Our first response

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7

I've started a study on Nehemiah and in the first chapter it goes through Nehemiah's prayer. What I love is that the first things he turns to after hearing news is turn to the Lord. It's a wonderful reminder that through everything we must make the choice to not turn to friends, resources, or relationships, but to God as our first response when trials happen. Here is his prayer:

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. ⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ ¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

God deserves our time and devotion of prayer with Him daily. God hears us and is so powerful.  As kelly Minter says in the Nehemiah study, "...but we must remind ourselves that we do not serve a human king with feet of clay, bound by the limitations of flesh and sin. He lives outside of time, beyond our limited strength, and holds all things in his hands."



HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA :O]

LOVE, Hannah