The Empty Plate

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

“But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

An empty plate. An empty tea cupp. What is happening here? It must be time for fasting, giving up food and beverages while praying.

Sometimes God calls us to fast. I’m reminded of this every year when I read the book of Esther. In this great history, we see how God allowed Esther to become queen to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation. When Esther realized this was her duty, she asked her maids and others to pray and fast with her (Esther 4:16). For three days and nights they had no food or water. The end result was God saved the Jews.

One might wonder what to do during a three day fast. Should we pour out our hearts to Jesus on day one? What about days two and three? While there is no right way to pray and fast, we can find a good plan in 2 Chronicles 20. In this this history, King Jehoshaphat learns of an impending battle with his enemies. He declares a fast for all Judah. During the fast, there are three parts to his prayers:

1) Exalt: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NKJV)

2) Claim God’s Promises: …You will hear and save….the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:9,15 (NKJV)

3) Petition: O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NKJV)

What if we use this formula for a three-day fast? The first day we exalt Jesus, praising Him for being our Savior. The second day, we claim God’s promises, underlining and repeating them from our Bibles. And the third day, we pour out our hearts to Jesus, asking for help with whatever trouble we are facing. Even Queen Esther went to see the king on the third day of fasting. She found favor in his sight as he asked, “What is your petition?” (Esther 5:1-7)

On the evening of the third day, we must open our ears and listen, for God will give us our call: ... Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord… 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Is God calling you to fast for a time? Is there something big in your life that needs more than a little prayer? I encourage you to try this three day fast and let God do His amazing miracles. Then you can go forth singing.

So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayers. Ezra 8:23 (NKJV)

The Runner’s Stance

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Way back in junior high, my P.E. coaches were Ms. Newby and Mrs. Knutson. They led us in many exercises and drills to prepare us for track season. Most memorable to me, out of all their wisdom, is the runner’s stance.

The runner needs to look relaxed while running around the track, even at full speed or while exhausted. Arms are to be at greater than 90 degree angles, shoulders down, and hands open loosely. Ms. Newby described it as holding a tea cup! She told us to lightly pinch our thumbs and first fingers together and poke out our pinky fingers, just as if we were having tea with the queen. By holding our hands just so, we didn’t clench our fists and were, therefore, more relaxed.

As I went running one day recently, the Lord reminded me of that junior high tea cup. I wondered how the runner’s stance compares with the Christian’s stance. As the runner leans forward, pressing on to the finish line, the Christian looks up to Jesus, pressing on to eternal life (Philippians 3:13-14). While the runner wears out her shoes in the race, the Christian wears out his knees in prayer. Yet both raise their arms in victory to the Lord.

There are all kinds of stances for prayer, but my favorite is curled up in the corner of our sofa. There, wrapped in a blanket and hugging a mug of hot water, I share my TEA CUPP time with Jesus. First I read His Word, the Bible, letting Him speak to me. I underline special verses as I read. Then I choose a favorite verse to pray back to Jesus, beginning my conversation with the Lord. From thanks to petitions, I pour out my heart to Him. Instead of having tea with the queen, I’m sharing TEA with the King of kings.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear friend and athlete, I invite you to hold the TEA CUPP. Along with “holding a tea cup” while running, meet each day with Jesus for a CUPP of TEA. Let His Word encourage you, giving you all you need for today.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

Holding Up My Heart

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

Sometimes I do not pray in words-
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord-
I am so glad He understands.
– by Nicholson, Our Daily Bread, September 23, 2014

Do you ever find yourself too busy or overwhelmed for prayer? The prayer list is too long, the time is too short, your heart is sorrowful, you don’t have the words? My friend, this is the time when you will truly find Jesus, when He will meet you right where you are.

My dear friend Jill in Ohio shared with me so long ago how she handles a busy morning. Some days she just holds up her prayer list to the Lord and says, “Take this Jesus, You know what’s on it.” I thought, “Really, can we do that? Is that okay?”

Then came the days that I ran out of time for my prayers…sick kids, sick me, new baby…so I tried Jill’s advice. I lifted up my prayer list to Jesus, asking Him to take it, and He did! Now occasionally in my prayer journal, instead of writing out sentences of prayers, I’ll draw a picture of me lifting all these people up to God. It is so good to put them all in His hands and leave them there!

Today’s TEA CUPP: My friend, won’t you lift your heart to Jesus today? You may call out names and concerns one by one, or just give it all to the Lord at once. God promises to hear all our prayers.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

Packed with Promises

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

Are there times when making yourself a cup of tea, that you add a heaping spoonful of sugar or an extra dab of honey? Or, perhaps you have cookies with your tea? It seems there are moments when we truly need a little extra sweetness to carry us through the day.

God gives us extra sweetness in His Word. He must know we need a big dose of His promises to carry us through the ups and downs. Romans 8 is one of those passages that is simply packed with promises! So, if you need a big serving of God’s sweet promises, I recommend Romans 8 for you today. Let’s take a look:

We are not condemned:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

God’s Spirit is in us:

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit helps us pray:

God works all things for good:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

God is for us:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

Jesus is praying for us:

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 (NKJV)

We are more than conquerors:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NKJV)

Nothing can separate us from Jesus!

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: I like to underline favorite verses in my Bible as I read. If the verse is one of God’s promises, I put a “P” in the margin next to it. Underline these promises in your Bible today, along with any others you find. Hide these promises in your heart and claim them as your own.

New King James Version (NKJV)

All is Against Me!

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.” Genesis 42:36 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt like Jacob from the Old Testament? Jacob thought all was against him. There was a famine throughout the whole world. His favorite son Joseph was no more, his son Simeon was taken prisoner in Egypt, the governor of Egypt wanted his youngest son Benjamin if Jacob’s family wanted to trade for more food…all these things were against him.

And yet, we who know the whole story want to tell Jacob, “It’s all okay! Don’t worry! God’s got it all planned out! God sent Joseph ahead to Egypt to preserve your whole family. When Benjamin goes to Egypt, Simeon will be released from jail, your whole family will be invited, and Joseph will take care of everyone. God is taking care of you!”

Can I remember this when things seem against me? Don’t worry, God has it all planned out! When we can’t see the big picture, it sure is difficult. This is especially true when it comes to our children, perhaps that’s why Jacob was so worried. But we can remember the words of Jesus from Matthew 10. Here Jesus reminds us not to worry for we are of more value than many sparrows…

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: One of my favorite Old Testament stories is that of Joseph. If you have time, why not read it today (Genesis 37-47). Then share your heart with Jesus in prayer: O Jesus, please help me trust you with ______ and not worry.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things… Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

Pouring a Pot of Precious Promises

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Jennifer Grace

Through these He Has given us His very great and precious promises… 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

Today I sit with Jesus and let Him fill my CUPP. His teapot is brewing full of precious promises. I see the steam rising and smell the delicious aroma. I hold out my CUPP and pray, “Jesus, please pour me some TEA?” He slowly tips the pot, filling my CUPP to overflowing with His precious promises.

I try to keep up with Him, repeating each promise as it comes…

…And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33(NKJV)

…“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

But then I ask Jesus to slow down, I might have to savor these promises and come back for more tomorrow. My little human brain is trying to remember and embrace each one. Jesus understands, letting these precious promises soak into me. He will always be there with more for my every need…for comfort, for peace, for trials, for a friend, for heartaches…Jesus has a precious promise for everything. Thank You, dearest Jesus!

Today’s TEA CUPP: My friend, today as you read God’s Word, underline the precious promises you find. Ask Jesus for a cupful to carry you through this next week. It will be a most delicious CUPP of TEA!

Then they believed His PROMISES
and sang His praise. Psalm 106:12 (NIV)

Filling the Bowls

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Jennifer Grace

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelations 5:8 (NKJV)

Filling the bowls, that’s what I’ve been doing lately. During the holidays there are always bowls to fill…treat bowls on the counter, soup bowls on the table, baskets of bows for gift wrapping… I thank the Lord for helping me fill these bowls!

Before Christmas, I am almost to the end of my Bible, since I read through the Bible each year. This puts me in Revelations. One morning in December, I was reading Revelations 5…and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints...and God showed me how I am filling bowls with my prayers!

Every prayer I say…in the morning when I rise, at meal times with our family, when I read my emails and pray for friends and family, in the evening when I tuck our kids into bed, at night when I lie awake…every prayer is filling one of the golden bowls. These bowls are brought before the Lamb as a pleasing offering to Him. Wow!

One day as our family said grace, I contemplated this. The warmth from my soup bowl (or was it my oatmeal?) reached up and touched my cheeks. I asked the Lord to let our prayers rise up to Him from golden bowls, touching Him, also.

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear prayer friend, your prayers are filling bowls, too! This day, this very day, sit down with Jesus for TEA and pour out your heart to Him. May our TEA CUPPS be incense before the Lord!

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1 (NKJV)

Faithful Fall Fruits

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

It took all summer. In September our garden finally started producing vegetables…zucchini, tomatoes, onions, carrots, pumpkins, and one cucumber! Now we can delight in the fruits of our labor with zucchini cookies and muffins, chili with tomatoes and onions, fresh carrots in our lunches, and soon…pumpkin pie!

But could we enjoy these fruits in May when we were preparing the soil, or in June when we first planted them? No. Could we savor this produce in July when the weather finally got warm, or in August when it was really hot? No, our plants were too slow. When are we appreciating these fruits? In the fall when the growing season is over.

It reminds me of the time I prayed over this verse from Galatians 5:22-23. Each month I asked God to nurture a new fruit in me…love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Each month I waited for results, but couldn’t see any. I shouldn’t have been discouraged, though. Like our garden vegetables, the fruit of the Spirit may take all summer.

In the fall of my life the fruits may be ready to pick. Perhaps along the way friends will see a bud of hope here and there. But by fall I will finally shine with Jesus’ love to others, sharing the joy and peace He gives me. I will be patient and kind, good and faithful, gentle, and always under control. Until then, I need to be patient with myself (and pray others will be patient, too), waiting for the fall fruits Jesus will bring in me.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

Hear Their Prayers

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive. 2 Chronicles 6:21

I can’t pray all the prayers that need to be prayed. There are just too many needs in this world for me to pray them all. So I ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me.

King Solomon also asked God to hear others’ prayers. When he dedicated the temple which he had built with instructions from his father King David, Solomon asked God to hear anyone who prayed toward the temple. King Solomon said, “Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.”

So, sometimes I also pray for God to hear the prayers of others…

Like Judy, for her son…she knows better than I do what he needs…

Like Dorothy, for the persecuted Christians.. she knows the world news better than I do…

Like my pastor, for our church family…he knows so may in need of prayer…

I pray, “Lord, in Your mercy, hear their prayers.” And their prayers are multiplied by my prayers and the Holy Spirit, and even before we ask, our prayers have reached heaven and God has heard! Amen!

TODAY’S TEA CUPP: Is your prayer list overwhelming at times? Lift your list to the Lord, calling Him to take each person and need. Ask Jesus to hear the prayers of others. Pray King Solomon’s prayer, “Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.“

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)

David’s TEA CUPP Prayer

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

Did David have TEA with God? You know, David, the young shepherd boy from the Old Testament who killed the giant Goliath with a stone? I’d like to think he had TEA as he sat in the fields with his sheep, singing psalms…this was his special quiet time with God, much like my TEA CUPP Prayers are to me.

David grew up to be the second king of Israel. He did everything with great pomp and circumstance, delighting the people. When the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord was returned to the City of David, he danced in the streets. The Levites put the Ark inside the special tent and presented burnt offerings to God.

David celebrated by giving everyone cakes of dates and raisins and a loaf of bread (think of this the next time you have cinnamon-raisin bread!). And then David instructed the Levites to lead prayers, including THANKS and PRAISE (EXALT) and PETITIONS. David prayed this Psalm to God which included all the parts of My TEA CUPP Prayers. I’d like to share it with you today….

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord:

THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!

EXALTING
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

CALLING for my life

Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

PROMISES (Claiming God’s)

He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

UNDERSTANDING my story

When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

CALLING for my life

Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

EXALTING

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.

CALLING for my life

Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.

PROMISES (Claiming God’s)
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.

EXALTING

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,

PROMISES (Claiming God’s)
For He is coming to judge the earth.

THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

ADMITTING/PETITION (Pouring out my heart)

And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”

EXALTING

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:4-36 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: As you sit with God for TEA today, pray David’s Psalm and consider the wonder of it all…this is the same God who heard David’s prayer, who created the world, who sent His son Jesus to die for our sins. What a mighty God we serve!

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

Tag Archives: praying God’s Word

The Empty Plate

The Runner’s Stance

Holding Up My Heart

Packed with Promises

All is Against Me!

Pouring a Pot of Precious Promises

Filling the Bowls

Faithful Fall Fruits

Hear Their Prayers

David’s TEA CUPP Prayer

David’s Song of Thanksgiving