W@W WRAP – Week 351

What do you focus on?

Read:

Act:

Let us be determined this week to:

Shift our focus onto our Heavenly Father. We are continually faced with the things of this world:  hurt, inadequacy, disqualification, not being good enough or the pressures to conform to society’s definition of success. Instead, let’s turn our gaze – our focus – towards God’s faithfulness, His grace and promises. Let’s allow His words to heal and transform our thoughts. Let’s allow Jesus to rewrite the script playing through our minds. Nothing bankrupts our perspective like paying attention to the enemy’s folly. Our God is the only One truly qualified to satisfy our needs and wants. May we cling to Him and let go of trying to control everything ourselves. We can rely on the unwavering goodness and unchanging nature of God. When we trust God with all aspects of our lives, including those of our loved ones, we can find peace in difficult times, strength in moments of weakness, and clarity in challenging seasons.

Encourage and strengthen those who are struggling – through our prayers and testimonies of God’s faithfulness. May we never lose faith in God – for great is His faithfulness! He will guide us through life’s moments – the bright, life-giving ones and those that are a challenge. Let us always remember to put our trust in Jesus Christ. He alone can work miracles in our lives, in His perfect timing, for our benefit and His glory.

Maintain a Heavenly perspective. In all things, may we view our lives from God’s perspective, remembering James 1:2-4 (AMP) which states, “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.” May we truly ‘Count it all JOY’ – recognising our Lord’s transformative work in our hearts and lives, as He shapes us to become more and more like Him each day. May our trials pave the way for spiritual growth and unwavering faith. May our Heavenly Father grant us the strength to embrace challenges with joy, knowing that His higher ways are constantly at work for our ultimate good. May each of us take a positive and proactive approach to dealing with setbacks and challenges, giving thanks in all circumstances as it is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). When we focus on things we are grateful for, we can shift our perspective away from self-pity, bitterness and worry – towards a more positive mindset, one that is dependent on God, our almighty Father.

So in all things – may we be single-minded in our focus on God, and not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as we mature spiritually] by the renewing of our minds [focusing on Godly values and ethical attitudes], so that we may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for us] (Romans 12:2).

This world distracts us with many challenges and obstacles in our way, but may we be a people who focus on JESUS – above all else and always!

Pray:

Dear Lord, thank You for uniting us in prayer once more. I ask that You would come into every wound of rejection and every area of hurt, and pour our Your love and acceptance. Father, shift our gaze from the places that are hurting – that distract us from our calling to You, our Saviour, Redeemer and Healer. Help us to focus on what You have said about us and the truth in Your Word. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You that we can always trust You with everything in our lives. Please forgive us when we try to take things into our own hands. I pray for peace during uncertainty. Help us to share our testimonies with others and intercede for them when they struggle to stay on their knees and hand situations over to You. Thank You for the blessings and miracles in our lives. I pray all of this in Jesus’ mighty name.

Lord, I pray that You will reveal what is on Your heart for us, so that we can pursue You, build our faith, get to know You more and help others to experience You. Thank You Jesus.

Oh, Lord Jesus, You know that when trials come our way, we are not quick to count them as JOY! May we see everything in our lives from Your perspective. When you tell us that these challenges will help us to grow more like You, and to depend upon You more, may we truly embrace them gladly. May we know, know, know that You will work them out for Your Glory and our good. We thank You, Lord, that we can depend upon You in every situation of our lives. That indeed brings us great JOY! In Jesus’ precious name.

Lord, thank You that You are there in the good times and the bad times. Help us to build habits of gratitude. Remind us that You are ever present, that You will carry us through, that You are faithful, that You will be there for us. May we maintain that perspective in our lives. Amen.