Tag Archives: prayer

Light in Darkness

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter, till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

In me and through me, your thirsty soul can drink. There’s much to be troubled about if you focus on the world. But shift your eyes to me, and you’ll find that there’s more cause for joyful celebrations. This was my intent for you all along, dear one. To rejoice, sing praises, and delight in my creation.

As the world around you grows darker, you grow brighter when you focus on me. The darker this world becomes, the more imperative it is that you remain in my light.

So, don’t let your heart be troubled. Don’t let your mind be distracted. Rejoice in my creations. Joyfully celebrate my existence and my imminent return. Arm yourself with my truth. Remember that you’re living in the midst of a spiritual battle, which I have already won. So don’t be afraid. Your troubles are temporary, but my glory is forever.

As you choose daily, to walk in the light of my presence, you will find much to rejoice over. And you will set an example to those around you of what it’s like to know me. 

Cease Striving

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) 

Why are you striving? Why do you entertain feelings of failure? Don’t you know that these are lies directly from your adversary? The one who wants to hold you back from all that I have planned for you… 

Your striving suggests that you do not yet know my approval. But beloved, my work is finished! My approval is yours! If you could truly grasp this, what more could you possibly need? 

When you find yourself struggling with feelings of failure, come into my presence. Bring these lies out of the darkness and into my loving light. So that I can shine my smile of approval on your life. So that you can bask in my loving warmth. 

Cease all striving and lay your concerns at my feet. I have commanded this of you and for good reason. I want you to live out the knowledge and understanding that I love you. That you already have my stamp of approval. That through Jesus Christ and the cross, it is finished. 

I Delight in You

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20)

My beloved child, I am the God of surprises. I delight in delighting you and I know what delights you on a cellular level. It makes me happy when you also delight in delighting me. 

Your gravest danger is forgetting who I am. Forgetting that I’m able to do wondrous things in your life. And even through your life, if you’ll let me. 

So don’t give up. Continue moving forward with your eyes fixated on me. Trusting in my good and perfect will. Rejoicing in who I am and all that I have done for you. 

Don’t discount the possibility of a miracle in your life. Expect one. I’ve been doing them since before the dawn of time. And I am unchanging. Whatever you’re hoping for, if it’s aligned with my will, will be done. So rejoice in me! I say it again, rejoice! 

Uncertainty

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24)

Can’t you look back now and see the ways in which I was at work during times where you felt uncertain in the past? Hindsight often allows you to see my goodness and grace with more clarity. Have I not proven that I am good and graceful?

Take comfort in knowing that the uncertainty you feel is to be expected. In fact, this uncertainty about the path before you is actually a necessary faith booster. The less certain you are, the more you must cling to me. The more you cling to me, the straighter your steps will be.

I have big plans for you! Be excited about all that I have planned for you! Trust in my ways. Hold my hand through your days. We can partake on this adventure together, just as I intended.

Until one day, we’re reunited in the physical form for all eternity. This is the hope you have to look forward to. This is the hope you are to share with the world. In the unique and specific way that only you can share it. My will in your life will be done! Nothing and no-one can stop what I have planned for you. You play an important role in my master plan.

But since you cannot understand my ways, you must walk by faith rather than sight. Clinging to the one who loves you best and knows your heart. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

What to Do in Times of Crisis

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

Sometimes the only right decision is to stop making decisions.

When we’re in a state of crisis, we often try to fix things with certainty. We want answers.

But this state of being is akin to quicksand: The harder we try to climb our way out, the lower we sink. The only way to survive is to make no sudden movements, to get comfortable with the discomfort, and to find peace without answers.

We can never glimpse the end of a path, but if we squint hard enough, we can see the next step. We squint by being still and quiet for a few minutes every day, through prayer.

We ignore the big decisions, knowing that they’ll make themselves, and we focus on the small ones. The ones right in front of us.

Crisis comes from the word meaning “to sift”. During times of crisis, if we let it all fall away, we’re left with what matters. What matters most cannot be taken away.

And maybe what we don’t know, we’re not supposed to know yet. More will be revealed. So we just do the next right thing, one thing at a time.

A Woman’s Prayer

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

I’ve just finished reading Captivating by Stasi Eldredge. Highly recommend it. One of the parts that stuck out most to me is a prayer that’s quoted from one of her peers. I’ve written my own version of it below.

(“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph. 6:10-13)

I put on with gratitude the armor which you’ve provided me as woman. My need to be pursued and fought for in all of my vulnerability. Thank you for pursing me and fighting for me every day. I wrap in truth my desire to be irreplaceable in a grand scheme of Yours. Help me to be present each day so that I might see what you’re doing in my life and that I may live in the big-ness of your story. Help me to offer life through my beauty and gifts, which you’ve given to me. Continue to reveal and confirm in me what you desire for me to do with these gifts. May today be an offering of love poured out before you on the altar of my life. 

Amen. 

 

Imagination and Prayer

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Daily Inspiration

As we age, imagination either overtakes logic/memory or logic and memories overtake our imagination. Imagination is the road less traveled but it is the pathway to prayer. Prayer and imagination are directly proportionate. The more you pray, the bigger your imagination becomes.

A good test of your spiritual maturity is whether your imagination is getting larger or smaller. The older you get, the more faith you should have because you have experienced more of God’s faithfulness. It’s God’s faithfulness that increases our faith and ultimately, our imagination and dreams.

God wants us to keep on dreaming until the day we die. If we keep praying, we’ll keep dreaming. And vice versa. In fact, praying is a form of dreaming and using our imagination is also a form of prayer.

I AM (A Poem)

Posted on by under Conversations with God, Poetry

Though I’m saddened when you make mistakes,
My heart is joyful when you seek My face.
For I did not come to help the morally right,
but the fallen and broken are dear in My sight.
The closer you come to Me,
the closer I AM.
Though distractions are plenty,
so is My hand…
Reaching out for you daily,
My peace is there for the taking
So if you’re tired of waiting
come find rest in I AM.

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

We want explanation but what God gives us is revelation.

The Scene at the Stream

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Quotes

The other day, I sat quietly by a stream watching the water flow, birds taking dips, and tiny fish swimming together. The beauty of it all was breathtaking. Nothing about the scene at the stream was rushed, forced, or controlled. It just was.

streamIf God can make this tiny stream and the life surrounding it flow so effortlessly while simultaneously pointing back to His own beauty and perfection, can’t I assume He is doing the same in my own life?

That’s when it occurred to me.

If we could truly grasp God’s love for us, all of our prayers would be praise.