Freeman-Smith - Promises and Prayers for a Man of Integrity

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The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.

James 5:16 HCSB

2012 Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Media, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Media, Inc.

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The quoted ideas expressed in this book (but not Scripture verses) are not, in all cases, exact quotations, as some have been edited for clarity and brevity. In all cases, the author has attempted to maintain the speakers original intent. In some cases, quoted material for this book was obtained from secondary sources, primarily print media. While every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of these sources, the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. For additions, deletions, corrections, or clarifications in future editions of this text, please write Freeman-Smith.

The Holy Bible, King James Version

The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

New century Version. (NCV)Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

The Holy Bible, New International Version. (NIV) Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible. New Living Translation (NLT) copyright 1996 Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

The New American Standard Bible, (NASB) Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from The Message. (MSG) Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Cover Design by Kim Russell / Wahoo Designs

Page Layout by Bart Dawson

ISBN 978-1-60587-429-6

Printed in the United States of America

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Gods promises are eternal and unchanging. But, as every man knows, life in todays fast-paced world can be so demanding and so confusing that it becomes easy to forget Gods blessings and His mercy. This book invites you to slow down and remind yourself of the joys and abundance that God offers to all His children, including you.

How desperately our world needs Christian men who are willing to honor God with their service. This generation faces problems that defy easy solutions, yet face them we must. We need leaders whose vision is clear and whose intentions are pure. Daniel writes, Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever (12:3 NIV). Hopefully, you are determined to be such a mana man who walks in wisdom as he offers counsel and direction to his family, to his friends, and to his coworkers.

In your hands, you hold a book that contains 30 devotional readings. Each chapter contains Bible verses, a brief essay, inspirational quotations, and a prayer for your journey.

During the next 30 days, please try this experiment: read a chapter each day. If youre already committed to a daily time of worship, this book will enrich that experience. If you are not, the simple act of giving God a few minutes each morning will change the direction and the quality of your life.

Every day provides opportunities to put God where He belongs: at the center of our lives. When we do so, we worship Him, not just with words, but with deeds. And, we become dutiful servants of God, righteous men who share His Sons message of love and salvation with the world. May you be that righteous man.

The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.

James 5:16 HCSB

The power of prayer: these words are so familiar, yet sometimes we forget what they mean. Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with our Creator; it is an opportunity to commune with the Giver of all things good. Prayer is not a thing to be taken lightly or to be used infrequently.

All too often, amid the rush of daily life, we may lose sight of Gods presence in our lives. Instead of turning to Him for guidance and for comfort, we depend, instead, upon our own resources. To do so is a profound mistake. Prayer should never be reserved for mealtimes or for bedtimes; it should be an ever-present focus in our daily lives.

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote, Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (5:17-18 KJV). Pauls words apply to every Christian of every generation.

Today, instead of turning things over in our minds, let us turn them over to God in prayer. Instead of worrying about our decisions, lets trust God to help us make them. Today, let us pray constantly about things great and small. God is listening, and He wants to hear from us. Now.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

Romans 12:12 HCSB

Dont worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 HCSB

The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 15:29 NIV

Obedience is the master key to effective prayer.

Billy Graham

Prayer may not get us what we want, but it will teach us to want what we need.

Vance Havner

It is well said that neglected prayer is the birth-place of all evil.

C. H. Spurgeon

Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing.

E. M. Bounds

Learn to pray to God in such a way that you are trusting Him as your Physician to do what He knows is best. Confess to Him the disease, and let Him choose the remedy.

St. Augustine

When you pray, things may remain the same, but you begin to be different.

Oswald Chambers

Pray early and often. God is listening, and your friends and family are watching.

Dear Lord, make me a man of constant prayer. Your Holy Word commands me to pray without ceasing. Let me take everything to You. When I am discouraged, let me pray. When I am lonely, let me take my sorrows to You. When I grieve, let me take my tears to You, Lord, in prayer. And when I am joyful, let me offer up prayers of thanksgiving. In all things great and small, at all times, whether happy or sad, let me seek Your wisdom and Your grace... in prayer. Amen