Day 17 - Prayer Journal: Freedom

Scripture
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty." - 2 Corinthians 3:17

Happy Independence Day! Happy 4th of July! Happy Birthday America!

No matter what you call it or no matter how you celebrate it. Today people all over our beloved country will bar-b-que, display fireworks, parade through the streets, and tons of other gestures in recognition that the United States is a free nation. The sad fact is that many of our neighboring countries, even continents, don't boast the freedom that we have come to expect here in America.

Sometimes we even take that freedom for granted because most of us have never known, imprisonment, persecution, or war-torn lands in our native country. But everyone can identify with the wonderful privilege of being free. We get to choose whether or not to celebrate, what we want to say or refrain from saying, and whom we choose to worship or not.

However, the greatest freedom of all is not found in the 4th of July. It is found in knowing and serving our lord, Jesus Christ. The scripture says that where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty or freedom. When your life is filled with the love of God, you automatically receive spiritual freedom or liberties. You are free to live without sin, free from guilt or shame, free from hatred or unforgiveness, free to love, free to praise, free to receive, and best of all free to choose to accept God at His word and to follow Him obediently. Isn't that the best liberty of all?

Focus

• Thank God for the freedoms you experience every day in all areas of your life.
• Pray for people and nations who are persecuted.
• Intercede for someone in our nation who has fallen into the lies of the enemy and is living a life of bondage.
• Ask God to free your mind or faith in areas that are weak.
• Pray for guidance in how to share your "freedom of religion" with someone new.

Remember

It is a privilege to live in freedom, but it costs a price. America became a free nation as a result of war. You and I are free because Jesus warred and won over our adversary, the devil.

Be Blessed!