Be Encouraged - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 4, 2026

The devil's greatest ambition is to dim the light wherever it may be. To that end, it will do everything to plant seeds that make you think things are worse than they truly are. It wants God's children to slump their shoulders and bow their heads. Meanwhile, you are to move confidently like the lion mentioned in Proverbs 30:29-30.

If the devil can succeed at forcing you to walk with bowed heads, then you won't see the light at the end of the tunnel. And that light awaits you even though God allows you to go through tough periods. Those seasons are to discipline you so that your imperfections are removed, and your faith is strengthened. His objective is to make you a worthy vessel for His purpose.

You've got to lift your head up. You can't believe the lie the devil's telling you - that if God were going to do it, He would have done it by now. Another lie could be that God hates you because you are a sinner. Or, that you'll never be as good as someone else, so you shouldn't even try. As long as you received a promise from God or found His word in the Good Book, it will come to pass (Isaiah 55:10 -11).

And so, you need to fight - and I really mean war - to remember who you are to God. If you are not sure how God sees you, then hold on to this truth: He deemed you important enough to let His Son die on the cross for you long before you were born or ever sinned. 1 John 4:9 - This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

His word in Zechariah 2:8 states, ...for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye. He also said in Jeremiah 1:5 that He knew you before you were born, and He went on to say in Isaiah 43:4 - Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. You're kind of like a big deal to Him.

Plus, if you made the intentional choice to give your life to Christ, then remember that God rewarded you with a deposit of His Spirit. This means you have access to God's strategy, wisdom, and more, as long as He needs to use you for His purpose. Micah 3:8 also teaches that those with His Spirit are also filled with God's power. You were created for great exploits, all because you know your God and chose Him.

Read those verses over and over until you believe them in your spirit. Reject the seed of discontentment and sadness that the enemy wants to saddle you with. Replace the despair and weariness with praise (Isaiah 61:3). You are a child of God's light and goodness. Proclaim His word and study His word to discover the love notes it contains, specially written by the Creator of the Universe for you.

It doesn't matter how dark the night may seem; dawn is always on the horizon. Psalm 30:5 is more eloquent when it says - ... weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. So hang in there. God hasn't forgotten you. Just as it was for Jairus, your miracle is on the way. Don't give up. Don't let frustration and impatience cheat you of what you're set to reap on earth and in heaven. God bless you!

Any thoughts? Leave your comments below. And as you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:

1. God Gives Us A Way Out

2. No Need For Fear

3. Patience

4. Hold On

5. Don't Forget God's Love

6. You are being built for the Lord

7. Don't Uproot Your Seed

8. Onward Christian Soldier

9. Love, the antidote to fear

10. In the Palm of God's Hand

11. God Is Waiting On You

12. The devil's Underlying Scheme

13. Don't Reject God's Process With Grumbling

14. Don't Let Sin Rule You

15. Topic: God's Love

16. Topic: The Wait