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…

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…

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…

flock of sheep on green gras field

I praise and trust You as my Provider, Lord

Father, I remember Abraham’s anguish. You’d told him to kill his beloved son, as a burnt offering. “Where is the lamb, Dad?” Abraham encouraged his son with the trust You gave him, “God will provide for himself the lamb.” You had promised that You would create Your own people through Read more…

close up of hands

You are my strength, my God who is strong

Loving Father, I can’t do this. I’ve overwhelmed. Burdened. I can’t take it much longer.  But You understand, God. Your Word is filled with cries just like mine.  For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself (2 Cor. 1:8 ESV, emphasis added). My soul melts Read more…

landscape photo of pathway between green leaf trees

I’m suffering…but take heart! But God!!

As always, this week’s “praise interruption” interrupts our suffering with loads of Scripture, with God’s Word of truth. I agonized on a recent morning when I couldn’t see a way to manage my new treatment plan, even while grateful for having one now. So graciously, the Lord again came near Read more…

stacked blue colored gift boxes

Take joy! It’s God’s gift!

I often see the popular meme, “Choose joy” and it can make me feel condemned when I’m in agonizing pain, overwhelming fatigue, sad tears of loss, or just numb. If I’m not feeling emotionally happy, am I letting God down? Am I walking in sin? Am I making a “bad Read more…

woman in white dress standing in field with raised hand

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

The book of Lamentations is a book of agony and lament. Everything was falling apart as God’s people suffered. In the middle of the writer’s grief and fear, he interrupts his suffering by reminding his soul of an important truth about God: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Read more…

person s scooping water by hands

Help me trust You, my trustworthy God

It’s so easy for me to forget God’s trustworthy hold on me as I suffer. It’s so easy to forget my trustworthy Lord when I focus on the pain I’m enduring. My troubles scream loud and I quickly fixate on them, spiral into desperate fix-it mode, or helpless despair about Read more…

asphalt blur car city

You are always the same, Lord!

“I’m so stressed out and exhausted.” “The continual challenges and changes overwhelm me.” “The many voices conflict, arguing for their own opinions. Who do I believe and trust anymore?” “The pictures, videos, and clanging words in this world make me feel it’s all sinking sand.” “Changing minds, changing plans, changing Read more…

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