HAPPY HAPPY EASTER!
I pray that this Easter will be your best. Not because of your full dinner table; not because of the family photo with everyone smiling and looking nice, not because of the beautiful music and the excellent sermon, but because your heart is prepared. You are ready for Easter. You endured the Lenten season with thoughtful introspection. You can see the cross. You recognize your need for the cross. And today you revel in the Hope of Easter. The tomb is empty.
He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed. Hallelujah!
Easter changes everything. Perhaps not much has changed. Perhaps after investing 40 days of intentional prayer, you’re a bit discouraged. Perhaps, even worse, you have lost hope. Maybe even you’re at your breaking point. How do you hold onto hope when you don’t get the ending you hoped for? Easter, as it did for the disciples, brings fresh hope into dead places. Easter, changes everything.
The tomb is empty. Can you imagine? The story of Easter is preposterous. But because of those preposterous events that happened so many years ago, we have hope! Easter changes everything.
40 DAYS!
Forty Days. Congratulations. From Palm Sunday to Easter, you completed the Lenten Prayer Challenge! Well Done. PAUSE….
BUT…
I know what many of you just did with that pause. Instead of celebrating victory, you feel some shame. You probably said to yourself something like this… “well kind of, maybe. But I started late. But I missed a lot of days. But some days I read words on a page and checked it off my list with no hope of having those words penetrate. But I’m still not sure I focused on the right thing for my circle. But even with all of my good intentions, I have more questions than answers. But I can’t see much change to my circle. But, But, But…
I can’t help but wonder… is spending time with Him really worth it anyway?
If that response rings even partially true, I have one word for you…
GRACE
The ‘But self talk’ is coming from the enemy. It should NOT surprise you. The enemy fears he is losing his grip on you and has stepped up his efforts.
Grace is a sure thing. Grace can be counted on from the Lord. Grace says some time with Him is better than no time with Him. Grace says, you’ve tasted some peace that passes all understanding and that can be yours everyday. Grace says, our time on this earth is preparing us for eternity. Grace says, time with Him is not about results, it is about a relationship. Grace says, you better believe it is worth it.
Prayerfully, most of you undoubtedly received some benefit. How can I be so confident? I stand on the truth and infallibility of scripture. Even simply reading His word is not a waste.
Isaiah 55:11 NIV “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11 NLT “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Maybe your prayer life has had fits and starts. And the daily email showing up in your inbox was the nudge you needed to have more starts than fits. While I’m delighted it has helped, it comes to an end. Someday … maybe I’ll write a devotional for every day… but for now you’re on your own. Maybe you’re feeling a little fragile and wondering… Where do I go from here?
Here are a few suggestions…
K.I.S.S.
The acronym stands for “Keep It Simple Stupid” Forgive me for being direct. The point of the Lenten Prayer Challenge was to spend daily time with the Lord focusing on His word and giving Him reign in your heart.
What ingredients are needed for quality time with Him? Wait for it…
YOUR. UNDISTRACTED. SELF.
I do agree that a favorite translation of scripture helps, as does a devotional and a journal, especially if this is a new habit. But those tools are secondary. If you load up on a stack of new devotionals and set out to read every one every morning… you have missed the point. To some extent, time with Him is measured by quality, not quantity. Whatever content you read, include time for Him to speak to you. Give Him your undistracted self.
There are a million great devotionals out there. My favorites include Jesus Calling and My Utmost for His Highest. To choose one you’ll love visit a Christian bookstore and browse. Ask a respected Christ follower what his or her favorite is.
Accountability
Now that the Lenten prayer challenge has ended, don’t wait to establish a new plan to meet with Him consistently in prayer. JUST DO IT. Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable. Agree to a weekly check in to review any insights, any transforming scripture, any fresh understanding.
Forgetfulness
We are forgetful. We revel in God’s faithfulness one week, when we breathe a sigh of relief from some good news. And then the next week our memory gets clouded when faced with bad news. I recommend you continue to use a journal. A journal serves as a record of God’s hand in your life. Over time it becomes a powerful written testimony to His faithfulness.
Testimony means… “a formal written or spoken statement. Evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.”
Habakkuk 2:2 (NLT) Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.”
Eternal Investment
What if you just don’t feel like it. Do it anyway. Be obedient. It isn’t about feelings. It does make a difference. An eternal difference. Frankly it is the most significant investment you can ever make. The return on your investment is 100% guaranteed.
Holy Spirit
John 16:7 “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
You are not left alone. Remember from Day 37… We have the power of the Holy Spirit. We’ve always had the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit that can intercede for us, when we don’t feel like it. It’s the Holy Spirit that speaks truth to our heart when things don’t make sense. It’s the Holy Spirit that provides comfort through any kind of storm or uncertainty. Come Holy Spirit.
Possible Format of Prayer
On many of my daily emails I closed in prayer. I often use the ACTS format when I pray to Him.
- Adoration/Praise,
- Confession
- Thanksgiving
- Supplication
- Amen
Adoration or Praise establishes perspective. I praise Him for something about His character. Confession removes any obstacles to our communication. Thanksgiving reminds me to have a thankful heart. And then, only then… I seek His help with supplication. I close with AMEN. Amen means “let it be so”. I think of Amen as end of story. With Amen, I visualize my prayer moving from my lips to resting on His capable shoulders.
Father God, I praise you for Your Omnipotence and your Omniscience. What a gift it is that You, the All-powerful, All knowing, All loving creator of the universe longs for me to know You personally. I confess that knowing a transcendent God sometimes seems elusive. It’s because I try to understand You instead of trusting You. Thank you for Grace and Mercy that invites me to meet with you, no matter what. Thank you for loving me in spite of my fickle obedience. Thank you for the gift of Your Presence and Peace that passes all understanding. Moving forward, help me Father, to keep prayer a priority. Help me to trust you when I don’t see results. Help me to know that time in prayer is an eternal investment. Help me to come to you with my undistracted self. Amen.
FAVOR
FEEDBACK PLEASE. Thank you to those of you who have shared with me throughout this challenge. As I consider the possibility of doing this again, please take a moment to provide some feedback. (Go to the bottom of this article and click the comment tab) .
Here are a few specifics…
- If you participated last year, did this year feel stale? Would you prefer if there were completely different scriptures?
- Please let me know any suggestions for improving my daily content.
- If I were to expand this to everyday, do you have any suggestions for a helpful structure.
- Online communication is a sign of our times, but it has limitations. Any suggestions for how better to engage the entire prayer community?
For His Glory,
Debbie Hucke
Deb,
I made this 40 day a commitment to my self. I learned new things about me. My favorite part is your comparison to real life events. I felt I could identify. The ski lift was one of my favorites. It reminded me that we each have a role to play in others lives. But really God is there for them too. I would like this to continue. Maybe do a subject a week or more. Like love, hope, faith, commitment etc….. Happy Easter he has truly risen
Mary J
Amen Mary! Yes as we understand more about Him, we begin to appreciate how dispensable we are. What a privilege it is to walk with Him and be a part of His plan.
Debbie,
Thank you for all you did to make this available. I have to admit that several of the “buts” apply to me. I often do more reading than praying and listening; and presenting an undistracted self continues to be a challenge. But there’s hope as you so frequently pointed out. Thankfully God doesn’t give up on us!
Grace, Carolyn! Happy Easter.
Thank you Debbie, for your guidance, honesty, and love these past 40 days. I incorporated your daily emails into my established time with God, but the scriptures and comments from you breathed new life into me! I often feel
Inadequate or anxious, but I know that God is beyond adequate, and is my peace. One of my favorite verses Is 2 Timothy 1:7 : For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline.
I focused on my prayer circle, and found that it got bigger. But it did tend to keep me in track. Not much has changed except for how I am learning to trust God . I believe he’s working beyond what I see or imagine. My hopes are too small. But I am trying to place my hope in God, not in my own prayers!
I look forward to your blogs with appreciation and love.
Thanks for your comments Anne. You are always so very encouraging. So pleased you benefitted from this addition.
You were a blessing to me by my commitment to this. Thank you Debbie. I feel I had a deeper sense of passion and meaning during Lent. Philippians 4: 6, 7 was given to me on an index card by my BFF at a crucial time in my life and I leaned on that scripture throughout my ordeal, the index card is tattered, creased and worn but I keep it in my bible as a reminder he is always by my side and carries me when I’m weak. Debbie, I don’t have any tips, what an outstanding Lenten challenge you prepared. I pray for obedience from him to continue the trickling and to be a blessing to others as you, Ian and your family has been to many…Hope you had a blessed Easter ✝️
Thank you Merna! So thankful our paths crossed years ago in Illinois. Obedience… what a great and risky prayer. Happy Easter.
The 40 day Lenten Challenge you provided has been a treasured chest of inspiration, reflection, gut-punch moments, and developing a trusting relationship with our Lord in ALL things–no matter what. I knew when I signed up for this 40 day challenge, I would be going thru the fire. Oh how it has been worth it. I love Jesus more, trust him more, want more of him and so it begins.
Bless you, Deb, for inviting me along on this journey.
Mission accomplished. Hearing from people like you affirms me for investing the time and energy. To God be the glory. And so it begins… post Easter, more of Him! Amen.
But I was late in joining, but my time was “crazy” during Lent, but, but , but, because, because, because…can be so full of reasons and excuses. Am truly blessed with home, husband, family, church family, a “Christian” woman. There is indeed a stack of devotionals, an iPad with EVERY translation in the world, so many resources, aaargghhhhh. But use?
My daughter-of-choice asked me to participate in the challenge. Sure, I said, confidently!
Then your emails started showing up. She sent me the beginning emails to catch me up, then they started showing up each and every morning, just what subscribing is supposed to do. Started to read. Another Lenten devotional (so many others set down before, incomplete). But your words, this devotional, they were different…they flowed into my heart…they GRABBED me…different ways, different times. Like nothing before.
Thank you for your perspective and frankness and admission of human-ness and so often the pain that can consume. But thank you so much more for helping me to think in terms of praying the scriptures, or the absolute necessity of relying on HIS plan, not my own understanding, or realizing how COSMIC HE is, yet I am HIS, His beloved child. You have added a sweet, beautiful layer to life with my Father, my Lord and the spirit: an interaction that was totally unexpected, yet so sharply needed at this point in my life.
before Day 40: each day a small treasure of insight and assurance that yes GOD loves me even when I am messy, regardless of definitions. Small nuggets of ways to incorporate/integrate into my life: word pairs, prayer is a dialogue, Bible is God’s communication! Was TERRIBLE at keeping a journal before, still am, but it is different now with notes of wonder and thoughts of love and pictures and curvy lines and arrows (an engineer must always use arrows!) Do you get my drift yet, Deb?
after Day 40: don’t know for sure, yet. But I feel different now, for a lot of different reasons, most beyond this communication. This season, your perspectives at a pointed time…the Spirit is moving me, just don’t quite know where, but it is welling up inside me.
Thank you. Please say a little prayer for me!
Deborah
PS: I, for one, would smile each morning when a Deb Hucke email showed up. It might not be read immediately, but sometime later, it would call to me as a URL for talking about my faith, reminding me to be a faithful servant, to remember that it is His way not mine…..kind of like guide posts on a path. Thanks again!
So humbled by your kind thoughtful comments. So humbled. From a person out there whom I’ve never met… I am touched. Well of course your name is Deborah! You even spell it properly. 🙂 I too am thankful for your daughter- of choice. You know… my prayer challenge has been indeed a labor of love. It had to be… But your comments… made it payday. To know that I played some role in your after Easter Spirit moving experience blows me away. God is so good. Thank you!
My favorite verse is Hab 3:17-19. Don’t change a thing!
Thank you Gerrie. So pleased you participated and enjoyed it. Debbie
Thank you Debbie. I truly enjoyed the 40 days of prayer and appreciate you so much for working around the Comcast issues so I would not miss a day. One of my biggest challenges was before day 1, just deciding what my circle should be. It changed of course as time went by. I know the prayers helped me because of the sense of joy and peace I experienced when I was not expecting it. Not all of the time but so surprising when it did. God is good!
So pleased that you pressed on and experienced joy and peace. God is good. Amen.