God should be imbued into every arena and detail of our lives

I sprang to my feet, shouting, “hallelujah,” and then for the first time I realized that I had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.

~~Fanny Crosby

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Our lives are full, without a doubt. We literally and figuratively “have our hands full” as we seek to juggle family, friends, job, community responsibilities, and trying to take care of ourselves in the process. Too often, however, we find ourselves dropping the balls and watching them bounce all over our lives.

What’s the problem? Perhaps we’re trying to juggle life with one hand, at the same time holding the Lord in the other. Fanny Crosby discovered that doing so didn’t work. Why keep the Lord separate from all aspects of our busy lives as if he doesn’t apply? Why not put the two together?

God should be imbued into every arena and detail of our lives—every shopping trip, every assist with homework, every service project, every relationship. Juggling with both hands is so much easier.  

Hallelujah!

Prayer for Meditation

I want you to be involved in everything I do today, my Lord,

Scripture for Meditation

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8

Music for Meditation

I Feel My Savior’s Love

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

Quench my thirst today, God

Come to Him and drink. Drink deeply; keep on drinking, let Him quench your thirst; and then, watch as rivers of living water flow out through you to quench the thirst of those around you.

~~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

The ice is clinking in the pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade. You’re invited. The door is open. The welcome mat is out. The table is set.

Come, join him at the table. Stay awhile. Savor his word, rest in his presence, and listen for his voice. Let God quench the thirst of your soul like water hydrates after an intense workout, like a deep breath in the mountain air clears your lungs, like a swim in a beautiful, cool spring rejuvenates your tired limbs.

Are you thirsty today? Thirsty for meaning in life? Thirsty for love that will not fail? Thirsty for peace or joy or contentment? Come to him and drink. The well is deep, the supply endless. And then, when you’ve drunk your fill, that living water flows out through you to the thirsty souls around you.

Who will you refresh today?

Prayer for Meditation

Quench my thirst today God. Then let me refresh someone else.

Scripture for Meditation

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 7:37-38

Music for Meditation

Refresh My Heart

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

Where are you? Did you choose this place?

For all those dark times, here’s a word of hope:

God meets us where we are. Even if we aren’t looking his direction,

he is always looking in ours.

~~Liz Curtis Higgs

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Where are you? Did you choose this place? In the dark night of your soul, you are immersed in darkness as black as ink. You can’t see your own hand in front of your face. You grope your way through, but you feel lost, as if in a black hole. You walk with your arms out, slowly turning around. Your legs bump into something, a table. You feel the cloth and . . . a stick? Wait, it’s a candle. And matches. The tiny light fills the room, bringing warmth and peace.

Now you can see.

And God was there all the time. In the darkness, he was there. You didn’t feel him; you didn’t see him. But now you know that he was there all along.

No darkness is so deep that God is not there. Hold onto that hope, beloved. Light the candle and see.

Prayer for Meditation

God, I trust that even in my darkness, you are with me.

Scripture for Meditation

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Music for Meditation

Jesus Will Meet You There

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

You didn't see it coming

The more I am spiritually exercised, the more strength I have to cope with the sudden stresses brought about by adverse circumstances or attacks from the enemy.

~~Evelyn Christenson

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

You didn’t see it coming. The enemy thinks a blindside attack will knock you down. A wave of exhaustion consumes you. You retreat to bed and pull the covers over your head so no one can hear you whimper. The enemy thinks you’re defeated.

Though you are reeling, your mind becomes strong with deposits of God’s Word. Under the covers, his light shines. After a little rest. God reminds you of his love, grace, and mercy.

He is your fortress and your strong tower. He’s the One who lifts your head off the pillow.

Because you followed your internal regimen of prayer and quiet time with him, you are ready for battle. You have regularly spent time with God, and that spiritual exercise gives you the strength to endure no matter what happens.

Get your daily spiritual workout. Open the Bible. Read. Talk to God. Simple, but so very powerful.  

Prayer for Meditation

Jesus, I spend time with your today, exercising spiritually so I’m always prepared.  

Scripture for Meditation

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

Music for Meditation

All the Way My Savior Leads Me 

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

If this life was all there is, then we'd have little reason for hope

 As we cope with the real world, it helps to keep an eternal perspective,

not one that can see no farther than today’s pain.

~~Barbara Johnson

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Sometimes it’s hard to keep an eternal perspective, isn’t it? It’s difficult to see past today’s pain. Grief can be overwhelming. Sorrow can be devastating. Difficulties can seem insurmountable. If this life is all there is, then we would have little reason to hope.

Barbara Johnson challenges us to keep an eternal perspective, a focus on the promises of God for our forever home. We don’t know exactly what it will look like, how it will feel, what we will do, but it’s enough to know that God promises a place with no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Eternity in heaven with him will be more wonderful than our minds can even begin to imagine.

As we struggle here on earth, it helps to remember we won’t be staying long. We’re just passing through. We’re on our way home.

Prayer for Meditation

Lord God, please open my eyes to wonderful realities of my heavenly home.

Scripture for Meditation

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Music for Meditation 

My Life Is In Your Hands 

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

Don’t give up, for He doesn’t give up on you

Every believer needs second chances. Some of us need lots of them.

~~Beth Moore

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Second chances. We all want them, but in the reality of this harsh world, second chances don’t come easy. When unkind words are spoken in anger once too often, friendships are ruined. When trust is broken over and over, marriages are shattered. The end comes. We don’t want to be hurt again. No more second chances.

But not so with God.

God sees your heart; he understands your weaknesses; he knows that you fail. You need second chances because you are not perfect. But God who is perfect sees the real you and by his grace and mercy gives you the second chances that the world wouldn’t. It’s in his unfailing love that God offers his outstretched hand to those who humble themselves, knowing they can’t do it alone.

God has lots of second chances. Take them. Don’t give up, for he doesn’t give up on you.

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, I have failed many tines but, in your love, I want to keep trying,.

Scripture for Meditation – John 21:15-17

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Music for Meditation

Don’t Give Up

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

God's goodness is so overwhelming

[God] is absolute good . . . The more we contemplate Him, the more we enjoy his goodness.

~~Julia Ward Howe

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Absolute good. What does it look like? Such perfection is unfathomable in our imperfect world where even simple goodness seems to be in short supply.

Yet absolute good does indeed exist in the person of God Almighty. And he invites us to enjoy that goodness by enjoying him, by drawing close to him. As we contemplate his goodness we let it sink into our lives. God’s goodness is so overwhelming, so rich, so immense, that our very contemplation immerses us in that goodness.

God has given us many ways to know him and see facets of who he is: creation, his Word, stories from fellow Christians of his faithfulness, goodness, and care. Now add contemplation of his goodness to the list.

In these moments, contemplate God’s goodness to you. You will be filled to overflowing. Take that goodness and spread it around your world today.

Prayer for Meditation

You are absolute goodness, dear Lord, I immerse myself in you.

Scripture for Meditation

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Music for Meditation

When God Paints

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

Little things matter . . .

Always be faithful in little things, for in them our strength lies.

~~Mother Teresa

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Little things matter. Too often we focus on the big things of our faith and miss the little things. But as Mother Teresa explains, we need to first be faithful in the little things. That gives us the strength for the “big” things.

It’s subtle, but we can find ourselves rationalizing some sins—“I deserve a break . . . No one will know . . . I’m not hurting anyone.” But those very choices eat away at our character, undermining the strength we need to handle the powerful temptations, the weighty responsibilities. If we can’t handle the small things, it follows that we cannot handle the big things either.

So focus on the small stuff. Quiet honesty. Hidden acts of kindness. Willingly turning away from temptation even when no one else will know.

Only faithfulness there lays the foundation for faithfulness in the big areas of life.

The little things really do add up.

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, help me to be faithful in the little things.  

Scripture for Meditation

Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!” Song of Solomon 2:15

Music for Meditation

Great is Thy Faithfulness

 If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

Pain is the pathway to understanding love

Love and pain go together, for a time at least.

If you would know Love, you must know pain too.

~~Hannah Hurnard

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

We were made for a perfect world, but we do not live in one. In this life, love and pain come paired; one does not exist without the other. For now, the consolations of love come tinged with grief, misunderstanding, and even loss.

Yet Hannah Hurnard describes pain as a pathway to understanding love—the kind of all-encompassing love God has for us. To get to the heights, we must go through the valley. To understand love, we must be willing to experience pain—for true love calls for giving, for sacrifice, for facing hurt and loss.

Jesus himself showed the ultimate love by his willingness to sacrifice his life for us. His love for us was worth whatever pain it took to bring us to himself. If we want to truly love, we must willingly follow his example.  

Prayer for Meditation

Help me to understand that pain teaches me more about your love, Dear Lord.

Scripture for Meditation

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16

Music for Meditation

Unfailing Love

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

Dreams don't come with expiration dates

There is nothing sadder than an unfulfilled life . . . Dreams don’t come with expiration dates.

~~Martha Bolton

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

Deep inside each of us God has placed desires. We have gifts, talents, dreams of what we want to do. Years pass. We continue to live our lives, but we keep looking for that fulfillment. At times, we find ourselves delayed or sidetracked by life’s unexpected circumstances.

Maybe you don’t feel like you’re living your dream—but you see, dreams don’t come with expiration dates. Taking a circuitous route to your dream doesn’t mean you won’t get there. Life’s unexpected circumstances come as no surprise to God. Instead, you may find that God is moving you toward a dream perfected for you—better than you have imagined. The life you live and the wisdom you gain will make your dream that much sweeter. Maybe that will prove to be the purpose of the delay all along.

Be patient. God is not finished with you—or your dreams—yet.

Prayer for Meditation

Help me to see the possibilities and opportunities you have for me, Lord.  

Scripture for Meditation – Joshua 14:6-13

A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, “Remember what the Lord said to Moses, the man of God, about you me when we were at Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God. So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’

Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”

So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land.

Music for Meditation

In Christ Alone

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

The attributes of God are innumerable

I know that every soul cannot be alike. There must be different kinds so that each of the perfections of God can be specially honored. To me, He has revealed His infinite mercy.

~~Therese of Lisieux

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

The attributes of God are innumerable. Among his many characteristics, we know the Creator is merciful, holy, wise, righteous, all-good, all-knowing, faithful, and loving. According to Therese of Lisieux, we are uniquely created so each soul can reflect one of  God’s characteristics for the world.

Are you strong in prayer or strong in service? You may be gifted with wisdom and patience or an understanding of justice. Maybe you are kind and compassionate to those less fortunate; maybe you are known for your deep faith. All of these facets come together in the body of Christ to reflect his presence.

Therese’s message reminds us to humbly appreciate our differences without passing judgment or setting one gift over another. Each of us reflects God’s glory. Each of us carries a tiny, glowing lamp. Only by uniting our gifts do we shine God’s light so that He can transform the world—one soul at a time.

Prayer for Meditation

Father, guide us to work together, avoiding judgments and celebrating your light in others.

Scripture for Meditation

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:14-16

Music for Meditation

Holy  Spirit Rain Down

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.

God is not reluctant to give you what you need

Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.

~~Julian of Norwich

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

God is just waiting to bless us. But too often we bring our prayers to him like attorneys preparing to present a case. We feel we need to convince God in order to overcome his reluctance.

Just the opposite. Prayer is laying hold of God’s willingness. His plan for each one of us is as different as our fingerprints; therefore, his answers and blessings will be according to our specific needs in alignment with his will.

Praying for blessings isn’t a selfish act; it is asking God to infuse your life with everything he has always wanted to give you but was only waiting for you to request. God is not reluctant to give you what you need. He is eager for you to receive his gifts with gratitude. You need only be willing.

He can’t wait to see what you’ll do with those gifts.

Prayer for Meditation

I pray for your blessings on my life, Lord, that I might use them for you.

Scripture for Meditation

You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:2-3  

Music for Meditation

Blessings

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com.