We are underway! While today is only day 5, I pray that your prayer challenge experience falls into the “so far so good” category. Hopefully, you are getting the hang of the technology that is stretching some of you. (Clicking links, accidentally deleting my email or thinking that is is spam and kicking yourself out. etc.)
I’ve heard from many of you personally. THANK YOU. Here are just a few nuggets…
- One pray-er didn’t know what her circle should be. She prayed for her family’s safety. That very day, her nephew was in the horrible avalanche in Colorado and escaped without a scratch.
- A wife pray-er shared that this experience has become a helpful and precious tool between she and her husband.
- Another pray-er reported that she heard from the Lord for the first time in her Christian life.
- Several pray-ers shared that the scripture that day was just what was needed at the time they needed it.
Here is your chance to share with our prayer community. How is your prayer experience going? Any light bulb moment or word from the Lord? Any affirmation, insight or new understanding.
Together let’s approach week two with the same enthusiasm we started with. May the Lord richly bless your obedience to keep your divine appointment.
For His Glory, Debbie Hucke
I am enjoying the focused prayer time on the verse for the day. My journaling /prayer always focuses on that and how I can apply it to my walk with the Lord. “Draw me close to you “ is a theme that continues to go through my mind daily.
Awesome Cindy. Close is the right place to be. We’re more tuned in to His still small voice.
Hi Debbie: My aha moment came yesterday. I loved, loved, loved your Lenten Day 4. I read Ephesians aloud to Brad to bless him. Then I told him how this verse effected me and my thinking. I sometimes get caught up in our grandson’s high school basketball. We go to his games to love and support him. I sometimes get frustrated with the coach not playing him as much as I know he and we would like. My aha is that God is sovereign, I do not need to be frustrated, and that I can have Christ’s peace and simply enjoy that I am with my husband, daughter, watching Ben play. I am so blessed.
Thank you Kathy. I love how the word of God nourishes us. And is so relevant and applicable to our daily life.
I drew a little heart on my wrist instead of the duct tape. Guess what? All day long I kept being reminded of the “audacious” Love of God and it felt so wonderful.
What a fantastic idea! Karen Aylor with a self imposed tattoo. I love it. 🙂
I think I have been coming into prayer lately asking God for help with this and that, so the message from today (3/10) struck a chord with me. I need to let go of MY agenda and rather pray to be in God’s presence so that I can learn from Him.
Thanks for sharing Rachel. AWESOME. What a fantastic insight to gain on Day 5. You have lots of time left to see how significant your new approach will be.
Personally it’s been a terrible week. Constant battles with my children fighting with me and each other more, my hormones remain completely out of whack so I feel mostly insane, work more stressful than usual, husband had complications from wisdom tooth extraction entire week, no personal time to myself other than late evening after children in bed and marriage tension continues.
I do keep inviting the Lord into these areas of my life, but it’s times like these when I’m so overwhelmed that throwing in the towel would be easier. Cause I could use a few moments of easy.
So that’s my check in and I only had time to type that cause I’m sitting in my bathroom with the door locked
Lorianne, It took courage to share where you are. We have all probably been there at one time or another. I will pray for you this week –a few moments of easy. May the Lord hear your plea and meet you there.
Me, too, Lorianne! I’ll be praying some moments of peace and ease for you this week!
Thanks for checking in Pam. And sounds like you could benefit from a little bit of easy too. I pray the Lord meets you there.
I’m checking in but no comments about what is going on, still breathing in and out so I guess that is good. Hopefully more next time.
Glad you’re faithfully participating. Love you dear friend. D
Look forward to and enjoying the daily scripture/prayer time but realized today my circle isn’t MY PLAN to focus on. Trusting in his help. ????????
That gets lots of us! Recovering control freaks UNITE. 🙂 He will come through. I know He will. Wait for Him.
I’ve been realizing that I have been telling God what to do rather than trusting him to work in his wisdom and timing. How prideful I am to think I must fix everything! God is God and there is no other! His ways aren’t mine.
My prayer journal is helping me to think deeply about my relationship with Jesus.
You are in good company Anne! Thanks for your courage and humility to share that. May your time with Him in the coming days continue to reinforce your new perspective.
Psalm 46:16 ” Be still and know I am God…” and Psalm 23, a song of gratitude, Such a beautiful way to start !
Amen! I can’t take any credit. I’ve been praying for His guidance. It is so hard to choose.
I find that after I read your daily message, it makes me think of something other than my “circle” or the specific thing I want to focus on during lent. Am I that “messed up” that I have so many situations to apply your message to? I’m finding it hard to focus on my one specific thing. I’m sure it takes practice….and that’s why I’m here. 🙂
Yvonne… No worries! Seriously. If you present yourself before the Lord, if you go in different directions, that could be His leading. His agenda, vs yours. So go with the flow. I’ve prayed about which scriptures to share… but they may hit each of us differently. If you’re in His presence you are not doing anything wrong!
The scriptures for days one through three kept me buoyed for all I was doing. Through God’s strenghth I am able.
Amen Martha! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we would sustain this habit!
With the craziness of life, I keep going back to “Be still Donna, Be still and know Donna, I am God Donna”. As I get anxious in difficult situations, I just take a deep breath and repeat that and it reminds me to slow down and to say a prayer of Thanksgiving to MY God in the moment!
What a practical mantra to use to redirect yourself. Staying calm in the storm, what an awesome benefit!
God is present. He’s in me, on me, and all around me. He’s massaging that into my heart deeper during this time. He’s already gone before me and prepared the way.
Each day the scripture applies to where he’s leading me for that day.
A wonderful description of His Presence! Amen Berta.
Thank you so much for doing this – what a blessing! I look forward to coming to my computer and reading and praying each morning.
I am blessed to know it is a blessing to others. Thank you!
I have been blessed from day one! I have used Psalm 46:10, inserting my name in the different spots over and over. Anytime an anxious thought enters my mind, I begin to pray “Be still, Denise…” and the Lord stills my heart. I’m reminded that I do know God and can rely on His Sovereignty alone! My prayer circle was answered on day two, with Ps 23:1. I lack nothing in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Nothing. Including faith from Him to trust Him completely through every storm. Thank you Lord for this daily study through Deb’s obedience and gifts You have given her!
AMEN Denise. I am blessed to know how it is helping others.
I am so glad I made this commitment. The first day we found our that my husband’s great grandaughter, Mandy Blatherwick, is going to have major surgery for a cyst growing on her spine. She is 15 years old.
Another important prayer for us.
I was reminded of a phrase in the Lord’s Prayer ’ which we pray often. “Thy will be done “. Pershap I am taking it out of context ButI am claiming the phrase as I pray. I do believe in divine healing.
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Thy will be done! I love how God made your circle evident day one! Thanks for sharing Vickye.
In Mark Battersons Draw the Circle book he reminds us that: the shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory. Journal often and daily during and after your reflection time. It is amazing to be able to testimony to others upon reflection and review of your journal notes his answered prayers and communication.
Amen Tina! It is quite amazing to have a record of answered prayer. It sure helps in times of weak faith.
I am finding the daily postings most comforting. I am learning a lot. I am now addicted. When I have something troubling pop up that day, I go back to the reading for the day and glean some thread to help me through.
Addicted to God’s word… how awesome is that! It is life giving. What a great discovery Mary.
The very first day, BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD. I have been so concerned in prayer for our country, and that verse just smacked me against the wall. I can only do so much, but He is in control. It has made my prayers so much different, and caused me to pause more in praise.
Wow… just wow. Thank you for encouraging all of us with His encouragement for you.
Create in me a pure heart – where do I have unconfessed sin in my life? That was a lightening bolt this week for me, partly because I felt my harbored resentment was a logical consequence for the way I was treated. Well maybe in some circles it would be but not in my Circle. Although this person isn’t asking for my forgiveness, I am extending it anyway and replacing the resentment with unconditional love. Thanks, Debbie
In the end… you WIN. Forgiveness is a gift for the forgiver. You did the right thing. I bet you feel lighter. THanks for sharing.
The week started off all warm and fuzzy and then day 5, Ouch! I had to admit I was into my agenda not His and had to let go. This is tough for me. I am a fixer! I truly know how much God loves me. I am putting a symbol on my wrist like Karen but I need it as a reminder to Let Go!
That works Mary. I can relate! It took circumstances beyond my control to realize my struggle with letting go. And even after He has proven His faithfulness, I still slip, often. Extend grace to yourself. He does.
One week in and I must confess I struggle with keeping within my circle. This world we live in is so broken and there are so so many things to pray for, but I’m trying to stay focused 🙂 I do love this new quiet time I have carved out for my time with God. It has allowed me to start my day in the right frame of mind! Thank you Debbie for being the instrument God has used to help so many of us with our walk with Him.
That happens to me as well Joan. Extend grace to yourself. I think if we’re showing up and listening for Him and His direction, it is not a waste.
I love the Mantra someone mentioned, to use throughout the day, be still. That is so very hard, yet so incredibly effective. Also coming to God to learn his plans for me was a sharp reminder that I am not very good at that. One morning I actually had to say out loud, get behind me Satan! So many things were interfering with my being still. I realize these thoughts I probably little help to others, but are helpful to me to express and remember. I, too, like the idea of a little tattoo. For me it will probably be gently waving lines as in Still Waters.
Terri, I agree with you that awareness is such a vital first step. Thanks for showing up!
My husband is in my circle, and I’m continually looking for ways I can be God’s light to him (he is not yet a believer). But God is using my husband to be a light to me! Since starting the prayer challenge, my husband–with some rather accurate insight–has been gently and kindly pointing out to me an area where I need to make an adjustment. The additional wonder is that God has kept me calm and given me ears to hear. I’m continually amazed at how God works!
Ears to hear… that is no small thing. Sounds to me that this is evidence that you are hearing Him. Amen!
God walks with me in time of need and always
Indeed. I love that about Him. He is ALWAYS accessible.