Maybe I should ask, Do you pray for yourself? I was reminded yesterday by two different sources of the importance of praying for myself and my wellbeing. I go around the world praying for others, and to do that successfully I need to be in a good condition myself.
Some years ago Bruce Wilkinson made us aware of a single verse in the Bible—a prayer—that can revolutionize our life. I had never paid attention to 1 Chronicles 4:10. It’s in the midst of chronological information, and many times I used to skip over those chapters. But there it is, tucked in the middle of all these names: Jabez.
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
In 2000 I started praying that prayer, for God to enlarge my territory. I believe the web ministry the Lord has given me is an answer to that prayer.
I am humbled and grateful that the Bible lessons and stories I publish weekly on the net are reaching the following countries and probably more. I have received confirmation that I have readers in these countries.
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Puerto Rico
Spain
Sweden
Uruguay
USA
Venezuela
This morning I wrote a page of prayers for myself that I want to share with you to inspire you to be bold and pray for yourself to do great things for God. If you are feeling good you’re going to do more good for the Kingdom of God.
- Make me glad by your deeds
- Give me strength like a wild ox
- Make me flourish like a palm tree
- Make me bear fruit in old age
- Help me keep a song of praise in my heart in my mouth
- Give me an unquenchable thirst for God
- Give me the desires of my heart
- Make my plans succeed
- You are my Shepherd; I will not be in want
- Give me LONG life to proclaim what you have done for me
- Help me love your Word and crave for it
- Help me wait in EXPECTATION for answers to prayer
- You are my Defender and Provider
- I want the joy of the Lord to overflow in my heart and make me glad
- MAKE ME A SOUL-WINNER
(Requests based on Scriptures from Psalms 92, 40, 42, 20, 23, 118, 119, 5, 68.)
I continue praying that God will enlarge my territory, safe and secure in Jesus.
I found a promise I had overlooked, maybe because before it didn’t apply to me.
Proverbs 15:25
The LORD tears down the proud man’s house
but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.
I feel good about my resolve to make an IMPACT in 2012. I’m in my Father’s business and my deepest prayer is that God will bless me to make me a blessing.
May God bless you! Start today, if you’re not already doing it, to pray for yourself to be used mightily as an instrument in God’s hands.
