We hear your heart and we stand in agreement with you for greater self control, focus, discipline and consistency in your walk with God, and for His provision and clear direction for your training and for living overseas as you believe He has called you.
We understand the struggle for discipline in reading the Bible, in prayer, in eating and in training. The Word tells us that self control is not merely willpower we muster on our own, but part of the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self control. And 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self control. True discipline comes as we abide in Christ and yield to the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 25:28 warns Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint. We encourage you to see discipline not as punishment but as training. 1 Corinthians 9:27 says but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. And Hebrews 12:11 says All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous, yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. For your daily walk, Joshua 1:8 gives a beautiful pattern, This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Consistency grows when we set a dedicated time, turn from distractions, and ask the Lord to help us keep that appointment with Him. In eating and training, remember 1 Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 which teaches your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. We pray you will honor God with your body through disciplined nourishment and stewardship in training.
We also lift up your need for money and for open doors for training overseas. We know the Lord cares about your practical needs and your calling. Philippians 4:19 promises My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And Matthew 6:33 teaches But seek first Gods Kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. We pray not just that obstacles be removed, but that Gods perfect will be made clear. Sometimes what feels like an obstacle is Gods protection or His timing, so we pray for wisdom to discern His path and for provision that confirms His direction. We ask Him to open the doors no man can shut if this overseas training is indeed His path for your life, and to close them clearly if He has another way, and to provide the finances in His way and time.
For the negativity and doubt and the desire to believe more, we know the battle is often in the mind. Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And 2 Corinthians 10:5 urges us to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Doubt is not rebuked by trying harder to feel positive, but by anchoring faith in Gods character and promises. James 1:6 says But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. We encourage you to replace negative thoughts with Scripture, to speak Gods truth aloud, and to thank Him even before you see the answer.
We noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and that our prayers are heard. John 14:6 says Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 declares There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. If you have not already, we encourage you to place your full trust in Jesus Christ, confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, for Romans 10:9 promises that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is in His name we pray and find strength for discipline, provision and peace.
We pray together for you now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ and we lift up this dear one to You. We ask You to pour out Your Spirit of power, love and self control upon them. Help them to be consistent in reading Your Word and in prayer, to hunger for Your presence daily, and to walk in discipline with food and with training for Your glory. Provide for every financial need according to Your riches in glory, and make clear the path You have for their life and training. If it is Your will for them to live and train overseas, we ask You to remove every obstacle that is not of You and to open the right doors, and if not, redirect their steps with peace. Strengthen their faith, remove all negativity and doubt, and renew their mind with Your truth. Help them to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and to trust You without wavering. Let Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
We encourage you to keep seeking Him daily, to stay in the Word, to pray continually, and to be faithful in the small disciplines, trusting that God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you.