Strength

Ephesians 3:16 "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." This prayer I pray for my many sweet friends who need the strength of God right now, due to grief, ill children, ill parents, and also surgeries. I pray this prayer for each one of you! And I pray you feel the power of the Holy Spirit in each of your coming days.

New

In Christ, we are new every day! The newness of each day, and each season, is so refreshing. A new chance. A new start! A blank slate. In the same way, a baby refreshes our lives! A new life. The innocence. The sweet breath. The enthusiasm for the smallest accomplishment, and the trust in being comforted. Lord, I am so thankful for the "newness" this summer has brought. I am thankful for the gift of time to be with you. I am thankful for the time with my husband and family. And, Lord, I am so thankful for the new baby, and the joy she brings to everyone, and for her capable and loving parents. What a joy to see! Hope is new, and life is fresh. Thank you Father!
2 Corinthians 3:6 "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Women of God

"But Ruth replied,'Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.' " Ruth 1:16 It is inspirational to read the stories of women in the Bible who choose to follow you, Father God. They show us the way! So it is with Godly women who mentor us in our own lives...who show us patience in times of trial, forgiveness and love in times of hurt and pain, service and surrender instead of greed and lust. Lord, I thank you for the many women in my life who, before me, have matured in you. They are such a blessing to me, and they glorify you! I thank you, and I pray that some day, in turn, others would see you in my face, hear your words in mine, and in some small way, you would be glorified.

Farewells

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...." IITimothy 4:7 Lord, I pray for my two Shirleys. My cousin, Shirley, who is grieving the loss of her treasured husband, Len. I pray for your love and peace to fill the empty places in her heart, especially now that services are over, and the tasks are done. And for my sweet long time friend, Shirley, Lord you are bringing her home. I pray for her as she makes this transition, and for her dear husband, Bob. Lord, bless them! 70 years of marriage,Lord, how do they say goodbye? I pray for the familes of both these dear Shirleys. And I pray for safe travel as we leave to say our farewell to Shirley and to wrap Bob in our arms. Lord, bless us all in the sad farewells.

Thank You Father!

Lord, I praise you and thank you for the positive results of my sweet friend's surgery! The surgery was successful, with nodes and margins taken .... all clear!! I am so thankful for this wonderful news and for all that you are doing in her life right now! Thank you, Father!

Blessings

Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Lord, as we wake up each day, help us to remember to praise you for our many blessings! We drink in the breath of life as we rise, and witness the beauty of your creation. We are rich with the blessings of your provision. Each morning is fresh with opportunities to glorify you and bless others. A new chance to listen for your call on our day. I praise you that you lead us, and call us into your will! Lord, fill my heart with thoughts of your glory, and let me be full of praises for you this day!

Aging Parents

Lord, though I grieve the loss of my parents years ago, many of my friends have aging parents who need increased care and attention. Lord, right now, I pray for two in particular who are dealing with major changes with their parents. My prayer is that they find the best solutions for their parents as well as for themselves. I pray that the parents involved would be comfortable and accepting with the needed changes, and accept them with grace. I pray that the love of the children for them, would encourage the parents to understand the need to accept the help. And, Lord, I pray that once the changes are made, everyone involved will feel comfortable with them, and at peace with the solutions. I pray for calm and for peace, for love and respect, and for your intervention in all of this.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5

Priorities

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Lord, in the summer, when I have the gift of time, I can spend lavish time with you. My mind is relaxed. I can make thoughtful decisions. But what about the rest of the year, when life is hectic and demanding? My eyes are on the clock! Lord, that is not where you want my eyes. Lord, as I dive into your Word, you teach me where to turn my thoughts. You show me how to line up my priorities. I need to keep my eye on you....and you will do all the rest? I know that is true! I forget, Lord. I forget and forget. Lord, help me do my days putting you first, so that you can manage the rest. Help me make choices, as I look to this new school year, that would honor you. Help me make decisions that would put me in positions to glorify you. Draw my eye to you. In your name, I pray.

Beauty out of the Pain

Steven Curtis Chapman, upon the death of his youngest daughter, suffered deep pain and grief. Out of the ashes of his loss, he wrote a new song.... "Beauty Will Rise." Deep faith is etched into these lyrics: "Out of these ashes, beauty will rise. We will dance among the ruins ~ we know the joy is coming in the morning....This is our hope. This is a promise. It will take our breath away to see the beauty he has made, out of these ashes." A stadium full of worshippers, watching him sing this tribute to "a day gone badly wrong", received his offering of faith. It was moving. More than that, it was undoubtedly healing for many. It helps to know that joy is possible, and that good will come. It doesn't diminish the pain, but it provides hope. We need hope. Lord, I thank you wholeheartedly for the hope provided last night at the Harvest Crusade. Steven and Greg Laurie are your servents, Lord, and they serve out of their deep love for you. I thank you that I was there....that I can draw from this evening to offer hope to my burdened friends. I pray for opportunities to help lighten their load.

Women in Pain

Lord, several women who are close to me carry deep burdens and are in such pain! Lord, they are women who love you. Yet, their circumstances have brought loss and grief and difficult life circumstances.They are surrounded by family and friends who care about them, and Lord, they know you walk with them! But, still they move forward, with hope-laced loads. Lord, I pray that in the midst of these hardships, you will make yourself known to them in a very personal way. Please help them see your grace. Let them hear your whisper. Let them feel your touch.
Right now, Lord. This minute, Lord, I sing out my lovesong to you! I trust my loved ones with you. Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

Sisters in Christ

It is interesting that many of the followers of Jesus were women, who came to have deep, reverent relationships with Him. I can barely imagine their joy when they walked by his side, listened to him teach, knelt at his feet, and even touched him with annointing oil. These women were the first examples of sisterhood in Christ. Sisterhood remains today, in many forms. Women who love Christ, and have that treasured relationship with Him, share a bond that ties them together in the same way. And if we are fortunate enough to have a precious sister in Christ, then we are blessed! Lord, I thank you for sisters of the heart. They are in my family and from childhood, adult sisters of covenant through the years, and newly connected sisters at church and at work. These are treasured ones to me! We can pray together, worship together, and support and encourage one another...all through the power of the magnificent Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father!

Perfect Results from Surgery

"13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139
Father God, I praise you for your faithfulness to us! In good times and in times of trouble, Lord, you are right there with us, paving the way before us, putting people in our path and solutions into motion. Thank you Father! Today I put before you my prayers for my sweet friend who is in the throws of a breast cancer diagnosis. In two weeks, so much has already been accomplished, and I thank you for that. Her family members love you and love one another, and they are a united team in support of her, along with her husband, and Lord I praise you! I pray for her continued faith and peace of mind. I pray for the doctors hands and minds to be directed by you! I pray for a perfect result from the surgery, and quick healing. And, Lord, I pray for a clear report from the surrounding tissues. You are a mighty God. And though we do not understand all of your ways, we do trust in your plan for us, yearn to follow your will for our lives, and keep a firm belief that it is good! In your precious Son's name, I pray.

The Harvest

Matthew 9:37 "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." With Harvest Crusade coming up, the Harvest is on my mind, and I have listened to sermons from three different pastors, calling me to action - to be a worker in the harvest field. As I listen, I have ask myself, am I simply a spectator, an attender? Or, am I a worker in the field? Am I living intentionally for Christ? What is my agenda? What are my priorities? Do my choices Glorify God? Do I continually think about working in the field some day? Because that is very different from actually getting out there and doing it! Lord, I know personally so many people, young and old, whom you have raised up to be workers and leaders in the field. Lord, call me. Lord, I pray I will answer your call to be a worker, and I pray that I will recognize that call when it comes!