The Power of Prayer

Yesterday at service, we were blessed enough to hear the brother of our pastor (Kingsley Fletcher), Emmanuel deliver a sermon that is still resonating in my mind today.  The title of the sermon was The Power of Prayer.  Minister Emmanuel gave 10 points that are produced through prayer.

1. Prayer produces humility
2. Prayer opens the heavens
3. Prayer cleanses you
4. Prayer promotes righteousness
5. Prayer changes things
6. Prayer births the invisible into the visible
7. Prayer brings empowerment
8. Prayer brings a refreshing
9. Prayer makes you sensitive
10. Prayer activates the gift in your life

Prayer is still powerful.  No matter how big your situation, no matter how small.  God still answers prayers.  But what activates the prayer and gets God moving is your belief. God limits or even refuses to work in a person’s life when that person’s faith is weakened by doubt or unbelief (Mark 6:5) (James 1:6).

Jesus taught, "…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). Prayers are from the heart.  There is no magic formula.  There is no road map for prayer.  It is a conversation with your Heavenly Father.  But the way it works is having the belief that it will be answered. 

Pray for someone else.  It's not always about you!  Recently, a very dear friend was put on a ventilator and family and friends were told that it may be switched off this week.  Prayer requests were sent out immediately.  Saturday morning, this same friend, opened her eyes and is responding by blinking!  She recognizes faces and voices!  Now if that is not a true testament to the power of prayer, I don't know what is. 

Don't give up on God, because He will NEVER give up on YOU!   

Click to Listen ~ God is Able! 


Peace & Blessing ~AJOY~

Somebody ALMOST walked off wid all of my STUFF!

As I think back to the movie that premiered recently, "For Colored Girls", I realize that each of those women had some characteristic that I could relate to.  As many of us did.  If, however, you have been blessed beyond reasoning to have never experienced pain, hurt or betrayal, then kudos to you. That is not my testimony.

For me, the realization that I had, in fact, overcome these trials came to surface when I read, and reread Ntozake Shange's poem, "Somebody Almost Walked Off Wid All My Stuff".  (Excerpt -Alfre Woodard) The operative word being ALMOST.  I was that black woman with the attitude not caring what anybody thought about me...or did I?  I was that black woman who was so hard core that I vowed to never give my heart away for fear of being hurt...again...or did I? I was that black woman who was betrayed and bamboozled to the point of no return...or was I?  I could easily still be searching for my "stuff".   My self esteem, my self confidence, my "pretty girl swag".  I realize that I do have all of my stuff.  And it is all safely displayed on my arm like badges of honor.  I have all of my scars, all of my confidence, all of my pride, all of my morals, my chipped nails and flea bitten legs.  It's all mine and no one can ever take that away from me!

But why is it that we have to go through so much to realize our worth?  Or should I say be reminded of our worth.  As little girls, some of us were blessed to have fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mothers, grandmothers or aunts who consistently told us how worthy we were.  How did we lose sight of that?  Why would we let someone, another human being, have that much power over us?  Our journey's in life are all different, but the lessons are basically the same.  God makes no mistakes.  Every little hiccup in your life, every little blip, mishap, misfortune or tragedy has been divinely ordered.  It is how you come through it that justifies the means.  We all know the scripture, God will never give you more than you can bare.  And that holds true for every situation in your life.  But if you lay down and just let life happen and continue to allow stuff to be taken from you, then somebody is going to walk off with it and never return it.

Take your life back, take your joy back, your self confidence, self esteem and peace of mind.  Go out and make life happen instead of waiting for it to happen for you.  It's a new season, and it's a new day and I'm going to another level, won't you join me??
 
Get your PRETTY GIRL ROCK on...