“By slowing down at the right moments, people find that they do everything better: They eat better; they make love better; they exercise better; they work better; they live better.” (Carl Honore)
Did you know that God Wants You To Rest?
Not Today is a Christian movie about human trafficking in Indian.
I saw this movie at Missions Fest 2012 in Vancouver, Canada.
This movie really touched my heart because I sponsor a little girl from the Christian Children’s Foundation. And I know there are so many other little girls in India who are sold into child prostitution, slavery, etc. Many are also married off before turning 12. Many girls also don’t even get born due the high rate of abortion for female babies.
The story is touching and compelling. The main lead actor does a great job in conveying the character’s complicated emotions as he grows from a rich party boy to a Christian who makes a difference.
Watch for beautiful graphics. The use of text and image is unique in this film. It’s a must see just for the graphics. I loved the part when the stars turn into text. Also, another brilliant part of this movie is the setting. Since a lot of the movie is filmed in India, expect to see the scenes of India (both city and rural).
Most importantly, the movie draws attention to God. God is our provider and comforter. He is the only one who can change the situation in India. We must continue to pray for those in India. If you feel like God is calling you to help today, you can give a donation to help me support my Indian child. Or you can also sponsor a child yourself.
Thank you to the producers and crew for filming a fantastic movie about God’s love for humanity.
Things that make me happy:
- dogs
- chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate candy, chocolate fondue, chocolate smell
- smell of fresh grass
- sunshine and the beach
- beautiful flowers (ones that are still in the ground and alive)
- jack johnson and various other artists
- friends and food (together!)
-Streets filled with Christmas decorations
What makes you happy?
I live in Canada and most of family live in China. Every Chinese New Year, I call home from Canada and greet all my relatives. This year, as I was calling them, I felt an overwhelming sadness because I am the only Christian in my family.
You may be in a similar situation as me. You might have family or friends who you care for deeply, who are not Christians. I wish that you would join me in praying for them. You may even consider joining me in fasting and praying for them.
I was crying uncontrollably. And I felt a great sense of urgency to pray for all of my family members. Yet, I didn’t know what God want me to do to help them. Then, I felt a need to fast and pray for my family.
To fast properly, you need to have a plan (there are many websites and books on this topic). Here is my plan for this fast:
- Objective:
To pray for my family (especially the ones in China). To ask God how I can show them God’s love.
- Action:
Spend quiet time with God. Pray. Memorize Bible verses (Pslam 23).
I also decided to not tell anyone of my fasting until it was over. The Bible calls us to not boast about it.
- Fasting plan:
The night of Chinese New Year, I didn’t eat dinner. The next day, I didn’ have breakfast or lunch. As I was fairly new to fasting, I decided to start small and slow. For dinner on the second day, I had soup, to ease my body slowly out of fasting mode.
- Summary (Afterwards)
Dance to some music
The obvious ways to heal emotional pains and hurts is to pray to God. God is healer of all our physical, emotional and spiritual traumas. He is loving and caring. He is our Father.
You can ask God:
- to be with you always
- to help you see the truth
- to give you wisdom
- to give you strength and power
- to put the right people in your life to help you
Here are some additional ways to heal *:
1. Talk to Somebody
Whether it’s a friend, family or professional, over a cup of warm tea and cookies. Talking can help you unload and gain another perspective.
2. Spend time with God
This may include devotional time, praying, reading the Bible, fasting, fellowship etc.
3. Listen to music
Music can help change your mood fast. Music can bring healing to our souls.
4. Relax
Take a deep breath, take a nap or take a bath. There isn’t anything we won’t get through. Everything will be okay.
5. Take care of your physical health
Eat right, sleep well, exercise. Improving your physical health can also help you feel emotionally better.
6. Read a book
Read a book that can help you specific situation. The library and the church can help you find them.
7. Go away for a short while
Sometimes you need to get away for a short while to gain some peace. Go visit that old friend of yours. Go visit your parents. Go take a vacation.
8. Channel the negative
You can do this through any creative expression, such as art or music. You can also do this through sports or exercise.
9. Make a list of all your accomplishments
Acknowledge what an amazing person you are. Remember that God thinks you are perfect already.
10. Stay in Community
Remember to always stay in community. Stay around those who love you and care for you.
Stay plugged into a church community. Your brothers and sisters love you.
Give it time. Everything will be okay.
*Please note that I’m not a professional. Just a friend who wants to help. Seek professional help if needed.
Don’t you wish that by going into the new year, we can just leave our past behind?
On January 1st, everybody wakes up feeling refreshed, our bodies healed, our relationships mended, our troubles gone….
God is the ultimate healer. He is better than a pop of aspirin, or a shopping spurge. He knows exactly what is bothering us even if we don’t know it ourselves. And he knows how to make it all better.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. - Psalm 6:2
Illness is like a monster that attacks our body viciously first and then attacks our spirit slowly and painfully… unless God is standing side by side with us. When Jesus was on Earth, he did not only care about the people’s spirituality and salvation, he was also concerned about people’s physical health. Jesus and his disciples healed many from all different kinds of sickness and infliction.
The good news is God still heals today. It isn’t something that was only done when Jesus was on Earth. The Bible says that when somebody is sick, they should get the elders in the church to annoint them with oil and pray for them. James 5:14
Sometimes relationships need healing as well. For 2012, I want you to say a special prayer for families. We all have our own version of a dysfunctional family. Relationships are easily broken and harder to mend. And the consequences of a broken family can cause us to be hurting for a long time.
Look around you. Find a hurting person in need and pray for them. Perhaps on Jan 1st 2013, we would wake up with a healthy body, great relationships and a peaceful soul.
Who was born in 2011?
Yes, Prayer Kingdom was born in March 2011. (About Prayer Kingdom)
Thank you (YES! You!) for supporting Prayer Kingdom. Whether you just stumbled upon this page or you are a subscriber. I thank you.
Prayer Kingdom is very excited to go into the new year! I’m excited to grow with you more. I am looking forward to growing closer with God and becoming the person God intended me to be.
Please continue to support Prayer Kingdom through prayer or donations.
Celebrate the new year with me as we take a look at the
TOP 10 Posts of 2011:
- Book Review: Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo
- How to Write a Personal Testimony (with Template)
- 12 Creative Ways to Worship God
- The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want
- How to Deal with Critical People
- 7 Benefits of Attending Church Camp
- 10 Commandments for Happiness
- Never be Busy Again by Installing Godly Priorities
- God Wants You to Rest
- Life Management 101 Series
- LM 101: Goal Setting For Christians
- LM 101: Decision Making for Christians
- LM 101: Organizational Skills for Christians
- LM 101: Time Management for Christians
- LM 101: Communication Skills for Christians
2012 Theme: A Year in Action
The theme for 2012 is Action. It’s a simple yet powerful word.
I pray that whatever your new year’s resolution may be, you will not forget to seek God’s kingdom above all else. I pray that we will be doer of the Word, not just hearers.
Let’s have a great new year!
Christmas is definitely about shopping.
It is definitely about gift giving.
It is definitely about dressing up and going to parties and having
LOTS and LOTS of great food.
But it is also about loneliess. Many people tend to feel more alone during the holidays if they are not around family or friends.
It also reminds us how many horrible things are going on around the world and how much we NEED love and peace on Earth.
Perhaps amongst all the Christmas shopping and food, we tend to forget that Christmas is about a baby boy who was born around 2000 years ago in a manger. It’s his birthday. And it is the day when God decided to show humanity how much he loves us.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Perhaps we should rethink how best to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
I pray that during this holiday season, many will come to know Christ. I pray that the Christians will have the courage to invite your non-Christian friends to a friendly church event. I pray that many would find the true meaning of Christmas and experience God’s love.
This is short and simple prayer. But I know God will make it huge.
Happy Birthday Jesus! We love you!
Like this:
One of the most essential and powerful elements of prayer is expressing gratitude. God is so pleased when we thank him, just like how a parent is so please when a young child expresses gratitude.
The Passage: 2 Samuel 7:18 – 29
The Context: King David prays this prayer of gratitude after bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. He was deeply blessed by God (just like you are), and he was so thankful for God’s grace and love.
The Prayer:
God, thank you for taking care of me all my life. And it was a small thing in your eyes. You are so powerful and loving, God.
You are the one who knows my heart O God. Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Thank you God for redeeming me and my people. Thank you for being forever unchanging and forever faithful.
O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning me and my house, and do as you have spoken. And your name will be magnified forever, saying, “The Lord of hosts is God over me”, and the house of your servant will be established before you.
You are God and your words are true. You have promised good things to me. Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you.
For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall my house be blessed forever.
In the last post, we looked at the Most Popular Christian Prayer.
Today I will write a prayer that uses the same structure as the Lord’s Prayer. I encourage you to do the same and give it a try. Remember, God wants something from your heart, not something that sounds fancy but is hollow inside. If you still feel uncertain, you can read How Do I Pray.
Dear God,
You are so amazing and wonderful. I wake up everything loving life and my heart is always filled with gratitude for you. I want to thank you for everything I have in my life. I also want to thank you for everything amazing that is to come, in this life and after.
God, you know my heart and the desires of my heart. I pray that you rein over my life and provide for me. I pray for unity and love in my family. I pray for health for myself and those around me. I pray that you will also guide me in my choices regarding the future.
God, I know I have sinned and failed you many times. I ask for you forgiveness, God. I am weak and I need your strength. Only you can make me a better person. Please protect me from the evil one and lead me away from temptations.
God you are the merciful father. You sent your son Jesus to die for my sins. You are love and you are faithful. Thank you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
