Prayer Journal

This category is for recording my prayer life.

Simple

| Karen

This time of year, we are surrounded by big plans. Plans to exercise, diet, pay off debt, clean, do more, be more… And honestly, it’s exhausting. The mindset of taking on a whole new year at once, when I’m struggling to not worry about how I will accomplish all that’s due just next week.

The longer I live this life, the more convinced I am that its beauty and depth lie in the simple things. Though we make big plans, all we have is this moment. This breath. This day.

When I pry my mind off tomorrow (or this week or this year) and back to today, I find myself taking care to speak with less rush to my children, to appreciate a warm house on a cold day, to converse with an elderly gentleman while we wait for our carry-out lunches, and to savor a simple meal shared with family.

Though I have much about myself I’d like to fix with a New Years’ Resolution, I know that my own efforts will not make it past March. So for now I’m sticking with a simple plan instead.

Last year, at our pastor’s prompting, I asked God to give me a single word that was His goal for me in 2017. He did, as well as a single word to pray for my husband and sons individually. They each knew what I was praying for, and we could all see God doing great work in answering those prayers throughout the year.

This year, I asked God to give me a simple Bible verse to pray- one for myself, one for my hubby and each son. And my plan is this- simply pray and obey, each “today” that I’m given. And trust that God will be faithful to answer and develop in each of us what He most wants for us in 2018.

Love the New Guy

| Karen

I know a lot of my friends are hurting as they prepare for church in the morning.  They wonder where the church is going, why things had to change.  Some feel anger, some sadness, some excitement about what the future of the church brings.  I just want to say, this is an opportunity to love.  We have a brother in Christ leading worship in an unfamiliar environment – and I encourage my friends to make him and his family feel welcome.  Why?  Because love not only pleases Jesus, it is a command.  ‘Love each other.’  ‘Love not merely with words but with action and in the truth.’  ‘This is how the world will know that you are My disciples – that you love one another.’  ‘Love… is not rude, is not self-seeking.’  ‘Love always perseveres.’  ‘Love never fails.’

Regardless of our own desires, expectations, hurts, or disappointments, God has called us to look past that to love each other.    I am praying for the church service in the morning, and I pray that you will too.

Jesus, please bless church in the morning.  I pray that Your Holy Spirit will give every member Your peace and overflowing love right now.  Bless the worship pastor and his family; may they feel welcome.  Bless each musician.  Bless the pastor and leadership.  Bless the Search Committee members.  Bless the ones who will come for the first time.  Bless my friends.  Bless those who hurt us.  Don’t let the church split or fail – instead, may Your hand be upon it to mature and grow it; fulfill Your purpose in the church and use her as Your hands and feet.  Let Your presence fill the church so everyone is drawn to You.  Be glorified in the church and in our lives Jesus.  Amen.