Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Praying God’s Word Wednesday #54: John 14:13-14

by 10 Comments

Pucker up!  It’s National Kissing Day!  Ok, maybe I don’t know some of you well enough for that yet.  So what if we pray John 14:13-14 together instead?

 

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  John 14:13-14 NIV

 

Verse 13 gives us an incredible promise of God.  A praying person’s blank check.  Or is it?  Only in the words “in my name” do we grasp the full understanding (or as much as that is possible for us this side of heaven).  To ask in Jesus’ name is to ask in accordance with His mind and His will.  And Jesus lives solely to bring glory to God.

 

When we pray for things that don’t align with the will of God, He will answers us.  But that answer will be “no”.  We receive exactly what we ask for when what we ask for what glorifies God.  It may sound simple, but is anything but.  Spending as much time as possible in prayer, Bible study and fellowship with other believers brings us ever closer to knowing and understanding the will of God.

 

Verse 14 reiterates this same idea, for those of us who really need something explained on repeat before we get it.  Because God is just that kind.  Thank you for speaking in two’s for me, Lord!

 

Today I’m praying this scripture over my sweet husband:

 

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

God’s Word Wednesday #52: Psalm 4:2

by 10 Comments

On National Best Friends Day, my thoughts turn to the friend we have in Jesus.  That sounds overly spiritual doesn’t it?  But when I read Psalm 4:2 my mind started ruminating on ways to get closer to the Lord.

 

“How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame?  How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?  Selah”  Psalm 4:2 NKJV

 

At first read this doesn’t sound like an encouragement.  Definitely not something you want to hear from a friend.  But a true friend speaks truth to you – even when it’s hard.  And we don’t often think of conviction as a cheery thing.  But if that conviction leads to repentance, it clears a pathway to clear communication with God.  It brings us closer to Him and lifts a weight off of our shoulders.

 

That doesn’t mean that being made aware of our sins is easy.  It is right and healthy to grieve over our sin.  How it has been an obstacle between us and God.  The way it has kept God’s glory from shining through us.  But the grief is short lived if we experience true repentance.  Turning our lives away from sin brings all glory to God.  And we never have to carry the shame of that sin again.

 

Even though sin, shame, and repentance are most often very personal, I prayed this scripture over some loved ones recently and sent them this text:

 

 

 

Change up the words for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

This one is tender.  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

Categories

Archives