Wishing all of our family and friends a wonderful Easter! We love you all and pray daily for God’s richest blessings on your lives. We’re so thankful for you and for the life we share together. We may not see you often, but you are in our hearts today.
Tonight, the Mrs. and I watched another episode of a new favorite show on Hulu called, ‘The Kids Are Alright’. It’s based on a Catholic middle-class family with eight kids (all boys) set in the early 1970’s. Of course, we can both relate to many of the cliché’s and cultural references since we were both kids during that time; which makes the show even more funny to us.
The episode we enjoyed was about a drama program the church was putting on in order to raise money. The middle son, who narrates the show as an adult, and his brother were in competition to make themselves stand out; one as an actor and the other a stage designer. Both boys had an insecure need to be noticed by others and to find approval.
The older son, normally the mother’s favorite who is always trying to please her, even risked his infamous status by standing up for himself when she tried to stop him from being a part of the play. It was a moment many children who are afraid of displeasing their parents feel; the fear that their parents won’t love them or approve of them if they do what they really want to do instead of what their parent’s want.
Earlier today while traveling in Austin traffic, the thought came to my mind how so many in the world wrestle with pretentiousness when I heard a spot on the radio calling out how, because so many people today suffer from a fear of pleasing others, there is a lack of authenticity in our culture. I have my own understanding of pretentiousness, but I decided to look up what Webster defines it as; ‘Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed’.
We seem to be so obsessed with being greater than we are. This need is driven by an insecurity deep inside that says we won’t be good enough, or accepted, unless we are greater than we are. I can’t help but to believe that this ingrained need comes from our childhood somewhere as in the show today where two brothers are competing for the same attention and approval, not only with each other, but with their six other siblings.
The challenge for all parents is to help their children feel a sense of self-worth, acceptance, and to have a positive self-image. With so many things competing for our attention, providing that is not an easy task. Even so, today we see some parents pour too much time into the effort and create a sense of entitlement in their kids. So, where’s the balance? How do we know when we’re giving too little or too much?
Our children will most likely not tell us verbally. Most will act out in other ways that may seem negative (I know because I did just that). Because they can’t express what they feel in words, they make poor choices or rebel against authority. All of which is a cry for attention, love, and acceptance.
I wish I had all the answers but, the truth is, I
feel like a total failure in this area.
It’s taken me years to overcome my own insecurities, fears, and poor
self-worth that have led to poor choices in my own past.
Without a doubt, it’s not easy to be a parent today, but with God’s help, guidance from His word, and letting go of our own need for acceptance from our children, it will allow us to make some of those tough choices (and, believe me, they are some of the toughest choices we’ll ever have to make). In the end, we may not be perfect, but at least we tried and loved the way we knew how. And that’s really all that matters isn’t it?
Earlier today, while the Mrs. and I were enjoying a coffee at our favorite café downtown, a woman came in who we instantly knew was looking to ask for money. She was probably in her 60’s, African-American, skinny, and dressed modestly, but you could see that she had worn clothes on.
We were sitting next to the door and were her first target. She came right over to our table, opened her left palm where she was holding a few well placed coins and said, ‘Excuse me, can you spare…’. I looked at her and kindly interrupted her by saying, ‘No, thank you’. She looked in my eyes and knew I meant, ‘Not here’. Over the course of the next ten minutes, she went to multiple tables eventually getting a few donations and someone to buy her a few bags of chips and a drink before taking off to the next place.
As we walked home, I wrestled with my decision and how the choice brought about deep questions within myself about giving. Please don’t get me wrong, the reason I said no so quickly came from my past experience working with the homeless in San Francisco.
During a very difficult time in my life, I volunteered weekly at one of the largest homeless kitchens in the Mission District. I quickly learned from those there not to give the homeless money. They had free food, clothes, and even a bed to use if they chose to. Many would also get a check from the city every month just for saying they were homeless. Something they would quickly spend on partying and then they were back on the street where they could make hundreds of dollars a day by just sitting on the corner with a cup. Granted, not all homeless people have the mental ability to do that, but there are a lot more who do than one might think.
The question really is, ‘When do we give and when do we politely say no?’ For every ten people there are probably ten different opinions on the subject. Certainly, the Bible says that if anyone asks to borrow from us we are to give (Matthew 5:42), but does that mean those who would be ungrateful or who would take advantage of us?
The Mrs. and I talked about it all the way back to the house and the one thing that kept coming back to me was the word sincerity. Over the years I’ve trained myself to recognize sincerity in people. Meaning, if someone is asking me for help, are they sincerely in need and grateful, or are they simply using me to get what they want? The tell-tale sign for me this morning with the woman at the café was her shamelessness. She had no shame or fear to work the room in a sneaky way without getting caught. She seemed ungrateful and had her routine down pat.
So, the key to knowing whether to give is wisdom and discernment. Being willing to give is also crucial to helping us know the difference whether it’s just greed we’re feeling or sensing if a person is simply trying to use us. Had I sensed she truly needed my help and was desperate, I would have gladly given her money, my coat, a ride, whatever. But my gut and eyes said otherwise.
No matter who you are, if you do give and find out later you were taken advantage of, at least you tried to do the right thing. It’s never easy to know, but God can help us with those choices when they present themselves. His heart is to always love and share. But, He also wants to protect us from being taken advantage of and He may also want us to show tough love from time to time (as in the case of our kids); even when it seems like we’re being selfish.
I still haven’t resolved the question in my own mind, but I feel a little bit closer to it after today. How would you deal with that situation? Would you say, ‘No thank you’ or would you open your wallet to give them something? If so, how much? Is a token gift helping them or is it something to help us feel better? Perhaps. Whatever the answers are, God loves us all either way and only wants us to bless others who are truly in need. In that, we can always take rest…
So often we concern ourselves with strengthening our home security, our job security, and our financial security. All of which are great endeavors. Less often, we spend time reinforcing the security of our hearts. It’s something we all struggle with. Ironically, what happens in our heart will affect everything else in our life. If we keep that safe and strong, the rest will come together on it’s own.
The heart I’m referring to is our spirit, or soul if you will. It’s an easy thing to neglect, frankly. The heart is something we sense and know is there, but all too often, our minds and bodies rule the day. Our mind is consumed with the cares of the world, the tasks of the day, and the ever-growing stresses of life. Our bodies, for most of us, just go along for the ride and provide the escape from the mind’s pressures when consuming that beloved coffee or chocolate on the sly.
It’s the soul that is so difficult to define. I see it as the knowing of truth vs lies. It’s the love that comes from within us for our fellow man. It’s the questioning of our existence and why we’re here. It’s the belief system that tells us there is a higher power and that He loves us. It’s the part of us that lives beyond this life for eternity; our spiritual body. So, how do we protect it? How do we make it strong?
Unlike the safety zones around our military bases surrounded by walls, our hearts are the opposite. If we build walls around them, we will shut out others and, possibly, even God. The healthier our heart is to be, the more open it needs to be.
Like our physical bodies which become strong through exercise, weight training, and a healthy diet, our soul becomes strong through feeding it God’s word, exercising our faith, and carrying the burdens of others. It’s when we put aside the mind and body’s demands and allow our hearts to take center stage that the soul becomes stronger.
Tonight, I want to encourage you that, if you feel weak at heart (‘soul’), you can get stronger. God says that it’s in our weakness (our soul’s weakness), that we become strong through Him. He will give you the strength of heart when you feel like giving up. He will guide through His word and make it alive in you. He will fill you with His power to stand up against the weight of this world. In Him, you can do all things. And, in Him, your heart can be reinforced and you will become strong…
Over the years between glasses, contacts, Lasik, crossed eyes, and multiple eye surgeries to fix them, I’ve grown accustomed to not seeing clearly at times. In fact, I’ve grown so used to ‘tweaking’ my vision that I’m now a bit OCD about it. At the slightest hint of fogginess in my contacts or allergy gook, I whip out the eye lotion and begin the cleansing process. I’m sure people often wonder what the deal is when I randomly stare at the ceiling spraying my eyes with that little bottle I pulled out of nowhere.
Being so attune to the difference between seeing clearly and not has been a benefit with my photography and has forced me to keep my focus more at work too. There truly is a large of amount of detail that we miss in life when we can’t see clearly. Yes, age is also taking a toll on the ability to see clearly but, thankfully, because of the way my Lasik went, I don’t have to wear the ‘reading glasses’ that hang from the neck like most at my age do.
So often in our lives the ability to see things clearly is hindered as well. Whether we’re blinded by the glare caused from the illusion of grandeur, the fogginess of uncertainty, or the darkness of depression, we all struggle at times to see the path ahead of us clearly. Poor choices of our own or the effects of those made by others all pull us in different directions. How do we gain clearer vision in this life? What can we do to wash away the fogginess that hinders our ability to see?
People often look for
clarity by using another person’s life lens and sometimes that helps and,
sometimes, it can lead us down a wrong path.
If we can glean wisdom from others without having to learn the hard way,
we can save ourselves a lot of pain.
Unfortunately, most of us choose to find out on our own or those we
trust simple can’t see well enough for both of us.
One sure way (the only guaranteed way I know of) is to look through the lens of God’s word and prayer. Sure, it may seem ‘cliché’, but over the course of my lifetime, every decision that I’ve made without His guidance has brought nothing but disappointment and even hardship. Those I’ve made with the guidance of His hand have resulted in blessings I couldn’t have dreamed of. I wish all my choices were made with His help, believe me! The truth is that we’re all traveling through this life on our own path and His light can guide us through to the end. Without it, we are destined to run off the path and into roadblocks as I have many times. With it, we will make it through those rough patches, over the daunting hills, and arrive safely in the final valley of peace where He will be waiting for us.
I know I’m being metaphorical; intentionally so. Our life journey is full of challenges, errant paths, and potholes. With His help, we can make it through them and, in the process, perhaps help others along the way on their journey too. Ultimately, when we arrive at the end, He will look to see whether we believed in Him to get us through it all and the only answer I want to have for Him when He asks is, ‘Yes, Lord!… Not my will, but Yours be done’…
Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like everything is fine but, for some reason, something is going on somewhere that you know isn’t right? I have this happen often (today in fact). Everything will seem fine, but inside my ‘Gut’ I have a sense that I need to pray. I know, that may sound a bit far-fetched to some people if they’ve never experienced that kind of thing, but it can be a real, tangible feeling.
Earlier tonight I was watching a video interview with a man who was part of a secret team funded and directed by the CIA to do remote viewing. If you’re not familiar with what that means, it’s basically using people who have a heightened ability to see beyond the natural; what they used to call ‘ESP’ or ‘Extrasensory Perception’.
The show was quite interesting as it gave multiple examples of people who had worked for the government and helped to discover Soviet bases, ships, and spies. They were able to find people who had been held hostage and had premonitions of the future. Whether one believes in that sort of thing or not, the evidence was convincing, and the government kept the program going for over twenty years.
I find it interesting because of the many times I’ve either dreamed something that has happened, been wakened in the middle of the night with a sense to pray for someone, or had a sense to make a turn in the car where we found our first home around the corner. Only with me, I know it’s not just a natural ability. It’s more than that; it’s a God-given ability that we all have.
Because God is a Spirit and we are made in His image, He has given us more than just a body and mind. He has given us a soul and the ability to sense His Spirit (if we want to). He wants to speak to us and guide us but how does He do that? It only makes sense that, if God is a Spirit, He would need to speak to our spirit too. Not to say He can’t speak through an animal if He wants to (which He did in the Bible), but I would think His preference is for us to hear Him in our soul.
Whether one calls it ESP or a fine-tuned soul enabled to hear God’s voice, it’s something we have been given to help us through this life. I’m thankful for His leading and His still, small voice in my heart as it’s saved me from death on numerous occasions. It’s led me to find the Mrs who is my best friend, and it’s opened doors I never imagined would be opened. It’s also comforted in times of pain and even made me laugh many times (God has a great sense of humor).
If you’ve never experienced that sense, I want to encourage you that it’s possible. It may take time and practice, but the first step is asking God to speak to you and the next is just to listen. You may just have a strong feeling or a single word may pop into your head. You may have an image of someone and a feeling of burden for them, or you may even have an image of a place where you need to be or to go. It could be anything.
The key is being open to His voice and then trusting Him to lead you when you hear Him. It may feel like you’re being led around with a blindfold covering your eyes, but over time, you will get used to His nudges and recognize them when they come. He wants to have that type of relationship with you because He loves you. It’s exciting and can even be a bit frightening too, but it’s worth it. Trust me, it will change your life forever…
Why is the unknown so frightening for us? Fear of it is something that keeps so many people bound by self-imposed restrictions preventing them from stepping out in new directions. Of course, if any of us could predict the future we’d be God. Still, the thought of what could happen is enough to keep us from choices that may make a significant difference in our lives and in those around us.
Truth be told, the
unknown isn’t as bad it seems. Once we
get past the stigma of fear and uncertainty, there lies a road full of potential
just waiting for us to explore and discover.
Finding what’s behind the self-imposed blinders we hide behind may very
well be an exciting journey.
The Mrs. and I enjoy watching sci-fi shows; make no qualms about that. Probably one of the most popular themes today is the thought of time travel. So many programs are focused on what would happen if we could cross between dimensions and see ourselves as a child or during those pivotal moments that changed the direction of our lives. What would we do? How would we react today verses how we did then? Would we try to change those choices or leave them where they are because we now see how, though some of them were painful, they made us who we are today?
Speaking personally, I wouldn’t change them. I would leave them just as they are; good, bad, and ugly. Over the years, through God’s grace, I’ve come to accept the past for what it is. I’ve learned to cherish the good and let go of the bad. It has been a long journey that I’m just now at 50+ years old, finding peace in. It may take the rest of my life to fully see things clearly, but as I move forward, accepting that there’s still the unknown is enough for me to stay hopeful that life will bring about even more good, along with the challenges.
Tonight, if you’re wrestling with fear of the unknown because of pains in your past, or even in your present, know that you have an all knowing, all loving God who knows what your unknown is. He knows our past, present, and most importantly, He knows our future. His plans for us have been in motion from the foundation of the Earth and those plans are for our good. One of my favorite quotes from the president of the college where I attended says it all, ‘God is a good God and the Devil is a bad devil’.
Trusting in His goodness will help us to face the unknown with confidence knowing He will be there through whatever lies ahead. His plans, though it may not seem like it at the time, are for our good and in that alone, we can walk into the unknown without fear…


Support Our Missionary
Shawn & Julie Boykin
Missionaries to Latin America with God Said Go Missions. They serve families currently suffering from extreme generational poverty.
Shawn and Julie were married in 1999 and lived in Huntsville, AL for many years before becoming full-time missionaries to Guatemala in 2023. They have two sons, Michael, 24, who is on active duty in the US Navy and Patrick, 22, who is a senior at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Shawn and Julie have a heart for missions and discipleship. They will be serving with God Said Go Missions in the impoverished areas of Guatemala. They will support the medical and food/water programs, as well as helping local pastors to grow their congregation first through community evangelism and also by introducing new discipleship efforts to deepen the commitment of the local churches. As the hands and feet of Christ to this area, their hope is to provide leadership, guidance, and resources in order to see communities redeemed spiritually, socially and economically for the glory of God. Shawn and Julie will work to support the local church, local leaders and the local people see God do wonders, both physically and spiritually.


Sometimes we find spiritual truths in the most unlikely places. As Christian philosopher Arthur F. Holmes puts it, “All Truth is God’s Truth.” And such was the case with my recent viewing of Bill and Ted’s Excellent adventure.
When Katherine and I sat down last week for a movie night, I had no idea that God was going to remind me of something. Something so very central to our collective Christian life.
In Bill and Ted’s Excellent adventure, our two bumbling “heroes” ride a telephone booth time machine through history, gathering up key historic figures for an oral report and reminding people to “be excellent to each other”. And at first pass, their catch phrase seems like nothing but moronic drivel. But a deeper look reveals that’s not the case – this is exactly the kind of thing that Jesus told us to do. Continue reading
I had big plans Saturday but I didn’t accomplish them because I was sidetracked.
Katherine was out at a church event so I had some time “to myself”. I had a few things planned, one of which was to write another blog posting. As I sat down at the computer, I dutifully checked my email and Facebook account and then settled down to get started.
As the creative juices started flowing, I remembered an article about Feedly.com, an ever-so-interesting RSS feed aggregator and reader. So I just HAD to check it out. As it turns out, it only runs on Firefox, so I just HAD to download and install the update to Firefox. And then I HAD to head back over to Feedly.com so that I could install and set up their Firefox add-on.
As you can probably already tell by both my lack of a Saturday morning post and the meandering story of my “accomplishments,” I was sidetracked. That got me thinking about how often I fail to accomplish anything because I lack clear goals. Continue reading
Heavenly Father, thank you for the beauty of creation and the gift of rest. Thank you for the rhythms of your grace that guard and guide our lives. Help us to submit ourselves to your rhythms rather than trying to impose our schedules on you.
In your divine wisdom, guide our decisions, meditations, actions, and destinations today. Fill us with abundant joy and wisdom. As we focus our hearts and attentions on you, fill our lives with the recognition of your presence in us, through us, and around us.
Help us to impact our communities and the world in the same way you have impacted our lives. Be glorified.
Most holy God, thank you for a new day. Thank you for the strength you have given us to do your will.
As we enter this day, remind us of your divine rhythms of grace and the mercy you have given us, the incredible gift that is salvation, and of the call you have on our lives both as individuals and as your body – the church. Help us to effectively share these gifts – grace, mercy, salvation, and calling – with others both near and far.
In your divine mercy, grant us revelation of spiritual truth and eyes to see your ongoing work in the world. Give us the wisdom and direction to know how you would have us be part of what you are doing.
I need the church – the community of saints, the body of Christ. I need to spend time with the church. I need to know and be known by the church. I need to identify with the church.
God, in his wisdom, has commanded that I do so but sometimes, in my thick-headedness, I forget that God wants only the best for me. Sometimes I, in my immaturity, need to see the “why” behind God’s command. To see why I need the church.
Here is why I need the church: Continue reading
I remember as a child being taught to share. Of all the things I had to share, I believe that sharing my toys was the hardest – especially sharing with my brother. I remember countless hours spent fighting with him over Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys and Legos. I believe that if our mother hadn’t come from such a great gene pool, she would be completely white-headed right now. And probably resting, medication-assisted, in a padded room.
Now that I’m older, I still struggle with sharing. I don’t always want to share my time or my compassion or my money – as though they’re actually mine. And sometimes I don’t want to share my faith – not because I’m selfish but because I feel so inadequate. And maybe a little because I’m scared that I’ll be look (or be proven) ignorant or foolish.
This inadequacy, however, is precisely the foundation of my faith. Continue reading
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Help us to see the grace with which our lives are infused and share it with those around us. Renew in us the high calling of the Kingdom and grant us the strength to follow you as you lead us there.
In your mercy, provide for the destitute. In your love, move us ever nearer to you. And in your divine wisdom, remind us that while this world is not our home, we are stewards of it. That one day we will be in your unbridled presence.
I saw this yesterday on Cass Midgley’s Facebook profile. Cass’s friend Jim is a church planter whose perspective on church planting and spiritual development has changed over the years.
Cass has given me permission to reprint a portion of his article. Check it out below:
If Jim Were Planting A Church Today
Setting the Stage
I have planted two churches. One has developed into a very healthy attractional church, the other a cutting edge missional church. I worked much harder than I needed to and focused much of my energy attempting to achieve the wrong things. I would trade anyone anytime to be able to plant a church today in comparison with 30 years ago. Now I have other things to do but I want to help others who are interested in this work have more fun, achieve better (and more interesting) goals and survive the psycho- spiritual battlefield one encounters in this work.
30 things I would do differently
- Have a career in an unrelated field – like music, teaching, marketing or my own business
- Realize that if money were removed from ministry most pastors would quit.
- Accept some money from my spiritual community out of principle.
- Gather people around serving others instead of knowing more.
- Be happy with leading 5-10 people and knowing them personally.
- Serve my spiritual community by making connections for them in our local community.
- Introduce people to Jesus in the context of serving others.
If these intrigue you, stop by Cass Midgley’s Facebook profile to find the other 23 things Jim would do differently.
The ability to earn and multiply wealth is a gift from God that he intends to be used for his glory. We can’t do that if we have a “hierarchy of callings” where overt full-time ministry is at the top, teaching and the pursuit of social justice just below, and business is a last resort if you just can’t cut it as a full-time minister, teacher, or lawyer for the underprivileged.
God has created each of us in unique ways and wants us to make the most of all of our gifts, talents, and uniqueness within the context of a godly lifestyle. That means all callings (vocations) are holy, meaningful, and equal in the sight of God.
Steve Grossman a friend of mine recently sent me off to read this blog posting by Dr. Niel Nielson, the president of Covenant College. He has quite a bit to say on the subject – specifically to those who question their calling into business or to those who disdain those with the ability to generate wealth and yet go to those same people for support.
One of the most shocking portions of his post is the quote below from Wheaton Magazine. I think that I had always assumed that the “wealth gap” between the most prosperous areas of the world and all of the rest was due largely to the rich exploiting the poor and struggled with that very “fact”. Read below for a different and more balanced perspective. Continue reading
Wealth (money, land, intelligence, talent, etc) is unevenly distributed and with wealth comes the choice of what to do with it. There are many options but if we follow God, it’s impossible to be wrong.
Today I’d like to look at a couple of ways that we can give back – money and effort. After all, because wealth isn’t limited to money, there are many ways that we can give from our wealth to help others.
Additionally, I’d like to focus on two philosophies and look at our options to give based on those two philosophies.
- We should give daily needs to those who are most in need.
- We should help others so that they can “support themselves”.
In these, we find balance between James writing that if we see a brother or sister in need and send them away with nothing but a blessing, we have done nothing and Paul’s statement that if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat.
There are options for both of these. To help those who cannot help themselves and also to give the dignity of work to those who are able. Continue reading


TUESDAY, JULY 24: Sean and Amelie had lots of fun in the Jacuzzi—laughter galore! Carrot sticks and crisps were had by all at teatime.
Oh, darling Madeleine. It pains me to think of you—it causes me such sorrow and I have no idea how you feel. I pray to God that you are well, that you are not hurt. I pray that God keeps you safe and sound and that you’re not afraid, nor in pain.
Please God, answer my prayers and please, please, please bring Madeleine back to us very soon, for our own happiness. Please God.
Madeleine, sweetheart, I love you so much. I can’t stop saying it. Night, night darling. We will keep hoping and having faith in God. XXXXXXX.


Hope Center Indy is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that provides a safe space for the hurt and lost to find healing, rest, and hope.
Founded in 2016 by Pastor Hubert Nolen and David Nolen, Hope Center Indy sits on an impressive 25-acre campus filled with various in-house ministries and programs designed to equip and empower.
Our passion is imparting hope and healing to every heart.
UNIQUES & GUARANTEES
Gold Standard of Stewardship
WHAT WE DO
At the core of Hope Center Indy are three residential programs focused on the recovery of women exiting human trafficking, addictions, and other life-dominating issues.
Our goal is to provide them with a safe place to heal and a clear path to community reintegration as empowered individuals.
These programs are surrounded by a number of community, compassion, and spiritual ministries to create an even bigger impact in the city of Indianapolis.
To the world around us
To personal growth
Integrating our community
Healing and transformation
Power of testimony
Kind and considerate
QUALITY THAT INSPIRES HOPE
Excellence in all that we do
Good stewards of time, talents, and treasures
Pastor Hubert Nolen


Feast Day : July 5 Also known as: Antonio Maria Zaccaria Anthony Mary was born in 1502 in Cremona, in Lombardy (Italy), to wealthy patrician parents. His....
Feast Day : July 14 Patronage: hospitals; infirmarians; nurses; the sick Also known as: The Father of a Good Death Camillus de Lellis was born in 1550 in....
Feast Day : August 19 John Eudes was born at Ri in Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, to a farming family. At age 14 he attended the Jesuit college at Caen. Although his....
Feast Day : February 2 Josemaria was born in Barbastro, Aragón, Spain, on January 9, 1902. In 1915, his father’s business failed, and the family moved to Logrono,....
Feast Day : January 19 Patronage: against poverty; impoverishment; loss of parents; people rejected by religious orders Also known as: Margaret Bourgeoys, Marguerite....
Feast Day : August 8 Also known as: Mary of the Cross Mary Helen MacKillop was born in 1842 in Melbourne to a family of Scottish ancestry. She founded the Sisters of St.....
- Jesus and Mary
- The Holy Bible
- Apostles and Angels
- Saints Quotes
- Bible Quotes
- Short stories
- Christian Songs Lyrics
- ENGLISH Christian Songs listen online
- HINDI Christian Songs listen online
- MALAYALAM Christian Songs listen online
- TELUGU Christian Songs listen online
- HD Wallpapers
- The Holy Rosay(Online)
- Mass Readings and Reflections
- Saint of the day
- Today's Word Of God
- Facebook Timeline Covers
- The Acts Of The Apostles
- CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS
- Peace Prayers
- TELUGU BIBLE QUOTES
- THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
- Happy Christmas Merry Christmas
- Bro.Joseph Thamby SERVANT OF GOD
- ABOUT ME


Easter is an important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to Christian scripture, Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Many Christian denominations celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday(also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday), two days after Good Friday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between A.D. 26 and 36.
Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season. Traditionally the Easter Season lasted for the forty days from Easter Day until Ascension Day but now officially lasts for the fifty days until Pentecost. The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. Easter also marks the end of Lent, a season of prayer and penance.
Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. Easter falls at some point between late March and late April each year (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity), following the cycle of the Moon. After several centuries of disagreement, all churches accepted the computation of the Alexandrian Church (now the Coptic Church) that Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first moon whose 14th day (the ecclesiastic "full moon") is on or after March 21 (the ecclesiastic "vernal equinox").
Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover not only for much of its symbolism but also for its position in the calendar.
Cultural elements, such as the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts, have become part of the holiday's modern celebrations, and those aspects are often celebrated by many Christians and non-Christians alike. There are also some Christian denominations which do not celebrate Easter.


The journey where God is taking you is not an event; it’s a process. This process isn’t easy; but it is necessary. John Wooden, the legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach says, “When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare. If you want to be a successful leader, learn to lead BEFORE you have a leadership position”. It is in the preparation process where God refines, renews, purifies, transforms, and prepares his leaders for service.
While serving as an Associate Minister, I remember asking God, “when will it be my TURN?” I experienced seasons of frustration, irritation, and agitation; but God kept me when I wanted to give up. Looking back now, it was well worth the wait. Through the process, my faith matured, my gifts were discovered, my weaknesses were exposed, and my character was developed. This book will give some principles on how to serve with purpose instead of seeking a position.


Arrived on island in 1966
The Carmelite Sisters are an order of contemplative Catholic nuns who follow the reformed observance of the Carmelite Rule as defined by Saint Teresa of Avila. The Carmelites are so named because they were traditionally founded by Christian hermits on Mount Carmel in Palestine. The Carmelites are cloistered; that is, they do not leave the monastery except for medical needs and in other special circumstances, but remain within the monastery leading a life of quiet prayer and work.
The Carmelites were invited to Guam by the late Bishop Apollinaris Baumgartner, OFM Cap and arrived on island in 1966. The Carmelite pioneers on Guam were sent by the Carmelite Monastery of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, at the time known as Jesselton. Before their own monastery could be built, the original band of Carmelites lived with the Sisters of Mercy in Ta’i, Mangilao.
The Carmelites built their monastery in Malojloj, Inarajan and began to support themselves through the making and sale of communion wafers, baptismal gowns, wedding veils, Christmas decorations, and other such products. The monastery was dedicated on 14 January 1968. For some years they also maintained an egg farm.
Many local benefactors over the years have also assisted the nuns. The parish of San Isidro was built in connection with the monastery. The nuns were often sought after in Malojloj for intercessory prayer and spiritual guidance.
The community is lead by a Prioress elected from among their number. Past prioresses have been Mothers Concepcion, Dolores, Josephine, and Bernadette. The present Prioress is Mother Dawn Marie.
In 1981, the Carmelites were given special permission to leave their cloister to participate in the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña. They were given front seats in the cathedral.
In December 2006, the community moved out of their Malojloj monastery to a house in Tamuning which was renovated into a monastery. The move was prompted by their decrease in size and their advanced age, necessitating more frequent visits to doctors and other health services mainly located in Tamuning and adjacent areas. In their urban setting today, the Carmelites hope to continue being a spiritual oasis in the midst of the commercial center of Guam.
For further reading
Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Arlington Texas “The Carmelite Nuns of Arlington, Texas” (accessed August 9, 2010).


I grew up in the church and I loved it. A lot of people love to express their hate for the church after years of elders making them sit in the pews and being force-fed scriptures, but this isn’t one of those stories.
I chose to go to church. My family was never particularly religious; my father doesn’t believe in anything in particular but has spoken a few times about reincarnation and things like that. I know he believes in something after death, but not in a God. My older brother is brilliant in math and science so he believes that our bodies will just be a pile of bones and our souls will cease to exist. And that will be that. My mother, on the other hand, believed in God. However, she struggled with her faith for many reasons. She was in and out of the church all the time.
I went to a summer camp when I was in 3rd grade. It was a Christian camp where we did all the normal outdoorsy fun things that come with traditional camp, but we also heard messages and sang worship songs. The pictures above are from that experience, and you can tell how much I enjoyed it. This was the first time I had ever really heard about God but it clicked for me. I believed whole-heartedly, and even at a young age I felt like there was a bigger presence in the world than just myself.
Middle school came and I was more involved in the church than ever. I was part of youth groups, I went to bible studies, and I even worked at the summer camp where I first learned about my faith. I felt so connected to God.
In high school some unfortunate things happened in my church. My pastor didn’t end up being the person we all thought he was. I decided to leave that church, but it was devastating for me because I had roots there. Even though that was a bad situation, I knew that people are flawed (even pastors) so my faith in God didn’t waiver. I felt like this was the biggest test in my faith so far and I had stayed strong. I didn’t know that there would be much greater tests to come.
Without delving into the long and complicated story of my past, essentially my mother was an alcoholic and my stepfather was abusive to me. I lived on my own with them from middle school until the end of high school. I silently endured things that no child should experience, all while keeping up a façade at school. Still, I believed in God. I believed He would be the one to dry my tears, right the wrongs, and save me from the storm.
Then came college. I had to completely break contact with my mother and stepdad for my mental well being. However, the drama continued to find its way into my life. My mother was in and out of the hospital every month. She was even in a weeklong coma at one point, all from her drinking.
This is the time I started to really examine my faith and what I truly believed. It seemed strange to me; So many people had told me that God answers the prayers of those He loves, but I wasn’t experiencing that. I had heard countless testimonies from Christians who talked about horrible life circumstances and how God had carried them through it. I can remember some of them so vividly; testimonies that talked about miracles happening. Why not me? Hearing these stores so many times made me feel like there was something wrong with me. Either God wasn’t real, or I was doing something wrong. I would cry out to Him and hear silence. I got to a point where those testimonies were not a beacon of hope for me. In fact, they started to make me angry. I thought about how I had prayed for my family life to improve for six years. Every single day. So how is it possible that all these people had their prayers answered, but not me?
Some people have miraculous stories about how just when they started thinking God wasn’t there, He suddenly came through and answered their prayers. This is not one of those stories either. Actually, this story is different than all the ones I ever heard growing up. While those testimonies are great in many ways, they often only show one side of faith. People want to hear the part when God saves the day, but they don’t want to hear stories without a happy ending. I had never heard anything like that either, despite spending most of my childhood in the church. But then I started reading the bible more. I began to explore the history of God, not based on stories I had heard in church, but based on actual scripture. What I found was quite interesting; there are so many instances in the bible where God asks His follower to endure horrific things; From Noah to Hezekiah to Joseph, and even Christ himself, it’s not always easy for those who love God. In many ways it is often harder for these people. I found new meaning in the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” because I realized it doesn’t say “I can do all things and Christ will make it easy.” Maybe, like David in the bible, God is working in order to build me something greater in the future. Or maybe I will never see why bad things happened in my life. However, I still believe.
I believe in God and He hasn’t answered my prayer. I trust that He has a plan even though He hasn’t answered my prayer.
Maybe you never hear these testimonies in churches because it’s not a feel-good story. But you know what it is? It’s real.


Victoria & Chris were married in Atlanta at the end of September. They were surrounded by family and close friends for their traditional Greek ceremony at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation the night before their wedding day at Cator Woolford Gardens (more to come next week!). The cathedral was a gorgeous backdrop for a touching ceremony. It was a pleasure to be with them on this special day -- check out some of my favorites. Happy weekend, y'all! : )
Married! Isn't that ceiling awesome?!


First Sunday: Our Tears are Our Prayers
Happy Sunday! I feel blessed by the Best to be posting this blog and sharing the good news about our tears and Jesus Christ so let’s go:
Last Sunday, my church family resumed in-person Church service. We haven’t gathered since the explosion of the pandemic in March, and in the interim we restricted ourselves to dial-in service.
Earlier that week, I was talking with a Georgia peach about how the Church was reopening and we were both struck with the realization that not once, not ever, did we fathom not being able to go to Church.
Like, just take that in for a minute.
Which is exactly what we did; we reflected on how we took it for granted. All the complaining about the early hour, second-guessing if we’re going to get up in the morning, and even arriving late. I actually remember planning out getting to Church 30 minutes late because that’s how long praise and worship lasted so I knew I would still hear the full sermon.
Lord, please forgive me, and not because I deserve it (because clearly, I don’t). Forgive me because You’re a merciful God who delights in grace. You know God delights in grace when He allows somebody to come back to His house after He watched them take it for granted. Amen.
Back to the tears. On our First Sunday back post-corona, I cried the entire time. I cried from the parking lot when we arrived all the way back to the car before we left. I cried during praise and worship. I cried during the opening prayer. I cried during my own prayers. I cried during the sermon. I cried during the anointing. I cried during the offering. I just cried, cried, and cried. I cried so much that I ultimately stopped wiping my tears when I realized they weren’t going to stop, so I let my mask act as a water catcher instead.
Shannon Evette of Shannon Evette Ministries said in this video that our tears are prayers (timestamp 14:30) that “validate the space of our hearts.” She explains how our tears are unspoken prayers, the prayers we don’t say for ourselves. So technically speaking, I prayed the entire time. LOL.
My heart space has definitely been shaken. Most likely due to God shaking literally everything (as Shannon also points out, timestamp 20:55). My tears were saying so much to God, and myself, last Sunday. If I had to put them in words, they wouldn’t be very eloquent. They would sound more like an erratic monologue:
“I am saved. I am hurting. I am a mess. I am blessed. I am healing. I am afraid. I am exhausted. I need to rest in you. I am resting in you. I’m so grateful. I’m so sorry. I am pushing. I am. I am. I am. God, here am I!!!”
I’m in need. I’m learning, as I get further in my walk, that I will always be in need. For someone who has always strived to be an independent person, that is a hard truth to accept. What makes it easier for me is knowing that Who I stand in need of (God) is faithful.
I’m learning His character, and He simply would never let me down. It’s so beautiful. God is asking us in the most lovingly ways imaginable to surrender to His TLC that surpasses all earthly comfort.
I smile when I remember how I set out on a journey to find God, because now I find myself begging for Him to find me. “God, here am I!”
It’s paradoxical. Even though I fundamentally understand God is always with me and has never left me (see, there goes that faithfulness again), there is also something within that actively desires for Him to see me.
The exact logic behind it still escapes me, but I feel like it’s connected to the fact that I don’t want to keep taking God for granted. Honestly, I can’t keep taking God for granted. He don’t play like that. Being in a world where not being able to go to church became a reality has shown me that.
Part of not taking God for granted is believing what He says. He says to be diligent when we seek Him. The evidence of this is in the Bible, the Gospel accounts from the Apostles of Jesus in the New Testament.
Time after time, miracle after miracle, we can read through this process of humans accepting Christ and acting by faith. Blind beggars calling out, “Lord, have mercy on me!” without ceasing. Paralyzed people (and friends) climbing on a roof and breaking through the ceiling to get into the sanctuary for healing.
They were all people who didn’t take anything for granted while standing in the presence of Jesus, the Lord in the flesh. They were ready to ask for everything they stood in need of, and never defaulted to the luxury of assuming that God would just know already.
And of course, He knows. He hears the prayers in our tears so we can be assured He knows. Yet, when we seek Him diligently and humbly it adds something great to the entire situation. Similar to spice, it just gives it a different kick. Not only do we receive our healing through diligent faith, we also manage to please God in the process.
It’s a bonus miracle, being able to please the God who knows and created everything. Hallelujah!
Overall, the crying did not surprise me. It felt good, surrendering to my tears. Surrendering to my heart space and letting the Spirit reveal things I needed to bring to God. We all need that. I was finally in a space where I could stand in front of God and tell Him exactly what I needed, then receive it instantly through faith. That entire experience increased my faith. Thank you, God!
Message Recap: Yes, God knows everything about you and your situation. Beloved, God most definitely sees you and me, all of us. Yet, the Creator of the Universe still wants you to want Him to see you, to hear you. Crave God’s attention and His listening ear. Take nothing for granted. This is how we demonstrate diligent faith.
Long Story, Shorter: my First Sunday back in church post-corona HIT. The presence of God. The anointing. It was all so needed, so previously taken for granted. Being in the Body of Christ is such an under-rated privilege and blessing.
Bonus: it was nice to see that the Body wasn’t limited to the building. We still had dial-in service, and we even had church members sitting in the parking lot, listening in their cars.
Thank You, God, for Your goodness and faithfulness. You truly are deserving of all the honor and the praise. Forgive and heal us of our sins as only You can. Continue to write the best story for Your glory through all of us. Most importantly, THANK YOU for Your Son, JESUS CHRIST. Without Him, none of it could work. Amen.
Until next time!
Hebrews 11:5 — “ By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his transformation, he was approved, having pleased God. (6) Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.”
Mark 2:3-6 — “ Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Cite: The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith. T. Cabal, gen. ed. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007.


Rose is currently a Research Fellow at the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies (RIISS) at the University of Aberdeen and the Cushwa Centre for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame, working on the project ‘Irish Women Religious in Anglophone World, 1840-1960’
She holds a PhD History from the University of Aberdeen and an MSc Modern British and Irish History from the University of Edinburgh.
Her PhD Dissertation, titled ‘Confronting Modernity: Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, and the Catholic Church in Ireland and Prussian Poland 1878-1914′, examines how Pope Leo XIII’s neo-Thomistic restoration of natural law reasoning in his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum was influenced by his experiences in Ireland and Prussia during the 1880s. It then examines these influences within the content of Rerum Novarum itself. The final chapter demonstrates how the wide distribution of the encyclical enabled its use outside of its intended scope by lower class Catholics in Ulster and Poznania to justify economic and political protest and resistance. This PhD was supervised by Professor Robert I. Frost, FBA and Professor Michael Brown.
Peter R. D’Agostino Research Travel Grant, Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, University of Notre Dame, 2019.
Presidential Prize for Best Postgraduate Paper in 2016, American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS), 2017.
Santander Mobility Award, University of Aberdeen – University of Poznań, 2016.
Postgraduate Research Grant, Royal Historical Society, 2016.
Comparative Statecraft and Constitutional Thought Studentship, CISRUL, 2014-18.
Colin Barr and Rose Luminiello, ‘“The Leader of the Virgin Choirs of Erin”: St. Brigid’s Missionary College, 1883-1914,’ edited by Paul Towned, Timothy McMahon and Michael DeNie, in Ireland’s Imperial Cultures, (Manchester University Press: 2016).
Luminiello, Rose, copy editor in Colin Barr, Daire Keogh, and Anne O’Connor, (eds.), The Letters of Paul Cullen, (Upcoming, Dublin: Irish Manuscripts Commission).
Rose Luminiello, “Review. Grave Matter: Death and Dying in Dublin 1500 to the Present,” Journal of Ecclesiastical History (Upcoming: Autumn 2017).
— ‘Review: Irish Education and Catholic Emancipation, 1791-1831: The Campaigns of Bishop Doyle and Daniel O’Connell by Brian Fleming. Pp. 235. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2017.’ Journal of Ecclesiastical History. Forthcoming: Spring, 2019.
— ‘Review: The Life and Times of Daniel Murray: Archbishop of Dublin 1823-1852. By Thomas J. Morrissey, SJ. Pp. 288. Dublin: Messenger Publications, 2018. The Life and Career of Archbishop Richard Whately: Ireland, Religion and Reform. By Ciara Boylan. Pp. 215. Dublin: Four Courts Press Ltd., 2018.’ Journal of Ecclesiastical History. Forthcoming: Spring, 2019.
PhD History. ‘Confronting Modernity: Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, and the Catholic Church in Ireland and Prussian Poland, 1878-1914.’ Submitted March 2019. Supervised by Prof. Robert I. Frost (F.B.A) and Prof. Michael Brown.
MSc ‘St. Brigid’s Missionary College and the Effects of Irish Catholic Religious Sisters in the Irish Spiritual Empire and Diasporas,’ supervised by Prof. Enda Delaney.
Bachelor’s ‘Misconceptions of Young Ireland in 1848: The Destruction of the Movement by Paul Cardinal Cullen,’ supervised by Dr. Daniel Davy.


Funeral Arrangements for Bishop Kevin M. Birmingham – Livestream Links Included Below
|Friday, Oct. 6: Visitation11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church of Our Lady of the Ridge, 10811 Ridgeland Avenue in Chicago Ridge.4 to 10 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Steet in Chicago. Livestream link for Rite of Reception into the Cathedral: https://youtube.com/live/GMKhehqTITc?feature=share Vigil Service for the Deceased7:30 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral. Cardinal Cupich will preside and Bishop Grob will be the homilist. Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/SsYqQi9piS0?feature=share
Saturday, Oct. 7: Visitation9 to 11 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral. Funeral Mass11 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral. Cardinal Cupich will preside and Bishop Lombardo will be the homilist. Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/g3N6OiVa2ns?feature=share Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.
Bishops’ RSVP for attendanceAll bishops who plan to attend are asked to RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/uc0GH7V85e
Priests’ RSVP for attendance and concelebrationAll priests who plan to attend are asked to RSVP, as well as note if they plan to concelebrate at the Funeral Mass. Please RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/z6tSPu2gAC
Notes of condolencesCan be sent to the Office of the Vicar General at 835 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611


Coffins of Covid victims were lined up in his church. A year on, Italian priest remembers the “nightmare”
Father Mario Carminati has been a priest for 41 years, but when his small town was suddenly in the epicentre of Europe’s worst Covid outbreak last year, he saw death on an industrial scale that no-one could have foreseen.
In March of 2020, the chilling image of dozens of coffins of coronavirus victims laid across the cold marble floor of a local church became a symbol of the health emergency in Italy.
The outbreak was at its peak, hundreds were dying every day, and Carminati opened the church so that victims would have a dignified temporary place of rest instead of waiting in a warehouse before burial. 270 bodies passed through the church.
One year on, the 65 year-old senior priest and his community are still recovering from the shock and the pain of so much loss.
A black and white framed photograph of the church full of coffins is hung on its walls as a sombre reminder, a way to honour the dead.
“For me it was a nightmare but I didn’t have the opportunity to think about it a lot because when you find yourself in the middle of an emergency, you have to rush and act according to your instinct and not according to your heart,” he told Reuters, remembering how clusters of coffins would arrive every day and be laid on the floor of St. Joseph’s Church.
When enough coffins had been accumulated, he and other priests gave them a hasty blessing before a forklift vehicle loaded them on to army trucks to cemeteries and crematoria.
Seriate is a tranquil, middle-class riverside town of 25,000 people in the Bergamo province of northern Italy. But like much of the surrounding region of Lombardy, this time last year it was plunged into silence, with only the sound of constant ambulance sirens filling the air.
“It became a place of death, sadness, mourning and this was the experience we have lived for at least three months. It was a truly devastating experience,” Carminati said, adding that 200 people from the town had died of the virus.
The priest said the saddest thing for him was that many of his parishioners died alone, without loved ones, because restrictions in place to stem the spread of the virus do not allow family members into hospitals.
“Saying the last goodbye to people you know, losing your loved ones and consoling so many families created a great sadness in my heart,” he said.
Now, Carminati still leads mass in a local church to a congregation wearing masks, sitting at a social distance from one another on the pews. But the dark memories hang over him and the congregation.
He warned that the wound of so much death and sadness would take a long time to heal – a year was not enough, it was still raw. He felt the loss first-hand. He lost two nephews in their 30s, after they had battled Covid for five months.
“The wound opens up, it bleeds on many occasions. It will take some time for this pain to become nostalgia, it is not an immediate healing,” he said.
“Those who think they can erase the pain of what happened are wrong because they will have to deal with the mourning,” he said.
On March 18, Prime Minister Mario Draghi will attend commemorations in Bergamo for a National Day in memory of Covid victims, exactly one year after convoys of army trucks first carried away the coronavirus dead in the city and shocked the world.


Omar began singing in Honky Tonks south of Houston TX, when he was 13 years of age. After graduating High School he became a full time singer / musician traveling with bands throughout the Southwestern United States. Probably the most recognized band he played with and helped form, was the Country Group Perfect Stranger. He has performed in many concerts with Artist such as Johnny Rodriquez, John Anderson, Eddie Raven, T.Graham Brown and Ray Price.
It was also his country music lifestyle that destroyed his home and family. He found himself alone and empty, virtually abandoning a family that needed him, and a heavy drinker running from guilt. In 1990, his wife forgave him of all his wrongs and he returned home. It was through this unimaginable forgiveness, which Omar could not understand, that began his searching for a better way of life. It wasn’t long until that searching lead him to the feet of Jesus.
Realizing that his old ways produced bad results, he submitted his life to Jesus and biblical teaching. Omar had a passion for lost souls and serving God, so he hung up his guitar and focused on outreach for his home church. Living for God over 13 years, Omar’s life was totally different. God blessed him as he dedicated himself to being a better dad and husband. God gave Omar a life filled with joy, peace of mind, stability, which can only be achieved if a person will live their life with God.
Over those 13 years, Omar continued to write songs as a way of expressing the different stages and lessons learned in living for God. Recently, one of his songs “Cowboy for Christ” was adopted as the theme song for Cowboys for Christ International. This attention led to a music video and radio release as a single. In 1990 the song was nominated by the CCMA for video of the year and Song of the year, along side Lee Anne Rimes, T. Graham Brown, and Steve Warner.
Everyone wanted Omar to record more and release a CD, but he felt he should back off to see if this was what God wanted. This would take finances and sacrifice, and he didn’t want to burden his wife and children, as he did in years past. The Cowboys for Christ wanted Omar to release a CD with their theme song on it but Omar wanted to wait until a quality recording could be done. Omar thought, if God wanted it to be done, then He would provide the resources to do it right.
In 2003 the door opened. Omar’s boss, who had faith in Omar’s walk with God and his talent, stepped forward with a gift toward Omar doing a quality recording. In just a few days, another friend of Omar’s came forward with another gift to help fund the project. With that, Omar stepped out in Faith, with he and his wife funding the rest.
The Lord seemed to open a door so that Omar would be able to compile some of the best musicians in Texas that he had known from his former life, including members of his former band “Perfect Stranger”. Lee Anne Rimes Musicians also played on the project and it was an honor to have the country music legendary fiddle player “Johnny Gimble” come up from Austin to play on the project. He also contracted two of today’s best Recording Engineers and Producers, Greg Hunt and Gary Leach, who recorded Lee Anne Rimes Platinum Album “Blue”, and recording of other Christian Artist such as Dallas Holmes, Matthew Ward and Paul Balausch. Omar is now opening 2004 with his first complete Country Gospel CD. Put this CD in any comparable category or genre, and it stands with the Best.
What is Omar’s Ministry? If you ask Omar he will be quick to tell you that he is an encourager. Whether sharing his songs and testimony to business men, country folk, rough Cowboys, Church congregations or youth groups, his songs convey a message that families suffer, because of men not being the husbands and fathers that God created them to be and that it is possible for every individual to find a new life in Christ and be the husband and dad, that they dream of being.


Saturday, 21 March 2015 00:00
Fr. EDWIN V. JACINTO, parish priest of the Divine Mercy Parish in Divisoria marked his 52nd birthday last March 18, 2015. On that special day in his life as he thanked the Lord for the added years in his very fruitful life as a priest, the religious mandated organizations tendered a surprise party for him at the Divine Mercy Compound a day before his natal day. The group asked him to attend a meeting to draw up plans for the coming Lenten Season but it turned out to be a birthday as alto in his honor. And the good priest who was not feeling well that day obliged to their request.
Among those who came to greet him were the Pastoral Council group headed by Engr. RAMON VELASCO and wife HELEN, the Committee on Special Project headed by Mr. JUN CADIZ, MELY ALVAREZ, CHAT CANOPIN, DR. JACINTA TAN, VIC VIC, ma’am VANGIE AMOLO, BEC Leaders and other religious group of the Divine Mercy Parish.
The simple celebration was the last gift of the leaders and parishioners of the Divine Mercy for Fr. EDWIN JACINTO who will soon be heading another parish.
St. Joseph Fiesta
The St. JOSEPH, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin MARY Parish along Nuñez Street celebrated its fiesta last March 19, 2015.
St. JOSEPH Parish Priest Rev. Fr. ANDY U. BARCELO and Assistant Priest FR. MICHAEL UFANA lined up several activities to include a daily Novena and Mass and praying of the Holy Rosary which started last March 10 and ended last March 18, 2015 and a Procession at 6:30 in the evening on March 18. . A concelebrated mass with the theme: “ ST. JOSEPH: Compassion and Mercy of God.” capped the week- long celebration with a Concelebrated Fiesta Mass at 7:00 in the morning of March 19, 2015 and a dinner at 7:00 in the evening.
- 30/03/2015 14:49 - Congratulations Cherry Vic
- 24/03/2015 13:27 - AUB Blessing rites
- 23/03/2015 17:18 - Happy birthday Sonny
- 18/03/2015 15:48 - Lovely Vanesa Cyra turns 18
- 14/03/2015 00:00 - A birthday bash for Ñora Anselma
- 03/03/2015 15:26 - Guiwan King and Queen Coronation rites
- 24/02/2015 13:13 - PAOLO ONESA- THE HOMECOMING CONCERT
- 23/02/2015 16:29 - ROSE turns 73


WE ARE OPEN!!
We welcome you to join us for our Sunday worship service at 9 a.m., either in person or online.
To attend in person, ALL worshippers must pre-register online through Eventbrite. EVERY person (excluding infants) must register.
To register to attend service please click the Register button below. If you are not able to go online, please call the church no later than Friday at 5 p.m. and leave a message stating: your name, your phone number, and how many people attending with you.
We will have two services, 8am and 9:30 am
Only the 9:30 am service will be broadcast on Facebook
If you plan to attend in person, please register.
We are also insisting that everyone wear a mask. If you need help obtaining a mask, please call the church at 525-3408.
Remember: If you are in a high-risk category (over 65 with a preexisting condition such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc), it is strongly recommended that you remain at home, at least for now. Also, if you have symptoms or are sick, please stay at home.
We will continue to broadcast our 9 a.m. services on Facebook and on the conference call line for those who are unable to attend.
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."
The Sixth Baptist Church welcomes your online donations and contributions and we have established multiple ways for you to give. You can give online securely through Givelify using the button above or by downloading the app on your mobile device and set-up an account.
If you would like to mail in your offering, please mail to: P.O. Box 56351, New Orleans, LA 70156.
You can also contact the church and we can arrange another way to receive your tithes and offering if the other options are not applicable to you and your situation.
928 Felicity Street
New Orleans, LA 70130


- Monday, Jul 31, 2017 2:00 PM - Friday, Aug 4, 2017 9:30 AM CDT
Kids Camp is the highlight of the year for us at City Kids! Our camp name this year is: "Into The Deep" and we are so excited to have your kids participate in this incredible summer experience! Adventure themed games & decor, a live chapel production by the City Kids Pastors, outdoor activities, new friendships, awesome leaders and most importantly, Jesus-centered chapels & team devotional times are all things your kids will look forward to at Kids Camp 2017. We look forward to chatting with you and making it possible for your kids to experience camp!


May 17. Nikolaos new Martyr Metsovo biography.
The New Martyr Nikolaos, was born to poor but faithful parents at the end of the 16th century in Metsovo, Ipiros.
When he was young, he went to Trikala, Thessaly, where he worked in a Turkish bakery. There he was forced to become a muslim.
Upon his return to Metsovo, Nikolaos led a Christian life. However, poverty and the difficult living conditions forced him to go to Trikala again to sell pine wood. There he was seen by a Turkish barber with whom Nikolaos had made an agreement to give him a load of pine wood every year so that he would not betray him to the Turkish authorities for denying to become muslim. Upon returning to Metsovo, Nikolaos made his final decision never again to compromise on matters of faith and if necessary, even to sacrifice his own life.
Haring received the blessing of his spintual father, Nikolaos once again went to Trikala. This time to bear «the testimory of Jesus Christ» (Apoc. 1,2). There he was arrested by the Turks and condemned with the crarge of having denied to become a muslim. When he was threatened by the Turks, he answered: I was born a christian, I am a christian and I wish to die as a christian. The Turkish court finally condemned him to death by burning. Thus, Nikolaos was burnt by fire on 17th May, 1617 in the central market of Trikala.
Nikolaos᾿ skull, which was miraculously preserved, was dedicated to the Holy Monastery of Varlaam at Meteora. To this day, it gives off a sweet fragrance aud performs miracles.


Calvary Leadership Academy
Meaningful Hands-on Ministry Experience
Lasting Spiritual Formation
Based out of Calvary Orlando Church, CLA is uniquely positioned to provide exceptional ministry training in an urban environment through a thriving church body. Located just minutes from downtown Orlando, Calvary’s bustling ministries include multicultural (Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole) services, deep community involvement, and sustained investment in family ministries. Calvary’s pastoral leadership team is dedicated to developing future ministry leaders and intentionally provides space in meaningful hands-on learning through our practicum courses.
If you feel called to ministry and are looking for a ministry training program based on
quality and financial responsibility, CLA is for you!


My goal and vision is to share the gospel with everyone I come in contact with, the best way I know how. My name’s Jo. I just met Jesus a few years ago and He’s turned my life upside-down… for the better.
Here you are going to find my Bible study materials, videos, and presentations I’ve created to share these very important messages.
Jesus is coming quickly. The theme of my work is: “Who shall be able to stand?” I want to avoid falling into a spiral of spiritual confusion and be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man.
May our names remain.


I was recently invited to attend the Change of Command ceremony for TACRON TWO TWO, a US Navy Squadron. My friend CDR Stuart Mattfield was relieving CDR Scott Boros of command of the squadron. In Scott’s farewell speech, he made three incredible observations:
Embrace Your Opportunity
It may not be the opportunity you want, the one you think you deserve, but it is the one you have–so embrace it. Or as the Apostle Paul said–whatever you do…do it as unto the Lord. You may not be in your dream job, your dream church, your dream location, but embrace the opportunity you have right now.
Make Your Shipmates Better
Scott noted that everyone can do something to make somebody better on the boat. And, the same is true on any church staff. We can encourage each other, instruct each other, help each other. We can make each other better. There’s a reason the term “one another” appears so often in the New Testament–we can make each other better.
The Most Important Job in the Navy is the One You’re Doing Right Now
I guess people in the Navy are just like everybody else–thinking what they do may not matter. According to Scott, the most important job in the Navy is the one that sailor is doing at the moment–whether it’s cleaning a bathroom or filing a report. I think he’s on to something. On Sundays, everyone thinks the most important job is the message–but the greeting in the parking lot, the nursery worker caring for children, or the usher helping someone find a seat. To the person being affected–those tasks are much more valuable than the sermon. Your job is important!
Thank you, skipper, for the good thoughts. I wish you fair winds and following seas!
It was embarrassing. Someone’s loved one passed away at Bethel and I didn’t know about it. It happened once before when I pastored in Des Moines and I quickly shared my displeasure with my small staff. Each of them thought another team member had told me about the death. At Bethel, the problem is different. The church is larger and people with various levels of connection to Bethel pass away almost every week. Scores of prayer requests are turned in each week. And, all kinds of people have surgery each week. So, I couldn’t just tell everybody to tell me what they know like I did in Des Moines.
I expressed frustration, but nothing happened. I kept finding out about people having surgery, losing loved ones, etc. later than I wanted. What we needed was a system! It sounds impersonal, but we needed a system so we could be more personal with people. So we developed a system for how I would be alerted to critical needs of people in the congregation. Then, I can decide whether to call, visit, send a card, or let another pastor closer to the circumstance handle it.
What the actual system is doesn’t matter. The point is we have one and can work to improve it. We aren’t acting like each event is the first or last time someone is going to have surgery or have a prayer request. Without a system, you act like every time is the first time.
What areas of your business, life, or ministry do you need to develop a system for? Our Bethel School of the Arts just developed a system to contact people with outstanding balances to help get them back on track. Before that, we acted like each time was the first time it happened.
I guess that’s the point with a system, each time no longer seems like the first time. With a system, people’s needs can be met better and quicker. That’s the goal.
What’s it like behind the scenes on a Sunday morning at Bethel? It’s anticipation, excitement, and a hard work! And, it’s a lot more than just me. It’s parking lot greeters, ushers and greeters, children’s ministry workers, band, tech people, singers, and so much more that nobody ever sees. Those guest parking signs don’t just appear by magic!
For me it starts early–usually before six am. I meet with the pastors at 7:15 in my office to go over the order of service, make sure everything is good, and pray together. Then, they head out to complete all kinds of tasks with volunteers to make sure the service is ready for you–everything from last minute sound checks to making sure the parking lots are clean.
I take time to stay back and go over the message. I read it over about a dozen times while praying for the Lord to help me deliver it the way he wants. Around 8:30, we meet and pray with the worship and some of the tech team before the service. Then, we go back to the ready room and hang out until just about time to start. I’ll be honest, I’m not very sociable before the service–I’m trying to focus on what God wants me to say. There, we pray again as a team, but mainly I just try to focus on what God wants to do in that service.
Our prayer is one I learned from a friend–help us help people. Another prayer we pray often is that people leave more in awe of God and in love with Jesus than when they arrived.
Well, that’s a little trip behind the scenes. See you in the sanctuary!
I’ve read the book and am excited to see the musical this Sunday night. I don’t recommend the book for younger readers—it’s a little dark, twisted, and racy at times. I understand the musical is more lighthearted than the book.
The point that screams at me is how much we want to paint everybody and everything into neat boxes like the good witch and the wicked witch. In the end, we discover the good witch isn’t as good as we thought and the wicked witch isn’t as bad as we thought.
It’s kind of like most people—we either want them to be all bad because they aren’t “saved” or all good because they are “saved.” I remember a Sunday school teacher in junior high telling me the musical artists raising money for Africa hunger relief (remember We Are the World?) couldn’t be doing it for a good motive because they weren’t saved.
Thirty years later, I realize each person is born with some trace of the imageo dei in their lives even though it is scarred by the fallen nature. So, sinners can do good things. And, good people can and do sin.
We are all a mix of spirit and flesh. The question is which one are we crucifying and which one are we bringing to life.
At Bethel, we want to get better. We want to provide a better worship experience. We want to connect with people better. We want to do better at making people feel welcome. As part of that, we’ve adopted a continual improvement process. It kind of looks like this:
- Analyze—what needs to get better? Pick an issue to work on.
- Diagnose—what are the obstacles to improvement? What are the opportunities?
- Set Intentions—what do we want to accomplish, by when, and by whom?
- Implement—put the intentions on the calendar and in the budget.
- Analyze Again—is it working? Start the process again.
The idea behind this message series is that the beauty of our faith has to be restored. Modern zealots, Pharisees, and Sadducees have each made our faith ugly by throwing rhetorical bombs at, retreating from, or becoming like the dominant culture ruled by science (reason) and stuff (materialism).
For something to be beautiful it has color, shape, and form. For a church to be beautiful it has to welcome people of all color with lives in all kinds of shape. The beautiful thing is that when we bring our misshapen lives to the Cross (the form that beauty takes in the church) we find love and forgiveness that makes something beautiful out of our ashes.
As Brian Zahnd (an upcoming guest at Catalyst Unplugged) says, “God is an artist. And, ashes are his medium.”
This Sunday, we’re going to transition from the Beauty of the Cross (you can listen at www.bethelhampton.com) to the Beauty of Christ at 9 and 11 at Bethel Hampton. Beauty Will Save the World launches at Bethel Chesapeake this Sunday.


Are you tired of dealing with everyday battles against stress, negativity, and pesky life challenges? Well, say hello to your secret weapon: spiritual warfare prayers!
In this article, we’ll delve into the power of these prayers, revealing how they can equip you with divine protection and bring peace to your soul.
Get ready to unleash the forces of heaven, and keep reading to discover the ultimate spiritual game-changer!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Understanding Spiritual Warfare
A. The Existence of a Spiritual Realm
To comprehend spiritual warfare prayers, we must first acknowledge the existence of a spiritual realm that coexists with the physical world.
While the spiritual realm is unseen, it exerts a significant influence on our lives.
This unseen dimension is where the battles of spiritual warfare take place, where forces beyond our perception clash, and where the power of prayer becomes paramount.
B. Forces at Work in the Spiritual Realm
Within the spiritual realm, opposing forces are constantly at work. On one side stands God and His heavenly host, while on the other side resides Satan and his allies.
These forces engage in a perpetual struggle for dominion and influence.
Spiritual warfare prayers enable believers to align with the power of God and resist the schemes of the enemy, ultimately leading to spiritual victory.
C. Recognizing the Enemy—Satan and His Allies
In the realm of spiritual warfare, it is essential to recognize the primary adversary: Satan.
Also known as the devil, he is the archenemy of God and seeks to undermine His plans and destroy the lives of believers.
Satan is accompanied by a host of fallen angels and demonic entities, who work tirelessly to deceive, tempt, and discourage God’s people.
By understanding the tactics of the enemy, believers can effectively engage in strategic spiritual warfare prayers.
D. The Believer’s Authority in Christ
An integral aspect of spiritual warfare is recognizing the authority that believers possess in Christ.
Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, believers have been granted the power and authority to overcome the enemy.
By standing firm in their identity as children of God, believers can exercise their spiritual authority through prayer,
commanding the forces of darkness to flee and establishing God’s kingdom on Earth.
Purpose of Spiritual Warfare Prayers
A. Protection from Spiritual Attacks
One of the primary purposes of spiritual warfare prayers is to seek protection from spiritual attacks.
As believers, we are constantly targeted by the enemy’s schemes, ranging from subtle deception to direct spiritual assaults.
By engaging in fervent prayers, we can fortify ourselves against these attacks, invoking the divine protection of God and His angels.
B. Overcoming Temptations and Spiritual Struggles
In the journey of faith, believers encounter various temptations and spiritual struggles that threaten to derail their progress.
Spiritual warfare prayers serve as a powerful tool for overcoming these challenges.
By relying on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can resist temptation, break free from spiritual bondage,
and experience the victory that Christ has already won.
C. Interceding for Others in Spiritual Battles
Not only are believers called to fight their individual spiritual battles, but they are also commissioned to intercede for others.
Spiritual warfare prayers enable believers to stand in the gap for their loved ones, communities, and even nations.
By lifting up the needs of others in prayer, believers can release God’s power into their lives, bringing deliverance, healing, and transformation.
D. Advancing God’s Kingdom on Earth
Spiritual warfare prayers are not solely defensive but also offensive.
Through prayer, believers actively engage in advancing God’s kingdom on Earth, tearing down strongholds and ushering in His righteousness.
By aligning their prayers with God’s will and purpose, believers can partner with Him to bring about spiritual breakthroughs and manifest His glory in the world.
Key Elements of Effective Spiritual Warfare Prayers
A. Faith and Belief in God’s Power
Faith and belief in the power of God are foundational to effective spiritual warfare prayers.
It is through unwavering faith that believers tap into the supernatural realm, trusting that God can intervene in the battles they face.
By believing in His ability to overcome every obstacle, believers position themselves to receive answers to their prayers and witness the manifestation of God’s power.
B. Submission to God’s Will
Effective spiritual warfare prayers require believers to align their desires with God’s will.
By submitting to God and surrendering their own agendas, believers open the door for His guidance and leading.
This surrender enables believers to discern the strategies of the enemy and pray
accordingly, with the assurance that their petitions are aligned with God’s divine purpose.
C. Repentance and Forgiveness
Repentance and forgiveness play a crucial role in spiritual warfare prayers.
By humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our shortcomings, and repenting of our sins, we pave the way for spiritual breakthrough.
Additionally, forgiveness is vital, as harboring unforgiveness can create a foothold for the enemy.
Through forgiveness, believers release the power of God’s love and experience freedom in their prayers.
D. Filling with the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is an indispensable partner in spiritual warfare prayers.
By allowing the Holy Spirit to fill and empower them, believers receive supernatural guidance, discernment, and boldness.
The Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts, enabling them to pray with authority and effectively combat the enemy’s strategies.
E. Using the Word of God
The Word of God serves as a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare prayers.
By incorporating scriptural truths and promises into their prayers, believers align themselves with God’s revealed will.
The Bible contains an arsenal of verses that address various aspects of spiritual warfare, and by speaking these truths, believers declare God’s authority over the enemy.
F. Worship and Praise
Worship and praise create an atmosphere conducive to spiritual warfare prayers. As believers exalt God and magnify His name, His presence fills the spiritual realm.
Worship and praise shift the focus from personal struggles to the greatness of God, thereby empowering believers and diminishing the influence of the enemy.
Incorporating worship and praise into spiritual warfare prayers invites God’s power to manifest in the midst of battle.
Related Article: guided meditation for sleep
Types of Spiritual Warfare Prayers
Spiritual warfare prayers encompass a variety of prayer types that enable believers to engage in battle against the forces of darkness.
These prayers address personal protection, overcoming spiritual struggles, and interceding for others.
By incorporating these prayers into their spiritual arsenal, believers can effectively combat the enemy and experience victory in their spiritual journey.
A. Prayers for Personal Protection
- Armor of God Prayer: This prayer is inspired by Ephesians 6:10-18, where believers are encouraged to put on the full armor of God. It involves declaring and visualizing each piece of spiritual armor, such as the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This prayer affirms one’s reliance on God’s protection and strength in the face of spiritual attacks.
- Prayer for Spiritual Discernment: Discernment is crucial in spiritual warfare. This prayer seeks God’s guidance and wisdom to discern between truth and deception, to recognize the schemes of the enemy, and to make wise decisions in spiritual battles. It involves asking God to sharpen spiritual senses, increase discernment, and grant the ability to differentiate between the voice of God and the enemy.
- Prayer for God’s Angelic Protection: Believers can pray for angelic protection, invoking God’s angelic host to guard and defend against spiritual attacks. This prayer acknowledges the presence of angelic beings and invites them to intervene on behalf of the believer. It seeks divine intervention and protection from unseen dangers and spiritual adversaries.
B. Prayers for Overcoming Spiritual Struggles
- Prayer for Deliverance from Strongholds: Strongholds are deeply rooted patterns of sin, bondage, or negative thought patterns that hinder spiritual growth. This prayer focuses on breaking free from these strongholds and renouncing the power they hold over one’s life. It involves repentance, renunciation of specific sins or vices, and seeking God’s deliverance and healing from the grip of these strongholds.
- Prayer for Breaking Generational Curses: Generational curses are negative patterns or consequences that affect families or individuals due to the sins or spiritual conditions of previous generations. This prayer acknowledges the influence of generational curses and seeks God’s intervention to break the cycle. It involves repentance, renunciation of generational sins, and declaring God’s authority to release future generations from the bondage of these curses.
- Prayer for Healing and Restoration: Spiritual warfare encompasses not only battles against the enemy but also personal struggles with emotional, physical, or relational brokenness. This prayer seeks God’s healing and restoration in areas of woundedness, trauma, or brokenness. It involves surrendering these areas to God, seeking His healing touch, and declaring His promises of restoration and wholeness.
C. Intercessory Prayers in Spiritual Warfare
- Praying against Spiritual Oppression: This prayer focuses on interceding for individuals or communities that are oppressed by spiritual forces. It involves praying for their deliverance, freedom from spiritual bondage, and the breaking of chains that hold them captive. Intercessors engage in spiritual battle on behalf of others, invoking God’s power and authority to bring release and liberation.
- Prayer for Salvation of Loved Ones: Interceding for the salvation of loved ones is a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare. This prayer seeks God’s mercy and intervention in the lives of those who have yet to experience a personal relationship with Him. It involves praying for their hearts to be softened, spiritual blinders to be removed, and for God’s love and truth to penetrate their lives.
- Prayer for Spiritual Revival and Awakening: This intercessory prayer focuses on seeking a spiritual awakening and revival in individuals, churches, communities, or even nations. It involves calling upon God to pour out His Spirit, ignite hearts with passion for Him, and bring transformation and revival. Intercessors pray for a deep hunger for God, repentance, and a powerful manifestation of His presence and glory.
Strategies for Engaging in Spiritual Warfare Prayers
While understanding the various types of spiritual warfare prayers is essential, it is equally important to adopt effective strategies for engaging in these prayers.
Here are some key strategies to enhance the effectiveness of spiritual warfare prayers:
A. Consistent Prayer and Communion with God
Consistency in prayer and maintaining a vibrant relationship with God is vital.
Regularly setting aside dedicated time for prayer, worship, and listening to God cultivates a deepening connection with Him.
It allows believers to align their hearts with God’s will, receive divine guidance, and stay spiritually attuned to engage in effective spiritual warfare prayers.
B. Engaging in Spiritual Disciplines (Fasting, Meditation)
Spiritual disciplines such as fasting and meditation serve as powerful tools in spiritual warfare.
Fasting helps to humble oneself, increase sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and break through spiritual barriers.
Meditation on Scripture allows believers to internalize God’s Word, gain deeper insights, and receive divine revelations that can inform and guide their prayers.
C. Seeking Godly Counsel and Accountability
Seeking wise counsel from mature believers and maintaining accountability relationships provide valuable support in spiritual warfare.
Engaging in open and honest discussions about struggles, seeking prayer support,
and receiving guidance from those with spiritual discernment can strengthen one’s prayer life and bring clarity in spiritual battles.
D. Joining with Other Believers in Prayer
Corporate prayer is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. Joining with other believers
In unified prayer amplifies the spiritual impact as they come together with a shared focus.
This can be done through prayer groups, prayer meetings, or joining spiritual warfare initiatives within the local church or community.
E. Praying with Perseverance and Persistence
Spiritual warfare prayers require persistence and perseverance. Believers are encouraged to press on in prayer, even when answers may not come immediately.
Persisting in prayer demonstrates faith, trust, and reliance on God’s timing and faithfulness.
Through perseverance, believers can experience breakthroughs and witness the manifestation of God’s power.
Related Article : 555-spiritual-meaning: A complete Guide
FAQs About spiritual warfare prayers
What is the powerful psalm for war?
The psalm commonly associated with war is Psalm 91.
It is known as the “Soldier’s Psalm” and is believed to provide protection, courage, and strength to those engaged in warfare.
What is a spiritual weapon?
A spiritual weapon refers to the tools or practices used in spiritual warfare. It can include prayer, fasting, meditation, scripture reading, worship, and acts of kindness.
These weapons are used to combat spiritual battles and overcome the forces of darkness.
How do you pray to stop war?
To pray for an end to war, you can begin by seeking God’s intervention and asking for peace to prevail.
Pray for world leaders to make wise decisions, for conflicts to be resolved peacefully, and for hearts to be filled with compassion and understanding.
Pray for the protection of innocent lives and the healing of nations affected by war.
What kind of weapon is prayer?
Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon that enables us to communicate with God.
It is a means of seeking guidance, strength, comfort, and intervention in various aspects of life.
Prayer has the ability to bring about change, transform hearts, and unleash God’s power in both personal and global situations.
What is the most powerful way to pray?
The most powerful way to pray is with faith, sincerity, and a humble heart.
It involves approaching God with reverence, pouring out your innermost thoughts and desires, and aligning your will with His.
Praying in accordance with God’s Word and seeking His guidance through the Holy Spirit adds depth and power to your prayers.
What is the greatest prayer ever prayed?
The Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Our Father, is considered one of the greatest prayers ever prayed.
It was taught by Jesus to His disciples and encompasses essential elements of faith,
including worship, submission to God’s will, reliance on His provision, forgiveness, and protection from evil.
What is the hardest prayer to pray?
The hardest prayer to pray is often the one that requires surrendering our own desires, fears, or hurts to God.
It can be challenging to let go of control and trust in His plan.
Praying for forgiveness, healing, or strength in difficult situations can also be emotionally demanding but ultimately brings growth and spiritual transformation.
How can I pray for my enemies?
Praying for your enemies can be a challenging but transformative act. Begin by seeking God’s grace and love to fill your heart.
Pray for their well-being, enlightenment, and transformation. Ask God to bless them, grant them peace, and guide them onto the path of righteousness.
Praying for your enemies can foster forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.
How to get God’s protection?
To receive God’s protection, seek a personal relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
Walk in obedience to His commandments and trust in His promises. Pray for His protection over yourself, your loved ones, and those in need.
Stay close to God through regular prayer, reading His Word, and participating in a supportive faith community.
How do you pray in secret?
Praying in secret involves finding a quiet and private place where you can be alone with God.
It could be a secluded room, a peaceful outdoor spot, or any place where you can focus without distractions.
Pour out your heart to God, share your concerns, express gratitude, seek His guidance, and deepen your connection with Him in the secret place of prayer.
What psalms stop evil?
Psalms 23, 91, and 121 are commonly recited for protection against evil. These psalms express trust in God’s care, His watchful presence, and His deliverance from harm.
Reading and meditating on these psalms can bring comfort, assurance, and a sense of divine protection in the face of adversity.
Which psalms to read for revenge?
While revenge is not encouraged in spiritual teachings, certain psalms express feelings of anguish, frustration, or a desire for justice.
Psalms 35, 58, and 109 contain imprecatory language, which expresses strong emotions against enemies.
However, it is important to approach these psalms with discernment, understanding their historical context and seeking reconciliation and forgiveness.
What is the most angry psalm?
Psalm 137 is often considered one of the most anguished and angry psalms.
It reflects the sorrow and rage of the Israelites in captivity, expressing their longing for justice and vengeance against their oppressors.
While the psalm reflects human emotions in extreme circumstances, it also serves as a reminder of the need for healing, forgiveness, and the restoration of peace.
Final Thoughts About spiritual warfare prayers
Spiritual warfare prayers can be powerful tools in navigating the unseen battles of the spiritual realm.
They are a means of connecting with the divine, seeking protection, and combating negative forces.
While engaging in spiritual warfare prayers, it is crucial to approach them with faith, sincerity, and a deep understanding of the spiritual forces at play.
These prayers serve as a reminder of our connection to a higher power and the strength we possess through that connection.
However, it’s essential to maintain balance by combining prayers with practical actions and cultivating a life of love, compassion, and integrity.
Spiritual warfare prayers should be part of a holistic approach to spirituality and personal growth.