The Seven Points of Prayer

Welcome to my teatime.
Do you have your cup of tea and a snack?

Something to get you through the rest of the day?
Sometimes we need something to get us through the rest of the week, month,                                                                      or even year.
Are you having that kind of year so far?
Storms in life come in many degrees of severity.

Ones that set up back a day or so
and some that change our lives forever.

We know these life challenges will happen. So, what do we do to prepare for them?
Just like retirement. You must plan years ahead. God is in control and He
knows what our path will be, but we can’t expect for Him to put out fires if we
don’t do something to help prevent them.

That is not how God works.

One way I have found to be as prepared as possible for these storms of life, these
life challenges are to keep in front of me the seven points of prayer.
These are my personal points that I have used for several years and now have a card
included in the prayer pocket with the points.

And remember, if you don’t have a prayer pocket and would like one, just message
me and I will be happy to get one to you.

So here are the seven points…

1. Place – the place you spend time with God. Pick a place, make it comfortable,
let it be known to your family that this is where I pray for you. This is where I
study His Word. It could be at the kitchen table, a chair in the den, your office,
your bedroom. Pick the place and claim it as your altar.

2. Preparation – Have all your “equipment”, you know, Bible, pens, highlighters,
notebook, journal, devotional – all the things you use to do your prayer time
and study time. Even if you must move it daily after you have finished that time, keep it in a basket, bag,              something you can pick up and carry and keep everything together.

3. Purpose – Know that the purpose of the prayer and the study time is to build
and grow your relationship with God. It is not to satisfy our human desires,
but to understand what God’s will is for us. When we talk with God, we need
to ALWAYS make time to listen. Stop after a scripture reading. Do you feel that nudge of the Holy Spirit leading you to an idea, a thought, an answer to a decision you are having to make? Write it down.

Our purpose it to do God’s will and the more time we spend with Him in asking Him “what do you have
for me today, Lord?” the clearer that purpose will become.

4. Persistence – Be consistent and persistent – pick a time, stick to it. Carve it
out like an appointment because it is. Not to be regulated, but to be ready
because you have the place, you are prepared, you know the purpose, now be
consistent and persistent about it.

5. Power – The power that the Holy Spirit gives us is not limited to strength, but
a power that gives us courage, confidence, ability, authority, and boldness!
Like sharing Jesus with those you encounter at the grocery store, the
beauty shop, the dentist office.

I often just ask the question, “How can I pray for you today?”

They let me know right away if they are open to talking, it is a
wonderful way to share the Gospel with someone you don’t know.

6. Passion – Have you even sat down to pray, and tears flowed? Sometimes those
are the most powerful prayers we pray, when we can’t say anything, when you
have a passion to experience someone coming to know Christ, to see our
nation turn back to God, to witness a family member kick an addiction, to
behold the beauty of a woman who is ready to have an abortion change her
mind because of one person giving her another way out. All of these can
happen every day. So, let’s be passionate about our prayers. Cry out to God He
wants to hear from us.

7. Peace – God is in control. He is always in control. Are you going to fight it,
kicking and screaming as He is pushing you, pulling you, even through the
mud at times, as He is trying to give you the treasures He has waiting.

Just imagine, getting to heaven and walking in on a beautiful pathway filled with
treasure boxes. The lids are closed, but you want to look in, “what is in these
boxes?” you ask God. “Well,” He explains, “these are all the treasures you didn’t let me give
you.” Let God be in control. Talk to Him, Listen for Him to guide you. Turn your religion                                                    into an intimate relationship with Him and just wait for the treasures.

These seven points help me stay grounded. I hope they do you. Contact me if you
have any questions. Enjoy your tea.
Be encouraged to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Lord, thank you for this time you have given us to be together, to talk about how we
can build our relationship with you.
Let all of us experience a new adventure for You this week, one that brings
answers, grace, mercy, and hope to a fallen world.
Help dress for the battle we face each day by putting on our armor and always
keeping you in our heart.
In Jesus name – Amen

This was the cake I had last week that was delicious!  Easy to make and keeps well.

RECIPE – Cheesecake Swirl Carrot Bundt Cake – “Sally’s Baking Addiction” https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/cheesecake-swirl-carrot-bundt-cake/#tasty-recipes-70578

• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil*
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) packed light or dark brown sugar (I prefer dark)
• 3/4 cup (133g) smooth unsweetened applesauce*
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest (can omit if desired)
• 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups (260g) peeled and shredded carrots* (about 4 large peeled carrots)
• optional: 1 cup (130g) roughly chopped pecans*

Cheesecake Layer

• 12 ounces (336g) brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature*
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Glaze (Optional)

• 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 2 Tablespoons of fresh orange juice or milk

  Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Generously grease a 12-15 cup (2,839-3,548ml) capacity Bundt pan. Set aside.
     2. In a large bowl, whisk the oil, eggs, brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and orange zest together until combined and no brown sugar lumps remain. Set aside. In another large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold the ingredients together until just combined. Fold in the carrots and pecans. You will have about 6 cups of batter. Pour and spread half of the batter into the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan.
     3. In a medium bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Beat on high speed until completely combined. Spread cream cheese mixture in an even layer on top of the carrot cake batter and try to avoid spreading it all the way to the edges of the pan. It’s a thick mixture, so do your best to spread.
     4. Pour and spread the remaining carrot cake batter evenly on top and then use a knife to very gently swirl the batters together.
     5. Bake for 55-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. This cake is large and heavy and takes quite some time to bake, so do not be discouraged if yours takes longer. Cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil if you begin to see the top browning quickly. Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes inside the pan.
     6. After 30 minutes, invert the slightly cooled Bundt cake onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Make sure cake has cooled completely before glazing, slicing, and serving.

  GLAZE

  1. Whisk the glaze ingredients together. If desired, use more liquid to thin out or more confectioners’ sugar to thicken. Drizzle over cake. Slice and serve.
  2. Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.