A Burdened Heart

 My heart has been so heavy. It’s been burdened by so many things. Today it has felt like too much. I can’t carry all this weight. The weight of my own failure in so many areas. The weight of my sin, the sin of others and those who have been sinned against. My heart cries out for God to heal, to restore, to unite and to make things right and holy. I know I am powerless to fix anything and yet my heart aches for answers. For restoration of brothers and sisters. 

Come to me all who are weary and burdened…yes Jesus, I come to You and lays all the things at your feet. They are too heavy for me. And besides, I was never meant to carry them anyway. 

Jesus it’s your burden, you’ve promised to carry it. You will do the work necessary in order to lead those who come to You  You are the one who convicts of sin and heals the unrighteous. 

Oh help me to remember I only need to carry your yoke which is easy and light compared to the burden you carry for us all. Help me be obedient to the God I love. Who willingly carried the burden of my sin. 

AMEN

A Year of Lament

It was in January 11th that I wrote in my journal the word lament. It seemed an odd word, not like the words of past years. What was God saying? Was it going to be a year of lament? A hard year? Was He trying to prepare me for something coming? Why lament? 

Okay God, I thought, I’ll go with you whatever it may mean. But I still didn’t have a verse, until today. 

Over the past few months since that day I’ve read Lamentations and have studied much on lamenting. I think one of the first things I realized is that I had been in the habit, for a long time now, of writing laments in my journals. My journals are filled with many types of writings but I also use it to write prayers to God. Those prayers are often laments. 

Over and over I cry out to God in complaint and then process through until I end with my eyes upon God and His faithfulness. 

Today, I read Psalm 62:8 “... trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” That’s it! 

As I learn to lament before God, I am being reminded that I can trust Him. He will listen to my complaints, I can take refuge in Him and trust Him with the results. 

I’ve been asking God to help me pray more intimately. To pray better. I’m not sure this is what I expected but I am so grateful to be on this journey of lamenting before God. 

Make Me Hungry

His Word:

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”(Jeremiah 15:16)

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)

“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:9)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matt 5:6)

My Prayer:

Oh Father make my hungry for Your Word. Help me to hunger after Your righteousness. Forgive me for being distracted by so many shiny things of this world. Things that only see  to satisfy for a moment and leave me empty and hungrier than before. Forgive me for settling for that which is but a fleeting filling of my soul instead of seeking that which fills and satisfies forever.

Father help me to choose only that which comes from You. Help me to seek You above all else. Awaken Your Spirit in me so that I might hunger and thirst for You alone. Fill my heart with Your joy and the goodness that only comes from surrendering all to You.

Show me those places that continually seem to hunger for other things, people and idols instead of You. Empty me of myself and my desires. Fill me with Your righteousness alone.

A Shelter For My Wandering Heart

His Word

Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant -- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Ps 73:21-28

My Prayer

 Oh Father in Heaven how my heart aches for You. I look around and see all that is going on and sometimes I am afraid. I too easily think that somehow I can fix things or make them better. How foolish I am when I take my eyes off you. I  forget that You alone are sovereign. You alone hold all things in Your hands. Why do I so easily forget You? My heart is so prone to wander far from you. Help me see You in the everyday, ordinary events of my life. Do not let my heart wander.

 

Help me to offer myself and my life up to You.

Oh Father how I desire to be completely filled up with Your Spirit! Come Spirit of God and fill me! Father help me surrender those places that are still filled with me and my desires. Help me to surrender completely to Your will. Keep my heart still so that I might hear Your Spirit's whisper.

 

Guide me. Teach me. Stretch me. Grow me. Mold me. Remove all that keeps me from you.

Strengthen my heart and mind that I might not turn from You in times of trouble. You alone are my shelter. You hold my life in Your hands. Draw me near Lord. Draw me ever nearer to Your Spirit. Amen

 

 

Image courtesy of Evgeni Dinev at Freedigitalphotos.net

His Word, Refreshing to My Soul

The sun is shining, it’s gorgeous outside! Yet within, my soul is sad. I awoke this morning in a place of physical pain and feeling tired. My emotions were all over the place. Feeling alone, forgotten and unwanted.

Feelings. We can’t always trust them. We can’t always live them out as if they were true. So often they lie to us.

The reality is I am tired, actually it’s more like exhausted. I haven’t been to the doctor but all the sign are there, I am iron deficient. I’ve been here before, many times, so give me a few days of iron pills and raw green smoothies and it will be better. But being this tired doesn’t help with the emotional feelings. Yet, it does help in knowing I need to fight all that much hard to believe and focus on what I know is true.

You see, when we are physically exhausted, and/or in pain, it effects our ability to fight the spiritual and emotional. Coming to the place of recognizing that is huge. I haven’t always understood the importance of what is going on in the physical body and how it effects the other…but that would take another blog post.

How do I fight though when everything in me wants to unplug my phone, stay away from people and to go to bed? God is my only hope. He is the only one I can believe and trust. Today He spoke the words of Psalms 34 to me. The words are beautiful, refreshing to my soul.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.  O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

I will bless You! Regardless of how I feel or what is going on in my life I will boast in You. I will praise Your name!

I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. 

Thank you for answering my hearts cry. You will deliver me from my fears, You will save me from myself and the lies that my emotions speak.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!  O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Oh YES! You are good, You are the one I can take refuge in! I will seek You in this place of exhaustion and focus on Your goodness to me!

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?  Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.  Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Teach me Lord. Teach me to see Your goodness in all of life. Help me to see as You see. Teach me to discern between evil and good so that I might choose to do good.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the broken hearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Oh Lord, I know You see me. I know You hear me. Thank you for Your faithfulness in drawing near to me on days like today. Thank you that You do not abandon me when I am down. I am so grateful for Your presence in my life!

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Lord I am reminded that all over the world Your children are facing life and death trials. They are being beaten, broken and killed for Your name’s sake. No matter what happens here on this earth to our bodies, no matter how bad it gets, or how bad we might feel, You will deliver us. You HAVE delivered us! You have redeems us and no matter what happens to our bodies our souls can take refuge in You.

We can have joy everlasting in all circumstances knowing that our soul has been redeemed and one day soon we will be with You forever. Amen.

I Am But Clay

Sometimes it’s a bit too easy to forget that I am but clay. It seems rather silly to think that clay could ever possibly do anything on it’s own and yet I try. Forgive me Father.

Oh Father help me to surrender completely to Your hands as you mold me into the woman you desire. Oh how I want to put away any thoughts of what I think I should do or be and yet yield to you.

My heart is often so stubborn, forgive me. Help me surrender completely to Your grace. A grace that works daily in my life to make me more like Your son.

You are my Father, I am but clay, You are the potter. Mold me, make me, help me to surrender to Your hands.

Praying the Word: Living in His Presence

His Word:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever...

In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and rescued me. The LORD is for me, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people. It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in princes…

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! I will not die, but I will live to tell what the LORD has done. The LORD has punished me severely, but he has not handed me over to death. Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD. Those gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and saving me! The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing, and it is marvelous to see. This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it…

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.¹

 

My Prayer:

Oh Father You are good! Your faithfulness to me is so evident through out all my life. You have been my constant companion, even in those times I could not see or did not understand where you were. Thank You for Your goodness toward me, for you love, grace and mercy. In seasons of abundance and seasons of want You have been with me.

I know that You have been my strength, my victory and the source of my joy and yet when I come to times of difficulty, times of overwhelming aloneness why do I lose confidence? Why do I begin to look at man for the things that come from you? Forgive me and help me place greater trust and confidence in you. You alone are worthy of my complete confidence and trust.

Oh Father I want to live daily in Your presence. I want to wake each morning with You. Show me the way, teach me, guide me, help me to walk through the gate that leads to righteous living. Help me live a life of obedience and righteousness. Help me live daily, moment by moment in Your presence.

This is my desire, my hearts longing….Amen

 

¹ Psalms 118:1,5-9, 14-24, 29 (NLT)

Glory in His name, Seek His face

Down at the cross where my savior, he died
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried
There to my heart was the blood applied
Glory to his name

(Glory to his name! Glory to his name, yeah.)

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
there at the cross where he took me in;
Glory to his name!

Selah - Glory To His Name Lyrics

 

Jesus may this be the cry of my heart – to live a life to the glory of Your name and to seek Your face continually. Help me to live it out so that it is in Your strength that I live. Amen

He Fulfills His Purposes

Sometimes I forget that God isn't finished with me. I forget He will not be finished with me until He calls me home. No matter my current season of life, no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem, He just isn’t finished.  I was reminded of this as I read Psalms 57.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; "Selah" God sends his love and his faithfulness.I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts-- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.They spread a net for my feet-- I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path-- but they have fallen into it themselves. "Selah"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

This was written by David during the time he was fleeing from Saul. It was a difficult time for David, but His cry applies to all of life. No matter where we find ourselves today we can know that He isn’t finished with us. My encouragement today is to take refuge in the One who knows His purposes for us. Rest in the knowledge that He loves us and will be faithful to fulfill His purpose in us.

My dear friends we can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) So lean into Him, and even if you do not understand trust the heart of the One who saved you and continues to perfect you.

Prayer: Oh Father help me to take refuge in the shadow of your wings until my troubles pass. Whether that time is short or not until you call me home I pray that I would daily cry out to you trusting in your purposes for my life. Give me a heart that is steadfast, a heart that sings because I am resting in You and whatever You might have for me.

 

For more praying the word click here

Photo courtesy of  Ambro at FreeDigitals.net

I Am Afflicted and Needy

A prayer from Psalms 86

Father I am afflicted and needy.  My body grows weary of fighting pain. My mind does not speak truth. Be gracious to me, Your servant.  While I know I do not deserve Your grace I trust that You hear my cries before you.

My flesh would like to give up. To give in to the enemy that seeks to discourage me. But Father I know that You and You alone can lift up my soul. Your goodness to me out shines all this world has to offer. Oh Father even in my current state I sing praises to You name. For YOU ARE good. You are good to ME! I rest in that knowledge that You alone are God!

Teach me Father to lean upon You. To find strength in You. Teach me Your truth and help me to speak it, know it and live it. Unite my heart to Your name. Help me to live in the power of Your name so that my whole life might glorify You forever. Father, You have already delivered me from so much pain and sorrow, I and confident that your lovingkindness will continue toward me in abundance.

Father You have been merciful and  and gracious toward me even in those moments that I have turned from You. You are faithful in my unfaithfulness. Oh Lord You are Good, You are great and have done wondrous deeds. You alone are God. You alone are worthy of my praise.

Help me Father for I am afflicted and needy. I am weak and grow weary. I need Your grace to make it through this day.

Amen

You Are Good

 

His Truth

O LORD, the earth is full of your unfailing love; teach me your principles. You have done many good things for me, LORD, just as you promised. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. You are good and do only good; teach me your principles. Arrogant people have made up lies about me, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. Ps 119:64-69

My Prayer

Oh Father how my heart desires to follow Your word more closely. How I long to know you more intimately. I look over my life and I see just how close You have been, guiding and directing my life even in the moments I did not see or know You. Father thank you for Your consistent discipline in my life so that I might follow You.

Oh Father Your goodness in my life is beyond comprehension. Thank you for being faithful in Your promises to me. Thank you for teaching me through Your word. Your love shines through the daily moments of my life as you continue to guide, and discipline my life. Help me Lord to gain greater discipline so that I might not sin against You. Help me to know Your Word more deeply so that I might have greater discernment. Help me Father to obey You every word with all my heart. Amen

 

 

 

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A Prayer For Pastors

His Truth

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other 1 Thess 5: 11-13

My Prayer

Father I come to you today on behalf of those that labor in Your name. I pray for those who are Pastors and Shepherds of the local church body. Strengthen them as they seek to lead Your sheep. I pray that they will seek You above all else and that they stay true to Your word. Not just in what they preach but in their actions also. Oh Father I pray these men would have a hunger and thirst for Your word.

Father send times of refreshment to their souls. They are on the front lines of battle. They battle with their own temptations and weakness along with battling for the church and the people You have given them to care for. So I pray that you would send Your Spirit to refresh them, to encourage them, strengthen them and build them up for that which they are called to do.

Father I pray for their families that they too would be given an extra refreshing of Your presence. Send those around them that will pray and encourage them. They carry a greater burden than many understand or even see, but You see, and you are with them. Help their wives and children see the powerful work of Your Spirit in their lives. Grow their hearts and spirit to greater depths of Your love.

Father I pray Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy, Your love upon them this day as they diligently lead Your people.

Amen

 

Image courtesy of nopasinw at Free Digital photos

Choosing to Look Up

 

His Truth

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Col 3:1-3

 

My Prayer

Father the things of this earth are so alluring and I get caught up in the moment of materialism. Forgive my weakness. Forgive me for the times I dwell on the things this world has to offer and forget you. Forgive me for those times I give in to the temptations of all the glitter, and shiny things that will not last.

Help me Father be strong when I face the temptations of life here. Help me to keep my mind focused on those things that will last for all eternity. Help me to be more concerned about people than things. Teach me to be content with what is only necessary and die to those things that will burn up.

Father help me to seek You more. Show me how to stand firm and set my eyes and my heart upon You and You alone. Show me the area’s of my heart where idols remain. Show me where I am still enamored by all that this world has.

Thank You for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you for searching my heart. Oh Father thank you for sending Your Son Jesus so that I might live a life that is hidden in Him. Help me to live a life so buried in His grace, love and mercy that I am un-impressed by the world.

Amen.

Obedience

 

His Truth

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;  but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:3-6

My Prayer

Oh Father how many times have I failed to walk in obedience to Your word? Forgive me for often choosing to go my own way or run ahead of You instead of waiting and quietly following you. Forgive me for my lack of trust to just rest and follow wherever You lead. Forgive me for not being in Your word as I should so that I might grow in my truth of Your word.

Father draw me into a deeper knowledge of You. Help me discipline myself to study and know your word. Teach me Father how to follow and not try to lead when it comes to my walk with You. Father send Your Spirit to help me walk as Your Son walked. Increase my strength, my desire, my endurance so that I might walk as Jesus walked regardless of the cost.

Father thank you for Your grace. A grace that is deeper than ay ocean and far beyond my comprehension. A grace that you freely give. Thank you for sending Your Spirit to help me walk in a manner that is worthy of my calling. I know I can not walk this journey alone. I can not walk it in my own strength, it is only by Your grace, Your mercy, Your strength that I can walk as Jesus walked. So thank You for not leaving me here to fail.

Thank you for Your abundant grace, mercy, love, compassion, patience, and so much more that Your freely give. Amen.

To Be Like Jesus

His Truth

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Live in harmony with one another.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

My Prayer

Oh Father how often do I fail to treat my brothers and sisters the way I should. Forgive me. Help me to forgive others when they mistreat me. Father may my words and actions be such that they encourage and build up the body of Christ.  Help me to be compassionate to those who are hurting and to be kind to those who may not understand kindness. Father help me to be patient with those I come into contact with as I walk through my day.

Oh Father help me to treat others the way you would have me treat them regardless of their action or lack of action toward me. Father I know I can do none of this apart from you. Come Spirit and work a mighty work in me so that I might be Jesus to those that need to see Him.

Help me to show them Jesus. Amen.