Thankful Thursday: Daily Blessings

The Daily Blessing for which I'm most thankful is...Prayer, hands down! (No pun intended!) How could I live without prayer? Communication with my Heavenly Father is one of the greatest blessings in my life. He is wise, He comforts me, He hears me any time of day or night. He is there and knows my cares and shares my pain. He has the power to change...me. And cares for everything that concerns me.

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a Friend We have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials or temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge--

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Joseph Scriven, 1819-1886

Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918

  

Luke 18:1 "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

1Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

It's Thankful Thursday today and Iris at Grace Alone is hosting this month. (Thank you, Iris!) We're sharing on Daily Blessings for which we're thankful! Please visit her site to participate and read other thankful posts!

I Needed the Quiet

By Alice Mortenson

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside

Into the shadows where we could confide,

Away from the bustle where all the day long

I hurried and worried when active and strong.

I needed the quiet though at first I rebelled,

But gently, so gently my cross He upheld,

And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things,

Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings…

To heights never heard of when active and gay,

He loved me so greatly, He drew me away.

I needed the quiet, no prison my bed,

But a beautiful valley of blessings instead –

A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.

* * * * *

I cannot call affliction sweet;

And yet' twas good to bear;

Affliction brought me to your feet,

And I found comfort there.

‐‐ James Montgomery

Last week, I listened to a broadcast of Joni and Friends, in which she read this poem and quote. They resonated in my heart. I've experienced God drawing me aside. Perhaps you have, too. Perhaps you're in a time now when affliction is bringing you to Him for comfort, or when you are being "drawn aside" by trials, suffering, physical infirmities.  These times in my life stand out, like mountain peaks, as times when God's Hand was upon me, not only drawing me aside, but drawing me closer to Him.


Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376
www.joniandfriends.org

A special thank you to Joni and Friends, who offered these in a free download.  I hope you will be blessed, as I was, by the thoughts expressed.  The link is below, for you to hear the broadcast, also, if you'd like. 
Listen to the broadcast:
"I Needed the Quiet" by Alice Mortenson - Joni and Friends Radio

Translations of former posts in Spanish (Traducciones de algunas de mis entradas anteriores en español)

Estimados amigos:
Para mi los lectores hispanos, he añadido algunas traducciones de algunas de mis entradas anteriores - Espero que disfruten de ellos! Sírvanse comentar si desea más traducciones!
Wendy
Muchas gracias!