Reason and purpose...

My prayer:

You have put some amazingly talented people in my life God. I am not complaining but I wonder why sometimes. I have no real artistic or creative talents and yet you surround me with musicians, actors, artists, and creative geniuses. 

That can't be just coincidence can it? It seems like there should be a purpose. I hope so and I hope you show it to me soon. I am curious and anxious to see what you are up to!

What God Said Tonight:

You have talents that you do not see. I have given you gifts that have yet to be opened. 

I do have a purpose and a plan for everything in your life. You are my child and everything about you is for a reason and a purpose. Discovering them is the joy that keeps life worth living. 

I love you and you are not done growing and learning yet. Leave room for the unexpected blessings.

Changed...

My prayer:

Tonight was pretty wonderful God. Thank you for everything. 

There are moments. Sometimes they last for hours sometimes days and sometimes just seconds. But in those moments, I have this amazing awareness of you in my life and the amazing relationship we have. I live for those moments. There is absolutely nothing better. Thank you for giving me one of those moments tonight.

What God Said Tonight:

I am everywhere but I inhabit certain places and certain people. In those places I inhabit, I dwell, I stay and the places and people are changed by my presence. The change is permanent. 

When you are touched by me, you don't change back. I am in you and the change in you will shine throughout the world and eternity. We are meant to be together. I made you for me and we will be together forever. 

Nothing can separate you from me, now and forever. I love you.

Rocks of joy...

My prayer:

Life can be rough sometimes God. There are days when I just don't feel equipped for everything that flies at me. But somehow, if I lean on you, we get to the end of the day and everything turns out ok. Not perfect, but pretty good. There were times today that I really could not imagine being able to say that. 

It sure does take me a long time and a lot of repetition to learn that you have got everything covered. LOVE YOU!!!

What God Said Tonight:

Warm bread baking in the oven. Sun shining on your face. The smell of rain. There are small but intense joys all around you as a cushion against the harshness of this world. 

Don't forget to look at them, to appreciate them. It is not trivial. They are there for a reason. 

Those spots of joy are like rocks sticking up out of a river. If you hop from one to another, you can get across the wild rapids that could have killed you. 

Keep seeking and finding the rocks of joy and let them lead you through the rapids of chaos. 

Love you too,

Light in darkness...

My prayer:

Today was not easy but I felt your help all throughout every challenge. Now, I can barely stay awake but I want to hear you before I sleep.

What God Said Tonight:

Walking through the darkness is never a first choice but it has its place. I am your light in darkness and you will never stumble in my presence. I love you

Chaos...

My prayer:

Things seem really messy all of a sudden God. Everything at loose ends. I am not sure how I can go from feeling such deep peace to chaos in just a few days. God, I place it all in your hands and pray your will is done with all of it. Guide me and fill me with your peace and grace.

What God Said Tonight:

I know you like for everything to be tied up in tidy little packets. Nothing out of place and nothing lacking. You must realize that is not the world you live in. 

Your world is chaos under tenuous control. Your best bet is walking with me, in my will, under my care. 

When you are thirsty I will give you water. When you are tired I will give you rest. Trust in me to provide all of your needs and let the worry slide off your back like rain on a rain coat. 

I love you.

Lost children...

My prayer:

Today had its challenges and tomorrow will too I am sure. Life can be exhausting God. I pray for your help, your strength, and your favor. Thank you Jesus.

What God Said Tonight:

Coming away for a night, a weekend, a season can be wonderful. It can restore and renergize you. I created you to have breaks, holidays, Sabbaths, to rest and recover. Not out of weakness but in recognition of what this world would do to you. 

I want more than you can imagine to throw off this old world and start new with my children. I want the new heaven and new earth to be a home for us all for eternity, It is not far off. I can see the future on the horizon. But it is still not yet. 

There are lost children in the corners of the world that have not had the opportunity to receive me, to love me. They are hidden in plain site. you have spoken to some of them. You don't realize it but no one has ever told them about me. They don't know. I can't replace this world until they have a chance. 

Don't be shy in letting my light shine in you. I love you and remember you are not of this world. 

Fear of the Lord...

My prayer:

I pray for wisdom God. Help me to see the truth and make choices that are best. Keep me firmly in your will. I love you and I need your guidance in all things.

What God Said Tonight:

Oceans are beautiful and powerful. They can soothe your spirit and they can destroy entire cities. There is beauty and fear within the ocean. 

I have said "fear the Lord" more times than I can mention. But it is not fear of punishment or death that I am talking about. It is the same fear that comes from understanding and strength the power in the ocean. 

I tell you to have this fear because without it, you are likely to forget that power and forget that I am on your side. I tell you to fear me not to separate is but to ensure we are never parted. 

Fear being separated from me, fear a life without me, but never fear that my power is coming against you. I love you, now and forever.

Practice receiving peace...

My prayer:

What a great place of peace tonight God. No worry or stress. Just peace and comfort knowing you are in charge. Thank you for your peace and for rest. I pray that you send it out to all of your kids around the world tonight. Surround them with your peace and your love. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear tomorrow from people all over the world saying, "I don't know what happened but last night, (or yesterday depending on time zones I guess) I had the most wonderful sense of peace come over me." If for just a few minutes, no one was killing anyone else, hurting anyone else, lying to anyone else, That would be amazing!

What God Said Tonight:

This is your season of peace. There will be new challenges in the future. There will be times of great activity. I will give you peace in those times too but it is not the same.

Now is time to practice the receiving of peace in a state of rest. It is deep peace that is undisturbed by circumstances around. As you practice receiving this peace at rest, it will be easier for you to receive this peace in the middle of a struggle. 

My peace is meant to stay with you at all times. Life, satan, all sorts of things want to steal that peace from you. Your enemy understands the power of peace. It is stronger than anything except for love. Peace that is not swayed by circumstances gives power to the person that outweighs the power of an opponent. 

Practitce receiving my peace.

Gift of grace...

My prayer:

You are fantastic God. Thank you for a wonderful day. I pray your love, your peace, and your salvation surround the world and everyone in it tonight. Make us right, make us whole, make us yours. 

What God Said Tonight:

Your dropping into a time of grace that is unprecedented. 

I am not saying that there is more grace available than ever. I provided you with all of the grace you will ever need when I sent my son. What I am saying is that the world is ready to receive grace like never before. There is such great need for grace. You will begin to see people understanding my grace and letting it transform their lives. 

I have been waiting for this time. It is like when you get someone a very special present. You want to give it to them right away to see their joy in receiving it. But, sometimes the impact and the power of the gift is greater if you wait for the appropriate time. A Christmas gift opened in November does not have the same effect as it does being opened on Christmas day. 

Your Christmas day is here and you will see people all around the world opening the gift of grace over their lives. It will be glorious.

Upside down...

What God Said Tonight:

If forty years go by and nothing changes, are you in my will or outside of it? If someone finds joy in the middle of disaster, does that mean that I caused the disaster or I caused the joy?

The question of perspective is always important. Seeing things in a slightly different light or in a new situation can make all of the difference in the world. 

Take a minute to turn your situation upside down.

 

Recharge your spirit...

My prayer:

I am drained tonight God. Gave today my all and now there is not a lot left. 

God I ask for your will to be done in every corner and aspect of my life. I pray that your will is in complete authority. I submit gladly to your will. I don't know everything but I know enough to know that your will is the best for everyone concerned, every time. 

Thank you for being my Lord.

What God Said Tonight:

A sandwich will fill you up physically when you are hungry. I will fill you up when you are spiritually hungry. 

Your spirit is drained tonight and needs to be refilled and recharged. Plug into my Holy Spirit and recharge your batteries. Plug into the source that never diminishes. 

I love you and I am here for you, giving you everything you need when you need it. I love you.

Never ending love...

My prayer:

Today was interesting. I was thinking it was a pretty decent day and then when I thought through everything that happened, a lot of pretty rotten stuff happened all day. I guess it is good that I am not depending on circumstances to effect my experience of the day?

Thank you for joy and peace in the middle of chaos that doesn't make sense but is as real as anything.

I love you.

What God Said Tonight:

I have you carved in the palm of my hand. You, your welfare, your joy, your blessings are infinitely important to me. 

I don't know that I can ever explain to you how much I love you. It is a love that never dies. It is a love that is not dependent on what you do. It is a love that is the source for every good thing in this world. 

Rest in my love for you. Know that it is yours forever no matter what. I decided a long time ago to love you.

Open doors...

My prayer:

I have really enjoyed this break God. Thank you again. Tomorrow it is back to the world and all of its complications. I ask for your help in navigating it in peace and showing off your love for everyone around me. You are wonderful.

What God Said Tonight:

There are cities and towns around the world that you see with me. I have given you a door to the world, now it is time to walk through it. You have shared my voice, my thoughts and now you will share my presence. 

I will inhabit the places you inhabit and I will fill the places you enter. I will go before you and with you. 

I love you and the doors are open.