Tag Archives: National Day of Prayer

The Torn Curtain

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Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  Mark 15:38 (NKJV)

This week marks the 70th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer, a designated day of prayer in the United States of America. Seventy is such a significant number. Seventy Israelites went down to Egypt in Genesis to be with Joseph. When Jacob died, Joseph and his brothers mourned for seventy days. Seventy elders went with Moses to the Mountain of God. The Israelites were exiled to Babylon for seventy years. Jesus calls us to forgive people seventy times seven times. Could it be that God will do some extraordinary miracles this 70th year of the National Day of Prayer? We pray that He will!!!

Already we are seeing glorious answers to prayer. A few faithful prayer warriors meet together weekly at my church. One prayer request has been for unborn babies because abortion hurts our hearts and the heart of God. It is no wonder that the enemy goes after babies, for we are all made in God’s image. The enemy wants to blot out that image, but we say ENOUGH! We will not sacrifice our children to idols! Each week we pray for the babies, and guess what! This past week the governor of our state signed five new pro-life bills into law! We praise God for His glorious answers to prayer!

Last year for the National Day of Prayer, our church hosted a special speaker (Tony George via zoom) who compared prayer to the tabernacle. He explained each part of the tabernacle and how that represents a part of prayer. I loved his example and want to share it with you in relation to My TEA CUPP Prayers….

For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All. Hebrews 9:2-3 (NKJV)

The tabernacle (and later the temple) was set up according to the plan Moses received from God on the mountain. First was the gate where we enter with THANKSGIVING. Then came the alter of sacrifice where we pour out our praise and offerings, EXALTING our God. Then came the lever for washing, a place for ADMITTING our sins and being washed clean. And that was just the courtyard. Then entering the tent on the right side was the table of showbread, where Jesus, the Bread of Life, feeds us with His Word and shows us our CALLING. On the left side was the golden lampstand, representing Jesus, the Light of the world, who helps us in UNDERSTANDING our stories by lighting our way. Then came the altar of incense which I use to claim God’s PROMISES that all my prayers rise up to Him in heaven. Lastly, behind the curtain, was the Most Holy Place with the Ark of the Covenant. It is here that we can now meet with God the Father, PETITIONING Him for all that is on our hearts.

And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy. Exodus 26:33 (NKJV)

Before Jesus gave His life on the cross, only the designated high priest could enter the Holy of holies to minister before God once a year. It is said that when he went into the Holy of holies to perform his duties, they would tie a rope to his ankle in case he died while behind the curtain. Then they could drag the priest back out without entering the Holy of holies. In Matthew chapter 1 we read about the priest Zacharias who was taking his turn at burning incense before the Lord. While Zacharias was in the temple, a multitude of people were outside praying. And it was then that the angel appeared to Zacharias and announced the birth of John the Baptist. John, who would point people to the Savior Jesus. The same Jesus, who would tear the curtain from top to bottom.

Let’s read a bit of Mark 15:37-41 about the day Jesus died… “And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.”

Dear Ladies, I want you to notice three things. First, Jesus breathed His last and died. He willingly gave His life, taking the punishment we deserve for our sins. All the sins of all the world were upon Him as He shed His blood and gave His life for us, because He loves us. Secondly, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This curtain was so huge and so thick that no person could reach up and tear it from the top, perhaps from the bottom, but not from the top. This was done by the hand of God at the death of His only begotten Son, opening the door to the Holy of holies for all who believe. Finally, notice all the women that were there. Jesus loved ladies as a Father and brother and still loves us today. We should continue to gather around His cross, seek Him at the tomb, and enter into the throne room to speak with His Father. Jesus, is our High Priest who holds open the curtain for us!

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, Hebrews 8:1 (NKJV)

Imagine the panic in the temple after Jesus’ death when suddenly the Holy of holies was exposed! How did they fix it without breaking the Jewish traditions? There was no need to repair it for God was inviting all to enter the Holy of holies and He still invites us today. Ladies, Jesus’ sacrificial death has torn the veil for us so we can enter the very presence of God!

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20 (NKJV)

Nancy Campbell, founder above Above Rubies, tells in a recent podcast how too many of us are just hanging around in the temple courtyard. Nancy says, we’ve come into the courtyard and been washed clean by the blood of Jesus, but we’re just standing there. We need to go into the inner court and pour our hearts out to God.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Mark 15 for the whole story of Jesus’ crucifixion and the torn curtain. Read Hebrews 9 for more about the Tabernacle. Move from the courtyard into the Holy of Holies, dear sister! Jesus invites you! He tore the curtain for you. Come, make your requests to the Father. And pray especially today for the United States of America, expecting great miracles in this 70th year of the National Day of Prayer!

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  Ephesians 2:14 (NKJV)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Oh, America, Why Do You Sleep?

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Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”  Luke 22:46 (NKJV)

While you are asleep, America, someone is killing your children and grandchildren.  

While you are asleep, America, someone is letting evil across your borders.

While you are asleep, America, someone is eroding the Biblical values upon which this nation was built.  Oh, America, Why do you sleep?  

Dear Ladies, this week I exhort you to pray for this nation more than ever.  Abortion and baby-killing are being funded by our government.  Our borders have been opened for the horrors of human-trafficking and drug cartels.  And the Biblical laws that were the basis for our country are being eroded with every swipe of Washington’s pen.  

God’s Word to the prophet Jeremiah proclaims, “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it” (Jeremiah 18:7-10). Oh, America, how can you sleep?

Did you know that before Jesus went to the cross, He exhorted His disciples in the same way? Our dear Savior was pouring His heart out to His Heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsamene.  He took His close friends Peter, James, and John, asking them to stay and watch with Him.  Jesus was only a stone’s throw away from them as He petitioned the Father to remove this cup of crucifixion.  Three times He prayed and then found the disciples sleeping.  Our precious Lord was alone in His prayers.  

Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”  Matthew 26:45-46 (NKJV)

Oh, America, Rise and pray!

Jesus still comes to us today, saying, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and (America) is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.” The Lord is calling us today, “Rise and pray!”  He looks down from heaven upon His children to see if any seek after Him.  Are we reading our Bibles? Are we praying? Are we lifting up this country and leaders? Are we praying for the babies and children and peace and safety for all?  Are we praying for God to raise up Christian leaders who will reclaim this nation with laws based on God’s Word?  Oh, dear ones, there is so much for which we must pray, we could pray all night like Jesus.

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 (NKJV)

Oh, America, God will hear your cries!

Ladies, our prayers for America are not in vain.  Over and over in His Word, God promises that He hears our cries and will be gracious to us…

You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.  Job 22:7 (NKJV)

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear. Psalm 10:17 (NKJV)

…He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.  Isaiah 30:19 (NKJV)

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.  1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Oh ladies across America, why do you sleep? Rise and pray!  God will hear your cries!  Read and pray Daniel 9:1-19. Join in the National Day of Prayer on May 6th and pray for our country and leaders more than ever. Then continue to pray every day for your family and neighbors. May God sweep this land with a revival, turning hearts to Him, and pouring out His Holy Spirit before His return.

…and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory… Luke 9:32 (NKJV)

O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name… Nehemiah 1:11 (NKJV)

Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Psalm 9:19-20 (NKJV)

Help us, O God of our salvation,
For the glory of Your name;
And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,
For Your name’s sake!
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let there be known among the nations in our sight
The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.  Psalm 27:9-10 (NKJV)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.  Psalm 33:12 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

 

God Bless the USA

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We interrupt our regularly-scheduled devotion to bring you this important update from the heart of My TEA CUPP Prayers blogger, Jennifer Grace…

...I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  Nehemiah 1:4 (NKJV)

Hello, dear TEA friends,  Instead of my usual devotion today, I decided to write what is on my heart because I’m guessing it’s on many of yours, as well.  If it’s not what you want to hear, that’s okay, you can switch to another website. What’s on my heart today? Our country, The United States of America.

Like many of you, I’ve lifted up so many prayers this past year for our country and its leaders.  When I read Bible verses about plagues in Exodus, I asked God to heal our land from the coronavirus.  When I read verses about fasting in Esther, I fasted and prayed for our nation.  When I read verses about Rachel weeping for her children,  I confessed the sins of our nation and pleaded with God for His mercy and forgiveness.  

When the election came in November, I continued my prayers for our nation as I cast my vote.  And for whom did I vote?  I voted for the one who will work to save those precious babies.  I voted for the one who cares for the people of this country and wants to the protect them in every way. I voted for the one who will keep our nation open so I can travel and invite ladies everywhere to tea with Jesus. I voted for the one who still believes the founding fathers’ edict for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, in all honesty and integrity.

When the new year came, we still did not know who won the election, and our pastor invited us to begin the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan.  Ready for a fresh challenge, I signed up.  Now, instead of reading just two Bible readings a day, we are reading four different places in Scripture.  One of these selections is Nehemiah, where I find myself right before the Presidential inauguration.  

What does Nehemiah offer us?  I have found many parallels to our 45th President.  Nehemiah 2:8 says, “the good hand of my God upon me.”  I believe the good hand of God has been upon our President since day one, how else could he have endured so much persecution and mudslinging? Nehemiah 2:18 says of the wall around Jerusalem, “‘Let us rise up and build.’  Then they set their hands to this good work.”  As one of his hundreds of accomplishments, our President has been building a wall which is now over 400 miles long to protect our citizens.  While Nehemiah 3:5 tells of some who “did not put their shoulder to the work of their Lord.” I’m afraid that could apply to many others who hold public office.  

Nehemiah 5:14 tells how neither he nor his brothers “ate the governor’s provisions.”  Our President never took a salary the entire time he’s served at the White House.  And up until last week, he “continued the work on this wall…”  (Nehemiah 5:16, NKJV).

I pray that as our President prepares for the morrow, He is praying Nehemiah 5:19 and 6:3,9…“Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people…I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down…O God, strengthen my hands.”  

Oh, dear President, God is doing a great work and He is coming down soon to help you. And one day He will say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Stand strong and to God be the glory!

…Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome… Nehemiah 4:14 (NKJV)

And when the 11th or 13th hour miracle happens on the morrow, when President Donald “Nehemiah” Trump is anointed President once again, may all Americans perceive that this work was done by our God (Nehemiah 6:16, NKJV) and turn to Him with all their hearts!

…Our God will fight for us.  Nehemiah 4:20 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  …I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night… (Nehemiah 1:5-6, NKJV)

God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her, Through the night with the light from above, From the mountains to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home (Irving Berlin, 1918)

America, America!  God shed His grace on thee, And crown they good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea! (Katharine Bates, 1893)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

 

Standing in the Breach with Psalm 106

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…Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach… Psalm 106:23 (NKJV)

When I was a little girl, my parents took my siblings and me to the Grand Canyon.  I remember my mom holding our shirt collars as we looked over the edge into the great abyss. Then I grew up to be a mom and did the same thing for our children. Any time we went to a National Park with deep gorges, I held shirt collars to prevent my children from plummeting into the canyon depths. 

Friends, our country needs moms to hold shirt collars again! We need you to pray like never before for your children and for this great nation. Don’t let go! Don’t let us fall into the depths! Don’t lose the faith!  Believe with all your heart that God will save this great land.  Hold those shirt collars!

Did you know Moses did the same thing for God’s children, the Israelites?  While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people were down below making a golden calf.  God wanted to wipe them all out and make a new people from Moses.  But Moses stood in the breach and pleaded with the Lord on their behalf.  And God heard their prayers!  God will hear your prayers, too, dear friend.  Here are some verses you can pray from Psalm 106 today…  

T for Thanksgiving:

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)

…To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise. Psalm 106:47 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord! Psalm 106:48 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly.  Psalm 106:6 (NKJV)

Because they rebelled against His Spirit,
So that he spoke rashly with his lips.  Psalm 106:33 (NKJV)

They even sacrificed their sons
And their daughters to demons,
And shed innocent blood…  Psalm 106:37-38 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

Blessed are those who keep justice,
And he who does righteousness at all times!  Psalm 106:3 (NKJV)

U for Understanding:

Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds,
And the plague broke out among them.
Then Phinehas stood up and intervened,
And the plague was stopped.  Psalm 106:29-30 (NKJV)

P for Promises:

Nevertheless He regarded their affliction,
When He heard their cry;
And for their sake He remembered His covenant,
And relented according to the multitude of His mercies.  Psalm 106:44-45 (NKJV)

P for Petitions:

Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people.
Oh, visit me with Your salvation. Psalm 106:4 (NKJV)

Save us, O Lord our God,
And gather us from among the Gentiles… Psalm 106:47 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Dear TEA Friend, You have such an important job to do! Just as Moses stood in the breach to save the children of Israel, we must stand in the breach to save the United States of America.  Keep praying for our nation, dear prayer warriors. Keep interceding on behalf of babies, our President, and anything else the Holy Spirit puts upon your heart.  

And an extra prayer for the USA:

That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
That I may glory with Your inheritance.  Psalm 106:5 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

My Lamentations TEA

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You have covered Yourself with a cloud,
That prayer should not pass through. Lamentations 3:44 (NKJV)

Some of us are sad today.  Some of us are weeping for the babies who will not get to live if abortion continues across our land.  Some of us are not happy with the media’s report of the outcome of the recent election.  If you are one of those “someones,” I invite you to share a CUPP of Lamentations TEA with me.

Today we lift up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Jesus who is able to save babies everywhere from death.  Did you know that TEN times more babies have been aborted since Roe vs. Wade than Jews died during the Holocaust of WW II?  61 million babies who could have blessed this world in some way, were taken straight to the arms of Jesus.  When a pastor shared these statistics on the radio, I wept with vehement cries and tears to Jesus. Please join me in raising prayers to the throne of heaven for those babies, that the election will be recounted and the USA can continue on the path to saving babies’ lives (as well as freedom to worship God and hundreds of other things!).

The prophet Jeremiah shared similar woes.  He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and then saw it happen with his own eyes.  What he penned in Lamentations are his heart cries to the Lord as he witnessed the destruction and wept for the daughters of his people.  Let us join Jeremiah and cry out to God with these same verses…

T for Thanksgiving:

Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

You, O Lord, remain forever;
Your throne from generation to generation.  Lamentations 5:19 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer. Lamentations 3:8 (NKJV)

Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord.  Lamentations 3:40 (NKJV)

We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned. Lamentations 3:42 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.  Lamentations 3:26 (NKJV)

U for Understanding:

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”  Lamentations 3:24 (NKJV)

My eyes overflow with rivers of water
For the destruction of the daughter of my people. Lamentations 3:48 (NKJV)

You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, “Do not fear!” O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:57-58 (NKJV)

P for Promises:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:25 (NKJV)

P for Petitions:

I called on Your name, O Lord,
From the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice:
“Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help.” Lamentations 3:55-56 (NKJV)

Why do You forget us forever,
And forsake us for so long a time?
Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored;
Renew our days as of old. Lamentations 5:20-21 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read and pray Lamentations today. Pray especially Lamentations 3:59-66 for our President and the USA elections.  If we all search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord, we will break through the cloud and reach the throne room of heaven where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.  Keep praying for miracles and all those babies, dear prayer friends!

Another prayer for our President:

O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged;
Judge my case.
You have seen all their vengeance,
All their schemes against me.

You have heard their reproach, O Lord,
All their schemes against me,
The lips of my enemies
And their whispering against me all the day.
Look at their sitting down and their rising up;
I am their taunting song.

Repay them, O Lord,
According to the work of their hands.
Give them a veiled heart;
Your curse be upon them!
In Your anger,
Pursue and destroy them
From under the heavens of the Lord. Lamentations 3:59-66 (NKJV)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers.  If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read Praying for Babies Again, Stripes Across Our Nation, and USA, Arise, Come Forth!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 

Of Course, There’s a Plague!

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We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly. Psalm 106:6 (NKJV)

Oh, what a year!  People will always remember 2020 as the year of COVID19, the coronavirus, quarantines, masks, closures… although we won’t want to remember it because of all the deaths, fear, loneliness, rules, and missed events.  We all wonder why this had to happen.  Yet, when we search God’s Word we find so many relevant verses. 

Psalm 106 is one that speaks to our current situation, summing up our nation and world’s troubles, “We have sinned…we have committed iniquity…” (Ps. 106:6). Psalm 106 goes on to list all those sins from so long ago.  Can we see all these in our country today?…

  • We did not understand God’s wonders (Ps. 106:7)
  • We did not remember the multitude of God’s mercies (Ps. 106:7)
  • We rebelled (Ps. 106:7)
  • We forgot His works (Ps. 106:13)
  • We did not wait for His counsel (Ps. 106:13)
  • We lusted (Ps. 106:14)
  • We tested God (Ps. 106:14)
  • We envied our leaders (Ps. 106:16)
  • We made idols and worshiped them (Ps. 106:19)
  • We forgot God our Savior (Ps. 106:21)
  • We despised the pleasant land (Ps. 106:24)
  • We did not believe God’s Word (Ps. 106:24)
  • We joined ourselves to the devil (Ps. 106:28)
  • We rebelled against His Spirit (Ps. 106:33)
  • We did not destroy God’s enemies (Ps. 106:34)
  • We followed the way of unbelievers (Ps. 106:35)
  • We served our idols (Ps. 106:36)
  • We sacrificed our children (Ps. 106:37)
  • We shed innocent blood (Ps. 106:38)
  • We defiled ourselves and played the harlot (Ps. 106:39)

Is it no wonder the plague broke out among us?  (Ps. 106:29). What can we do?  We can intervene like Phinehas (Ps. 106:30) and stand in the breach like Moses (Ps. 106:23) so God’s wrath is turned away.  We must pray for our country, for our neighbors, for our families. Pray for God to send a revival across this land.  

Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV)

There is HOPE, my dear friends.  We have the HOPE found in Jesus Christ.  Because of His saving work on the cross, all who believe in Him are rescued from this crazy world (John 3:16).  Jesus died for every sin listed above and for all the others, too.  Let’s pray for our nation to turn to Jesus! And God will hear our cries (Ps. 106:44)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read and pray Psalm 106. Repent, turn to God. Ask His forgiveness through Jesus Christ for yourself and for our country. Turn over a new leaf this fall. Let’s give everyone something NEW to remember about 2020…the year of REVIVAL! Pray for our nation daily. Forgive us, O Lord.  

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

May this be THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  Will you join me in fasting for the next 7 Tuesdays, though the USA election on November 3, 2020?  Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever.  Check out this event happening in the coming days… https://thereturn.org/

Save us, O Lord our God,
And gather us from among the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!” Psalm 106:47-48 (NKJV)

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 

Plague Upon Plague, Hope Upon Hope

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If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Our country and world have been besieged by the Coronavirus and quarantines this spring, disrupting the lives of many and causing grief and depression to those who have lost loved ones and jobs. As I read my Bible, I see how plagues such as COVID-19 are not a new thing.

You are probably tired of hearing about plagues.  You would rather read about summer time and beaches and picnics and healthy children.  Yet here I am writing about plagues again, because God showed me some cool truths in His Word. And because He gives us HOPE.

Do you remember what God used to rescue His people from Egypt? PLAGUES!  Ten Plagues! (Blood, frogs, lice, flies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, death of firstborn son, Ex. 7-10).  Could God be using plagues to rescue His people again? After they escaped Pharaoh, the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land because of the giant people, so God sent another plague upon them. During this plague, Moses prayed…

“Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” Then the LORD said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” Numbers 14:19-21 (NKJV)

Moses prayed for their forgiveness which ended the plague. We should be praying for forgiveness, too! During another plague when the people were grumbling against the two leaders…


Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun.” Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. Now those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident. So Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, for the plague had stopped.Numbers 16:46-50 (NKJV)

The incense stopped the plagues. Our prayers are like that INCENSE! In both the Psalms and Revelation, our prayers are described as incense…

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 (NKJV)

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 (NKJV)

God sent another plague when David took an unnecessary census of the people…

So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from the morning till the appointed time. From Dan to Beersheba seventy thousand men of the people died. And when the angel stretched out His hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.” And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 2 Samuel 24:15-16 (NKJV)

And do you know what was built at the place where the plague stopped, on that threshing floor? The Temple of the Lord! And when King Solomon dedicated the Temple he prayed,

Whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men).1 Kings 8:38-39 (NKJV)

As King Solomon proclaimed, we all have a plague in our own hearts. We need to turn to the Temple and pray and He will forgive! Where is that Temple? Jesus is the Temple! (Rev. 21:22) Therefore…let us lay aside every weight and sin that so easily ensares us (Heb. 12:1). For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

Jesus is the cure, friends!  Jesus is the One to forgive our sins, end the plague, and heal our land.  He is the One who will put our lives back together.  Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Because of His saving work on the cross, we are washed clean by His blood.  Jesus is our Hope upon Hope! He gives us hope to make it through each day, and hope of eternal life in heaven. Turn to Jesus in prayer today!  

Today’s TEA CUPP: Prayer is the first step in stopping the plague across our land, first confessing our own sins to the Lord, and then confessing the sins of our nation. Our prayers are the incense that will end the plague. To God be the glory and may He heal our land!

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Romans 12:12

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like Tea by the Temple and The Door of Hope. Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.



Pray Your Neighborhood

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Re-posting this for America. . .

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV)

Dear TEA CUPP Friends, 

Today I have a new task for you!  Instead of sitting with Jesus and your morning mug, this will get you moving! 

Many of you are stuck at home right now during the COVID-19 quarantines and are eagerly awaiting normal life to return.  We were able to visit our daughter and her family before the shut-downs began, so we spent part of the quarantine in Wisconsin. 

One activity we enjoyed each day was a walk around the neighborhood.  My son pedaled his bike, our granddaughter rode the stroller, and I was the caboose. I also enjoyed an early morning walk before everyone was up.  It was during these times I felt especially called to pray over their neighborhood.

I prayed for the town, for a revival, for people to return to the Lord Jesus. I wondered if the neighbors knew there was a little girl with cancer just down the street.  I wondered what trials they were facing and prayed for Jesus to help them and keep them healthy. 

My feet often took me past the old St. Mary’s Church and School.  The stately bricks told a story of generations coming to worship Jesus.  I laid my hands on the side of the church building and prayed for God to fill this church again with His people and Holy Spirit.  I prayed for God to sweep this land with a revival and healing.  I prayed for God’s people to come. 

Then I walked over to the school buildings and laid my hands on those bricks and prayed for the return of the children, for God’s blessing on the students and teachers and families. I prayed especially for healing for my granddaughter so she can be in the preschool next fall. I walked to the playground and prayed again for the children to return and for their safely there. 

Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: My friends, where do you live?  Do you live near a church or school or park or courthouse or fire station or hospital or nursing home or business that needs your prayers?  Do you have a neighborhood of people who need your prayers?  Are you in the country where you can pray for people far and wide?  I exhort you today to get outside and go for a walk and pray for your neighborhood like you never have before.  Pray for healing. Pray for a revival across this land.  Pray for the children.  Pray for our leaders. Pray for God’s mercy and miracles.    May God be glorified in the healing and revival of our nation.

For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers. If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read The Door of Hope and Stripes Across Our Nation and On Our Knees. God’s blessings, Jennifer Grace

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.  Colossians 2:6 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

 

 

Stripes Across Our Nation

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In honor of the National Day of Prayer, I share again this post from 2011. May all turn to Jesus in prayer and repentance for our nation.

…Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.  Luke 18:1 (NKJV)

The sign on our Montana highway warns,
“Road Closed:  Flooding Ahead!”
The internet news reports,
“Tragic tornadoes rip through Missouri and Oklahoma.”
Our email camping network shares sad tidings,
“Wildfires sweep across Texas, claiming one Methodist camp.”

How much more disaster news will there be?

With flooding in Montana and the Midwest,
Tornadoes across the central states,
Wildfires in New Mexico and Texas,
Earthquakes on the West coast, and
Hurricanes on the East coast,

It’s like having stripes across our nation,
Not the red and white of our beloved flag,
But the painful stripes of punishment
Undeserved by slaves in times not long past.

Yet these stripes are…
Stripes for us,
Stripes for our nation,
Stripes for our sin.

Who can understand our suffering?
There is One,
The perfect One who bore the sins
Of all the world,
Jesus Christ.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

Jesus understands our suffering.
He endured stripes He did not deserve for us,
He died on a cross at Calvary for us,
He rose again to eternal life for us.

Jesus is here to comfort and help our nation.

Living in Montana, we have experienced multiple forest fires,
And now we have flooding.
My heart goes out to all who are currently suffering.
He brought us through fire and water,
He will bring you through these trials, too.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3 (NKJV)

What is God calling us to do?
He wants us to…
*Turn to Him (Acts 3:19)
*Help and pray for our neighbors (Matthew 22:39)
*Be prepared for His return (Matthew 24)

And after the wind, water, and fire
We will hear His still small, yet mighty, voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

Jesus is coming.
Are you ready?

May these painful stripes
Be a wake-up call to our nation:
*Turn to Jesus,
*Help your neighbor,
*Prepare your heart for Jesus’ return.

Oh, Jesus,
Help our country,
Forgive our sins,
Help me do my part. Amen.

Scripture taken the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Bold Ladies

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In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.  Ephesians 3:12 (NKJV)

They were  bold ladies.  Their names were Achsah and Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tizrah.  In a time where men led and fought and had their names recorded in God’s Word, it is a pleasant surprise for us to see women mentioned and rewarded for their efforts.  In just a few chapters of Joshua (which might lose the reader with the descriptions of property division in the Promised Land), we see ladies being bold and asking for their family property.

Give me a blessing

First, in Joshua 15:16-19, we read about Caleb’s daughter Achsah dismounting her donkey and saying to her father, “Give me a blessing,” asking for springs of water to go with her land.  And Caleb granted her request. This story is told again in Judges 1:15.  Of course, her father had just given her away in marriage as a prize for the soldier who conquered Kirjath Sepher, Caleb’s land.  Seems like his daughter had it in her favor to ask for a blessing!

Give us a possession

Then in Joshua 17:3-6, we read the story already told in Numbers 27 about the daughters of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh.  Zelophehad had no sons, so his daughters felt he was still entitled to land.  The five sisters boldly came forward and asked Moses, Eleazar the Priest, and Joshua for land.  Moses took their request before the Lord, and God said, “You shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father’s brothers” (Numbers 27:7). These ladies received their request, all because they came forward boldly.

Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.”  Numbers 27:4 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Is God calling you to be bold in anything?  So often I focus on verses like Philippians 4:6 to be gentle, that I forget there are other virtues to attain.  So, I go boldly to the throne of grace, asking Jesus to help me be gentle, yet bold for Him. Dear TEA CUPP friend, I encourage you to be bold for Jesus, too!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.