A Writer’s Prayer: Because God IS, I Will Trust Him
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV
Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, we worship You.
You determine the boundaries for the land and the sea. You control each rolling wave and paint the skies with vibrant reflections of Your complete love for us.
Your mercies radiate through every sunrise.
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3, NIV)
Nothing is hidden from You.
Nothing is impossible with You.
Nothing surprises You.
Help us reflect on Who You are as You reveal Yourself through the treasure of Your Word.
Through Abraham, You showed Yourself faithful.
Through Moses, You showed Yourself mighty.
Through Joshua, You showed Yourself sovereign.
Through David, You showed Yourself merciful.
And through us, You show Yourself still constant, unchanging, loving and always in control.
Remind us that writing is an expression of worship, a tool for ministry, a gift to be used for Your glory. Purify our motives, ignite our creativity, and help us trust You in our waiting seasons.
“For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4, NIV)
We acknowledge You, Lord. You are Who You are.
You will make our paths straight.
You are always right on time.
Hallelujah!
In Jesus’ name, Amen
In what aspect or season of your writing journey has it been difficult to trust God? How did the Lord help you through that tough time?
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Previously Published on the Inspire Christian Writers blog on April 22, 2012
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My Great Summer Reading Adventure: The Heart Stone by Sherry Kyle
The day after taking my final, I skimmed the back cover blurb of The Heart Stone, by Sherry Kyle:
“TWO WOMEN. TWO JOURNEYS. A SEASON THAT MAY CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER.
When the alcoholic father of Jessica MacAllister’s son reappears in their lives, Jessica and her son go to her Uncle George for advice and refuge.
Following a year of grief, Evelyn Sweeney is finally ready to move on. As she ponders her new path in life, her mind drifts to her first love, George MacAllister.
When the lives of these two women cross, they discover that one heart-shaped ring binds their stories together. But will the results be a rekindled faith and new hope? Or will it lead them both back into the darkness they’ve fought for so long?”
I couldn’t wait to dig in!
With a hint of mystery and heartwarming romance, The Heart Stone is an inspiring story of courage, faith, hope and the complex process of forgiveness.
The novel starts with an unexpected phone call that threatens to destroy everything Jessica MacAllister has tried to protect. As she attempts to continue running from her past, Jessica and her adorable six year old son, Jacob, travel to Santa Cruz, California.
Their adventure thrusts them into a series of events that reveal Jessica’s true fears and start her on a powerful healing journey.
Kyle’s genuine voice, well-developed characters, and intriguing sub-plots kept me turning the pages, cheering for the characters, and asking God to reveal the stone chips of fear and unforgiveness that I may have hidden in my own heart.
This book would make a great book club or a girlfriend-to-girlfriend read!
I was blessed with the privilege of interviewing Sherry Kyle for the Inspire Christian Writers blog. Please also join us for a Tweet Chat, scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2013, to learn more about Sherry, her writing journey, and to discuss her latest novel, The Heart Stone.
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Jesus Lives: A Prayer of Praise and Proclamation
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6, NIV
Thank You, Lord, for reminding us that we serve a Living God.
When life’s circumstances challenge us, we can trust You to work all things out for the good of those who love You.
We can do nothing apart from You, our risen King.
When discouragement and doubt threaten to paralyze us, Your strength and Your truth empower us to persevere in bold faith.
We praise You, Jesus, our risen King.
When we forget Your love is complete, Your grace is sufficient, and Your Spirit dwells within us, You clear our vision and fill us with peace and courage.
We worship You alone, our risen King.
Thank You for reminding us You sympathize with our weaknesses. You shower us with mercy to help us in our time of need. Nothing in all creation is hidden from Your sight.
You hear our voices, O LORD. We lay our requests before You and wait in expectation. You are not slow in keeping Your promises.
We lie down and sleep; we wake again, because You, O LORD, sustain us.
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2, NIV)
We love You, Jesus, our mighty and risen King!
Hallelujah!
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Which verse in the Bible reminds you of the constant love and presence of our risen King in your daily life?
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Previously Published on Inspire Christian Writers as a Prayer Post for April 8, 2012
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Resting on the Edge of Uncertainty
Jazzy balanced herself on the narrow step. She soaked in the warmth from a small patch of light that beamed through a high window in our front room. Rays reflecting through the glass chandelier painted a rainbow on her head.
As the sun warmed her fur, she began to close her eyes.
While snoozing on a staircase didn’t seem like a good idea to me, I wasn’t worried about my precious pooch. I just kept staring at the rainbow resting on her forehead.
It was like a kiss from God.
You’re covered by My promises, no matter how precarious your current position may be.
This was a message I desperately needed to hear.
Right smack in the ninth month of my husband’s unemployment, the enemy seemed determined to tempt me into despair.
Although we have no income, we praise God that our savings lasted us a full eight months. But, with rent due on April 1st, and with no idea how we were going to pay our bills, I started to feel the pinch of discouragement.
Immediately, the Lord sent his angels to minister to us.
They arrived at intervals to replenish our hopes and our bank account.
And last week, Alan received his first interview. He’s in the fourth stage of the interview process. If all goes well, he will start work on April 1st! Hallelujah!
As I scratched Jazzy behind the ear, I thanked God for reminding me that we can trust Him as we teeter on the edge of uncertainty.
The prophet Isaiah proclaims:
“But now, this is what the LORD says−he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Isaiah 43:1-3a, NIV, emphasis mine)
As I watched my pooch resting peacefully on the narrow step, a rainbow caressing her forehead, I realized the powerful truth behind these verses.
Not if, but when, we’re afflicted, we can stand in courage because of Who God is and because He’s always with us.
We may not know where our manna is coming from tomorrow, but we trust God will provide. We’ve got rainbows splashing across our staircase to prove that His promises still stand firm!
Hallelujah!
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So, we say in confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV)
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A Writer’s Prayer: Clinging to You, Lord!
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4, NIV
Thank You, Lord, for inspiring our dreams and igniting our passion to honor You with every word we write.
Help us delight in Your goodness, rejoicing as we acknowledge Your sovereignty.
Help us delight in Your faithfulness, praising You for revealing Your love to us in times of tears and times of laughter.
Help us delight in Who You are, and what You’ve done for us, as we place every moment of our lives on the altar as an offering of our devotion.
Help us follow in courage as we worship in joy that does not depend on our circumstances.
Help us cling to You alone, knowing You will bring to fruition the beautiful plan You’ve written for our lives.
May knowing You intimately be the ultimate desire of our hearts, Abba.
Align our desires with Yours, Lord.
Please, do what You will, loving Shepherd.
And help us trust You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
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Portions of this prayer were previously published on the Inspire Christian Writer’s blog on April 1, 2012
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