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Pray always — anywhere, any time, any place!

In the Word

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always (1 Chronicles 16:11).

Of the Word

Today’s schedule: go to work, pick up groceries, make a casserole and take it to a sick friend, help with the children’s homework, make lunches for tomorrow, put the kids to bed, fall asleep during the late news. When our day is so hectic, how can we add “prayer time” to an already overly committed schedule?

Maybe the solution is to incorporate prayer into every event of our day. While preparing the meal for a sick friend, pray for her needs and ask God for the wisdom to bring her words of comfort. When you drop off the meal, ask to pray with her. Before your family meal, add petitions for family concerns. When the worries of the day keep you awake at night, turn to God in prayer.

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise (James 5:13).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, starting today I will try to add more prayer time to my life. Please be patient with me as I learn to change my complaining into prayers for help, for comfort, and then for thanksgiving. This I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 17/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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God is present! Prayer is powerful!

In the Word

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).

Of the Word

Have you ever helped with a community project or volunteered to help someone in need after a natural disaster? Did someone come forward and offer a group prayer at any time during the work? Was there a prayer of thanksgiving after the work was completed? Prayer can become a powerful tool at times like these.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:19–20).

Have you ever wanted to offer prayer in a public setting, but felt timid, afraid or even unwilling to express your faith in such a public way? Remember God the Father is there to give you strength; the Holy Spirit is there to guide you; Jesus is there to support you. How can you go wrong?

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, help me take my personal prayer life and expand it into the outside world. I know it will not be easy the first time I try to pray aloud with others, but I know that the Holy Spirit will guide me and that You will understand the meaning of my words. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 16/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Self-Control

In the Word

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Of the Word

David and Chris were friends, but they were not alike. David was just like his dad. Whenever he got angry, he wanted to settle the argument with his fists. Chris was just like his dad. Whenever he got angry, he would sit down, clasp his hands together, and think before he responded. It is obvious which dad was the better example of self-control for the two boys.

Self-control is a promised fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Every Christian can draw on this gift of the Spirit in times when self-control is clearly tested.

God asks faithful parents to draw on the self-control He promises through His Spirit. Godly parents will strive to model that self-control in emotional and trying situations.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Discuss self-control with your child. Ask why self-control is an important gift from the Holy Spirit.

Walking with my Lord

O Holy Spirit, You have given me the fruit of the Spirit. Help me to use the fruit of self-control in my life so that others may see You at work in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 12/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The Holy Spirit … my partner in prayer!

In the Word

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18a).

Of the Word

Do you have an active prayer life? Are your prayers long or short? Can you comfortably voice your prayer concerns to God? The Holy Spirit comes to our aid as we pray. He comes with open arms and places them around us to guide us in truth. (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit is our greatest support in prayer.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:26–27).

What great comfort to know that the Holy Spirit is our guide to truth and that He is within us! He is our prayer partner. If you’re having a difficult time praying, remember the Spirit is in you, to support you. You are not alone in prayer!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit. No longer will I need to worry over the correct words or proper form because I know the Spirit will help guide my thoughts and words to You in prayer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 13/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Sacrifice

In the Word

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Of the Word

Sacrifice is defined as the surrender of one thing for the sake of another. It is a term that makes many uncomfortable because it often involves giving up something that is very precious.

We are motivated to sacrifice for others by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us. He came to earth to give Himself unto death on the cross for the salvation of all. He gave wholly of His love and always looks for ways to serve His friends on this earth. His love for us fills us with love for others.

Parents make sacrifices for the sake of the family. They lovingly give their time and resources for their children’s welfare. Jesus empowers parents to love sacrificially, beyond themselves, through the love He has given us all.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Read the newspaper or listen to a newscast with your child and find an example of sacrifice. Then discuss it together.

Walking with my Lord

Sacrificing Savior, You gave Yourself into punishment and death on the cross for me. Make me ready to sacrifice anything that would keep me from believing in You. In Your ever-giving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 11/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

In the Word

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt … If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:21a, 22).

Of the Word

Have you ever heard a young child say something like this? “Jesus puts the baby in Mommy’s tummy and then when it’s big enough, Mommy will go to the hospital and the doctor will help get it out.” If someone asks the child how he knows about all of this, the answer will be, “’Cause Mommy told me!” The child exhibits complete faith in what his parents told him.

Faith is having unquestioning belief, complete trust and confidence. Do we have that kind of faith in God? Hebrews chapter 11 is all about that kind of faith. By faith Noah built his ark; by faith Abraham and Sarah had a child; by faith Moses was able to free his people from Egypt. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). We can have complete faith in God that He will do what is best for us.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father, I come to You in prayer. Strengthen my faith and help me to focus on You. Give me the confidence to stand up to those who spread unbelief. This I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 11/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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It’s true! Believe it! God cares!

In the Word

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Of the Word

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Have you ever found yourself so anxious about the “what if’s” that you closed your eyes to today’s blessings? Anxiety runs high in our society today. We’re anxious about world peace, financial security, family relationships and so much more. God gives us a simple plan to deal with our anxiety: pray about it! Yes, in everything, at all times, in all circumstances, bring your anxious thoughts and concerns before the Lord in prayer. And then leave them there because God’s peace, which is beyond our human understanding, will keep us focused on what truly is important, Jesus our Savior.

Walking with my Lord

Gracious Heavenly Father, when this world’s concerns and my personal frustrations bring about only anxiety and stress, lead me through the difficult times and grant me Your peace. Help me to remember Your promise to supply all my needs so worrying is unnecessary. You’ve got it all covered! In the saving name of Jesus. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 10/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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