Prayer, Plain and Simple

Prayer, Plain and Simple

Thanksgiving Prayer: Self Control

posted by nsymmonds | 3:15pm Wednesday November 4, 2009

I am currently in the midst of my church’s annual 21-day consecration in which we dedicate ourselves to fasting, increased prayer, and study of the word of God. As is always the case when it comes to fasting, it brings to mind what you can and can’t eat and sometimes puts the fastee in danger of over-indulging on that which they can eat in order to substitute for that which they can’t. I know this too well because I am living it. I am forever tempted to overdose on broccoli, cashews, oatmeal and the other healthier options since I can’t have my Tostitos, cookies, and cupcakes. But this fast is about self control for God’s sake. It has been said that obedience is better than sacrifice, but in this case, I feel that sacrificing IS what is necessary in order for me to be obedient to God. This season leading up to Thanksgiving brings into view the concept of self control. There will be food and drink flowing like water in 3 week’s time and it will take everything in us to eat and drink in moderation. And this isn’t just about food. We can be in danger of being excessive in many areas of our lives, but all of those areas will affect us in some way. So today’s Thanksgiving prayer is for self control.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this season of harvest that you have us in. A season that will be full of delicious food and drink. A season that will be full of wonderful family and friends. A season that will be full to the brim with the possibilities you set before us. But in all of these things I pray for self control. Self control while we are enjoying are enjoying the delicious foods of the season. The turkey, the pecan pies, the pumpkin lattes, the egg nog and every other seasonal food that you will put before us. Let us remember to eat and drink in moderation and do it all to your glory. Self control in the way we spend money so that we will not live outside of our means. Let us be good stewards over our financial resources. Let us trust in you and your hand of provision and remember that you supply all of our needs according to your riches in glory. Even as we look toward the day after Thanksgiving when every store will have deep discounts and sales to draw us in, may we be controlled in our spending and in our behavior remembering that our ability to control ourselves can affect someone else’s life. This is a season were excess can tempt us, but help us not to be lead astray. Let us be controlled in all we do remembering that self control is a fruit of the spirit. Give us the spirit of self control from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen



Previous Posts

A Prayer After the Explosions that Rocked Mumbai
At least 10 are dead in three separate explosions that tore through a business district in Mumbai, India today. Dozens more are injured. The Indian government has confirmed that the explosions were terrorist attacks likely from Muslim radicals. They have placed the entire city on high alert. “Go

posted 11:12:12am Jul. 13, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for a True Yankee Hero
Christian Lopez could have made a “cool” fifty thousand dollars… at least. Instead, he didn’t ask for a single thing. And that is the real “cool” in the story. Lopez happened to be sitting in the left field seats at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, July 9th when Derek Jeter hit a towering

posted 7:05:04pm Jul. 11, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Jaycee Dugard, the young woman kidnapped in 1991 at the age of 11 by Phillip Garrido and held captive for nearly two decades told her story last night to Diane Sawyer on ABC News' "Primetime." Gugard appeared remarkably composed throughout the interview. Phillip Garrido, 60, a serial sex offender

posted 7:57:30am Jul. 11, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for Rain
Torrential rains this week brought a first-relief to drought-stricken Texas. But much more is needed if the southern states of the US are to escape the historic dry spell that has gripped the region most of the year. Praying for rain seems fitting. “God, you send rains in season. It is a season o

posted 7:50:14pm Jul. 09, 2011 | read full post »

A Prayer for Crime Victims
 Murder is in the news cycle. Casey Anthony was acquitted this week on charges of first degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter. Who hasn’t heard about that, and who doesn’t have an opinion? Now Humberto Leal, 38, who was convicted in 1995 in the brutal raping and murd

posted 9:05:37am Jul. 07, 2011 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(4)
post a comment
Raymond E. Alston

posted November 4, 2009 at 3:45 pm


amen



report abuse
 

Loc Phan

posted November 5, 2009 at 11:50 am


Thank you so much for this prayer. My famil belong to new Harvest Christian Fellowship. I believe God is moving the church to a new level. I’m asking Jesus to help me with my self-control. I am highly involve with the church. God please help me to stay on the right track and continue to serve you as best of my ability. I know the true righteousness came from the cross of Calvery when when you died for us Jesus. Amen



report abuse
 

stanley mcqueen

posted November 5, 2009 at 3:00 pm


temptation is all around us in this modern world, the flashing lights of the bars and the town echo temptations, control is what its all about, being able to resist the tempation of the flesh, some people want admit they are temped. but the bible says resist the devil and he will flee from you.



report abuse
 

stanley mcqueen

posted November 5, 2009 at 3:07 pm


with thanks giving just around the corner lets” always to be thankful for ever thing that God has done for us, some people go all threw life and never utter thanks to God for what they have been blessed with, to these types i feel sorry for people who cannot see their blessings. to these types i call them blinded to the blessing bestowed..



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.

Share this story


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.