OnCall Prayer

I was driving down the road the other day and stopped behind a car that had a small sign (but was the size of a bill board in my heart) that said  . . . . Kindness Matters. WOW. What a simple but profound truth!  I said to myself . . . I do not ever want to forget those simple sobering words - Kindness Matters!

Are we really kind . . . . kind to the teenager taking our order at the fast food restaurant who forgets the catsup for our french fies; kind to the lady checking in our clothes at the dry cleaners; kind to the grocery checker who may be a single mom working long hours to feed her family or a student sacking groceries earning money for school. Are we kind to our boss and our co-workers?  How kind are we to each other in the Board Meeting as we make important decisions?  How kind are we to others at church?  And the list goes on and on.

And as it related to ministry we should certainly demonstrate kindness in the way we treat each other. We must remember that a ministry is not a business and the volunteers are not our employees.   

The scriptures say a lot about kindness: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Gal. 5:22-23.

Let’s make a decision to be kind today.  It really does matter! 

As we enter a new year, I have a suggestion of what you can do with those Christmas Cards your received.  I have set them in a small container on the fireplace hearth beside my big comfy chair where I sit to have my daily Quiet Time.  As I pray and journal in my OnCall Prayer Journal© - which, by the way - is a wonderful tool to hear clearly from God . .  . on paper, I pull a Christmas card or two everyday and pray for that person or family who sent me the card.  I plan to continue this in the days ahead.  Who knows, I may be the only person praying for that family that day . .  . . or ever.  On occasion, I plan to mail some of them a personal hand written note, as God prompts my spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us of this . . . “Therefore, encourage one another, and build up one another just as you are doing.”  My goal for 2013 is to be a better Encourager. How about you?  And oh, by the way, to order your OnCall Prayer Journal©, just click on this website Store page and it will be on the way.  Perfect gift too for men or women.  Over a thousand people have shared how this journal have enriched their time in prayer with the Father.  May God bless you richly as you spend time with Him in prayer.  Intentional Prayer.   And . . . please don’t hesitate to let us know how to pray for you.

“It is good for me to draw near to God.”  Psalm 73:28

I want to make more time in 2013 for God and rest in His love. Prayer.  In the busyness of life, it’s all about spending time in God’s Word and in talking and listening to my Father.  How about you?  Just like my friends.  I know them better when I spend quality time with them. The same is true with God. I read a great quote in Our Daily Bread that says it best  . . . “Prayer is as important as breathing.”  Amen?  Amen!  Happy New Year.

I wanted to get a note to you to challenge you to join me in praying for our pastors.

The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  PrayingForPastors.com is a 31 day prayer challenge created by Billy Taylor with the National Prayer Room.

We are blessed to have our pastors and it would be wonderful to have a great number of us committed to praying for them during the month of October.  Please go to the PrayingForPastors.com and sign up.  The service is free.  You will be sent a daily prayer reminder with scripture, a specific way to pray for your pastor and even a note you can copy and send to him letting him know how you have prayed for him each day. 

Get signed up today and on Monday October 1 the first prayer note will arrive via e-mail.  Please feel free to share this to others.

I’ll meet you at the Throne.

Sharon

“I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the storm is past.”  Psalm 57:1 LB

If you have 4 minutes - please tune in:

Sharin’ with Sharon interview Fri. July 13 @ 11:30am, 12:55pm & 7:25pm - KCBI 90.9 FM “Christian News Focus” program with host, Chris Howell, regarding how to begin and develop an intentional lifestyle of prayer. 

Blessings,

Sharon

“It is God’s nature to keep a promise; therefore go at once to the throne.”  Charles Spurgeon

I was so blessed this week when my phone rang.  Before answering I noticed the usually long number, unlike the 10 numbers I see everyday when the phone rings. It was Pastor Joel Robinson Mugambwa, author of “Praying to Make a Difference” calling from Uganda. When he was in the US several months ago, he picked up the OnCall Prayer Journal.  Pastor Joel was calling to tell me how blessed he was by using my prayer journal. Now THAT was a Hug from God . . . all the way from the other side of the world! What a thoughtful word of encouragement, indeed.  Let’s remember to take the time to encourage others daily. 

On a scale 1-10, how would you grade your prayer life?  Does God hear your prayers?  Does He answer them? Learn how to pray according to scripture and how to hear from God . ..  on paper. Join us, beginning February 26, for a 6-week class called Prayer Etiquette-Developing a Lifestyle of Prayer.  Location: Harvest Church, 7200 Denton Highway, Ft. Worth, TX 76148 (Watauga) in Room E-208.  www.theharvestchurch.org.  Everyone is welcome! For information, call 817.714.4013 or SharonHill@OnCallPrayer.org

P.S. If you missed my January 14th interview on the U2Have Hope radio program called  How to Hold the Rope for Your Loved One to include Power of a Praying Mother,  simply go to the HOME page on this website and click on the link to hear.  May is speak to your heart today.