Facebook friends!
 
1. Teach cooperation. The reality of life is that we often have to cooperate with others. We are not the center of our world. The family who works together at home raises children who know how to do that through life.
 
2. Teach the value of money. Teaching kids to bargain shop helps them to understand the value of money. From the time our kids were small, we only shopped in stores we could afford, and even then we went straight to the clearance racks. We also shop at yard sales and secondhand stores. When shopping, give your older kids a set amount of money to manage. If they only want one pair of designer jeans instead of four generic pairs, that's a decision he or she will have to live with.
 
Guide teens to consider the less fortunate. "I use sites like the Girl Effect and World Vision to teach the teens in my life about poverty," says Alyson, mother of two. When teens understand poverty, they also know how much they have and grow generous hearts. Our daughter Leslie, now 22 years old, started sponsoring a child when she was 14 and has been faithful to give.
 
3. Be available. "If you're going to hold back from things we consider 'entitlement,' filling in the gap is important," says Jennifer, mother of three. "If you can't get them a car, then provide your teens with the security that you will help [them] get where they need to be and be open to picking up friends. If you can't buy designer clothes, help them pick up a few nice pieces and put outfits together." Show your teens that you are available and that you are all part of a team.
 
4. Encourage positive friendships. "My daughter is 16 years old, and she has no cell phone, no car, no designer clothes," says Diane, mother of two. "One of the biggest helps in this area has been choosing friends wisely. Since most of the kids in her 'peer group' are from like-minded families, we've been able to avoid a lot of those issues."
 
How about you? Have you thought about how to be truly thankful by cutting out entitlement in your family? It's great to be thankful this time of year … but it takes work to live it out day to day!
 
Editor's Note: This story was original published in November 2013.
 
Tricia Goyer has written more than 35 books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and nonfiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.