To discern God's voice is to listen attentively and intimately

The habit of discernment is a quality of attentiveness to God that is so intimate that over time we develop an intuitive sense of God’s heart and purpose in any given moment. We become familiar with God’s voice.

~~Ruth Haley Barton

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.

If you have been married or have been around a certain person for any length of time, you get to know that person well—what he or she is going to say; the response to any given situation, even if he or she has had a bad day. You know without hearing the words. You have developed an intuitive knowledge and understanding.

This is the intimate knowledge and relationship that our heavenly Father desires with us. He wants us to know his voice so closely that we will sense, as Ruth Barton says, his “heart and purpose in any given moment.” This is discernment—the ability to understand what God wants as singled out from all of the other voices clamoring for our attention.

To discern his voice is to listen attentively and intimately.

Shhh. Can you hear him?

Prayer for Meditation

Dear Father, help me to discern your voice so I will know your good and perfect will.

Scripture for Meditation

Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. Psalm 119:125

Music for Meditation

Take Me Deeper 

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 loves you as a lover loves

This wild God of mine . . . loves me . . . not in the way we usually translate when we hear, “God loves us.” Which usually sounds like “because he has to” or meaning “he tolerates you.” No. He loves me as a Lover loves.

~~Stasi Eldredge

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.

“Love.” The word speaks to the soul, the emotions, the heart. A child cuddled by Mom or Dad. A toddler toddling toward outstretched arms. Friends reunited with bear hugs. An engaged couple walking hand-in-hand, then gazing into each other’s eyes. Newlyweds driving from the reception, beginning life together.

Whatever feelings the word love evokes, multiply them by thousands to gain a glimpse of God’s love for you. God’s love goes beyond any kind of human love we can experience. It is perfect love—he loves us not because he has to, not because he tolerates us, but because he is wildly in love with us. Such love is almost unimaginable—but it is true, it is real, it is yours.

Let that thought, that picture, those emotions wash over you, cleansing you of any hesitancy or fear in your relationship with him. He loves you as a lover loves.

Prayer for Meditation

Thank you, God, for loving me so much.

Scripture for Meditation

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Music for Meditation

I Feel My Savior’s Love 

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Our love can flow from the Source—the One who is love personified—when we focus on him

Dedicate yourself to make Him your focus. Let all your other loves flow out of that.

~~Anne Ortlund

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.

What is inside us will eventually come out. If we focus on fear, then fearful thoughts and controlling actions will result. If we focus on worry, it will show on our face and in our shortened fuses. If we focus on bitterness, we will dry up inside and the joy of life will dissipate.

If we focus on Christ, however, we look at the One who came to give us the fruit of his Spirit. We focus on the One who loves us with an everlasting love, who came to give us life to the full, who offers us peace and joy. And what is inside will indeed come out. We will treat others as we would want to be treated. We will be able to love even the unlovely.

Our love can flow from the Source—the One who is love personified—when we focus on him.

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, I want to focus on you so that my love flows from the source of love.

Scripture for Meditation

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:16

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

Jesus simply asks us to sit at his feet and listen

It isn’t “more” he requires of us. In fact, it may be less.

~~Joanna Weaver

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 less is more. A little less stuff in the house, with only a few precious knickknacks in place, gives your home a peaceful air. A little less salt in the stew, with a variety of well chosen spices instead, brings out the flavor of the meat and vegetables.

Sometimes with Jesus, less is more as well. A little less running around in random acts of service; a little more time to sit at Jesus’ feet to learn where and how he wants you to serve; a little less worrying and fretting; a little more time to bring the worries and fears to the Savior.

Jesus simply asks us to sit at his feet and listen. Sitting there shows that we want to know him, to follow him, to experience his love.

The more we have of him, the less we need of anything else.

Prayer for Meditation

Jesus, I am sitting at your feet. I am listening.

Scripture for Meditation

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Music for Meditation

Grace 

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

Now what?

You never know what you might be missing if you grow up too much and stop asking,

“Now what?”

~~Thelma Wells

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.

Children are famous for complaining, “There’s nothing to do.” Send them outside, and suddenly their day unfolds into an exhilarating whirlwind of friends and fun.

Children’s lives have a margin in them that allows them to ask, “Now what?” They don’t map out their afternoons around who they’ll play with and what they’ll do. They have room for spontaneity. As adults, however, we tend to schedule our time almost to the minute. No margins. No room for “now what?”

That’s too bad, because God needs us to leave a margin in our lives for him. He has people for us to meet. Places for us to go. Love to experience. Laughter to share.

What would happen if once in a while you left the laundry unfolded and left part of your day unfolded as well so you could say to God, “Now what?” Then let him surprise you!

Prayer for Meditation

Today is yours, Lord. Now what?

Scripture for Meditation

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Music for Meditation

Here I Am Lord

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Empty your hands and lift them to the One who can give you perfect rest and true happiness.

I can never have perfect rest or true happiness, until, that is, I am so attached to him that there can be no created thing between my God and me.

~~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.

Perfect, heartwarming, refreshing rest and happiness. A quiet elation that fills the soul to overflowing. Yet such rest and happiness seem as elusive as the fountain of youth.

Or are they? Julian of Norwich had the secret to both: Remain attached to God—so close that nothing comes between you and him.

The branch of a vine has only to remain attached to gain nutrients from the vine. So it is with those who trust the Savior. We gain what we need and even what we desire through our attachment to the Savior. He did the work and offers us the benefits through our relationship with him.

Rest and joy are within your grasp. But you can’t claim either if your hands are already full. Empty your hands and lift them to the One who can give you perfect rest and true happiness.

Prayer for Meditation

Savior, give me the courage to let go of anyone or anything that comes between us.  

Scripture for Meditation

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted. When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:7-8.

Music for Meditation

Perfect Peace

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God you are so much bigger than anything we face here on earth

Instead of talking to God only about our problems, we need to talk to Him about Him . . . then we can begin to mention the problem.

~~Joyce Meyer

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.

Problems mount. Anxiety closes in. Sensing your desperation, a well-meaning friend advises, “Well, all you can do now is pray.” It’s your last resort—you’ve done everything you possibly could. Now it’s up to God. Sound familiar?

Praying, however, is not only the first thing we should do; it’s also the best way to put our problems in perspective.

When we come to God in prayer, we need to shift the focus of our prayers from our troubles to the One who can handle them. Remember his vastness and steadfastness. His infinite wisdom and almighty power. His unquenchable love for us. His willingness to bridge the gap between his holiness and our sin with his very own beloved Son.

As you offer up praise and awestruck wonder at who God is—at how big he is—problems pale in comparison and shrink in his majestic shadow.

Prayer for Meditation

God you are so much bigger than anything I face here on earth.    

Scripture for Meditation

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! Psalm 147:3-5

Music for Meditation

Indescribable 

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Cling to the miracle of grace. Grace is the unmerited favor and mercy of God

Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it.

~~Lucy Maud Montgomery

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.

A new day. A blank slate. No mistakes. An opportunity to start over.

That is the definition of grace.

Each day we do our best, but so often we slip up. If a great computer in the sky were tracking our every misstep, we would be overwhelmed and hopeless. The data would be our undoing. But even if that computer did exist, grace means that each night it would crash and all the data would be wiped out. All those mistakes—gone, forgiven, covered by the blood of Christ. Start again tomorrow, dear one. It’s a new day.

Cling to the miracle of grace. Grace is the unmerited favor and mercy of God. Grace is the gift of second, third, and fiftieth chances. Every day there is a fresh supply, and it is sufficient to keep you moving forward, seeking to live for the Lord.

Great is his faithfulness.

Prayer for Meditation

Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning.  

Scripture for Meditation

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

Music for Meditation

Grace 

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

To those who are paying prayerful attention, God shows himself. Where will you see him today?

[I resolve] . . . to search for the Face of God not only in prayer but in having no other intention in my work, words, or sufferings.  

~~Mother Veronica Namoyo

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.

Picture the homeless traveler. His clothes are dirty and he wears no shoes. Is it possible to se God in him? Yes. Jesus looked that way at times.

Visualize a frowning boss, holding out unreasonable demands. Is it possible to see God in this situation? Yes. Jesus faced accusers who pointed and demanded. He forgave them.

Remember the sickness or the aches and pains you have struggled to overcome. Is it possible to see God in these? Yes. Jesus suffers with us.

Mother Veronica was born into a Communist family and raised by parents who denigrated faith and denied God. Yet she started to believe at a young age and, through her example, they too became followers of Jesus. She went on to set up monasteries in North Africa.

Mother Veronica resolved to find Jesus everywhere. To those who are paying prayerful attention, God shows himself. Where will you see him today?

Prayer for Meditation

Holy Spirit, guide me. Help me see Jesus in the people I meet today.  

Scripture for Meditation

Yes, indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “love your neighbor as yourself. But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:8-9

Music for Meditation

I Saw God Today 

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God is pleased to work in and through us whenever we ask him to do so

Do not ask “what can I do?” but “what can He not do?”

~~Corrie Ten Boom

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 try, we really do—cleverly designing the solution, pushing and sweating to make it work, pulling an all-nighter to finish the project. Hard work leads to success—that’s what we’ve learned, it’s in our DNA. But when we hit the impossible, the unthinkable, the immovable, we don’t understand. What then?

How about, instead of focusing on “What can I do?” we ask, “What can God not do?” Nothing is impossible with God. And nothing is impossible with you when you depend on him. Here’s the most amazing thing—God is pleased to work in and through us whenever we ask him to do so.

Do your best, but realize that it’s not all about you and what you can do. It’s about you being available to be used by God. That’s a whole different perspective. Through you, what can he not do?

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, what can you not do today? Nothing. Remind me of that.  

Scripture for Meditation

O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!

Music for Meditation

Take My Life

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 has great plans and wants you to join him!

In order to expand your borders beyond where they are,

God wants to move you beyond where you are.

~~Darlene Wilkinson

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.

Too many people just “settle” because they don’t feel like they have the time or ability or strength to do anything for God. They figure he has set them aside, so why not put up their fences and stay in where it’s safe?

God doesn’t want his people to settle. He doesn’t want us fenced in. He wants to expand our borders. He wants us to dream bigger.

You don’t need to change your address or find a new job—although that’s not out of the question. More important, God wants you to catch a new vision of what he can do in and through you right at your current address and phone number.

Perhaps it’s time to step out of your place of comfort and explore, looking for God’s new possibilities.

Catch the vision. God has great plans and wants you to join him!

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, give me courage to dream big and see what you’ve got waiting.

Scripture for Meditation

He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10

Music for Meditation

I’ll Say Yes 

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 more we know God, the more deeply we love God

The more we know God, the more deeply we love God.

~~Jane Rubietta

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.

Something’s missing. You accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior and you love him. You attend church on Sunday mornings and pray both morning and night. But still . . . something is missing. There’s an emptiness that hasn’t been filled. Sure, the love of your family and friends warms you, worship and Bible reading sustains you—but that empty feeling remains.

Suddenly within your heart you hear sweet, soft words, “Come closer.”

God wants you to come closer, to come and know him better, to feel the warmth of his presence. He wants you in a relationship with himself. And as you come to know him more deeply, you experience the immense love he has for you.

The more we know God, the more deeply we love God.

It is then, in that closeness with your God, that your emptiness will be filled.

Prayer for Meditation

God, I long to know you better so that my emptiness may be filled.  

Scripture for Meditation

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  Ephesians 1:17

Music for Meditation

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow 

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

What if God's message is in the interruption?

The telephone rings—loud, jarring . . . dissolving my precious moment of stolen solitude. Then . . . I suddenly know . . . that God is in the ringing, that God is the interruption.   

~~Edwina Gateley

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.

Stolen solitude. How true it is that to find precious moments to talk with God, we need to steal the time from other tasks that beckon us. And even then, we cannot always get away. Interruptions dissolve those quiet moments and the silence is shattered.

Like a breaking dish, the fragility of silence is hard to repair. Instead, we usually set aside the pieces of what could have been and return to the world of ringing phones and demanding obligations.

But what if God’s message is in the interruption? To see it that way changes everything. Instead of being unhappy or frustrated, seeing interruptions as God-given allows us to simply take God with us back into the demands of our day.

God speaks in many ways. We crave solitude—and we do need it at times. But when interruptions come, let God redeem them. He has a message for you.

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, help me see you and hear you in all the interruptions of my life.    

Scripture for Meditation

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly seek his praises.

Music for Meditation

Adam, Where Are You 

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The creative act is an act of appreciation for the God who truly made something out of nothing

We are very well aware that man cannot create in the absolute sense in which we understand the word when we apply it to God. We say that “He made the world out of nothing,” but we cannot ourselves make anything out of nothing.

~~Dorothy Sayers

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 marvel at an artist’s ability to create a memorable, soul-stirring piece of art. Consider the last paining, novel, or song that thrilled or inspired you. A work of that kind is pretty unforgettable.

Many artists paint, write, or sing about what they see—the sights that inspired them to create in the first place. And these sights were first created by God. Only he can make a sunset, a robin, a baby’s smile, or stormy ocean depths.

The creative act is an act of appreciation for the God who truly made something out of nothing. When we create, God takes our hands and helps us make something out of a blank white page, a canvas, a lump of clay, silent strings on an instrument.

He then uses this act of creation to make something else—a changed life, starting with your own.  

Prayer for Meditation

I create because you are the creator.  

Scripture for Meditation

Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The LORD has specifically chosen Bezelel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The LORD has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers. Exodus 35:30-35

Music for Meditation

The Light in 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