Matthew 6:5-8

Matt 6:5-8
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (from New International Version)

I have pondered verse 5 for a long time and wondered if it applies to me. Many times I'll spend a good portion of the morning studying a particular verse and pray about it in my journal, then a few few hours later I'll be right back in my normal sin patterns. And I think what a hypocrite I am. Well one thing's for certain. I may be a hypocrite, but I surely do not seek the praise of men. (or women) I publish this journal as instruction and encouragement for my brothers and sisters in Jesus and the many out there seeking Him. And most certainly for those who don't even know they're seeking Him until they see how real God is in my Life.

Verse 6 encourages us to go into our room to pray. We should seek a 'quiet' place to be alone with God. It reminds us that God is everywhere and can see and hear us even when we are hidden away. Also, it's easier to hear God's still small voive in a quiet setting. Verse 7 says to not be too wordy. Have you ever known people who seemed to like the sound of their own voice so much that they hardly ever stopped talking? Don't over do it and be annoying to God, and don't try to impress pther when you pray. Verse 8 explains that we don't have to be so wordy because God already knows our wants and needs. Our prayers just need to be normal, every day conversation with God.

Dear Jesus,

Lord You know all things. You know my heart. You know that my motivation for this prayer journal is for your edifiction and not the praise of man. But Lord, I am a hypocrite when I continue to follow my normal sin patterns. Father, please forgive me for wronging you. Help me break free form the bondage of these sins. And help me to forgive others when they wrong me, too. I will not hold grudges because I do not want anyone to hold a grudge against me. Protect my witness, Lord. Allow it to draw others closer to You.

Thank You for another day to love and serve You. I give this day to You, Jesus. Show me and enable me to serve You better. Thank You for my sweet wife who is already hard at work completing an art project this morning. Bless her and her efforts. I pray that more people come to You because of her and her art work ministry. She rightly gives You all the praise, honor, and glory for her art talent. She is such an inspiration to me. Thank You, Lord.

Father, I am grateful and thankful for all your blessings. Just thank You for loving me like You do. I love You, too!

In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

God Wants to Bless Us

Today's lesson is paraphrased from Bill Hybels' book Too Busy to Not Pray.

The psalmist says: 'Taste and see that the LORD is good...' Psalm 34:8

Don't think you have to wrench a blessing from God. The bible teaches that God wants to bestow blessings upon his children. It's in His nature. He's a Loving God, a Giving God, a Blessing God, an Encouraging God, an Empowering God, and a Nurturing God. The Bible teaches that we serve a God who is simply looking for opportunities to pour out His blessings upon us. As children of God we are heirs to His Riches. But to tap into God's Blessings we have to spend time with God in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, I know You want to bless me. And You already have in so many wondrous ways. I see Your Power and Might in everything. You are Wondrous, Lord. Thank You for being such a Kind, Generous Father. Thank You for Your Precious Word, The Bible. And the Bible teaches us to pray for one another. Lord, I pray today that others will recognize the value and importance of prayer. I pray that people learn more about You and are inspired to connect to You in prayer. Father, I pray that this prayer journal is a blessing to all who read it and that it draws them closer to you and that they see the love in my heart for You. And I do Love You, Lord. You are my King. My Deliverer.

And Father I pray that You do deliver me. Deliver me from temtation. Deliver me from the bondage of debt. Deliver me from the bondage of procrastination. Lord, I know that You desire Good Things for Your children. Well, this child has made a mess of certain areas of my life. And You know my needs, Lord. And You are able to do all things. So Father I just rest in You. I will not worry. The Creator of the Universe is certainly Able to deal with the ligfe issues of Sam Chadwell.

Lord, Give me Grace to face and withstand trials before me. Grant me wisdom to see solutions to problems. Show me courage to go out of my comfort zone and be a bold witness for Your Kingdom. Jesus, thank You for Prayer. I claim victory over the Evil One and his fiery darts.
Father, I sincerly appreciate another day to love and worship You. I ask that You lift up my wife today. she's working hard to complete an art project deadline. Lord I ask blessings on my sister in Christ 'Elizabeth'. She has many needs Lord. Especially a brother who needs You, Lord. I pray that You Bless Elizabeth and her family. Father, another sister in Christ is 'Debbie'. She has many familial issues too, Lord. I pray for the salvation of her children and ask that You bless them and send strong, Godly men and women into their lives to witness to them and disciple them.

Lord, I pray for my own Brothers and Sisters this morning. (Stanley, Becky, and John) They are all in various forms of bondage. I pray for their Children, Lord. Their kids are the next generation of the world. I pray that they don't grow up and Not Know You.

Father I pray this morning for my stepson, Connor that he develop a strong relationship with you. Bless his daddy to bring him up in Your ways. And bless his relationship with his mom. It's difficult for both of them to live so far away from each other.

And Lord, I ask for Your Blessings on my parents -in-law, Judy and Arno. Bless their health, Lord. Keep them safe. Let this time of their life be filled with joy and peace.

Jesus, You loved us so much that You laid down Your Life and shed Your Blood for our Salvation. Thank you Lord. I give this day to you. I give my life back to You. I am in Your service, Lord.

In Jesus' Name I pray, AMEN.

Prayer for Thanks

It seems I've taken a short break from my series of scripture verses regarding prayer. But each of the past few mornings I've felt led to specific prayer, not study. This morning I just want to spend time praising and thanking God for His Presence in my Life. He is working tremendous miracles in the lives of my wife and I every day!

Dear Heavenly Father, I am awed and amazed at Your Power and Glory. Lord, You are present everywhere. I observed a most beautiful sunset yesterday and I thought: You created the sun, moon, and stars.... You made our atmosphere, the air we breathe, night and day, sleep.... You created different languages, cultures, our sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing.... The list is endless. You made everything. It all came from You. And how you packaged everything together to make our life and then how everyone's life is an intricate interwoven fabric.... It is just mind numbing...! None of that could be caused by just chance or coincidence. Your Existence is so obvious that it's difficult to see how anyone could question it.

Lord, more and more as I draw closer to You I realize that You have called me to help make the world more aware of You. To Practice 'Your Presence' at all times... To pray for the needs of others as they arise.... To encourage and motivate those within my sphere of influence.... It's amazing how You reveal Yourself to Your people. Father I just Love You. I thank You for my Life. I thank You for my wife and my family and friends.... I thank You for all the financial blessings, Lord. Somehow, we always have 'just enough' money to get by. Many times it seems there is no way that we'll be able to get to the end of the month with our shirts on but You miraculously provide for us. You have been so 'Faithful' to Monica and I... Just Thank You Lord.

I give My life to You, Lord. Pour me out and use me as You wish, Father. I will follow You where ever You lead. All my efforts are done for Your Glory. Father thank you for my career and for allowing me to touch so many lives through tennis. I love tennis and how healthy it is. America is becoming a very obese society. Playing tennis can help address many health issues because of tennis' physical component. I love how it teaches life skills like honesty, integrity, problem solving... Lord, Thank You for tennis!

Most of all Thank You for Your Gift of Eternal Salvation. I Freely accept that gift and put off my old self and know that by Your Grace I'm a brand new creation! For You said that You make all things New!

Jesus I don't want to always be asking favors. I'm content in You, Lord and all that You have seen fit to bless me with. So I just say Thanks, Lord. And I love You.

And In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.

Prayer for Relationships

September is almost gone. I can't believe how fast it flew by. I think time really does fly when a person stays too busy. Yet I can hardly afford to slow down for awhile. I have lots of important stuff to do. Yeah, Right. We all do.

But I was just pondering this morning what would God consider the important stuff in our life? In a word I would say: Relationships. This Truth has been made clear to me in a message series I've been following. The Pastor at our church is conducting a series on Marriage. This weekend at church He spoke about communicating with our spouses. While I think Monica and I are 'above average' in the communication department we know we still can improve some... But we're definitely on the right track. There's a love and a respect there for God and each other that is the bedrock of our relationship. We're solid. Yet I sense Satan is always lurking near by waiting for us to slip up. He's got so many tricks. He'll try to get us too busy or distracted. In a moment of weakness He'll tempt us to do something we know we shouldn't do. Sometimes he'll cause us to procrastinate and fall short of a deadline. He'll mess with our self-esteem.... (He does that a lot...!)

Remember that The Evil One is against building relationships. So think about the important relationships in your life. Can you see any pattern of wear...? Is there any stress or conflict with your friends or loved ones? Give it to God and ask his help to resolve conflict and enable restoration in the particular areas of your life that need it. God has called us to love one another and build strong, lasting relationships.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you Lord for showing us the importance of relationships. And thank You Father for appointing divine relationships into our lives. You are such a kind and loving Father. Jesus, I call out in Your Name for help in the area of 'busyness'. Help me to be the most efficient I can be. Help me to know when to rest and to get enough rest. I want to accomplish great things for the Kingdom and I feel many times that I am hampered by not managing my schedule properly.

You Lord are the master planner. You mapped out the world and You make all things work for good to those who are called according to your purpose. That is mind-bogggling! To think of the vastness of the earth and the denseness of the population and to know that you are in complete control of everything.... Lord, if anyone can help me with managing my schedule it's You. I Love You, Lord. And I place my trust and faith in You.

Father God, I need You. My wife needs You. The whole world needs You. We give it all to You Lord. Our lives, Or talents, Our Riches, and certainly Our Relationships. Bless them Lord and make them Holy. Let our lips always speak words of Love and Edification.

Lord I pray not just for Monica and I but for the entire body of Believers out there this morning. Lift up The Prayer Warriors. May we all impact lives for the Kingdom today.

Sweet Jesus in Your Name I Pray, Amen.

Honoring God

I want to honor God by always giving 100 % of my best effort to what ever task or project I'm involved in.

This weekend I'm playing trombone with the Clear Creek Worship and Praise Band. I want to honor God by playing my absolute best tomorrow morning. I've practiced and practiced and now I'm just placing it in God's hands. I know my parts fairly well but my fellow musicians and I have not played a whole lot as a group and we'll definitely need the hand of the Almighty to rest upon us for it all to come together. This evening before I go to bed I just want give thanks to God for taking care of me and just ask God for a special blessing for the horn section tomorrow.

Dear Heavenly Lord,

Thank You Father for keeping the rain away so I could work enough to pay all my bills this month. You are such a Faithful God...! My Provider...! I love You!

Father I ask that you enable us to play well tomorrow, Lord. It's all for You, God. And we want to lift You up in Praise, Honor, and Glory. You can do all things, Lord. And You delight in taking care of Your Children. We delight in You. All we need is You, Jesus!

Thank You Lord for Hearing my Prayer. And In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN!

New Prayer Journal

OK, I did it...! I'm not going to post on aol anymore. This will be the new home of Coach Sam's Prayer Journal.

The look of this page my change a lot in the next few weeks as I experiment with different templates and get to know the editing tools better.

Thanks for checking in... Here's my prayer for the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for Your Faithfulness. You are such an Awesome Provider and Comfortor. You hold the entire world in Your Hands and are in complete control of Destiny. Jesus, I acknowledge You as my Personal Lord and Savior! I am a New Creation in You. Blessed be Your Name, Jesus!

God I just dedicate this new prayer journal to You. Consecrate it Lord and enable it to be a blessing to others. Season my words to reach the unbeliever and encourage and instruct the body through the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.

Father, You are Most Holy. You are the Air I Breathe. You are Life. I am in your sevice, Lord. Jesus, I pray all this in Your Name, AMEN...!