Holy

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”^[a]

^{1 Peter}

^{What do I set my hope on? "Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming."}

^{How should I be? "Be holy in all you do."}

^{I pray for Sara, that she will be pregnant when she takes the test again next week. This is Your purview, not mine. I pray that if/when she has a baby, that the baby will grow up to love and walk with You.}

^{I pray that my own two children will grow up to love and walk with You. I pray that You would show me ways to set them on the right path.}

^{I pray for Dad, who needs You.}

^{I pray for Mom and Dad's health, and for You to go before them as they arrange to move to Paris.}

^{I pray for Lee, that his job will fulfill him, and that his health will improve.}

^{I pray for Janet's health.}

^{I pray for Your divine help with my book.}

^{In Your son's name I pray,}

^Amen

Loving eye

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 38:2


Lord, I long for your guidance in the way I should go with this book. Please inspire me to write what You would have me write. This is Your book. Please plant spiritual truths in it, through my typing fingers.

What next?

I pray for Lee, and his performance review today. I pray that he will remember that he is Yours.

To complain is to grumble against circumstances that You've allowed. I pray that I won't complain!

Thank you for all of Your provision, and for my children, who I love.

I pray for Sara as she receives news about whether or not she's pregnant. I pray that You would guide her towards You, and that You would guide her child, too.

In Your son's name I pray,
Amen

Doubts

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

OK, Lord. I'm starting to doubt. Worried about this book. I don't doubt You, I doubt myself. But You gave me the talents You gave me, and I have pledged to write a book to glorify You. Are You with me? Is this what I'm supposed to be doing?

This is what I want to do. But what I want isn't always what You want. Please help me in my unbelief! I want to move forward and I want this book to glorify You.

Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said. "Why did you doubt?"

You are God, in control, in charge of everything. I will move forward in faith.

I pray for the BSF children's program today, which I can't go to because the girls' school is closed due to snow.

I pray for the situation between my girls and Hannah. 

I pray for the children in my BSF class.

I pray for the leaders who will have to teach in my place.

Lord, I pray for my own character and that I would become more like You.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen 

neighbor

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

—Proverbs 14:21

Lord, I didn't hear back from Jen Moulton about my peace offering email. I will wait on You. I pray that You will soften my heart, and hers as well.

I pray for my book that as I continue to write it, that You will show me just what I should do.

I pray for Dad, that I will have more patience, and that You will draw him closer to You.

I pray for Lee, for his health, and for this transition process of finding a new worship band leader. I pray for the new leader, that he or she will be a good friend to Lee.

I pray for protection over my children, and I pray that they would remember to use kind words.

I pray for their sweet little hearts.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Steadfast love

Some were fools through their sinful ways,
    and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
    and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
    and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Psalm 107:17-22



I've been stubborn about the Moulton situation. I've found it so so hard to cave. You have stood by me and let me sulk it out, and now You are bringing me around. I am not thrilled, but I am not angry, either. I pray that my olive branch will bear fruit.

I pray for my book that I truly want to write for You. Please show me how to write this book for You. To show You to others. 

I pray for Dad, who is so down on the people who...the modern day Pharisees. I pray that You would bring him to Yourself despite them.

I thank You for Your steadfast love. 

In Your son's precious name I pray,

Amen

the way forward

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. — 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Lord, I am unfocused. Please, please by Your power set me straight. I long for Your peace. To remember and to know that You are supreme over everything, that You created me with a purpose. That You are the source of love and joy and happiness. You are the source of everything I'm restless for.

Thank you for my beautiful life, which I don't deserve. Thank you for my husband and children. Thank you for the Moultons and the opportunities You give me to grow.

Lord, I pray for this book, that You would show me how to glorify You through this book. Please send me the ideas that glorify You. I want this book to burst with them.

Marisol is a little girl who believes with the faith of a child. She's told that God loves her, and she believes it. She's told that she has a guardian angel, and she believes. She trusts that God goes before her.

Lord, show me the way forward! 

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

speaking the truth in love

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15


Lord Jesus,
You are quiet, kind, gentle love. I am a bundle of restless, flailing sinfulness. But I still want to grow up into You who is the Head of everything.

You are the Head of Everything. Will You give me the strength and the words to smooth over the situation with the Moultons? I don't want pride to get in the way, but I also don't want to have Hannah back in our lives. How do I walk this line? Please show me the way.

I am going to need to write my next blog post soon. I want to write about the measles epidemic and what You think about it. Will You guide me in how to write the post? Will You calm me down and give me peace to hear You?

You are the Head of Everything, and You are a quiet, kind, gentle love. You are quiet because, thought You are silent, Your guidance and encouragement comes to me through reading Your word. You don't shout Your word. I receive it passively, by reading it. Silently, it comes to me. You are kind and gentle, and I know this because You say so when You say, 

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

I pray that You would show me the way forward with this post, and also with my book. 

I pray for Michael, and for Ann and Jay, and for Kelsey. You know their hearts. You love all of them. I pray for Your truth to penetrate. I pray that Michael will call them by tomorrow.

I pray for Isabel, that she would transition well with her new teacher. I pray that she would grow spiritually, and that her time with the next door boys would be guided by You.

I pray the same for Lily. I pray that Lily would find the thing that she shines in. (Apart from being the sweetest, most delightful kid in the world.) I pray that she would learn self-control, and kindness, and that she would listen to me when I counsel her to be kind.

I pray for Mom and Dad, who I love! Also for Sara and Andy!

I pray for Lee, You know my heart's desires for him

In Your son's precious name, I pray.

Amen

healing words

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. — Proverbs 15:4

Lord, I pray that my words today will be pleasing to You, and will bless the people I come in contact with.

I pray for my BSF morning without Betsy. I pray that You will fill me with Your spirit of love. I pray that I will remember and recount the bible story just as You would have me do. I pray that I will remember the words of the songs during hymn time.

I pray for Joey. You know I'd rather he didn't show up. But it's wrong to hope for that, so I pray that he will listen and obey and learn today. I pray that he would be interested in the story and in the hymns, and that he would participate and that Your spirit would touch him.

I pray for Addison, Emma, Josiah, Shelby, Elijah, Grant, Clarke, Anna, Rylan, Olivia, and Joey. I pray that they will hear your main truth, that You are not pleased when your people complain. I pray that I will not complain!

I pray for the volunteer in my classroom today, that You will give her peace.

I pray that I will bless the children with my words, a healing tree of life.

I pray that I will move forward with my book in a way that pleases You.



O Father, I want my words to be a blessing today. I want them to reflect your grace. I want them to bring healing to the hurting and comfort to the grieving. I want them to be tender with the broken. I want them to be honorable and truthful in difficult circumstances. I want them to be upright when the language around me is crude. Through your Spirit, use my speech to bless others and bring you praise. In the name of Jesus, your ultimate Word, I pray. Amen.

intentional kindness

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. — Psalm 63:3


"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7


I am in need of Your peace right now. My mind wanders...I feel restless. I focus on You. You are with me even when I can't feel it. You know me, and You hear my prayers. You go before me to BSF this morning. I pray for Your peace. Please fill me with Your love for the other leaders.

I pray for Betsy this morning, and for Cindy, and for all the leaders as they gather together. I pray for Your peace over them, and over me.

I pray for those things I can't control, but You can. 

I pray for safety for Lee and me on the wet roads today, and for protection over Isabel and Lily at school.

I pray that I would be intentional in my kindness, and that Isabel and Lily would learn to do the same. Let me be a good example to them! I want to be a blessing to my community, and though I feel like I'm coming up short, I know that You can make all things work for the good of those who love You. Show me how to be the person I can be.

I pray for the Moultons, that You would bless them and ease the tensions between us.

I pray for my book, that You would show me the way forward. It is Your book, I'm just writing it down.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

grumbling

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. — Amos 5:14

The BSF lesson this week is about not grumbling and complaining. Lord, show me when I am grumbling and complaining against You.   I want to be humble before other people. 

I pray for this book I'm writing, that You would enlighten me today, this very day, in the direction You want it to take. Take me and make me a vessel for what You want to say.

I pray for protection over my children. I pray that You would fortify me for whatever I face this weekend.

I pray for Mom and Dad, for Your protection over them and Your reaching out to them.

I pray for a spirit of gratitude. You've blessed me, and I am grateful. 

I pray for this weekend, that in all we do, we honor You.

In Your son's name I pray.

Amem

He goes before me.

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." -Deuteronomy 31:8

"I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 16:8

The Lord goes before me. I follow Him. I stop and think, "What does He want?" 

He wants me to be loving and reach out to the people around me, my neighbors, people in my community.

He wants me to help people.

He wants me to tell others about Him.

He goes before me in these things.

Lord, You go before me. Show me the people whose burdens you want me to ease. Only You can ease burdens but You use your children to do this work, too.

What can I do to make things right with the Moultons? You know my misgivings. Please show me how to be humble and move forward in love.

I pray that You would protect my children, and show me how to raise them to be kind and loving and not selfish.

I pray that You would work in this softball situation. I hope that Marina doesn't end up on Lily's team, but I know that she probably will, it's almost a certainty.

I pray that You would use the situation to grow Lily and me, and that You would bring good out of it.


I pray for Mom and her various ailments, and I pray for Mom and Dad as they plan their trip to France. Show me how to be a help to them. Make me conscious of opportunities to help.

I pray for Janet's healing.

I pray for my book, that You would continue to pour Your spirit into it, and that I would deliver a message of Your love.

I pray for Lee that I would be attentive to his needs, and that he would know how much I love him.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen