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Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

In the Word

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).

Of the Word

It’s morning, it’s noon, it’s evening — it’s the right time to praise God. You’re happy, you’re sad, you’re busy — it’s the right time to praise God. You’re a new Christian, you’re a lifelong believer, you’re a person of godly wisdom — it’s the right time to praise God!

Praise God! You made me! I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14a).

Praise God! You redeemed me! Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine (Isaiah 43:1b).

Praise God for Jesus! My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46b–47).

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, Jesus has paid for my sins, my soul praises You. You have promised to always be there, my soul praises You. When times are dark and my way is treacherous, You guide and protect me. My soul praises You for Your love and faithfulness. Help me share my praise for You with others so they may also know You as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 27/31 ©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’s Word

In the Word

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).

Of the Word

God speaks to mankind through His Word. The Bible is God’s gift of the written Word in which the Holy Spirit shows us the plan of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Children see the importance of God’s Word when they see their parents read and meditate on it each day. Parents can establish a habit of reading God’s Word with young children and reinforce it as they grow into young adults.

As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit makes our faith grow and mature. He helps us to use the scriptures as a guide for our life. [God’s] … word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Make a conscious effort to become involved in at least one Bible study at your church. Bring your family to Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and other studies of the Word of God where the Holy Spirit can increase your faith.

Walking with my Lord

Jesus Christ, You are the Word of God made flesh. Draw me to Your written Word that I may learn more of You. In Your name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 16/32 ©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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Prayer

In the Word

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Of the Word

Christian parents pray with their children and encourage them to pray in their own words from an early age. Prayers are said at mealtimes, at bedtime, and anytime in between. When major decisions or times of crisis occur, prayer is the first thought for Christians.

God promises to hear and answer all the prayers of His people for the sake of His Son Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. He wants us to come to Him with our needs, requests, praises, and thanksgivings. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Christians at Thessalonica to … pray continually … (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Parents who openly turn to God in prayer and listen to His answers through His Word establish a foundation of prayer their children will use throughout their lives.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: End one of your mealtimes with a circle prayer around the table. Encourage each member of the family to contribute to the prayer.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, help me to remember to bring everything to You in prayer. I trust Your answer will be one that fulfills Your good and gracious will for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 15/32 ©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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Talking to myself, or to God?

In the Word

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 43:5).

Of the Word

Do you talk to yourself? Someone jokingly answered, “Of course I do. That’s the only way I hear the right answers.” Seriously, however, people caught talking to themselves might be thought to be a bit deranged.

The psalmist talked to himself, asking, “Why are you so hopeless? Why are you so depressed?” He also gave himself a solution: Put your hope in God … (Psalm 43:5b).

In the wee hours of the morning when infomercials reign, all kinds of self-help programs are advertised to a bleary-eyed audience. All make big promises, and some do offer helpful insights, but there is no substitute for the real thing: in the face of hopelessness, we have a sure and present hope given to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, when I am downcast and discouraged, help me turn to You. Help me to remember that You are my help, my hope and my salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 22/31 ©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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Expect the unexpected!

In the Word

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear (Isaiah 65:24).

Of the Word

In this busy, high tech, over-involved world, it’s hard to feel connected to people, let alone feel a connection to God. But Scripture gives us many examples of God listening and answering His people, no matter what their situation was.

God heard Paul and Silas’ prayer from a jail cell (Acts 16:25), Samson’s prayer from captivity (Judges 16:28) and Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the whale (Jonah 2). In what might seem to us as impossible situations, God not only heard the prayers of His faithful children, but He answered in great and mighty ways. Paul was freed, Samson was given one last ounce of strength and Jonah was expelled. Freedom came to each of them according to God’s design. God used these His servants to do the unexpected. He will use you, also, to do His will. Expect the unexpected!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, You hear my words and my innermost thoughts. Help me learn to pray confidently, expecting You to answer in ways which might seem unusual to me. Teach me to expect the unexpected and to follow Your leading. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 21/31 ©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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Repentance

In the Word

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent (Revelation 3:19).

Of the Word

Why are the words “I’m sorry” so difficult to say? Is it our pride that keeps us from admitting when we are wrong? We sin daily and our sin separates us from God. We mistakenly think we can fix this situation on our own. God knew this was not the case, and He provided the solution by sending His Son Jesus as our Savior. He asks His children to repent of their sins, to turn away from pride, and to find peace and forgiveness in God’s Word.

Parents need to repent just like everyone else. They need to put aside their pride, acknowledge their mistakes, and say “I’m sorry.” When parents model repentance and receive forgiveness, children, the ultimate imitators, see the blessings of forgiveness lived out in their family.

Stretch your faith-filled parenting: Encourage your child to go beyond a glib “I’m sorry” and add the words, “… and I’ll try not to do it again.” Remind them that Jesus forgives them.

Walking with my Lord

Forgiving Redeemer, I am sorry for the times I have failed You and others. Thank You for suffering and dying for me that I may repent and receive Your life-giving forgiveness. Please make repentance and forgiveness the rule in my family. In Your merciful name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Faith-Filled Parenting. Authors: Rev. Larry and Shari Miller. 14/32 ©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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Think big! Ask boldly!

In the Word

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according 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. (Ephesians 3:20–21).

Of the Word

“To boldly go where no man has gone before” were words that opened a popular sci-fi TV show, but they could explain a Christian’s prayer life as well! Think of Hannah who wanted a child so much she prayed fervently and hopefully. When God granted her prayer she knew it wasn’t that she had “won” a prize, but that she had been given a gift out of God’s gracious loving heart. (1 Samuel 1:27)

In his letters to the Colossians and Ephesians, Paul spoke of his unceasing prayers for the followers of Jesus. He was bold in his prayers to ask for God to give these new believers knowledge of His will and the strength of the Holy Spirit so they might lead a life worthy of the Lord. (Colossians 1:9–10 and Ephesians 3:16–19) When you pray, do so boldly knowing that … with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26b).

Walking with my Lord

Lord, I come before You today boldly claiming the promises You made through Your Son Jesus — promises to bless me and guide me in all my ways. When my faith is small and weak, fill me with Your Spirit so I may learn to live according to Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003–2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 19/31 ©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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