Prayer Focus for the week of August 24th

[T.W.U.D. Online Prayer Ministry]

Bishop-Elect T. Anthony Bronner, Senior Pastor
August 24, 2008 – August 30, 2008

PRAYER FOCUS

Keep Laughing
The old saints used to say, "This joy I have - the world didn't give
it to me, and the world can't take it away." They didn't depend on
this world to produce, or maintain, their happiness or laughter
[joy]. Rather, their joy came from dwelling in the presence of God.
For in God's presence is the fullness of joy (Psalm 16: 11). And, with
their joy came strength. As the statesman, Nehemiah said, "the joy of
the Lord is our strength"(see Nehemiah 8:10).
Could it be that Bernie Mac, the exceptional comedian who recently
died, understood strength by way of laughter? He struggled for several
years with critical illness, but no one would have ever known it by
his presentation. The Bible says, "A happy heart makes the face
cheerful "(Proverbs 15:13). Where there is laughter there is an
atmosphere of peace and love.
Cheerfulness and laughter are divine imperatives. Jesus said we should
be of good cheer even in the midst of trouble (see John 14). It seems
that God wants us to live in contradiction. On the one hand we are
keenly aware of our issues, concerns, and transitions [trouble]. On
the other hand we are to be of good cheer: keep laughing. Likewise,
Bernie Mac was conscious of his illness/trouble. Yet, the Mac Man kept
telling jokes. Similarly, we must keep laughing.
How, you ask, is this possible? Well, laughter is not generated from
our own strength. We need the word of God to constantly remind us of
the promises of God. Jesus said we can laugh because He overcame the
world. And, just as He overcame crucifixion, He will help us to
overcome (see John 14). We must know for sure “that He who has begun a
good work in us will complete it” (Philippians 1:6). We must also know
that God’s thoughts of us are of peace and prosperity, and our latter
days will be greater than our past (see Jeremiah 29:11).
We must have clear intellectual knowledge of the promises of God, and
we must also practice dwelling in God’s presence. We must dwell in
God's secret place in order to stay enlightened about God's
characteristics. Knowing who God is will enhance our confidence and
security. He or she that dwells in the shelter of the Most High will
say regarding God, “God, you're my refuge. I trust you. I am
safe"(Psalm 91:1-2 MSG).
So, as oddly as it sounds we can, and must, keep laughing in spite of
right now. In spite of our current conditions we must remain joyous.
Trust in God and keep laughing, because in the end – just like Jesus
rose from the dead -we will rise.
By the way, have you ever heard the one . . . keep laughing!

PRAYER

Lord, your joy is our strength and being in your presence is our
delight (Psalm 16:11, Nehemiah 8:10). We love to passionately pursue
you. You are our water and you refresh us like a deer at a brook
(Psalm 42:1). In your presence we are revived, renewed. You give us
what we need for this journey.
As matter of fact, you lead us beside still waters and you lay us down
in green pastures (Psalm 23). Even when life is in flux you cause us
to feel like we are on holiday or at the park. We are laughing our way
through the valleys because we know there is a table, a feast waiting
for us, which you have prepared in front of all of our enemies (Psalm
23).
They are laughing now at our situation and transition, but you will
laugh at them in the end (Psalm 59:8). Lord we will always trust you,
and because of you we will keep laughing.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Copyright 2008. Turning the World Upside Down Covenant
Fellowship,Inc.- The Teaching & Preaching Ministry of T. Anthony
Bronner. All Rights Reserved.