Take hope in the knowledge that you are cherished by the One who made you—you are sheltered in the shadow of His wing, close to His heart. It is my prayer that as we get to know one another you, too, will see beyond the veil and will learn to say, “Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord”
With joy,
Nan
I Need The Oil of Joy Lord. The Spirit of Heaviness is Hard
Lord, You are my strength, my hope, my joy. This I know and this I believe. Yet a spirit of heaviness has taken hold — I haven’t been able to release its grip. Would You anoint me with the oil of joy, and help me put on a garment of praise?
The trials have been fierce lately — relentless. Suffocating. But I know You are with me. I know that in Your presence is fullness of joy.
Why can’t I access it?
A Hawk, a Mouse, and a Life-Changing Message
I watched the hawk lift from its perch in the top of the tall pine. His wings spread wide as he swooped toward the meadow, the sun burnishing his rusty feathers with glints of red and gold.
He was beautiful against the winter sky.
His beauty deceptive to the reality of his intent.
Lead Me to The Rock, Lord, But I’ll Need a Boost
Lord, I’m so thankful I can depend on You. I’m so thankful for Your longsuffering, especially when I drag my feet in surrender. I want You to lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, but I’ll need a boost — a foothold to find my way up.
Clearly, I trust You to take care of me, so why am I struggling so? I hear You whisper, Let not Your heart be troubled. You remind me to be anxious for nothing but in everything with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to You … and You will take care of the rest.
The Awakening Dawn Quiets Me With His Love
Remnants of snow lay heavy on the stark branches of winter. A faint glow in the eastern sky spoke of the awakening dawn pushing against the blanket of clouds covering the earth.
Stillness. Quiet.
Just moments earlier I had asked the Lord to quiet me with His love — to still my restless thoughts where anxiety lay.
Fill My Hungry Soul Lord, I’m Running on Empty
I love You, Lord. I am astounded by Your goodness to me, Your faithfulness that reaches to the heavens. And yet, I’m overwhelmed. Will You fill my hungry soul Lord?
Like deep calls to deep, I call to You as difficulty washes over me. I know You won’t let me drown, and yet some days I feel like I’m gasping for air. The enemy’s taunts are relentless, his lies often believable. His flaming arrows hurt, and my arm grows weary from lifting high my shield of faith.
I Need a Breakthrough Lord. Rescue Me From Sadness
Lord, the Christmas bells are still ringing, twinkling lights still dot the landscape. Sanctuaries still announce Your birth with red, gold, and silver raiment laced through the evergreens, and yet a spirit of heaviness weighs me and many others down. I need a breakthrough of joy, Lord. Rescue me from this sadness.
It has no rhyme or reason — this sadness. It just is. Perhaps it’s an accumulation of sadness — sorrow upon sorrow until now it is beginning to consume me.
Quiet Me With Your Love Lord. My Heart is Struggling
Lord, I am so thankful that when I walk thorough the fire, I won’t be burned because You are with me. When I walk through the turbulent water, I won’t drown because You will carry me safely to the other side. I believe this, and yet my heart is struggling. Please quiet me with Your love Lord.
Your peace is all about me and settles me in my times of need — but I’m struggling beneath the burdens of others. I see their pain, the injustices, the devastation of lives lost, and my heart breaks. I want to fix it for them, but I can’t.
You can, Lord.
Peace is a Gift Lord. Help Me Unwrap it in My Overwhelm
Lord, I sense Your presence, Your delicate whisper calling my name. I know that in Your presence is joy unspeakable. In Your presence is perfect peace. Peace is a gift, Lord. Your gift … but I’m overwhelmed.
Steady my heart to receive Your gift. Guide me to stillness away from the chaos where beneath the light of Your glory I might unwrap Your gift of peace and clasp it to my heart.
My Hope is in You Lord, But My Heart is Hurting ~ Prayer
Lord, I appreciate Your faithfulness so much. You are my sure place — I know I can depend on Your love. My hope is in You Lord … truly. And yet my heart hurts because of the sorrow I see around me.
You are the long-awaited Messiah. You came into the darkness of the world to bring light and love and grace.
I have confident expectation — hope — that You will come into my broken places too.