Contending in Prayer

 Contending in Prayer

Don’t Give Up the Fight

“Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.” — Hebrews 12:1

Contending in prayer means engaging in an intense, persistent, and focused spiritual struggle. It is not passive. It is deliberate. It is disciplined. It is standing in faith when everything around you is telling you to stop.

The word contend carries the picture of wrestling, striving, and exerting great effort. The Greek word agōnízomai speaks of intense struggle—giving everything you have. It is where we get the idea of agonizing or fighting with great determination.

There are moments when prayer is not simply asking God for something and moving on. There are moments when we must contend.

We contend when we are standing on the promises of God.
We contend when we are praying for someone who cannot see their way out.
We contend when the answer seems delayed.
We contend when we recognize that what we are fighting for is bigger than ourselves.

This is spiritual warfare.

We wrestle against spiritual apathy, deception, discouragement, the desires of the flesh, and the distractions of this world. But our fight is not against people. Our assignment is to stand in our place, partner with the Holy Spirit, and remain faithful to what God has called us to do.

“Let them.”

Let them do what they are going to do. Let them say what they are going to say. Let them make their choices.

“Let them” concentrate in your sphere; the Lord will take care of the rest.

Don’t become distracted. Don’t get sidetracked by everything taking place around you. Don’t allow what you see to pull you away from what God has called you to do.

Nothing is hidden from the Lord.

Everything is laid bare before Him, and one day we will all give an account before God.

So keep your eyes wide open.

Look for the one who has been left behind.
Look for the one who doesn’t seem to fit in.
Look for the timid one.
Look for the shy one.
Look for the new person who doesn’t know anyone yet.
Look for the person who is hurting but doesn’t know how to say it.

Sometimes contending in prayer looks like standing in the gap for someone who doesn’t even know you are praying for them.

Be willing. Stay faithful. Keep praying.

This is a spiritual battle—not for recognition, not for position, not for control, but for the souls of our people.

Don’t give up because you don’t see immediate results.

Don’t stop praying because the situation looks worse.

Don’t allow the enemy to convince you that your prayers are ineffective.

Your assignment is to contend.
Your assignment is to stand.
Your assignment is to remain faithful.

Let the Lord take care of the rest.

There are battles you were never called to fight in your own strength. There are people you cannot change. There are situations you cannot control.

But you can pray.

And when you pray, pray with faith. Pray with persistence. Pray the Word. Pray with love. Pray until your heart agrees with God’s heart.

Contend for the one.
Contend for the lost.
Contend for the broken.
Contend for your family.
Contend for your community.
Contend for the souls God has placed within your sphere of influence.

Then trust God with what you cannot see.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to contend in prayer without becoming distracted by what is happening around me. Give me discernment to see the ones who are overlooked, the ones who are hurting, and the ones who need someone to stand in the gap for them. Help me remain faithful when I don’t see the breakthrough. Teach me to trust Your Word, follow Your Spirit, and leave the things I cannot control in Your hands. I will contend, I will stand, and I will not give up. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

Who has God placed within your sphere today that may need you to contend for them in prayer?

Ivette Diaz-Yee 

June 2026

What Hurst The Lord, Should Hurt Us

 What Hurts the Lord Should Hurt Us

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12–17
Luke 24:13–35 | Mark 5:25–34

A Lighthouse in the Storm

A lighthouse stands tall in the midst of storms, waves, darkness, and uncertainty. It does not move with the waves; it remains firmly planted, shining its light so that those who are lost can find their way.

God has called and chosen us to be light-bearers—not only in the world, but in our own homes and in the places He has entrusted to us.

We can declare by faith:

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

But this cannot simply be words we speak. It must become a declaration lived out through our lives.

Jesus said:

“My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

Yet what happens when we take what is holy and turn it into something else?

Lights. Music. Stages. Audiences. Performances. Numbers.

None of these things are wrong in themselves, but when they replace the presence of the Holy Spirit, something sacred has been lost.

When sensationalism replaces the Spirit, when performance replaces surrender, and when entertainment replaces reverence, we have to stop and ask ourselves:

Have we become so familiar with God that we no longer recognize His presence?

The Lord walks among us, yet sometimes we are so busy, distracted, and involved with ourselves that we fail to recognize Him.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced this very thing. Jesus Himself walked beside them, but they did not recognize Him until their eyes were opened.

How often does Jesus walk beside us, and we fail to notice?

People are coming from every walk of life. They are coming from near and far because they have heard what God is doing. They have seen testimonies. They have watched what others have shared. They are coming hungry, desperate, and searching for something only God can satisfy.

Like the woman with the issue of blood, their faith is reaching for Jesus.

And when they reach for Him, the Lord will meet them.

That should cause us to tremble—not with fear of people, but with reverence for the responsibility God has entrusted to us.

Not Just Words—A Heart Posture

Lord, make us good stewards of what You have placed in our hands.

Let it be more than words.

Let it be a heart posture.

More than emotion—give us an attitude of surrender.

More than numbers—help us see souls.

More than a platform—give us a place of service.

More than recognition—give us a desire for Your glory.

What if we stopped asking, “How many people came?” and began asking, “How many hearts encountered Jesus?”

What if we stopped measuring success by what people can see and began measuring it by what God is doing in the secret places of the heart?

We are not called to serve as hired hands waiting for a reward. We are sons and daughters who understand that our inheritance is not found in applause, recognition, or earthly rewards.

Our inheritance is in heaven.

When His Heart Becomes Our Heart

Lord, open our eyes.

Help us recognize Your presence.

Help us understand that what hurts You should hurt us too.

Give us a heart that grieves over what grieves You and rejoices over what brings You glory.

Teach us to approach You with willing hearts and faithful hands—not because we want to be seen, but because we love You.

Lead us toward holiness.

Change us from the inside out.

Remove anything in us that has become too comfortable with what should cause us to reverence You.

May our lives become lighthouses—standing firm when the storms come, shining brightly when darkness surrounds us, and pointing others toward Jesus.

And when people encounter us, may they not simply see lights, music, stages, or performances.

May they see Jesus.

And through everything we do, may the Father receive all the glory.

Father,

Open our eyes so we can recognize Your presence.

Forgive us for the times we have become too familiar with You and have lost our awe and reverence for what is holy.

Search our hearts and expose anything that has replaced surrender with performance, the Holy Spirit with sensationalism, and souls with numbers.

Teach us to be faithful stewards of everything You have entrusted to us.

Give us hearts that are willing to serve, hands that are faithful, and spirits that remain humble before You.

Let what hurts You hurt us.

Let what grieves Your heart grieve ours.

Lead us into holiness, Lord. Change us from the inside out, so that our lives will point others to Jesus.

May our homes, our churches, our ministries, and our lives truly become houses of prayer.

And when people come searching for You, may they encounter not a performance, but Your presence.

In Jesus’ name,

Ivette Diaz-Yee 

Spring 2026

Standing Tall

 Stand Tall, My Sister 🌿

A Devotional on Strength, Identity, and Divine Security

Key Scripture:
“She is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever she does prospers.” — Psalm 1:3

Reflection

How wonderful are the feet of the woman who brings Good News. She walks with dignity, poise, and quiet majesty. She stands tall against the winds of adversity—division, fear, lies, and manipulation. She does not bow to every storm because her roots run deep.

She stands against all odds because her heart belongs to God. Like a tree planted by streams of living water, she draws from a source that never runs dry. In every season—whether of abundance or drought—she bears fruit.

Her security does not come from applause or recognition. It comes from above. It is not determined by how many goals she has accomplished or how many people affirm her. Her confidence is anchored in the Lover of her soul.

No one truly knows the depth of what she carries or the battles she quietly endures. There are moments she bends low, almost to the ground, under the weight of struggle. Yet even there—she stands tall in the spirit.

Stand tall, my sister. You are not alone.

Like the sequoia tree, your strength is not only in your height but in your connection. Your roots are intertwined with others. We are stronger together. I stand with you. I am here to help lift you up.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for planting us by living waters.
When the winds of adversity rise, remind us that our strength comes from You.
Root us deeply in truth.
Guard our hearts with Your holiness.
Help us stand tall—not in pride, but in confidence grounded in Your love.
When we bend under pressure, let our spirits remain unbroken.
Surround us with sisters who strengthen and uplift one another.
May we bear fruit in every season.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ivette Diaz-Yee

Running with the Horses

That’s the word the Lord gave “running with the horses” last time I visited my freinds  class (11/6/24) 

Today I got the full revelation. As I am fighting with self and my why I am not willing to help a young soul. 

Why I am getting stuck with the most difficult individual, just to come  to the realization “God has entrusted us with the trouble hearts”. 

It’s not that I don’t want to help her, it’s that she reminds me so much of whom I was. 

As I prayed I see myself in her. Her untamed spirit, unwilling to submit out of fear; Self protection and preservation. Unwilling to see past comparison and her trouble heart. Blinded by the walls that had been erected around her. Unwilling to let go, afraid to trust again. Holding back to a past that can’t be adjusted. 

A wild horse it’s strong, stubborn accustom to follow the wind. No bridle in the mouth to hold it back or redirects their steps. 

“God takes the wildest hearts and tamed them for his used and purpose. He uses our strength, resilience and power; so the work and his purpose will be manifested here on earth through us” 

A horse when is tame, it doesn’t looses whom he is, but this time, he allows the bridle to hold him back, and to direct him where he needs to go. Jesus captures the wild heart of people such as me,  with strength, no fear, resilience , fierce, with  strong determination ready to charge in full force, he tames our wild heart. 

Matthew 5:5 “ Blessed are the meek” 

Meek definition- power under control. Characterized by humility, gentleness and submissiveness to God, not weakness or timidity. 

Pressed. 

To be made useful by the masters

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Glory to God.

10/11/25

The Box

I see my self walking along side you. Chatting and keeping conversation. Nesting around my chest is this box that I am carrying. Not to big not too small. The right size that I could see over it. Since I remember I had always had it with me. But today is different. Something is taking place; I don’t paid attention and continue walking and chatting, enjoying the company. Over the years we had become good friends. 

You know all my dreams, my hopes and you had been with me during the must difficult times off my life, you have directed my steps and showed me the way out. You know me more than I know myself. You created my inmost been and nothing is hiding from you. 

I hear your voice saying, look inside the box. I asked my self “why should I look ? Why are you telling me to look inside?  Don’t you already know what’s inside?

Puzzle by your request I fumble with the box I take my time, I don’t understand; since we stared to walk you had seen me carrying this box, and now, you had decided to tell me to look inside it? I recognize your tone of voice, joyful and playful. 

I am puzzled but I obey. 

I stop put the box down and I dare to look down at the box, and to my surprise is empty. Empty. !!! 

I look up and I see your face smiling at me, hear your voice saying. “ it has been empty for a long time. 

I realize then, the enemy has used residue off myself old self to hold me back. 

Insecurity, fear, doubt, double minded, low self esteem, comparing myself with other, thinking of me less, not fully trusting God. 

All those “things” I have struggled with. There are gone. I am a new creation. Wrong perspective and wrong beliefs, had me carrying this empty box for so long. 

Today I had made the decision not to pick the box up again. 

Asking the Lord to bring to my attention when I consider to grab hold off it again. 

As we continue walking. This time he takes my hand and lead me as young child, I feel light, leaving the box behind has giving me a new perspective for tomorrow. 

Able to recognize a new strength in me we walked away, leaving behind the empty box that I had carried for so long. 

Now my question is. What are you carrying? What are you holding on? 

May this devotion help you see deeper into self and help you empty out your box 

Blessings 

Ivette Dias-Yee 

Appeased or pleased God

Are we appeasing or pleasing God? 

The other day I heard a Bible  teacher say this during her service. Days later stills in my head and my mind. Echoing down into my heart. 

So I did  what I do when ever I want to know and learn the deep meaning of the word in question. I looked up. Surprise to see what I found. 

Appease: pacify or placate (make  less angry or hostile) by acceding ( agree to a demand) to their demands, relieve or satisfy. 

I’m still in awe to see that at times we come to God to appease him with our rituals and teachings taught by man. We allow tradition to dictates our actions. Instead of following God we follow someone else ways. 

“My people are destroyed by lack of knowledge” like sheep’s we follow what we want to hear and what make sense in the natural.

We allow self to dictates our move and steps. 

God is willing to show His truth to be those that are willing to follow and obey. 

“As for me  and my house we would serve The Lord.” I’m not here to please man but God who knows the heart of man. 

Love 

Ivette Diaz-Yee

10/26/19

Close and Personal

When the enemy can’t get you or come to you head on: he would find a way to come in. He patiently awaits, taking his time studying all your ways. Your patters and the way you do life. 

He would find the place where you left your guards down he would find the person who may rub you the wrong way. He would used that small crack and get in. He would used it to;

DISTRACT  (you ): a thing that        prevents some one from giving full attention to something else. (Diversión, interference, obstruction) 

DISCOURAGE (you): lost confidence or enthusiasm 

DESTROY (you): Put an end to the existences of something by damaging or attacking. (Shatter, ruin, wreck)

The enemy of our souls wants us passive and discourage. Keeping us busy with self and distracted by what’s going around us that we loose focus. He robs our strength, our peace and our confidence. Learn the tricks. His ways are always the same. Because he is a created  being. He can’t created nothing new. He copies , duplicate, and forged situations. 

Know who you are fighting and  not whom are you fighting. Our battle is spiritual. 

“Do not be afraid or discourage because of this vast army for the battle is not your but Gods. “ 2 Chro 20:15b

He has nothing on you. All he has Is because you gave it to him. He has your pass failures and pass mistakes. Thats what he uses to keep you bound. If he is close and personal is because he is trying to delay the call the purpose and the reason you still here today. Your work is not finished but just started. 

Close and Personal

Ivette Diaz-Yee

6/15/19