Sun Stand Still Prayers

   
     "On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:
"O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
     So the sun stood still, and the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
     The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man."
     Joshua 10:12-14
     When I read these verses, I thought, I want to have sun stand still prayers like Joshua! What is it about Joshua, that caused the Lord to listen like He did? Joshua was a man of great faith and He obeyed the Lord. Not too long before, the walls of Jericho had fallen because Joshua did as the Lord commanded him to do. Did it make sense? In human terms, no, not at all. However, like Joshua, we must look at our circumstances and situations from God's perspective-it is supernatural. God asks for our obedience and tells us it is better than any sacrifice we could give (1 Samuel 5:22). 
     With that being said, what are you earnestly praying for and is this in line with God's word. He tells us we "do not have, because we do not ask God. When we ask, we do not receive, because we ask with wrong motives, that we may spend what we get on our pleasures (James 4:2-3)." As we grow in the fear and knowledge of God. He begins to change our desires so they align with His will and His word. When this happens, you can be assured that whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you (Mark 11:24)." We must also remember, that we need to come to God with a clean heart~confessing any sin in our lives to Him and repenting of that sin. For if you have sin in your heart, God will not hear your prayer. "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18)." 
     Persistence is key for each one of us. We tend to get distracted by other's words and circumstances in our lives. What are you believing God for? What has God given you a vision for? Everything worth having requires persistence. Don't let situations and resistance of your faith get you distracted from doing God's will. Everyone who has ever walked by faith has walked in struggle, but remember, you are more than a conqueror in Christ! (Romans 8:37) 
     God is no respecter of persons. In Christ, we are all one. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)." What God has done for others, He will do for you. 
     Start declaring the word of God over your life, your family and your friends. Every one of God's promises are true but it is up to us to exercise our faith and take God at His word. "He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him (1 Chronicles 5:20)." Trust God~He is faithful and all of His ways are loving and true. The character of God is not based on your circumstances. He is good, holy, loving, righteous, sovereign, everlasting, forgiving, true and merciful both now and forever more! 
     Start today, praying "sun stand still" prayers. Believe God for the impossible.....whatever the situation may be~ in your finances, in your marriage, your family, an addiction or stronghold in your own life, a vision God has given you or any lack that you have. Watch and wait for God to move! Don't stop praying my friend until God gives you the answer! Let go of fear, let go of doubt and let go of the past. "For the Lord God is a sun (light) and a shield (protection);the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless (Psalm 84:11)." 
     "The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest (Psalm 85:12)." 
     As a follower of Christ, the same power that raised Him up from the dead lives on the inside of you! Be strengthened in your spirit. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Romans 15:13)." 
     As you go in your journey, remember these words spoken by Paul, "Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring-not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: I have made you a father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:16-17)." Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'so shall your offspring be.' He did not weaken in his faith, but took God at His word even though his body was as good as dead (around a hundred years old). However, he did not waiver in unbelief regarding the promise to him by God, but he was strengthened in his faith and gave God the glory! He was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised! (Romans 4:18-21) 
     That is the kind of faith I desire! I am praying for each person reading this today, to grow in the knowledge of God and grow in your faith. That you would be so strengthened by Him and His word and that you will see your "sun stand still" prayer answered in Jesus' name!