Holy Father, As I come before You today, I realize that within my flesh lies nothing good (Romans 7:18). In and of myself, my wisdom is inadequate concerning what to do about _______ (2 Corinthians 3:5). But this doesn’t deter my need to pray. In my weakness, You do not condemn (Romans 8:1). You merely say, “Call upon Me, and …
Here, on the highest slope near Nazareth stands the unfinished edifice. The townspeople below are drawn here by some unknown magnetism. Boys come to play on the slab of rock, dueling with broken planks among the unused stones. The elderly come to ponder, tugged here to reminisce on loss, while the sun sets over the valley. Everyone else simply comes …
“I struggle with depression.” “My thought loops with negative self-talk.” “I can’t seem to shake these feelings of inadequacy.” I hear comments like these all the time. Although our lives are among the most prosperous on the planet, our thoughts swirl with famine and dryness. Why is this? I believe the kingdom of fear is alive and well in our …
There is a tree in my neighborhood that makes me grieve every time I walk past. Tall and stately, it grew past the housetops years ago. Because we live in a semi-arid climate, I know this tree didn’t just appear on its own. It was once planted and watered by someone who desired its beauty and saw its potential of shade. …
“Behold, (Saul was) hiding himself by the baggage” (1 Samuel 10:22). What is the future king doing crouched down in pile of the utensils and clothing? We know that it wasn’t because he was a shrimpy little guy. In fact, if we keep reading, we find out that he was a head and shoulder taller than anybody else in …
As we grapple with our responsibility to pray, there are several key points to keep in mind: The Word says straight out: “It does not depend on the man…but on God” (Romans 9:16). This includes prayer as well. We come to prayer feeling pretty inadequate, knowing how apt to distraction we are. Yet, even that is God’s business. …
Dear Mentor, I am always frightened. Fear seems to have dominated my thinking. I am afraid of dying, but I am also afraid of living. Will you pray for me? Signed, Terrified …
