PS

God,

You know how hard this world is sometimes. You know our hurts.

You also know how to heal us.

Please bring your touch to our circumstances, lives, and families this week.

Work things out. Make things new. Open doors and hearts. 

Thank you for being right there in everything we face.

You're not afraid to be in the middle of our messes

and you can bring beauty where we least expect it.

You're bigger than our mistakes, stronger than our struggles,

and nothing we go through is too much for you.

Amen.  

Every Sunday we pray and share. If there's a way we can pray for you or someone you love, leave a comment letting us know. And please take a moment to pray for the last person on the comment list too.

Speaking of open doors and hearts, we're celebrating the National Day of Encouragement on (in)courage today. We'd love for you to stop by and join us!

p.s. I'm in Hilton Head right now with twelve of the (in)courage bloggers. I'm looking forward to sharing more about my trip with you this week!

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Mary DeMuth is a friend and fellow writer. She weaves words into transformative stories that grab your heart and make you hold your breath. Her most recent book, Thin Places, is a raw, real memoir about finding God where it seems He's expected least and needed most. You can connect with Mary on her blog, twitter, facebook, and in part two of the Bridgelite Transition Series on September 8th!

I've been discouraged lately about my writing career. Not big stuff, just little things toppled one upon the other. If you're not careful (particularly in life), you can begin to think those little disappointments suddenly define you.

So I prayed. I said,

"Lord, please encourage me specifically in my writing ministry. Please let me know if I need to keep walking down this path of words. Show me You see me."

And I asked others to pray the same way. I have a terrific, encouraging prayer team who faithfully lifts me and my family up.

And God answered. Specifically.

How?

1. My daughter texted, "I love you, Mommy," at precisely the time I felt the lowest. Uncanny, the timing. Made me cry.

2. My friend called me and told me this wild story. "I got a call from a friend who asked if I knew you. I said, 'Yes, she is my dear friend.' The friend then said she saw the dedication in your book to me. Later, after she finished the book, she told me it had really, really impacted her."

3. Then, I received a Facebook message from my hairdresser who said that the book I'd given her to give to a friend had impacted her. And guess what? She's the same woman from story #2! We're all connected somehow!

4. Then, I got a call from my friend Olivia who was speaking with her hubby in a small town in a small Texas church. Before the message, they flashed things on the screen of the church. One screen had a large picture of Daisy Chain, and they'd recommended the congregation to buy the book!

5. Then, I got an email from someone who just picked up Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. It had really blessed her, helped her not feel alone.

6. Then this morning, I received an email from one of the writers I met in France. She'd downloaded Daisy Chain on her Kindle and then wrote about it. So fun!

7. Last, a friend of ours in our community group via church offered to send out my press release on PRWeb. Already the book is getting great exposure! 

8. A book club organizer sent me this: "Your book is making a huge impact on the hearts of the readers in our book club, Mary. Some of the ladies have experienced sexual abuse and other have sisters/friends who have. They are well into the book, and already are having emotional reactions. Good ones."

9. My agent called me today with good news, and a heart to encourage. She speaks life over me.

10. An excerpt of my latest book will be on a big ministry site next week. 

But even more than these very specific things, God spoke directly to me. He helped me see, through another prayer team friend, that I'm a missionary writer. If I remember back to being a missionary in France, and how beautifully God provided for our ministry there, I can see this writing as an adventure. I wrote this:

If I see myself as a missionary writer, every provision seems like a beautiful mystery, not obligatory.

I also processed my frustration, and received great insight from Jesus. I posted about that here.  I concluded it this way:

Jesus endured the cross for "the joy set before Him." I fear I've wanted the joy here. Now. Today. But He calls me to think of the joy then, in the Great Future. And that's why He could sit down when He accomplished His work on earth. He had One Master. He kept close to the Father, heard His voice, did His bidding, no matter how counterintuitive or countercultural it may have seemed. And even though His work seemed incomplete (meaning the disciples hadn't come into their own yet), He knew the entire plan and rested in that.

Since I don't know the entire plan, I will rest on the sovereignty of God. Or I'll try. I, by God's grace, will write for the joy set before me, enduring whatever trials come my way.

I pray I can rest there. I pray you can, too.

–by Mary DeMuth

Every week we pray and share. Just leave a comment letting us know how we can pray for you. Or, like Mary, share how God answered a prayer in your life–maybe even in a way you didn't expect! And please take a moment to pray for the last person on the comment list too.

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I'm thinking of you today

in the middle of that dream,

on the road to that place,

fighting the battle you never thought you'd face.

I know…sometimes it feels impossible.

Here's the good news:

there's really no such thing for you.

because all things are possible with Him.

There's no mountain too high,

no valley too deep,

no trial to wide to stand in His way.

He's with you, for you,

working on your behalf today.

And right here, right now

we're going to pray and stand beside you–

until we see the impossible come true.

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Every week we pray and share. This week we're joining up with (in)courage to do so. Just leave a comment there letting us know how we can pray for you or someone you love. Please take a moment to pray for the last person on the comment list too. (And you can win a free copy of my book over there too!)

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Lord,

I thank you for the one reading these words right now.

You know her name, her needs, her dreams.

I pray today that you will wrap your arms around her heart.

Draw her close to you and whisper truth to her…

She is loved.

She is chosen.

She has a purpose.

You have a plan.

If she is weary, renew her strength.

If she is discouraged, give her hope.

Thank you for my sister.

Let her know you're thinking of her today…

and I am too.

Amen.

PS - Every Sunday we pray and share. If there's a way we can pray for you or someone you love, leave a comment letting us know. And please pray for the person before you on the comment list.

reposted from the archives…and on my heart for you again today

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Stop by (in)courage for 30 days of giveaways!

Hang in there, friend.

Press in, press on

and never give up.

You’ve got what it takes…

you know the One who gives.

You’ve got everything you need…

you belong to the One who has it all.

He’s got a plan for you and it’s good.

It will unfold step-by-step, day-by-day…

and love will go with you all the way.

Every week we pray for each other. Just leave a comment letting us know how we can for you or someone you love. And please take a moment to pray for the last person on the list too.

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Many of us learn prayer as children at the dinner table. We fold our hands, bow our heads, speak simple words.

It's a beautiful way to start.

And yet, as an adult I struggle with prayer sometimes. My mind races. Distractions steal my focus. Good intentions turn to words unsaid.

Here's another confession…sometimes prayer feels, well, routine.

Ack! I can't believe I wrote that. But it's true.

Obviously, the problem isn't with the God of the Universe. He's endlessly compelling and interesting. It will take all of eternity to know Him.

So, the only other logical conclusion is that the boring part is somewhere on my end. I thought I just needed to grin and bear it. But a coworker recently loaned me a book called Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God.

The author shares how she turned doodling into a form of focused prayer. Having recently purchased an unlined journal (my first!) I've found it freeing to write without lines. Now I've discovered I can pray without "lines" too.

Those lines aren't literal…they just represent all the "rules" that are often associated with prayer. Depending on where we grew up or what churches we've attended, they vary. But they usually cover things like how long we should pray, what words we should use, the location or time or method.

I discovered while those "lines" help many people (and if that's you then keep them!), for me they were really just artificial borders keeping me from experiencing God in more intimate ways.

David wrote Psalms. Jesus spent time in the wilderness in prayer. Hannah made a trip to the temple. Paul prayed without ceasing.

God is endless and creative. Why shouldn't our communication with Him be too?

I'm curious…when, where, how do you pray? Are there creative ways you do so? What helps you focus when you do?

Every Sunday we pray and share. You can share by answering the questions above. You can also ask for prayer by leaving a comment and taking a moment to pray for the last person on the list too.

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I wrote recently about what comes after the rain.

And I can't stop thinking about those of you who are still in the storm.

I know what that's like…

the feeling of holding onto hope with both hands and all your weary heart.

The wondering, the waiting.

The silence.

I also know how peace can wrap around you like a blanket when you least expect it, how love can be an umbrella, and joy can even let you jump in a puddle or two.

And how all those things, how He, can get you through.

Every week we pray and share.

This week I want to pray for those of you who are in a storm.

Can we stretch our love, His love, over you and walk with you during this time?

Just leave a comment and share how we can pray for you or someone in your life. And please take a moment to pray for the last person on the comment list too.

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p.s. I also wrote a devotional book called Rain on Me because I wanted to be able to walk through the rain with you. You can find out more about it here.

LORD,

Thank you for the one reading these words. I'm so glad you're there with her today the way I wish I could be.

You know what's in her heart, the thoughts swirling around in her mind.

You know how she feels, what she dreams of, what she needs now.

I pray that you will show her love in new ways, bring peace to whatever situation she's facing, give her joy in little things and BIG ones too.

Wrap your arms around her heart and whisper the words she most needs to hear.

You know the ones.

Amen.

Every Sunday we pray and share. So let us know how we can pray for you by leaving a comment and please pray for the last person on the comment list (click "more comments" to get to the end). And when you do, you'll be entered for this My Heart, Christ's Home necklace too.

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Lord,

Thank you for America.

We were founded on faith in you.

On the day when we celebrate our heritage, draw us back to your heart.

Help us remember who we are and whose we are.

Bless our land with peace.

Give our leaders wisdom.

Provide hope for future generations.

We're grateful for all you've done for us and humbly ask for your favor.

Amen.

Every Sunday we prayer and share. This week let's pray for America. Even if you live in another country, and I know many of you do, we'd appreciate your prayers. And if you have a loved one serving in the military let us know so we can pray especially for them too.

Happy 4th of July!

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The desires of our hearts are the seeds of our dreams. 

I've loved hearing about your God-sized dreams the last few weeks. When I picture them, I imagine them a lot like a bouquet of flowers.

Some are bright and bold.

Others are delicate and detailed.

All of them are beautiful.

Together we hold them out to God.

And together we hold each other up.

Every Sunday we pray and share. How can we pray for you or one of your God-sized dream this week? Leave a comment to let us know and please pray for the person on the list before you too.

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