Category: Prayer Intention

“I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east.” –Ezekiel 43:2 Because of the people’s refusal to repent, “the glory of the Lord rose from the city” of Jerusalem (Ez 10:23). However, God promised that one day His glory would return to His people (Ez 43:4, 7). This promise was fulfilled in an unimaginable way when God became a human being. St. John proclaimed: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: the glory of an only Son coming from the Father” (Jn 1:14). When Jesus was born,...

“How dry they were!” –Ezekiel 37:2 Are you feeling spiritually dry? Do you feel that God is looking at your life and saying, “How dry you are”? At one time in my life I was constantly surrounded by spirit-filled people, but felt so dry and far from the Spirit that I’d given up hope of ever receiving His fullness (Jn 5:5ff). I was spiritually dry and I desperately needed living water (Jn 4:14). However, my life was fulfilling the saying: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” I wanted the Spirit and a few...

“In Christ all will come to life again, but each one in proper order.” –1 Corinthians 15:22-23 The English word “assumption” is perhaps an unfortunate translation of the Latin word “assumptio.” “Assumptio” means to be taken up. The English word “assumption” usually means having an unwarranted expectation. Nevertheless, God can work through this translation. The Bible teaches that all Christians will be assumed to meet Jesus in the air when He comes again at the end of the world (1 Thes 4:17). Very few Christians expect to go to hell; we generally assume that we’ll be assumed to meet Jesus....

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, Who inspires and perfects our faith.” –Hebrews 12:2 When we are persecuted and, like Jeremiah, thrown in the muddy cistern to die (Jer 38:6), “let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb 12:2). When we are tempted to “grow despondent or abandon the struggle” (Heb 12:3), “let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb 12:2). When there’s division in our families, “three against two and two against three” (Lk 12:52), let us forgive 70 x 7 (Mt 18:22) and “fix [our] eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1). When we get the...

“Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to Me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ ” –Matthew 19:14 When Jesus sees children, He thinks of His Father’s kingdom, for “the kingdom of God belongs” to those who are like children. Jesus teaches that to be like children of the kingdom means to: choose to become lowly (Mt 18:4), choose poverty in spirit, that is, voluntary poverty (Mt 5:3). When we as disciples of Jesus imitate Him by living below our means, the kingdom of God is ours (Mt 5:3), live so faithfully and openly...