A Prayer For Today

'Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.' ~ Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

I came across a prayer some 20 years ago, on the inside cover of a little daily devotional booklet called ‘Forward Day by Day,’  which I found on a table in the narthex of the Episcopal church where my husband and I were married.

I remember being so captivated and moved by the sweetness, simplicity and sincerity of its wording. For me, it was like a prayer, a poem and a song all rolled into one wonderful package.

I carried the booklet with me everywhere, using the prayer during whatever quiet moments I could find during the course of my day, as well as reaching for it whenever a time of chaos and crisis would hit (which back then, seemed much too often).

A few years later, after my husband stopped attending church with me, I left that particular church with much sadness and began looking for another one.  None of the churches I attended afterwards, nor the church I finally wound up calling ‘home’ for many years, carried this particular devotional booklet. They offered others which I began to use and learned to be content with. 

I soon forgot about ‘Forward Day by Day,’  but every so often, some of the words from that wonderful prayer it contained would come back to me. Yet, as years passed, it became cloudy as to where in the world I had read or heard of that prayer.

So, imagine my delight when, this past weekend as I was taking photos of some historic sites in a little town that neighbors my own, I stopped in a very old, very lovely and very small church – and found a few copies of ‘Forward Day by Day’ displayed on a table in the back!

Christ Episcopal Church, Bordentown, NJ

Christ Episcopal Church, Bordentown, NJ

Christ Episcopal Church, Bordentown, NJ

Also to my great joy, the prayer is STILL contained within the devotional, this time located on the back of the booklet.  The prayer is written by American clergyman and author, Phillips Brooks, and it’s my privilege today to share it with you here.

It’s my sincere hope and desire that, during this Lenten season AND every day, it will encourage, inspire and bless you, as well as draw you closer to the One Who loves you beyond what you could ever imagine:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

O God,

Give me strength to live another day;

Let me not lose faith in other people;

Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery or meanness;

Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;

Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;

Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;

Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;

Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness, and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;

In the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"I Need You!"

I waited and waited and waited for God. At last He looked; finally He listened. He lifted me out of the ditch,   pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God. ~ Psalm 40:1-3, The Message

Credit

There come times in the midst of our harsh trials and deep sorrows, our anxieties and fears, our confusion and loneliness when we find ourselves in an abyss; a spiritual dead zone, or broken down alongside a dark, unfamiliar and barren stretch of life's road.

We're lost.

We're weary.

And we're frightened.

So much so that all we can do is send up a flare in the form of a desperate, simplistic prayer, in the hopes that Someone will hear us and come to our rescue.

Nothing wordy or eloquent necessary here.  Four words or less will often do. Words often shouted.  Most times whispered.   Almost always accompanied by tears. 

Credit

A plead for help.

A cry for mercy.  

A prayer of abandon and surrender.

"Lord, I need You!"

Joining together with all of you for whom this simple, yet powerful prayer is lifesaving and life giving....

And They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

"A new command I give you.: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" ~ John 13:35

Credit

Yesterday in my post, The Snarkiness of Christianity,  I ended by wondering what Jesus might be thinking about all the arrogant, self-righteous and mean-spirited attitudes and comments from His followers that have been flying around on the Internet recently concerning the announcement of the new pontiff, Pope Francis I, and about the Catholic Church in general.

I cannot be so arrogant and self-righteous myself to state that I KNOW  exactly what Jesus is or could possibly be thinking.  But I do know from Scripture that Jesus reserved His harshest criticism for those who were considered the religious elite of His day -- the Pharisees and teachers of the law.  These holy men followed Jesus, too. But not because they believed He was the Messiah, but to judge and criticize and condemn every word He spoke and every move He made.

In the Bible, Matthew 23:1-36 is subtitled in one translation as ‘Seven Woes To The Scribes and Pharisees,’ and ‘A Warning Against Hypocrisy’ in another. Jesus admonishes their actions, telling His disciples and the crowd of people following Him not to do what they, the religious leaders, do, because they do not practice what they preach.

Credit

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!”  Jesus says to them over and over, calling them blind guides, blind fools, whitewashed tombs, snakes and a brood of vipers.  These men gave the appearance of righteousness and holiness on the outside, but inside they were unclean and dead. Hypocrites.

Might these same accusations aimed at the Pharisees and teachers of the law by Jesus so long ago strike a chord with many of His people today who are speaking maliciously of other folks who love and serve the Lord? Might these same warnings resonate within them, making them uncomfortable in their sin?

I must say, I am all too aware that while we may be followers of Christ, we are also an imperfect bunch of people.  We make mistakes. We give in to temptations. We fall down. We say hurtful, inappropriate things.  We set bad examples. Most times unintentionally, but sometimes not.  

And to be painfully honest, there was a time when I was what some call a ‘baby Christian’ (someone immature in their faith in Christ) and I would often sarcastically and self-righteously refer to myself as a ‘recovering Catholic,’ as I toggled between looking down my nose at and feeling sorry for anyone who still found themselves ‘trapped by the tradition of guilt and shame’ (my words) within the Catholic Church.

Can you say ‘World’s Biggest Jerk?’ Yes, that was me to a T, my dears. I THANK GOD for His grace and mercy with me over the years. I am thankful for His persistence in pointing out my arrogant stupidity and Pharisaecal attitude, for His help in removing this ugly attitude in me. And I’m grateful that today, God still sends loving, yet stern reminders and lessons whenever I seem about to veer over onto that path again.

May I ask for something here? Could we all just be willing to lay down our verbal swords? Could we all  just be willing to put aside our differences and disagreements on theology and doctrine? Could we – as a people who profess to love Jesus Christ – learn to see one another as beloved children of our Father God and precious brothers and sisters in Christ, united by and with and through the Holy Spirit?

As a matter of fact, in John 17:20-23, this unity is what Jesus prayed for in the upper room after the Passover meal, the night He was betrayed:


“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.  I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as we are one—  I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.

Credit

Could we -- dare we -- as Christians, humble ourselves and pray this way, too, for our Catholic friends, family members, neighbors, classmates and coworkers and for their pope? Could we -- dare we -- pray for those whose religious denominations and traditions aren't mirror images of ours?

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating – we need to be ever so careful about what we post, how we speak and act. The way we live and love.  Others – non-believers, new believers and people of different faith denominations -- are watching us. And they’ll know we are Christians…not by our Christian T-shirts, key chains and car magnets displaying clever slogans; not with our Jesus jewelry and our Bible verse Pinterest boards…but they’ll KNOW, without a doubt, we are Christians by our love.

Simplify - Time To Refocus

"We do not have to spend 24 hours a day in church to give our time to God. Instead, He simply asks that we constantly refocus our attention on Him, in even the smallest details of our life." ~ Sr. Theresa Noble

Peace Be Still, by C. Michael Dudash

Earnest Prayer, by C. Michael Dudash

"Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end." ~ Hebrews 12:2, (GNT)

A Living Prayer by Alison Krauss

For I, the LORD, your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the One who helps you. ~ Isaiah 41:13, ESV

An endlessly confusing, exasperating, somewhat troubling and very tiring day.  What a lovely, unexpected gift this was, to come upon this sweet, sweet song just now!  And for me, such a beautiful way to end this day.

May its words and music bring comfort, rest, joy and peace to your mind and spirit.

In Your love I find release,
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer
My God, to Thee ~ A Living Prayer, written by Ron Block

Worship Song Sunday -- All For You, by Mikeschair

I'd planned on posting here early this morning, but circumstances beyond my control hindered me from doing so.   As often happens (more than I care to admit), I had way too much going on before I ran out the door for church to be in a worshipful, let alone focused, state of mind, and I was trying hard to avoid being late (again), so I could at least be worshipful and focused when I walked sprinted into church. 


I had a completely different song all set to go here, too. Not that it wasn't a good one -- it is. Yet obviously, it's meant for another time. I woke up with today's song firmly implanted in my head.  And now I know why.   


Once I got to church, the unexpected happened. Without going into loads of details, we had a medical incident happen midway through the first service, involving one of our older saints, who is my neighbor and who catches a ride with us to church almost every Sunday.  It was, to say the least, disconcerting and a bit scary, but I was amazed at how many people stepped up to the plate immediately to assist and how lovingly, how tenderly and how well it was done.  Our young pastor handled it all with such calm, compassion, grace, mercy and love, calling everyone who was not assisting to just lift up their hands and cry out loud to the LORD on this person's behalf and encouraging all to worship and praise Him in the midst of the goings on.  Which they promptly did.  I've not seen anything like it, really.

I am thankful and grateful that nothing -- NOTHING -- takes our Father God by surprise.  He made sure that particular people with professional medical backgrounds were at church today, at this particular service time, and that they were easily and quickly accessible before the paramedics arrived to take over.  He surrounded this person with church members who had loving hearts, cool heads, a good understanding of and compassion for the elderly and strong arms to help and comfort.


It's several hours later and while I'm still a bit shaky from it all, mostly I'm in awe, once again, over how awesome and amazing God truly is, and just how worthy He is of our praise and worship. 


Some of the lyrics to this song are as follows:


'I stand amazed at Who You are,
I'm overcome by what You've done.'


'I'm here right now, I need You now
I lift Your Name above the doubt,
This is my offering for You.'


'I leave my burden at Your feet
In You I find my victory,
There is nothing You can't do.'


No, there certainly is NOTHING God can't do. 


Two things I would like to ask of all of you reading this post.  First, even though most or all of you may not know this elder saint (unless you're from my church and were at this particular service today), would you please take a moment to lift her up in prayer?  I'm still unsuccessful at getting in touch with any of her immediate family to let them know what transpired today and where she is.  Thankfully, some members of our church family went to the hospital  and are still there with her. 


And second, won't you join me in giving all worship and praise to our God? For it truly is ALL for Him.

Lungs

It's my honor today to share a blog post with you all, dear good and faithful bloggy friends and readers, from over at A Martha Heart, one of the wonderful blogs that I follow. 


Entitled Lungs and beautifully written by blog author Holly Smith, we are not only reminded of how much God loves us and how very near to each one of us He truly is (as close as our breath!), but we are presented with two very important prayer needs as well.  Both prayer requests involve the lungs.

Just Breathe, by Melanie Weidner, 2005

I would like to invite you to please join together in prayer with Holly and myself for these precious friends of Holly's who need our Father's healing touch and intervention in their lives. And yes -- I encourage you to please share these needs with those mighty prayer warriors and partners within your sphere of influence.


And to Holly -- thank you so much for allowing me to share these serious prayer needs and your blog post today! 

Lungs

Breathing in…breathing out. Life source. Holy Spirit come and breathe on us this day.

I’m heading out in an hour for our church’s women’s retreat, taking dear friends and teaching crafts. I am looking for God to breathe upon us all, as we discuss LEGACY.

Before I go, though, I have heard many different and huge prayer needs this morning. I will share two with you about lungs.

One–a dear friend and brother in Christ has been longing for God to bless his mother with a lung transplant. She has been hard to match, BUT TODAY they have one. They are looking to go in at 2pm. Please pray for this dear Mama…for my brother in Christ and his family.

Two–a dear daughter in the faith to us has gotten devastating news. Her baby that she is carrying is not developing lungs. They went in to find out the sex of the baby and came out with this news–not viable. Will you pray that God will do a miracle here? I LOVE this sister in Christ and her husband so much. Please pray that God will cause those lungs to just appear.

Please pray and PLEASE share this post with your praying friends.

Thank you friends. God is on His Throne. He is also a breath away–our very near God WITH us…not far away. NEAR.

He is NEAR. And He HEARS. He thinks of us constantly and loves us lavishly. Circumstances do not dictate either TRUTH–they neither prove nor disprove He is near and He loves us so very much. He loves us. Oh, how He loves us!

Joy and Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13, NIV

It just doesn’t seem possible that once again, we’ve found ourselves on the threshold of another brand new year -- 2012. As the years go by, I sometimes feel like I’m in a sci-fi novel when I have to write out or type the latest numbers, like I will be doing shortly: 2012.....what in the world ever happened to 19 whatever!?


Looking back, people may breathe sighs of relief, saying how thankful they are that the year is finally over because of how awful or stressful it was, and how they’re looking forward to a new year; a clean, fresh slate.

I’ve often found myself doing the same, remembering the hard times, trials and difficulties that came my way, peppering my life with sadness and discouragement, yet holding on to hope that better, happier days and times are coming.


However, there are two important things to keep in mind:


(1.) Our joy comes from the Lord. “Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy …” Philippians 3:1 (NLT)

Did you catch that? WHATEVER happens. Joy comes from within, where the Holy Spirit of the Lord resides. Joy, unlike happiness, is not dependent on our outward circumstances.


(2.) Hope CAN be found the midst of trials. Hope is what we must hold onto, no matter what. There is ALWAYS hope. It’s that joyful expectation of and belief in what God has promised to us, whether we receive those promises in this life or in eternity with Him. It’s believing that He’s in control of our lives and that He makes ALL things work together for our good, even when everything in our lives practically SCREAMS the exact opposite. And that hope, like joy, also comes from the Lord:

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you HOPE and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)


As we head into and move through this new year, to whom or what will you look to bring you joy? People, places, things, material posessions?  As 2012 looms on the horizon, what do you need hope for? A rocky marriage? A wayward, prodigal child? A strained relationship with family members or friends? A devastating health diagnosis? An overwhelming financial situation? A stress-filled job or the loss of a job? Unsaved loved ones, friends, coworkers, neighbors?

Will you join me in looking to Jesus, our true source of all hope and joy? He loved us enough to die for us, and we can trust Him with our lives, with every harsh reality, every situation, circumstance or person that threatens to steal our joy and crush our hope.

It’s my prayer that in this brand new year of 2012, trusting in Jesus for these things and more will come easier to you and to me; that we’ll make time to spend with Him in open, honest, sweet conversation and ingesting His Word into our hearts, minds and souls. I’m praying for all of us to be touched and changed by the Master this year, unlike any other year.

Hear the sound of our chains
They come crashing down
There’s freedom in Your name
The cross erased our guilt and shame
The past can’t condemn the ones
Who bear Your name

We found our hope in You

You make all things new, new life found in You
You restore the years that we have wasted
You make all things new, Your love breaking through
There’s healing in Your wake and we are changed ~ 'All Things New,' by Elevation Worship

The Battle Is On!

United we stand, divided we fall.

Satan, the enemy of our souls, know this truth all too well -- sometimes, seemingly more so than we ourselves do.  And since he also knows his time is getting shorter and shorter, he works hard and fast, doing whatever it takes to fulfill his mission -- to steal, to kill, to destroy our unity.  Unity with our parents, our siblings, our spouses,  our children, our neighbors, our coworkers, our church family (from its congregants on up to leadership).

And ultimately, our unity with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

All you have to do is take a good look around you to see how this is being played out in your own life and in the lives of those with whom you live, work, play, love and serve.  The battles are fierce and heated; the attacks relentless and the casualties of war continue to rise daily.

This has been on my mind a lot lately, as I recently became aware that it's been quite a while since I reached out to gather my 'prayer peeps' together to pray.  I've been so busy with 'other things' in my life - things I deem to be oh so important in my little sphere of the world -- that I've fallen by the wayside and been disobedient to what the Lord called me to do some time ago. And that was to be His prayer warrior, as well as to be the one to 'round up the troops' to keep us all united in prayer.

I know there are those of us who feel as if we've been in the trenches for much too long. I know there are those of us who are weak and exhausted from the hand-to-hand combat we've experienced and are looking to either hide in the nearest foxhole or are ready to just wave the white flag of surrender and become the enemy's prisoner of war.  If you find yourself a member of this group, as I have, I encourage you right now to

STOP!!!
Take heart!
Stand up!
Stand firm!
Unite in prayer!
And keep on praying some more!!!

For we have a Warrior King -- Jesus -- to fight for us!!  The battle, ultimately, is God's.

In the Old Testament Book of 2 Chronicles 20, we learn that the Moabites and Ammonites made plans to attack Judah's king, Jehoshaphat.  Men came and informed Jehoshaphat that a huge army was on the way to destroy him and capture his land.  The NIV says that Jehoshaphat was 'alarmed' - and hey, who wouldn't be?  So what did he do after hearing that information?  Did he begin making detailed, strategic battle plans, calling all warriors to gather 'round to prepare for the imminent attack?  Did he send the people of his kingdom away to find safety elsewhere, much like King Théoden did for his people when he sent them to the Helm's Deep stronghold in 'Lord of the Rings?'

No.  Here is what it says he did in 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 ~

'Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.  The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek Him.' 

And then, in verse 12, Jehoshaphat says this to the LORD:

'For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.'

Jehoshaphat, wise king that he is, knows that there is no way in the world that he and his army are going to have victory in this upcoming battle against the enemies that are coming against him and his kingdom.  He admits to being powerless against the impending attack.  But he knows who does have all the power -- God.  And Jehoshaphat makes sure to do something the enemy can't stand: he calls together ALL the people of Judah, uniting them before God:

'All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood before the LORD.' (v. 13).

After that, it says that the Spirit of the LORD came upon a man named Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, and he tells the king and all the people:

'This is what the LORD says to you: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God's."  You will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Go out to face them tomorrow and the LORD will be with you." ' ~ 2 Chronicles 20:15;17

Dear ones, when we find we are weak and exhausted, without hope in our spiritual battles and ready to give up, we can be encouraged because, just like King Jehoshaphat and his people, our hope and strength lies in trusting God and in the faithful promises we find in His Word.

God is with us, so we don't have to be afraid or discouraged.  The battle belongs to Him and the victory is His, not the enemy's!  It states very clearly here in the Old Testament and the New Testament, in Ephesians 6, that we are to stand firm with the full armor of God firmly in place on us.   The apostle Paul encourages us to:

'Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.' ~ Ephesians 6:10-11

Take up your armor, put it on and look to the Lord for His strength to stand your ground firmly when you are under attack.

-Seek Him BEFORE the battle to prepare your self for what is to come.

-Seek Him in the midst of the battle. December 3rd's 'Jesus Calling' devotional entry said When you are in the thick of battle, call upon My Name, "Jesus, help me!" At that instant, the battle becomes Mine.'

-Seek Him when the battle is over (for the moment anyway) to thank and praise Him.

God is our Commander-in-Chief and we need to stay in constant communication with Him.  Paul also states in Ephesians 6:18 that we are to

'pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.'

When we're under attack and being relentlessly bombarded, it's so easy to want to break from the unit and run and hide.  'Yeah, let somebody else fight the good fight.  Let someone else be the one to lift up holy hands and pray. I've had it.'  Believe me, I've been in that place more times than I care to admit.  It's a cold, dark and lonely place, devoid of all hope.

And it's EXACTLY where the enemy wants us to be.  Don't give him what he desires!!  Remember, dear ones: we are MORE than conquerors through Him Who loves us!  So don't be afraid or discouraged.

Have you ever noticed when you begin to pray for something or someone in earnest, enlisting an army of prayer warriors to join you on the battlefield, that the situation or the person suddenly seems to get worse?  I've seen it happen to other people and have experienced it personally.  I've often wondered why that is, and I've known other people who have just thrown up their hands and ask, 'Why bother to pray? Things only seem to get worse.'  And to be honest, there have been times I've thought that myself.  A while back, I read a fictional work by Christian author Robin Lee Hatcher.  The book was called 'Beyond The Shadows,' and the main character had this to say about her prayers for her alcoholic husband:

'But the harder I prayed, the more Gideon's life seemed to spiral out of control.  The more I prayed, the sicker he seemed to get, the more he seemed to drink, the further away from me he pulled. I can see now how reluctant the enemy was to let go.'

Don't you see now how reluctant the enemy is to let go of what or of whom we are praying for, for those things in our lives and those people that we love which we are faithfully bringing before the Lord?!!  It isn't as if the very things and situations and people we're praying for are hopeless.  It's not that God isn't listening or doesn't care. It's just a vicious, tug-of-war with Satan.  He is reluctant to let go.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil ruler and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

But: remember in Whose grip we rest. And in Whose grip we can place everything.  Ourselves, our loved ones, our worries, fears, our needs.  Everything.  We are in God's hands. And He NEVER lets go.

Yes, my friends. This is war. The battle is on and shows no signs of letting up.  I know there are so many of you who have just been pummeled lately, hit again and again by those flaming arrows of the enemy.  But again -- don't be afraid or discouraged.  The Lord, our God, is on our side.  Let's take up our positions, stand firm in the battle, stay alert and unite with one another with fasting and with BOLD prayer.  And then watch what our amazing God will do!

United we stand, divided we fall.  So stand firm. Stand strong. Stand together.

Do you have the patience, the faith and the trust in God to let Him work in situations and with loved ones while you stand still and watch?

'Be still and know that I am God.' ~ Psalm 46:10

If God is on our side
Who can be against us?
If God is on our side
We won't be afraid
Though the mountains may fall
And the sky will crumble
There ain't nothin' gonna stand in our way ~ On Our Side, by Chris Tomlin

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV

Today is November 1^st, All Saints’ Day, and on this day, I’m remembering, and missing, some of the saints who touched my life:


Dee Hunt
Leon Hunt
Alvin McNair
Dawn Hunter
Janette Rein
Carolyn Allen

These people were ordinary people -- dads, moms, some were grandparents; going to work, raising their children, serving at church, their children's schools and sports teams, and in their community in humble ways-- but you could tell simply by being in their presence, just how strongly God’s hand was upon them and how brightly the Person of the Holy Spirit shone from within.

They were spiritual mentors and role models. They lived well, loved well and served well.

Each one of them loved the Lord God, as it says in Scripture, with all their hearts, souls, strength and minds.


In their times of struggle, loss, pain and illness, they trusted the Lord with everything they had. When hit hard and knocked down by storms and fiery trials, they wouldn’t instantly whine “Why me??!”, but had learned instead to ask, “What lesson does God want me to learn here?” Being a whiner myself (and coming from a long line of whiners), I was blown away by their godly confidence, perseverance, and their total trust in the Lord God. And I’m learning, slowly, as I go through my own trying times, to ask the latter question, rather than the former, thanks to these beautiful saints.


No matter what they were going through or what heavy burdens they were carrying at the time, they took the time to reach out and encourage others, making them feel welcome, special, cared for and yes, loved: at church, in their homes or in their hospital rooms, as I recall Janette Rein and Dee Hunt doing for me.




These were people who didn’t just SAY they were going to pray for you -- they would grab your hand, pull you aside and pray with and for you right on the spot.


Or right over the phone.  I remember clearly one instance where I made a desperate call to Dee Hunt and realized too late that she was in Disney World on vacation with her husband, son and grandsons. In fact, she hadn’t even gotten out of the car yet, they were just pulling into a parking spot. I apologized profusely and was about to hang up, but Dee wouldn’t hear of it. I heard her tell her family to just go on for a bit, she’d catch up with them, there was a spiritual battle to be fought. I will never forget that she did that for me.


And one sweet sister in particular, Dawn Hunter, ALWAYS seemed to know whenever I was in the greatest need and at the end of my rope. She would call to pray for me and give me a timely word from God, to comfort me or convict me.


Each of these precious, staunch prayer warriors wore their full armor of God at all times, and would make sure that you had on yours.


In my mind’s eye, I can still see their sincere, loving and dazzling smiles, which, like their laughter, was contagious and comforting. The joy of the Lord was indeed their strength.


Each one had a desire to see everyone they met or had a relationship with come to know that they too were ordinary people who were loved by an extraordinary God, sinners saved by grace.
　
Those of us who knew them felt that each was taken home much too soon. I’m so grateful for how each one touched my life….some in small ways, some in big ways.


I miss them dearly.


I remember them often.


I remember them today.


I know I will see them all one day.

A cloud of witnesses
Lined up on a street of gold
As they run the final mile
That leads them to a throne.

And through the cloud of witnesses
They see God upon the throne.
And as they fall into His arms,
They know they're home in
A cloud of witnesses,
Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. ~ Cloud of Witnesses, by Mark Schultz

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

In memory of all those whose lives were stolen ten years ago today;
In honor of all those whose loved ones, dear friends, neighbors, bosses and coworkers were taken from them on September 11, 2001:

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God

A Prayer To Abba

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" ~ Romans 8:15 (NASB)

Abba Father, there are days that come when we feel so overwhelmed by our life circumstances; by the situations and events we see taking place all around us; by the people in our lives who are often abrasive, deceitful, difficult to love or forgive -- cold and uncaring or just plain too busy for us. 

Things aren’t working out the way we want them to; life isn't turning out the way we’d hoped, dreamed or planned. We cry out to You in desperation, but our voices echo back to us, our tears splash back on our faces and we feel alone in our struggles and our desperate needs. We wonder where You are in the midst of these dark and violent storms, these fiery trials and frightening happenings, these climbs up the steep mountainside......are You listening? Why won’t You answer the cries of Your children? We are anxious and afraid.

Photo Credit

Oh, but Abba, You DO hear us and recognize our voices. You are well aware of our circumstances, You know exactly what we need. You see us in our wilderness and You are not surprised to find us there. You are with us, right beside us in the lonely deep, dark pit or in the chaotic and frantic crowd, although we find it hard to see You through our tear soaked eyes, and to hear You and feel Your presence above our rapidly beating hearts, racing minds and shaking bodies. 

Help us to be still and know that You are God, and that You are constantly working behind the scenes in our favor, although we can’t see the work being done nor the fruit of that work as yet. Perhaps You are leading us down a path we don’t want to travel.  Perhaps You are preparing us for something yet to come. Or You are teaching us a hard and painful lesson we don’t wish to learn. You tell us, “Follow Me,” but we are afraid of the destination and the unfamiliar change of scenery. 

Help us, dear Father, to trust You totally and completely, because we know that You are merciful, forgiving and compassionate, always offering us Your amazing grace and unfailing love. You have ransomed us; You know us well, calling us by our names because we are Yours. When we pass through the deep waters, You WILL be with us; when we go through rivers of difficulty in our lives, You WILL NOT let us drown; and when we walk through the fires of oppression, You WILL NOT let them burn us up nor allow the flames to consume us as we fear they will. 

Photo Credit

We are so very precious to You and You love us. Help us to remember this, dearest Abba Father, and to not be afraid, no matter what. We ask this in the wonderful Name of Jesus, amen.

Why should the Father bother to call us His children?
Why should the Spirit hear it when we pray?
Why should the Father bother to be concerned with all our needs?
It's all because of what the Son has done
And we cry "Abba Father, Abba Father
Abba Father, Abba Father"
We cry "Abba Father, Abba Father
Abba Father, Abba Father" ~ Why Should The Father Bother? by Petra