iPray Fridays: iTestify

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty,and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.....

Psalms 107: 1-15

....They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Revelations 12:11

Hello people,

Thank God its another iPray Friday and we are here to see it. Chineke Imela. Ose Baba, Nagode Yesu. Today's iPray is about testifying to the Lords goodness in our lives. Sometimes we think we need a 'big' testimony before we share it. Just like any relationship, learning to appreciate what we think are the 'little' things make room for even bigger things to happen. We too often take our breath for granted. I testify today that I am alive, I am still in the battle, I have not finished the race but I am still running. Its a marathon and not a sprint..I have stumbled but not out. The setback is for my step up and I am not taking no for an answer.

So today is Testimony Friday..has the Lord been good to you? This week, this month, this year...to the members of your family? You don't need to close a multi million pound deal to testify....testify of His faithfulness to you. Look forward to hearing from you. Click comments!

Let's pray together.

iWorship Wednesdays: Ani'pakabara (Whatever happens)

Hi people

Its the middle of the week, how things going? Trust well. I loved this song even when I didn't know what the title meant. The video has subtitles. I hear she is singing in Kalabari...that's a language spoken in the South South region of Nigeria. Languages are so beautiful because we have that many more ways to praise Our Creator, Our King..there's a part of this song I love so much 'Hold me Lord, lest I fall'. Thanks Ibiso, you're such a blessing.

Whatever happens, we can trust we have a God who knows the number of hairs on our head (even in the weave too...lol!).

Remain blessed and highly favoured.

ZoeB

iPray Fridays: SIMplicity

And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

Matthew 6: 5-13 (The Message)

"Its not how long u pray, its how strong you pray! You can pray for 5 hours but if there's no faith behind your prayer, there's no power."

@GuvnaB from Twitter

I really miss blogging, both reading and writing. I used to take the fact that I could blog for granted. Now its one of the things I'm grateful about. Lord, thank you that Zoe can blog...lol! I'm in a season where I have a lot of questions, maybe its the scientist in me or just a phase. There is a way in which one is raised not to ask questions, just to accept what one is given as the status quo. That's fine but for those who have questions, I am learning that who you ask is just as important as what you ask!

Reading my Bible this morning and this passage just jumped up at me. Sometimes when people ask me why I love to pray, I respond with 'I'm not so sure I love to pray, I'm learning'. I will be honest and confess that I have periods of time where I feel so distant from God. I don't read or study my Bible and I don't 'pray'. Yes 'pray' because I lay on my bed one morning and I heard a familiar voice whisper 'so if it isn't formal, does it mean it isn't conversation' those were not the exact words but something to that effect. 'Each time you want to speak to your dad or friends, do you wear something special or put some makeup on. In an emergency, do you consider your looks or the fact that you may not have been getting along or do you just reach out to the one who can help you sort your situation out! Do you only speak to them in public when others are around and ignore them in private?'

What is prayer? We say it is communication with God. Communication involves at least 2 parties and consists of speaking, listening and understanding. It is a 2 way thing. We speak to God and He speaks to us too. So many times I get caught up in a legalistic and religious view of things. When I pray sometimes people laugh and I do admit my prayers may be a bit funny but that's because I am funny and I believe God loves me like that. I need to search the Scriptures but I believe that most of the prayers Jesus made were in private and his public prayers were short and direct. Hmm, I believe a big barrier to effective prayer is this notion that it's like a recipe where you need to mix this and that, keep at this temperature for this long before you can get the right result. I want to challenge that and say we should come to God on the basis of relationship. Sometimes I talk for hours to a friend, sometimes a few minutes. I do not love them more when I speak longer or less when I speak shorter. The most important thing is that I communicate with them, pass the message across, honestly and openly. Also come believing that He hears and He has the power to change situations.

Its funny that I try to hide things from God, the One who sees all and knows all. Anyway today's iPray is about simplicity..not length, just honesty and openness between you and your daddy. If Jesus was sitting right next to you on a bench in a park and you had your head on his shoulder what would you tell him....even if you had to whisper it? Say it today. If you want to share it here, feel free to leave it as a comment.

Let's pray together.

iWorship Wednesdays: Psalm 23

Hiya

I love this song. So many times I forget that I have a Shepherd and I don't need to be afraid of anything. He may use His rod and staff but I'm glad that I'm not alone in this journey. Be blessed. Thank you Juanita!

Your hands reached into the depths of darkness,

Your arms pulled me to the light above them.

Your voice spoke the words that broke my heart,

and Your eyes burn with holy passion, fire, and love.

 

You lead me beside the quiet waters,

You are in the shadows of death's darkened doors.

You make tables right before my enemies,

You take oil and then You pour it over me.

You are my shepherd,

I will fear no evil (fear no evil).

You are my shepherd,

I will fear no evil (fear no evil).

Surely goodness and mercy,

shall cover me.

 

All the days of my life,

they shall cover me.

Surely I am going to dwell

in the house of the Lord

forever and ever,

forever and ever.