Category: Prayer

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Altar of Burnt Offering Cross Prayer

Levels of Intimacy

“Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze.” Ex. 27:1-2 (NIV) When you think about relationships, there are different levels of intimacy. Some relationships are emotionally distant and surfaced whereas some relationships have the capacity to be more consistent and feature an element of closeness. Then there are those relationships where the interaction is meaningful, transparent, and magnetic. The Encarta Dictionary defines the word intimacy as a close personal relationship; a detailed knowledge resulting from a close or long association. One of my favorite definitions of intimacy is: “in to me you see.” God desires intimacy with you. In the Old Testament, the portrait of intimacy was the formation and utilization of the Tabernacle. God made a way for His people to experience intimacy with Him through a religious relationship. As you enter the Tabernacle, the first item you encounter is the altar of burnt offering. The New Testament equivalent is the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for your sin. As you pray through the Tabernacle, spend some time at the “altar of burnt offering” to praise God for His ultimate love gift and for Jesus being willing to pay the penalty for your sin. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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God's Provision Prayer Strength

Having a Song to Sing

“The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Psalms 118:14 (NIV) When you contemplate the depth of God’s love demonstrated in your salvation, it will create in you a song to sing. When you think about what God has saved you from, it will produce in you a song to sing. God has saved you from hell and for heaven. God has saved you from your sin and for His righteousness. God has saved you from darkness and for the kingdom of light. The Lord is your salvation. The Lord is your song. Draw strength from Him in your moment of despair. Cling to the Lord and employ His strength for the journey of life. Whenever you are navigating troubled waters, rely on His strength. Whenever your faith is being tested, remember that He is your strength. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 (NIV) “I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:1-2 (NIV) Present your needs before the Lord in prayer. Consider writing down the specific burdens you are bearing. As you pray over each item, begin to claim the promises of God in these verses above. Claim the Lord’s strength over every situation. Affirm God’s ever-present help in your time of trouble. Remember that God can handle every situation that comes your way. He is the Maker of heaven and earth. There’s nothing beyond the scope of God’s power. There’s nothing beyond the reach of God’s Hand. You can know His strength, even in your weakest moment. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Holy Spirit Intercession Prayer

Perpetual Intercession

“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 (NIV) Prayer is our privilege and responsibility of engaging in sacred communication with the Creator of the universe. The completed work on the cross has given us access. We can share our heart with God through prayer and deepen our love relationship with Him. Prayer is the avenue through which we maintain a vibrant connection with the One who created us and redeemed us. Doing life in the rugged terrain of a fallen world often emphasizes our weaknesses and our human frailty. We are susceptible to fear, despair, and apathy. In those times of weakness, the Holy Spirit helps us. The Person of the Holy Spirit lives in us and knows us intimately. He engages in the ministery of intercessory prayer on our behalf. Have you ever been in a season in which you did not know what to pray? Perhaps you would say that you are in that season now. Be assured that the Holy Spirit living in you is interceding for you in alignment with God’s will. Your name and your circumstances are being brought before the Creator of the universe. The Holy Spirit is your constant Companion. He will comfort you. He will guide you. Even when you don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit takes your burdens to the Lord through intercession. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Comfort Compassion Prayer

Releasing Anxiety

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) Is it hard for you to admit when you are anxious about something? Does your pride keep you from acknowledging your anxious thoughts? That’s why humility is a vital component to receiving God’s comfort. When you humble yourself, you take the initiative to present yourself before God in a proper attitude. In humility, you recognize your dependency upon God. Living in a fallen world generates anxiety. The uncertainty of the economy fosters an environment of anxiety. The presence of competing agendas creates tension which gives birth to worry. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:34 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6 (NIV) Choose to bring your burdens to the Lord. What are you worrying about? What consumes your thoughts? What is keeping you up at night? Bring every apprehension to the Lord because He cares for you. Receive His compassion and enjoy His comfort. As you humble yourself before the Lord, He will lift you up. Take off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise (Is. 61:3). Release every anxious thought and renew your mind with God’s Word (Rom. 12:2). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Daily Diciplines Prayer

Pacing Yourself through Prayer

“I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” Psalms 143:6 (NIV) One of my mentors, Dr. Adrian Rogers, who is now in heaven, taught me how to PACE myself for each new day. Using the acrostic PACE, I lift my hands each morning and pray, “Lord, I PRAISE You! I accept Your ACCEPTANCE of me! I surrender to Your CONTROL! I EXPECT great things to happen today!” When you pray, your physical posture can intensify your focus. When you spread out your hands toward heaven, you are demonstrating through your physical posture an attitude of total surrender. You are expressing your dependence upon God and upon His daily provision. You are acknowledging His abundance and your desperation. Does your soul thirst for God? Have you ever gone through a dry season spiritually? Jesus is the Bread of Life and He provides Living Water for your soul. Jesus is your Shepherd and He restores your soul (Ps. 23:3). As you put your trust in God, He will show you the way you should go (Ps. 143:8). “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Psalms 42:1 (NIV) “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14 (NIV) Commit to PACE yourself each day. Consider lifting your hands toward heaven as you praise God, as you accept His acceptance of you, as you surrender to His control, and as you expect great things to happen today. God loves you and God is for you! Express your love to Him. PACE yourself through prayer! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Intercession Prayer Spouse

Participating in Your Children’s Future

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” Prov 18:22 (NIV) Have you ever thought about participating in your children’s future by praying for their future spouse? Even if your children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren are young, you can invest in their future by praying for their future spouse. Just as you pray for your children, your grandchildren, or great grandchildren, you can pray for their future spouse. What specifically would you pray for? Commit to pray for their salvation. Pray that their future spouse would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Ask God to reveal His love to them and to bring them to the place of recognizing their need for salvation. Ask God to bring godly people into their path to help point them to Christ. You can also pray for their spiritual maturity. Ask God to give them vibrant godly examples to follow. Ask God to steer them to environments that are Christ exalting. Praying for your children’s future spouse is a tangible way for you to participate in your children’s future. Think about the value of looking into the eyes of your children’s future spouse and being able to say to them, “I’ve been praying for you since you were a child.” Can you imagine the impact that will have on their lives? Your prayer life is important, not only to your own future, but also to your children’s future. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Example Prayer Spiritual Maturity

Praying for Spiritual Maturity

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Eph 1:17 (NIV) What is your desire for your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren? What is your desire for those you love so deeply? You want them to receive the gift of eternal life and be saved. You want them to grow spiritually and reach their God given potential. You desire for them to develop spiritual muscles that will demonstrate Christ-likeness. What are you currently praying on their behalf? If your prayers were transcribed, what would the content of your intercession be? Pray for your children’s spiritual maturity. Pray for their spiritual sensitivity. Ask God to give them an appetite for His Word. Ask God to elevate their thirst for His righteousness. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) Are you living up to the prayers you pray for your children, your grandchildren, and your great grandchildren? Practice daily spiritual disciplines that will help you grow spiritually. As you pray for others to experience spiritual maturity, demonstrate that same pursuit by allocating your time wisely. Invest in growing spiritually. Let others see Jesus in you! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Intercession Prayer Salvation

Praying for Your Children’s Salvation

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) Enjoying sacred communication with the Creator of the universe is one of your highest privileges. Praying to God for your children is one of your greatest investments in their future. Pray for their salvation. As you pray for your children’s salvation, be sure to join God in His redemptive activity. Your witness matters to your children. They are watching you. Let them see the evidence of the salvation you have in Christ. Let them observe the fruit of the Spirit exhibited through your life. As you pray for your children’s salvation, seek to live out the life of peace and abundance provided to you in Christ. God does not want anyone to perish. However, everyone has to respond to God’s offer of salvation by placing his or her faith in the completed work of Christ on the cross. The atoning work of Jesus on the cross is applied to those who turn from their sin and trust in Jesus alone for salvation. Your children have the freedom to choose Christ or to reject Christ. Pray for them to receive the gift of eternal life. You can impact your children’s forever through the avenue of prayer. Commit to pray for your children’s salvation. Commit to pray that they will come to see their need for the Savior. Pray for their heart to be tender toward God and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Fellowship Intimacy with God Prayer

Fellowship with Jesus

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Cor 1:9 (NIV) God formed you for fellowship. In the language of the New Testament, the word fellowship means communion, communication, partnership, or intimacy. Just as God called you into salvation, He also calls you into fellowship with Jesus. You are invited to enjoy unbroken fellowship with the Lord. God’s invitation is rooted in His faithfulness. God is faithful. He is true to His word. You come to know His companionship through an abiding relationship with Christ. Your fellowship with the Lord is enhanced as you enjoy His companionship and embrace His joint partnership in the gospel. “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3 (NIV) Fellowship with the King of Kings is realized through the avenue of prayer. As a child of God, you have the privilege of enjoying sacred communication with the Creator of the universe. As you pray, your fellowship with Jesus becomes more intimate. Sharing your heart with the Lord in prayer and responding to His voice are vital components to continual fellowship. Are you enjoying unbroken fellowship with the Lord? Have you created space in your life for the most important relationship initiated by God? You have to make room for fellowship with the Lord. Spend time communing with the Lord in prayer each day. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Grace Prayer Salvation

Encountering God’s Grace

“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Cor 1:4 (NIV) Paul was writing from Ephesus on his third missionary journey a personal letter to the church at Corinth. He acknowledged God’s call on them to be holy along with the other believers who were calling on the name of the Lord. Paul gave evidence to the content of his prayer life for the church at Corinth through the theme of grace. God’s grace had been clearly given to the church at Corinth. Paul had spent eighteen months there teaching them the Word of God (Acts 18:11). The grace Paul identified in them was the same grace that had rescued Paul from the path of being a persecutor of the church. Paul had a life-changing encounter with God’s grace. Now he is giving thanks to God for the grace they have in Christ Jesus. When you became a follower of Jesus Christ, you encountered the grace of God firsthand. God gave you what you did not deserve. Because of your sin, you deserved alienation, separation, and eternal damnation. However, God graced you with His abiding peace and lavished you with His unconditional love. If you ever doubt God’s grace, just look into the rearview mirror of your life and recall the portraits of grace God has painted throughout the terrain of your past. In Christ Jesus, you have been given grace. God has blessed you with a new identity in Christ. You are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). You have been saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). You are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10). God’s grace has been poured out on you abundantly (1 Ti. 1:14). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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God's Will Prayer Wisdom & Understanding

Asking God

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Col 1:9 (NIV) One of the most profound prayers you can pray for others is for them to know God and to do His will. Knowing and doing God’s will is the purpose of life. God has provided the way in Jesus for us to know God personally and to obey His will completely. The knowledge of God’s will comes through spiritual wisdom and understanding. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul affirmed, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14 NIV). Spiritual discernment comes from the Spirit of God living inside of you. At the moment of conversion, you were filled with the Holy Spirit. He lives in you to teach you and to remind you of the things Jesus did and said (John 14:26). Pray that others might be saturated with the knowledge of God’s will. When you pray for others, ask God to give them spiritual wisdom and understanding. As they come to know God’s will they will have the opportunity to choose to obey God’s will. You will be involved in the process through the avenue of intercessory prayer. What a wise investment of your time! You can impact the lives of others through praying specifically for them to know and to do God’s will. Are you in the center of God’s will? Have you asked God to fill you with the knowledge of His will? Are you willing to ask God for spiritual wisdom and understanding to know His will? Bring honor to God by obeying His will. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Abiding in Christ Faith Love Prayer

Hearing of Your Faith and Love

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.” Col 1:3-4 (NIV) What are people hearing about you? Do they hear about your obsession with hobbies? Do they hear about your addiction to technology? Are they hearing about your misplaced priorities? What if they were hearing about your faith and love? Paul and Timothy were thankful to God in prayer for the church at Colosse because of their visible faith in Christ Jesus and their love for other believers. The church was bearing the fruit of being connected to Christ. Their love relationship with Jesus was producing in them a deep abiding love for other believers. The vertical faith they had in Christ was being demonstrated through a horizontal love for fellow believers. Their faith was expressed through active love for others. Take inventory of your faith and love. How’s your faith in Christ? Are you growing in your faith relationship with Christ? Think about your connection to Christ and assess your devotion to His agenda. Are you loving others the way Christ has loved you? Are you serving others the way Christ has served you? You can’t go horizontal with love until you have gone vertical with faith. Your relationship with Christ will determine your relationship with others. You cannot give what you do not possess. Until you are connected to Christ through an abiding relationship, you will not be able to express His love to others. Make certain of your connection to Christ. Guard your daily intimacy with the Lord. Nurture your relationship with Jesus. Stay connected! Stay close and clean! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Persistence Prayer Something Great

Persistent Prayer

Do something great by praying it through. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 (NIV) What are you anxious about right now? Is there anything keeping you up at night? It sounds like you are in need of the peace of God. How do you get to the place of peace? Pray everything through. Notice the process that Paul establishes. Instead of being anxious, be thankful as you present your requests to God. Replace anxiety with gratitude for what God is going to do in and through your situation. Take every item and pray it through. Before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He spent the entire night praying it through. Read carefully and discern the process Jesus embraced. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:  Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Luke 6:12-16 (NIV) Jesus took everything to God in prayer. If Jesus, being God’s Son, valued prayer at that level, what about us? Do something great by praying it through. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Prayer Serving Serving others

Putting Feet to Your Prayer Life

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 (NIV) As you grow you serve and as you serve you grow. In the midst of your serving, God brings others into the equation. He will bring people into your path to give you an opportunity to serve them and to meet their needs. At other times, God will bring people into your life to help meet your needs. Serving puts feet to your prayer life. Serving gives evidence to a watching world that you are living to benefit others. When you give your life away through selfless service, God multiplies your impact. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matt 25:35-36 (NIV) Remember, you are never more like Jesus than when you are serving. As you live out the Christ-centered life in a self-absorbed world, God will use you to bring others into the Kingdom. That’s right! Heaven’s population is multiplied by your faithfulness in serving the Living God. Keep investing in the lives of others. Continue to shine His light and share His love through serving. God will add to our number. God will draw people to know His love as you serve sacrificially. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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God's Provision Prayer Praying Trust

Kneeling In Prayer

“For this reason I kneel before the Father.” Eph 3:14 (NIV) Kneeling keeps you standing. Why would Paul assume the posture of kneeling in prayer on behalf of the saints in Ephesus? Paul had already surrendered his life and agenda to God. Kneeling was simply an outward expression of his inward position in Christ. The Father is worthy of your humility and dependence. He alone is worthy of your passionate adoration and worship. Your heavenly Father is the source of life. He rescued you from the hell bound path you were on. The Father willingly gave His best to take your place upon the cross. Your sin debt has been paid in full. Now, what are you in need of? What do you need that your heavenly Father has not provided? God is more than enough. His resources are unlimited. His generosity is immeasurable. Has anything driven you to your knees lately? Have you been kneeling before the Father on behalf of someone in your sphere of influence? When you come to the place of desperation you will find that your heavenly Father has already been working. He is not surprised by your surprises. Nothing ever occurs to God. He already knows. Find a place to kneel before God in prayer. Share the depths of your heart with the Lord and call out to Him as you pray. Be specific with everything that is draining you and discouraging you. Entrust every detail of your life and your uncertainties to the Lord’s care. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Enlightenment Prayer

The Eyes of Your Heart

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Eph 1:18 (NIV) Do you remember the Polaroid cameras that produced the photo for you within a minute of you taking the picture? Now we have digital cameras that provide a picture instantly. The old Polaroid cameras were considered innovative back then. You would take a picture and then watch it develop right before your eyes. That process of development is similar to the Greek word, photizo, which Paul uses in his letter to the saints in Ephesus. This particular Greek word is translated as “enlightened.” Your heart, which represents your capacity to understand and comprehend God’s truth, has room to grow. Your ability to know, grasp, and understand has the potential to develop. You can grow in your knowing. God wants you to be enlightened. God desires for you to develop in your knowledge of Him. Personalize Ephesians 1:18 and pray through it by asking God to open the eyes of your heart. God will unveil His Word to you in a personal and powerful way. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Intercession Prayer

Covered in Prayer

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Eph 1:16 (NIV) Is somebody praying for you? I want you to begin to calculate where you would be had it not been for the people who have prayed for you. Your name, your circumstances, and your future have been placed before the throne of God by those people who have prayed for you. God has a unique way of prompting people to pray for you. He will nudge them with a gentle reminder of your life. They may respond by praying for you to realize God’s will. Maybe they pray for you to have a heightened awareness of God’s presence and activity. Paul exhibited a deep love for the saints in Ephesus. He constantly thanked God for them and for their obvious faith in the Lord and their love for their fellow believers. Paul consistently remembered them in his prayers. They were as natural to his prayer life as water to a fish. Carve out a few moments right now to thank God for the people who have prayed for you. This could get emotional! It’s okay. You matter to God and He deeply loves you and cares for you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Blessing Love Prayer

Loving Difficult People

“‘But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’” Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) Have you ever been mistreated or hated? Did it make you want to retaliate? That is a natural reaction. Jesus modeled how every believer should respond to difficult people. We are to love our enemies. We are to benefit difficult people by doing good to them, blessing them, and praying for them. The reality is that we cannot always control how others treat us, but we can control how we respond to them. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV) “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34 (NIV) Jesus set the example for us to follow. Jesus also gives us the power to treat others based on Jesus’ treatment of us. We do not deserve His love, yet He loves us unconditionally. We do not deserve His goodness, yet He is so good to us. We do not deserve His blessings, yet He showers us with one blessing after another. Jesus even intercedes for us. That is so much more than we deserve. The word “grace” comes to mind doesn’t it? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Prayer

Prayer

Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Prayer Seeking God

Your Privilege

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13 (NIV) God is worth the pursuit. One of the highest privileges of life is that of seeking God. When you contemplate the vast canyon between God’s bigness and our smallness, God’s holiness and our sinfulness, humility becomes our reality. The fact that God, the Creator of the entire universe, would even desire that we seek Him is beyond comprehension. Yet, God chose to create us so that we may know Him personally and intimately. When you read the Bible from cover to cover, you will discover the story of God reconciling us to Himself so that we could have the capacity to seek Him and find Him. God does not force us to seek Him. God enables us to respond to His love. God gives us the freedom to choose Him or to reject Him. “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalms 63:1 (NIV) “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (NIV) What are you doing with the highest privilege you have been given? Are you neglecting your love relationship with God? Have you drifted from your first love? Renew your commitment to seek the Lord. Renew your passion to seek the Lord with all your heart. Earnestly seek the Lord while He may be found. He is worth the pursuit! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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One Month To Live Passion Prayer Zeal

Passion in Action (5)

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:3-6 (NIV) The Apostle Paul demonstrated his love for the church at Philippi by his passionate intercession for them. He prayed with joy because of their partnership in the gospel. He prayed with confidence knowing that God began a good work in them and would bring it to completion. Paul’s prayer life was energized by his love for the believers at Philippi. Paul was not alone. The Holy Spirit joined in the divine communication by interceding for the saints in Philippi. Jesus interceded for them from the right hand of God in heaven. “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 (NIV) “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 (NIV) When you pray for others, you have the divine privilege of joining the Holy Spirit and Jesus in the ministry of intercession. Put your passion in action by embracing the ministry of intercessory prayer. Who will you begin to pray for today? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Prayer Praying

Praying Perpetually

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV) Are you too busy to pray? Then, you are too busy. Make room for your relationship with God to be nurtured and developed through daily intimacy with God. Guard that special time and place to connect with God through Bible reading, meditating on God’s Word, and prayer. Once you leave that special time and place designed for your daily quiet time, commit to practice God’s Presence throughout the day. To pray continually or to pray without ceasing is to operate your life throughout the day cognizant of God’s activity. You can enjoy unbroken fellowship with God throughout the day as you remain in an abiding relationship with Christ. As you maintain a level of relational bonding with God through being fully surrendered to His leadership and Lordship, you will enjoy an open line of communication with God. The Holy Spirit indwelling you will be your constant Companion. You have the privilege and the honor of maintaining a perpetual awareness of God’s Presence in your life. Staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting moment by moment will enable you to experience the work of God in you and around you. Your heightened sensitivity to God’s activity will result in deeper intimacy with God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Prayer Prayer Closet Praying Private Prayer

Securing a Prayer Closet

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matt 6:6 (NIV) When you look into the rear view mirror of your life, where were you when you had the most meaningful times of prayer with the Lord? Can you identify a literal location? What was the environment like? Was it in the morning, at mid-day, in the evening, or into the night? When and where you connect with God matters. Of course, we know that God is omnipresent. There is nowhere God is not. God is everywhere all the time. Jesus solidifies the discipline of securing a location to connect with God in prayer. Why would the location matter? Can’t you connect with God in prayer from any location? Yes! God can retrieve your prayer from any location, but Jesus is affirming the value of having a special place for communion in addition to practicing God’s Presence throughout the day. Maybe you already have that special place where you meet with God to read His Word and to spend time in unbroken fellowship with God in prayer. Perhaps you have not selected that special place yet. Think about your schedule and think about a location that will enhance your daily quiet time alone with God. If you prefer solitude, then find a place that will ensure an environment of solitude. If you love the outdoors, find a place outside that helps you best connect with God. If you enjoy worship music playing softly while you commune with God, then have the music ready. Remember that God will reward you for your private time alone with Him. God desires intimacy with you and has made that level of connection available to you. What will you do with the opportunity God has given you to know Him more? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Power Prayer Praying

Praying In Power

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV) How can the prayer of one person be powerful and effective and the prayer of another person be weak and ineffective? The power hinges on the level of righteousness. When a person is positionally in a right standing before Almighty God, the prayer is infused with power. When a person is living in sin and chooses to rebel against God, the prayer is contaminated by the poison of sin. God rewards righteous living. God is holy and expects His children to be holy (1 Peter 1:16) and to live a life of moral purity. Where there is purity, there is power! “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” Psalms 24:3-4 (NIV) “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” 1 Tim 2:8 (NIV) Do you want your prayer to be powerful and effective? Examine your life and ask God to search your heart (Ps. 139:23). God wants you to have a vibrant prayer life. What is keeping your from having that kind of prayer life? Are you clean before God? Is there any unconfessed sin in your life? Are you harboring even a fraction of bitterness or resentment? Confess the sin God reveals and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s full control of your life. Walk in the purity you have found in Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Intercession Prayer Praying

Praying For Others

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV) You may have been taught to not air out your dirty laundry. In other words, you may have been taught that some things are to be kept within the confines of secrecy. However, in God’s economy, confessing sin to a trusted fellow believer is healthy and demonstrates obedience to God’s Word. We are commanded to confess our sins to each other. Confide in a mature follower of Christ who cares about you and who wants to see you reach your God-given potential. That trusted friend who is yoked with you in Christ will help you experience the liberation from the bondage of sin that you are confessing. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 6:1-2 (NIV) “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Col 3:12-13 (NIV) Doing life together with fellow believers who have the heart of Christ and the love of Christ will be an encouraging journey. We are to walk in such community and fellowship with other believers that confessing sin to each other and praying for each other becomes normal. Of course, the need to confess sin to others will decrease as you turn from sin and embrace the life God has for you. Pray for others with the same passion that you have when you are praying for God’s wisdom for something you are facing personally. Try to get in their skin to feel what they are feeling and to pray with compassion. Think about a safe and spiritually mature person in your life who would be the person you would go to in order to confess sin. Begin asking God who He would have you to be praying for. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Forgiveness Healing Prayer Praying Sickness

Praying In Faith

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” James 5:15 (NIV) Did you know that even godly people who have a vibrant faith in God can go through seasons of adversity? Often these difficult seasons can strengthen your faith and also cause you to become weary. As you fight the good fight of the faith (1 Tim. 6:12), you may experience spiritual exhaustion. Battle fatigue is a potential reality for the follower of Christ. James wrote to believers who had experienced severe persecution. Their faith had been tested and many of them had become emotionally depleted and spiritually exhausted. In some cases, their spiritual weakness caused them to be unable to call on God. We need each other. God does not expect you to live the Christian life on your own. God wants you to live out your faith as you connect with your spiritual family. God adopted you into His family. Allow other believers who are spiritually strong to come alongside to help you through seasons of spiritual lethargy and warfare. The spiritually strong will offer their prayer in faith, fully trusting that God is able to do what He says (Rom. 4:21), and you will be restored. God will raise you up from a condition of spiritual weakness to a state of spiritual strength and stability. Will you invite a spiritually mature follower of Christ to offer a prayer in faith on your behalf? Don’t walk alone through the seasons of adversity. Allow your spiritual family to intercede for you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Intercession Prayer Praying

Asking For Prayer

“Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14 (NIV) The Christian life is not a solo flight. God never intended for us to live out our faith in isolation. As followers of Christ, we have Jesus at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Rm. 8:34) and we have the Holy Spirit interceding for us with groans that words cannot express (Rm 8:26-27). God has also given us fellow believers who can stand in the gap for us in prayer. The Apostle Paul asked for the believers in the church at Ephesus to pray that he would fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19). Paul asked the church at Colosse to pray that God would open a door for his message so that he could proclaim the mystery of Christ (Col. 4:3). Paul asked the church at Thessalonica to pray for he and his ministry partners that the message of the Lord would spread rapidly and be honored and that they would be delivered from evil and wicked men (2 Thes. 3:1-2). James affirms the need for outside prayer support for our lives. If you are experiencing spiritual weakness or even a physical illness, ask a spiritual leader to pray for you. If you are walking through a challenging situation or combating a difficult season, ask a spiritual leader to pray for you. Surround yourself with prayer warriors who will do warfare praying on your behalf. Don’t be afraid to ask for prayer support. God has placed people within your sphere of influence who can stand in the gap for you in prayer. Do you have someone praying you through? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Adversity Prayer Praying

Praying Through the Pain

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5:13 (NIV) Independence is valued in our society. Being strong and self-sufficient tend to be the marks of success by the world’s standards. However, God’s economy has a much different value system. It’s not about personal strength, but reliance upon God’s strength. Self-sufficiency is replaced with dependency upon God and His provision. Success in God’s economy is marked by instant obedience and alignment with God’s plan. Part of God’s plan includes our relational connection to God through an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. The love relationship that God has made available to us in Christ is nurtured by our daily communion with God in prayer. The prayer connection flows from God to us and from us to God. God invites us into an intimate prayer connection that radiates from His heart of love and our response of awe and wonder. Imagine being able to share your heart as well as your heartaches with the God of the universe. We have that amazing privilege to bring everything to God in prayer. In Christ, we have been given access to the Creator of the universe. Are you in trouble? Are you experiencing challenging circumstances or strained relationships? Don’t delay! Take your burdens to the Lord in prayer. Empty the contents of your heart before the loving and faithful God that you have come to know by experience. God has provided you with the ultimate communication instrument called prayer. Just pray! Begin to articulate to God whatever is perplexing you and whatever is bothering you. God can handle your hurt. God can make the fog lift. Be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). God’s line is never busy and yes, He can hear you now! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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God's Will Prayer

God’s Will (1)

God’s will involves prayer. Prayer is aligning your life with God’s agenda. God has a plan for your life. He has a purpose for you to fulfill. How do you get connected to that purpose and plan? Through alignment! Prayer is the avenue through which we connect with God. He has already broken down the barriers that separated us. God grants us access to Him through prayer based on the atonement of Christ. Because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, we have the privilege of communing with God through prayer. The Israelites communed with God through the use of the Tabernacle. “‘Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.’” Ex 25:8-9 (NIV) As believers, we commune with God through Jesus. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Heb 4:14-16 (NIV) As a Christ follower, you have direct access to God through Jesus. Are you aligned with God’s agenda? God’s will includes you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

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Pastor Prayer Praying

How To Pray For Your Pastor

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” Col 4:2-4 (NIV) Do you ever pray for your pastor? If so, what exactly are you praying for? How do you pray for your pastor? What are his needs? Of course, your pastor has the same basic needs that you have. He has a need to be loved, accepted, and useful. Let’s go beyond the basics and look inside your pastor’s life on a positional level. In his role as pastor, how can you best pray for him? As you devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful, pray to God for an open door for your pastor’s message. Pray that God will give your pastor opportunities to deliver God’s message. Ask God to tear down walls of division and to build bridges of connection to enable your pastor to speak forth God’s Word.  “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” 2 Thess 3:1 (NIV) “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Eph 6:19-20 (NIV) Where there is an opportunity for your pastor to deliver God’s message, you can anticipate opposition. Satan does not want your pastor to preach the Gospel. You can combat the spiritual forces of evil through prayer on behalf of your pastor. You can conduct warfare prayer for your pastor. Pray that he will preach with clarity. Pray that your pastor’s message will spread rapidly and be honored. Pray to God for your pastor that he will make known the mystery of the Gospel and to declare it fearlessly.  Why pray for your pastor? Pray for your pastor in order to create opportunities for the Lord’s message to be heard and to combat opposition in the spirit realm. Pause right now to pray for your pastor by name. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor