Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

First Friday Prayers: Galatians 1:24

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FFP Gal 1:24 by Lauren Koepf Sparks

 

I have a new motivational theme verse for my life!  I’m sure I have skimmed over it many times reading the works of Paul but it struck me anew a few weeks ago and have been praying it for myself and my people ever since.  Let’s get into Galatians 1:24.

 

In this letter to the Galatian church (first chapter), Paul shares some of his missionary travels, ending with Syria and Cilicia.  He explains that the Judean churches did not know him, but had only heard that “the man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” (v. 23 NIV)  In response to this Paul exclaims:

 

“And they praised God because of me.”  Galatians 1:24 NIV

 

Oh, I can think of no better thing that could be said of me!  I want to live the kind of life that points people to our great and powerful God.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about God using my weaknesses and warts.

I pray people will see what I was and praise the Lord for the change.  I want people to see what I am (a work in progress) and glorify God for ministering through a mess like me.

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 If you ever look at me and see Jesus, I thank God for his grace and mercy.  Anything good in me is Him in me.  And I hope others see it.

 

So I pray:

 

Gal 1:24 prayer by Lauren Koepf Sparks

 

Modify this First Friday prayer to be appropriate for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word post, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Karen “Girl” Friday presented an amazing case in How to Manifest Moments of Heaven on Earth.  Eternity starts the minute we say “yes” to Jesus.  And I, for one, need to start acting like it!

 

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

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MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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Praying God’s Word Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 12:9

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We cannot escape pain.  I try to.  I shop, I eat, I binge watch TV, but it only distracts from the pain for a moment.  Sickness, cancer, physical pain, the economy, moral failure and the lingering effects of the pandemic.  Those are just the painful things I’M personally experiencing right now.  Add on the heartache all around me.  Mass shootings, protests, racism, political fighting, countries at war – you name it.  We will never run out of things to pray for!

 

The apostle Paul knew a little something about pain.  He mentioned a thorn in his flesh.  We don’t know what it was – even if it was physical, mental or emotional – but we know it tormented him (his words).  He pleaded, he said, 3 times for God to take this thorn away from him.  God’s answer came in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

 

I don’t know Paul, but I feel certain this is not the answer he hoped for.  And although it may not have seemed so at the time of Paul’s request, God gave him a better gift than removing his pain.  God gave him the grace to bear up under it.

 

By keeping Paul in a place of weakness, Paul’s dependence on God grew.  Complete dependence on God was Paul’s greatest strength.  And God’s presence and companionship trumps any other gift He could give us.

 

Paul wrote about this to encourage us through our hurts and heartaches today. When we petition the Lord, He often takes away our hardship.  But He just as often walks with us through our suffering.  My prayer:

 

Father, pull ________ in so close during times of weakness that she has no choice but to lean on You.  And pour out Your generous grace on her in situations that she doesn’t even recognize weakness.  Thank You for loving us that much.  Amen.

 

Replace the pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.  And if you are praying for your kids, say their names before the Father.  I am doing so here in the privacy of my home.

 

Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

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