Quiet with God...

My prayer:

Today was filled with impossibilities God. Thanks for being the God that makes the impossible, possible. I am sure glad today is over and the run we took tonight was awesome. I love getting to that place of worship in a run where it is you and me and the world completely disappears. 

I am such a daddy's girl when it comes to you! Sitting out here, under the stars tonight, I am just truly content. The only thing that would make tonight better is to hear your voice. What do you want to talk about tonight God?

What God Said Tonight:

Mmmm, I am not much in a talking mood tonight but I am in the mood to be with you. I am in the mood to spend time, enjoying our time together. 

I would ask that you stay here awhile, just you and me, some sweet worship music, the cooling night air. Don't run off to bed or to the next thing that you think of that needs to be done. Just hang out awhile. 

I love you and really just want to spend some time being quiet with you tonight.

Routines...

My prayer:

I am worn out tonight God but still just enjoying your presence. Every moment is worthwhile because you are in it. 

I realized over the last few days that I have fallen out of some habits or routines that I use to have to make sure I was keeping you in the forefront of my mind. I know you don't like routine that becomes insincere worship and I don't want that either. But, for me, it seems like having some routines really help me to not grow lazy or complacent. 

There is probably some middle ground that I am missing. All knowing God, please give me wisdom. I don't ever want to drift from you.

What God Said Tonight:

Staying close to me is like any other relationship in your life. You have to work at it. You have to be committed to growing closer together. You have to be in agreement that you will not let the day to day hassles of life get in the way of staying connected. 

That being said, just like with your other relationships, sometimes it happens despite your best intentions. How often have you been going along in life and realize that you haven't talked to your best friend in a month, or two? It is not that you love that friend any less. You just got distracted from your commitment to the friendship. When that happens, don't you immediately get in touch with that friend, apologize and reconnect with them?

Yep, it works the same with you an me. Life happens and sometimes you lose track of the things and relationships that are important to you. When it happens, apologize and reconnect. I am always here. I will never turn you away when you come back to me. I will never condemn you. 

Now, regarding routines, again just like with relationships in your life, some amount of routine (e.g., a committment to a monthly dinner with a friend) helps keep you connected. However, if one month you miss it, you don't beat up on yourself and assume the friendship is over. It is ok to have routines but don't let the routine rule the relationship. I love you daughter, now and always.

Celebrate God's love...

My prayer:

I am celebrating you, my God. I am celebrating your love, your peace, your careful care over us. I am celebrating a life of purpose lived through your guidance. I am celebrating eternal life through your sacrifice. I am celebrating you God. 

There are times like tonight where I can't help myself. I get to thinking how good you are and how good my life is because you are in it and I just want to sing and dance and CELEBRATE! 

Thank you for everything God.

What God Said Tonight:

I love a good celebration. I love to see my children experiencing the joy that I always intended for your lives. 

Your joy does not need to be dependent on circumstances. You can have joy at any point just by focusing on me and our relationship. I will bring you joy in your sadness. I will bring you peace in the torment. I will bring you healing in the sickness. I will bring you whatever you need because I love you so much, more than you may ever know. 

Feel my love tonight. I want to blanket you with it. I want to wrap you in it. I want you to be so surrounded in my love that nothing can ever harm you. Live in the midst of my love and you will always have joy, peace, protection, and every need fulfilled. I love you, my child.

Thought control...

My prayer:

Mighty God, loving Father. I think I am realizing, more than ever, that the majority of challenges in life are truly a battle of the mind. If I can think "right" about a situation, any situation, and see it how you see it, I can be content and not afraid. 

It seems almost too simple when I say it but the reality of living it is hard enough. I pray God that you help me to get my thoughts right, in every situation. I pray for wisdom and right thinking. In Jesus name. Thank you.

What God Said Tonight:

I am sorry my daughter but your thoughts are your own responsibility. I gave you free will and in that is your control over your own thoughts. I can teach you how to control your thoughts. I can show you how confessing my word will renew your mind. I can show you the tools to keep your mind like mine; but the work, actually living out the right thought life is something only you can do. 

I cannot and will not ever control your thoughts. Those are yours and only yours. Keep your thoughts focused and stayed on me and you find the control you seek. It is all up to you.

Harvest...

My prayer:

What a crazy week this was God. My prayer as we start a new week is that I am more thoughtful in everything that I do. That I am more aware that none of us are promised tomorrow. That I live each day to the fullest and that I don't miss a single person who needs help, needs encouragement, needs you. I pray God that the I am a better person this week than I was last week. I pray that I am a better reflection of you this week than I was last week. 

I thank you that you can make good out of anything and give us beauty for ashes.

What God Said Tonight:

The harvest is truly ready. The fields are heavy with grain. It is time and we have to hurry to get it all in. 

When people are this ready to make a decision for me, you can't leave them standing and alone. They will wither and die. They need to hear now, they need to understand now, they need you, the harvest workers, to tell them about me and how I can help...now. 

Pick up your sickle and get to work. 

Taking authority...

My prayer:

Awesome God. We continue to try to deal with this shooting tragedy. What I am finding with myself and others around me is that we are feeling like we are not reacting "right." That we are not doing enough, that we are not helping enough, and even feeling guilty if we do normal everyday things. 

Guilt and condemnation are not from you so I have to assume they are coming from the enemy and he has gained too much ground this week. 

God I pray that you rebuke him in Jesus name. I bind him and his plans in this and cast them to the pit of hell in the name of Jesus. I declare that he cannot continue this plan to destroy us. Thank you Jesus.

What God Said Tonight:

That is what I was waiting to see from you daughter. My warrior daughter stepping up and taking authority. You do not have to let satan run rampant in your life. You have authority through me to take control. 

Any time that you get complacent or start to think there is nothing you can do, he wins a little. Remember who you are and the authority that I have given you and take charge. He cannot win in the end. 

I love you daughter. Stay strong in faith and in your assurance of who you are.

Come to God...

My prayer:

Mighty God, you have heard the prayers for comfort, for peace, for protection. You have heard the angry voices trying to understand. I thank you God that you really are the answer. Just as you said last night. Even in, or maybe especially in, the face of tragedy, you are the answer. Thank you God for bringing blessing and peace out of tragedy. Thank you for your family who is banding together to love on each other. Thank you God for giving us the strength to love our way through this time.

What God Said Tonight:

I am here. Come closer, under my wings and in my arms. Come here and let me comfort you. Come here and let me protect you. Come here and let me take care of you. 

I love you, my children, I love you so much. Let me take the pain and the anger and the hurt and let me heal you. I am your healing. I will make the wrong things right. I will heal your heart. Come to me and let me?