A prayer and meditation upon the Passion of Jesus. He knew what he was doing. It was plan A. There never was a plan B. This should bring us much comfort and joy. Ultimately, it is more than just a story to remember — what he did is the pinnacle of all time and space. It draws us to glorify a cosmic King and God. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl…

A prayer and mediation about hiding — wrestling with the fact we often find ourselves hiding 'from' God rather than 'in' God. Why do we do this? What does God want us to do? www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Genesis 3:1-11 Psalm 32:6-7 Colossians 3:1-4 Tracks: "Night Wonder" by Outside the Sky "Out of the Darkness" by Moments "Sundown…

A prayer and mediation for peace in the Middle East, and particularly for those who call YHVH the Lord God. It is difficult to know how to pray for such a thing, or what to pray for, but sometimes just praying God's Word to Him and standing with it (and upon it) seems appropriate. We utilize Psalm 102 to do just that in a prayer for God's people. w…

What is prayer? What is prayer meant to be like for the Christian? Though J.R.R. Tolkien was famous in denying any grand allegory to the Christian message, we take a short excerpt from "The Hobbit" and find in it a wonderful image of prayer for the follower of Christ. What does prayer have in common with climbing a tree in the middle of a dark fore…

Praying, meditating, and resting on Psalm 36. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Revelation 8:2-4 Psalm 36 Tracks: "In the Twilight" by Moments "What We Give" by Moments "Her Majesty" by MomentsOleh Eric

Praying "The Deer's Cry" prayer, attributed to St. Patrick in 433. (Also referred to as "The Breastplate Prayer.") www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Tracks: "In the Night" by Lost GhostsOleh Eric

A prayer and mediation on Psalm 18. What if we place infinite value on these things we read and pray — the Word, and the God of the Word? With such a perspective, the gravity and fullness of God, as well as His deliverance, becomes nearly unbearable in its brightness and glory. He alone is our fortress, shield, and deliverer ...from all things. Jos…

A meditation on the three most important days in history, for all creation and for every person, ever born. It is the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery which none of the rulers of that age knew — for if had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord glory. When we proclaim "He is risen!," let us perceive the majesty of the cosmic King and the…

A meditation on the long held Passover feast. There is prophecy to behold both in the event and in the practice so carefully held by the Israelites, year after year ...for generations. Jesus is the our Passover Lamb — for all of us. He is the Lamb that is worthy to praised throughout eternity. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Exodus …

A prayer and meditation with the Psalmist on integrity. Integrity is a dusty old word and perhaps we've gone so far in our culture it may be seen by some as a meaningless virtue, tossed to the bin with humility, temperance, chastity, etc. Integrity still remains something we can choose, or will, to have. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Tex…

A prayer and meditation, rippling outward, leaning upon the truth of Psalm 61. We perform our priestly duties, interceding on other's behalf as Christ intercedes for us, in heaven, on our behalf. Calling from the ends of the earth to the Living God, may those in our home, our neighborhood, and unto the very edges of His kingdom receive his light, m…

Praying, meditating, and resting on Psalm 73. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Psalm 73 Tracks: "Lancashire Road" by Moments "Kindness Follows" by Birds of Norway "Music Box" by Stephen KeechOleh Eric

A meditation on being thankful, coming into a right understanding of God, and restoring a correct relationship with Him, even in difficult times. We are often so inward looking or prone to being a victim of circumstance that we find ourselves far off course or wandering in our faith journey. In sitting under God's interrogation of Job and revealing…

A meditation and prayer positioning ourselves in a stance against the iniquity of pornography. We cannot turn from this wickedness, shove it aside as if it is nothing, or pretend that it's darkness hasn't infected nearly all of life like a cancer. We must stand against and intercede with our God to eradicate this spirit and the evil emanating from …

Are you box-checking your way through your Christian life? It feels that way sometimes, does it not? We must fight against this by coming into a correct position and beginning to understand what it means to break. We meditate on two disparate stories in scripture to gain encouragement in turning away from obligation and toward devotion and adoratio…

A meditation and time of prayer being thankful. We are not only too distracted, but often are too suspicious of our life or too disinterested for real thanksgiving. God is worthy of our thanks for everything. Truly everything. It is good to practice praying our thanks to our Creator and Sustainer. We gain from giving to Him. www.incense-ptl.com eri…

A meditation and time of prayer on being ready to be a true offering for God's use. Guided by two February excerpts of Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest," we can choose to find our identity in God, with our will choose to be broken, and conclude by telling God we are ready. It is good to humbly sit in reverence and awe before the God of t…

Praying, meditating, and resting on Psalm 37. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Psalm 37 Tracks: "In the Twilight" by Moments "What We Give" by Moments "Her Majesty" by MomentsOleh Eric

A prayer and meditation on what Jesus says about wheat. In AD 110, Ignatius said "I am the what of Christ." Though we may not struggle against the threat of outright martyrdom or even much persecution, do we resemble a seed that has fallen to the earth and died? What are we striving to hold on to in our own will? We can see that Jesus was the supre…

A prayer and meditation, humbling ourselves before God's mighty throne. The Word speaks to humility many times and is consistent throughout: we must humble ourselves. He promises we will be exalted and receive grace. We must repent of all kinds of pride and find ourselves with knees bent before Him. As old Lewis said, we must not think less of ours…

A prayer and meditation working through some moments from the Sermon on the Mount. Are we being obedient to the commands of God's Son in dealing with anger, retaliation, enemies, and judgment? What names and faces come to mind as I work measure my own heart in the light of God? Can we be fully grown and mature in our dealings with others? We must b…

A prayer of consecration at the dawn of the year. I must know Him more this year. He is my Shield and my Defense. He is my Physician and Friend. He is my Creator and Sustainer. He is my only resolution — none other would suffice in getting to my heart... my nature. Let us learn this year what God says of Himself and of us, and take Him at His word.…

A meditative vigil, waiting and watching for the birth of the Messiah, whose light has come, full of grace and truth. He is beautiful to behold, and worthy of our watchful adoration. The advent season brings the space to access a special peace and reflection upon the ancient prophecies regarding the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. www.in…

A simple opportunity to reverently dwell and meditate upon a deeply meaningful and enriching advent hymn. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - 11th Century (1861 — John Mason Neale) O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel; That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O co…

A meditation and devotional prayer on the incarnation. Do we approach the baby Jesus in the same way we approach the man Jesus or the victorious Jesus? Do we treat or thoughts toward Him with the same honor that the visiting Magi did this time of year? We must see Him and run to Him as He is, regardless of the lowly state, or the cattle stall. He w…

A meditation and prayer on uplifting others in prayer. "The spirit of prayer is a public treasure, though laid up in some few hands. All cannot pray, therefore all should be prayed for," says William Gurnall. It is a difficult question to ask ourselves if we have hearts that are bound pray — and pray for others. Are we too distracted to see, too se…

A prayer and meditation to remember the deeper meaning of the season of advent — to remember He came and tabernacled among us. Incarnation. May we make that our anchor and rest in the days ahead as we seek prayerfully to do his will and say to God what Mary said to the visiting angel:"Behold, I am the Lord's servant. May it happen to me according t…

Let us return once again to Moses to see and pray through what it means to hear and obey. Endurance of faith and obedience in a continually more distracting world is a serious matter. Will we be doers in the face of challenges or distractions? Will I obey his word to me? www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Exodus 17:1-7 Numbers 20:1-13 …

Some Greeks came with the crowds and asked to see Jesus. He had a response worth dwelling on and praying over. Are we willing to believe Him and do what he says, and in doing so,to serve him? What type of grain of wheat will we be? www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: John 12:20-26 (Galations 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:24, Phili…

A prayer and meditation honing in on God's 'knowing,' while resting and praying through Ezekiel 37 and Psalm 139. Can we posture ourselves in front of an all-knowing God in a way that honors Him and the truth that He is all-knowing? Does it make us uncomfortable that he "sees" and "knows" us from before our first cell's division to beyond our final…

A prayer and meditation asking God to reveal what He says it means to be blessed. Do I recognize myself as 'blessed?' Does what I say being 'blessed' is align with who Jesus declares as Blessed? This is a hard prayer and meditation for it uproots our age of desire, accumulation, and comfort and replaces it with Spirit, Truth, and the Kingdom of Hea…

A prayer, simply waiting on God. Just waiting... to fight the noise, to focus our mind, to humble our heart, to find shalom. It is good to wait on the Lord. Just be still ...and wait. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Psalm 130:1-6 Psalm 27:7-14 Tracks: "Empty Space" by Sean Daugherty "Those Lost" by Moments…

A simple opportunity to reverently dwell and meditate upon a deeply meaningful and enriching hymn. "Day by Day" - 1865, Lina Sandell Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each …

A prayer meditating on the Name of God. It is good to remember that His Name is important throughout the entirety of the scriptures. Over and over again we are invited, nay commanded, to remember His Name. His Name is above all other names, from generation to generation. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: John 17:24-26 Exodus 3:1-6, 11…

A prayer and meditation looking to the Son of Man and the Lamb of God. We ask God to bless us with an even clearer vision of His Son, Jesus. It is Good and necessary to behold the Man upon the cross, to behold the Man outside the tomb, to behold the Man ascending to the heights, and to behold the Man seated at the right hand of the Father. Let us w…

A prayer and meditation, rippling outward, not only acknowledging the truth and reality of God's Holiness, but asking for Him to fulfill His promise in Isaiah 55. The words that go out from His mouth will not return to him without success. May He deliver that word to us in this time of need as well as to others (friend and foe) in this time of need…

A prayer and meditation on fighting fear with faith. In humility, let us approach the Almighty God and bow to his sovereignty, choosing to fear Him instead of the world. When we see Jesus and His works lighting up everything around us, we can take courage and strength to face our fears in this fallen world. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com …

A prayer and meditation on the special season of lent and the window of opportunity it provides those of faith to 1) remember the true gospel, 2) fast and pray, and 3) practically match our words and deeds to those of Christ. Under the authority of the Word and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us enter into this season with diligence, seriou…

A meditation and intercession on behalf of brothers and sisters around the world who are in harms way. So many are, and it will get worse. Yet we must not be afraid! Our God is sovereign. He is a God who sees, who grants courage and strength to those who believe. Pray for our family around the world. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: …

A prayer and meditation through a confession of faith in the almighty God and the realities He alone has created and sustains. Who is He? Who are we? How do these truths effect our reality, belief, and action? www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Psalm 121:1-8 Psalm 123:1-2 Tracks: "Finding Four Leaf Clovers" by Kurtis Parks "Moonlit For…

A prayer and meditation on bathing in the Light of God. God created light, yet He not only claimed to Be light, but also declared his son Jesus to be light. Even more stunning is that we as followers of Christ are to be light and be filled with light. Can we let the warm light of God shine brightly on us and through us toward others? www.incense-pt…

A prayer and meditation, rippling forth, concerning holy ground and sacred space. Can our hearts and minds be holy ground? Is our house, neighborhood, and city holy ground? Is our light shining in these spaces to allow Jesus to be seen, heard, and felt? www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Exodus 3:1-6 Tracks: "Woven" by Alice in Winter …

A prayer and meditation about praying in the necessary faith that God is Good. God is a rewarder for those who seek Him. Let us turn our face and attention to Him for He alone is worthy of praise, prayer, and reverent worship. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Psalm 36:5-9 Revelation 8:3-4 Luke 11:9-13 Hebrews 11:6 Hebrews 13:20-21 Tr…

An introduction to the podcast. A prayer and meditation about praying. It can be a challenge to focus, listen, and converse with God, but it is necessary. He desires our attention and devotion. www.incense-ptl.com eric@incense-ptl.com Texts: Revelation 8:3-4 James 5:13-18 Romans 8:26-28 Psalms 115:14-18 Tracks: "Wilderness" by Wild Wonder "Headwind…

Learn HOW Jesus taught us to pray the prayer He gave us! There are some important dos and don'ts that will make the whole difference for you!Oleh Rooted Prayer with Sara Maynard

Praying the Lord's Prayer leads us toward holiness, but is that just a rigid, joyless, severe lifestyle or something totally differnt? Something WAY better? Let's explore the joy and beautiy of holiness!Oleh Rooted Prayer with Sara Maynard

There are 4 BIG reasons the Lord is re-activating the Lord's Prayer right now. In this episode we'll explore them and be inspired to be a part of the big things God is doing. It's all -- for such a time as this!Oleh Rooted Prayer with Sara Maynard

Today is the Day of Ascension, and the day the Great Commission was given. In this episode we look at the prayer of "Your Kingdom Come"!Oleh Rooted Prayer with Sara Maynard

...As we forgive! Your host Sara Maynard looks at this radical call to be a forgiving people and explores some key ways to get there!Oleh Rooted Prayer with Sara Maynard

Praying the Lord's Prayer leads us into unity, community and commuion --and out of lonilness!Oleh Rooted Prayer with Sara Maynard