"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:16-17
Introduction The Street Girl, a Christmas play by Manon Dumouchel Outline for Personal Prayer by Linda Lafrance A Word of Encouragement - Anonymous Trusting God for Healing, by Ian Sinclair Receiving Life Through The Word by Valerie Bennett Praying with Scripture by Doreen Fox Home 
Over the years, I have been blessed to know a number of dear Christians, who have helped me immeasurably along the way, with their words of wisdom,caring, encouragement, and love. These are some of their names, and some their words. May you be blessed and encouragedas you read them. And may the Lord put before you as well, like-minded Christians to walk with you along the way. Yours in the Precious Name of Jesus, Click here to return to the index for The Guest Corner 1) The Lord's Invitation: Isaiah 55:1,3 Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, John 7:37-38 2) My Response I come to you now in humility, as your chosen one; in love, as your child; in trust, as yourlittle lamb. I come to you believing in your unlimited love for me, and trusting in your mercy. I come to be cleansed, healed, and filled up with you. 3) His Promise of Forgiveness 1 John 1:8-9 4) My Confession 5) Forgiveness Ephesians 1:7-8 6) My Response - I Forgive Myself Loving Father, 7) Forgiving Others Mark 11:25 8) My Response - I Forgive Others I forgive every member of society who has hurt me in any way; those who have hurt me bycriminal action or have harmed me or my family or my community or society in any way. I forgive all the unfair, anonymous sources of pain and annoyance in my life. 9) My Response - Grace to Forgive Heavenly Father, I now ask for the grace to forgive the ONE PERSON IN MY LIFE WHO HAS HURT ME THE MOST .......... I now pray a blessing on all those who have hurt me. 10) OR - Forgiveness - Short Version I choose to forgive myself for my faults and failings and for not being perfect. I release all from bondage, and pray a blessing for each of us today. 11) Jesus' Invitation Matthew 11:28-30 12) My Response I come to you humbly and I ask you to remove from me all that is darkness in me and to replaceit with your light. I am trusting in your desire for healing and wholeness for me. (Go through this section slowly, as a meditation, relaxed and breathing slowly, and sayingthese in your head, in rhythm with your breathing.) (These are examples only, you can vary according to your needs.) -Remove my sins. 13) Lord Jesus, Fill Me With Your Light (Go through this section slowly, taking as much time as you need, as a meditation, breathingslowly, and saying these in your head, in rhythm with your breathing.) (These are examples only, you may vary according to your needs.) -Fill me with your love. Transform me, Lord, that I may become more and more like you. 14) Praise and Thanksgiving I give you thanks; I praise and bless you for your great love, goodness, and mercy, andabundant blessings! (You may vary the praise section, as the Spirit moves you!) 15) Move Forward in Faith Jesus says - "And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 My dear friend Linda and I first met about ten years ago working as colleagues for World Vision Canada. Over the years, her sound advice and her good Christian counsel have helped me tremendously; she is my confidante, my mentor, my sister, my friend. In hard times and good, she continually points meback to prayer - and back to God's Holy Word. This, to me, is the sign of a true believer, and I thank the Lord for her presence in my life. It is our fondest hope & prayer, Linda's & mine, that throughthe ministry of this Outline for Personal Prayer, the Lord will move in the hearts of those dear ones whose desire it is to enter into a life of daily prayer, and to move into a more intimate relationship with their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory! Click here to return to the index for The Guest Corner Often in life unpleasant things happen to us, and we don't see until much later the good thatcame out of it. I have walked this road. Here's my story: A few years ago I began to experience periods of what I will call emotional darkness. I wouldfeel intensely sad and confused for days at a time. What I felt was an agony deep in my soul. It was an evil that told me that I was no good, that I was worth nothing. It was like I was in a pit of loneliness and despair, and I was hanging on for dear life. If I let go I would be swallowed up. I called myself functionally depressed because I would go about life as if everything was normal. I got up and went to work, fulfilled my family responsibilities and myChurch duties and activities. I was ashamed to let anyone know the misery I felt inside, and triedto hide it. I thought it was wrong for a Christian to feel this way. Once in a while my controlwould slip - some insignificant little thing would happen and I would burst into tears. Often Iwouldn't even know why I was crying and would blame it on tiredness or the weather. I didn'tunderstand what was happening to me or why - I just knew I was desperately miserable. I triedto ignore my feelings, but they wouldn't be ignored. I spent a lot of time just hanging onto Godat the same time as feeling far away from Him. Many days the only prayer I could utter was"Help me Lord". God answered that prayer. He put people in my path who saw my pain and understood, and didn'tjudge me. Slowly I began to open up and share my feelings with a few Christian friends who provided support and who prayed with me and for me. I am much better now and as I look back on that time I realize that my struggle with depression was not wasted. I can honestly thank Godfor it now because through that experience I sought the Lord. I examined myself and began to really analyze my thoughts and feelings about myself and my relationship with God. It took meon a journey of self-discovery that enabled me to surrender parts of myself to Him that I hadpreviously hung onto. It was painful at times, but He was with me all the way, and I have grownin my faith, and my trust of His Sovereign Lordship over my life. In reading the Scriptures we see that many believers went through struggles, doubts, and sin.Yet they loved God and let God use them. Sure, they stumbled and fell at times, but with God'sgrace they plodded on, always on their quest to do God's will and honor Him. This is a good lesson for me to remember. God is working in me - that I know. I don't know yet what He's calling me to, but I do know He's working His purpose out in me and I must let Him do Hiswork, for in the end I will be what, who, and where He wants me to be. For now it's enough thatHe wants me to be His child, to love Him, to let Him love me, and to allow Him to continue to healme and help me grow. We travel this pathway together my Lord and I. In August 2002, a dear Christian friend shared this writing with me, and I was so moved that I asked herif I could share it with you. As I read her words that day, I was truly blessed, and I felt the light of hope shining in my heartas I recalled my own struggles of the past. And I was brought to tears as I thought of the many souls who are stillundergoing these same struggles - with no hope of seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Discouragement can be a debilitating force in our lives. It is my prayer and hers, that through her story, the Lord of Light will break through the darkness that is your own struggle,to give you hope and encouragement for the future. For He is your Rock, your Assurance, your sure Foundation. My dear friend, a gentle and quiet sister in the Lord, has asked that the Lord bless you anonymously through her words. To God be the Glory. Click here to return to the index for The Guest Corner In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life,and that life was the light of men. Many people commit verses of scripture to memory. The wonderful thing about the Word is that notonly does it give you life through your normal days, but also it revives and revitalises you inthe time of trouble. In times of trouble we recall meaningful verses of Scripture: Or maybe when something really terrible comes upon us, we can say... Or like Job we can put our trust in God and say: I am sure we have all been through Sunday School where we committed many Bible verses tomemory and tried to repeat them to our teachers and parents. At that time, it was the thrillof being able to repeat them perfectly and win their approval. We did the same thing at school, formarks, of course; and again with the wonderful box of promises shared during family devotions at home.As we grow older these verses have become more and more significant. And now for every situationin life there is an appropriate verse of scripture that we can recall. Probably not in one of today'spopular versions. In my case, I learned a lot of my verses in my youth from the only versionI knew - The King James Version. As a result, I tend to recall verses from memory in that sameversion. Thank God, the message is the same. I thank God for creating my inmost being and knitting me together in my mother's womb. As far as my salvation is concerned, I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the houseof the Lord. For then I found out that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. I heard that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesusour Lord. I heard that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that Godraised him from the dead, I would be saved. I learned that it is by grace I could be saved and not of myself, it is the gift of God, not of workslest I should boast. I heard Jesus say, I am the way and the truth and the life. Come to me, all you who areweary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I prayed O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Search me, O God, and know my heart; See if there is any offensive way in me, I happily accepted Christ as my Saviour and Lord. I know that I must share the gospel (good news) with others, and stay focusedon Christ. It is my prayer that everyone will want to taste and see that the Lord is good and be blessedby trusting in him. I learned to trust in the Lord with all my heart and not to lean to my own understanding.I learned if I acknowledge him in all my ways, he will make my paths straight. I am learningnot to be wise in my own eyes, but to fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health tomy body and nourishment to my bones. I understand that God is Love. I know that I must love God with all my heart, my mind and mystrength, and my neighbor as myself. I learned that Jesus said he is the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in himwill live, even though he/she dies; and whoever lives and believes in him will never die. I know that when Christ who is my life appears, then I also will appear with him in glory. Then I will be able to say - Amen, Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all of you who are God's people. Amen A faithful and steadfast Christian, as well as my own dear friend, Valerie Bennett is a member of the Anglican communion of Canada. In 1999, she graduated in Education For Ministry, a program of theological education for lay people. Valerie is an active member of her Church community, where she is presently involved in DOCC - Disciples of Christ in Community - an adult Christian education / formation program. Valerie told me that she wrote these words as she was led by the Holy Spirit. This Meditation was presented by her on January 21th, 2002, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Click here to return to the index for The Guest Corner What book is larger than you? What book can expand your horizons, bring you into touch witha greater reality, and is full of interesting characters, real passions, and extraordinary events? Want to learn how to enter into the drama, the excitement, the colour and mystery of this timelesstext? All it takes is a quiet spot, a love of using your imagination, and a leap of faith. Relax, askGod for guidance, and let go into a slow reading of an event or story that is not too long, and offersthings that are easy to visualize. See the details, be there, and interact with the disciples, or Jesushimself. Let go of control and see what happens. The Bible can come alive as you use allyour senses to encounter this living book. For example, the story of Jesus calming the storm, as told in Mark, is easy to get into. READ SLOWLY ENTER IN REFLECT Over the years, the images and experiences I've had while praying the scriptures have added up and producedin my heart and mind a greater 'felt' knowledge of God and His ways with human beings. It is recordedin scripture that Jesus perfectly reflects the nature of God. Col 1:15, Heb 1:3. If that is so, then Iknow I have a Heavenly Father that I can rely on for all my needs and sense of purpose in thisworld. In encountering God in Scripture through the use of my whole self, that is my soul and spirit, I have come to experience a much greater inner peace and self-acceptance, as well as a deeper appreciationof other people and indeed of the whole of creation. An exciting relationship with God is unfolding, helping meto love more deeply, and to feel more connected to all that he has made. A former school teacher, Doreen Fox is a Spiritual Director and has been associated with the Ignatian Center for 20 years now.She has also had 3 years of training in psychotherapy. Do and her husband are on team for Canadian Anglican Marriage Encounter, and are also members of their church's healing team. Click here to return to the index for The Guest Corner
Penelope Olive
by Linda Lafrance"Come, everyone who is thirsty - here is water!
Listen now, my people, and come to me;
Come to me and you will have life!"
"Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink.
As the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in me, streams of life-giving water will pour out fromhis heart.'"My dear Lord Jesus,
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.
But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgiveus our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing."Loving Father,
I am sorry for all the ways I have offended you, knowingly or unknowingly.
I have sinned in thought, word, and deed.
I have sinned in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do.
I come before you and ask for the grace of a deeply repentant heart.
You know my innermost secrets.
I open my heart to you today and ask you to show me the ways I have blocked the flow of your love.
Forgive me, Father, for all my faults and failings.
I repent of lack of love, lack of faith, unbelief in your goodness, lack of truly believing in your love for me.
I ask forgiveness specifically for ........."In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
Now I accept your forgiveness, and I thank you for your mercy.
I choose to forgive myself, because you have forgiven me.
I forgive myself for all my sins, faults, and failings.
I forgive myself for not being perfect.
I accept myself, release the things held against myself, free myself from bondage, and makepeace with myself, by the power of the Holy Spirit."And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so thatyour Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
I forgive __________ for any negativity, unlove, unkind acts, hurts, abuses, deprivation,especially __________ .
For all the wounds of our relationship, I do forgive ___________ today.
I release ___________ from bondage, and make peace with ___________ today.
I now choose to forgive, though I may still feel angry and hurt.
I am trusting you to give me the grace to forgive this person.
Thank you, Lord, I praise you for your mercy.Loving Father,
I choose to forgive everyone in my life who has hurt, offended, or annoyed me in any way."Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke uponyou, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for yoursouls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light."
My dear Lord Jesus,
-Remove my faults.
-Remove my weaknesses.
-Remove my selfishness.
-Remove my lack of love.
-Remove my fears.
-Remove my worries.
-Remove my anxieties.
-Remove my fatigue.
-Remove my physical weakness.
-Remove my hopelessness.
-Remove my despair.
-Remove my anger.
Etc.Now I humbly ask you, Lord Jesus, trusting in your love, goodness, and mercy to .......
-Fill me with your goodness.
-Fill me with your faith.
-Fill me with trust in you.
-Fill me with peace.
-Fill me with calm.
-Fill me with confidence.
-Fill me with strength.
-Fill me with energy.
-Fill me with wisdom.
-Fill me with mercy.
Etc.
Fill me up with you, Lord Jesus.Praise and thanks to you, my Heavenly Father.
Praise and thanks to you, my dear Saviour, my Lord Jesus.
Praise and thanks to you, Holy Spirit.Now I go forward in faith, trusting that you are always with me.
Miracle Hour, a method of prayer that will change your life, by Linda Schubert
ISBN 0-9632643-0-3
Miracles of the Heart Ministries Home
AnonymousHome
by Valerie BennettGod is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
I will sing of your strength,.....
In the morning I will sing of your love;
For you are my fortress, My refuge in times of trouble.
The LORD is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation."I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
I praise God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; His works are wonderful, I know that full well.
I heard Jesus say, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he whobelieves in me will never be thirsty.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
and lead me in the way everlasting.Home
by Doreen Fox
No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6GET STILL
After relaxing in a comfortable place and quieting my mind so it can focus, I ask God to comeand speak to me through the story.
Then I read the story over slowly noticing details, and seeing what's what, like looking over arecipe before getting out the ingredients I need to start to cook.
When I'm familiar with the details, I begin to see evening coming over the Sea of Galilee. I hearthe gulls and see reddish clouds in the west. I am one of the disciples, and feel grateful wecan leave the noisy crowds behind as we push away from shore. Some other boats try to follow us but turn backas the wind picks up and the growing waves slap against the sides of the boat, spraying us withcold water. Land drops out of sight behind us. I begin to get nervous as I start to bail out thewater that spills over the side. The boat is rocking and pitching and Jesus is asleep in the stern.The sky gets dark and we are all beginning to feel panic rise in our throats. Someone shoutsand wakes him up - I am really afraid of capsizing so far from shore. We would all drown for sure out this far! I see Jesus slowly get up, and facing into the raging wind He lifts his hand and rebukes it!He tells the waves to be quiet and still, and suddenly the wind drops to a faint breeze and the waves smooth out! I feel awe and fear, and realize that this man has power such as I've neverseen in a man. All of us are looking at each other in shock, when Jesus turns and faces us saying"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
As I let the story wash over me, I begin to see Jesus in a new light. I feel the energy that comesfrom him and sense the authority that emanates from him. I feel trust rise up in my heart, thatHe has power now to help me cope with the storms in my own life. I find myself in the boat, after the storm, telling him what is troubling me. He listens and offers me comfort and advice. I ponder onwhat faith is, and ask Him to increase my faith. I try to take a step in faith by offering him the biggestproblem I have at the moment and then I listen to hear what guidelines and direction come. Ienjoy a deeper feeling of peace as I realize that I am not alone in my struggle. I sense He iswith me, just as He was with his disciples in the boat 2000 years ago. I feel strengthened as I putdown the Bible and get on with my day.Home
Copyright © Life and Doctrine, 2001, 2002. Created by Penelope Olive. All rights reserved.