A Life Transforming Prayer

Is there someone in your life that greatly needs your prayers? 

Maybe they have allowed Satan to blind them, desperately needing to turn themselves over to the Lord.

Or perhaps they live for God but are going through a turbulent time.  

If you are like me, at times you may have found yourself feeling so desperate that you don’t know how to pray for them. 

In Colossians 1, Paul offers us a guideline:

(Image from Two Crazy Crafters)

1. As you pray for someone, ask that they will perceive life through God’s perspective;  that His desires and His direction will be the foundation for which they conduct their life.

2. Pray that they will “walk worthy of the Lord,” honoring His name, and obeying Him in all things; aspiring to have character that will be a reflection of Him.

3. Pray that their heart will be willing to carry out His will, and make a positive impact.

4. Request that they will have an intimate relationship with the Lord, seek His wisdom, and increase in knowledge and understanding of Him.

5. Ask that they see and experience the Lord’s power and tap into His strength for the tasks before them.

6. Pray that the fruits of the spirit will overflow in their life.

7. Ask that they will have an attitude of  thankfulness and joy; that their life will become a beacon of light.

Resolve today not to cease from praying for them.  God honors our consistency.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availth much.”  James 5:16B 

(Forget-me-nots courtesy of Little Birdie Blessings)

                    

Steak and Vegetable Stir Fry

Healthy—delicious—full of flavor, and tastes like it came right out of Chinese restaurant takeout box! 

Mrs. Smith’s Steak and Vegetable Stir Fry

3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup merlot
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 pound flank steak, cut into thin strips against grain

3 tablespoons oil
1-2 white onions, chopped  
1 package fresh sliced mushrooms
1 bell pepper, cut into pieces  
8 oz. fresh snow peas, ends trimmed
4 zucchinis, cut lengthwise in strips (about 2 in. long and 1/2 in. thick)

jasmine rice, cooked according to package directions (using salt sparingly)

Mix ingredients for sauce together and toss with meat to marinate while you are preparing vegetables and rice.

Cook rice according to package directions, using half the amount of salt that the package calls for.

Meanwhile, add oil to a large skillet or wok and heat.  Cook each set of vegetables separately, until desired tenderness, and set aside on platter.  (Add more oil if needed.)

In hot skillet, cook beef and marinade in two batches, until no longer pink.  (Cook quickly, keeping your skillet hot.)

Once the second batch of beef is browned, leave it in skillet and add to it the first batch of beef, and all of the vegetables.  Stir and fry just until hot.  Serve over rice.

*  Soy sauce has a high sodium content so you definitely want to use low sodium soy or the dish will taste way too salty.

*  Carrots and green onions make a nice addition too.  For a quicker meal, use just one or two vegetables. (You may need to adjust amount of marinade down to about 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup.)

*  If steak is slightly frozen, it will cut easier.  It is convenient to cut it ahead of time, then freeze in a freezer bag for later use.

*  You can freeze ginger for later use also.  Just wash, peel,  and chop into useable size pieces.  Store in freezer bag.