just prayers

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9


Answered prayer: My talk with BSF Children's leader Cindy went fine yesterday. She's going to take Micah out of the class, which is a positive and concrete step towards assuaging the Joey situation. Thank you Lord. I pray that I will show Your grace and love to Joey and to Betsy next week.

Here's the Verse of the Day prayer:

Patient and loving Shepherd, guard my heart from discouragement in tough times and guard it from arrogance in good times. I know that without you I have nothing that is permanent.

I continue to wrestle with uneasy feelings about the Moultons and how wounded they probably feel, and how angry. I pray for Your guidance. Would you make it clear to me how to do the right thing? I pray for the Moultons that You would give them peace and help them to see that Hannah has sin just like the rest of us.

I pray for protection over my children today, and for healing for Janet. I pray for Lee, for his mood, for his health, for me to be a good wife to him.

I pray for Dad and Mom and Sara and Andy, that You would bless them and make Your face shine upon them, that You would be gracious to them and grant them peace.

I pray for my book, that You would continue to pour Your thoughts into me as I write a book that's for You.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

anxiety

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21


Lord, I am struggling with the sin within me. And it causes my heart rate to race, and I can't sleep, and I feel very anxious. But You are able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within me.

I pray for peace. I pray that You will quiet my heart. 

Betsy sent an email that angered me. Type A, take charge, steam-roll over me. She wants us to take a proactive role in Joey's rehabilitation.

I struggle with my reaction. Joey is Your child, Your disobedient, rebellious child, and I struggle to love him. I pray first and foremost for Your power to help me love him, to change the way I see him, to fill me with tender feelings for him. I ask for the same filling of Your power when it comes to how I see Betsy. I pray that I would look at her and love her and not feel threatened.

I will speak to Cindy today. Please fill my end of this conversation with Your love. I want to tell Cindy...

Joey is a little boy who has impulse control issues. This may be partly a spiritual problem, but I also believe there's biology at play here. I think removing Micah back into the other room would help things immensely.

As for Betsy, she is so passionate and earnest and she loves to tackle problems. I think she'll see that we'll do our best, and then we need to rely on God, and the class isn't going to go as smoothly as we would like. That doesn't mean that God isn't at work. Sometimes it looks messy.

Betsy's approach is intense, and my approach is laid back. This is good, we complement each other. Some kids do better with an intense teacher, other kids do better with a laid back teacher. We can learn from each other.

I disagree with the idea of bringing Joey outside every time he yells out, or gets out of control, because we'd be bringing him into the hall every other minute. I question whether he is ABLE to listen quietly for longer than a minute or two. But I do think that our God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that's at work within us. All we have to do is lovingly correct Joey, and trust that God will do what He will do.

Lord, please take this queasy feeling away from me. I hate being anxious. I pray for Your peace. You are able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power within me. I want to rest in that power. Even this I need to ask You to do for me--enable me to rest in Your power, and fill me with love for You, for the people around me. 

I want to go into this next challenge seeing it through Your eyes, and to go about it as if I am serving You. I want to keep my eyes on You, and do my best for You. This is between You and me, and all else flows from that.

Let's see what Cindy has to say when she weighs in. I will respond to her as one who belongs to You and is serving You.

In Your son's name I pray.

Amen

spirit power

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. — Ephesians 3:16

Lord, Your glorious riches are invisible but all around me. I pray that You will fill Lee with Your powerful spirit as he faces the hum-drum of work and the spiritual stagnation that can happen at church. I pray that He will be filled with love, peace and joy from You, and that he would move forward at church and work with Your power working within him. I pray that this same power would influence him to look after his health. I pray that this same power would fill me, and enable me to be a better wife to him.

I pray for Mom's healing after surgery, and I pray for Janet's surgery today, that You would give the doctors discernment, and that You would give Janet a sense of peace, and fast healing.

I pray for the Moultons, who remain on my mind. I pray that the tension would be resolved in a way that doesn't lead back to the unhealthy relationship Isabel had with Hannah before. I pray that it would be resolved in a way in which all feel peace and companionship, and acceptance of one another. I pray that You would strengthen me, and show me how to relate to people who I've hurt, albeit inadvertently. 

I love writing this book, and I pray that You would enable me to continue to do it.

I pray for Your peace as I deal with the garage door replacement. Lord, please direct my thoughts to stay in a good place--and not get down in the dumps over wasted money spent on my thoughtlessness.

In all these things I pray in Your son's name,

Amen

God's power, not my own

Today's Verse of the Day:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. — 2 Corinthians 4:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

While there are many talented and successful Christians in the world today, they are merely vessels for God's message of grace, hope, and power. Our focus should never be on the container for the message. Instead, what is most important is the integrity of the messenger no matter the situation, so that the message can be seen without distraction. God's power is what sustains us, not our own, we are simply a vessel, a tool, in the hands of the Lord.

My Prayer...

Almighty and all-powerful God, thank you for using me to minister to others as your partner in the work of grace. May my service help them more perfectly see the glory of your truth and grace you gave us in your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I needed to hear this message this morning. God's power is what sustains us, not our own, we are simply a vessel, a tool, in the hands of the Lord.

Lord, I am so enjoying writing this book, and I acknowledge that the words and ideas that flow through me are Yours. I am simply a vessel, a tool, in Your hands. Thank you.

I pray that I will be able to continue on like this. I pledge myself to You as I write. I long for Your gentle presence, your loving guidance. 

I pray for BSF today, that You will fill Betsy with Your spirit, and fill me, too, that I might help her with humility and grace. I pray for the children who are coming today, and I ask for Your guidance on how to deal with the difficult one. I pray for a peaceful room.

I pray Your blessings over Isabel and Lily at school today, and Your protection over their health. I pray that they will grow in kindness and patience and all the fruits of the spirit.

I pray for Lee, that he would know Your love for him as he struggles with feelings of disappointment at church. I pray that You would bring others into Lee's life who could ease these feelings. I pray that You would make me a better helpmate for Lee. I ask humbly that You would show me ways that I can support him.

I pray for his health.

I pray for Mom's cataract surgery, which will happen within the next hour. I pray that the doctor would be at his best, and do everything correctly, and that Mom won't have pain or discomfort. I pray that she knows how much I love her.

I pray that I will be there for her when she needs me, and for Dad, too.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

sick

The Prayer of Faith

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faithwill make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Lord, You know all things. You know that Isabel has a cold, and that I had to miss BSF because of it. You know that the orthodontist office made it hard to change her appointment. You know this makes me angry, and I get frustrated. We are going to the orthodontist anyway.

Life's little inconveniences are frustrating, but not earth-shaking. Isabel will have a lifetime of them in front of her. She is not being asked to go without a meal, or endure surgery. It's 30 minutes in a chair, and I can accept this.

I pray that I've made the right decision, and if I didn't, that You would make that clear and change things. Prayer is powerful and effective, according to Your word.

I pray for Betsy, my BSF partner, who's been left in the lurch. I didn't like her at first, and I like her a lot these days. This may be the result of prayer to You. I pray now for Betsy, that You would enable her to lead once again, and that it won't be too hard.

I set Isabel before You and pray for her healing. I pray that You'll protect Lily from this virus. In BSF, they pray for Your protection over leaders' children, so I pray to You now, because You are involved and loving and care about every single one of Your children. 

I pray for children who are very sick, with illnesses that will not go away in a few days. I pray fervently for their healing, and for peace for their parents, and for the discernment of their doctors. Lord, You can grant peace. May You grant it to the many suffering people who need help. Show me how I might help those people in my vicinity that need help.

I am a sinner, but You are magnificent and omnipotent and in charge. I pray that You'll fill me with Your empathy for others and the power to help them.

I pray for the Moultons, and especially for Hannah, that You would bring them peace, and that Isabel and Hannah could reach some kind of accord that works for all of us.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Direct my thoughts

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. — 2 Corinthians 5:14-15


Those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.


Lord, I am small, and petty, and selfish. You are grand, and all-powerful, and abounding in love. But I have a lifeline, Your spirit, which fills me when I ask. I ask now for Your loving spirit to fill me, and to help me to see the world the way You see it.

I continue to feel sad and uncomfortable about the Moultons, and Isabel's backyard issues. I pray for Your spirit to move over that situation, and for Your healing to set in. I am broken, boy do I know it, and can't fix the situation on my own strength. I can only respond to Your leading, and the forgiveness of others.

I still feel a harshness about Hannah and her parents, who think she's an angel. Please take this antagonistic feeling away from me, Lord. They're just trying to get along in the world, the same as I am. 

I want to no longer live for myself, but for You. How would You have me think about them? Will You put those thoughts in my head?

Amen

heavenly wisdom again

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:15

Lord Jesus, You are keeping the world spinning by Your word. You are with me too. I pray for wisdom, wisdom from heaven, that I might lead my children with love, and support Lee with love, and write a book full of love.

Lee is tired and burnt out and angry at the church. I pray that he would have a level head as he makes big decisions about his future with the praise band. You know the way forward for our family, and You love Lee and have good plans for him. Please hold onto him, and me and our family as we go through this, and please make me stronger spiritually. 

I pray for Lily in school, that she would pay attention and focus, and that her daydreaming would subside. 

I pray that You would focus me on my book, and let Your thoughts pour out of me as I type. I prayerfully depend on You for Your provision.

Amen

heavenly wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:13-18

I'd like to apply this to my feelings about Lily not getting into Target. I need to remember the important things, so that I might pass this lesson on to my children. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, which means not double-minded. Wisdom from heaven is single minded about being peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 

Which classroom Lily is in is of no importance. Characteristics I should strive to teach her are: sowing peace, showing consideration for people around her, submitting to God's will, having a spirit of forgiveness, not taking sides in others' arguments, and speaking honestly.

Lord, these things are my focus. How can I show her these things? I pray for this, that You would show me how to go about leading her in this direction--that of someone who is known for her heavenly wisdom.

I pray over this day, that You would help me to write this book.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

problems 2

 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:13-18

I must ask forgiveness for the way I've handled myself with the Moultons. I have not sown peace, but discord, and now I'm reaping the consequences. Lord Jesus, I lay down this sin before You. I know that You will eradicate it, that You already have. In the meantime, I feel like I must do some next step, and I'm not sure what it is. I wrote what I consider to be a gracious email about it, and Jen hasn't written back. I'm afraid to talk to her, because I've done wrong and I don't know what to say. And also: the fact is, I DON'T want her daughter hanging around with my daughter. How do I apologize and say I did wrong, without giving the impression that I want to go back to the way things were? How do I swallow my pride and apologize without telling her why I said the things I said (that Hannah is a bad influence)? I DO think Hannah is a bad influence.

Lord, please guide me in the right thing to do. I don't want to shy away from it out of cowardice, but I also just don't know the words to say. What do I tell her when she talks about her kid not being a bad influence, and I want to disagree?

I pray for wisdom in this, that You would help me see the way forward. I don't want to have to call her. I will if You think it's necessary. But I really don't want to, so I want to wait on You. Yes, it's cowardice, but it's also not knowing what to say. Show me the way, Lord.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

problems

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
James 3:9-12


I want to be the sort of neighbor who is kind, but not a doormat. I want to deal with skirmishes among the children as one who is wise and loving, and forgiving. I want to be a protector of my children, but also one who steers them towards kindness, no matter what. 

Lord, I pray for Your spirit to fill me as I deal with the situation between Hannah and Alice and my girls. I want the end result to be one of peace! I pray for less of me, more of You. I don't want both praise and cursing to come out of my mouth. Only praise. 

I pray for the Moultons, and for Hannah specifically, that she would grow in kindness and love, and that she would feel love from my children, and never meanness. 

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Going forward in faith

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. — Psalm 139:9-10


Lord, Katherine gave me some good amount of encouragement, enough to proceed with the novel. I am going with You. Your hand guides me as I put my effort and time and thinking into this project. I humbly ask You to fill me with the ideas and words You want to see on the page. I pray that You would guide my thoughts as I push forward with this book. 

Your word says that wherever I am, even on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, and hold me fast. I am keeping this truth in my heart. I have been told by many people that I am a good writer. As I put myself out there, Lord, I go knowing that it's You who gives me all my gifts, and it's to Your glory that I want to use them. You have set me on a path, and You will see me through to the end. My job is this: I pledge myself to You, that I will listen for Your direction. When I am discouraged, I will remember You. When I read discouraging words about becoming a novelist, I will redirect my thoughts to You, who are in charge of my life. Only You know what will happen. I take this risk as a step of faith, that whatever happens, You are with me. 

I pray for Lily, that she will develop self-control and a desire to please You. I pray for Isabel, that she will stand firm and seek to know You better. I pray for Lee, for his health, and for ways that I can be a better wife to him. I pray for Dad and Mom on their flight home from NJ today. 

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

I heard from Katherine!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:13

Today I would like to get back to writing more of my book, even thought Katherine hasn't gotten back to me about the first 5 chapters. Lord, I pray that You would guide me.

Today Lily will bring her friend Breely home for a play date. I pray that I can spend time to suss out their friendship and guide them in kindness and thoughtfulness.

I pray for Isabel, who is going through the difficult process of making and keeping friends. Ella is her best friend but is now giving her attention to Sarah, who doesn't want to be be Isabel's friend (according to Isabel). Lord, help me to give Isabel good guidance, and I pray for the situation as a whole, that Isabel will learn empathy from it.

I pray for Lily, that whatever cockameny thing is going on with her and her friends at any given time, that she would heed my advice to always be kind and think of others' feelings. I pray that You would show her moments when she could do this.

I pray for our time at Sunflower Sisters tonight, that I would make some new connections, and that these would allow me to do Your work.

I just heard from Katherine!!!! (Of course You know that.) Thank you, Lord, that she read my first chapters and seems willing to work with me and  had quite a lot to say! Is this a go-ahead from You? I am of course hoping that's the case! It seems so!!! 

In Your Son's name I pray,

Amen

If it's the Lord's will

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:13-17

"If it is the Lord's will, I will do this or that."

If it is the Lord's will, I will break out of my slump and write a book that glorifies Him.

If it is the Lord's will, I will grow in love and patience for everyone around me.

If it is the Lord's will, I will look at people, even people I don't naturally mesh with, and I will see God's children. And I will remember that I am God's child, too.

If it is the Lord's will, my children will grow to know God, and to trust, obey and depend on Him.


If it is the Lord's will, Dad will come to know Him, and this will ease his restless mind.

If it is the Lord's will, Terri will get her birthday card in time for her birthday (despite my mailing it late)!

If it is the Lord's will, I will seek and find ways to make Lee feel secure and happy in our marriage.

If it is the Lord's will, I will be a loving and effective Sunday school teacher for the 4th and 5th graders, filled with Your spirit, and the women replacing me in the 4/5s class will also  be filled with Your spirit as they teach.


In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

Still waiting

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?...Come near to God and He will come near to you." 




"Come near to God and He will come near to you."

So here is my life right now. Lee goes to work, the girls go to school. I have no daily deadline, no income stream. I await Katherine's reply about my book proposal, six weeks now, or seven. Still nothing. I feel like I'm being lazy, taking advantage of Lee's tolerance. Mom asks if I've heard from Good Housekeeping lately. No.

But God is still there, and I know that life can turn on a dime. 

Lord, I pray that You would show me the way forward from here. I want to write a book that glorifies You. Will you make a way for me to do that? In the meantime, I think my next step is to just keep going on the book. Please make it clear to me if this is correct. It feels slightly selfish, and if it feels that way because it is, then please guide me where You want me.

I pray for Mom and Dad in New Jersey. I pray that I will be able to get a card out to Terri for her birthday! I pray for Mom and Dad's safety, and Your protection over them. 

I pray for Sara and Andy, that You would strengthen their marriage, and that Sara might get pregnant. I pray for them to come to know You.

I pray for Lee's health. I pray for the selection process of the new music minister. May the person You choose stand out boldly to Lee, and may Lee accept Your choice. I pray that this move will indeed relieve Lee of his burdens. Again, I pray for his health. You know how to turn it around.

I pray for Isabel and Lily. Please protect them and keep them safe, and keep me and Lee safe, so we're not taken from them. 

Protect my belief in You!

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Listless

"We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." — 2 Corinthians 4:5

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." - Psalms 48-14

I am feeling listless, complacent, losing steam. I bring these feeling to You. Please please guide me forward from this moment.

I pray for a peaceful night with Lee, time alone while the girls are at my parents'. I pray for his mood, and that You will fill me with the knowledge of how to make him happy.

I pray for protection over my children today and tonight as they spend time with Mom and Dad.

I pray for my novel, which has been thrust into limbo before I even started. I pray for You to fill me with ideas of how You want the story to go. I know that You have given me a writing ability for a purpose. Now write through me, Lord, and make me an instrument of Yourself, and the story You want told. I want to step out of the way, put my ego aside. Please help me to do this! The book is in Your hands. I pray that Katherine will find time to read the first chapters.

I pray for Tom, and his ministry through music, that You would continue to use him, and guide him in the way he should proceed.

In Your son's name I pray these things.

Amen

Indifferent universe or involved God?

Joshua 4:23-24New International Version (NIV)

²³ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea^[a] when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. ²⁴ He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

Lord, I need your help in believing that you are real and not a construct. I long to believe. Here I go forward, acting as if...

Lord, there are some small challenges before me. Lily's teacher says she daydreams during testing times. I pray for Lily, I raise my sweet girl up to You, You who created her and loves her more than I do. You who gave her to me to raise. I raise her up to You, and ask You to focus her on her testing today and this week. I pray that she will grow and learn and develop into a bright and kind leader, and that she will come to see her challenges as Your leading her onto greatness.

I pray for the girls after school activities. There's the expense. There's the fact that one or both of them aren't willing. There's the time involved. There's the feat that they are missing out if they don't participate. There are the hard-won rewards that they ought not to miss. I pray that You would guide me in deciding where to place them, and that You would go ahead of them into those swimming pools and ball fields and bless them. Lord, please, please bless my children. 

I pray for my co-leader in BSF, Betsy. Please strengthen her and give her peace. Let her know that I am her friend and willing to help. I pray that she will relax in the job, and that I will not feel threatened, but gladdened by her enthusiasm for the children. I pray for each child in our class, that they will feel loved and peaceful in our room. I pray that they--and Betsy and I--will grow in our love for You through our time in that class.

I pray for Dad, and our relationship. I pray for my relationship with You to grow stronger, and that this bond will then strengthen the bond I have with him. I pray that You will come into his life in some way, and change it.

I pray for Mom and Dad's health, that You would watch over them and protect them.

I pray for my book proposal in Katherine's In-box. Remind me, show me that I am waiting on You, and that the result is under Your jurisdiction. I pray that I will be encouraged. I pray for the outcome I want. I pray that You would encourage me if not.

I pray for Lee, for his health, and that You would point out ways that I can help him.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen