Praying with Jesus

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." -- Mark 1:35 (NRSV) This is one of my favorite Bible verses about prayer. I love it because it's a reminder that Jesus went off to be by Himself to pray. It's …

Pray Through It

Have you ever taken on a new challenge where you weren't really sure you could do it? I think we all have - probably many times. It's in those experiences where we learn how to pray from a deeper level of dependence on God. What a great opportunity to grow in prayer and relationship with …

Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is one of my favorite ways to spend time with God. It's a time to just sit and be still in the presence of God. Not talking or listening. Just being. We seldom spend enough time just sitting quietly. Every part of us needs that stillness - body, soul, spirit. Even more so, …

Praying for Students Entering College

If you feel called to pray for your community and/or your church, one of the best ways you can pray right now is for young people who are entering college. Our community prayer group is currently praying for: Students still in high school but starting dual enrollment classes in college this semester. College freshmen returning …

The Writer’s Prayer Life

Prayer is a key part of the writing process. We should seek God regularly for what He would have us write. We need to begin and end our writing time and writing projects with prayer. We should remain prayerful as we write. Ideally every word we write should be bathed in prayer. But that’s just …

Rodent Removal: A Lesson in Overcoming Fear

I want to thank everyone who prayed for me this past week. Last Wednesday, I returned from a Christmas trip visiting my family. My apartment had been empty for a week. When I arrived home, the first thing I noticed was the plants I had left sitting on the kitchen counter. One had two holes …

Don’t Avoid the Pain

I used to try almost anything to avoid pain (food addiction, denial, avoiding people, deciding not to care, etc.). I even caused my own pain to avoid the pain of being hurt by someone else. That may sound crazy, but if you have been in an abusive relationship, you might understand that. Little did I …

A Prayer in Times of Pain and Sorrow – Psalm 22 (Jesus Prayed It Too)

I love Psalm 22. In this psalm, God provides us with an awesome way to connect with Him in our sorrows, and to find His strength and peace in that place. In this psalm, God doesn't tell us our sorrows will completely disappear. But He shows us that He will be present with us in …

Thank God for Everyday Miracle Healings

Bible Verse “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” – Psalm 139:13-14 (NRSV) Reflection Recently in a class on healing prayer, I was introduced to a …

Are You Abiding?

I heard someone share recently that she was reading John 15 about abiding in Christ (John 15:1-8). She had become worried when she read the part of branches not producing and being cut off (verses 2 and 6). She is being called into a season of rest and recalibration right now (as many of us …