The Daily Prayer Focus by Pastor T. Anthony Bronner
T.W.U.D. Online Prayer Ministry
T. Anthony Bronner
June 1, 2007
PRAYER FOCUS
And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second
time (Genesis 22:15). This verse is after the testing of Abraham.
"Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get
thee into the Land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering..." (Genesis 22:2). Could it be that God was willing to call
out to Abraham a second time because he obeyed God the first time?
Abraham did actually and exactly what God required and he offered his
son to be sacrificed for God (Genesis 22:7). Although God provided for
God himself a lamb/ram that was sacrificed, Abraham passed the test of
obedience and displayed to God that nothing was more important than
God. This awesome act of obedience led to God calling to him again and
granting a blessing. "And God said by myself have I sworn, says the
Lord, for because you have done this thing, and has not withheld your
son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless you, and in
multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and
as the sand which is upon the sea shore, and thy seed shall possess
the gate of his enemies; and in your seed shall all the nations of the
earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice" (Genesis
22:16-19).
It appears to be a significant correlation between doing this thing
(obedience) and blessings. Could it be God is waiting for us to do
this thing (obey) and then we will be blessed? Interestingly, we only
know what this thing is: stop sinning, be more faithful, answer the
call, let go of anger, be forgiving, ask for forgiveness, start your
business or whatever! Soon as we do this thing God will do God's thing
in our lives.
Aren't we ready to pass the test and do what is required? Don't we
want to see the blessings of the Lord fulfilled in our lifetime? So
why don't we just do the thing!?
PRAYER
God thank you for your patience with us.
You allow us to grow and develop into being obedient children.
We must confess that we did not always readily obey your voice.
But you have allowed us to fall and fail seven times (Proverbs 24:16)
and get back up again.
You have carefully been leading us into new places of obedience.
Truly, it has been the testing of our faith that has revealed areas
where we have been lacking.
We appreciate the revelation that we could use some more training and
teaching in places where we have been falling short. Now Lord thank
you for calling us again and again.
And this time we will obey. We will do what is required of us. We will
obey not because we want blessings. But it is our reasonable service
to do your will (Romans 12:1-2).
We offer ourselves up to you and we will do the thing that will bring
you glory (Matthew 5:16-17).
We want to represent you and be obedient. We want to be more than
people who just talk or look like we are right. We want to be right
with you and in you. We want to be doers of your Word (James1:22).
We hear you Lord and whatever you desire of us we will do (Psalm
119:11)!
We have hid your Word in our hearts and we are following every
command.
Now although we are not obedient just to be blessed, but we know that
obedience brings blessings.
So we just wait to thank you for blessing us over and over again
(Deuteronomy 28).
You have never disappointed us and you always keep you word.
So now Lord we will keep our word and do the thing (Genesis 22:16).
Whatever the thing we need to do we will do so that you will be
pleased with us (Hebrews 11:6).
In Jesus Name, Amen
Copyright © 2006 Turning the World Upside Down Ministries, Inc.-The
Preaching & Teaching Ministry of T. Anthony Bronner All rights
reserved.
T.W.U.D. Online Prayer Ministry
T. Anthony Bronner, Senior Pastor
June 2, 2007
Prayer Focus
Patrick Cohn, a Sport Psychologist, said in essence that a person can
create a champion mind-set and possess "a soul of a champion." Dr.
Cohn further states that champion athletes share at least four
characteristics. First, champions have an intense desire to win. They
are highly competitive. Losing is not an option and never rewarding.
They are driven and motivated by "testing their skills against the
next person."(USA Today, September 22, 2006) Second, champions are
sure and assured of themselves and their abilities. They are extremely
confident, maybe self-confident. They believe they are invincible and
non-stoppable. Third, they can perform under diverse pressure. They do
not easily get stressed or get nervous outwardly. They have composure.
They can keep it together and control their emotions. Finally, they
are clear or focused, and not easily distracted. They react quickly
during competition. They do not dwell on the last success or failure
during a game. They operate in the now.
Again, this is a description of an athlete in general and a person in
particular who has a soul of a champion. Comparatively, David in I
Samuel 17 had champion attributes. He was willing to compete or
contend with a giant twice his size. He certainly had confidence. It
was not self confidence, but God-centered confidence that God would
use him and empower him to conquer the giant, Goliath. David possessed
great composure and control. He was not disturbed about the giant's
experience in battle and war. He operated from a grace that was
created by God. Clearly, he was clear and focused that he was to
defeat the giant because it was God's battle and God never losses.
We need to begin to act like and be champions. We should have or
create a champion "mind-set." Practically, according to the New
Testament passages, we are champions... In all these things we are more
than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37)... Thanks be to
God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I
Corinthians 15:57)... Thanks be unto God which always causes us to
triumph in Christ. Each of these verses has an interesting and similar
phrase: through Him or in Him. We are champions because of Christ,
with Christ, or in Christ. We can do and handle or stand all things
because Christ is in our lives (Philippians 4:13). We can take on and
defeat any giant or gigantic situation in our lives with Christ. So
the next time a giant, like Goliath, calls us to fight like David,
remember you have a "soul of a champion" because of Christ!
Prayer
Thanks be unto you. You always cause us to be winners in you (II
Corinthians 2:14).
You let us walk and live in victory. We appreciate that our lives are
in your hands (Psalm 31:15).
And you create an atmosphere of possibility for us. In you and because
of you we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
We face the giants that Joshua and Caleb faced as they approached the
Promised Land (Numbers 13).
They believed with you they were able to handle the situations
and issues that came with dealing with the giants (Numbers 13:30).
Although the other covenant people doubted that they could beat the
giants, because of their negative
perspective (Numbers 13:32-33), Joshua and Caleb were not afraid or
distracted by their unbelief.
God there have been times in our lives when we did not act or think
victoriously.
We were intimidated by the giants in our lives. We were afraid to face
situations and problems.
Truthfully, the thought of fighting and wrestling with gigantic issues
made us weary.
We did not know for sure that no weapon formed against us would
prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
We trusted in ourselves and our abilities. We walked according to our
own strengths.
But when we fully recognize who you are really in our lives,
we know that you are great in us and there is nothing greater than
you (I John 4:4).
We are overcomers with you and our faith is big in you (I John 5:4).
We have greater determination and will to contend for our faith and
wrestle against things that try to stop our progress in you (Ephesians
6:10-18).
We pray with boldness and authority.
We pray like champions and warriors, and we know all things work for
our good (Romans 8:28).
We are victorious because you are rooted in our lives and
because you have already made an open shame of our enemies and giants
(Colossians 2:15).
We are triumphant because of you and stand on the winning block like a
gold medal winning Olympian.
Our hands are raised like a track runner crossing the finish line.
Thank you for making us more than conquerors in you (Romans 8:37). We
will always win with you on our side.