Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles |
Scripture: Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “the Bible says, we will have battles between the Spirit and our flesh constantly.” |
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
As Christians, we can apply this principle to the spirit and the flesh. The Bible warns us that they will constantly be in conflict. The spirit wants to live in obedience and the joy of salvation; the flesh wants to live in opulence and the justification of sin.
The battle is not always over something huge like whether to pray or to party or whether to shout to the Lord or give a shout out to your favorite booty call. Some battles take place deep within and are more subtle. For example, I often experience the battle for peace of mind. The spirit wants to be content with what I have. The spirit knows that God is in control and that He has a plan for me. The flesh wants to focus on what I do not have, and sometimes, what others have. The flesh wants me to feel that God has abandoned me; that He has left me alone.
When these battles rage on, I often end up in tears. The tears are expressions of pain for the fact that I have allowed so much nonsense to enter into my flesh, through my eyes and my ears, that it sometimes feel like the flesh is just kicking the mess out of my spirit. I get upset because I know that I read enough, and pray enough to know that the devil is a liar and God is on the throne. Still, when it comes to the singleness, the childlessness, the loneliness, I oftentimes let the flesh get the upper hand.
So, what is the solution? The solution is to seek God’s face and rely on the Holy Spirit to give comfort as promised. The solution is to focus on the promises kept by God and the promises to be kept by God rather than focus on the plight of singleness. As the story suggests, the solution is to feed the spirit and to starve the flesh.
Thank You, God for the promise that You alone are God
Please forgive me for feeding my flesh more than my spirit.
Lord, please help me to focus on your faithfulness and
allow my spirit to win the battles and the war.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Twenty
How do I Know I am Saved?
Scripture: John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “I am not saying that I am never lonely, but I know that the world could be devoid of all human life, except me and God would still be here with me.” |
“Am I really saved?” is not the kind of question that you feel comfortable asking anybody, but God. Of course, I have had many people ask me how I know I am saved. And, for a long time, I was unsure of how to answer the question. But, as I got older and I got into a more intimate relationship with Christ, I realized that there were things that I just could not do or say anymore. I am not referring to what many people say is your conscience. I realized that there were times when the words that came out of my mouth were not my own. It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in me that caused this dramatic change.
It was not an all-of-a-sudden, glitter falls from the sky, and I start glowing kind of change that people could see. As a matter of fact, I am not sure if anyone else noticed. Nonetheless, over time I felt more free to be who God wants me to be regardless of what anyone else thinks about it. That is what it feels like to be saved. That is what the indwelling of the Holy Spirit feels like. And, the Holy Spirit only resides in you if you are saved.
So, why I am talking about this in devotions about being single? Because nothing that I say will ever help you if the first relationship in your life is not intact. Sure, there are plenty of unsaved people in happy relationships. If I wanted to right now, I could go find someone to be happy with, but that is not good enough for me. I want the kind of relationship that God has set aside for His children. And, in order to have that, I must first be fulfilled by a relationship with Christ, so that I am not putting unreasonable expectations on my future mate.
If you can still do the sinful things that you have always done and it never bothers you; you might want to check your salvation. If you can still go to the same places you know you have no business going to and it does not bother you; you should probably check your salvation. If you can hear people talk about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit disrespectfully and it does not bother you, you might want to check your salvation. We are not perfect. Notice I said, “it does not bother you.” Sometimes, we will make mistakes and fall back into old behaviors, but it should grieve our spirit. If it does not, we may need to have a reality check about whether or not the Holy Spirit really resides there.
Our dedication to our relationship with God, our first love, will determine how well our relationships work with other like-minded saints of God. And, an added bonus of salvation is knowing that no matter what your relationship status is, you can know that you are NEVER alone!
Thank You, God for the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Please forgive me for all of the times when I do not
listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, please help me understand that I will not lose my salvation,
but I can lose my joy when I am not obedient to Your leading.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Eighteen
Where’s Your Head At?
Scripture: Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is, there your thoughts will also be…” | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “Before any hunt begins and before there is any capture, single[s] need to focus on their relationship with God.” |
Perhaps these thoughts crowd my mind because that is where my treasure lies in those moments. At those times, I want nothing more for my life than to have this picture perfect ideal family fantasy. And, there is nothing wrong with desiring to be in a family unit. God created family. The problem arises when we stop just thinking casually about these desires and begin to fixate on the desires.
There is a problem when our focus is shifted from God to our desires. There are so many verses in the Bible about guarding our thoughts. Thoughts can lead to actions. And, depending on what our thoughts are, those actions may be disobedient to God. That is why we are instructed to think on true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy things (Philippians 4:8). If we are thinking about these things, then the actions that follow cannot help but be pleasing to Him.
The things that we spend the most time thinking about show God what we truly treasure. The most dangerous thoughts are ones about issues or people that seem benign. I am not talking about illicit sexual thoughts, hateful thoughts, or destructive thoughts. I am speaking of thoughts about family, friendships, and finances. I am talking about the thoughts that start off in a good place in your heart, but end up being used by the devil to cause you to doubt God.
The devil will take the thing that you desire most and ask, “Why hasn’t God sent you a husband yet?” Or, “Why won’t God give you that job you have been working so hard for?” The devil will make you think that God has been holding out on you. He has been using the same trick since the beginning of humankind. Why stop now? It still works. He convinces us that God doesn’t want us to have something that is good for us. So, we set our sights on making sure that the good thing happens. We take our focus away from God and begin focusing on what we truly treasure, and then, the devil has us right where he wants us.
God is the ultimate treasure. I am not saying that every thought we have is going to be about God; I do not know anyone who can do that. However, God and His ways and His will should be the only thoughts on which we fixate. Living the life that He has planned should captivate our thoughts. Our relationship with God should be our only obsession.
Thank You, God for being the greatest treasure.
Please forgive me for thinking too hard about other things
that distract me from living the life You have for me.
Lord, please help me to keep my focus in the right direction.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Sixteen
The Art of Giving
Scripture: Proverbs 18:16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “Be a gift in his life, not a burden.” |
When I first looked at Proverbs 18:16, I was thinking about how I could prepare myself to be a great mate for someone. I needed to work on my control issues and my neediness. I wanted to be a gift to someone, and not a burden. This principle can apply to all of the relationships in our lives, including the most important one--the relationship with Christ. When we give the gifts of love and friendship freely, we not only add to the lives of those to whom we are giving, but we add to our own lives as well.
There is no greater feeling that giving to meet the needs in someone else’s life. Not giving because of what you will receive in return or because of a sense of obligation, but freely giving your time, talents and treasures to be a blessing to someone else. When I am having a bad day, even if I do not always feel like it, I try to think of something that I can do for someone else. I am not trying to score brownie points with God. But, if I can be a blessing in someone else’s life, it takes my focus off of problems and points me towards praise. Oftentimes, that is how I end up writing. I might be struggling with a situation, but if I can write something to inspire someone else and draw that person nearer to God, I start to feel ushered into the presence of the great.
One of our functions in any relationship is to be a gift. Even while we are single, we can be a gift to our families and friends. No one wants to continue a relationship with someone who is constantly bringing them down. I want someone to come into my life that will add to it. When people ask me about how I feel about being single and waiting for the right person, I let them know, “I have the cake; I am waiting for the icing!” As a matter of fact, God has used this season in my life to prune and mature me so much that sometimes I feel like I have the cake and the icing and I am just waiting for my ice cream.
Sometimes, we approach relationships with a selfish agenda. It is all about what we can get rather than what we can give. I believe selfishness is at the center of every failed relationship. Right now is the time to ask God to use what He has already blessed you with to help others and to work on those parts of you that may cause someone else to feel burdened.
If we focus more on being a gift, rather than receiving gifts, not only will we find our relationships are more fulfilling, we will find our lives to be more fulfilling.
Thank You, God for every resource that You have given me,
so that I can be a gift to others.
Please forgive me for putting so much emphasis on what others can do for me
and not using Your gifts properly.
Lord, please help me to see the needs of others that I can fulfill
and to live unselfishly in my relationships.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Fourteen
Then I Saw A Rainbow
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “Don’t ever miss out on your blessings worrying about what someone else has. You have too much to be grateful for. If a blessing is meant for you, you will have it when God is ready to give it to you.” |
One morning on the way to church, which is usually when the devil tries to get all up in my ear, I was just feeling down. Though I know it is not true, I felt like no one really cared about me. I tried to listen to music and sing, which almost always makes me feel better, but it didn’t work. This was just going to be one of those funky days. I would get to church, plaster a fake smile on my face, worship, and then, go home and feel sorry for myself.
In the midst of my pity party, I felt a prompting to look in the rearview mirror, and then, I saw a rainbow. Rainbows are a symbol of God’s covenant that He would never flood the Earth again; they are also a sign to me that God is sovereign and has everything under control, even when the flood waters of life start to rise. Immediately, I felt better. I knew that I did not have to worry about anything that was going on in my life. God has everything under control.
Not only does He have everything under control, but He knows what He is doing. He knows what we need and when we need it. So, we can make ourselves miserable by looking around at what other people have or we can praise God for what we have. Anything, any blessing under the sun that is meant for me, will be mine in God’s appointed time. The same goes for you. Yet, we waste so much time and energy doubting that God has our best interests in mind.
God is with us all the time. He will give us the strength we need to get through the tough times. And, when we can no longer carry the weight, He will hold us up. He will carry us and help us. There is no need to worry or fear or be dismayed, if God is your God. Will we feel down sometimes? Absolutely; just don’t stay down. Think of the rainbow, God’s promise that He is in control. Then, pick yourself up and enjoy living the life that He has given you.
Thank You, God for being in complete control
over my life and every circumstance.
Please forgive me for worrying when things don’t go my way.
Lord, please help me to see the rainbow, the promise of your power,
in every situation in my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Thirteen
Focus
Scripture: Matthew 14:29-31 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “God doesn’t want us to be alone if we desire not to be. But any time that you put anyone or anything before God, it is a sin and displeasing to God. God will not bless anything that is displeasing to him.” |
One of my favorite Peter moments is walking on the water. I was not there, so I do not know what was actually said by other people on the boat, but I can only imagine, based on my knowledge of human nature what the other passengers were thinking. Some probably thought Peter was very brave. Others probably thought he was a show-off. And, oh, when he started to sink! I can just hear it now, “Where’s your big faith now, Peter?” Or, “Mmm hmm, you thought you were all big and bad, Peter, now look at you. You’re going to drown!”
Why didn’t Peter just keep his eyes on Jesus? It could have saved him a lot of trouble and embarrassment. I have to ask myself that question more often than I like. Why can’t I just stay focused on Jesus? I was abstinent for over years. It started as a bargain with God (which we should never do, but I was young and foolish), but then, I began to see how much more clearly I saw the world when I was not living in constant disobedience. Being single was still difficult for me, but not unbearable. Then, I met someone, and it only took a few months before I stopped focusing on what God wanted for my life and started focusing on making the relationship work, which included being disobedient to God to make my man happy.
In the beginning of my abstinence journey, some people thought I was very brave. Others thought I was crazy and just showing off, so they waited for my downfall. And, I gave it to them. God blessed me to be in a relationship, but the minute I felt that relationship was threatened, and the storm of singleness started raging, I lost my focus. I began to sink back into my old habits, rather than trusting God to heal the relationship or to end the relationship because it was not His best for me. I was drowning!
Then, God said, “Why do you doubt Me?” God has brought me through too much for me to lack faith in Him. He has also shown me how much better my live if when I live in obedience to His Word. It does not matter what the people around me say or think. My sole focus has to be on God, not others.
If we desire to be in a relationship, God is not trying to keep us out of one. However, if we let that relationship come before God and if we start trusting in a man or a woman over God, God will not be pleased. As we sink, it will start to feel as if He is further and further away from us, but He has not moved. It is our focus that has shifted and caused the distance.
The best part of the story is that Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Peter. He said, “You of little faith.” This indicated that Peter had some faith. And, if we can just have a little faith, even after we start sinking, God will not let us drown. He will catch us, correct us, and come closer to us as we draw nigh to Him. If being single is not what you desire for your life, it can be difficult. So, whether you are in a bad place or you finally feel safe, keep your focus on God.
Thank You, God for always catching me before
I drown due to my own lack faith.
Please forgive me for being disobedient and losing focus.
Lord, please help me to never doubt You or Your love for me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Twelve
Looking Around
Scripture: Psalms 37:7-11 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret —it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “We need to trust in God or trust in our own eyes; we can’t have it both ways.” |
Here are some examples: you go out with friends, dressed in an appealing, but modest way. Your smile catches the attention of some men, but every time you look around, the men are dancing, flirting, or talking with a girl who is not leaving anything to the imagination. You start to think, “What gives? I am presenting myself in an appropriate way. I am not being overtly sexual, but I am also not a prude. Why don’t I get any attention?”
For the guys, you engage a woman in intelligent conversation. You make her laugh and maybe you even compliment her. But, you see her desperately pursuing a guy who talks down to her and grabs her backside. You start to think, “Is being a respectful guy even worth it? Why do nice guys finish last?”
In all honesty, are these really the people we want in our lives? Hopefully, the answer is no. If not, you may want to take some time and pray about that. God knows what is best for us. I know that it seems like we are doing everything right (although, there is always room for improvement) and remain single. Meanwhile, others are drinking heavily, having casual sex, and just being plain wrong, but they get to be a part of a couple. But the happiness that those who behave wickedly seem to be enjoying is fleeting. The joy of the obedient Christian is eternal.
While it may look like the wicked are prospering and the wise are suffering, consider that there would be far worse suffering if we chose the path of the wicked over patiently waiting on God. Do not get caught up in looking around at other people. Be content with what God has given you in this moment, knowing that He cares for you and knows what is best for you. It matters not whether those behaving badly are happy. That is between them and God. What truly matters is that we trust God enough to believe in His promises for our lives and not to focus on others.
Thank You, God for being faithful and trustworthy.
Please forgive me for being envious of what others have
especially when they are not living in obedience to You.
Lord, please help me to be still, steadfast and content
knowing that You know what is best for me and when to add it to my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Eleven
Treasured
Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-30 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. …Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “Who can find a good, righteous, worthy, honorable, moral, upright, honest woman? I know that a man who is listening to God could find her. Who can be a good, righteous, worthy, honorable, moral, upright, honest woman? Any woman who is sincerely living her life for Christ will fit this description…if [we] follow Christ’s example and believe in God, [we are] invaluable treasures.” |
So many times we get caught up in the superficial qualities of people. Now, don’t get me wrong, everybody has their own checklist and non-negotiables, but when we meet someone that fits that checklist, we need to make sure that we are not just focusing on the outer man or woman, but also on the person’s character. Is this person a whole person in Christ? Is this person waiting for a man or woman to fill her or his every need? Does this person trust in God to fulfill his or her life? Can this person be supportive of the dreams that God has placed on your heart or will they be jealous or intimidated by your drive and success?
I believe that God created us, men and women, to be compatible with one another. In many ways, we need each other, but we can survive apart from one another. In fact we can do more than survive, even while we are alone; we can thrive. The only One we need to make us whole and complete is God. So, why not seek to be whole in Him and pursue the dreams He places in our hearts as a single person? Then, when God allows a man to find that woman of noble character, the man should be grateful for a woman with qualities that will never fade. When God pushes a woman to be her best, she should be thankful that He has built her into a woman whose value is far above rubies.
The inner strength that God builds in us is the trait that often gets overlooked. We sometimes forget that charm and beauty fade, not just on women, but on men as well. Single saints with a true heart and passion for the Lord are to be treasured. You are treasured by God; you should accept nothing less than that from anyone else. Live a life filled with character and reverence to God and everything else will fall into place in due season.
Thank You, God for giving me dreams and passions to pursue.
Please forgive me for waiting for someone else to make me feel whole
when I am made whole only by You.
Lord, please help me to know and remember my worth,
to only allow myself to be treasured,
and to recognize the treasures that surround me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Ten
…Then Why Am I Still Alone?
Scripture: Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “We were put on Earth to serve and praise God, but God knew that man should have a mate or companion, so he gave Eve to Adam. However, the gift of Eve did not in any way diminish Adam’s duty to God.” |
In singleness, there seems to be a void. And the void is only natural, as God said it is not good for us to be alone. Many single people make it their life’s mission to find something to fill the void left by loneliness. We vigorously pursue dreams and goals. We invest time in people and projects. We immerse ourselves in anything we can to avoid the thought of how lonely we feel. There is nothing wrong with pursuing dreams; it is one of the greatest benefits of singleness. There is nothing wrong with staying busy; it can be helpful to relieve the pain that is sometimes experienced from being alone. However, until we realize that the void we feel can only be filled by God, we will be miserable.
God is the treasure. He is the ice cream and the cherry on top. Sure, being in a relationship is like having a little whipped cream or some slivered almonds or chocolate sauce, whatever you fancy, but the sweetness is found in God alone. Just because God made Eve for Adam it did not mean that Adam was to love, respect or cherish God any less. And, Adam’s gift led him astray, as we allow many of the people God gifts us with to do. God wants us to have a suitable helper. But, that helper needs to point us to Christ in times of crisis or confusion.
If you have accepted Christ in your life, you are never alone. Single, maybe. Lonely, sometimes. Alone, never! God is always with us. He is everything we need whenever we need it. Once we realize that, any relationship that God blesses us with will become infinitely more satisfying. We will stop trying to mold our loved ones into the perfect shape to fill our void because the void will be filled by God. How many relationships fail because they are based on our unreasonable and unrealistic expectations of what another person can do for us? Companions are great, but they cannot even begin to compare with being satiated by God alone. If we truly believe in the promises of God, then we know He has a plan for us and when we are best suited to have our extras, He will bless us with them.
Thank You, God for being all that I will ever need.
Please forgive me for trying to have other people
and pursuits fill a void that only You can fill.
Lord, please help me to be sure of Your promise that I am never alone
even though I am single and sometimes feel lonely.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Nine
A Time of Blessing or a Time of Testing?
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “I want other [singles] to learn that if they will just talk to You, everything will be alright in Your time.” |
My pastor once said to me, “Life has ebbs and flows and you can begin to enjoy it as soon as you learn to ride the waves.” In order to have peace in our lives, we have to understand that God has a purpose in every season. This season of singleness is not the result of God loving you any less than He loves those whom He has allowed to get married. Singleness can be seen as a time of blessing or a time of testing. The results of this time when we belong to God and God alone will be beautiful.
Being single gives us the opportunity to get to know ourselves and our God more intimately. It is a blessing that allows us to pursue dreams that may not be possible if we had the concerns that come along with having a family. During my time of singleness, I have had the opportunity to see different places in the world. I studied abroad and visited London, Paris, Madrid, and Milan. I have discovered places that I love to visit here in the U.S., like Providence, Rhode Island and Savannah, Georgia. I am not saying that it would not have happened if I had a family. But, there was beauty in being free to discover what the world has to offer.
Being single gives God the opportunity to uncover the places in our lives that we still need to work on before we are in a committed relationship. Singleness is a place where God can test our commitment to Him. He can find out if our focus on Him is because He is the center of our joy or if it is because we have not other options. I have failed this test several times. God allows someone in my life as a romantic interest and before I know it, I have forgotten about all of the promises I made to Him. The fantastic thing about God as a teacher is that He allows retakes on His tests and they are always open book. There is beauty in fixing our flaws before we enter into a relationship with another person.
No matter whether we see singleness as a time of blessing or a time of testing or both, God makes it beautiful. If we take a moment to stop complaining or lusting after things that are not meant for us in this season, we can become content with the plan that God has for us right now. He hears your thoughts and prayers and He knows the desires of your heart. God wants you to experience the most beautiful version of your dreams that is possible, and He will make it so in His time.
Thank You, God for being in control of time
and every season of my life.
Please forgive me for being impatient as You make
everything in my life beautiful.
Lord, please help me to humbly accept
everything You are trying to show me in this season.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You're Prey Weekly Devotions
I pray that this 52-week devotional honors Him and blesses you. Enjoy!
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