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
When Howling Wind Becomes a Song in the Night
The winter storm blew fiercely over the mountain ridge, driving snow, bending trees, howling as it assaulted our community in the dead of night. I awoke with alarm as the wind buffeted the house. I turned on the light. Nothing. The power had gone out, probably from falling trees.
Grabbing my robe, I groped in the dark for a flashlight and shuffled my way to the living room. Plopping on the couch, I snuggled beneath a nearby blanket.
And then it happened.
A Prayer When Peace is Disturbed and Your Faith is Shaken
Lord, what a mighty God You are! All-powerful. All-knowing. All-sufficient. You are amazing. When our peace is disturbed You are the glue that holds us together — when, and if, we have built our lives around You.
You have taught me that You are the Anchor of my soul. You are the One who maintains balance for me when my world is crumbling and my faith is shaken.
Hope is Among Us, especially in the Midst of Heavy Burdens
An appropriate reflection of God’s faithfulness from last spring: our hope is among us, found only in Him …
I rounded the bend along the country road, my shoulders sagging beneath the heavy burdens of my heart. Hope was missing. Despair flourishing … my feet merely shuffled along. My thoughts were many — fears of an unknown future exploding within the darkened corners of my mind.
A Prayer When the Road is Long and Your Strength is Gone
Lord, You are the very air I breathe, my Life-Giver. Breathe on me anew. The road is long and valley deep. My heart hurts, my strength is gone, and the stress takes my breath away.
But then I sense You drawing near, gently lifting my chin so that our eyes meet and I remember. I remember I am not alone in the struggle.
God Kept Watch Over His Children Through the Night
Six hundred thousand men plus women and children tramped across the desert sands in the dead of night. Their sojourn in Egypt had ended after 430 years. Pharaoh sent them out in haste following the 10th plague: Death of the Firstborn.
Familiar story, right?
But have you ever noticed verse 41 in this passage of Scripture found in Exodus 12? “God kept watch all night, watching over the Israelites as He brought them out of Egypt.”
A Prayer for Your Song in the Night that Got Muffled
Lord, You are tender and compassionate when Your child is hurting. You are faithful to draw near when we need to hear Your heartbeat — the reassurance that You are with us. When darkness closes in, You are my song in the night. I am not alone.
I will lift my eyes to You, Lord, from whence comes my help. I will rejoice in God my Savior because You are the strength of my heart.
The Ebb and Flow of Darkness Penetrated by His Light
The sky reflected the conflict and turmoil of our nation. Dark billowing clouds rolled all about me. Their ebb and flow was not one massive blanket of darkness, but came in segments. Light — brilliant, not just ordinary light — burst through here and there, parting the sky and revealing the blues of heaven.
And to the east, a rainbow. Just a glimpse. But I saw it.
A Prayer When Being Crushed in Spirit Smothers Truth
Lord, You are the Sovereign God. You reign victorious over all the earth. You are steadfast. Faithful. True. You are mine and I am Yours. Please help me walk in these truths when I am crushed in spirit and overwhelmed with despair.
You promise to draw near to those who are crushed in spirit. Open our eyes that we might see You. Awaken our hearts to recognize Your Presence. Let faith arise in us.
A Prayer When Anxiety Over the Future Threatens Your Peace
Lord, You are sovereign. You are good. You hung the stars in place and told the ocean how far it could come. You know the number of hairs on my head and call me by name. So why do I worry? Why do I feel such anxiety over the future?
Search my anxious thoughts, Lord, and bathe them in Your peace, washing away its power over me.