I Prayed have prayed
Jesus, help us come to You when we are weary. Teach us to live close to You. Draw us near.
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This is an excerpt from a new resource available only through IFA. Fellowship with the Father is a 30 day journey to a more intimate relationship with God. Available as a daily devotional email series or e-book, you will be blessed by this rich teaching.

It has been said that one of the most important things in life is showing up. That pretty much confirms what God says in His Word:

“Come to me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden…”  (Mt. 11:28)

“Come, everyone who thirsts…” (Isaiah 55:1)

“Come to me and hear, that your soul may live…” (Isaiah 55:3)

He wants us to cast our cares on Him, and listen to Him to receive His truth and perspective, which set us free from false perceptions and anxiety. But that won’t happen unless we come.

And so we must make this our very intentional first step. To show up.

But what does that mean for you in practical terms? How do you do that when your days are full of frantic activity, and you feel like you’re chasing yourself?

How do you reorder your schedule to ensure He gets the first time slot of your day? Perhaps unplug from TV, cellphone, and computer for an hour? Get up before the kids do? Or go for a prayer walk around the neighborhood because it’s too noisy inside your house?

His ministry to us begins with us coming to Him. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). No impartation of truth, comfort, strength, peace, or guidance will happen unless we seek Him first.

I think that “coming to Him” means three things:

1. Make room in your hearts (desire His presence)

2. Make room in your schedule (eliminate busy-ness and hurry)

3. Make room in your home (have a designated meeting place with Him where you keep your journal, Bible, and devotional)

That may take some doing, but I believe it is possible. Perhaps your appointed time is your drive to and from work, or the 20 minutes before bed. Perhaps the appointed place is your car, or a particular chair at home, or a stool in a closet. Whatever it takes. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Take some time today to think through reordering your life around an unhurried, intentional “coming” – showing up, drawing near, so He can draw near to you!

Then ask Him to help you with creativity and resolve. After all, He wants to draw near to you – so He will help you draw near to Him. All you really need is a thirsty heart.

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Susan CC
January 30, 2022

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and (learn from Me;) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.
John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”

One morning during the lockdown, I was reading in Matthew and came to 11:28-30. Everything in me in that moment was “yearning.” I stopped and stated aloud, “I want to learn from You Lord.” I also dated and recorded this moment in my notebook. I have read and studied the Bible regularly for years but my heart’s desire in that moment was totally aligned with the Lord’s. I believe like Judy and countless others, our lives in Christ have changed during the COVID years. I believe The Lord IS drawing us near.

Thank You Father for drawing us near. Thank You Jesus for Your indescribable gift of salvation. Thank You Holy Spirit for keeping us alive in Christ until our work is done. I pray as You draw more and more to Yourself, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen

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Judy
January 30, 2022

Since I am retired, I have time that I can use as I please. When the pandemic first brought us lockdowns and sheltering in place, I decided to organize my time so that I could begin my day with Bible study. After years of hit-or-miss time with God’s written word, I had a real desire to learn anew what had become stale knowledge for me.
Now, the first thing I do every morning, with my morning coffee, is study God’s Word. I use an on-line Bible study teacher to do so. The second thing I do is to use this site to pray for these prayer needs.
I am eager to get into God’s Word every morning. This time with His Word has brought me new insights and understanding of Who God is and how valid and enduring His Word is.
I am thankful for God’s mercy and longsuffering patience with me.
In this chaotic time, when so many lies are abounding, believers must stay grounded in God’s Word.
He is our King, our Redeemer, our Lord.
Amen

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