assorted gift boxes on red surface

Trusting in God’s timing at Christmas

Lord, I’m constantly waiting as I suffer. Thing is…do I trust Your timing? Your people were waiting. The last words they’d heard from You in Malachi had been 400 years before, roughly twenty generations. They doubted Your love, couldn’t see their own sin, wondered why You weren’t intervening in injustices, Read more…

star shaped christmas lights

Peace in suffering at Christmas…in the gospel of Christ

We’ve flipped the calendar and here we are, entering Advent. So, we begin to sing the old familiar hymn… Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!” (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Wesley, C., 1739) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk. Read more…

red leaf trees near the road

A Thanksgiving prayer into evil times

Father, It’s a week of thanksgiving, but many of us feel so wearied by evil. What can we do but turn to You and Your Word? David’s words to evil enemies become our words, when we ache over pervasive evil around us. We too see the lying work of Your Read more…

gray and brown cave near on the ocean

In Christ, my grief ends in glory

Lord, perhaps we all need a good cry right now. We’ve collectively walked through many losses in the last two years. Perhaps many wordless prayers have become sighs rather than songs. Maybe Job’s words ring true… Like Job, please help us to share every honest emotion with You in our Read more…

scenic photo of waterfalls during daytime

Into my grief, “Hallelujah, what a Savior”

Oh Father, I am grieving today. Loss surrounds me.  My dreams, my plans,  my abilities, my desires. Those I love,  things I love, experiences I love. I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me (Job 7:3 ESV). Like Job, it feels like loss is Read more…

Near to God by Lauri A. Hogle

You are worthy of my praise, Lord

God, I come to You in moments of despair and stress as I walk through this fallen world’s deep suffering. It’s exhausting, so I’m battling the enemy’s insidious lies just as Jesus did. Your Word is Your offensive weapon (Eph. 6). So, help me cling to Your Word’s truths about Read more…

photo of man sitting on a cave

Find hope in hope-“less” times of suffering

Father, I feel less hope today, hope-“less” as I suffer. You know this is normal when suffering brings constant turmoil. Throughout the ages, Your people have sung to You in hope-“less” times of suffering. Please help me to find hope in Your Word, God. Please give me hope in the Read more…

silhouette of person standing beside cross during sunset

Praising My Savior, Jesus Christ!

God, I cherish Your name as my Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4). Into my suffering today, please remind me of Your love story in my Savior, Jesus Christ. Chapter 1: Creation and Fall In the beginning of the love story, You declared everything in Your creation as “very good” (Gen. Read more…

a girl with curly hair praying

I’m a Child of the King!

Lord God Almighty, I “hallow” You today, acknowledging that You are the Lord and King, thrice holy and set apart, pure, sacred, and perfect. There is no sin in You, unlike all earthly parents. I pray for so many to become believers, for anyone still living in our inborn sin Read more…

road landscape nature sky

Help me to be patient, Lord

My patient Father, I’m coming to You today as I ponder the beautiful Hebrew word for patient… ”longsuffering.” My suffering feels so long right now. So, please grant me Your longsuffering patience right now, into my impatience. Amid continual trouble, please help me to be patient as Galatians 5 fruit Read more…

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