Lord, when I’m most tempted to turn away from you, help me trust that you still care.

May this be our prayer, “I do not want to turn my eyes from you, O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without.” 

~~Saint Catherine of Genoa  

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.

Some hurts in life cause us to run and hide. We feel too wounded to make eye contact with anyone, preferring to withdraw instead. Even gazing toward God can seem as painful as gazing at the sun. We can’t do it for long, especially if we fear that he does not care.

What we need instead is the unblinking stare of a trusting child looking up at her loving Father. The desire to keep our eyes on God is usually born out of a desperate need. This need is at its fullest when we realize our weakness, our frailty. It is then that we go to him, for we realize he is the only safe place to go.

A fixed gaze takes discipline and a determination to stay focused on God despite the distractions. Most of all, it takes faith and the knowledge that God’s gaze is fixed on you too.

Prayer for Meditation

Lord, when I’m most tempted to turn away from you, help me trust that you still care.

Scripture for Meditation

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 

Music for Meditation

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

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 does some of his best work when there is no money, no time, no hope, no way out

Sometimes the greatest answers to prayer happen when you have no place to go but God.

~~Carol Cymbala

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.

Bad report. Dreams crushed. Hope lost. The perfect time for God to do his work.

The impossibility of our situation means nothing to God. He delights in bringing answers when all we see are obstacles. He does some of his best work when there is no money, no time, no hope, no way out.

Are you at the point of giving up? Have you done everything humanly possible to solve the problem but you feel there’s no answer? It’s too big for you to fix, too overwhelming to handle, too much to bear.

Fall on your knees before God. You have nowhere else to turn. And that’s just the time when God says to you, “Relax, my daughter. It isn’t over until I say it’s over.” Big problems require big answers. And that’s God’s specialty.  

Prayer for Meditation

My problem is too big for me, Lord. I need a big answer.  

Scripture for Meditation

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” March 10:27

Music for Meditation

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

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

Carabiner of Hope

Our prayer and meditation this morning for Sally’s healing is taken from Praying Through Cancer: Set Your Heart Free From Fear by Susan Sorensen and Laura Geist. Excerpt written by Laurann Patterson, homemaker and retired teacher.

We also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

~Romans 5:3-4

When I was recovering from my cancer, I bought a carabiner. “What’s that?” you may be asking. “Some new medical device?” Actually, a carabiner is used in mountain climbing to connect ropes. It’s the number one choice to assure that ropes are held securely. It protects the climber by making the lifelines safe.

Life has been full of challenges that seemed like mountains. I have learned a lot along the path. There have been times I have relied on the easiest choice because it seemed like a fast fix for a tough climb. Then I hoped it was safe. Other times I have tried to do it on my own, without securing my rope. I’ve experienced numerous challenges in life without a firm hold.

My carabiner reminds me of the only secure and steadfast lifeline, Jesus. When I attach myself to Him, He will never let me go. He is the vision beyond my sight. I may have times of feeling helpless, but I am never hopeless when I am securely hooked to and held tightly by Him.

Dear Lord, I confess, I am not always brave. I forget to hold on to You when the journey is rough and my climb is uphill. (Take a moment to acknowledge before the Lord those times when you have gone your own way or tried to do it without His aid.) Thank You for holding on to me—for protecting and loving me even when I have not secured my rope to You. I am grateful for Your willingness to receive me now.

You are my safe and steadfast lifeline. You hold me secure. You do not grow tired or weary, and Your understanding no one can fathom. You give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in You will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Prayer Reference

Isaiah 40:28-31

Music for Meditation

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Alan Jackson

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.