A Prayer To Restore Your Hope

Dear Friend:

As I sat with my praise music and wrote this prayer I was restored and filled with hope. Hope for each new day. Set aside all of your daily distractions, hurts, disappointments, hopelessness and declare this prayer with me.

Lord, I am your child

You are light

You have no darkness in you.

I desire to walk in the light.

To live in the light.

To shine with the light.

I declare my praise

To you my God

My light.

You are the light of the world.

Lord, let my light

Shine,

That others may taste

And see the goodness

Of you.

You are good.

You are mighty

I reflect on Your light

And goodness.

Your words

Are precious to me.

My being desires more of you.

I experience

Peace, wholeness, forgiveness

Hope, renewal, refreshment

In You.

You are my desire.

Whom shall I fear?

You are my joy.

You are my reason,

My reason to go on.

Your grace and

Love

Fill me.

I receive this love

I receive your grace.

A gift.

A Christmas gift.

Jesus was born at Christmas

Nothing can separate me.

I was separated

But my eyes were opened

Opened wide to see and take in

Breathe in

Push out the darkness.

Refuse the dark thoughts

I have freely been given

The gift to receive.

To acknowledge.

To be present with you.

Oh Lord, you alone can do this.

I remember the bread and what it represents.

To call, gather

To be present to lift up the bread

And wine.

Body and blood

Shed for me,

For all mankind.

Take the elements

Acknowledge

Give thanks

Receive Your joy.

That is given at the work of Your hands.

Grace is abounding.

Abounding, flowing.

It allows me to have

Eyes wide open.

To see, to taste

To give.

Give freely to others.

I am forgiven.

My heart is forgiven

It is changed.

Over and over as I am washed

With forgiveness

I open myself to forgive.

Just as the Lord

Forgave me.

I forgive.

I open my

Clenched fists and let go let God.

He takes my hands

And

All wrong doing.

On the cross He bears the pain

The agony, the sin

He receives it all.

I relish in this exchange

He takes.

I am cleansed.

I am filled and renewed.

Who do I need to forgive?

Who do I need to give to?

Hands wide open

Let go of blame and pain

Grudges.

The need to be present

And fully alive

With Jesus is so much greater than hanging on to the past.

Let go, let God.

Desire to release and be free

To allow Jesus to do His

Miracle work.

To be allowed to do what He came for.

Jesus how can I be safe?

The answer comes;

Through His blood

Through His word

Through His name

I go, I grow

I know

I show

Lord, deliver me from evil.

Don’t let the enemy

Tell me I still hurt

I still ache

I still contain unforgiveness.

Lord, help me to put a wall of fire around my thoughts of my ugliness.

Thank you

God that you will guard my heart and mind

From these dark thoughts

The temptation to keep the arguments going on in

My mind

It is a process

But Lord,

I keep my eyes on the vision

Of your sacrifice

On the cross

There at the cross is

Forgiveness

Joy

Thanksgiving

Especially GRACE!

By Elaine James

YOLO

My daughter blurted out "YOLO." I was curious to know what "YOLO" means. She said "Everyone knows what YOLO means." "What does it means" I retorted? Just picture an annoyed teen response  eyes rolling and all saying "You only live once." Catchy! As I gazed out my window rinsing dishes I let the phrase roll off my tongue "YOLO." I asked myself "Does that line up with what God has to say in His word?"

We are born sinners. Continually God invites us into relationship with Him. If we respond to that invitation we are "Born Again." At some point we all die and if we declare Jesus as our Savior by grace we are eternally saved. Does this process leave space for "YOLO?"

There are so many similar sayings "Carpe Dium" meaning seize the day. "Once in a lifetime experience" was what I said in my younger years. Catch phrases, do they have soul meaning that requires some reflection? I say "Yes."

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:10-11 NIV).

Psalm 46:10 is quoted on the knickknacks we buy . In a bible study I was asked to read verses ten AND 11. It is a process of humility to follow. I thought to myself "Go God teach it to Lainey."

What beauty. What simplicity. God speaks "Lainey, be still now, come on my child, find that sweet place where you and I can meet. Maybe take off your shoes for this is Holy. Do you know the one you come before? Let me tell you who, the creator of all things. The LORD GOD ALIMGHTY. Lainey, the one who protects you." I gulped because it hit me like a ton of bricks to be quiet and remember, remember who I am before.

You only live once. With every breath I take I must choose the light which is good or dark which is bad. I only live once. I let the light shine or hide it. I can't stress how desperate our homes, workplaces and most importantly our churches need to see your light shine. To speak to someone who the life has been knocked out of them from circumstances. Helping someone feel alive again!

Do I feel fully alive after obeying God and His instruction book to life?

"give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). When I YOLO with God perspective I feel genuine and thankful. I don't feel like I have to run out eat, drink and be merry.

ASK YOURSELF:  What does YOLO mean for ME? 

PRAYER:  God, when I hear the phrase YOLO, can you help me see how that is done your way? I know I live once and have confidence that when I die I will live eternally with You. I am grateful that you give me confidence to live this life well.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.