Welcome friend from Proverbs 31 Ministries! I hope you are doing well today.
Will you leave a comment letting us know how you are?
Then leave a comment with a prayer for the person who commented before you and enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.
Thanks so much!!
xoxo,
Sam
I am doing okay. Recently moved and am working on getting settled in to a new life. It has been incredibly hard to leave behind everything, but know it was what God wanted. Still have times when I cry bitter tears wondering why this or that is not happening the way I expected, but it is becoming less frequent as I am learning to trust God in new ways. He is so faithful and good and I am so very thankful for His unending love, mercy, and grace.
I know in my heart and soul it is well!!!
Despite trying to ignore the calendar- my mind always reminds me that today and 9/24 are milestone dates in my history with my late husband’s death. He was a very strong believer and led me to the Lord. I have remarried a Godly man in my church. I serve in my church as a full time volunteer and I love my life. Obviously I am hurting because I lie awake at 0100 while my sweet husband sleeps beside me. I will start reading my bible now, but I’m very happy to have found your blog. Blessings to you! Oh yes… Dear Suzanne: All I can say is that I completely understand. Here is a verse I memorized and call on!!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 ESV)
The past 2 weeks have not been great because of poor health. I was hospitalised and felt alone. But thank God for the reminder in Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” which assured me of the Lord’s constant and abiding love for His children. Oh what a blessed assurance to know that Jesus is mine.!
Dear Lizzie, the loss of a loved one is never easy to forget. But as children of the Lord, we grieved as people of hope in the resurrection where we will see our loved ones once again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. “
Suzanne
I know that feeling well my dear, having been a pastor. It is very difficult to leave behind so many friends and people who count on you as well as people you count on. I pray that soon you will find the new people that are waiting to befriend you. May God give you the discernment to know who the people are who can be trusted with your most sacred needs and thoughts. Amen
Suzanne, I know exactly how you feel!!! I just moved too. I want to suggest that you check out http://www.justmoved.org. My good friend, Susan Miller, a lovely Christian woman, has a great ministry to help encourage you! Check the site to see if you can find a Bible study in your area that is all about moving and the pain that comes with that.
Blessings for your day!
My heart is very heavy the last couple days.. But uplifted today by this devotional. It and the one from Proverbs 31 ministries post hit home today with my heavy heart.
A lot of sadness, sickness, terminal illness, endless debt, that never sees an end, has me burdened down and weary. Family and Friends that once was in our pathways have walked away. Leaving me and others in my household alone. No one likes to hear of someone ill or the amount of medical debt one can accure as you find yourself dwelling in a bottomless pit with no end.
God has shown himself in many ways throughout the years. But sadly you wonder WHY!!! Many times. When is the test going to end when the meat grinder of what should be happiness, joy, always is filled with sadness and heartache.
One may never understand until they walk a mile in another person’s shoes.
But many will never fit in the same shoe of life.
Matthew 6:
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
It’s a scripture to try to cling to no matter what one is going through, even when it’s tough to understand.
Marie, I too have felt heavy the past few days… This devotional came just in time. God is always on time. He always sends me a message whether through a song, someone or even a simple email. I love the Lord for what he has done in my life and with looking back, I know that I can trust him with my future. so there is no need to worry! God is awesome!!! Be blessed Marie, praying for your strength in the Lord and everyone else who is REALLY feeling a certain way today.
Hello! I am a home school mom of 3 boys, one of which just went to high school as a freshman, his first time in public school. I am just coming out of 3 weeks of struggling with anxiety and mild depression. HE has redeemed my life from the pit and crowned me with love and compassion. Prayer for continued victory and healing are appreciated.
DEAR MICHELLE,
I am glad you are begining to walk in victory over the eating disorder that has tried to hold you captive. HE says in His word that He has come to set the captives free! It is His will that you be mastered by nothing but HIM which means He will absolutely bring you victory. He our strong tower and Mighty Fortress to save us! In Luke 10:19 He says, “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and abliity] over all the power that the enemy [possessses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.” He has given you power by His spirit to over come. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (Amplified version) and Psalm 103 on biblegateway.com. Heavenly Father, thank you that you that you care for Michelle carefully and watcfully as your word says in 1 Peter 5:6-7. I pray you would help her to take very thought captive that holds itself against the true knowledge of You into the obedience of Christ. In Jesus name I humbly as for complete healing and victory over this eating disorder and that you would heal her heart and mind. I pray you would establish her thoughts and help her to think rightly. I thank you that you are the lover of her soul and that you will bring her victory. Please help her to learn what you want her to through this trial as she trusts in You. In Jesus precious name, Amen.
How am I really? I am struggling daily to deal with the death of my mother. She just passed July 27th. It still seems unreal. She was my best friend. I could always depend on her. I still have family but no one could ever take her place. She was to take her first flight July 26th and didn’t make it. She had a heart attack and survived. She went through open heart surgery and survived. What I believe was a medical mistake, was told to us as blood clot happening that caused her to have a seizure and die. I don’t understand why God would allow her to make it through an invasive surgery like that only for her to die. I am having a hard time with my faith although I continue to attend church since this has happened.
Suzanne I pray for your strength and courage during this new time in your life.
Dear Rubygirl,
I am praying for you right now. I am very close to my mom and dread the day I don’t have her here. I love and depend on her so much. I am so deeply sorry for the huge hole that you have in your life now and pray that Jesus would bring an older, wonderful woman by your side to fill even just a corner of that love gap you have now.
Praying for Jesus to wrap His mercy, love, grace, peace, comfort, strength and assurance about your heart right now. You are not alone!!
Dear Rubygirl
I lost my mom on Aug 6th after a long illness, my dad in 1980. after a short illness.
there is no resoning to when our life on this earth ends. The loss of a mom is overwhelming. Have faith that you will see her agian and that she is with Jesus and God our Father. Live your life in remenberance of her, celebrating her life by the way you live. Let the tears flow. Let the memories surround you , and let her love and Goid’s love surround you. I am so sorry for your loss
Sherry B. says
I am afraid. I am 62 and my 39 year old son has just been diagnosed with MDS( bone marrow cancer) He desperately needs a marrow trnsplant! I know God is in control, but the waiting is unbearable at times. I do believe God will heal him, just wish it happened yesterday! He has 2 young sons and a wonderful wife. They know God but do not seem to have the relationship with him I have.
Dear Ruby, I lost my Mom in April. the road is not easy, but with God’s help, everyday gets easier. When we were given my son’s diagnosis last week, my first reaction was”gotta call Mom and tell her”. She knew before i did……
Suzanne…so many times I have moved or had a life change and even though grateful do not understand God’s timing.Then at a later point, months or year…it becomes clear what God’s plan was…better than mine and for my benefit.So..as the tears fall and you are waiting and wondering…think on past times with his faithfulness to you.God has it covered for our good at All times. Hang in there dear sister!
Suzanne, as a child I moved many times . . . it was much easier then but I didn’t know it. As an adult it I have found it to be more difficult to make new friends and adjustments. I do know though that God is the closest friend one can have and He is closer than family. Prayers said for you as you make this move. Take care.
I am struggling daily as I can now admit to being a compulsive overeater. I am learning to sow seeds to God when temptation comes and each hour that passes and I do not binge is a success. I am beginning to feel peace and I look forward to the encouraging words daily. God is bigger than all of my issues and today’s words truly ministered to me. Thank you.
Dear Karen, I know how being ill can make you feel and I am praying for you. Our God is the great physician and “by HIS stripes we ARE healed” in Jesus name.
Michelle,
I’ve always had “issues” with food, whether that be not eating enough or eating too much. My main goal in life for many years was to be 1) skinny and 2) pretty (I know, pretty shallow goals!). When I read “A Confident Heart” by Rene Swope, my whole perspective changed and I began to see myself how God sees me. It’s a daily struggle, still, but I can see growth and maturity. I even started my own blog (findingsecurityinhim.blogspot.com) dedicated to finding my security and confidence in Him, and not in food or how I look. I will pray for you!
I am struggling with a marriage of 49 years to a man who spent 2 years in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam War. That experience changed him in so many ways. I feel alone, unloved, used and struggling to keep my head above water. It is hard to be patient, loving and kind when inside I just want to scream and cry. Pray that some way he can see God’s love through me and come to know what an awesome, all loving, all caring God we worship.
Michelle: I can feel your pain. I know the power of food is compelling for you. Just keep in mind the scripture from Luke 1:17 “Nothing is impossible with God.” He is greater and bigger than all our problems. Lean on Him. You are headed for success. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own underdstaing.” Seek God and he will give you the strength to overcome.
Elaine: I don’t know very many scriptures, but I believe that God has always been there, holding your hand, especially in those times your husband can’t. My husband is a veteran, but never had to see the face of war directly. I know that is a blessing. I know you have prayed for him—DON’T EVER STOP. Keep trying, God sees and hears you. Take as many deep.breaths, cry as many tears but keep going. I will pray for a breakthrough for your life. Take care.
Elaine while I too live with a Viet Nam era vet,, he never saw combat while several friends did. I am praying for your faith and continued prayer with you for a break thru..always lean on God.
Elaine, had supper with two Viet Vets this weekend. One of them talked a bit of his experience. His wife says that he never talks about it, but here with another who understood he talked just a wee bit. I had friends who didn’t come back or, as in your case, they came back different. Prayers said for you and for you husband.
I feel insecure in my role as a wife and mother. I feel guilt because I have distanced myself from my family. I have not been to church. I’ve been lazy in that aspect. I am afraid of change, yet I need change. My marriage needs plenty of work to.be fully functional. I am afraid my husband is cheating, and I can not let go of the deception I discovered right after giving birth to our daughter last year. I need to find a church home, and I don’t know how. I am afraid that God is not pleased with me.
Dear Kaysha,
You don’t have to walk a thousand miles to find God. He’s just a step away! And NO MATTER how much you’ve greived him, He still loves you deeply and passionately and is just WAITING for you to turn to Him and call out His name. More than anything you’ve done in your past, He wants to meet you HERE and NOW and WANTS an intimate relationship with you. But don’t worry! His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Just call out to Him, wherever you are, and He will meet you and give you what you need! Any changes you need to make, God will be with you through each and every step. Take His hand and don’t let go. He meets the deepest needs in your soul that your husband, children, family and friends can’t fill.
I’m praying blessings for you today. I’m praying that TODAY you will reach out and take hold of God’s hand. I’m praying that you feel His presence in your life. Have courage! Do the right thing!
Much love,
Melinda
Kaysha,
I have been where you are. My husband had an affair, lied about it, left me, came back and trompled my heart more after I discovered pornography. I made a stand to stick it out and save my marriage when I found out about the other person. I continued to stand when I discovered the pornography. Through all of this I have discovered the immeasurable love of my heavenly father Jesus. I felt the same way in that I did not think I was a good mother, wife, daughter, you name it. I felt that God (Jesus) must be really put out with me; because in my mind I was such a disappointment. God showed me not only was I not a disappointment but I was the love of his life, and now I can say he is mine. I am a good mother (not perfect), I am a good wife (not perfect), and I am good at whatever God sets my mind too. I know the shame that fills you at the thought that you could not keep your marriage together – and that is why you distanced yourself. God is waiting…I know this…he waited for me to reach out to him…he’s waiting for you. Start simply by calling out his name…confess what you think is the worst thing in the world…cry, shout, get angry and get back at the devil for trying to fill your heart and head full of lies. Ask God to fill you with love for your husband and to subdue the memories of the cheating. It is not an instant fix by any means but if you give your worry, fear, shame, grief, ect to God he is faithful to meet you where you are and take you where you want to be. Pray and read your bible daily, For me on those days I just couldn’t lift my head or my heart I sat in a quiet place and let God talk to me. I found scripture to pray over my husband (The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartin). Find one positive friend who will commit to praying with you about your marriage. For me it was my aunt. I know you can do this…God does too. He is the champion of marriages. He healed mine, saved my husband, put us back in church and gave me life. He never changes and he never turns away from his children. He will do the same for you. God sends his love, Melanie
I think the very nature if my profession lends itself to “being full but empty”. I am a nurse who gives,listens comforts, treats and cries with my patients and co-workers . Sometimes I feel that I am totally empty and have little more to give, but I do know the one and only who can fill my cupped hands with renewed spirit and rest.
I am praying for you Kesha and for your marriage. May God bless you and guide you. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Jean, I have never been on a blog in my life, but this topic touched me deeply. I am also a nurse of 36+ years, love my job, my Lord,my patients and family. I was also the caregiver for my mom for the past 11 years for she had dementia, she passed to our Lord last month at age 91 here with us and peacefully thanks to Hospice. I do not have a home church anymore, have been to so many over the past 8 years after moving, I miss having a church family, but once I became my moms caregiver felt deserted by the one that I was attending, as I no longer had the time to volunteer as I had before. I utulized a wonderful day care center, had a good support network, but not a church family to depend on. Every time I pray or attend a worship sevrvice I cry( I think they are my prayers), but do not feel depressed. God has always been there for me, through all the ups and downs. I skimmed the rest of these but you touched me. I am nutured by these daily Preoverbs 31 email readings.
Sue and Jean,
How I can relate! I have been a caregiver since childhood and am a certified Nursing Asst. There are days when my hands and heart are so heavy I cry to God “how wide can my shoulders possibly be?” Trusting every day seems so difficult, yet other days I feel lifted up. Today you both lifted me up. Jean, I feel that way too. Many times my tears are simply my heart and prayer God for Him to hold. Family and friends ebb and flow and I’m in a really lonely place as I deal with the realities that love and help in my family is rare. There is a huge chasm that started over 20 years ago. I have prayed my heart out yet am in a place of simply surrendering having a family to Him. So how am I? Better for sharing this and knowing there are sisters out there that understand and pray for each other. I could use prayer for medical issues and financial burdens. I truly do not have an earthly person to lean on.
Daddy God,
At this moment I lift Sue and Jean up to you. Blanket them in your infinite love and compassion as they serve your sheep on this earth and give them strength and hope each day. We know you hear our prayers and the cries of our hearts and As I am filled, you are answering prayer as we share with each other and lift each other up to you. I thank you for this ministry which is so precious to so many. Give my sisters peace and fill our hands and hearts with love as we hand over our burdens and cares to You. In Him…Amen
Peace and blessings!
Dear Tre
Thank you. Thank you for sharing. You and Jean are now both on my list of people that I pray for. Thank you for lifting me up at this time, care giving is indeed a calling and a joy and also taxing. I am amazed at how the Lord hears our burdens and gives us a little light of hope. I somewhere remember hearing that when we are at our darkest days the Lord reaches us when we are in the Shadow HE sees us and gives us strength. When we are strong, he is there for us to help others and when we are weak He is there to give us strength . the less we can see the stronger is His strength and the more we can see the less we need to depend upon Him. WE are nbot used to being selfish, but maybe we shoudl let Him surrouind us with out feeling like we must do anything.. Easier said than done.
I am in the process of reading “A Confident Heart” by Renee Swope. My women’s Life Group did it about a year ago and it spoke DIRECTLY to my heart. During this recent time of busyness with the return of school and sport schedules, along with the many other commitments we have at church and in the community…it all has taken a toll on my heart and attitude. I have been walking around with an attitude of defeat. So, I pulled out “A Confident Heart” again and it has been ministering to me! I truly recommend this book to all women! It is a true blessing!
Dear Jean, I too am an RN and can understand all that you have said. I know that being a nurse can be very draining and can wear a person down. Keep looking to God each day to fill you up so that you will never be empty. One more thing about my life is that I have been a single mom for over 8 years now, I rely heavily on God for each thing in my life. He has been so faithful, I am very grateful! DEAR Kaysha, The ONLY thing that gets me through each and everyday with a smile on my face is the fact that “the Lord is my shepard….he makes me lay down in green pastures beside still waters….my heart overflows”. Every day, before anyone in the house wakes up, I arise and have my alone time with God. I read out of the Bible, I talk to God, I write Him letters; He is my comfort, my strength to face each day. In a way, its kind if like “rebooting a computer”, you know when you hit control, ult, delete your computer reboots and all is right again…..reading the Bible at the start of each day makes everything right again in my heart, mind and soul. It gives me verses to ponder on throughout my day. God is my life partner, He is my strength, He is the one who rescues us from ourselves as well as others. I will pray for both of you to continue to find strength in Him.
My JESUS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!!! LORD I pray to live for YOU—–YOU ARE MY LIFE , MY EVERYTHING, AS THE SONG SAYS —I CAN’T EVEN WALK WITHOUT YOU HOLDING MY HAND. PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!! ALL MY SINS!!!! I can go on because …………………………………….. HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR SINS THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE , WAS UPON HIM , BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED WE ARE HEALED BY YOUR SACRFICE AND THE THE LIFE THAT YOU GAVE WE ARE HEALED FOR YOU PAID THE THE PRICE- BY YOUR GRACE,WE ARE SAVED WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY SINS, NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ISA 53 :5 AND SUNG BY GLORY REVELED IF WE LOOK AT JESUS ON THE CROSS ,STOP,LOOK AND THINK, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FORGIVE,LOVE,AND DO WHATEVER GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO. I HAVE SEEN I DESERVE HELL. NOT MY LORD DYING ON A CRUEL CROSS FOR ME AND YOU —-THAT’S GRACE THANK YOU JESUS I , WE CAN HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN.
I am currently feeling lonely and frustrated at home. My marriage is not in danger per say, but it is certainly not the healthy relationship God had planned for us. Thankfully we are determined to stay together always, but I want so much more than just surviving.
I can relate to you, Beth, with the busyness of yet another school year and I too have read “A Confident Heart” so feel we have common ground. . . Dear Jesus, I pray that you will continue to minister to Beth through A Confident Heart. Father I pray that she may not run herself weary, but to continue to look to your word for refueling of strength. For both of us, I pray that you will speak to our hearts and show us the areas where it is ok to say “no”. Remind us to take time to rest in your presence in day and bless our efforts when we are about our Father’s business. In Jesus name. . .AMEN
I am grumpy and have a bad attitude this morning. I am potty training and I am not approaching it with a happy heart.
Lori Ann, I pray that Jesus will strengthen your marriage and give you the courage to trust him that he is able to do what you need. He collects your tears in His bottle. Amen.
Good morning, I am okay today just finishing my alone time with my precious friend, getting ready to take on my day, I have an 85 yr old mom that I am caretaker of. My daughter who is 19 has recently put our family through some really hard times. She has become involved with a young man who is lost and has led her down a road that we have been so heart broken over. My husband and I have raised her in church and tried to teach her to love the Lord and live for Him. She is now pregnant. The young man is not employed and refuses to get a steady job, because of all of his insecurities. There are days when I am drained, feel as tho, there is no hope. But I know satan is lying to me. So I must pick up and go on. I must draw my strength from the one who gives us strength, the one who created our existence. JESUS ! I will not let satan steal my joy of becoming a grandmother, I need prayers to be the person I should be to minister and be an example for all involved in this situation. Dear BeckyB, I am praying for you this morning that the Lord will give you a happy heart and a joyful soul to take on this very difficult task of being MOMMY. The greatest and most rewarding job in the whole world. I promise you will succeed and this too shall pass. God Bless you.
Sissy – like you, I am feeling saddened by the choices my daughter has made, despite our best attempts to raise her “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” At 23 years old, she feels she no longer needs our guidance in her decisions, and has become blinded to how much her boyfriend has drawn her away from the Lord. He set his sights on her and pretended to be a strong Christian and everything we would want for our daughter – only to find out once he had won her heart, that he was hiding a child he had as a teenager, a divorce, and no real desire for the things of God. My husband and I have fought the bitterness of feeling betrayed that God allowed us to be deceived, the embarrassment of wondering what our Christian friends must think, and the fear of alienating our daughter because our disappointment and shattered hopes for her are so difficult to hide. Lord, I pray for both Sissy and myself, that you will open our eyes to see our daughters through Your eyes and not our own. Help us to humbly and unconditionally love our daughters through this, remembering that Your love, and our love for them is what matters – and not the opinions of others. Give us wisdom and grace to use our words and actions to edify our daughters and gently guide their hearts toward You, knowing that only You can work this together for good in their lives. Lord, bless this new granchild that Sissy has on the way. Help Sissy to feel pride and joy in this child that You have fearfully and wonderfully made, and work in the circumstances of his or her young life to draw the child to Jesus. Bless our daughters, their boyfriends, and our families, and we trust for the good that You can bring out of this as we yield our hearts, thoughts, words, and wills to You, and may You get all the glory and honor, Jesus – Amen! Blessings and His sufficient grace to you, Sissy…
I am hopeful and believing in God daily to lead me as I adjust and help my children adjust to an unexpected move to Griffin Georgia this summer. I knew God was calling us to Georgia and i also knew that He was was going to use this place to help us grow closer to him and move onto the path He has called us to, but the transition has been difficult for my children and my husband has not found a job here yet so he still works two jobs in NYC. I am not working yet either and so its a struggle at this time, but God keeps showing up and providing for us and reminding me that in this season I need to depend on Him to provide what is needed for this place in the journey more than ever before. So I am isolated from family, but I am honestly talking to God more, journaling and writing a book that I never thought I could put to paper all for the Glory of God. I am lonely, I am frustrated at times and I do get discouraged, but God knows what I need and continues to provide as I look to Him and stop depending on man for what i need.
Suzanne— Lord God walk with her daily, show her your love for her and allow her to turn to you and trust you for all that she needs. help her to turn to you with all her heart, mind and soul –allowing You to fill all the void places within and all the worries and fears. Lord God you know why you have brought her to this new land—help her to meditate on your word and not on the situations around her. Let your word be a guide to her feet and a light to her eyes. Help Suzanne to accept and embrace your love and as she does that Lord God remove all anxiety, fear, worry, anger, frustration, disappointment and discouragement from her. Call her into that secret place daily so she can lay all that hinders her at Your feet and allow You to exchange the bad of this world with Your goodness. I pray that Jeremiah 29:11-13 becomes alive in her heart and soul and restores her joy, her peace, her faith. I also ask God that You use her experience to bless someone else along the way. Help her to testify of your goodness, grace and provision during this season. I pray that testimony will be blessing to whomever she speaks it to. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN!!!!
Kaysha P— You are a mighty woman of God and I pray that you will begin to make decisions to connect with God. I pray that God will lead you to a church where you can be ministered to and that He will meet you right where you and and show you that you are still loved. I pray you will come to know and accept that you don’t have to remain where you are and that God does not expect perfection. I pray God will take your hand and lead you one step at a time toward HIm. Lord God You are in control of her marriage and I pray You will lead her and her husband into prayer. Help Kaysha to lay everything that is on her heart at Your feet and ask You for help. Help her to get clear instructions as she reads Your word and seeks Your will for this season in her life. I pray that the spirit of forgiveness, repentance, love, grace, mercy will reside permanently in their lives/their marriage. I pray you will stay the hand of the enemy who desires to destroy marriages by exploiting our weaknesses. Lord God it is never too late with You and so I pray for restoration in their hearts, minds and souls. Mold them and make them Lord God. Help this married couple and family to grow in you and in their understanding of who You are and who they are because of their relationship with You. Minister to each of them in a personal way that deals specifically with their struggles at this time in their life. I praise and thank You in advance for blessing this marriage, for strengthening this marriage and for healing the wounds that the enemy wants to exploit. You are a healer, restorer , transformer, deliverer and name changer. I thank You Lord God for your holy spirit flowing in this situation and having His way. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN!!
I am in the midst of our 6th military move in 10yrs…this time to an overseas location. Surrounded by the sea of boxes as I send our daughters off to their new school. I am happy to be where we are but I struggle to find the desire to unpack these boxes. It’s great once we get everything where we want it, but it’s getting it there I struggle with.
Lord, I thank you for BeckyB this morning and for her heart to serve and raise her little one. Potty training is not fun but Lord I pray Becky sees a blessing in her perseverance to help her little one to this new independence. I pray her heart is softened to this sometimes messy task! Thank you Lord for teaching moments…I pray all of us Moms can seize them and use then to show our children YOU! I know I don’t do this often enough…asked in your blessed & loving name , Amen
I’ve been getting the Proverbs 31 devotional for a couple of years now and to be honest, I rarely find time to read it. Today however I’m glad I took the time. Samantha’s story of being poured out and finding herself in need of being poured into is something I face as well. As a full time Women’s Ministry Director I spend much of my time listening, mentoring and encouraging others. I love it. I love helping women see God’s truth in their situation. But I have found myself at times looking around for someone to encourage me. Truth is… I know that someone has to be God himself. While others may be physically present- they can’t offer me the drink that totally satisfies my soul. Thanks for the reminder.
Prayer for Natesha:
Lord, I prayer your peace for Natesha and her family as they seek to settle in to the land you have brought them to. As I read her story I immediately thought of Abraham being called to leave Ur. You brought him to Canaan and as soon as he got there- there was a famine in the land. It doesn’t make sense to us Lord why you lead us to places where we will experience difficulty. Lord I pray that Natesha will find your purpose for what she is experiencing and that she will be encouraged in her faith as she waits for what she can’t see now. Amen
I am blessed. I, too, have been a P31 reader for years, and when I slow down to read it, I am always reminded, taught, encouraged. Life is b.u.s.y (that 4-letter word I truly dislike). It is not, nor ever will be perfect. But I am thankful.
Sheree, I understand the weariness and the burden to serve/help others the Lord gives in ministry. As I remind you, I am reminding myself, that we are vessels the Lord is using to pour into others; however, if we aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit, the Word, with rest, with joy, then how are we going to have anything to give? This is a wonderful reminder for both of us. I pray that we will slow down, be still, and each day be filled with His strength as we seek to serve our King. Sweet blessings, sister in Christ.
I too have recently moved, and left church & friends that I loved to a new place where I have not yet made those dear connections in my new church. But God has used this period of my life to guide me in His word and I am feeling a more intimate relationship with Him.
Dawn I remember my days of being a single mom of 4 and all the busy days crammed full of running, and more running. I recently read Matt 11:28-29 and was impressed by a particular part: coming to God all who are weary & burdened… Take my yoke AND LEARN FROM ME…and I will give you rest. He wants to teach us how to live life unburdened!
I am happy to be alive. I woke up saying good morning to God as my husband nudged me to get out of bed and start my day. Today’s a day in which I have to face an administrator at the school I have been employed. I was lied to in order to take a teaching job in a high school – under the pretense that I would start a full-time photography academy for Art honors students. Sounds wonderful (especially as a photographer – I can pour out what I love to do everyday). However this past April, after teaching for 14 years I was going to throw in the towel – as I am fed up with politics that block children from creatively learning. I had another job I was interviewing for which was a company really notable in the area to work with online curriculum development. Also really cool – but not as cool as running a full-time portrait studio and photography academy. When I arrived, it was a completely different story and I was teaching MS Office and Digital Design – two heavily based computer programs – not art. In an old art classroom without computers. This administrator has no empathy or care for not calling me over the summer to tell me of the change in assignment. Then, as a director of curriculum, they know absolutely nothing about technology. This administrator has called me a liar – not once but twice — and when proven I didn’t lie – I never received an apology, just empty promises to help. But I am given 15 hours of work in a 6.5 hour day. My son who is 11, on the autism spectrum entered middle school, and went from an A/B to F average due to the crazy amount of work, switching of classes, and 8 different teaching styles. I pray – Lord – how can give so much freely and take time away from my children who need me so much. Between that emotion – and the emotions of working for an administrator who refuses to help students learn, who continues to call me a liar – I became unglued and called her unprofessional and by her not providing students with a proper curriculum – she is a disservice to the school. Last but not least – she went back on my principal’s promise to me to purchase textbooks, and I called her actions shameful. Now, I face consequences of being unprofessional with a letter going in my permanent record. Although I apologized through an email for not conducting myself in a professional manner through email – and I did not walk in grace, I am beyond myself and pray for God’s intervention. Not only at today’s meeting, but, for a way financially, to invest myself into my children’s education and to homeschool them. I am participating in Stephen’s ministry training and I would like to pour my heart into young adults at and around the church.
I also pray for Sheree – a woman I surely would look to for counsel. I ask the Lord to bless her doubly for every time her heart, and mind and self serve someone in need. May the Lord fill her that her cupeth runeth over. That all she is fed by Lord churn inside of her and spread out like a gyser onto others. I appreciate in my flesh all that you go through Sheree.In the flesh, the Lord gives you green pasture in which to rest. So, rest Sheree, be at peace. Spiritually, you have been blessed and will continue to be a force casting down strongholds in woman’s lives coming against powers and prinipalities in Jesus’ name.
Right now, it is well with my soul. I just finished some time with my Lord and feel full enough to get through the next hour or two. I know He’ll give me strength the whole day through, but I can only focus on a couple of hours at a time!
I have homeschooled my children for the past 6 years. This year they are in public school. My 7th grade daughter is transitioning well, although I worry about her friendships and attitudes. My 3rd grade son is having lots of trouble separating from me. I call him my velcro child. He’s really done well, all things considered these past 4 1/2 weeks, but he still cries, especially in the morning. I’m grateful for his wonderful, caring teacher who doesn’t have negative feelings towards homeschoolers. Please pray that he can meet good friends and get over his separation anxieties.
I’m overwhelmed by my responsibilites. I’m getting my masters so hopefully that will help my employability. (I’m going to be a reading specialist.) I’m substitute teaching while waiting for an opening. I have a long-term, maternity leave job that I need to prepare for. If I do well with this job, I have a good chance of getting a job next year at the school as 2 teachers will be retiring, creating 2 openings. My husband works 2nd shift and we don’t have much family time together. My kids, especially my son, needs that secure base.
Even so…it IS WELL with my soul.
I heard this morning that my boss is “out to get me.” even though my students do well on their big tests. I feel sad, angry, and a little scared. Please pray that I will be excellent in every way as a teacher like Daniel was, that my students will continue to do well, that the Lord will lift all fear of man out of me, and that I will be transformed in the way He intends. “Even though war rises up against me, in this I will be confident.” I would like to have favor with my boss, and I speak blessing over my boss.
Father, I pray for Natesha that You will speak Yourself to her today in Your word. Give her that spiritual food that will sustain her and help her encourage herself in You. I also ask You for some godly trustworthy friends who are in different organizations or retired so that Sheree can step outside and have a confidential place to talk with older women who are full of godly wisdom– give her some “Pauls” as well as all her “Timothys”. Help her guard her heart with all diligence– so that living water comes into her soul and out through her all the days of her life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
How am I, really? Overwhelmed with life, a bit anxious, and insecure in my role as wife and mother. This devotion today was one that I really needed to read, as it’s easy to forgo time with God in order to get other things done. Sometimes I see time with God as more of a chore than a privilege. I don’t want to be empty though, but full to overflowing, and He is the only way to get there.
Prayer for Sheree:
Lord, thank you that Sheree has dedicated herself to you and your work by working with women in her church and encouraging them to get involved. Thank you for her role as uplifter, encourager, listener, and mentor. Now I pray that Sheree would look to you. Please be her listener, her encourager, her uplifter, and her mentor. I pray that her cup would be filled to overflowing as she finds her comfort in you. Amen
Sorry– that prayer was for Sheree..
Great devotion!! I, too, have felt the fatigue of listening to those with many needs. I try to point them to the One who never slumbers nor sleeps…because sometimes I find it hard to sleep in order to pray for all these needs. While raising seven children, I realized the need to have someone to listen to my concerns so I am paying it forward but the truth is I wish I had realized that the Lover of my soul is the Only One who can truly refresh the tired, discouraged,frustrated heart. His WORD is the answer for ever heart….Spending time with His Word is ALL that any thirsty and tired heart needs. It is a tonic that cannot be purchased…yet he gives it freely. And He is a physician that is ALWAYS available
Dear Lord, I pray for Sheree and her ministry to women. Thank you for her calling and give her the grace needed to minister to those who need to be pointed to the gift of living water that refreshes the soul. Refresh her this day, Sweet Lord, as you promised to refresh those who refresh others!! Fill her with your living water today so that it may flow through her to others and she would not feel depleted but filled!!
I am..surviving, riding an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs, fresh off the wonderful wedding of one daughter, while another struggles with drug abuse, depression, the loss of her job and the mess of her own marriage. I would be lost had I not stumbled upon many resources, including P31, that brought me the refreshing words of Jesus and gave me a place to pour out my heart. It is His words that convince me to trust in a future of blessings I can not fathom on my own, and to be thankful always. Looking back on life, I can always see how perfectly it has worked out.
To Dawn…may you always find the moments to be renewed and refreshed for our Lord never wants you apart from Him. Thank you, for being a blessing to others.
To Sissy…your words touched me, and I understand all too well your struggles. May you find hope and blessing each day, and may the Lord help you and your family grow stronger through your stuggles.
I am grieving, 14 months out from losing my 48 year old husband and our only son will turn 21 soon, a birthday that he and his dad had made great plans for.
I too, like Mary H. feel like I am just surviving, not living. I have “poured myself” out to God more times than I can count but His word just seems to add to the confusion for me. I know He is with me and I know He is the reason I am still moving forward but there is no peace in that for me. It “feels” like I need more. But His word tells me His grace is sufficent for me, but my heart isn’t “buying it”
My Dear Mary,
What a contrast of emotions you are also dealing with, please allow me to pray…. Dear Lord, I lift Mary up before you along with her daughters and their spouses.Touch the places in their lives and hearts that need healing and restoration. Wrap your loving presence around each emotion that Mary struggles with and give her peace of mind and heart…..Amen
How am I really?! I am a lot better today…the Lord my God has put many special women and resources to start my day off time with God. Recently I was hurt by one of my closest friends who jus walked our table in a restaurant ..her husband stopped to say hi…I just kept thinking wow friends just dont this..seems petty…but the devotion put in front of me from God..just proves I’m ok with His friendship…as I read all the comments I just pray for them all…I pray for peace that you ” let go and let God” have a wonderful Tuesday !
Amy, I thank God for people like you who have found special women and resources to start your day off. I read just recently – you can’t always count on friends, but you can always count on God. May you have a Blessed Tuesday and keep up the attitude of putting God first in your morning. i hope to adopt that idea.
I am struggling with mixed emotions. Husband is retired but and for the most part healthy. I work full time and 10 year younger – but want to retire-financial problems for lots of years thru job losses etc, etc. won’t allow me to. I see so many other people so much worse off than me and want to help them but can’t. I do have a wonderful circle of family, friends who are most all Christians. But feel I have to be the decision maker for an elderly father and I’m middle child of 5 left living. I have no “close” friend to pour out my heart and husband doesn’t understand emotional ups & downs – he is always UP. Not sure where I stand with my God relationship – I’m active at church, I pray, try to read Bible some but dont’ feel a closeness to God or anyone. I need more group relations with other Christian wives but don’t make time in my schedule.
The Lord led me to your blog through the Prov 31 daily encouragement. I can only say that He is an AWESOME God who hears the prayers of His broken daughters. I am sitting in a campground a thousand miles from home with my 2 granddaughters, ages 19 months and 9 months. I ran away from home basically because I could not bear the questions of any more of my friends and I could not help the ones who needed me. My youngest daughter and her husband walked away from their babies, leaving my husband and I to be parents in our 50′s. We had just started our retirement journey, including buying this camper (made for 2). My husband had to go back to work and I went from feeling free to feeling freedomless in the blink of an eye. (I don’t think that’s a word but oh well) Even as I type the two girls are crying at my feet, each wanting to be held, not understanding where their mommy’s arms are. I do not shrink from this journey as I know that God will walk beside me. But oh how I needed those verses this morning. They filled up my empty heart and overflowed into my empty soul. I have many friends who are there to lift me up and help me. It was wrong of me not to allow them the opportunity just because I couldn’t cope. I will spend the day personally responding to each of them, letting them know how much I love them and feel their prayers.
Dearest Mary H, how I feel the prayers of your heart. We have an brain damaged adult son whose struggles with drugs and alcohol ended in an overdose. I truly know how you feel about being on a roller coaster as we too just finished a set of weddings/births/graduations. How our Father shows us that we don’t walk alone when I read through the comments.
Dearest Father God, please cover my sister Mary H with the warmth of Your grace and mercy. Bring peace to her troubled heart. I pray that she will find joy in the journey. Thank You for leading her to these beautiful women of Proverbs 31 and all that they bring to the lives of those of us who are broken. Give her strength and hope as she moves through each day, letting her know that Your Hand is in her hand and Your arms are around her. In Christ’s name we pray these things, Amen
Dear Sister Mary – May God grant you the peace,understanding of why he gave you the blessing of raising 2 more “daughters” Some day you will find out why God allowed you to be in this place at this time. I pray his arms will surround you daily and give you the patience needed to lead them both to Christ. And I also pray for blessing for your husband and strenth for both of you. In Christ’s name, Amen
How am I really? I’m in a pit right now…I am tired, overwhelmed and in a valley. Although I’m here, I can see my God reaching his hand down to pull me out of this pit and to walk alongside me. Each day He is giving me a piece of His word to hang on to, so I can keep climbing out. I’ve been here before and know without a doubt that He WILL pull me through if I trust in Him and His timing. I am so happy to serve a God that loves unconditionally!
A prayer for Amy K. I pray that God would surround you with His perfect love today. I pray that He would heal that wound left by your friend and that He would show you the truth. I’ve been hurt by many friends over the years and I love how you mentioned you have God’s friendship! How amazing it is to be a friend of God’s! I pray that the you would have the courage and strength to talk with your friend about the situation and that in God’s perfect timing you would be able to work it out! In Jesus name….Amen
I too have been in a place of emptiness. I am grateful to God for His love and mercy. When I have surrendered all to Him, peace has come. I have learned that I must give – not say take it Lord – but Lord I give my emptiness, loneliness, brokenness to you. I give you the person for whom I grieve, the person who hurt me, the person who betrayed me. I am no longer at the bottom of the despair but have a sense of being embraced. I am grateful for the emptiness because it brought me to Him, who is all love and mercy. Glory to God!
Dear Betty:
You have suffered a major loss and your whole being has been affected. I pray that Our Lord Jesus heal you and bless you and anoint you to be the blessing for your son. You are teaching him, even at 21 years of age, on how to mourn but also on how to find the healing he needs too! God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. His plan for your husband did not match your plan. Perhaps you might be a little upset with God that your life has taken a turn in a different direction. When you are ready, give your husband to Jesus, and let God comfort you. He is your true comfort. Lord bless Betty and her son and lead them to You. Touch their hearts and heal them so that the “thorn” of mourning leaves them. Let them find You in each memory of their beloved who is now with You. For your glory, Lord, I pray in Jesus’ precious name.
My Dear Gloria,
The tears are rushing down my cheeks as I read the precious words of your prayer. Your compassion and caring just reached out through your words and became a “salve” for my wounded heart.
THANK YOU!!!
Today I am digging my feet into the sand wanting to STOP what’s happening with my oldest son. Jack has always learned slower in school but last week we were told the teachers were watching for signs of dyslexia. I am heartbroken, scared, unsure but trying to pour myself into Gods word for “God Courage” as we start to walk down this road. I don’t want to go down this road I want an easy road With my boys. Please pray for Jack and myself along with my husband. Pray that the teachers at jacks school can fix this problem and we won’t have to go to professionals that will classify jack into something being wrong. I don’t want jack to know that he is any different from anyone else and I pray that these teachers can help him.
I am the person everyone turns to when things go wrong and they need to unload. After a weekend of loss, one expected, and one quite suddenly, while being off work with an injury, I find myself trying to hide from it all, but the Lord has given me 3 special friends who won’t let me wallow in my self pity. I am thankful for their loyalty and faithfulness to God.
Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful for your blessings in my life, and I ask that Your peace & love surround everyone on this blog. Send them messengers of joy, encouragement, and loyalty, like you’ve given to me. Heal the hurt feelings, Lord, and bring forgiveness toward one another, where it is needed.
God bless you all…
How amI really? Lonely, grieving. Waiting patiently as God is working in me and on the other side of a mountain in my life. My husband of 31 yrs, left me over a yr ago. No filing for a divorce by him, but he has nothing todo with me. He rarely has anything to do with anyone that has been in his life including our three grown children. We are believers, and I continue to stand for our covenant marriage. Please pray that God would grant my husband the gift of repentance.That by God’s mercy and grace my husband would return back to our Lord in obedience to the will of God. Pray he would come home like the prodigal son, and that I would greet him back home like our Father.
My prayer for you Amy is that the God of all comfort, the Father of mercies, comfort you in your afflictions.
So that you will be able to comfort those who are being afflicted. You are suffering with Christ,you too shall be comforted with abundance through Christ Jesus. God’s blessings
Marilyn,
My prayer is for your husband to have a heart change… the kind that can only come through the Spirit. I pray that you have strength from the Father that will bring you through this trial with knowledge you can use to help others. I pray that you know that God is with you and will never leave you. Cling unto Him and let Him be your source of strength. I pray that God be with your children and their families as they are affected by what is going on too. I pray that you will not loose faith in the Lord because of what your husband has done. May you and yours be blessed beyond compare, your cup running over.
I pray in Jesus name.
Wow. How interesting this is today. First my prayers for Michelle. I’ll put my own needs at the end of this message.
Michelle, What a journey is before you! I am sure you struggle with all kinds of emotions as you become a sort of momma again. I am praying for you today. I pray that God will give you energy, strength, love, joy, peace, and an amazing sense of adventure. I’m praying that He will be your great Good Shepherd who will comfort you in the times you need comfort, who will be immediately visible to you in tangible ways, who will lift you up and set you aright when you are downcast. Oh Father, I do pray these things for Michelle today. Show her your tender care for her; aid her in expressing that same tender care to her grands. Encourage her heart.
For me….the question “how are you, really”….is so hard to answer. I am a pro at making things look better than they are. I’m not really that fine. For the past year I have been walking a new journey. I found out last year that my husband is addicted to pornography. We have been dealing with it together very well. Lots of counseling, lots of crying. However, today I realize I am not fine. I am broken, disappointed, hurting, sad. I thought that I had dealt very well with things.
Add to that the fact that we too have just moved from Northern California to the upper Midwest. I do not like it here. We have only been here three months, and I know it takes time to adjust. But, I am so tired of feeling like I live the life someone else chose for me. I struggle with feelings of self-centeredness when I know as a Christian I am not to live that way. I keep looking for ways to connect here and am not finding them. There are no counselors here who are specialized in trauma, we are not finding a church home very quickly, I can’t seem to find a support group like I attended in Cali. See, sounds like a lot of whining. But, truthfully, this is where I am.
Thank you ahead of time for your prayers for me.
I am more blessed than I deserve. I have a wonderful husband and 9 healthy, beautiful children. How am I? Really? That’s usually a question I ask others. I listen and pray and try to help others. But me? I usually say “I’m doing great” but reallY? I am doing good but feel overwhelmed and inadequate and alone. I don’t want to burden friends with my problems. They have their own problems.
I pray for my friends and family on a regular basis. I used to be stronger. I know the difference is not taking time to build on my relationship with God… reading the Bible, my devotions, etc. I have to make it a priority.
I am tired. I am currently in the middle of a very difficult divorce and a fight for custody. Some days I feel good and strong, but lately I’ve been feeling tired, weary and wondering how I am going to keep fighting. I know God will see me through, He has already blessed me so much through this. I just can’t seem to shake the worry and fears I have. I’m really trying to stay positive and force myself to think differently, because I do know He is in control.
Lord, thank you for the blessings you have given Victoria in her friends. I pray that You would continue to bless her and give her everything she needs to endure this time in her life. We know that You love us, I pray Victoria would feel Your love today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How am I? Worn out. I moved a few months ago in order to serve others, but as Samantha said, I have not been filled up and feel like I have nothing left to give. This was a great reminder, though, that I can and should find my strength in the Lord. Looking back, I can see that I have let this area of my life dwindle as others things have filled it up. I cannot continue to give to others if I am not being filled by the true Source. He loves and adores me, fills me with hope and strength, and gives me encouragement and life to share with others. His mercies are new every morning!
Marilyn, I know your prayer wasn’t written directly to me (Amy), but it was so encouraging I am sure it was not a mistake that I read it. I am praying for you and for your marriage. I know that you are hurting right now, but I also know that God has not forgotten you. He promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He feels your pain and hurts with you, just as He wept with Mary and Martha when Lazarus was dead. I am joining you in lifting up your husband, asking Him to turn his heart back to his wife and family. In the meantime, may you know His peace that passes all understanding and joy despite your circumstances. God’s richest love and blessing to you, sister!
Amy, I’m praying that the Lord answers your prayers. I pray He sends people to you that can help you through times like these. I pray you receive a renewed confidence & assurance. And I pray He draws close to you so may feel His presence & know that you’re not alone. I pray you receive His Spirit & His Will for your life….in Jesus’ Name I ask these things. Amen!
I am not doing well. I’ve been struggling with, what seems like, EVERYTHING lately. And, out of frustration, I dropped an F-bomb while talking to God last night! I’m just tired. Sick & tired of having to work so hard for something that I’m failing to see the point in anymore. I’m not saying I’m contemplating suicide or something like that: I would never do that. But, I am saying that I don’t see the point anymore & I’m at the end of my rope. And, I’m sick of talking about it. I want to see & feel some change or results.
I am feeling a little stressed. I am speaking to a group of ladies in a couple of weeks, and giving my testimony of healing. In May, God healed me of a lifetime of emotional abuse and intimidation, by women. I’m writing about my journey on my website, in the hopes of encouraging others who are going through the same thing, but now I’ve been asked to speak about it and as I prepare, I have no words… yet! But I know that the Lord will work it out, I just have to have patience and trust in His timing.
Lord Jesus, I lower Heather through the roof to you today. Cover her with your love, your grace, and your mercy as she goes through this difficult time in her life. I pray for peace within her and around her. Lord, you know all things and you are able to keep us and to protect us. Protect the child/children during this difficult time as well. Place a hedge of protection around them and keep them in your care. Please give Heather the strength and the wisdom to get through this situation and to come through it with a deeper relationship with you. Ease her weariness, Lord and keep your hand upon her as she travels this road. In the name of Jesus I claim victory over her and her family. In Jesus’ name…
I have been waiting for a certain job for several years and continue to get turned down. My self-esteem is at an all-time low. I just want to use my degree to do what I love as well as contribute to our family finances. I am also a coach’s wife and that gets lonely at times.
Lord, I pray that Heather will feel your presence during this difficult situation. Give her the strength to go from day-to-day and bless her with the outcome. Amen.
I awoke this morning feeling overwhelmed with life. My wonderful godly husband died 2 1/2 years ago and it has been such a journey. I would not have made it without my faith in God. Many days I felt like I just wanted to lie down and die too but knew that I had to live for my children. They are young adults and also desperately miss their dad. I have been strengthened by daily by reading God’s word. I am an RN and as much as I love my job the older I get the harder it becomes. I cannot retire yet due to finances and I feel many of my friends don’t really understand how I feel. I pray for physical and emotional strength to continue on this journey! I wish I could find a widows support group – my church is lacking in this area.
To Betty
You spoke to my heart – I know exactly how you feel. This is a very difficult journey that you are on. I will pray for you. The verse I love is Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
My Dear Nancy,
That was the verse that I memorized when Bob was first diagnosed 15 years ago.Thanks for the great reminder.
I am so sorry about your loss my dear. Have you discovered “The Widows Might” website it is a wonderful source of comfort from woman just like you and me. Also there is a funeral home in my town that offers a grief group you might want to check in your town as well. That is not some place I would have thought to check into. It is so important for us to talk about ALL the feelings we are having on this journey. As a matter of fact that was just the post yesterday on The Widows Might, it was so encouraging to read.
Dear Lord, I join my wounded heart with Nancy’s and lift them before you to be healed…AMEN
Wow, it is so refreshing to see people being so honest instead of the “How are you? I’m fine, how are you? Good, thanks. Have a great day.” conversations I see so often.
I am totally overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted. I teach kids with special needs, so I also give so much, not only while I’m at work but working many hours after the kids leave. We’ve had so much more paperwork the past few years and it seems to have grown exponentially this year. It’s only September and I’m ready for summer vacation already. I’m frustrated because I’m spending so much time on paperwork that I haven’t been able to utilize my strengths and be creative in finding ways to help my students learn, develop new materials and curriculum etc. Struggling with one of my assistants who is just philosophically on a different page than I am, and doesn’t understand how much I have to do. I keep crossing things off my to – do list, but instead of growing shorter it just grows longer and longer. I love my students, but I don’t love my job very much right now. I’m also dealing with perfectionism so sometimes things take longer than they should because I want them to be done well. I’m so tired and stressed today that I am on the verge of tears, and my muscles are extremely tense. So much to do today, and if I want to get home before dark I need to be really focused and efficient.
Nancy, I’ve never been through this so I can’t imagine how it feels. I pray that God will bring people in your life who can be a support and encouragement to you, as well as speaking promises and comfort into your heart, and that you will be able to see the difference you’re making in the lives of your children, and the patients you work with so that it makes it worthwhile to get out of bed everyday. In addition to seeking God for support, I just pray that he will bring others around you to be an encouragement and to share the joys of life with. Whether it’s old friends you’ve known for years, or people you’ve yet to meet.
WOW! This resignated so well with me! I am in the exact same spot as she was. I am a pre school director at a church and also my husband and I are over our youth department. Not to mention my husband is the associate pastor at this church. We get the priveledge to counsel and to listen to many people and help them. I am not complaining one bit, we love what we do but when you pour out everyday of your life and no one pours into yours…it gets draining. Like she said “I was completely full, yet totally empty.” Yes….I felt like I was the only one who felt this way. I still love God and worship Him and love His people, but I’m tired, I’m drained, I’m feeling depleted. The one area I have to admit I have been lacking in is His Word. Being a mom,wife, coundeler, director, friend, sister,etc. I felt like there was not even a second for myself. So in my spare time, I sit in quiet or clean and ignore my spirit man of the Word. Thank you for your encouragment. I know that is what I am needing and He will give me answers. I just needed someone to tell me. I pray for all women today in this same lonely spot. He is our rock and our comfort.
How am I really? Well, it’s only 1 year and 4 months after my daughter ended a short fierce battle with brain cancer and went home to be with her Jesus. I’m still paralyzed by shock. I’m also caught in the hormonal disturbances of menopause. I’m unable to drive again and am extremely emotional, weak and tired. I work hard in the physical to take care of my body nutritionally with real food and am still sleeping long. My husband bought bikes for us to help me get exercise. That helps. I’m struggling a lot with anger and frustration. Short fuse. I practice laying my burdens at the cross and I’ve definitely found help with that. I also have found help by taking every thought captive into obedience to Christ. I think that homeschooling has probably saved my life. I am reading through the stories of old with my youngest and have learned new things about my God and His Love. The other children all live far away so I miss them a lot too. My mom hasn’t been there for me because she is really all about herself. I don’t fellowship with anybody. But God has brought a few. Godfearing women across my path at crucial times. My daughter used to say: “God breathed The Word. It is His breath. Open the Bible and inhale. This is how the world was created. “. She was amazing. Your article reminded me of that. I need to keep my eyes and thoughts and heart on Jesus and in Gods Word. I’m praying for the lady above me to keep her focus on Jesus. That is the relationship that is important. Sometimes we tie Gods hands by focusing our prayers and efforts on an earthly relationship when God really has business to do with us first now before he can even begin on the relationship. I pray that you turn your eyes on Jesus to form you and mold you into His bride then you will be whole no matter what goes on with your husband. Praise Him! Hanna
I want to start off with a positive word, I am truely blessed! First and most important with the love of a God that never fails and is truely unchanging! Through good times and bad He is always there never leaving me alone. There has been struggles lately and want to just give it all to God but, I hold on to it like it is a part of me, a limb or something, I say to myself Let go and let God, doing it is always a different matter. I have serious family issues, children, parents, sibilings, all with issues that bruse me!!! So tired… so tired… I even have lost precious time with my Lord because of my issues consumeing me, I LOVE YOU FATHER GOD!!! PLEASE HOLD ME UNTIL IT ALL STOPS!!!! Thank you for this place to relise this, I know He hears my every word, : ) God Bless You All.
Dear Heavenly Father
Iam sending this prayer for confort, strength and most of all Joy for my dear sister Hanna. Father God give her the confort of knowing that her precious daughter is wonderful and is waiting happly for the day when she is reunited with her loving family. No more suffering!! God confort Hanna at the times that she misses her daughter just continue to remind her of the day when they will be reunited before God in that Glorious place we call HEAVEN!! Also I would like to thank you for blessing the world witn people like Hanna that are strong and supportive, Father place people in Hannas life like herself, she diserves the support!!! GOD BLESS YOU HANNA!!!
IN JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN.
Thank you for your prayers
Praying for you as well. God bless
Hanna, I have a wonderful blog I read by Melanie Dorsey. She lost her son Andrew to cancer as well. I felt a pull from Him to let you know about her words. I think that you can find some solace in what her walk taught her. I pray to our Father that you are covered in His grace. You will be on my heart today. http://melaniedorsey.com
I am over-whelmed. I just texted my sister last night and poured out to her how I was so exhausted from being the cheerleader and the sounding board for everyone in my family for the past 2 years, but who was there for me to turn to, to cry out to when I was handling a move by myself, the purchase of a new home and all that comes with it and leaving a husband and daughter behind until they could join me later? Who was cheerleader when I lost my job; instead I heard “oh God, what are we going to do?” Right now, personally, things are going great, but I’m so tired from handling everyone else’s “issues” and just want to have a pitty party for me. Then I come to work this morning, and here is this most precious reminder for me.
Father God, I lift Stacy up to you right now. What a special gift she has to work with children who need her so desperately. God I pray that you will bring into her work/life, people who can help her with the paperwork so that she can spend her time doing what she was meant to do, what she desires to do. Love on these special babies of Yours.
I am weary, no sleep, up early and on to work. My 25 year old son has been battling cancer for 2 years and we go tomorrow to hear the results of his most recent scan. My mom passed away a month ago and she was my best friend. My world is upside down. God show me your grace for this day, for my children. I pray for Robin (above) to see your beauty in the everyday tasks that she has to accomplish and the blessing of having “good problems” such as moving, kind of like me fussing one day because i couldn’t fit anything else in the refrigerator! Fill our cups oh Lord and cary us on when we are too weary to cary ourselves.
I am confused. and weary. and emotionally full. The email this morning was so timely for me to read. I have personal issues with my husband right now that I cannot confide to anyone about and have fell into the “how are you?’ “fine, how are you?” “fine” category that I work so hard to help others overcome. Satan is hitting my family exactly where my family’s ministry is. We work to build community in our church, encouraging the congregation to be real with eachother, carrying eachother’s burdens and rejoicing together, yet I feel alone because I cannot share with anyone things that are going on. What a great encouragement today by Samantha to be filled by the ultimate Encourager. How am I, really? Pretty crappy. However, I am not alone; God will strengthen me and help me and guide me.
Lord, I lift Robin to you today. Thank you for giving her the strength and wisdom to help others. Lord, please fill her up with Your strength and wisdom for herself now so that she can be refreshed and encouraged and full of Your love. I pray that others may depend on her less right now and that she can feel You cheering her on. Amen.
The devotionals are always so well timed! God reaches out and touches us right where we are! Thank you Samantha for today’s! Being women, right or wrong, we tend to put everything and everybody before us and our time with God. We don’t recharge….at least that has been my life. I’ve always found something that needs to be done or making my schedule so tight there is no margin for God to work. My soul is hungry for God and I just started, last night, setting aside time to read the Bible….not a Bible Study, but to sit with God and invite him in and listen to the Word. This is a totally new concept to me so I ask for prayers to be diligent in reading and listening and strong in fighting all the obstacles that the evil one throws at me to keep me from God.
Dear Lord, I come to you today to ask that you be with Maria and her husband as they continue to do Your work at their church. Lord, refresh their souls and minds, give them the knowledge and the words to help your people. Lord we are just human and we get weary, help them to set aside time to come to You for rest and to be fed. Help them to rely on You. Give them the ability and the strength to continue Your good work as they train up children as they should go and as they council the hurting and wounded. They are good disciples Lord….grant them Your peace. I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ….Amen.
Thank you so much! I needed that prayer today more than ever! God bless! <3
Sam, thank you for sharing so honestly from your heart and giving me permission to be weary. As a speaker and Bible teacher sometimes I too feel weary of listening, yet I want to listen and I want to be available because I believe with all my heart every conversation is a divine appointment. Thank you for reminding me that I MUST BE POURING IN so that I can continue to pour out in the calling He has given me.
I love you, sweet Sam, and am so thankful for your wisdom and teaching.
Wendy
Maria i pray that the Lord will fill u up to do the will that he has entrusted with u!! What an amazing woman u are and how blessed everyone is to have you in their lives!! This is one of my favorite verses “i can do all things thru christ who strengthens me!! May God bless u always!!
I have always struggled with my self esteem and have always felt not pretty enough or smart enough or not good enough for anyone but was blessed with a husband who cherishes me every day for me and makes me feel so loved!! We both found out we have infertility issues and it seems like the same insecurities are resurfacing! U see i have always loved children and couldnt wait until i was a mommy!! An so finding out we have problems just makes me question why? The pain and ache is devastating and i believe and have faith God can heal us and bless us with the miracle of a baby but i feel so alone and no matter how hard i pray its like I’m not good enough because i cant hear God! Please please pray for my husband and i!! Thank u and God bless!!
I feel your prayers….thank you so much and God bless
How am I really? I don’t have a justifiable reason to complain about anything. God has blessed me far beyond what I could ever deserve. But to answer that question honestly I would have to say I’m lonely, uncertain, doubtful… just mediocre. My marriage has been in trouble for quite a while, my husband and I aren’t currently going to church, and I struggle with knowing there is something specific that God created me to do, but I have no idea what that something is. In a nutshell, I feel like I’m afloat in the ocean with no land in sight.
My prayer is for Stacy and Nancy, who both expressed feeling overwhelmed. Psalm 61:2 says “When my heart is overwhemed lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” Lord, I’m asking You to draw Stacy and Nancy to Yourself, wrap them in Your arms, and let them feel Your comfort. There’s not a feeling in the world that we could have that You don’t understand, and so I know You understand Nancy’s heartbreak from losing her husband. Please make Your presence known to her and give her a peace that can only come from You. I ask You to do the same for her children, and bless her finances to the point that she doesn’t have to work so much. She’s asking for physical and emotional strength, and so am I. And for Stacy, I’m asking You to give her a calmness in her job. Help her to close her eyes and look at things from Your perspective and remember that she is a member of the royal family! Give her understanding with her co-worker and help her to be a reflection of You in her work. Thank You in advance for what You’re going to do for Your daughters. And thank You for Your awesomeness and love for us! Amen.
Amanda, I lift you and your husband up to the Lord. God tells he will give us the desires of our hearts and this longing to be a mother and father is clearly one of yours; and questionably for all of us. I pray that God will show you the ways in which you are already using the maternal nature he has instilled in you to be a spiritual mother to others. I pray that as difficult and painful as this time of uncertainty and self-doubt may be, that you will find refuge in the Lord and he will use this time to strengthen the relationship you have with your husband and instill in you a vision for your family. I pray for comfort from friends and community to share this burden with.
How am I really? My roommate just got engaged and many other women in my community are moving on to that next phase in life and I’m feeling left behind. I’m doubting that a man exists who is going to love me and lead me as the Lord would will it. I’m fearing the change that will come when my roommate moves out and fearing that the next roommate I have will lack the depth of relationship I have with my current roommate/best friend. I’m struggling to engage in my relationship with God as if he were a dear friend and at times I feel my heart may be hardened towards him. I’m comfortable where I am and God is saying “that’s not good enough, I have better things in store for you,” but I don’t trust him.
Thank u cassie for the prayer!! It means so much!! I will keep u in my prayers and pray that God will lead and guide you on the path he has planned for you!!! May God always bless u!!!
Such a timely post. I’m a homeschool mom who teaches 4 science classes a week. I’m trying to find balance and ‘me’s keeps getting lost. Sam thanks for the reminder. Wendy my prayer for you.
Lord Wendy serves you and is in beef of refreshment. I would ask that You LORDwiuld give Wendy moments of delight unexpected moments of delight where she just sits and rests in You and Your overflowing grace and mercy. I would also ask LORD that as Wendy continues to pour out love and kindness to the body You LORD would give Wendy refreshment restoration a renewed spirit. Amwn
Wow,
I feel so refreshed by reading dis,How r u really? it paints a true picture of me ,all i do with my life is pour out my soul to help save marriages.Even today i”ve counselled a husband even as a banker.Yet 98% of them dont know that i am separated from my husband due to abuse,beating me up constantly.
In my moments of aloneness i shedd secret tears ,pouring out my whole heart to God believing him that my marriage can still be restored.Indeed he has been a present help in time of need for me.
Thank you Sam for sharing this with me.Please pray for me that God will sort me out.
I have to say that your devotion today was a nudge from God. He is kindly telling me, again, that what I need is not more time, but more of HIM and that it is my choice to reach for Him rather than any of the other distracting things in my life. I am tired, frustrated, and feeling stuck. All my troubles seem minimal on their own, but mixed together in my life they overwhelm me. Working full-time, going to school, almost full time, trying to keep the household running without much support from my husband. In his defense, he is at the end of his rope with his job, so stressed, dreads every morning, and with this economy one just doesn’t quit a job. I almost wish he would anyway, but that would bring him another kind of stress that is just as bad – no income. I keep saying, “Jesus, I trust you.” And I do. Somehow, someway things will get better, either our hearts or our situation. God is good. Always.
Lord I pray for encouragement for Wendy, Barb, and Diane. Fill their empty spots, refresh their spirits, and strengthen their faith. Help us all to draw near to you Sweet Jesus, for we are nothing without you. In your blessed name we ask all things and we praise your holy name. Amen.
Sam’s devotional was definitely timely for me. Recently I had a discussion with people at church about this very topic. How many times when people ask how we are do the questioners really want to know the deeper answer? Who is willing to take the time to really listen and care? As a counselor by profession, the biggest part of my job is listening. Normally that’s something I enjoy, a gift I can offer–my time, my care, my concern. How often, though, I long to have someone listen to me in the same way. Lately I have been struggling through a transitional time in my life. Some health challenges required me to step back from work. I was very blessed to have the chance to journey out of state and participate in a holistic health and healing program. Now I’m back home, trying to find my way back into the workforce, into a job in which I can help others and still hold onto the healthy lifestyle choices I’ve started to implement. After many years alone, following my husband’s death, I thought I had found a special man who might share my life journey, who might offer me that listening, caring, and concern I so crave. It appears, though, that he is caught up in his own challenges and doesn’t have space in his heart or his time for me. That is very disappointing, yet I am clinging to the hope that God has a person for me and a workplace for me, both of which He will reveal in His time and His way. My job is to trust Him and listen to Him, secure in the knowledge that He always has the time and the unconditional love that I need.
As I read the devotional I realized I too am weary, alone and tired. Missing my Mom, who’s been dead 12 years. Worried about my daughter who needs a job and is trying to trust in the Lord for that, so I must keep the faith for her also. Alone because I feel I have no Christian friends even in my own church. So, I realize I need to trust the Lord for all those things, after all HE is with me and HE is MY Friend.
Lord, I pray for Kathy. She knows how good you are and we praise you for your goodness. Show her and her husband the way. May they be able to come together in this time of stress and so many involvements and be at peace in You. Help them cling to the Holy Spirit and all the help they can receive by giving themselves to your care. Minister to them in their hearts and in their lives. Amen.
Thank you, Sam, for today’s great reminder that God knows me, my worries, cares about them, is doing something about them though I try as “mom” to fix everyone and everything in my family. I lay awake at night and worry about my son, my daughters, my husband and his distance from us though sitting right there on the couch! I have had several reminders from God this week through devotionals like yours today – I am supposed to be laying my burdens at his feet, God DOES really CARE and is in control!!! I should be doing more praying and less planning on how I am going to take care of things on my own. How wonderful that I don’t have to do it on my own, God is always on my side, loves my children and husband more than I do, so why is it so hard to turn it over to him? Dear Father Please lift the burdens from us mothers who try to be all to all around us, we were made by you to care so much for those around us but YOU CARE MORE…help us to rely more on you, less on us, and breath a sigh of relief and thanks that you are in control, that you REALLY DO CARE about even us, me, Kathy, Joy, SandyH…
I wish someone would ask me how I am and truly be ready to hear….I hate being negative but I too like so many whose replies I read am at the end of the rope, emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. No I am not about to be on the street…..but I am a struggling divorced mother of 4 who is trying to be the mom and the dad….and usually in the tough spots….as well as trying to keep a freelance business going – so I can be there for my kids and work …..My oldest daughter is nearing college and her father has informed her he will not pay for her to go….I have no savings nor do i have the kids on my taxes therefore since he is an attorney who does extremely well, she will not qualify for financial aid. She has been given a wonderful opportunity to study abroad this summer but to cost is high….she is considering dropping things at school to work to pay for the trip….Also, I have been alone for the past 8 years….it is so hard to do this all on my own….I adore my kids and know that I am doing what I should be as far as they are concerned….but it seems we are all so off kilter and the tension is so high in my house nearly all the time….Their father just adds to the tension, swooping in occasionally to take them out and buy them things and to point out that I do not….I try to do for them as best I can…but I am just worn out, lonely and tired of having to always try to work, meet the kids obligations, run carpool, get them to practice/games and such….and that there is no time for me….there is also all the cooking and housework that has to be done in order to keep things going….I claim so many verses – “Two are better than one” Trust in the Lord with All you heart….I know the plans I have for you….and yet like many who relied before me, I see no movement in the mountains ahead and around me….i too worry about where things will be and then feel guilty that did…..i have such a hard time even praying much anymore….i read devotionals each day and many speak to me….then life gets going again and I just have to think….really, what is the point….Work ebbs and flows and because of our financial situation I have to take any work that comes in the door…some that pay ok and some that do not….right now there are more projects than I can handle but I am so afraid to turn anything down….that i work all the time when i am not being a mom….i just need a break and to see that things will get better….I so long to have a normal healthy relationship but have no time to really even try to meet someone….much less who would want a broke woman with four kids…..it is just a tough time and a very dark place to be in.
Suzanne @ 10:53 a.m. When I went to comments, Krista was the last one to leave a comment, so I prayed for her. I guess in the time it took to go get my bible, find the bible verse I wanted to, and compose a message, several others posted, including you. I feel compelled to encourage you. I remember watching a video of a Christian woman likening raising children to building the great cathedrals of Europe. It may have been a link from Proverbs 31, I’m not sure. Anyhow, I’ve found a reference to it here:
http://tammyheff.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/cathedral-builders/
Please read it, and know while it is exhausting, and it is hard to walk in your shoes, you are making a huge contribution to your children’s lives, and to society as a whole! I have often felt weary because of various trials and tribulations of my own. The one verse that always seems to come up over and over for me is this: But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31. Also, I searched Proverbs 31.org, and found that this same author, Samantha Reed just contributed a devotion back on June 22 this year titled The God Who Sees. She references the same story. Maybe that’s where the link was, but is there no more. God Bless You. I close in prayer: Dear Father, no one knows a typical day for Suzanne, or the exhaustion that sets in. No one but you. Please surround her with good people who will lift her up, and pitch in. Please remind her of the great contribution she is making, and that it is worth it. Please provide a way for her daughter to study abroad this summer and to attend college. Please lift her head, for she is your daughter and you love her. Please remind her. In Jesus name, Amen.
Hi! I’m owkei now.thank God.i was just struggling a few days ago from having low-self esteem.i gain a lot of weight just i was used to be when i was broken hearted.& right now that God has send me my beloved after almost 4 years of waiting & praying, my depression keeps coming back.i felt unloved & i’m not too confident to myself right now even i had my beloved.he has friends(girls who used to be slim & pretty) & he personally appreaciate them on how they look like & told me to have my own exercise(you know what i mean) so i’m scared he’s letting me go again & afraid of bein’ hurt…& i felt so ashamed to myself…inspite of that, he’s doin’ everything to make me feel good, it’s just that i’m too scared of losing him…I started to get jealous of all his friends though he’s still proud telling them how he loved me & planning to marry me in God’s perpect time…but inspite of that i react as if i was get hurt too much & was swallowed up by my past hurt so i easily get angry w/ my beloved, punch hard the doors & get drunk that supposed unlikely reaction of a believer in Christ.i myself were scared of whatever i can do thinking if i get hurt again…but i cried so much i talk to my closest friend & she was used by God so i would be reminded of how God would love mere than anything can do.& told me to keep trusting God & for the one of whom He had send me(my beloved) just as right now & i’m about to sleep i decided to search for a passage for my devotion & caught up by this. And i was reminded that i was focusing too much on the relationship that i had right now.so overwhelmed of having him that i had forgotten to talk to God & have my quiet time.i forgot that in my life no one can ever fill the emptiness of my heart but God alone.I was reminded that God is my great lover among anybody else’s.& for the words of jealousy i’d spoken to him just almost i’m losing my trust on him, scared of losing him & thrown harsh words, i thought he will be gone & leave me.but thankfully he sent messages as i woke up that he(my beloved) loves me that much that he would let me go if i myself think that he’s not too good for me but he is still willing to love me inspite of…he asked of me from God so there’s no reason fir him to leave me inspite of what i say or did to him…so thankfully God had really answered my prayer.& still help me do pray that my past relationships would’t haunt me from what had God had given me now…inspite of long distance relationship that God will always be in the center of it & in His peerfect time that we would meet & get married (~_.<) & so you are…
I pray that Eva feels your love reaching out to you–fulfiling her need. Send her the friend that are there waiting to reach out to her.
I am feeling overworked and not getting enough done for those around me. I just spent 1 1/2 hours getting the backpack food program started at our school for this year. I have two houses–one we are fixing and one containing the other things until the house is done. I just retired and am working strictly volunteer at the library, two food banks, working on getting rid of all my old teaching things, funding the two food pantries, backpack program, Bibles for the food pantry, the Christmas shoe party, and trying to keep my ADHD APS child going. I love the work just don’t feel we are doing enough. Praying my own money will fund us as my husband isn’t working–I retire in faith that this is what God wants me to be doning–maybe not trusting enough.
Joy, I sense how much pain you carry, reaching out to help others save their marriages while holding on to the secret that your own marriage is in jeopardy because of an abusive spouse. I am confident that God feels your pain and understands your sorrow, and He is always there for you, to offer you the healing you need. And Kathy, I understand how overwhelmed you must feel, trying to juggle your many responsibilities while coping with the stress of your husband’s disillusionment with his job. God invites you to cast all your care upon Him because He cares for you. He will lift you up when the burden seems most crushing. I am praying both of you will feel God’s presence surrounding you today, giving you comfort, strength, and hope.
I’m confused due to struggling with trying to hear from my Lord, Jesus about my health…what to do? I’m diagnosed with LCIS and atypical hyperplasia in both breasts, so I’m scheduled for a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. I know He heals, but sometimes He doesn’t, so, we trust Him, and we go through the surgeries. I have no mass or tumor that can be seen on an xray or mammogram as to prove it is gone–rather it is microscopic tissue that cannot be seen except by biopsies or total removal of breasts. Is there cancer in there, or just the LCIS? No man can tell me that without removal of my breasts. What to do? Confused?
I’m also hurting from the death of my 29 year old son; hurting from his life chocked full of sadness and misery as well as his untimely, early death. It has been three years! The guilt, shame, remorse and grief is somedays unbelievable! I believe he is in Heaven with Jesus–better off now! But I still miss him and lament all the things I should have done or should not have done for him. I am on a journey with the Lord to walk by faith through this, but it is hard!
I’m scared about our finances as we struggle to meet the financial needs of three families-ourselves, my husband’s father, and my only son and his wife and kids.
My Dear Rachel
I am so very sorry about your son.I can “hear” the pain and frustration and again I am sorry for those emotions. You are right it is hard and no one knows that better than God.
Dear Lord… You know the torment in Rachel’s heart and mind. I ask that you speak louder then the doubts and guilt that she carries. Wash over her with Your peace and clarity Lord and “light” the next step she is to take…..Amen.
Jane, My prayer for you is to enter into His rest! This is our greatest act of faith and weapon! You are overworked, He sees that! Just sit down at His feet each morning and worship and adore His presence…His beauty and soon you will sense His joy and strength in your work! This is my prayer for you and for myself!
How am I? Better now that I am getting back into God’s word. I made a move almost six months ago, and thought at the time it was the right thing to do. It seems to have been good for all in my family except me. I pray that if this was wrong, God will untangle it although I also know he gives us free will and sometimes we just make mistakes and may have to live with it.
Krista, you seem alot like me. Trying to fix things in my own power because I’m a do-er, and never give up. However, I recently found a bible verse I have found myself repeating many times. Ephesians 2:5 “that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved.” I would have typed verses 4-10 but that would have been alot! But read over it, it is so good and true!
My prayer for you: Dear Father in heaven, please bring Krista peace today that you are working in the lives of her family, and you continue to move people and circumstances so they will receive your blessings and mercy. Thank you Father that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience you brought us to life with Christ. Thank you Father that we can always count on you to bring us into relationship. Bless Krista and her family today, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.”
Thank you for the devotional today ~ God is Good !!! ~ it hit the nail on the head for me ~ I am really weary, alone, and tired due to circumstances involving my mother’s estate ~ the scriptures will continue to help me today, and in days to come, to remain focused on God’s Word and FAITHFUL that He will strengthen me, help me, uphold me, be with me always, relieve my burdens, and He will give me rest and peace and once again JOY in my life ~
I lift up in prayer each and everyone who post herein and pray that God grant them their peace and joy they so desperately seek ~ In Jesus Name ~ Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, this morning I lift Jane up to you – she seems so overwhelmed with all she has going on in her life. I pray that You will help her take time to rest in You. Help her to see how and where You want her to expend her energy, talents, and resources, and may she rest in knowing she is accomplishing the work You have set before her. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
**************************
Personally, I’m a little tired of the roller coaster my husband and I have been on since we left our home in Iowa. I don’t regret the decision – we have grown in so many ways that wouldn’t have been possible without the move. But my husband is unsatisfied in his job, and every few months I get jerked around like a yo-yo: we’re moving, we’re staying, we’re moving, we’re staying. We’ve also been trying to start a family for the past 2 years, with no success. I’m trying to wait faithfully on God – His timing is perfect – but it’s difficult.
Lord I pray for Heather and her husband. Give him satisfaction in his job or provide another opportunity that would be beneficial to his family and be a Godly environment for him to be in. Lord we know you have a plan for this family (Jeremiah 29:11) and ask that you reveal to them the steps they need to take to be in Your will. Give them peace and comfort in their current situation. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Personally I am worn out. My husband lost his job in July and has not found work yet. I don’t know if he’s in a depression or what is going through his head because he won’t talk to me. He sits at home watching tv or playing video games all day. I do all the work of trying to find him a new job and he won’t even help out with the house work or the kids while I am at work. It’s causing me to harbor negative feelings towards him. I’m stressed and tired with no relief in site.
Thank you so much for asking How are you, Really? I have spent the last year alone alot. My husband had to take a job that keeps him on the road almost all the time. We never know when we will see each other and aside from work and an exercise class that I became involved in, I spend a lot of time at home alone with two calico cats. I love cats because I believe they are “listeners” but sometimes that’s not enough. Thank you for reminding me that God is there with his hands open to take in me and all my fears, my worries, my joys, my frustrations of the day and I can share them with him when there isn’t anyone there but the cats. Your devotion was presented to me at the perfect time, God’s perfect time. Thank you.
Hello
today is the second day of my subscription to this wonderful devotional, and Sams msg today felt like God is speaking through her directly to me. My baby, my nineteen year old Marine son is deploying to Afghanastan today. He will be in the southern provinces, not exactly safe territory recently. I feel alone and fearful. If any of you have been through this, a child who is or was deployed, id love to hear some coping techniques.
Sam, thank you for today’s post. God bless you.
I am doing well. I have been doing the Beth Moore study: A Woman’s Heart for 4 weeks now. I have learned so much and feel such a peace from the blessings I am receiving!
Dear Lord, I lift Kathy up to you as she deals with her moms estate. Please be with her and guide her. Hold her in your loving arms and give her peace. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
Hi my name is Eileen ,what brought me to your website.iwas listening to klove and then I heard about proverbs 31ministrys .so I decided to check it while it brought me to here .As for I’m not doing to good I have been struggling with a injury and it’s taken a long time to heal.but since I have been off work I have had so Manley doubts about my life. I have felt like there is no hope for me . Till I here about bible verses being said and put online .i lost my way ,feel away from my church for awhile .But now I’m back and I want to follow Jesus with everything in my heart .my pastor told remember one thing u may struggling but remember one thing .he will never leave u or forsake u .this what my pastor keeps reminding and it has stayed with me and now I pick up my bible and look up scriptures every chance I get. I’m on the road to a better life ,and I’m showing my daughter how god can help her as well when she feels down in the dumps ,just close ur eyes and ask god for help. My girls has difficulty with her memory .she has seizures as well thanks for listening eileen
I am doing good and not so good.
I know who I am in the Lord and that He a good God and loves me. I am 47 and never married, I have two grown children and one grandchild, tells you what kind of past I have had. I prayed to God to bring me a godly man to share my life with and this last year He did. I am getting married next year to a wonderful man who loves God with all his heart and he love me second which is the way I and God want it. But God is testing us I think. This wonderful man has lost everything, his home, his job and I don’t understand why. I don’t even care why, I just want God to fill him up and restore him, so we can be a strong cord of three.
It is hard for me to see the man I know God gave to me struggle so much. I pray all the time, we are being faithfull, but I see his pain and it hurts me.
We know whatever God does is good and we are looking for the lesson in this pain. God is God no matter what and we will never stop loving him. We pray for his blessing and mercy, God always answers pray it His time not mine, that is what is so hard.
Wow, what a beautiful log of prayers for others. I’m doing well, mostly. I feel God calling me to write for Him, but struggle with insecurity and a fear that my words will not be good enough. I’m trying to write even through the fear.
Heather, I also went through a time when my husband was not happy in his job and wavered between staying and moving home. It’s not easy, I know. I pray God will give you peace and that He will give your husband direction and peace as well. I pray too that God will grant you the desires of your heart as you trust Him for your future, and for the family you want.
Encouraged. I needed to read this today. On my way to work this morning I felt so much like I just needed to share with someone how I feel — to Pour Out. Not really anyone to do that with. I had prayed some this morning, but still feeling — heavy. What an encouragement to read those few verses and remember my BEST FRIEND – the LORD. His Word, THE Word. The water that quenches my thirst. Amen.
Hi Lyn = I’m in you shoes also. I’ve been praying for a prayer partner/accountability partner for awhile. I lift you up in the name of the Lord, that HE will provide the peace you are seeking. Keep reading the scriptures and know that God will never leave nor forsake you. God Bless.
This devotional spoke volumes to me this morning. I’m a working mother of 2 girls, 16 & 11. My husband has changed career path and has not had an income flow for about 10 years now. We’re still waiting for his new business to flow some cash back into our family finances. We were blessed financially by the death of my father in 1996 which gave us investment capital for the business, but as time wore on and the cash flow did not materialize, the death of my mother and the distribution of her assets has eased the fact that I simply do not make enough money to support 4 people and a business. Mother’s last years were especially draining as my brother who lived next door to her (I am about 4 hours away) decided to take over her life and all who were allowed to be involved. There were horrible attacks and I sought legal counsel to try to gain some sanity in the situation. Caregivers who never met me would call to ask me to intervene in the situation, they lost their jobs when he found they had contacted me. She was hospitalized the last 2-3 days of her life, then he called me to say that she had passed…I never knew she was in the hospital, the caregivers were afraid to call me, Worse than that, he wasn’t even with her, only her caregivers. I had spoken with her by phone about a week before. She said maybe she’d make it to 100 after all (she was 98). Then she told me she was “tired and needed to rest, but we’ll talk again, soon”.
I have spent time listening to friends situations, trying to offer sound advice when appropriate and just an ear when that seems to be the best thing. I’ve prayed for them and tried to focus my thoughts on them. My husband is a caring person, he has reached out to friends in need to help with car maintenance and home repairs when they couldn’t otherwise afford them. His business is a partnership and knowing his partner’s health and sometimes domestic issues, he has committed to financial support to provide stability for their family.
In my selfishness, I keep falling back into “but what about me? Who’s taking care of me?” I am weary, drained, tired to the bone and it’s a very lonely place. I need to trust in Him always, not just when I remember to lean on him, to remember that I am not alone. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Lord, I pray for Eva that she may feel your presence and your strength. I pray that she will be blessed with friends acting as your hands and feet to help her through the daily trials. Help her to know that she is not alone. In Christ’s name. Amen
I am concerned about family members this AM. My stepmother was recently widowed and she now plans on caring for another family member who is terminally ill. One of my brothers is being tested for adominal pain.
Prayer for Laurie: Dear Jesus, Laurie would like a prayer partner/accountability partner. Please bring that woman to her soon! Amen!
I read this blog and simply cried. Two years ago I was the strong one. I was the person people would call when they needed encouragement and understanding. As my marriage deteriorated and my job became unstable my world began to crumble around me. I became so emotionally exhausted that I could no longer bear others burdens because mine were weighing so heavily on me. I learned so much about God’s sustaining grace during that dark time. There were times my heart felt like swiss cheese but at my lowest moments when I cried out to God, I could feel his loving arms wrap around me and soothe my weary soul. God recently led me to Isaiah 43:18 and 19 which has given me a new hope
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
I love this passage! God knows exactly where we are, the troubles that we are going through and what we need. Is it hard? Absolutely! Does it hurt? Yes it does! Sometimes the best we can do is just tie a knot at the end of our rope and simply hold on. I am learning that my strength comes from God and that in my weakness He gives me strength.
My comapny went through a merger and they offered a voluntary severance plan (VSP). I took the package because I have been with this company almost 14years and felt cheated. I was training people who they gave all the special projects too and even promoted over me. September 28th 2012 would be my last day here, and I don’t want to feel like I did the wrong thing, but as each day goes by, I worry about our finances., my children who are in school, and the ones who are not and trying t “find” themselves. I stepped on FAITH taking VSP becasue there are many things that I keep putting off doing like a food business, a lawncare service, a cleaning service and also staring back teaching ESL. I know Your word says, “My lord will supply all my needs through His glorious riches in Christ Jesus,” again I place my FAITH and TRUST in the LORD.
Lord, I thank you for Heaqther, bless her endeavors grant her Lord mercies and strengfthen her faith in YOU. In the name of Jesus. Amen
What a blessing to have come upon this devotion, then this site today. As I am reading Melissa’s post, it is as if God is speaking to me, through her. Ten years ago, I met a wonderful person, who became a close friend in Christ and led me to know him better and grown in him through all these years. Recently, this friendship has changed, and this is difficult for me because I am a partner in Bible Study leadership with her, and must engage in community with her on several occasions, we even spend time in our Girl group together as we always have, but things are different and I feel as though I’ve been replaced by another friend. I have not spoken a negative word about her, or shared this with anyone else, but it is clear that things are different. I am struggling day to day because this was a close connection, and a person I shared Christ with : ) Our husbands coach Baseball together and our children are friends. Melissa is correct, it is hard, it does hurt! I am relying soley on the strength I can find in The Word. And I do hope that something new is springing up, and God is making streams in the desert. Please pray as I wait upon the Lord.
Prayer for Melissa: Lord, keep Melissa in the shelter of your wings as she waits in Hope as you make streams in the desert for her, a way in the wasteland. Praise you Father that you led her to a word of Encouragement as she listens for your voice. You are faithful. And when that something New springs forth, because we know you do not leave or forsake us, may she Praise your Name! Amen.
Thank you so much Patti. I can’t begin to explain how much I needed that. I will also lift you up to our Lord and pray for a sweet river in your desert. Lord, we all need a good and strong spiritual friend to help us and encourage us here on earth. Patti is hurting and longing for a connection that she has lost with her friend. Lord, just as David was encouraged and strengthened by his friendship with Jonathan, I pray that you send someone to Patti that will speak truth to her soul and help bear the load of her burdens. In the name I Jesus I pray. Amen.
I am a stay at home mom of four and have been for 20 years. My husband was laid off from his good paying job and was unemployed for a year and a half, he is now working (praise God!) but earning less than half of his former wage. We went through bankruptcy, and this new life of never knowing how we’re going to pay all the bills or put food on the table is very different and draining. I’m trying to find a way to earn money at home as my kids still need me here, but I feel guilty for not working and helping support our family. My oldest and only son is Autistic and goes to college but doesn’t drive so I help him out a lot, plus my 87 year old grandmother lives with us and I don’t want to leave her alone, but I’m also scared. I have big dreams of owning my own business, (actully tried it briefly but again, had to give it up due to lack of finances.) but it’s tough to get something started with absolutely no money to put into it……but I’m not giving up. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!
Well that was me pouring out my troubles, but I have to say that I really am blessed. My children are healthy, my husband is a decent man…there are always areas to work on, yes, but they are here with me and we have a roof over our heads.
My heart goes out to all of the women posting here, I see the pain, the struggles, and I wish there was a way to reach out to you all. I pray that the Lord is with you and will meet each and every one of your needs!
Ruth I pray that the Lord will ease your burdens, and let you know that HE is taking care of you. God Bless all my sisters in Christ, thank you for the opportunity to share and meet you all!
Oh, Kimi, I feel your pain. I can totally relate to financial struggles and all that goes along with it…fear, despair, strain on the marriage, depression, irritability… I’ve been there, my friend. And I pray that the Lord’s peace dwells in you and that you experience a fresh perspective as you realize your richness in HIM. It was always helpful for me to remain hyper-focused on what I was THANKFUL for. It made me have less time to focus on what I didn’t have.
Yes Nicole, I thank God daily for my blessings because as much as things could be better, they could also be worse. Your understanding and prayers mean so much to me, God Bless you my friend!
I really do believe that God works in mysterious ways. He so really loves us and ALWAYS seeks to make us better. So, How am I, really? I am better now than i was a couple of hours ago in the wee hours of the morning, when I was feeling really discouraged, downtrodden, doubtful, frustrated and even guilty as I reflected on the few things I did that were not pleasing to God. But thank God, He’s always right besides us when we need him so I cried out to him, told him all my hurts, casted all my cares on Him and sought his mercy as he wrapped his loving arms around me and boy, did I feel loved and grateful for the mercy of God. Psalms 32 and 26 which the Lord laid on my heart at that time too surely helped. So, yes, I’m better now and though I know the enemy will continue to challenge me, I’ve got Jesus on my side and I’m really encouraged by all that has happened today, including todays devotions and these posts .
Lord I pray that you would continue to strenghten Melissa as you continue to do new things in her life. I pray a special blessing over her today. In Jesus’ name Ame.
to be honeest, i’m doing really well. i’m a newlywed simply enjoying my new life with my husband. and my ministries at the church where i pastor are going very well. and i’m in a really happy place, with a developing relationship with the Lord.
however, my parents’ marriage is not doing well, and my younger sister is making some really poor life decisions that are jeopardizing her safety. and those things make my heart heavy since i live almost 3000 miles from all of them and can’t be there to speak love into my parents or wisdom into my sister.
For Patti: Lord, I pray that you’ll bring encouragement to Patti through her relationship with you, knowing that you are her closest friend. Help ease the pain of the ebb and flow of relationships in our lives, and give her peace to know that she is loved. I pray that you’ll send a new friend who she can build a close, loving relationship with and for healing to come in the old friendship. Bless her for holding back any negative thoughts about her friend from other people. Allow her husband to be a source of encouragement and safety for her hurting heart. Thank you for her persevering spirit. In your precious name, Amen.
How am I? I’m doing much better than I have in the recent past. My marriage is in a place where we’re communicating more than ever and we’re putting the work in that’s needed to made a marriage “great.”
Our kids are healthy and happy. My husband has a good job and I recently got hired by a local school district. It’s a better job than I was hoping for and I’m feeling VERY blessed. I still struggle periodically with guilt about my kids (8 and 2) being in childcare while I work full-time, but I’m coming to terms with that.
I am not doing especially well, this morning. One of the chronic illnesses has really zapped me with extreme fatigue, I’m still recouperating from zooming around Sunday for church!! One thing is so true for me: the Lord Jesus knows me inside & out, & loves me!!
Nicole I pray that God will lay upon your heart a peace about working full-time. In some cases God calls us out to be able to teach others rather than at home. If for some reason you never really feel peace about your decision pray for understanding and wisdom from God and talk to your husband about staying home. God will hear your struggle and answer your prayer. He sure is working in our lives as of right now.
How am I? It has been a rough year and still no answers on what is wrong with my husband. He has not had a full time job with insurance since Nov. 2011 and has been very sick most of this year. He was in the hospital for a week in July and has been in the ER 4 times this year. Doctors still do not know what is wrong and causing the continuing pain he is in in the abdomen, legs, back and head. We finally qualified for Medicaid for low income families and are now covered to go see an Internal Medicine Doctor. Our appointment is this Thursday the 20th so pray that they can figure out something. I am a stay at home mom after our twins were born 4 years ago and homeschool them currently. My parents are helping us pay our bills and I am so very thankful that they can do this for us. We received a letter for an interview from a company my husband was hoping to get a full time job with so he suffered through an interview (7 min.) that was thankfully short. We have not heard back from them as of yet but are praying that they will be able to figure out what is wrong with him fix it and he can take the job if offered. My husband is a new Christian as well so he struggles with why God is putting him through all of this. Our church has been praying along side us as well so we are hoping for a miracle so things can get back to some kind of normal for us.
I am sad. I chose obedience to The Lord knowing that I could be rejected by a person I love for it. I was hopeful that this was God’s way of mending that relationship. I believed it was that. I also know He will not force someone else into His path. So there is much hurt and brokenness. I keep reading His Words for comfort and hope, and I keep singing praises of His faithfulness; but honestly, it’s just hard.
Lord, I ask that you would pour out a blessing on Aretha as she cries out to you for help. Bless her for turning to You in her hour of need and bring your sweet Holy Comfort. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Lorraine, know that the Lord will reward you for your faithful service and obedience! It may not be what you had expected – it rarely is, I’ve found out – but it’s usually so much greater than what we could have anticipated! The Lord’s thoughts and ways are so beyond our comprehension, and His love for us, so deep! It would be like a 3-year-old sitting at the foot of Einstein, trying to understand the theory of relativity – it’s just way beyond our grasp! But know that He has promised “a harvest of blessing”, so do not lose heart! “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Heavenly Father, I thank you for Lorraine, and her willingness to follow You despite the sacrifice and pain of heart. I ask that you let Your presence be felt in Lorraine’s heart today. Wrap Your peace around her right now, Lord and help her to know that You are with her always, Lord. Take the ashes and return to her a crown of beauty, as only You can, Lord. Help her to walk forward in Your grace and love. In Christ’s name, Amen.
How am I, really? I was thinking about that just yesterday and hoping no one would ask that because even thinking it brings tears to my eyes. I am overwhelmed and struggling. This has been a tremendously tough year. Almost a year to date I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It has been a hard year but my prognosis is good, so I was told, but last Thursday I found a lump in my armpit. I’ll admit I am scared. I don’t feel strong enough to go through this again. This year has taken a toll on my marriage because we were already struggling with a failing business as well as juggling duties for our 13 year old autistic son and 3 year old daughter. Every one in my household is feeling weak and weary needing support but we are running on empty. God is with us, I know that. I see Him working in our lives. I couldn’t have gotten through this past year without holding tightly to Him. My prayer lately has been begging for mercy. We just need a break, a pause, a moment to catch our breath, and get a good night sleep. We are just so tired.
For Nicole- Dear Lord Jesus, We thank you for blessing Nicole and her family with healing, health, provision, and happiness! We ask that you would cover her kids with your love and protection while they are in child care and bring deeper joy to the precious time they spend together as a family. Amen.
I have been blessed is so many ways and I really have nothing to complain about. Not that I should ever complain. I have a wonderful godly husband and 3 beautiful sons. Lately though I have been feeling like all I do is give out and I don’t have anyone to talk to. I have realized that all I need is my Lord and Savior to talk to. He will listen and provide wisdom. I am so thankful for my wonderful Savior and I need to learn to trust and rely on him more.
For Julie-Dear Jesus, Please wrap your loving arms of comfort around Julie and her family. My heart breaks for her extremely tough situation. I pray that you will provide her with sustaining strength. Help her husband to love and comfort her as commanded by Your Word. Give him the wisdom to lead his family. Only You can know what she is really going through and I know that you are working everything out for your glory. Love her as only You can. In Jesus precious and Holy name, Amen.
For Julie, i really have no idea what to pray for you ‘coz i wasn’t in you situation but i can actually felt the feeling of being ‘burn-out’ from your situation…but let me share a word of God for you that says in Matthew 11:28 ‘Come to me all of you who are tired & heavily laden & I will give you a rest…’ Still i’ll try to utter a prayer for you & your whole family.
Dear God,
I personally not known Julie but for a reason we have you & for you have known her more & the things she had gone through & her family…We are you creation & that we only dwell in your presence in tough times like Julie’s struggling now. I pray to have mercy on her & her whole family.You know how difficult is their situation for them right now & may You let them feel You’re reaching out to them.may they feel resting upon you oh Lord for in You they will find peace, comfort & may you fill their hearts with joy in facing through alot of challenges right now…thank you Lord for an answered prayer for them. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
I guess this devotional was really meant for me. Although I don’t usually tell others I’m struggling with this cz I don’t wanna murmur and complain I usually tell God. Now I’ll tell it here too: The past couple days I’ve been depressed n lonely. It usually happens at that time of the month and goes away but although I know it’s hormonal I struggle w this almost every month. It makes me feel worse when I think other people have worse problems to deal with but I can’t seem to get past this mountain and it seems like I’m walking in circles in the desert and once every month the same mountains sometimes seem bigger and other times smaller. I guess it depends on my viewpoint.
For Janae,
I pray in Jesus’ name that you learn how to trust more in the Lord and that you realize that that’s what the Christian life is supposed to be like, to give yourself, but this too shall pass and our Heavenly Father will reward us. A sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice until it is a sacrifice and I pray that you will keep it up with a thankful heart. Amen.
Hi Sam,
God is sustaining me right now through my Grandmother’s death, so God is comforting me and my soul is well, even though I am weary.
Thank you for your wonderful words of love and grace – your gift is so apparent Sam.
Love you, Hester
For Jackie,
“Oh Father, you know and understand the intricacies of us women and the challenges we face each month, even through our hormonal swings. I pray today, in faith and in the power of Your Son’s Name to fill in the gaps of Jackie’s loneliness – I pray for You to empower her by your Spirit to face these mountains with brave boldness and courage. May she rejoice in your Name Father.” Amen.
Love, Hester
How am I, really? I am burdened with life here all around me. This burden weighs me down and robs me of the present and His Presence….so…..I will take Him at His Word and come to Him. I give Him my burdens and take His rest. I will receive His promise and be ok in the waiting. How am I, really? I am blessed.
To be honest and real, I am not well – physically and emotionally. I have a brain tumor and occipital neuralgia, which causes tremendous headache pain day in and day out. However, because I am a single mom, with two children depending on me, I don’t get to take time off for myself and I continue to work full time at an office that’s relying on me to fill TWO staff positions, because we’re short-staffed and tight-budgeted. (Don’t get me wrong, in today’s economy I’m grateful for the job!) On top of that, some of the medication I take for my ailments can be quite damaging to the body, and the mental state. But because there is no time for illness in between ringing phone lines, processing files, managing cash receipts, generating invoices and greeting clients, I paste a graceful smile across my aching face and give my all. And when I finally drag myself across the threshold of my home’s door, what awaits me is usually the dreaded bellow for an evening meal, a parent’s signature on school forms, dirty dishes strewn across the kitchen countertops on migration to the dishwasher, and endless piles of clean laundry to be folded and dirty laundry waiting its turn to take a soak! There are no loving arms for me to collapse into – I have to catch those children of mine! I rely on my 12-year-old bed to catch me when today turns into tomorrow, in hopes that I can steal 2 uninterrupted hours of sleep, roll over, adjust for the pain, and catch another couple of hours’ sleep before starting it all over again, praising the Lord for breath.
Lorraine, know that the Lord will reward you for your faithful service and obedience! It may not be what you had expected – it rarely is, I’ve found out – but it’s usually so much greater than what we could have anticipated! The Lord’s thoughts and ways are so beyond our comprehension, and His love for us, so deep! It would be like a 3-year-old sitting at the foot of Einstein, trying to understand the theory of relativity – it’s just way beyond our grasp! But know that He has promised “a harvest of blessing”, so do not lose heart! “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Heavenly Father, I thank you for Lorraine, and her willingness to follow You despite the sacrifice and pain of heart. I ask that you let Your presence be felt in Lorraine’s heart today. Wrap Your peace around her right now, Lord and help her to know that You are with her always, Lord. Take the ashes and return to her a crown of beauty, as only You can, Lord. Help her to walk forward in Your grace and love. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Father God in Heaven, as I read shadow’s words, I cringe. When we think we have it bad, someone else has it worse. Lord, thank you for giving me a new perspective by showing me the stresses of shadow’s daily life. Lord I pray with all my being that she realizes, knows and feels that she can fall into your arms daily. Lord, I pray that she feels your presence each and every morning new. Lord, I pray for a rest each night that refreshs her like she has never been refreshed before. God, I pray for a portion of your strength to be ingrained in her. Lord, FILL HER UP. When she is empty, I pray she would find the strength to lift her arms in praise to you for this blessed life you have given her. Lord, bless every part of her life from the beginning of her day to the end. Lord, I pray for those children. I pray for shadow’s medical issues and her job. Lord your will be done. Thank you Father for already beginning a NEW work in shadow’s life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!!
A Prayer from God’s Word for Jackie: “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn North.”!!! Deut. 2:3
I am weary but thankful for being able to get a decent sleep last night! I’d like prayer to find time to work on my spiritual life please.
Lord, please bless Melanie Grace. Help her to continually turn to you and drop her burdens at your feet. May you lighten her load and help her to always see the blessings that you have placed in her beautiful life. May the wait be worth it.
Father God, I thank you for Susan. God, I thank you that she was able to rest in your peace last night to be refreshed for the new day. Lord, you see her struggle to find the time to work on her relationship with you. Lord, I pray that you show her the areas in her life that can be limited in order to allow for you. Many times, we allow our priorities to get out of hand and we allow things of this world to overwhelm us or cloud our judgement. Father, open Susan’s eyes to how you would have her spend time with you. God, bless her efforts to make time for you, your word and precious time to just sit and talk or listen to you. I thank you Lord that you are already beginning to shift things around for her so that she can truly focus some time on you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!!
Thanks Julie!
How am I really? I am scared, sad, & lonely. My husband is being diagnosed on Tuesday, we have a consultation with a Neurologist. His PCP has already said that his desease is dimentia! He is only 57. Due to some bad life choices of my son, my grandson has moverd clear across the state. I know God is there for me and I know without him I could never handle this life. But it still doesn’t change how I feel. Scared of the unknown. How to handle, care for, what to do about daily care. I have to work in order to have insurance. Even with insurance this is a very costly desease. It is all just very scary to me.
What is going to happen to my grandbaby? That is also very scary. I miss him so.
For Julie: Father God take Julie in your everlasting arms and hold on tight. She and her family really need you at this time in their lives. Give them the strength they need to continue on. If it is in your will please heal Julie and her family of their struggles. Give the peace thats passeth all understanding so they may rest. God Bless this beautiful women and her family. May all the glory be yours. Amen
Father God I pray that you will be with bb. Let her feel your ever presence and peace during these times of trouble and struggles. I pray that you will give guidance to the doctors as they diagnose and treat her husband. I praise you Father for giving him such a caring loving wife that can give him the support and the love that he will need during this time. I pray that you will lighten the burden of work on her so that she is not weary. I also pray Father that you will put your shield of protection on her grandson. Keep him safe and let him feel your presence and give bb peace to replace her fear. I pray that you will bring him closer to bb so that she can enjoy him, the blessed creation that you’ve placed in her life. All of these prayers I lift up in your son’s Precious, Holy, Name. Amen
For reals? Bad last few days with rheumatoid arthritis pain, but great day on Sunday with kids and grands (all of them) for my 60th birthday! Thanks for asking!
I feel like I need to let go and let God
Father God, thank you for revealing to Roslyn that she needs to let go and let you handle all the situations of her life. Lord, as much as we realize this, our flesh keeps us hanging on and trying to manage things ourselves. God, I pray that you will give Roslyn the strength she needs to let go. Sometimes it requires more strength to let go than to hang on in our life. Lord, help her to see the importance of letting go. Give her peace in ALL areas of her life. Lord bless her in a way that only you can. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!
I pray for Vickie, that she will enjoy her birthday despite the pain:)
Times are tough but God is good! My heart is heavy with the stuggles that my sister is going through. My husband, children and I had to take in her four year old daughter eight months ago. Hoping this would be temporary and she would be able to get her back and start a fresh new journey with this beautiful girl. We’ve layed out the opportunities for this to happen and she’s run from them making descructive choices. For the last three nights she’s had to sleep in her car without anywhere to stay becauses of those choices. I struggle because I want to fix things but I know she has to hit rock bottom before she will do better. It’s so hard to watch. I pray she knows how much she is loved.
I pray for you, and for your sister. Continue to pray that she will eventually run to our LORD, and not away. I, too have had a ‘prodigal’ that lost his way. It is so hard to watch them make poor choices because we want the best for them. Only GOD can deliver them from the chains that bind them. I pray for strength, to sustain you, and peace that it is out of your hands. KEEP PRAYING, because even when we don;t know what to pray, or how to pray, the Holy Spirit intervenes on our behalf.
Honestly, I’m exhausted. I have felt disconnected from God for some time and just very empty. We’ve jumped from church to church trying to find one where we fit in and have not been successful. I thank you for your words and will try more to focus on God’s Words. Pray for me that me and my family can find a place to celebrate God with others. I so desperately need it.
Lord, thank you that you have already selected that perfect church for Andrea’s family. Thank you that you have placed right in front of them, just waiting to be discovered. Lord, I pray that when they walk through the doors of the church you have selected for them to serve you in, that you would allow them to feel an instant peace that just flows within them. Lord, I pray that they take their focus off of finding this perfect church and put their focus on you and your love for them. Lord help them to see that when we truly focus our hearts and minds on you that we can serve you anywhere. I pray that you will bring a fresh start in their individual relationships with you and their family relationship with you. God, bless this family, I pray. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!
I would love to have a confident heart!!!!
Feeling like a lot of things are up in the air right now. Not sure which direction God is leading me, but feel as though he wants me to travel on a different path. I’m not good with change and sometimes taking that first step is so hard. I want to be a good steward and I am so glad He is with me.
Roslyn-I pray that you take God’s hand, let him be your friend, and guide you. Let Him show you the way, the truth and the light. He loves you and with His strength you can do anything! God Bless!
I’m leaning completely on the LORD. All of my gal-pals seems to have moved in different directions, and have their own issues to deal with. So, with no one around to turn to, I turn to the Living God, who is always with me, carrying me when I falter and stumble.
Today, if I am being honest, I am struggling. Struggling with my job. I know God sent me here for a purpose and I want to be right in the middle of his will for me. However, the stress of it is causing me not to sleep at night, daily headaches and anxiety at a new level. I have applied for another job that would put me at ease financially, emotionally and physically, but I want it to be God’s will for me to be there. I don’t want to move out of the will of God for my life. It’s tough to stay where you are so very overwhelmed to the point that it affects your family and the relationships that you have but at the same time, I know it would be tougher to be outside of God’s will. So I find myself praying selfishly sometimes and I don’t want that. It is a mental battle everyday.
I am facing something similiar as Jacenda G. So I am agreeing in prayer along with Jacenda that God will continue to order our steps and lead and guide us through His Holy Spirit daily. Amen.
I am searching, trying to find my way back to who I am instead of who everyone expects me to be. I don’t even know who the “real” me is anymore and I fear I won’t recognize myself when I get there.
To Jacenda and Latosha:
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Father, please look upon the your humble servants, Jacenda and Latosha. Guide their thoughts and actions to bring them where You need them to be. In Jesus name, Amen.
Wow, I just spent over an hour reading these posts. I want to reach out and hug so many women I don’t know. Some days, we as moms, teachers, nurses ,caretakers, grandmas, etc feel overwhelmed, confused, scared, depressed-so many feelings at once. We are natural caretakers, many of us, and seek to help others. That can be a blessing. When we feel empty and can give no more I have learned I am not doing what God wants. He wants us to TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES TOO ladies , so we can use our gift to help others. I pray for all of you that you will be refreshed in God’s loving arms. I have never answered a blog before, but this one spoke to me. Thank you for this ministry. It is new to me. Pray for an unsaved father in law who is very ill and a sometimes weary mom and teacher(with teenagers). That’s me! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 I recite this every day!
I AM TIRED TODAY. I ATTEND TO MY ELDERLY MOTHER AND FATHER AND SLEEP JUST DOES NOT COME MUCH THESE DAYS. I LOVE MY PARENTS AND WOULD NOT TRADE ONE MINUTE OF TAKING CARE OF THEM FOR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, HOWEVER I DO GET VERY TIRED AND SOMETIMES EVEN GET DISCOURAGED BECAUSE I HAVE NO HELP FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. I HAD ASKED GOD TO SHOW ME THE WAYS I COULD HELP MY PARENTS AND HE DID. NOW I AM LIVING WITH MY PARENTS AND WORKING PART TIME SINCE I CUT MY FULL TIME HOURS BACK TO BE HOME WITH THEM MORE, AND STILL TRYING TO FIND TIME TO BE WITH MY CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN. I LOVE THEM ALL VERY MUCH AND I AM FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THE TIME TO READ MY BIBLE AND PRAY AS MUCH AS I SHOULD. THAT MAKES ME FEEL SPIRITUALLY DRAINED. I DO LOVE THE LORD AND KNOW THAT HE SEES HOW HARD I WORK TO MAKE THINGS RUN SMOOTHLY IN OUR HOME AND AS MUCH AS I KNOW HE UNDERSTANDS THAT I READ AND PRAY AS MUCH AS I CAN, IT IS STILL NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO KEEP ME SPIRITUALLY REJUVINATED DAILY. I FEEL LIKE I FAIL HIM MISERABLY.
MY FATHER IS 78 YEARS OLD AND HAS HAD 7 MAJOR HEART ATTACKS THAT HAVE KILLED MEN TWICE AS HEALTHY AS HIM AND HAS HAD 6 SMALL HEART ATTACKS AND HE IS DIABETIC , HAD A STROKE, AND HAS MANY OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. HE NOW HAS STARTED FALLING ALMOST EVERY DAY OR EVERY OTHER DAY AND HIS MIND IS SO BAD THAT HE ASKS THE SAME QUESTION OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND THAT IN ITSELF IS MENTALLY DRAINING ON A PERSON. SO TO GIVE MY MOM, WHO IS ALSO ELDERLY, AND IN BAD HEALTH, A BREAK I NOW AM RESPONSIBLE FOR HIM AND HER.
I GO TO CHURCH REGULARLY, AND TAKE THEM WITH ME. I TAKE THEM OUT TO EAT , AND TRY TO GET THEM OUT AS MUCH AS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE. I’M NOT COMPLAINING, JUST ASKING FOR PRAYER FOR STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT. I LOVE THEM BOTH AND WOULD NEVER TRADE ONE DAY OF TAKING CARE OF THEM FOR ALL THE MONEY A PERSON COULD OFFER. JUST KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS. ……..AND THAT IS HOW I AM DOING.
Dear Renee,
I pray for you the strength and stamina each and every day to physically be able to care for your parents. I pray for you a sense of joy and peace through the loneliness that you feel as you are the sole care giver. I pray for you the comfort and encouragement from God that surpasses all understanding. That the peace of God would guard your heart in Christ Jesus.
Renee, I pray that God will wrap you in his loving arms and give you strength. I pray too that you will find the help that you need. Please take care of yourself so that you will be able to care for them and your family.
Renee I lift you up my sister because I know just exactly what your going through. I was my moms caregiver for several years juggling between her home and mine until she took a fall with a hairline break to her knee. When that happened I brought her to my house and cared for her for 18 months 24/7 with no outside help. I was blessed with finding a company that employs workers at home as outsource customer service using my computer and a private land line phone. This allowed me to care for her without leaving her alone, I could always put my calls on hold if she needed me. However the emotional and physical strength needed was so overwhelming to me, her mental state of mind was severe depression grief turned inward. She could do for herself but she refused to do so. I loved her and honored her and yet struggled with how would I survive watching her decline? God gave me those 18 months to minister to her His love, teach her what unconditional love was about…something she never gave to us. But I loved her. Sister God is holding you right now and you will be blessed for what your doing for your parents. My mom has only been gone now for 6 weeks, the tears still flow but God has been holding me tight as I know He will be doing for you. And you can’t fail God and He already knows every moment of your day so just lean into Him. A few days before mom passed God gave me this verse and I soaked in it for 2 days….In Him we Live and Move and Have our Being. Acts 17:28…rest in that He is inside you, you are inside Him and He is inside God…so never are you away from Jesus or God.
I’m exhausted. But glad that I’m privileged to teach 4K at my church 3 mornings a week! I’ve taught for 10 years in the public school system, and as rewarding as that chapter was (not to mention that awesome friends that I made!) this new chapter is so sweet! I’m no longer bound by our legal system from sharing Jesus with my students daily!
Dear Renee,
I pray for you the strength and stamina each and every day to physically be able to care for your parents. I pray for you a sense of joy and peace through the loneliness that you feel as you are the sole care giver. I pray for you the comfort and encouragement from God that surpasses all understanding. That the peace of God would guard your heart in Christ Jesus.
I am very weary physically. I thought my body would adjust to the schedule changes this new school year brought but it is not. I have an illness & some of the meds cause my body to get sick easily & stay sick longer. Pray for me that my current sinus infection would clear up soon. Please pray that even while I am ill I would be a good wife & mom & not lose My patience so easily with my children. Thank you for praying for health & strength both spiritually & physically for me.
In reply to “Debbie” thank you for your encouraging words. In response to your requests I pray: Jesus please soften Debbie’s FIL’s heart & draw him to you. If it is your will we ask for healing for him physically. I pray for Debbie & family that they would have strength wisdom & courage to reach out to & care for him. I pray for physical, spiritual & emotional strength for Debbie as she strives to raise her teens & be the wife & mom YOU called her to be.Please put your arms around her & encourage her each day so that she may continue to run the race YOU have set before her. May she be a blessing & witness to her students each day & may YOU enable her to teach each day with YOUR wisdom each day. Bless her I pray in Jesus’ name Amen.
Renee, until I read your post I was mentally counting the things I could list and claim I am not doing so well. Compared to you, I am doing very well and wish you well too. You are a wonderful daughter and may your children look after you in the loving way you are treating your parents. Moving in to take care of your parents is beyond the call of duty. I too have an old mum who is mentally incapacitated, but she is in a nursing home. She is well looked after, but when I often visit her I question as to what happened to the vivacious, bright, fun loving mother. My dad passed away some years ago, and I know she could not accept his absence. It is sad to see your parents just disintegrate before your very eyes. I pray that: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” I will certainly keep you in my prayers. God bless you.
Oh my it’s been a rough couple of months. I am on disability (it will be 2 years this Jan.) and suffer from scoliosis, severe, chronic back pain, headaches (i actually get concerned if i don’t have one) knee and joint pain just more than i want to write or anyone wants to hear about. My disability check barely pays the bills and if it weren’t for gov. bridge card there would be no money for food. I am not eligible for medicare until Jan. but it will cost money to have that and of course there is no extra so oh well. I think the pain must just be getting to me lately and it’s just getting really hard to handle. My dad also has stage 4 lung cancer, God has watched over him and this is his 4th year surviving it. One of the tumors has started to give him problems though so he will start a series of 10 radiation treatments to try and stop it’s growth. These are very risky treatments as the tumor is right almost up against the aorta. One slip of the beam would be fatal. He is a good strong Christian with great faith in God and he is doing well. He is 81 and i will be 60 this year. Like i said i think the pain is just getting to me and i’m just going through a rough spell. I will get over it, i always do its just hard right now. Too much going on. I am an only child and my mom passed away 5½ years ago. I have a son but he is working a lot of hours right now and is too busy for us. I do trust God but sometimes it is just so hard.
Lord please be with bb in the comment above me. She has heavy burdens Lord and needs the peace that only you can give. Please give the doctors wisdom in treating her husband and Lord he is so young to be suffering from such a horrible disease please Lord if you see fit may you heal her husband from this. And Lord for her son i pray Lord that you would get a hold of his heart and put a solid Christian person in his path that can be a friend to him and maybe give him some guidance. I don’t know how old her grandson is Lord but you know and i just ask Lord that soon he will be able to come back home near his family that loves him. I know how scary financial problems can be and lack of insurance and money. Please show bb the direction to go to find help, there are options and i pray that you will make wide the door to help so she will find it. Please comfort and sustain her and her family as they go through these trials. Thank you Lord that we can come to you and that we have you to rely on. In Jesus precious name i pray, amen.
I have just started reading your devotions. I really enjoyed and received much encouragement from today’s devotional. As far as how I feel, I am in a very good place. At times I do feel lonely, tired and discouraged. However, they are few and far between. I wanted to share a wonderful song I just happen to hear today on Pandora. It was ” Blessed and Highly Regarded” by the gospel group The Clarke Sisters. It just completed the devotional.
My prayer for Leigh Anne is that God will do a good job through her at this new teaching position. I also pray for all those in the public school systems. They do have great challenges and it is sad that the mere mention of God’s love for them is discouraged.
Today is my older sister Elizabeth’s birthday! It’s a happy AND sad day as she was killed in a car accident when she was 20 years old. (I was 18 when she died.) Today she would be turning 37 years old! How I miss her & wonder what she would be doing, where she would be living, and how our friendship would have continued to grow as we grew up! But, I know she is celebrating in Heaven and that I will see her again one day!
In general, I think I’m doing ok. However, I tend to think about many things all at once and easily become overwhelmed and/or discouraged. My husband and I are wanting to have children, but have had two miscarriages this year. I sometimes feel like I don’t know how to process these losses or who I should/shouldn’t share this with. My husband is in the military, so when we moved, I left my closest friends thousands of miles away. Plus, we are in the process of looking for a new church, so I just don’t really feel connected – as far as girl friends are concerned. The past several months have been pretty hard – my miscarriages have affected my work life as weel, and I just feel weary … I appreciate your prayers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would be with Rokhshie Malone. And, please bless her relationship with her mother. You know everything that is happening in their lives … I pray for your peace and comfort … that they would look to you no matter what life brings! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!! God bless you, Rokhshie!!!
I would say I’m very up and down – I have good days and then tough days. I feel a bit swept around and would like to feel more settled. I tend to overthink and worry about the future… My husband and I are thinking about buying our first home and praying about where would be right for our family. I’ve recently had a baby girl and am away from work – trying to get to grips with the identity change!
Anna Christine
I’m praying for you – I know the pain you are going through, I had two miscarriages last year before having my little girl. I still grieve them but know we will all be together as a family in heaven one day. Lean on the Lord – He gave me such comfort when I was at my lowest and don’t be afraid to be brutally honest with Him – He grieves for them too. Have a private dedication/goodbye service. The joy of the Lord is your strength; Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Praying for peace and comfort for you and your husband – and the blessing of MANY children! Amen
I am weary and struggling to keep my heart and mind on what is noble, pure, and righteous. My son is facing felony theft charges on Friday, September 21st and he is living back home and the blended family never really blended. So I am on egg shells about it all. Need some extra prayers if possible they would be much appreciated.
My prayer if for Pat Lord that you continue to bless her with being and staying in a good place by being devoted and obedient to your plan and followin the path you have laid before her. If there be any need financial, health, home, car, I pray Jesus that you meet those needs even before she brings those needs to you. May you continue to bless and bring your best to all areas of her life. In your precious son Jesus name I pray AMEN.
I love this devotional, not because I am feeling weary or alone or hiding from God and others but because He has just bought me through a period of daily battling into a much more ‘spacious and restful’ place.
This resonated with me: “I poured out, He poured in. An ebb and flow more natural than the ocean’s tides. ”
I recently got baptised after 17 years of following Jesus and life has not been the same since. It’s as if God has turned the kaleidoscope through which I see the world so that His Light illuminates the picture so much more sharply.
He has asked me now to enter a period of fervent prayer for my three adult children and this I am doing. Using His word to claim some wonderful promises for them over a period of 14 weeks (working through Stormie Omartian’s book The Power of Prayer for Your Adult Children’.) I am learning so much and looking for signs of new life in them.
Please pray that I stay faithful to my intentions and that God by His Holy Spirit gives me the power to pray them into eternity.
My prayers for Tricia: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength’ Isaiah 30:15 – Father, I pray by your Holy Spirit that you flood Tricia with your presence and your strength. Help her to do all things in the power of your Holy Spirit and to turn from relying too much on her own abilities. We ask that you draw each and every person in her blended family deeper into relationship with you and with each other.
We ask that her son receives merciful justice and gracious compassion as he faces his felony theft charges on Friday. Do more than she can imagine or ask in his life, we pray. grant her restful sleep and the full support of her family. Cause her to share everything with you in prayer and minister to her hurting heart. Give her eyes to see where you are working and what you are doing for her and for her family. AMEN
Hi all,
Love to see so much faith in one place, let us remember we are not alone, God Almighty is with us and we have each other.
My prayer request is that God will guide me to the light as I have separated from my husband and facing the difficult decision and process of divorce. Currently staying in a studio close to my workplace with only a mattress in the floor. I was only able to get my clothes, books and my computer from my recently purchased and decorated home . Months had gone by but my Lord has never left my side, He knows my heart and the only thing that nobody can take from me it’s my relationship with Him. I pray for the Holy Spirit to take over my heart, words, actions and plans.
My prayer for Fiona.
Dear Lord, I pray today for Fiona and praise your name for creating her and for giving her the desire to make you a prority in her life. Give her the strenght and consistency so she can continue to pray for her children with boldness. We know you are mighty and never change and today we need your Holy Spirit Lord to help us to survive the eveyday life and the attacks of the enemy. Help us to continue to pray for one another as women of faith face many challenges but we know that you are with us. We praise your Holy name and pray in Jesus name. Amen
Thank you for the opportunity of this forum, to see and feel the power of God and His word having impact in many willing hearts.
I so desperately needed to read your words today. I’ve been struggling with the emptiness that comes with the overwhelming burdens of life these days, and while I try to “be there” for everyone else, I constantly say “Oh I’m fine, how are YOU?” – dismissing my own needs for encouragment. I catch myself crying for no reason, and falling into the pit of depression. Thank you for the verses, because I find that when I’m falling, I have a hard time looking for the Words of the One who loves me. And I needed them today.
So thank you.
Fiona, I’m praying for you…that God will use you as the light you and that He will bless you in this storm you are living through. Jesus is standing next to you, protecting you and your precious heart, holding you up, and giving you the encouragement you need at just the moment you need it.
I really needed to hear this devotional today too. It is so reassuring to read God’s promises…promises that I know to be true, but when going through difficult circumstances it is so easy to keep my eyes on the circumstances instead of God and His wonderful Word! I will be going with my daughter to divorce court this week. She is coming out of an abusive relationship with her husband, who was a pastor. After a few very short months of marriage her world fell apart. It took 2 years for her to tell us what was happening and to have the courage to get help. As a mother, there is no pain like that of seeing your child hurt! It has been a very difficult season for all of us. I am so weary and my soul needs to find rest in Him!
Beth, I am praying that you will truly feel God’s arms around you today as He reminds you how much he loves you! God has seen how you try to be the encouragement for those in your life and I pray that He will bless you beyond measure for your faithfulness to your friends and family. I pray that you will be able to find time in the busyness of your day to spend time with Father….to read his love letter to you!
Perla, I am also praying for you! My heart breaks for you as I see you going through this situation so similar to my daughter. I see your world has fallen apart…BUT God knows exactly what you are going through and He is carrying you each step of the way. I pray that He will soothe your soul this evening and that He will speak clearly to you to give you direction for the days ahead. I also pray against any bitterness that the enemy will try to use against you. I am asking God to help you over come the bitterness so it will not take root! This is something I am struggling with against my son-in-law also and it is a daily decision to let the anger go and to have a forgiving heart. BUT God can help us to do this, Sister! We are HIS!!
I am in a weary place today. I feel like I have nothing left to give. I feel surrounded by people who are constantly asking me to give, give, give and I have nothing left to give. I love my husband, but he doesn’t get it; that I need him. He isn’t ready for that and so while I need him to step in and pray for me and speak into my life, he pulls back and the expectations about the house, the kids, and everything else continue to pile up. I know I need HIS love and HIS arms to wrap around me and then I need to just let go. This, too, shall pass.
Lord, I pray for Perla. I know you have your arms wrapped around her. I pray that you would be with her during the sad times, the lonely times, the heartwrenching times. You know her situation and I pray that you would let her know that you WILL take care of her. Let her feel you near and wipe the tears that she cries. I know this place that she’s in and I pray that you would lift her up and hold her. Give her your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Aubrie, I am praying for you……yes, this, too, shall pass. Keep remembering HIS faithfulness~
I request prayer for a painful health issue I have had 3 months. I really feel I am improving….just don’t want a relapse!
Also, request prayer for daughter, single Mom, her finances, job, troubles with EX, and grandson’s college plans.
And for grandson/his Dad to have better relationship.
I was depressed most of the summer, nothing anyone did could bring me out of it. I had a friend tell me I needed to get some medication, but I thought that would say I didn’t have the faith that God woulds bring me out of it so I went to my knees and asked God to help me however He would. Then one day I was checking my e-mail and I seen the “Proverbs 31″ story I get everyday and at the bottom was The 7day Doubt Diet so I signed up for it and after I read the first day and the first chapter of “A
Confident Heart” I already started seeing a change in the way I felt and now I am trying to get a neighborhood Bible study together to help my friends feel as good as I did after the first day I can’t wait t o see what happens when I finish.
To Jackie,
My prayer for you is that you do not have a relapse and your healing continues and that Good will
work in your daughter’s life and heal the father/son relationship, and help her finances and college. I kniow that He will because God is a great God and He will supply all our needs according to His riches abnd Glory,
I am feeling overwhelmed. I had back surgery this summer and recently returned to full time work, which for me means 40 plus hours a week. However, it is not the physical part that ovewhelms me. It is the stress of dealing with my responsibilities at work along with my responsibilities at home. Home is very stressful right now as my husband and I try to recover from my recovery and get on the same page with parenting our 9 year old son. The following verse really speaks to me now.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28b (NIV)
Sharon, I pray that God continues to lift your depression and give you the hope that he has for all believers. Doubt and fear are not of the Lord and we must remember that “Greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world.” May God richly bless you with peace confidence and joy.”
I am tired and weary this week. Summer has brought challenges and growth in different ways, but I need energy and clarity to get through this time now that fall approaches.
Dear God, I pray for Sharon and that You would give her confidence by revealing Your truth about her through Your written Word. Please bring others into her life to encourage her in her faith, and show her how you’d like her to study Your word with others.
I’m doing ok, trying to better about spending time with God, well as much
time on social media. Increasing my faith in God.
Dear God continue to keep Sharon rooted on your word, give her a
spritual hug from me to you, guide her planning a bible study group.
In Jesus name Amen
I’m scared. My husband and I have both dealt with unemployment, taking turns it seems like, for the past few years. Our finances are horrible. We can’t even make a budget because our basic expenses always exceed our known income. Only God knows how we’re able to make it month to month. We have 3 small children. I struggle daily with the feelings of being a failure. I still rely on my parents to help me out when I get into a particular financial pinch and while it’s helpful, it’s also really depressing for me. We have no car insurance anymore because we couldn’t keep up with the payments. We’re on food stamps, WIC, and the kids are on medicaid. I haven’t seen a dentist in over 5 years and I have some teeth that really need work. My husband is in constant pain because he can’t take time off of work to go to the doctor. I feel like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. My biggest dream right now is to have a home for my kids. Something that’s really ours. That can’t be foreclosed on, or have us evicted due to lack of payment. Security. Lord I pray everyday for security.
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing this beautiful act of worship that has been created on this blog. I lift all the women above me up to you and ask that you comfort them and let them feel your presence in a very real way. Lord I pray for Dale, that the Holy Spirit is right there with her when she wakes up each day. I pray that she see signs of you in everything that she does, so that she knows you are right there but that there’s even more of You in Your Word. In your most precious heavenly name. Amen.
Bless you Dale!
Thank you for today’s devotion. I know that God was speaking to me. Almost twenty years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, I had a breast biopsy and I am waiting for the results. I have had anxious thoughts, mostly I do not want to put my family through this again. But I have to say that God has given me a peace that whatever happens He IS in control and it WILL be ok.
Tara, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I had to take a second glance at your name and read through your post because it is almost word for word identically the same situation that my oldest daughter is facing. Things are coming at us from so many directions and just this week I felt so hopeless, but in my hopelessness the Lord encouraged me to tell my daughter to read Isaiah 41:10 and I have this one written down where I can read it everyday at work. To see it in this devotion was a great confirmation that God knows that I cannot handle any of this in my strength and that He wants me to know He’s taking care of me. He is taking care of you too!! Blessings always!!
I have been struggling daily with my new boss but she would never know that. From the day she arrived she wrote me up because she felt I was not doing my job. Before she arrived we lost the previous head of the department so a lot fell on my shoulders and I did the best I could until she arrived. I struggle each Sunday when I think that I have to go back to work on Monday. Last week I left to pick up some items from the American Cancer Society for our Pinktober walk and when I arrived back she sent me an email that I must go to lunch earlier as she had to handle issues at the front. I took great offense to that as I come in earlier than she does and she comes in quite later and takes lunch earlier. I waited until she came back to go to lunch. It is really hard doing what I enjoy and working with people I don’t. My son has also just started college but we are clashing a lot lately and I don’t recognize the young man I believed that I raised. It grieves my heart sometimes when he says the things he says to me. His father while around does not even spend time with him and really does not know half of what goes on with our son. I pray that they have a relationship but I don’t see any sign of this. Unless his son speaks to him he does not even acknowledge him. My son was always close to me growing up but I only see a glimpse of that lately as he has his own interests and I am not one of them. I feel so alone at times and GOD is all I have.
Oh Gail I pray for your results to be what GOD wants for you and that he will give you ALL THE STRENGTH he promised he would give you in this time. He does give us that PEACE that surpasses all understanding that only he can give. May your journey ahead be one that is filled with his love and embrace and I hope the same for you. God Bless my sister..
Today is a good day. I have been struggling with the issue of unanswered prayer. After almost 30 years as a believer, only one daughter is consistently living for the Lord and none of my extended family members have come to know Him.
Father God, thank you for Dale and her desire to spend more time with You. Thank you that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, so as we spend time in Your Word we know our faith will increase. Open her eyes to Your truth granting her wisdom, discernment, and spiritual understanding. Bless her each day with a closer and deeper walk with You. Thank You, our faithful and true God. In Jesus’name. Amen
Today, I come to God. Today, as painful as most of my days, I come to God. I pray that he will continue to hold me in his loving arms. I pray he will guide me and help me. I have struggled for so long, and just seek my breakthrough with God’s help. I pray for a financial miracle.
Kathleen: I pray for you and your unanswered prayer. I pray that God will sweep down and bless you. Although he may not answer just to your liking, but when He does He promises it will be better than you ever expected! I find small “signs” if you will – in God bringing us closer to others we may not directly know. I lost my Husband eight years ago today, and his name was Dale. To me and replying to your post it was a small coniensidence – all one step closer with God. – glory here now and hereafter. In Jesus loving name. Amen
It is ironic that this is today’s topic as Sunday at church someone asked me how I was doing and I replied my usual, “I’m fine.” with my Sunday smile plastered to my face. The person responded, “You always say that. You are always fine”. Wow!! She was right. The reality is I sat through service holding back tears, wrestling with demons from my past as someone I knew many moons ago (which was a very unpleasant time) was present and took me back to a place and time that my mind and heart would rather not visit again. I realized that I don’t share the deepest parts of me with anyone at this point. During service, I prayed that God would provide me an earthly friend that I would feel comfortable sharing these parts of my heart with. But after service was over, and the lights were turned on so to speak, I returned to my usual “fine” self. To add insult to injury, I am the pastor’s wife…..so who in the world do I really let it all out to except the Lord. I have been the bowl for many others’ troubles, but my own are buried deep within. God always has provided me the strength to keep on going, and I trust Him to give me what I need even in the dark moments. Anyway….that’s my story!
Dear Lord,thank you for Kathleen who still turns to you even though she feels that her prayers of many years have gone unanswered. Help her to know and be confident that no prayer goes unheard and your timing is always perfect. There is an old saying that says you don’t come when we want you to, but you are always on time. Help Kathleen to know that you are at work in the hearts of those that she loves. Help her to be patient as she is in the “waiting room” and to know that waiting time is not wasted time. Bless her with comfort, peace, and patience at this time. Thank you for her concern for others and please keep her heart compassionate for others. Please bless her to see her prayers answered. In your son’s precious name I pray…Amen!!
I am doing OK. I am dealing with an unsaved son who lives with me, so I pray for him daily along with my other two children who were also brought up in the faith, but have left. My husband died almost 4 years ago now, so I am trying to sell my 80 acres and the 3br home on it. This was our retirement home, but he didn’t get to enjoy much of it. I have a friend who is very dear to me and I pray for him daily. I am having problems making my house payment so it will probably go into foreclosure sometime in the next 6-8 months. I still believe the Lord will sell my house, so I am trusting in his promises. It will be in His time, not mine. I meditate and pray daily that I will find the Lord ‘s will for my life.
Dear Lord Be with Brenda and help her find a friend she can open up her heart to. Thank U for all that U do for her, and help her to trust that UR love will be sufficient. Keep her in UR care and bless her for being the bowl she has been for others. All this and more I ask for Brenda in UR Holy and Precious name. Amen
Brenda I pray that God sends you a special girlfriend in God who you will take comfort in sharing your burdens inside your heart. But even more I pray that you Trust our Father who already knows every single detail of the pains inside your heart that you are trying to keep hidden. I have lived that “hidden life” trapped fighting the demons which is just what the enemy mapped out and we keep making agreements with the enemy as long as we hold them inside and believe them. Many years ago I went to my pastor to spill my guts out, the most painful secret I held fearing that once he knew I no longer would be accepted by the church or allowed to be a youth leader. He listened, opened his wallet and showed me pictures of his nieces. My deep dark secret? At 15 I had sex one time and got pregnant, I am white and the boy was black. I hid my pregnancy for 6 months then when my parents knew I was shipped off 2200 miles from home and forced to give my daughter to adoption. I grew up in the deep south and in 1974 what I did was the unforgivable to them. The picture of my pastors nieces, was 3 beautiful interracial girls. He told me we all have closets with skeletons and once we open them up they can’t continue to haunt us. Next he told me “news” makes headlines one day and maybe the 2nd day they are on the back page but by the 3rd day they are wrapped around garbage and tossed out. The shame and guilt I was holding on he told me to let it go because God had forgiven me and frankly it was my parents shame and guilt to carry for their cold hard hearts. God blessed me with a Godly husband who always knew my past and helped me reunite with my daughter when she turned 21. Today we have a wonderful relationship. But that secret scarred me deeply until I allowed God to use it and funny thing is when I became a Christ follower at 19 that secret was the one thing I kept begging God not to ever make me have to reveal because I just knew if I did everyone would reject me. God took it when I offered it up to Him to use and the day came where I stood before our woman’s ministry which my Aunt sat listening while I shared it all because in our midst sat a young girl pregnant with a biracial child, the daughter of a deacon. No one rejected me nor did they reject her. I have also faced betrayal, abortion, and the list goes on but we are not alone and God speaks to us that the more we become transparent to others in Him the more we become free in Him. Its the lies of the enemy that keeps us locked in hidden places. God can hide us yes but when it comes to places the enemy has devised to keep us tormented then we need to expose him for what he is a liar. I pray you will find release from whatever it is that has hurt you and trust in Him to replace it with Joy.
I am doing OK. I am dealing with an unsaved son who lives with me, so I pray for him daily along with my other two children who were also brought up in the faith, but have left.
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”. Ephesians 3:14-19
This was a very special gift. God is so good to meet me exactly where I am. Like much of this summer, when today started I felt overwhelmed with sadness, frustration, tired beyond all measure and alone. But throughout the day He has continued to reach out to me where I was and this devotional part of this precious gift. God continues to remind me that through Him I may find joy, through Him we can find rest, through Him we can find all that we need. [He is called El Shaddai-all sufficient God.] Through His Word He provides all that we need. That is why He brings me back over and over again to His glorious Word. Sometimes when I feel that I am lacking or am missing something in my relationship with someone, I need to remember to look to my relationship with Him first.
Thank you so much for your blog.
How am I? Actually I am coming out of a deep valley. Satan was attacking me from all sides. A death in the family, and 2 sons having marital problems and a husband with Alzheimer’s and 2 strokes and a possible bleeding ulcer had me reeling. I started praying and rebuking and then asking for more prayer and getting into the word and I can say God was there thru it all. And Satan lost out. Praise Him in the tough times as well as the good times. Don’t be afraid to open your heart and ask. I pray that each of tese ladies receive what they need and are able to understand the trials and the successes.
I feel like an island. I have no relationship with either of my parents or their families. Raising two children with my husband is hard with no help from any family members. It’s hard on me to see friends blessed with involved parents and family. I’m truly happy for them, but I feel empty inside. I also feel like I don’t fit in because of my past. I was abused and neglected as a child, then became a ward of the state I resided in as a child.. I feel empty, lonely, unworthy of friendships and forgotten by God. That being said, I am truly blessed with my wonderful husband and children. I thank God every day for my family.
I appreciate this artical. How am I!?! I’m a Pastors wife and I’m a mess right now. I’m so tired of fighting the battle we’ve been in for a year now. I know to be a leader you just need to be mature suck it up stay prayed up and fast and get in the Word but I’ve got so much hurt and resentment right now that I’m tired in every aspect of the word. I feel like I’m having to claw my way out of the pit I’m in. I’ve got trust issues, hurting heart, feels like I can’t hold my head up for worrying about what people are saying out on the streets…..we live in a very small community and we’ve already been approached by a couple of people knowing that there is some trouble. Our church had a preference vote 4 weeks ago and my husband received 87% of the votes for us to stay but the 13% is what is magnified in my mind and I’m clawing my way to God to try & not dwell on that group. I’m just keeping it honest. There is no one I can talk to about how I really feel….I mean the ugliness that I’ve got in my heart. I know it’s got to go…I’m just exhausted. My parents are retired from Pastoring and completley understands the road we walk but even I haven’t been totally honest with them. I’ve been brutally honest with my sweet hubby and he just listens and holds me and prays with me. I feel like I could walk away from the ministry and never look back and then again a part of me knows that that would be a life of absolutley no peace because I would be out of the will of the Father. So, I feel stuck right now. I already have Renee’s book but I haven’t even been able to get into that. Well, enough of whining from a tired Pastors wife. God bless each of you who have posted your concerns and honest answers on this blog. Be blessed!
I am really sad and hurting inside. I am sad because my husband and I are still seperated after almost 16 months. I am sad because he is still in denial about having any problems and refuses to seek help. I am sad because we are losing our house that I wanted so bad. I am sad for my two daughters and 1 step daughter who are also suffering from all of the above. I am sad because I feel so lost sometimes and like I have not had enough faith or didn’t pray/believe enough. I lift up the woman before me in prayer and ask God to heal her pain, give her opportunity and will to pour out and get the rest she needs. Jesus please help her focus on You and Your Truth and to see all the good she has and how Good You Are! In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
Praying for you. I went to a Beautiful Womanhood workshop, which was given by Sandy Rayla. She went through a hard time in her marriage. While praying for her husband, Sandy took a step back to watch God change her husband. If you are feeling up to it, check out Sandy’s web page, http://www.beautifulwomanhood.com
Blessings to you, and know you are in God’s hands.
Right now I am praying for all the wives of pastors. They have to put on a happy face, yet some are hurting inside. We cannot begin to understand how difficult it must be to be the “rock” for their husband and their church. I pray that they will have peace, strength and be comforted by Jesus, I lift up all the woman who have poured out their hearts to you God. You know the desires of everyone’s heart. It is hard to WAIT and remember all prayers are answered in God’s time. I ask for this day to be a new day for all those who have personal issues, big or small, and that each woman who has come to this place on this wonderful cite have a sense of peace today. I ask this in Jesus’ name who CAN do all things Amen.
Debbie
This site has been a blessing! When you read the pain of others, sometimes your problems seem small to what others are facing, but GOD CARES FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN. Be blessed today friends.
Wow, I thought I would write how I’m not handling things well in my life, how tired I am from working so many hours and how difficult it is being a full time teacher, pastors wife and mother but ….Now that I have read the post Jen Serratos wrote I think I need to pray for her and remember God won’t give me anything more than He can handle! Jen my prayer for you is that God would show you how he can provide for you and fill the holes in your life. I have a friend with 3 small children who was going through a similar situation. Her husband was gone for 3 years they were losing their beautiful home, and I really thought she should just move on. She stuck it out and cried to God daily and now her husband is home and taking his family to church! She often told her kids that when they found a penny it was just another promise that God will provide and a reminder that In God We Trust! I hope and pray your circumstances change soon and that you can find rest in His arms. Dear Lord, We need you today!
Heather Smith
I came on today to post my prayer request …. a full-time teaching job !! I am a new graduate and subbing is tough (being in the trenches) and I struggle with envy of full-time teachers who have the benefits of health care and a steady income ; However, I know God has a plan and a reason for why I must wait … I pray for you Heather Smith – a full time teacher, pastor’s wife, and mother!!! Whew! I pray God gives you His strength for your days and blesses you beyond measure. That He will multiply your time and help you to do all that He has planned before the beginning of time for you to accomplish … keep going! Do not give up because you know that your labor is not in vain!
I am doing ok. Better than yesterday at this time. My prayer request is for grace as my new husband and I learn to communicate. Thanks!
Dear Lord, I thank you that you have blessed Becky with a job, even if it’s not the exact job she desires right now. I do pray you will grant her the desires of her heart and provide a full-time position for her. I pray you would remove all envy from her of full-time teachers and rather she would seek to learn from them and network with them. I ask that you would provide for her health care and enough money, Lord and that she would find satisfaction in you and be able to say, “You are more than enough.” Help her to trust your plan. In Jesus name, amen.
Dear Father,
You know the difficulties in communications that we humans have…it seems to be a major problem in many marriages. LORD, I ask that You would help Rachel to understand her husband better…to see things from a different angle and be slow to speak and quick to hear just as You tell us. (I need this too, Rachel). I ask that Rachel and her husband’s communication would be surrounded with the grace You provide. That You would bring an older couple to their side to help them walk out the things You have planned for them. Give them abundant love to share back with You, with one another and with those that cross their path. Bind them together with the “cord of three strands”…sustain them…and grant them a common vision for their life together. By Your grace and in the Name of Your Son, who restores and redeems, Jesus Christ.
I KNOW God is in control of all things and will never leave me, but I feel so lonely. For the last 4 months it has been one trial after another! I can handle change, but every week something is changing and I’m starting to feel anxiety over “what’s next”! Please pray for me to be filled with God and His word!
I lift Becky up before You, Father. The feeling of loneliness can make us anxious…feeling as though there is no one there to help us. Yet, LORD, You have promised to never leave or forsake us. But sometime LORD, we struggle to sense Your nearness… LORD, would You give Becky something to hang on to during this time….? A verse from Your Word and perhaps an unexpected gift…? You know what is best but she needs to know that she is not alone…please show her that You truly are near her…in the Name of Your Son, God with us…Jesus Christ…Amen.
Dear Becky…I understand how you feel, I too have had trials this year 3 deaths and major changes with 3 of our 4 children. It is difficult…but God continues to hold us when we don’t know if we can go on….My thoughts and prayers are with you….your sister in Christ, C.J.
I very much related to the message. My heart goes out to so many people, so many troubles in this world that I feel “all out,” weary, depressed…and desperately in need of refreshing and renewal… It’s difficult to give from an empty vessel…but I don’t know how to be refreshed…I spend time with the LORD daily…yet still…? I would love for God to bring His refreshing…that I can continue on this journey with His peace, power and grace…
CJ,
I am praying for God to show himself to you in a whole new way today. For Him to give you a fresh annointing of His Holy Spirit. He wants so much more for us than we can even think or imagine. His love for us is intimate and bigger than anything we have ever known. May His love flood your soul right now and feel you with peace. Don’t let the enemy rob you of the things God has for you. God is bigger than that ole devil. Run to HIM and cling to HIM. We will win this battle with Christ on our side Sister!!
How am I? I just opened my email a few days late, actually this devotional was delivered on my 36th wedding anniversary so I didn’t take time to read emails. Anyway, today I was writing in my journal to God to take my hand and walk me through the broken places in my heart so I could totally be healed of the past. I know I am forgiven already but there is so much still hidden inside that I need to let go, trust Him with what He already knows but is waiting for me to offer up to Him these issues. At this very moment I am choosing to stay at His Feet and not run away in fear, anxiety and defeat because that is what the enemy is trying to hit me with. Last month on the 11th my mother took her journey home to Heaven. She had lived with me for 18 months and it came with many hurdles to overcome from actions of our past, a broken family that still is left shattered by events the enemy used to divide my siblings and her apart. In April my oldest brother had a dissected aorta heart valve and spent 2 months in critical care and rehab, he had a stroke during surgery. At that time it was the 1st time in 6 years my 2 brothers spoke to each other. I had been trying to minister to both of them forgiveness and love through God is our only Hope to be restored. The brother who almost died is a Mormon Elder so I have been praying for him to find Jesus. The one who lives 800 feet from me claims to be alright with God but no relationship, no fruits and refuses to forget the sins of our family. Secrets have a way of ripping hearts to shreds and in my family communication was not an open safe place. And today, I am overwhelmed needing money to pay past due mortgage, homeowners insurance and to pay my part of my mothers funeral. Its a mountain of debt that chokes me with no person but God to turn to for help. My husband is fragile in health so I haven’t been able to let him know just how close we are to losing our home. He already has had one stroke and lives in physical pain 24/7 but walks in God everyday in spite of the pain. As so many life traumas we have faced over the past few months and years, God has been working a mighty restoration inside us and using us to minister to others so I know this will come to pass to His Glory to use. I have just dropped the price on an acre of land that the sale would meet all our debts and allow my husband to retire and then work full time in Gods ministry. I would ask those who read this to be in agreement for the special buyer for that land to come quickly.
Adonai I lift up my other sisters on here who like me have been faced with so many trails yet here they are seeking you. Let them know just how much you love them and care for them. Let them know there is nothing too big or to ugly that you are not there to condemn them but to love them. My sisters our Father waits for us to ask Him In and to examine our hearts so that only He can mend the broken places. We can trust Him for nothing we have ever faced in this life has not already been held in His Hand according to His plans for our lives. It may be a test to see how we respond, it could be an attack to see if we call out to him, but whatever it is He never forsakes us or leaves us alone. He wants us to know He is Here and we are in Him as He is in Us and He is in the Father…how awesome is that? In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
Kathy, I have prayed for you, my sister. I pray that your family is restored and that a buyer for your land comes straight away. I pray that God aloows you to minister to your nrothers that they may live in His saving grace! Best wishes and I do hope my prayer is answered ever so quickly for your relief!
What a great word reminding us of the sustenance of the Word. Father, help all us exhausted and weary pilgrims to refresh ourselves with the Word!
Two days behind – that’s literally how I am. Awash with inner struggles, I am desperately seeking God’s guidance. My husband of 8 years has left me – for what is the 3rd time and I have resolved to let him go this time. I can’t hold on forever and I guess this may be God’s will. I am hurt and confused. I am weary. I am broken in the thoughts of how I will provide for my 3 children in the aftermath of what will surely be a war of custody and legal matters. I feel like I have followed God’s will and am just confused as to how this is happening again. Did I mention that I am weary? I am suffocating in the dispair of losing the man I have been with for most of the last 16 years of my life. I don’t even KNOW how to live alone much less raise 3 kids in private school – on a commission based job. I have plenty of questions and so few answers. I know God loves me and I know that He promises good things to those who endure. So, how am I? I don’t even know how I am at this point. I am putting one foot in front of the other every moment of every day and praying for the good that most surely will come out of the bad.
My prayers go up for you. My heart breaks for you and I wish I could bring you some cozy slippers, a warm pot of tea and an ear that could listen to your heart break and at least share the pain.
Oh, Meredith, I am not sure what to say. I hope our God gives you the strength to endure what you are going through. I will be praying that he provides for you and your children and that you feel His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Now, how I am? I live in constant fear of my husband leaving me, why, I can’t explain, probably our past experiences that I still have not forgotten where he made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for him, where there was emotional abuse, where I lived in constant fear of doing something wrong. Things have changed now that we have found the Lord but sometimes I am still afraid. My father has cancer that is spreading trough his body, I lost my mother almost 6 years ago from cancer. Because of unwise financial decisions by my husband I have to work full time and am not able to spend time with my young children. I feel like I am missing out on them. I know as wives we are supposed to support our husbands but why do I have to correct and pay for his mistakes? I feel like he should be the one working not me. I know God has a plan for me but it’s just hard to wait to see how it will all unfold. Praying for all of you!
Jess,
*hugs* dear one. I have known your fear and frustration. Your sacrifice is seen by God. He knows the desire of your heart. I will not speak to what is right or best for a wife. I think you know that already. In this fallen world, our lives are imperfectly lived out. But with our hope in the Lord, and our motivation for His glory, we can walk in faith and obedience. Do not fear. It cripples your service to your King. Work out your salvation with a proper reverential fear, and allow His love to invade every corner of your life. I will pray this for you, dear sister.
That is my prayer request – that I would work out my salvation with fear and trembling in the manner that Paul intended in his letter. There is a wonderful sermon on this exact scripture -
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72912155511
I am working at an Islamic School as a 4th grade teacher here in the U.S.. I have always been sensitive to spiritual things, and being in this environment for me is like being in a constant spiritual battleground. I have often in my past struggled with doubting the existence of God. I base my whole life around the belief that he exists. What if he doesn’t? Then I would be lost for sure.
These old doubts come back full strength with the spiritual stuff that goes on at school. I know that either Islam is right or Christianity is right because they can’t both be right. They are so at odds with each other in terms of doctrines and beliefs. I know that Christianity is true, but stating and believing it wholeheartedly means I have to “judge” those I work with, judge that their religion is not true. Judge that the superhuman effort they put forth to earn the favor of their God is all misguided and for nothing. It’s hard for me to see beautiful, wonderful, caring people who are so in earnest and so desiring to please God and have to say in my head, “You’ve got it all wrong.” It’s almost too much for me. I think that fuels my doubts. I tell myself I’m not completely sure so I can just say, “I don’t know.”
I am also not in a position to talk about my faith since I am in their environment and teaching their children. Out of respect for them I do not evangelize (also because I would immediately lose my job). So instead of being in a position of direct ministry where I could tell them or at least engage in discussion, I find myself watching their world from the inside. But I’m not really on the inside. I feel like I’m in a glass bubble, watching, observing, but not able to speak or interfere. I know that the power of prayer is enormous so that is what I do. Sometimes it feels so small though against the on slot of Islam.
I am sad to see that no one submitted a prayer for me on September 18. This is a follow up that I have now lost my job and while I have a peace about it. I am afraid to have to look for a job three years after I was laid off. I felt that God had answered my prayers when he gave me this job that provided well for my family and now it is gone. My son is in college and is also looking for a part time job and having a hard time as this will be his first time working as we wanted him to concentrate on school before and would not let him work. God please show us the way and reveal to us how you are working this out for our good this trial that we are now facing once again. Thank you.
Dearest Paulette.. I am very Soryy to hear about the loss of your job but please know that God is always with you he will NEVER leave you or Fosake you .. His ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not ours.. I Believe that God has bigger plans for you and your son .. We sometimes have to let go of our grip, so he can can take our hand and lead us into something better .. Let the Lord lead you through his spirit and Trust in him .. I know its hard to trust at times, especially if you just went through a difficult trial, but know that His Love endures forever and if he knows every hair on our head, that he won’t be able to fulfill your needs .. He WILL !! I pray that you will have the strength to endure to fight this good fight of Faith .. I pray for his love to surround you at this time and that his Peace will surpass all understanding over your life !!!
May God bless you abundantly !! xoxo
Laura
hello.
Its a great blessing and encouraging reading the devotions shared from Proverbs 31 ministries………….am a daily reader of your mails and have found great strength and encouragement all through.
Samantha Reed i miss your posts since from September 26th i have not met any of them. eagerly waiting for one.
Thanks and blessings.