Day 26 of Prayer Guide - Peace

Day Twenty Six

Peace

Isaiah 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence.

I long for peace but it eludes me. I’ve been told to chase after what I want but somewhere midstride I realize peace isn’t something I can catch. Peace is Someone Who gives to me what He is.

Distressed one, come drain peace into your being.

Today I Pray for You:

·         That the Prince of Peace would crown your heart with peace.

·         To surrender your drained soul to the One who drains peace.

Today You Pray:

My Shelter, I hide in You. Here in this place of rest and security, I give my frightened heart over to You. To finish well, I must walk in the peace only You can give.

Some trust in money. Some trust in relationships. I trust in You – the One who gives a quiet confidence and peace.

Day 10 of Prayer Guide - Confidence for Your Body

Day Ten

Confidence for Your Body

Psalm 45:11 The King is enthralled by your beauty

Am I defined by a number? The one who stares back from the scale taunts me. The one I push at the gym mocks me. Both beckon to by-gone days when the numbers were different – lower, higher, a source of pride.

Weak one, come experience confidence for your body.

Today I Pray for You:

·         To soak in the unconditional love of the One who shapes you.

·         To push through the fog of numbers and see clearly the One who is enthralled.

Today You Pray:

Strong God, I am a reflection of Your beauty. I am a reservoir of Your strength. The numbers cannot define me because You’ve already made Your declaration. I find favor in Your eyes.

Allow this truth to flush through my body, undress my insecurity and clothe me with Your vast love. I stand in front of the full length mirror of Your devotion and see the reflection of the King.

Prayer Guide Day 9 - Confidence for Your Mind

Day Nine

Confidence for Your Mind

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things

My mind is a vortex; my confidence a downward spiral. When did the switch throw from believing I could do all things through Christ to believing failure was imminent? I yearn for the thrilling days when I advanced in faith without consideration of setback.

Fearful one, come declare confidence for your mind.

Today I Pray for You:

·         To remove the cloak of doubt which veils your thoughts, so your mind is clear to focus on Christ

·         To experience an explosion of faith based on God’s goodness not your competence

Today You Pray:

My Cornerstone, I build my thoughts on You. Layer my mind with bricks of Your grace. Hold my brain together with the mortar of Your love.

In these moments of quiet, I recount Your goodness. You never fail me and You won’t start now. Fixed on You, my mind is secure once more.

Day 8 of Prayer Guide - Confidence for Your Soul

Day Eight

Confidence for Your Soul

Psalm 138:3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. (NASB)

It’s silent. I strain my ears and soundlessness echoes back. When the voice comes, I doubt. Are these my thoughts or Your inspiration, God? Uncertainty bounces around inside me. Where it lands, I hurt. Struggling one, come gain confidence for your soul.

Today I Pray for You:

·         That the still voice of God would shatter the silence

·         For boldness to believe You hear God and faith to follow His beckoning

Today You Pray:

God who Speaks, I close my eyes and see You only. In the quiet, Your sweet voice trickles to my heart. I rush into Your arms as Your confidences rushes my soul.

My soul leaps. There is joy in hearing from the One who knows me best and loves me most. The silence has surrendered to the Savior. My soul doubts no more.

Day 7 of Prayer Guide - Confidence for Your Heart

Day Seven

Confidence for Your Heart

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

Am I still in middle school? These feelings seem silly; immature. Why doubt myself? I don’t normally obsess over what others think but suddenly those thoughts plague me day and night. My heart is hungry for the confidence which now seems elusive. Doubting one, come discover a confident heart.

Today I Pray for You:

·         To rest your heart on the ledge of His love

·         That a swell of God’s strength would wash away your doubt

Today You Pray:

God of Certainty, I plant my heart in Your garden of strength. Bury the sum of my doubt in the fertile soil of Your grace. Tend to the roots and entwine my heart with Yours.

A shoot of confidence springs from Your concern. Protect my heart as it blooms with trust. A confident heart blossoms with my faith in Your care.

Day 6 of Prayer Guide - Confidence

Day Six

Confidence

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.

I am decisive… I mark items off my list with lightning speed… I am confident in my choices… At least I was. What happened? Lately you doubt yourself and others. You end your day and wonder what you really accomplished. You are mentally incapacitated. Uncertain one, come claim your confidence.

Today I Pray for You:

·         To hear the One who gently calls, “This is the way. Walk in it.”

·         That your uncertainty would melt as God’s confidence pervades your heart

Today You Pray:

Confident God, I crumple at your feet. Restore my mind as I trust Your leadership. I release my heart to You and feel the rushing water of Your strength.

Suddenly I realize I don’t want ‘my’ confidence restored; I desire a shift of confidence. I commit my plans, my future, my day into Your hands. Hold my heart as I hold onto You.

A Confident Heart

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

How do the mornings slip by so quick? Clara wasn't late to school but she wasn't exactly early either. Getting your kids to school early is the mark of a well-organized, thoughtful mother, right? My heart began to taunt me.

If you were a good mom you'd never have trouble getting to school on time.

Clara's teacher has you figured now.  You can't fool her into thinking you're a good mom. 

You should get an "F" on your daily mom report card.

God's truth pierced my thoughts.

Shannon, your heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9)

Shannon, I the LORD search your heart and examine your mind (Jeremiah 17:10)

Shannon, I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Jesus, thank you for helping me recognize the downward spiral of my thoughts this morning.  You broke through and turned the spiral upside down and back up to You.  In You, I find refuge.  In You, I draw strength.  In You, I grow a confident heart.

I am reading A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.  In her book, Renee shares the key to casting off insecurity.  My thoughts determine my actions.  I must replace my doubts with God's truth. 

I am only in the second chapter of this book, but already it is having a profound impact on my thought life.  I was immediately able to recognize these thoughts, reject them and replace them with God's truth.  Those of you who read my blog daily know I have never recommended a book other than God's Word.  Self-doubt is common to the human condition.  We are all subject to its' deceptive grasp.  Let's read Renee's book together and confidently stride into God's best for our lives.

Do you struggle with doubts or insecurities?  What are some of your favorite ways you counteract those negative thoughts?

Shelf Life

Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the (woman) who makes the LORD (her) trust

Christmas shopping.  Believe it or not I've already started it.  Holiday procurement was far simpler when I was an elementary student.  The PTA hosted a store.  My mom gave me money.  My retail excursion was complete in a matter of minutes.

My kids have taken part in these as well.  One of Scott's prized possessions is his hulkish figurine holding up the words, "Incredible Dad".  I still love the plastic "diamond" ring Hannah (15) gave me one Christmas.  She was so distressed when her younger sister wore it to school and lost it, she bought me an identical one the next year.  Its' stone may not have been real but the love it was wrapped in was.

Shopping for treasures in the cafeteria was a pleasure shared by all my siblings as well.  I remember the Christmas a hokie present was opened by one sibling.  This present found a place of "honor" inside the bedroom closet behind closed doors.

I was reflecting today on the gifts of writing and speaking God chose to give me.  For so long I rejected the gift.  I kept trying to return it to the cafeteria store and believe me the PTA gives NO refunds.  I also tried to shelve it.  I hoped if I ignored it, it would simply go away. 

I witnessed the look on the other sibling's face when the gift was shoved in the closet.  Hurt.  Disappointed.  Rejected.  I wonder if that's how God feels when I take the gifts He's showered on me and try to downplay or cover them.

God desires for me to use my gifts with confidence.  He wants me to open the closet, grab the gift and proudly display it on the coffee table.  Not for my glory.  For His.

Jesus, I'm sorry I tried to reject Your present.  I never meant to hide it either.  Help me have the courage to unshelve Your gifts permanently.  When I do, this adventure of faith goes from shelf to life.

What gifts, talents and abilities do you need to take out of storage?