Coffee With The Lord

I don’t know what you may be facing… what need you may have… what guidance you may need from the Lord… Prayer is always important (and fervent prayer, believing prayer, sincere prayer is always in order!

How to pray… what to say… what words to use is always an issue. How about echoing the words of a prayer in Scripture (those are “inspired” words you know).

This morning I read a Psalm of David with words like that – Psalm 86. In fact, I decided I’d make a special note of them and use them when I’m facing a need. I think you’ll want to do the same… (Here they are … feel free to use them in prayer to your Heavenly Father!

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy!

Preserve my life, save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.

In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

“For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol [death].

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Show me a sign of your favor!”

(Adapted for prayer from Psalm 86)

“Just a Sip” from my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord” today… May EVERY ASPECT of this benediction to 2 Corinthians be fulfilled in your life!!!… “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Thinking about a special place – a sacred place – a place where the presence and power of God can be sensed and responded to. A place that is quiet enough to hear Him whisper. A place where He can make Himself real and I can be vulnerable.

Sometimes the place is solitary – just me and Him. At other times the powerful sense of His presence is felt among other believers (Matthew 18:20). I’ve been powerfully aware of His presence enjoying nature’s grandeur – but also in the stress of an emergency. During prayer and praise – but also simply walking down a street. In a chair early in the morning with my Bible – but also in a house of worship with other Christians.

His presence… It’s powerful, it’s profound, and in this crazy world we live in it’s really all I need! How about you?

All of this flooded my mind as I read the following words this morning during my daily time of “coffee with the Lord” …

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;

My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,

At Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise!

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

(From Psalm 84 ESV)