LET JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

Heavenly Father,

For some time, You have been dealing with me about my independent spirit; trying to get me to let go of self-sufficiency. The greatest problem I’ve had with this transition is being dissatisfied with how others do things, so I feel compelled to just do it myself, like the lady in the Kayak commercial who takes down her scarecrow and climbs up on the bar and scare away the birds herself. That’s been me for a long time but we are now at the threshold of a new mindset and a new way of living and thinking about life. The other day I said to myself that my husband does not wash dishes like me and that is okay. No criticism. Just acceptance. I'm entering a new way of thinking.

I read in the Bible dictionary that true faith is confidence in God, not confidence in one’s self.

The apostle Paul said in 2Cor. 3:5 that we don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own, but rather it is God who gives us what it takes to succeed. Jesus said that without Him we can do nothing. I’m happy that we have come to this transition, and new way of thinking.

I rearranged my office, and got rid of my To Do Lists so that I can be led by the Holy Spirit and follow His lead from day to day.

Last Friday Sheilenna sent me that Carrie Underwood song Jesus Take The Wheel. It was so on time. The lyrics say:  Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hands, cause I can’t do this on my own, I’m letting go, so give me one more chance, and save me from this road I’m on.

That is my prayer today Lord Jesus. You take the wheel. You be in charge. Without You I can do nothing, but with You I’m more than a conqueror, and nothing can separate me from Your love. That brings great consolation to my heart. Thank You my Lord. In Jesus’s name I humbly ask and pray. Amen.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

WHEN LIFE IS A BEAT DOWN

Heavenly Father,

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught so profoundly about the futility of worrying. But sometimes life can get so oppressive that it just gets hard to stay hopeful. Many have committed suicide because trying to hang on gets worn out. When endurance has depleted, they feel it's their only option.

Jesus said in His sermon, “Do not worry about your life, because your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But sometimes it takes so long for our prayers to be answered that we are long past worry, and are drenched in hopelessness.

However, I recall the prophet Isaiah’s encouragement that says, "Those who wait on the LORD shall have their strength renewed; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Father, when we’re feeling that low, and hopelessness is trying to set in, I pray that You will renew and restore hope and faith and endurance. Lord, let us never give up or lose assurance in Your faithfulness. Let us mount up with wings like an eagle. Let us run and never get tired. Let us walk and never grow weak.

I recall the passage of Scripture where Jesus was on His knees in agony there on the Mount of Olives. Praying earnestly and sweating profusely He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to Him, and strengthened Him. Jesus went on to bear the cross and said before He died, “It is finished.”

It is written in Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to Your throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need.”

O Father, when life if giving us a beat down and our strength and endurance is decreasing, please remember that day on the Mount of Olives, and renew our endurance. Help us bear our cross to the finish and not forget that You will never leave, nor forsake us. In Jesus’s name we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PETITION

May 2, 2024

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

(Psalm 33:12)

INTRODUCTION

Heavenly Father, we come to Your throne of grace on this National Day of Prayer to pray for America whose Pledge of Allegiance declares that we are one nation under God, and on whose currency is printed In God We Trust. We pray that You will rule over this country. Lead us forward to dispel darkness and bring light throughout this country and around the world. Forgive us Lord for our sinful ways, as we stand in the gap for our fellow Americans pleading the blood of Jesus over our country. If we walk in the light, as You are the light, then surely darkness will dispel and we will have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us of all our sin.

You said in Your word, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Forgive us O God, and heal our nation.

FAMILY

Bless us to love one another as Jesus taught. Restore our commitment to holiness, and to the sanctity of marriage, family relations, and human life. Let us live and walk in the Spirit everyday so that He may teach us how to walk honorably in Your presence.

GOVERNMENT

Lord, we pray for our government to include all the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Federal, State, and Local offices around the country. We pray for all who are in authority and elected to office that You will rule over them, that us citizens may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Father, we are six months away from a very important election. We pray for discernment so that we may vote for candidates who hear Your voice and keep the ways of truth as they follow in lock step with the Lord Jesus guiding us to justice, prosperity, and peace. Awaken us that the same hands lifted to You in prayer are the same hands that will be in the voting booth… and let the best candidates win this election.

NEWS MEDIA

From national networks to print mediums, we pray for personnel, editors, reporters, and commentators that are committed to accuracy, integrity, truth, and morality. And we pray that You will dismiss biased and immoral news media who are reporting anything less than the truth. We pray that journalists all across America will do their best to bring truth and light where there is darkness and deceit. We ask You to promote those who will use the power of their words and platform for good and who brings the highest regard and integrity to the news media industry.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERNET PLATFORMS

Thank You Lord for the good gift of the internet and social media platforms through which we can create, communicate, learn, and glorify You. Help us not to twist the tools of technology with methods such as artificial intelligence (AI) that only serve to increase the darkness. Help us to discern our thoughts, words, and actions with all wisdom so that we may not be hypnotized by ungodliness on the internet and social media. Let our speech and our postings build one another up, and point them to Your amazing grace and undeniable mercy, and glorify Your name forevermore. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil of this world as we utilize these good and useful gifts. May our stewardship of these great resources show that we honor You in every scroll, post, message, tweet, pin, and blogpost. And may the time we spend on social media cause us to have a deeper communion with the Holy Spirit as we edify ourselves and others in the process.

BUSINESS

We pray this day that You will provide corporate America with business leaders who are committed to conducting themselves honorably with loyalty to their employees, clients, and the business world. We also pray for physicians that they will care for their patients with tender hearts and always look out for their patient’s best interests. We pray that entrepreneurs and corporate employees of every industry will conduct themselves with integrity and tenacity while they fulfill their responsibilities to meet their goals. Let the workplace become a pleasant place to be 40 hours a week.

EDUCATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION

We pray for every student that’s attending scholastic academies and public schools all across America. Let all those in authority instill curriculums that adequately educates, and not radicalize our young people who are becoming the future leaders of this country. We pray You will prepare the hearts and minds of high school and college students to lead our country into the future.

We pray that the college and university protests that are being carried out all across the country will be done peacefully and with a heart for decency, integrity, and a sense of respect for all mankind regardless of race or religion. We pray You will dispel darkness and increase truth and upstanding citizenship on every campus and in every classroom and dormitory across the United States of America.

We pray that You will stop the mass killing of children while they attend school and keep them safe from all harm. Please let Your angels guard these children and let no harm come to them.

MILITARY AND ARMED SERVICES

We pray for America’s military soldiers and all the armed services serving on American soil and around the world. Please keep them safe from hurt, harm, and danger. Please keep our police officers and armed agents operating with a high degree of integrity while they protect our communities against illegal acts and violence.

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

We pray for celebrities, producers, directors, writers, and executives of TV shows and movies, that You will work in miraculous ways to win their hearts and minds to the gospel message. We ask that You raise up extraordinarily gifted men and women to bring change and goodness to the entertainment industry. Give them creative ideas and the wisdom that will propel them to the front of their fields where they may be salt and light in an industry that has darkened the entertainment arena with evil entertainment.

AMERICA’S EVOLVING POSITION IN THE WORLD

Let America’s presence around the world be a blessing, and let other countries see Almighty God in and through us. Let our lives and our aid to other countries be a testimony that we are one nation under God, and that You are our God. Please remember our fellow countrymen and women that are being held prisoner around the globe. Bring them back home safe and sound.

THE CHURCH

Lord, embolden us Christians to take up our shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God and run boldly into the darkness and light up this world with the gospel message. Help us to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. Lead us into all the world to preach the gospel that will change the hearts of mankind from evil to good, as Jesus commanded us to do, because we know that You desire for all of us to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

These and all blessings we humbly ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove