COUNTING Your Blessings and

DIS…COUNTING Your Woes

“Be Thankful”

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Why do we sometimes magnify or count our woes more than our blessings? Why do we sometimes maximize or dwell on the 1% that is negative and minimize or downsize the 99% that is positive? Why does it often seems like “the hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings?” Our woes should never dominate or supersede our blessings … God has been so good to us! “We are too blessed to be stressed!” I am reminded of the song lyrics, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

In reality, it is never as bad as it seems … especially if God is in it. Someone else is probably worst off than you. Forget about yourself and focus on others, and God will take care of you! God is always looking out for your best interest, according to His will, as you faithfully serve Him. Psalm 56:9 says, “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.” I have heard the expression “Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.” What further resonates in my mind is, It’s best to count your blessings and dis…count your woes, regardless however your life on earth goes. “Be thankful” and give thanks in everything, and you will be amazed at the joy it will bring. For this is God’s will and He knows what is best, so just allow His perfect plan for you to manifest.

God has blessed us in so many ways. The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching, but in reality we should give thanks every day and always count our blessings. You should always be thankful and trust God. Trust in Him and let His peace rule in your heart and mind as you count your blessings and dis...count your woes. Fret not and rest in Him. Proverbs 3:24 says, “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Someone said, “When I’m troubled and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep.” I came across these meaningful words below penned by an unknown author that pretty much sums up what I am sincerely trying to relay.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

So, will you be thankful? Will you practice thanks…giving and use your time wisely by “counting your blessings and dis…counting your woes?” You will be glad you did! Meanwhile, with that action in motion, it’s in order to say, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Flo Shaw

Director

World Network of Prayer

Entering the Gates and Courts with Thanksgiving

The first order of business in going to the Temple was dealing with the flesh of animals at the entrance of the tabernacle. Because fire, blood, and death needed by the priest in order to continue giving the one true God an acceptable offering, this Old Testament word picture symbolizes just how powerful our selfish human nature is when attempting to enter into prayer and thanksgiving.

Paul said in the last days men will be unthankful. We see an increase of discontented people who covet the things of others across North America. Ultimately our selfishness is never satisfied.

So God accepts a thanksgiving offering of praise, worship and prayer that first starts with the Apostolic believer submitting our human will unto Him. This often requires a strong passion in our spirit to bring our carnal desires under the control of the Holy Ghost.

A.  For example, intentionally block out all distractions and voices to silence the soul in real intimate worship.

B.  Bring every thought under the captivity of Christ.

C.  Train my spirit to listen for the voice of God more than my list of petitions I want to share with God.

Now I am bringing the death of my will, the fire that goes with brokenness and repentance. So, my sacrifice of thanksgiving (submitting my insatiable selfishness and choosing gratitude) has significance. God receives the sacrifice of praise when it comes from the brazen altar of our hearts.

HOW TO PRAY

1.  Find quiet time during the holidays to present God your own private thanksgiving meal of acceptable worship from a brazen altar.

2.   Go out of your way to express thanksgiving to people you don't acknowledge all the time. You would do this in a deliberate and thoughtful way.

3.   Pray against the spirit of coveting in the local church and your family.

4.   Ask God to increase the fear of God in the local church and your family.

5.   Pray for holiness among the saints during these holiday times of commercialization.

Pastor Don Rogers

The Pentecostals of Wisconsin

WNOP North Central Region Prayer Coordinator

Wisconsin District Prayer Coordinator

The World Network of Prayer Presents 

24/7 WATCH: A Year-Round Initiative for 24/7 Prayer

As of January 1, 2023, WNOP has continued the 24/7 prayer and fasting chain worldwide. It has been such a great success in 2022 that it was requested again. Each week WNOP is posting a prayer focus as daily prayer for the entire week. Also, weekly a video is posted on the WNOP Facebook Page of a prayer leader and/or minister leading in periodic prayer.

Many people throughout the world have signed up by committing in their hearts unto God that they will consistently join together in united prayer and fasting. WNOP also has partnered with those in local churches who are already a part of a current 24-hour prayer chain. All of these hours of consecration are culminating to help provide a complete mass prayer covering over the entire Church body and to help bring greater success in all that we do in Christ! Together, let’s “watch and pray” and behold great and mighty things in the kingdom of God! Let’s prevail over the enemy with victory and declare, “Not on My Watch!”



Flo Shaw

WNOP Director

November 24/7 WATCH (WEEK 3)

Nations: World Leaders



Following is the “24/7 Watch” daily prayer focus for this week. Join us in consistent prayer & fasting.

POA’S HOPE Prodigals Prayer Ministry ...

HELPING OUR PRODIGALS ETERNALLY & HELPING OVERWHELMED PARENTS ENDURE

HOPE Prodigals Prayer Ministry invites you to join with many around the world for 90 Days of Prayers as we unite in prayer again for our beloved prodigals, and those who love them. We are ready! 

We will pray the daily prayers from the book by Dr. James Banks, Prayers for Prodigals. You may purchase the book online or at White Steeple Book & Music Store (The Pentecostals of Alexandria). 

This prayer journey is for parents and family of prodigals as well as for our beloved prodigals. Please follow Hope2HOPE15 for daily posts. 

For questions, please contact Don or Dy Anne Long @ 318 442 5541 or The Pentecostals of Alexandria @ 318 487 8976.

“And there is HOPE in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to thine own border” (Jeremiah 31:17).

2023 WNOP Events

• 24/7 WATCH (January 1 – December 31)
• **South Carolina District Prayer Conference (Dates TBD)
• **Arkansas District Prayer Conference (Dates TBD)
• **Oklahoma District Prayer Conference (Dates TBD)
• Operation Turkey (Rescheduled Dates TBD)
• YM + WNOP Summons (Rescheduled Dates TBD)
• SoCal District WNOP Regional Summons (January 4-5, 2024)
• New York Metro District WNOP Prayer Conference (January 2024, Dates TBD)
• WNOP International Summons: Restoration Church, St. Charles, MO (June 13-15, 2024)

Note: **Some events are District Board approved, but promoted by WNOP. Also, more 2023 event dates may be added to the WNOP Calendar later as approved by the Executive Board or submitted (District). For more info, please contact WNOP at 636-229-7986.