2020

New Year, New steps, New hopes, New prayers, New opportunities to trust… New joys to you in all!

Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD. Psalm 40:4 (NLT2)

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Prayers of Promise: The Benefits of Growth: Spiritual Blessings

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Ephesians 1:2–4 NKJV

Reflect on this statement, inspired by today’s Scripture, and let it guide you into prayer:

I pray that my children will be blessed with every spiritual blessing that You have made available to them through their relationships with Your Son. May Your life be in them, Your hand be on them, and Your favor be over them. Work in them and through them.

Prayer

Father, how gracious You are, how blessed I am, how rich is my portion, and how full is my cup! You are the perfect Father—loving, caring, providing, giving, sheltering, making a safe place, a restful place, a thriving place for me and my children to come to and abide in.

Thank You that the best place, the highest place, and the most secure place for us to be is in Jesus Christ. I pray that my children will be blessed with every spiritual blessing You have made available to them through their relationships with Your Son. May Your life be in them, Your hand be on them, and Your favor be over them. Work in them and through them.

Give all of us quiet hearts that trust in You, humble hearts that depend upon You, grateful hearts that receive from You, joyful hearts that worship You, true hearts that honor You, giving hearts that express You, pure hearts that glorify You, and faithful hearts that please You.

Give all of us quiet hearts that trust in You.

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.

Today...

God greets you with new mercies…begin there;

He welcomes you to the throne of grace…pray there;

He guides you in the paths of peace…walk there;

He will be your strength…live there;

He will care for you…rest there.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given, you children of His servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones.

Psalm 105:1-6 NLT

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved. 

Prayers of Promise: The Benefits of Growth

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

A newborn baby brings a special joy and delight far beyond what words can express. Loving parents seek to train, teach, help, and pray for their children, trusting that their little ones will grow up to have responsible and productive lives, while faithfully fulfilling the unique plan God has for each of them.

Through prayer, parents can ask God to plant the eternal seed of His life within the hearts of their children. They can pray that this seed will be watered by His Word and warmed by the sunshine of His presence, love, and care. Prayer can also cover that seed and protect it until it has become rooted in love, full-grown in grace, and a fruitful and flourishing vine within their children's lives.

The next few days we will learn more about praying for the growth of the children around us. We will pray intentionally about using all the Spiritual blessings we have been given and trusting in God’s provision in everything. Today, prepare your heart for this time of devotion with this short prayer:

Lord, let my life be a peaceful reflection of my assurance in Your provision. Help me to be a genuine example of utilizing all the gifts You’ve given me to the fullest extent. Continue to teach me about who You are calling me to be, and to trust that You work all things together for my good. May I always give the glory to You, in everything.

To Him be the glory both now and forever. 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.

This post originally was shared on DaySpring's blog site. You can read the original post here.

Break Bread with Me

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.

Revelation 3:20 (AMP)

What listening to Jesus might sound like if He sat across the table from you …

“Come to Me” is my invitation to you … in it I want you to know it is also my will for you. If I didn’t mean it, or desire it, I would never have spoken it. Please hear what I am saying.

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“You will find rest” How? In Me! I would never send you somewhere else, or to someone else. It is important that your soul is not troubled … and your heart is not afraid.

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The prophets revealed many of My names. They did this so you could know what I want to be to you. Today, trust in My name “Shepherd” … I am leading you.

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“Prince of Peace” is a name spoken by My prophet Isaiah. Peace is not something I have, it is who I am. You have Peace today because you have Me.

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“Mighty God” is another name spoken of Me by My prophet Isaiah. I have not come to be your best option, but your only option … I have the power to be that to you.

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My name “Savior” was spoken by Angels to the Shepherds who watched over their flocks by night. You are My sheep … I watch over you, even through the darkest night.

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The day you received Me, you received My Father’s gift! Oh, if you could fully know what gladness and celebration came to His heart on that day!

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Do you need wisdom today? Clarity? Insight? Understanding? My name is “Counselor."

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Some say, “God helps those who help themselves.” Those are not My words to you. My words are, “Without Me you can do nothing.” I delight to be your all-in-all!

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“I Am” is who I declared Myself to be. It is My divine, eternal name. Whatever your need is today, “I Am”—My name has never been “I might be”.

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I have always been about my Father’s business … what is important to Him is important to Me. My Father is your Father…it is always good for you to be about His business.

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I have sent My Spirit to you. He is also My Father’s Spirit. He is the Holy Spirit. He will speak to you what He hears me speak, and I will speak what I hear My Father speak. We are always in agreement. Hear us say “goodness and mercy will follow you today!”

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Your heart is at the center of who you are … I have come to be at the center of your center. The deepest part of Me, sharing My life with the deepest part of you … that is the fellowship I long for us to have together.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

I Only Need You, Lord...

I only need You, Lord,

    when I rise up and when I sit down; when I go out and when I come in;
when I am quiet and when I am active;
when I am alone and when I am with others;
when I am healthy and when I am ill;
when I am up and when I am down;
when I am on the go and when I need to wait…

I only need You, Lord,
when my lungs need to breathe;
when my blood needs to flow;
when my body needs to move;
when my muscles need to work;
when my mind needs to think;
when heart needs to love…

I only need You, Lord,
for as long as birds need flight;
for as long as whales need the sea;
for as long as clouds need moisture;
for as long as wildflowers need raindrops;
for as long as sunflowers need the summer sun…

I only need You, Lord,
for this present moment;
for the moment when You take me home;
for all the moments in-between;
and for all the moments ever after.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved. 

Prayers of Promise: The Proclamation of Praise: Growth

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40 AMP

Reflect on this statement, inspired by today’s Scripture, and let it guide you into prayer: 

I pray that my children will grow, not only in years but also in depth of love and maturity. Give them wholeness in body, soul, and spirit. Bless them with good health, and may their desires be set on doing all that is pleasing to You.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to this earth, taking on human flesh, living among us, and doing Your Father's will. Thank You for the way You lived and what You taught us through Your words and Your life.

I pray that my children will grow in the same ways You grew. May they have a sharp focus and clear purpose; may they know why they are here and where they are going; may they have the inner strength to grow strong in character; and may they always be about their heavenly Father's business. I pray that my children will grow, not only in years but also in depth of love and maturity. Give them wholeness in body, soul, and spirit. Bless them with good health, and may their desires be set on doing all that is pleasing to You. May they be filled with wisdom and may Your grace, favor, and spiritual blessings be upon them.

Above all, I ask that my children will be strong in spirit—being at Your feet, knowing Your worthiness, intimate in their relationships with You, supping at Your table, and communing with You daily.

Lord, I ask that my children will be strong in spirit.

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.

This post first appeared on DaySpring.com's blog site, and you can read it here.  The book is available from DaySpring, and Christian retailers everywhere. 

The Song of Healing

1  Father, You’re the strength that lifts the burden,

You’re the oil that soothes the pain;

You’re the sunlight when there’s darkness,

You’re the shelter in the rain.

You’re the hand that brings all healing,

You’re the song that calms all fear;

You’re the peace that brings all comfort,

You’re the God who’s always near.

 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. 
Exodus 15:2 NLT

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved. 

Prayers of Promise: The Proclamation of Praise

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.PsaIm 150:6 NKJV

We were made to celebrate, be filled with gladness, and have our hearts overflow with joy. Praise should always be on our lips and thanksgiving in our hearts. We were made to have God at the center of our joy and as the focus of our praise. It is from Him, to Him, and through Him that our voices can rejoice evermore, our mouths can be filled with laughter, and our hearts can find, at His right hand, the pleasures that are ours forevermore.

Pray that your children will have happy dispositions, live contented lives, and sing new songs unto the Lord. Pray that their cups will be full and running over, that they will be worshipers of God in spirit and truth, and that they will always carry a melody of praise in their hearts.

The next few days we will learn more about praying for a renewed sense of joy and appreciation for the blessings we have been given. We will pray intentionally about growing in love, led by the Holy Spirit and acting courageously in every moment. Today, prepare your heart for this time of devotion with this short prayer:

Lord, be with us as we grow. Teach us to live lives that reflect You in all that we do, and give us the gifts we need to do so. Grant us wisdom and joy, give us thankful hearts, and teach us to trust You in every moment. Help us to worship You with our whole hearts and to live according to Your will.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 NKJV

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children. You can purchase the book here, or at your local Christian bookstore. 

Hands To Serve

    God will work through your hands 

To support someone who is weak… 

To raise someone who has fallen… 

To uphold someone who is weary… 

To wipe a tear… 

To hold a hand… 

To give a cup of water… 

To embrace… 

To carry a burden… 

To impart a blessing.

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Psalm 139:5 NLT

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Prayers of Promise: The Joys of Community: Humility

You younger men. likewise. be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. 
1 Peter 5:5-6 NASB

Reflect on this statement, inspired by today’s Scripture, and let it guide you into prayer:

I pray that my children will be honoring to those You have placed over them. I pray they will give honor to everyone, especially the elderly, and learn to know Your heart when You said, "I have not come to be served but to serve."

Prayer

God, I thank You for being my all-in-all, for being above all, and ruling over all that is in heaven and on earth. Thank You for those You place over my children, and thank You for using those individuals to help shape them, mold their character, conform them to Your image, and prepare them for the things You have planned for them.

I pray that my children will be honoring to those You have placed over them. I pray they will give honor to everyone, especially the elderly, and learn to know Your heart when You said, "I have not come to be served but to serve."

I pray that my children's hearts will never be filled with pride, puffed up, or prone to look down on others. May they be humble vessels who are aware of their needs, who are broken and contrite before You, and who realize, moment by moment, their total dependency upon Your grace.

I pray my children will give honor to everyone.

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.
This post first appeared on DaySpring.com, you can read it here.

Prayers of Promise: The Joys of Community: Remembrance

Can a woman forget her nursing child,
and not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
your walls are continually before Me.
Isaiah 49:15-16 NKJV

Reflect on this statement, inspired by today’s Scripture, and let it guide you into prayer:

May my children always be aware of how much they mean to You, how precious they are in Your sight, how tenderly You carry them in Your thoughts, and that their names are written on the palms of Your compassionate hands.

Prayer

Thank You, Father, for being a God of compassion who feels deeply and cares greatly for my family. Thank You that through Your compassion, my children can know Your inner feelings for each of them personally, sense Your tender touch upon them, see the riches of what Your heart holds for them, and experience the fullness of what Your love brings to them.

Father, I am amazed to realize that Your love for my children is even greater than the love I have for them and that the depth of Your feelings for them goes even deeper than what I hold for them. What a great comfort it is to know how much You care for them, and that they are always in Your thoughts.

May my children always be aware of how much they mean to You, how precious they are in Your sight, how tenderly You carry them in Your thoughts, and that their names are written on the palms of Your compassionate hands.

Thank You for being a God of compassion.

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children. This post originally appeared here. 

The Way

Jesus,
You are my entry way,
My open way,
My only way.
Because You are my door—
No foe can keep me out,
Block me out, or lock me out
From the promises, the blessings,
The treasures, and the joys
I have in You.

Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Prayers of Promise: The Joys of Community

Through love serve one another. Colossians 5:13 NKJV

God has not only called us to know and enjoy Him but He has also called us to know and enjoy others. Each child of God has been placed into a family of believers. The outflow of our fellowship with God will bring us into fellowship with others. God has made us dependent upon one another. We need other people, and they need us to grow and be supported, helped, encouraged, loved, prayed for, enriched, guided, cared for, and blessed.

As children grow and mature, parents need to be in prayer about the friendships their children form and the influence their lives will have upon others. Through every stage of life children can be a blessing to those around them, including family members, classmates, teachers, and others in the community.

The next few days we will learn more about praying for God’s love to shine through our relationships. We will pray intentionally about honoring God and others with a humble heart and remembering God’s love in all we do. Today, prepare your heart for this time of devotion with this short prayer:

Lord, be with us in each of our relationships. Teach us to have contrite hearts that live for Your glory. Help us to honor You and all Your children with dignity and respect. Give us servant hearts that are prepared to help using the gifts and talents You’ve given to us. Let us see others as You see them.

Through love serve one another. Colossians 5:13 NKJV

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.

This devotion first appeared on DaySpring.com 

Four Enemies of Faith

It is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11:6 NLT

Here are four enemies of faith:

Enemy #1 “Not me”
There used to be a prayer of the uncommitted that said, “Here I am Lord, send my brother.” When you say “not me” you place the focus upon yourself, your limitations, and weaknesses. However, faith says, “God can.” Gideon told God, “I can’t” but God told Gideon, "(You can) because I have sent you and I will be with you."

Enemy #2 “Not now”
When you say to God, “Yes, use me.” that does not mean that your obedience of faith is complete. You must, by faith, add this commitment to our prayer, “Yes, Lord, use me in your time.” God wants to use you in His appointed time, not yours. You cannot live a life of faith and put things off for another day when God tells you to do it now, and you do not want to become frustrated and anxious if tells you to wait.

Enemy #3 “Not here”
Sometimes we think we can serve God better and more effectively if we were somewhere else and with other people. We can think, “I will serve You Lord when You send me to the mission field; I will let my life be a witness for You when I am with strangers, but not when I am with my family and friends here at home.” God wants you to trust Him to work through you in the place He has put you.

Enemy #4 “Not that way”
Faith cannot lean upon the arm of the flesh, but must lean upon the arm of the Lord. Often, our flesh wants to take over or be in control when responding to what God asks of us. God’s ways are not our ways. Our faith must respond to what God wants us to do and how He wants us to do it, even if that way may seem inconvenient or take us out of our comfort zone.

Let your obedience be complete by responding to God with the “Yes” of faith— allowing Him to use you, to use you now, to use you where you are, and to use you in the way He chooses.

Note: This theme originated, not with me, but with the following two quotes…The first quote is by A.W. Tozer, and the second by E. Stanley Jones.

“Unbelief says: Some other time, but not now; some other place, but not here; some other people, but not us. Faith says: Anything He did anywhere else He will do here; anything He did any other time He is willing to do now; anything He ever did for other people He is willing to do for us!” -A.W. Tozer, The Tozer Pulpit, Volume One

“ A minister took the first step to victory when he arose and said in a meeting: “‘I can’t’ and ‘tomorrow’ are the twin evils of my life, crippling me and my ministry. ‘I can’t do things,’ or ‘I can’t do them today’—these are the paralyzing hands laid on me.” He was on his way to victory in the honest segregation of these enemies and in the recognizing of them as such.” –E. Stanley Jones, Abundant Living

©2018 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.