Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:4-7
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Every once in a while I'll shoot out an early morning text to about 25 people - family near and far, old friends I sorely miss, newer acquaintances I'm growing to love. I send a simple question, these seven words ...
How can I pray for you today?
And the replies begin to appear on my screen, one after the other, some before I've taken my next breath, others scattered through the next hour. And as the clock ticks forward, the day becomes bathed in prayer as I putter, fold laundry, prepare a meal, mess around in the garden, walk the beach.
It's a wonderful, cleansing experience as precious requests from those I love become the breath I breathe to God. The Spirit keeps each situation / heartbreak / challenge / joy close to my heart, brings it to mind repeatedly.
And the day becomes all about seeking Him, asking for His will, hearing His whisper, agreeing with His plan.
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This early June weekend stretches out quiet and free ... a rare, surprise gift in this busy season of endings, of celebrations, of anticipation. And so I ask you, dear readers, that simple seven word question and invite you to leave your response in the comment section.
How can I pray for you today?
Your request will be close to my heart and I commit to lifting you up to the Holy One who loves you so and is able to do far more than you've been asking or imagining {Ephesians 3:20}.
I leave you with this song of praise, glory to the God above, full of truth and endless love ...
Bless you, bless your home, bless your weekend ~
Linda
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On this swift-flowing downward trend,
ReplyDeletetoday has been the very worst,
and I ask you pray, that at the end
I still put others first.
Please pray no mean and selfish act
shall blot the manhood I hold dear
and that I'm seen as offering tact
and consoling another's fear.
Pray that I make no demand
on others' time and heart;
pray that I continue to understand
how to channel grace ere I depart.
Most of all I ask that when
on bended knee, pray I die a gentleman.
Oh dear Andrew. My tears are accompanying my prayers for you and Barb. Your journey has been long and you have been faithful.
DeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteStopping by your place, I always heave a sigh of contented relief. As you are puttering, I would ask that you pray for my two adult children - that their hearts would be softened by their Savior's wooing love and they would seek a genuine relationship with Him. I would pray, also, that our relationship would be restored. It's been a hard time of being estranged. I could use strength and patience as I hold fast to my convictions even though they want me to embrace their worldly views. Thanks in advance..
Blessings,
Bev xx
Dear Bev, I pray that your dear children would see the Savior's lovingkindness in any interactions they have with their mama. And that He would give you an undeniable hope as you wait quietly, expectantly.
DeleteOh, Linda, what a wonderful thing you are doing for all of us here! Would you please be in prayer for my adult son, Daniel? He was just diagnosed as being bi-polar, is on the appropriate medication, but is still making some physical adjustments. Daniel also needs to renew his commitment to the Lord, something I pray for each and every day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, my friend, and know that I am praying for you!
Praying with you, for you, Martha. Brain health issues certainly impact a family in ways that often surprise us with their intensity.
DeleteMay you sense God's peace in an extraordinary way.
Thank you for asking, Linda!
ReplyDeletePlease pray for our son and daughter in law. They have been foster parents to a sweet baby boy for several months and and would love to adopt him. Please pray for them, this sweet baby, and for God's will to be done!
PS: we will be on the Cape starting tomorrow for 3 weeks; can't wait!!
Praying for God's will to be crystal clear, praying for that little boy to come to know Jesus at an early age.
DeleteMeanwhile, the weather looks to be fabulous this weekend, Allison! Enjoy every minute here! My family will be coming soon, too, ... there's no place like the Cape at the start of summer.
;-)
We are counting the minutes! Thanks for making sure the weather would be perfect for our arrival! 🤣😂🤣😂
Delete;-)
DeleteThis is so kind of you, Linda. Please pray for my youngest brother, Rob, who has been in ICU a week already with severe pancreatitis. He is still in such pain and so very sick. They need to keep a close eye on him as it affects his whole body. Also for strength for his wife and 2 kids. Also for family who are struggling right now with emotional issues from past abuse. Sometimes I get so full of anxiety for all of them, but God is helping me to trust in His power to heal both physically and emotionally. But still it is so hard... Thank you, dear friend! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeletePraying right now for all these serious, heartbreaking concerns for your family, Trudy. It's so easy for us to take on the burdens of those we love and make them our own.
DeleteMay you find Christ to be your burden bearer. May you find it sheer relief to release these precious souls into His care.
He is able ...
I need prayer for guidance in how I can reach out to more women in need and effectively listen and help them.
ReplyDeleteI praise God for the tender heart He's given you for those who are broken and hurting, Valerie.
DeleteMay God open unexpected doors and surprise you with opportunities you never dreamed of.
And may your faith be stretched by leaps and bounds in the waiting room you find yourself in ...
Can’t stop going from one Kerrie Roberts video to another. She reminds me so much of Judy especially when she smiles ...
ReplyDeletePlease pray that God clarifies that I have Lyme or if other issues are the reason for extreme exhaustion.
What can we pray for you, friend?
Today, I'm thanking God for the sweet memories you have of your friend.
DeleteAnd asking Him for clarity and peace as you wait for the diagnosis.
Rest well on this beautiful Sabbath, dear Carol ...
Wish I could shrink the miles.
Oops ... on my way to church, I remembered that you asked if I had a request. Mmm ... these days I seem to have more praises than requests which is a good place to find myself 'cause that doesn't always seem to be the case.
DeleteMy request? For family.
Let's put it that way.
And thank you for asking, friend ...
Reading my blog you know of the challenges we face with Jo's sister who lives 6 hours away. We need wisdom and grace to figure things out. Jo needs some peace over this whole thing. And since we will be making multiple trips back and forth and are unable to stay in her place (she has been evicted and so our last act is cleaning up) we need to find a place to stay for a week (not a hotel at the peak Cedar Point season). Thanks Linda.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and Jo and every detail that's springing up, Bill.
DeleteThankfully, He knows the way forward. And He promises to be with each step ...
Bless you.
I LOVE your heart, Friend! Praying for you and those in your circle!
DeleteBlessings!
Lulu, I'm glad you're here as we wrap up a truly wonderful Sabbath ...
DeleteThank you for this offer, Linda! I have been struggling a bit this weekend with some issues around identity and I would love if you could pray for God's truth on this to sink deep into my heart. And for wisdom in a situation where I am struggling to find a way forward.
ReplyDeleteHow can I pray for you?
Dear Lesley, may God assure you of your strong, precious, vibrant identity as a child of the King.
DeleteAnd may His priceless wisdom be yours in the greatest abundance so you'll know with confidence what your next step forward looks like.
Bless you in the process, friend ...
And thank you for offering to pray for me! See my response to Carol above.
DeleteI'm pretty sure there can never be too many prayers for those we cherish ...
Thank you for your kind offer of prayer. I'd love for you to pray for my teenage daughter who is the most precious gift and so sensitive to the needs of others, that she is overwhelmed with the injustice in the world and is dealing with anxiety. Her dad (my husband) went through cancer treatment last year and she's still affected by that, even though he is doing much better now. I'd love prayers for me to be the mom she needs me to be and that God gives her peace. Thank you and blessings to you. :)
ReplyDeletePraying right now, for her, for you, for your family. Trusting that God will pour out His peace on each of you and will give you the wisdom to find whatever medical treatment she might need.
DeleteHe is able.
And I'm so grateful that you've shared your request with us here. I'll be lifting you up to Him all day today ...