Moment by Moment I Pray: Volume IV

By Warren S. Banks

This is part 4 of Moment by Moment, I Pray, which deals with my praying life from January 1, 2018–September 12, 2018. The story behind part 4 is the same as that of parts 1, 2, and 3, which deal with my prayer life from February 10, 2016, and ends on August 31, 2016. I found myself alone after the funeral of my beloved wife, Annie Jewel “Chief” Banks. We had been together almost fifty years. The funeral was held on Monday, January 5, 2015, at Ben Hill UMC, located in the heart of the Ben Hill community.

After a forty-plus-mile drive to our birth home of Griffin, Georgia, she was laid to rest. Three days after her funeral, I took my original manuscript from a storage area in the house that we had made our home and had raised our family and went out into the backyard and destroyed all twenty-six thousand handwritten pages. I did not see the need to continue writing or to live. But that was January 8, 2015.

I looked up into the heavens and asked the Lord what he wanted me to do. I said, “Lord, I have pulled myself up from a small town in the state of Georgia named Griffin, Georgia.” I had completed Fairmont High School, entered Clark College (now known as Clark Atlanta University), with the completion date of May 1970, and I completed Woodrow Wilson College of Law, Georgia State University Schools of Education, for my first teacher’s certification to teach school and the school of management.

From 1966 to 1970, I completed my degree in sociology and psychology. During my senior year at Clark, I married the love of my life, Ms. Annie Jewel Hosely, my high school sweetheart, also from Griffin, Georgia. We set up housekeeping in Atlanta, Georgia. But in January 1971, I was drafted into the army and was shipped to the Republic of South Vietnam to serve a tour of duty as a squad leader in a military police unit. I worked very hard, and I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant E5. I survived Vietnam and many other situations, but Chief’s death took a toll upon the very essence of my soul.

On February 12, 2016, I started back writing, and after a talk with the Lord on September 17, 2018, I had handwritten about three thousand pages. At this point, I asked the Lord, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

A soft but firm voice came to me, “Warren, my son, I want you to publish your story, which you have written in the form of a continued prayer.”

Well, looking back upon my life, the Lord has always been there for me, even when I thought my life was over.

About seven days later, I was listening to my favorite gospel radio station. I heard his message: “If you are considering publishing your manuscript, call this number or go to this website.”

I was not quick enough to get the information down. Therefore, I missed out on getting the information that I needed to make my contact. But a few days later, while I was again listening to the same radio station, that same message came again. This time, I was able to get the information that I needed, and I made contact. Within the next few minutes, I received a phone call. The person on the other end of the line said that she had been assigned from the Christian Faith Publishing Company to serve as my literary agent. I was told that she would be my guide throughout the production process.

I was given information where I needed to mail my manuscript to. I mailed my manuscript off to the address that was given to me. Within a few days, I got a call from my agent indicating that my manuscript had been accepted for publication. I was really beside myself. I have been in constant prayer with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He saw so much more in me than I saw in myself. He said that he would never leave me nor forsake me, and he never has.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798885402552

Book preview

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Moment by Moment I Pray

Volume IV

Warren S. Banks

Copyright © 2022 by Warren S. Banks

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

John 8:12–20

Ephesians 4:11–16

Romans 8:31–34

Luke 18:35–43

1 Peter 1:3–4

Habakkuk 1:2–11

2 Kings 4:42–44

Revelations 3:1–6

Isaiah 40:6–11

Psalm 131

Genesis 50:15–20

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

Isaiah 53:1–6

Psalm 127:1–4

John 15:9–17

Matthew 25:31–40

1 Chronicles 17:1–15

Jeremiah 17:5–8

Psalm 119:97–104

Mark 4:35–41

Psalm 13

Psalm 67

Ruth 4:13–17

Revelations 22:1–5

Genesis 1:1–10

2 Corinthians 8:1–9

Luke 11:5–13

Philippians 4:10–19

John 12:23–33

Genesis 8:15–9:3

1 Peter 2:11–17, 3:8–9

2 Kings 22:1–4, 8–13

Hebrews 2:14–18, 13:1–3

Mark 9:33–37

Micah 15:2–4

1 Timothy 4:12–16

Galatians 3:23–29

Ephesians 2:1–9

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

John 1:1–3, 9–14

Ephesians 4:1–6

Luke 19:1–10

Matthew 1:18–23

Proverbs 3:3–6

Galatians 6:1–6

Revelation 21:1–7

Jeremiah 29:11–13

Psalm 119:105–112

2 Corinthians 11:16–33

Mark 4:21–25

Ephesians 5:1–20

Matthew 23:23–26

Hosea 11:1–4

Micah 6:6–8

Psalm 149:1–5

John 5:1–9

Matthew 19:13–15

2 Corinthians 5:17–21

Psalm 118:26–29

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

Romans 7:14–25

Exodus 3:7–12

John 6:1–13

Isaiah 40:28–31

Philippians 3:7–16

Matthew 18:1–5

Luke 10:29–37

Exodus 3:1–12

Ecclesiastes 3:9–14

Matthew 26:36–39

John 7:53–8:11

James 2:14–17

Philippians 2:12–18

Isaiah 55:8–11

Mark 14:32–42

Isaiah 53:1–9

Acts 2:1–12

John 3:16–21

Romans 5:1–5

Mark 14:3–9

2 Corinthian 12:6–10

Matthew 13:24–30

Romans 3:5–10

Colossians 3:9–17

Matthew 25:31–46

Psalm 63:1–11

Matthew 22:36–40

John 14:15–20

Psalm 118:21–24

Luke 15:11–20

Ezra 1:7–11

Philippians 3:7–14

1 Chronicles 29:10–13

John 5:31–40

1 Peter 5:8–12

Matthew 2:1–12

Philippians 2:5–11

Psalm 103:1–12

Joshua 3:14–4:7

Luke 22:24–30

2 Corinthians 4:7–18

Malachi 3:13–18

Exodus 33:18–19, 34:1–7

John 10:7–16

Colossians 3:9–17

1 Samuel 7:7–14

Romans 11:33–36

Genesis 45:1–8

Zechariah 4:1–7

Psalm 121

2 Peter 1:1–9

James 1:1–12

1 John 3:16–24

Psalm 104:1–12, 24–30

Romans 5:1–11

Revelation 4

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

Psalm 92

Matthew 18:1–5; 19:13–14

Psalm 46

Isaiah 1:16–20

Matthew 21:12–16

Colossians 4:2–6

Proverbs 15:4, 16:24, 18:21

Revelation 21:1–8, 10–11, 23

John 10:25–30

1:13–22

John 18:15–18; 25–27

Proverbs 16:16–22

Isaiah 11:1–10

Psalm 139:7–12

Acts 6:1–7

1 Kings 17:7–16

Romans 1:1–10

John 14:1–14

1 Kings 19:19–21

Leviticus 19:33–34

1 Corinthians 6:12–20

1 Peter 3:13–18

2 Corinthians 9:10–15

Matthew 4:23–5:12

Ephesians 3:14–19

Hebrews 4:11–16

James 2:1–13

1 Samuel 20:30–34

Isaiah 33:2–6

Malachi 3:8–12

Mark 6:45–53

Luke 15:1–9

Matthew 6:25–34

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

Genesis 1:26–31

Psalm 16:5–11

Genesis 13:1–18

Mark 10:13–16

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

1 Kings 12:1–7, 12–17

1 Kings 13:11–22

Psalm 61

Psalm 34:1–4

Habakkuk 3:17–19

Hebrews 10:19–25

Romans 8:28–34

Psalm 25:1–11

Job 38:1–18

Ephesians 4:22–32

Nehemiah 8:5–12

Psalm 118:1–14, 26–29

Ecclesiastes 3:1–11

Matthew 14:25–33

Psalm 19:8–13

Isaiah 25:1–9

2 Timothy 3:10–17

Luke 19:28–40

Luke 12:22–34

Mark 4:26–29

Luke 23:44–49

John 13:1–17

Hebrews 10:1–10

Matthew 27:27–31

Romans 5:1–5

Exodus 3:7–10

Isaiah 41:5–10

Leviticus 26:1–13

James 1:2–6

Jonah 1:1–2–2:10

Exodus 3:10–15

John 2:1–11

Romans 8:31–39

Ephesians 5:6–14

John 4:10–14

Romans 12:1–8

Acts 7:55–60

1 Corinthians 3:6–11

Ephesians 3:20–21

Job 2:11–13

Mark 5:1–20

Luke 12:22–31

Romans 7:7–13

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

Psalm 139:1–10

Isaiah 43:16–21

John 7:37–39

Philippians 4:4–7

Romans 11:25–36

Proverbs 3:1–8

Luke 5:12–15

Isaiah 35:3–10

Matthew 25:31–46

James 5:13–16

Romans 7:14–25

Proverbs 21:1–21

John 1:19–31

Matthew 26:26–28

Colossians 3:23–24

Psalm 18:31–36

Mark 8:22–26

Matthew 7:7–12

Mark 4:35–41

Hebrews 10:19–25

Luke 2:25–32

Romans 12:6–8

John 2:7–17

Matthew 2:1–18

Philippians 4:10–20

Isaiah 55:8–13

Luke 21:25–28

Hebrews 2:10–18

Deuteronomy 32:7–11

John 13:33–35

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

Romans 8:18–27

Matthew 10:1–8

Luke 2:8–16

Matthew 19:16–30

Psalm 139:1–18

Isaiah 42:1–9

January 1, 2018

John 8:12–20

I will continue to pray for the gift of God’s love. God’s love is eternal and exact. There are no ups and downs. It is the same as it was in the beginning, and it is the same today.

My right elbow is much improved. There is still some pain, stiffness, and swelling. But I can use it more today than yesterday. My goal is to be careful with it the next few days. I will also use a different method of lifting and sliding out of bed. This has been a different kind of challenge for me. At an early age, I had to overcome limited use of my legs and feet due to swellings and a few broken bones. But fast-forward to 2017, the last month that I had to deal with an arm that had a mind of its own. Thanks to the Lord, he gave me the strength and what to do to make it through.

I feel a little guilty about not attending church yesterday to include Watchnight services. But the Lord knew about my situation, and he directed me through. I am grateful for his leadership. He said that he would never leave us nor forsake us, and his Word has stood up for me as always.

I talked with my sister-in-law today to wish her and the family a Happy New Year Day. She is doing better, and her voice was strong and clear. She was waiting for a staff member to come to help her get in her wheelchair to sit for a while. During the past few days, she has been sitting up in her wheelchair for extended periods of time. This is good physical therapy because it strengthens her upper and lower back and legs for standing up later. I will visit her tomorrow, January 2, 2018, after I go to purchase my new auto tag.

Our family will meet later this evening for dinner and family talks. My sister is looking forward to having us for this first day of this new year. The weather is in the—teens, but our hearts are in the seventies and eighties. We are pumped.

I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 2, 2018

Ephesians 4:11–16

I will continue to pray for words of truth. Truth is defined as fidelity, sincerity, conformity to fact or reality. We are all looking for conformity or the real thing. But in Christ, there are no falsehoods, no lying, no way to avoid the truth. Christ is all about the truth.

In his Word, the truth will set you free. On the Lord’s Word, we can take them to the bank because there are no other words to take the place of Jesus in our lives. He is real now, and he will forevermore be the real deal for us to follow. Even though I am having some challenges with my water heater going out and a possible broken pipe in the storage room, I am still grateful, and even in the midst of these challenges, I will still bless the Lord all the time. He is my provider, healer, deliverer and Savior. I will forever lift his Holy Name. All praises are to you, Almighty God.

Today, I visited my sister-in-law at the rehab center in Fayetteville, Georgia. She was working on a word puzzle while she sat in her wheelchair. After our usual greeting, she told me about her previous days and the progress that she has made.

During her physical therapy session today, she was able to stand on her feet for forty-five seconds. According to her therapist, that is good. Today marked her 176th day since she came down with ill health and was admitted to the hospital on July 10, 2017, in Griffin, Georgia. Now she is in recovery and doing well.

Our prayers are that she will continue progressing toward eventually leaving the center and walking on her own. That day is coming, and we are all looking forward to that day. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 3, 2018

Romans 8:31–34

I will continue to pray for God’s mercies. God’s mercies are new each day. Therefore, as we begin our day, it is with the blessings of the Lord. Oh! What a Father we have in Jesus, all our fears and griefs to bare, we can take them to God in prayer because he cares. This feeling of assurance and acceptance is quite moving because of all the things that we have, to think about daily, and then make the right decisions. But with the Lord on our side and leading the way, we are assured that everything is going to be all right. He has assured us that he will be our intercessor, healer, provider, protector, peacemaker, everlasting love, perseverance, discipleship, destiny, deliverer, counselor, spiritual leader, friendship, reconciliation, trust, vision, understanding, salvation, sacrifice, revelation, redeemer, righteousness, and forgiveness. When we are at our lowest point, in Jesus Christ, we are at our highest point. There is always strength in Jesus.

I talked with my daughter today to wish her and the family a Happy New Year. I also told her about my hot water heater and the fact that it went out on me on Sunday morning. Since then, I have been boiling water for baths and washing the dishes. It is a minor inconvenience for now. I asked her to talk to Angad about coming over to replace and install a new water heater when he has the time. Maybe I will hear from him soon. If not, I will go to plan B for what I need done.

God is good, and his mercies endure forever. I will talk with my sister-in-law tomorrow when I get back from my doctor appointment. This is my three-month checkup. I am quite sure that everything is going to be all right. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 4, 2018

Luke 18:35–43

I will continue to pray for opportunities to serve. There are always ways for us to serve. For instance, we can become tutors at various levels of education, join church worship such as choirs, ushers, cleaning, yardwork, and driving the church vans to pick up worshippers for Sunday services. We may serve as mentors throughout the community. We can serve as disciples for God.

In order to carry God’s Word through the community, we need to study his Word and learn how to communicate his Word to other people. There are always people who are in need of just a simple smile or a How do you do? to get them over. Words of encouragement are always appropriate to the tender at heart.

We all need to be encouraged as we continue our journey with Christ. Today, even though the temperature was in the teens, I left home around 9:15 a.m. for my 10:15 a.m. doctor appointment. My appointment was with Dr. Bennett, my urologist, who is located on Piedmont Road, NE, in the City of Atlanta. The examination was a success. My next appointment is scheduled for July 5, 2018.

I left his office with all smiles. I treated myself to a Chinese lunch of chicken, fried rice, sauce, and vegetables. I went to the market to purchase bananas and luncheon meat. On my way home, I stopped by Home Depot to price a water heater. The lowest price for what I needed will cost me around $500.

When Angad comes later this evening, I will go to purchase it and have him to install it. The price of things has really gone up. He installed my last water heater many years ago. Thank the Lord that I have enough money left on my Home Depot card to make that purchase.

I talked with my sister-in-law a few minutes ago. She was in a good spirit after a successful day of therapy. She stood up again for forty seconds, and she performed many other movements that are used to stabilize her and set the stage for her to walk again. It is just a matter of days before she will be walking again and doing many of the things that she has not done in a long time, such as going to church, Bible study, and dinners with family and friends. Oh! What a joyous occasion it is going to be.

We thank God for everything. This would not be possible if the Lord was not in the middle of everything. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is restring peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 5, 2018

1 Peter 1:3–4

I will continue to pray for a burden-baring God. A burden-baring God knows how much his children can carry. He knows everything about his children to the point of knowing when to step in and when to leave along. Our heavenly Father has always come to our rescue. He will never allow us to go through anything alone. When he said that he would never leave us nor forsake us, that has been a promise that has stood the test of time.

I can think of so many situations that I was confronted with and I thought that I had no way out. But the Lord stepped in on my behalf and planted my feet on solid ground. Now, I have a testimony to talk about when I am asked to tell others how good the Lord has been to me. There have been times when I was overpowered with bills and not enough money to pay them. But now, the Lord has arranged for me to meet my obligations head-on, using the plan of action that he has blessed me with and my available funds to make my payments and have a little left over. As I pay things down, over the next few months, then more money will become available for me to do some more things, and I still have some funds left over.

God’s plan of action has allowed me to think more freely and to stress less over the small things of life. I sleep well at night.

Today, I went to Fayetteville, Georgia, to visit my sister-in-law. Although she was in bed when I arrived, she completed her lunch as we talked. She is in good spirit, and her physical therapy sessions are going well also. She is able to stand for sixty seconds, up from forty seconds two days ago. She can move a little from side to side and lift her heels up and move her feet more. As her therapist indicated, these movements are designed to facilitate more involvements from her. She is on her way to a complete recovery. Praise God in the highest and peace and goodwill toward all!

I talked with my sister today, and all is well. Anwar and Amesha will celebrate Ava Jewel-Marie’s first birthday tomorrow, January 6, 2018. Just think, three years ago, we were in the funeral of my wife, Chief, Ava’s grandmother, on January 5, 2015. Ava has my wife’s middle name, Jewel. In fact, she looks similar to Chief to a small degree. When I look at her closely, she reminds me of Chief so much. She also reminds me of her mother, Amesha.

Well, the family will get together again at my son and daughter-in-law’s house in Tucker, Georgia, for this celebration. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 6, 2018

Habakkuk 1:2–11

I will continue to pray for God’s Word. God’s Word comes to us in many forms and situations. Today, God’s Word came in the form of our family getting together to celebrate a birthday. On January 6, 2017, a child was born to my son and his lady friend. She was given the name of Ava Jewel-Marie Banks. A darling of darlings and a special child.

You see, on December 29, 2014, a special person, my wife, Chief, passed away. Her middle name was Jewel. So my son and now his wife, Amesha, named their first child with the partial middle name of Jewel to form the complete middle name of Jewel-Marie. Well, today, we celebrate her first year of life. The celebration took place at their home in Tucker, Georgia. The house was decorated as though a much older person was being honored. But it was my granddaughter’s honors. She was excited, just as a child would be, but it seems like it’s a little more involving. There were all kinds of decorations.

On my son’s side of the Banks family, the following persons were in attendance: my daughter (Tonya), granddaughter (Alex), her father (Angad), and me. On her mother’s side of the family, the following persons were in attendance: Amesha, Ava’s mother, her grandmother, and father. My grandson, Ali, and Amesha’s son, Jabari, and a host of friends, coworkers, and others were there too.

There was a house full of people who all had a good time with the treats of any party, the food, and the fellowship. That was the first time that I stayed at my son’s house, and when I left for home, it was dark. I truly enjoyed myself, and I am glad that I was invited and showed up for the activities. I thank the Lord for a safe trip there and back to my home. I will always remember this date and the activities that took place for the rest of my life.

Each person also recorded a video message for Ava to see when she celebrates her eighteenth birthday in the year of 2035. It is my hope and prayer that all of us are present to hear and see Ava view this recording.

Well, tomorrow, I will attend church for the first Sunday in 2018 and have dinner at my sister’s house for our first Sunday meal of the new year. I will talk with my sister-in-law tomorrow as well. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 7, 2018

2 Kings 4:42–44

I will continue to pray for faithful offerings. Faithful offerings are done and held for a purpose. As was done in our writing, food and nourishment were given to those who had nothing but were hungry. We made faithful offerings in church every Sunday. Those funds were used for the edification of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the many things that he has done for us. For instance, he provides us with salvation, understanding, justification, peace, doctrine, perseverance, dedication, deliverance, confession, spiritual leadership, everlasting love, intercession, image, fellowship, loyalty, friendship, praise, discipleship, testimony, forgiveness, compromise, mercy, vision, trust, sacrifice, grace, redemption, miracles, and righteousness. Therefore, it is fitting for us to offer ourselves up to God because of his love and adoration for us. We love him so much that most of the time, we do not give it a second thought. We just act.

Our actions indicate our care and concerns for each other. We give because it has been given to us. The Lord blesses a cheerful giver, and we all want is to give our part for the continued building of God’s kingdom. Kingdom building should be on our minds every day when we wake up. The question should be, what can I do to praise the Lord today? He has already blessed us by waking us up, allowing us to sleep through the night, being able to breathe, smile, see, think, walk, talk, smell, and taste. Some people would give millions of dollars or anything else if they could do any of the abovementioned things. We often take things for granted until we lose one of them or that we know or see someone else that is without those things. We should give high praise to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endure forever.

This morning, the church service’s sermon came from the book of Acts 19:1–7, and it made me think of the question, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? I would have to say yes because I believed in the words that were delivered by the deliverer. It was Christ’s angel delivering the words, and I do believe in Jesus Christ. This sermon was meant for me. I have had some rocky moments in my life, but, no, I am on solid ground. God is good all the time; God is good.

A person with whom I have sat on the same pew for years, I took it upon myself to ask what her name was. She responded with it, and of course, I said that my name was Warren S. Banks. I felt a sense of release because I had wanted to ask her before, but because of fear standing tall in my mind, I did not. I would like to get to know her better. Therefore, each Sunday, I will take the time to further my interest of her.

This evening, we will eat dinner at my sister’s house. Sunday dinners are usually held at her house. The meal is delicious. I will call my sister-in-law this evening to find out how well she is doing. Angad will install my new water heater on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. I will be extremely happy. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 8, 2018

Revelations 3:1–6

I will continue to pray for time spent with Jesus. Time spent with Jesus allows me to rest in the comfort of his arms. That time allows me to feel the assurance of his care. That time allows me to feel joy at its highest level. That time allows me to sleep without any disturbances. That time allows me to plan appropriately. That time allows me to view people as they are rather than assume that they are someone else. That time spent with Jesus allows me to get an accurate look at myself. That time spent with Jesus allows me to know more about his purpose and how it applies to me. That time spent with Jesus allows me to appreciate others and seek godly ways of increasing the knowledge of his Kingdom. That time spent with Jesus allows me to clear up any misconceptions about him and what it takes to live a purposeful life. That time spent with Jesus allows me to get to know how powerful Jesus Christ is and how powerless Satan is. I have learned to trust in Jesus. I have learned to trust in God.

I talked with my sister-in-law last night, and she was doing well. She had one complaint. The therapist did not come yesterday for her scheduled session. The staff had helped her to get ready for the session, but the therapist was a no-show. Her husband was quite disturbed over this absence of therapy. He indicated to her that he was going to talk to someone about this matter so that it would not happen again. She looks forward to each daily session. Therefore, when there is a no-show, her feelings are hurt. Hopefully, this will be corrected and not happen again.

We have choir rehearsal tonight at Ben Hill UMC beginning at 6:30 p.m. We will be rehearsing for Sunday morning worship services, and next Monday morning, there will be MLK Jr. Day celebrations. This is an annual event, and all people look forward to this day of celebration, January 15, 2018.

I will drive to visit my sister-in-law in Fayetteville, Georgia, on January 9, 2018. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is restring peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 9, 2018

Isaiah 40:6–11

I will continue to pray for heart concerns. Concerns of the heart are issues that affect the person the most. They are usually feelings that one has developed over time that means the most to them, such as hunger, childhood diseases, shelter, food, various groups of people. When these feelings manifest themselves, the person involved usually move in close to the situation to render whatever aid that may be required to affect changes in that situation.

Some of us have radar sensors that allow us to detect who needs advice from those who do not need it. But with their God-given talents, they are able to make their way to them and do what the Spirit has directed them to do. Through God, all things are possible if only we first believe.

I have a passion for forgiveness and asking questions that lead me to certain truths. I have developed the habit of listening before I speak. And when I do speak, my first thought is to put the person in a state of ease and reassure them that I am not here to embarrass or to make fun of them, but I am concerned about their total welfare.

Most of the time, I am just listening and observing the body language of the person who is in my presence. I know that the Lord listens to us all the time. He allows us to say whatever is on our minds. Then, in his time, he answers or directs us to where we need to be with the issue that we are confronted with. He does not force us to do anything. He presents us with options that are related to his will for our good. It is very rewarding to know that his Word for our being is solid and reassuring. We have a heavenly Father who is always on the job, so to speak. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Last night, we had a short but spiritually impactful rehearsal session. We are preparing to render the Word of God in songs on Sunday morning and at the MLK Jr. services. I visited my sister-in-law today, and she told me that she was able to stand and move one of her legs. This is a major achievement for her along her road toward independence and walking unassisted. Her husband arrived a few minutes after my arrival, and we all had a comfortable conversation about her and the future. We are all looking forward to continual growth and improvements.

All praises are to you, Almighty Father, Savior and Healer. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 10, 2018

Psalm 131

I will continue to pray for God’s peace. Jesus said, Peace, I leave you; my peace I give to you. I do not five to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:25 NIV).

Throughout the gospels, Jesus tells his followers not to fear. Yet, when I look back over my life, I find many instances of concerns and worries. I pray about them, and in my anxiety, I went to God for answers right away. However, some of these concerns are ones that I have prayed about for several years, seemingly without answers. Only later, when I looked back, could I see God’s hands in these situations.

God heard my cry, but the answers were often different, even better than what I expected. During times when I doubted that my prayers were being heard, God helped me to learn patience, understanding, and empathy for others.

God gives us all the time that we need to grow and to become stronger. In the process, we learn never to give up. Now when I am tempted to worry, I try to give my troubles to God completely and not expect quick and easy answers. Worry robs us of joy and peace, but Jesus says, Do not let your heart be troubled. If we truly trust God’s loving provisions in our life, we can rely on God to respond to our call in God’s time. All the while, our hearts can rest in that knowledge and find God’s peace. God said that he would never leave nor forsake us. Therefore, God’s Word is sound, and we can take them to the bank.

Angad did not come yesterday evening to install my new water heater. I waited for hours, and there was no response. I called my daughter later to ask of his whereabouts, but she did not answer her phone. I made myself available today, but I had not heard from him. I hope that he is all right. I will not call him back. I will wait for something from him. Besides, he is not charging me anything for the labor. I will be patient and considerate.

I will call my sister-in-law tomorrow to find out how she is doing. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 11, 2018

Genesis 50:15–20

I will continue to pray for the ability to trust. Trust is a word that is used quite often. In fact, it is used by some people who do not know its meaning. They have used it to manipulate others, to do some things that they are totally against or to string them along with the false hope that they are going to do or be better. We also see these words printed on the back of money. "In God We Trust."

But again, that false sense of dedication and righteousness appears on the scene. We live in a world that sees and hears that word used over and over, but often, we see the same negative results. To trust someone means to have complete assurance and certitude, regardless of the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. It also means that I have confidence, dependence, faith, hope, reliance, and stock in what is being said or done as it relates to Jesus Christ. I trust you should mean that I have faith and confidence in you to believe that I can rely upon you. I do not have to worry about you not coming through with what you said or stand for.

I trust God because I know that he has always provided for me—intercession, peace, conscious, doctrine, perseverance, destiny, deliverance, counseling, advocacy, friendship, reconciliation, vision, sacrifice, salvation, fellowship, revelation, redemption, understanding, and compromise. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness. He has always been there for us, and he has always made a way for us when we just could not see beyond our own noses.

I talked to my sister-in-law today, and she said that she had performed a few more exercises today than yesterday. She also said that her therapists were pleased with her level of participation. I told her that I will visit with her tomorrow, January 12, 2018. I will continue to pray for health and healing. I will continue to pray for my lovely wife, Chief, who is resting peacefully in heaven. I will continue to pray for my children and grandchildren whom I love very much. May the Lord continue to bless and keep all of us. Amen.

January 12, 2018

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

I will continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to work in me. The Holy Spirit is the God of us all, who works within us to do the right things in life. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, our decisions are meant for the good of human beings. The Holy Spirit will not lead us astray. He will place our feet on solid grounds. He will give us that discerning power that will allow us to make decisions that foster brotherhood, caring parents, friend for the friendless, fellowshipping, counseling to the needy, vision for the blind, trustworthiness, understanding, truth, perseverance, intercession, peace, everlasting love, discipleship, deliverance, destiny, loyalty, spiritual growth, kindness, sufficient grace, salvation, redemption, and forgiveness.

When the elements of the Holy Spirit come together, we can say that we are in the grace of the Lord. Our prayers always ask for deliverance from all evils and directions to the sanctity of God. We know from experience that the powers of God are supreme and that our meditation on him will