FRIDAY's FAITHGATEWAY

OBS "The Daniel Prayer" by Anne Graham Lotz

... as promised ...
{my side note: actually I'm not too sure its Faith Gateway's OBS, since it's not on their website like the previous ones, under STUDIES, but is a separate link to Study Gateway (which I'm subscribed to) and this particular study, if you signed up like I did before I knew about so many being available; otherwise, it doesn't look like you can access it. Of course, these two are one in the same-kinda ... with Bible Gateway too (I think) Partners :) }
so this week was WEEK TWO
"PREPARING FOR PRAYER"

Scriptures this Week This week we are reading Matthew 6:5-18 using the steps we learned in the Bible Study Workshop (session one). Some of you may want to do these all at once, others may decide to separate them for your daily quiet time --- one per day over five days. If you don't have your copy of the study guide yet, you can also write your responses in a personal journal or notebook. Here is the individual break-down: Study 1: Matthew 6:5 (pgs 28-29 in study guide) Study 2: Matthew 6:6 (pgs 30-31) Study 3: Matthew 6:7-8 (pgs 32-33) Study 4: Matthew 6:9-13 (pgs 34-35) Study 5: Matthew 6:14-18 (pgs 36-37)

{I imagine all of this is a little late, since it'd be best to break it down throughout the week, so you take a bite and receive nourishment each day from God's Word, this Study and Prayer} Since I am more focused elsewhere ... this is how it has to be for me. 

"This week we’re learning (ed) what the Bible says about preparing for prayer. Yes, we can pray any time and any place. While running, taking the train into work, picking up kids from school, sitting in a coffee shop with a friend, washing the dishes or folding laundry at the end of a long day — these are all great times to pray. But, having a prepared place and a prepared time set aside only for Jesus is so important in order to build a solid relationship with Him… which is what we need! If we want to be powerful in prayer, first we need to know Jesus. And, in order to know Him, we need to set aside a time and a place for Him. Let’s do it this week and see what God does!"

Part One: Preparing to Pray 

(hard bound copy rather than *study guide)

1. Committed to pray
2. Compelled to pray
3. Centered in prayer

*it's the Study Guide that this Study is using that accompanies the DVDs and the book, but there is much more available in the actual book by Anne Graham Lotz, as often happens, most can't afford both. So it's Part One in the book but Session Two in the Study Guide and Session Three-Prompting in Prayer - I know I'm just confusing this.

I am and have been committed, compelled and centered!

Anne's video is a little over 17 minutes long

but packed with points

WE CAN PRAY
that

Heaven is moved and our Nation is changed

 (in my case, I need to start with my family first)

Daniel 6:10-

4 characteristics of Daniel's habit of prayer

-meet the Lord in my "prepared place" 

with all my materials gathered

-Daniel also prepared the time set aside

(he did so 3 times a day)

-create an atmosphere of reverence, respect

a prepared attitude focused on God

-cultivate an attitude of gratitude

look at our circumstances through the lens of God's love

and purpose, an attitude of worship and thanksgiving

PREPARE 

for the

Daniel Prayer

a place, a time, the atmosphere, the attitude

May I pray like Daniel:

Daniel 9: 4-19

4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

15 “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.16 Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill.Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

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my favorite podcast this week and prayer Focus for Friday

"Touch the Sky"

great devotional on Prayer via this song

from another new site "More Than a Song" I found and love

"BELOVED"

is the most current

perfect for

"Whispers of Rest"

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{I hate to voice my opinion here, but I've put off writing anything about this for some time, and although this Study is not the only one (3 of mine) that is this way, I guess I've had my fill of this, and want to speak out.

Many of these "Studies" take place in private (closed) groups on Facebook (which is great if you do Facebook and if you are a participant, because it protects your privacy somewhat). However, if you choose not to ... or have not succumbed to "joining" yet another social media site like Facebook, this 'tool' is excluding you from participating without having Facebook. I have stayed clear this far from completely being a Facebook member (?) but these type of groups are almost soliciting in a way to be part of Facebook, even though many speak about "shutting down" social media to spend time with God or family etc., this seems to be promoting being part of yet another social media. I will take this to PRAYER once again but I don't hear God calling me to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. yet I do hear others inviting us in ... which is even more concern for me, to stay away and resist being a part. I am far from a saint but I firmly see this as following the popular crowd of society and I know that alot of good probably happens because of this however, I have a real check about this just like expecting "followers" on my blog ... clearly I could write much more and many of you might wish to "defend" or point out in a Christian way the good of this, yet I am not open to debate here and thus, am closing comments. This was not at all the purpose of this post and it now may seem like it is/was due to the length. My apologies to this Study and you, if you do FB}

COMMENTS CLOSED

THURSDAY "enTRUSTING" ~ 2

LIFEWAY Online Bible Study of 2 Timothy with Beth Moore and her book "ENTRUSTING"  

Session 2 {publishing at noon so I can link up hopefully and attempt to at least do today's} of course, if I'm caught up, it's Session 2's video with Beth today -yeah! otherwise I have some reading to do
-the video offers a glimpse of Paul's first letter to Timothy -establishes the concept captured in the title of this 6 week study ENTRUSTED
WEEK 2 PURPOSE and GRACE

Day 1: "A Clear Conscience" Timothy, the Corinthians and Paul's way of life in Christ (next level with Melissa) Day 2: "I Remember" Day 3: "His Own" Day 4: "Because I Know the One" Let No One Despise Him (next level with Melissa) Day 5: "Left and Found"

Each day starts with a  FLASH FORWARD (day one of week 2) 2 Timothy 1:3a (of scripture)
{sampling of the questions interspersed in Day One}

Compare 2 Timothy 1:2 to 1 Timothy 1:2 Do you sense any intensification in the second letter? If so, in what way? How did Paul serve according to 2 Timothy 1:3? 1 Timothy 1:13-15 Paul had been the believing recipient of a work described in Hebrews 10:19-23 Read this passage and record the basis of  "a true heart in full assurance of faith." (then the study goes into a guilty conscience and more from) Hebrews 9:11-22; Hebrews 9:18-20 (Exodus 24:1-11) flip back to Hebrews 10:19-23 Focus on Hebrews 10:22 (circle 'sprinkled' and 'washed') To make the connection with Hebrews 10:22, you need only read two verses. Record the act of consecration taken in each: Exodus 29:4 Exodus 29:21 {of course, there is wonderful information written as well} "He gave His life not only as our sin offering but our guilt offering."

this is just day one, pages 47-52, glimpse
Beth Moore always brings depth and understanding (and Melissa Moore takes us another step deeper- with level 4 & 5)

Your WORTH

6 Bible Verses from Romans About Your Worth from Dr. Michelle Bengston linked to her website {she has Facebook, YouTube and other places to connect}
Very worthwhile!

MOORE On Monday (MOM)

with one of two of the newest LIFEWAY WOMEN Online Bible Study
"ENTRUSTED" {which I shared last Thurs. and promised to update on Mon.} by Beth Moore
"...and a promise is a promise"
Even if I am not at all caught up with this "Entrusted" study, I've already missed publishing SOS (which I'm saving to post about either P31's OBS "Me, Myself and Lies" or Faith Gateway's "Daniel Prayer") and nothing else has been done either like my book review long overdue (so much so, that I have now been deactivated-sigh) yet I'm still loving Faith Barista Bonnie Gray daily with "Whispers of Rest" (which I have set aside my Weds. to share, but I'd really love to do them daily online but it's enough for me to just take time to do them first thing in the morning and 'breathe ...just breathe' ... yes, I 'bit off more than I could chew' but ... I just did not want to miss out on any of these, they are so good!!! And ENTRUSTED is as I thought, packed with so many details, in its thin study guide of 179 [large 8 1/2 by 11] pages filled to the brim, no matter which of the 5 levels you choose to do, just check out the outline of Week 1. 

Day One: "A Trail of Two Cities" On Reading Scripture Day 2 (Sat. or Sun.) "Meet the Teacher" Day 3 (Mon.) "Where Was He When" Day 4 (Tues.) "A Beeline to City Three" Theology: A Collective Struggle Day 5 (Weds.) "A New Son and A Circumcision"

according to my own plan, I should be on
Day 3 "Where Was He When"
FLASH FORWARD: 1 Corinthians 2:2
 Job 38:4 who asked the question, who was addressed and what was the occasion for the "where were you when ______________"? the glaring event for the early church "where were you when they crucified Jesus?"
Acts 20:16 "why didn't Saul of Tarsus stay in Ephesus?"
(this is just the first 2 pages of this day with much background information)
2 more pages packed and then Day 3 ends with this:

"On the high road of that rabid zeal we land our lesson. Read Acts 9:1-9 and, if you've read it many times, try to read it with new eyes. If you're like me, (Beth Moore) some responsive thoughts are rolling around in your head as you raise your chin from that page. Record two of them as your conclusion today~"Entrusted" by Beth & Melissa Moore

1 Corinthians 15:8
Since this is my first Beth Moore actual study, I don't want to miss anything! I can tell it'd be so,much better in a church group or sitting in the group as Beth instructs us - but for now the videos will do just fine. And I'm thrilled to be able to view them online without having to purchase them right now. 
SESSION ONE for WEEK 1
Lots to think about and this is just the background and introduction This Thursday we'll be in WEEK 2 when we actually start with
2 TIMOTHY
but all this preparation is so good
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In "WHISPERS of REST" today's DAY 15 in Part 3 "Dreaming as the Beloved" Rejuvenate Your Passion for Life12
{oh yeah}
"GATHER"
{more on my Weds. WOW}
<> I apologize for not posting anything for SOS from those two wonderful studies mentioned above ... so I may go back and add a post on SONday 6pm for P31 and perhaps Faith Gateway's Ann Graham Lotz "Daniel Prayer" OBS on Friday {if I can do it ahead of time to publish on Friday and sum up this week rather than look ahead to the next, but she also is such an excellent teacher and guide for "praying"} 
Perhaps if you read  Acts 9:1-9 you might share with me your thoughts that "are rolling around in your head" from what it said to you

SOS

Study On SONday
WEEK TWO with P31 OBS of Jennifer Rothschild's book "Me, Myself, and Lies"
"CHOOSING and SPEAKING TRUTH"

[image credit: P31]

"...  Jennifer gives us a battle plan to help shut the door to those negative thoughts: The three R’s — Recognize, Refuse and Replace I know I find it hard to Refuse the “lie.” That’s the one “R” I want to work on this week. What’s the most difficult “R” for you? What can you do to shut the door on your negative thoughts?" - See more at: P31 OBS and Jennifer Rothschild's book, "Me, Myself and Lies"

I am only highlighting this so you can link up or follow along with Proverbs 31 OBS who already do an exceptionally wonderful weekly discussion but there's quite often so many "comments" it's hard for me to connect but I love them, their choices for book studies and their team No reason for me to reinvent what they do so well
however
you are certainly welcome to comment here rather or in addition to there because I have so few comments, you're guaranteed that I won't miss it
I'll Repeat the questions (and that's not even one of the "R") here: What’s the most difficult “R” for you?  What can you do to shut the door on your negative thoughts?"
For me, I'm sure I struggle with all 3 of the "R's" but initially it has to be "RECOGNIZE"
because often I don't realize that and recognize it as a lie but receive the lie as truth usually spoken by another but rehearsed and replayed in my mind without recognizing it as a lie or device of the enemy to mess me up but I am getting better at discerning a lie spoken to me
and I guess that if I knew the answer to the 2nd part of this ? I would have written JR's book and not be struggling with this, hoping I will learn from this book how to shut the door especially when the negative thoughts are mine or  spoken by me to others (but I sure hope not)
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Going to try to do Fridays for Faith Gateway's OBS of "The Daniel Prayer" by Anne Graham Lotz [Kick-off] but I will share on SOS that week's link
Session 2 "Preparing for Prayer"
What are some areas you need to work on to better  prepare your heart to pray as Daniel did?
{but this is for Friday for me here, if I get to it before then;  if not, this will have to do-sorry}