Prayer Focus for the week of August 10th (Revised)

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

Bishop-Elect T. Anthony Bronner, Senior Pastor
August 10, 2008 – August 16, 2008

PRAYER FOCUS

TWO REALITIES

Bishop Joseph Garlington once said his granddaughter spoke about two
realities. She said her head hurt, and she said she was healed. On the
one hand she told the truth, and on the other hand she believed a
truth. The believer often lives in two distinct realities. One reality
is the world of transition, struggle, hurt and disappointment. The
other reality is that the believer believes all things will work
together for good (Romans 8:28).

The believer must maintain a sense of hope in the midst of life’s
challenges. However, the hope that is required does not always involve
sight or imminent help. Paul said, "hope that is seen is not hope at
all..."(Romans 8:25). The hope needed is the art of patience. So,
while our heads are hurting, we are waiting or hoping for God to heal
us. Nonetheless we hope with expectation for God to perfect those
things that concern us (see Psalm 138:8).

Clearly, hoping and waiting can provide levels of challenge, but the
Spirit of God will help us and pray for us when we don't know how to
pray (see Romans 8:26). Interestingly, the word for help is
sunantilambano, which means “taking hold” together with “against”. The
Holy Spirit joins with us in the time of weakness and gives us
strength for anything that is against us. Practically, several things
can be against the believer while hoping and waiting. One can doubt,
lack patience or quit, but before any of these struggles begin to take
effect the Spirit intervenes, takes hold and helps the believer. The
Spirit helps by giving the believer power to speak faith and hope.

The Holy Spirit also gives the believer courage to believe that God is
greater than their reality, and God will cause them to triumphant in
all things. There is no situation or reality that can resist the power
of God. God is Lord over every transition, and history bears witness.
God has opened red seas, put out fiery furnaces, shut lions’ jaws, and
raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore, our reality is just another
opportunity for God to be God.

So, what reality will we dwell on the most? Will we focus on our
difficulties or will we focus on the God who can do anything but fail?
One, or the other, will grow and dominate depending on which is fed.
Since we are believers why not feed our faith and grow in anticipation
that will make us overcomers? Speak life and hope to the transitional
reality and the struggle, and wait for God to take hold and change
it.

God has never failed. Why would God start with us? So as Bishop
Garlington's granddaughter spoke about both realities, not denying
either. We too can speak about both realities, but we know all things
will work together for those who love the Lord and are called
according to God's purpose (see Romans 8:28).

PRAYER

Lord we recognize who you are and what you can do. You are the Lord
over everything, and you are sovereign (Psalm 8). You reign, and you
super reign. We worship and adore you, and there is no one greater
than you. You are King of kings and we humbly bow before you.

We welcome you into every aspect of our lives and we trust your
guidance and direction. Where you lead us we will follow. You order
our steps and you bless us with your peace and joy (Psalm 37:23-37).

Lord we do not deny our realities or transitions, but our faith is in
you. We declare that there is nothing too hard for you (Genesis
18:14). You bring life to a barren womb (I Samuel 1). You feed
thousands with a little (John 6). You cure diseases with a touch (Mark
6). You are more than able to do exceedingly and abundantly in our
lives (see Ephesians 3:20-21).

Lord, thank you for blessing us with strength to endure until our
realities change. It is only because our minds are stayed on you that
our struggles have not overtaken us. (see Isaiah 26). So we wait with
hope and expectation that you will cause us to realize victory. (see
Rom 8:26) We will not faint or grow weary while we wait because we
believe every one of your promises. They are yes and amen (II
Corinthians 1:20).

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Copyright 2008. Turning the World Upside Down Covenant Fellowship,
Inc. - The Teaching 7 Preaching Ministry of Bishop Elect T. Anthony
Bronner. All Rights Reserved.