Praying with verses from Psalm 65 this week:
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, and the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy....
The mountains of Germany, Alaska, Colorado. The ocean waves at Okinawa, Georgia, Italy. The sunrises in Texas and Kansas and Louisiana. All these places You created, and You filled, and You made beautiful. And now You send us.
Thank You Lord for this amazing life in which we get to live in so many places. We know You are already there at our new posts. Thank You for orders, for direction, for packers. Thank You for one thing after another being checked off the lists. Thank You for new adventures. Thank You that we can trust You.
We pray You will still the roaring of the seas in our hearts. We ask for peace in the hearts of those who are driving across the country, flying over the oceans, or facing our same neighborhood with all new neighbors. Please give the travelers safety.
Thank You Lord for being the hope of the end of the earth and clearing the way for Erika's adoption in China, as well as other adoptions around the world. We pray for continued favor with Your awesome deeds to close it and bring the new families home safely.
Thank You for safely bringing home our deployed. And Lord we ask You to still the turmoil of the nations. To us it seems as futile as calming the seas, but You have the power. Please keep our sailors, soldiers, airmen and women safe.
We pray for our widows of those who couldn't come home safely. Lord hold them close.
We pray for our veterans who continue to fight wars with themselves. Lord, please stop the suicide. May they see You.
We pray our leaders never forget Your power. May the Chief of Chaplain's office keep You in every decision.
We pray for our hurting little ones. Please give Elijah's doctors wisdom and protect him.
We pray for our soldiers' health--physically, mentally, spiritually.
And we pray for our health. Please heal Michelle before her trip. Please give Sarah strength for her challenges. Please give our sisters with cancer bright hope for tomorrow.
The earth is filled with Your wonders Lord, and You have allowed us to see so many. We join the songs of joy today!
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
May 22, 2016
Praying with Chris Tomlin's Whom Shall I Fear song. Click here to hear it.
You hear me when I callYou are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
How awesome, Lord, to have a Heavenly Father going before us, coming behind us. One who loves us more than anyone. One who knows exactly what we want, what we need, what is best for us. One who never tires, never fails to show up, never is late, never is not enough.
You are the only God who can be with our soldiers on the other side of the world and with our kids in the neighborhood. You are the only God who can heal our bodies and our hearts. You are the only God who holds power and love, mercy and justice.
Lord we pray You will go before us:
*in the PCS moves and all the military people traveling across the country
*for the graduates and newlyweds starting their new lives and the moms left behind
*into the hospital rooms and the clinics for our health issues
*into the civilian world for those leaving the military; for jobs and homes and decisions
*for those widows facing a new lonely world
*for new businesses, new jobs, new endeavors
*for those waiting to be moms, for adoption papers to come, for successful pregnancies
And Lord, please come behind us and hold us as we all feel the separation and loneliness in this moving season. Surround us with your grace.
We are so grateful we can't wear out your compassion or your ability. So we humbly pray for those we love too:
*for our warriors' work and safety
*for our veterans to open their eyes to Your presence
*for our leaders, including the Chief of Chaplains office
*for our chaplains and chapels' effective witness
*for our children's lives to follow You
Going before us, coming behind us, thank You Lord for always being by our side.
Amen!
Sunday, May 15, 2016
May 16, 2016
An idea. A spark. A desire. A deep longing. A passion.
Blinking round eyes. Questions of what is this? and why? Little hands grasping and pulling; little feet stepping forward, forward.
Lord, thank You for our children. Thank You for new ideas, for creativity, for gifting You've put in all of us. Thank You for potential. Thank You for the hope for the future--not in our abilities, but in You, using us.
May we all use our talents as You would have. May we not squelch those sparks with fear of failure. May we boldly step out to do what You would have us do.
We especially pray this for our children. For this world that desperately needs You, may our kids be Your messengers, Your lights to spread hope.
We pray:
--for Your healing the hearts of those who have to move or have friends move. Lord, may they learn to trust in You more than people.
--for safety and patience for those kids who are traveling. Lord, may they learn to be in awe of Your creation and grateful for the opportunities they've been given.
--for courage for those who are graduating. Lord give them purpose and mission. May they be looking to serve You.
--for those kids trying to make their way through life, Lord please give them good friends, and may they be good friends.
--for their future spouses, Lord we ask that the next generation of marriages be shining examples of love in a lost world.
--in the failures, Lord hold them.
--in the struggles, Lord please lead them.
We pray our nation will be a good place for children to grow: for education, for safety, for world views.
We pray our leaders will be worthy examples, including the Chief of Chaplains' office.
We pray our soldiers--the mommies and daddies--will be safe and will be changed by You.
We pray for our veterans.
We pray for the decisions we have to make that affect our children.
When the future seems pretty bleak for all of us, Lord help us refuse despair. Help us to remember Your power over everything, as proven by the empty grave:
click here to hear Passion's Remember
My heart hangs on every word that You speak
I need You, Lord come find me, Holy Sprit breathe
I've been walking through deserts
I need more of Your Presence
I'm weak Savior be my strength
[Chorus]
Down in the valley, when waters rise
I'm still believing
Hope is alive
All through the struggle and darkest day
I'll remember the empty grave
[Verse 2]
Your touch bringing me closer
Your hand healing what’s broken
My prayer, Father meet me here
My life for all of Your glory
Your grace let it surround me
Let faith change the atmosphere
[Bridge]
Hallelujah, death is done
All of hell is overcome
Jesus, You are alive
Blinking round eyes. Questions of what is this? and why? Little hands grasping and pulling; little feet stepping forward, forward.
Lord, thank You for our children. Thank You for new ideas, for creativity, for gifting You've put in all of us. Thank You for potential. Thank You for the hope for the future--not in our abilities, but in You, using us.
May we all use our talents as You would have. May we not squelch those sparks with fear of failure. May we boldly step out to do what You would have us do.
We especially pray this for our children. For this world that desperately needs You, may our kids be Your messengers, Your lights to spread hope.
We pray:
--for Your healing the hearts of those who have to move or have friends move. Lord, may they learn to trust in You more than people.
--for safety and patience for those kids who are traveling. Lord, may they learn to be in awe of Your creation and grateful for the opportunities they've been given.
--for courage for those who are graduating. Lord give them purpose and mission. May they be looking to serve You.
--for those kids trying to make their way through life, Lord please give them good friends, and may they be good friends.
--for their future spouses, Lord we ask that the next generation of marriages be shining examples of love in a lost world.
--in the failures, Lord hold them.
--in the struggles, Lord please lead them.
We pray our nation will be a good place for children to grow: for education, for safety, for world views.
We pray our leaders will be worthy examples, including the Chief of Chaplains' office.
We pray our soldiers--the mommies and daddies--will be safe and will be changed by You.
We pray for our veterans.
We pray for the decisions we have to make that affect our children.
When the future seems pretty bleak for all of us, Lord help us refuse despair. Help us to remember Your power over everything, as proven by the empty grave:
click here to hear Passion's Remember
My heart hangs on every word that You speak
I need You, Lord come find me, Holy Sprit breathe
I've been walking through deserts
I need more of Your Presence
I'm weak Savior be my strength
[Chorus]
Down in the valley, when waters rise
I'm still believing
Hope is alive
All through the struggle and darkest day
I'll remember the empty grave
[Verse 2]
Your touch bringing me closer
Your hand healing what’s broken
My prayer, Father meet me here
My life for all of Your glory
Your grace let it surround me
Let faith change the atmosphere
[Bridge]
Hallelujah, death is done
All of hell is overcome
Jesus, You are alive
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
May 9, 2016
References from Philippians 4 today.
Creator God! Giver of life! from the tiny insects that can come alive from under the snow, to the birds that eat them, the blooming tulips, the budding trees, the baby calves, the life giving rain and warm sun. All breathe life from You. And You create us in the darkness of the womb, using a woman. All of us sparked in the passion of a moment, engulfed by Your love. Thank You Lord for life!
And help us to use this gift.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" We do rejoice in You. With thanksgiving we look back on our lives: how You were there at every hard moment, and in every triumph. All the moments we treasure are gifts from Your hand.
And we have joy today because of You. Thank You for the trillium blooming, the turkeys preening, the deer grazing, the trees greening. You know we love beauty, and You surround us with it. We are safe. We are housed and well fed and clothed. Our children prosper.
And we re-joy again because we know You hold the future. We step out in faith knowing You have never left us, never failed us.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Father God, this world is hard. It needs mothering. We all need gentleness. Help us to show it to our children, and each other. Help us to show You--are--near.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Oh God, how dare we ever doubt You! How could we? After all You've done, after all You've shown about how You love us. Thank You for forgiving us of our doubts. Thank You for wanting us to bring our requests to You. Thank You for understanding our weaknesses. And we do pray to You:
--for our warriors, active and retired. Please keep them safe. May they find joy and peace in You.
Creator God! Giver of life! from the tiny insects that can come alive from under the snow, to the birds that eat them, the blooming tulips, the budding trees, the baby calves, the life giving rain and warm sun. All breathe life from You. And You create us in the darkness of the womb, using a woman. All of us sparked in the passion of a moment, engulfed by Your love. Thank You Lord for life!
And help us to use this gift.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" We do rejoice in You. With thanksgiving we look back on our lives: how You were there at every hard moment, and in every triumph. All the moments we treasure are gifts from Your hand.
And we have joy today because of You. Thank You for the trillium blooming, the turkeys preening, the deer grazing, the trees greening. You know we love beauty, and You surround us with it. We are safe. We are housed and well fed and clothed. Our children prosper.
And we re-joy again because we know You hold the future. We step out in faith knowing You have never left us, never failed us.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Father God, this world is hard. It needs mothering. We all need gentleness. Help us to show it to our children, and each other. Help us to show You--are--near.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Oh God, how dare we ever doubt You! How could we? After all You've done, after all You've shown about how You love us. Thank You for forgiving us of our doubts. Thank You for wanting us to bring our requests to You. Thank You for understanding our weaknesses. And we do pray to You:
--for our warriors, active and retired. Please keep them safe. May they find joy and peace in You.
--for our leaders, including the Chief of Chaplain's office. Give them a clear vision today.
--for the Brittain family, and for all of our widows. Lord, hold them close.
--for health. So much depends on the mom of the house. We pray for healing for our sisters who are hurting.
--for new homes as some of us PCS, or need a new one for other reasons.
--for patience and long-suffering as deployments continue on.
--for our relationships with our husbands, as each day we must decide to love again.
--for wisdom in training up our children.
--for courage to fulfill the mission You have given us, uniquely us, to fulfill.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Thank You! Peace that doesn't need more things. Peace in the forgiveness of sins--no more shame. Peace in the freedom from worry that can eat away and strangle us. Peace from having to control everything. Peace that doesn't have to work to be o.k. Peace with who You have made us.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Lord, help us rest in You. Cease struggling! Rest. No matter the circumstances.
Lord help us to be instruments in our homes and our world that exude "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
May these hands that rock the cradles be Your hands to rock the world. Amen!
--for health. So much depends on the mom of the house. We pray for healing for our sisters who are hurting.
--for new homes as some of us PCS, or need a new one for other reasons.
--for patience and long-suffering as deployments continue on.
--for our relationships with our husbands, as each day we must decide to love again.
--for wisdom in training up our children.
--for courage to fulfill the mission You have given us, uniquely us, to fulfill.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Thank You! Peace that doesn't need more things. Peace in the forgiveness of sins--no more shame. Peace in the freedom from worry that can eat away and strangle us. Peace from having to control everything. Peace that doesn't have to work to be o.k. Peace with who You have made us.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Lord, help us rest in You. Cease struggling! Rest. No matter the circumstances.
Lord help us to be instruments in our homes and our world that exude "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
May these hands that rock the cradles be Your hands to rock the world. Amen!
Sunday, May 1, 2016
May 2, 2016
As we pray with the National Day of Prayer this week:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for our soldiers
for our airmen
for our sailors.
Thank You for those sets of skills it takes to fly a helicopter, navigate the waters, maneuver a stryker.
Thank You for Your protection, Your courage, Your knowledge that You have given these people.
Please help them do their jobs today.
Thank You for our chaplains, our Christian commanders, our brothers and sisters in arms. Lord, help them do Your work. May they not grow weary in spirit. May their lights shine brightly for You.
Lord thank You that we can trust You.
Thank You for leading us through this military life so far--for the houses we've lived in, for the jobs completed, for the adventures, for the wonderful friendships.
We trust in You for the coming times of trials. We pray for ourselves and our friends:
for the unsettling of PCS moves
for our children and us having to say good byes
for the numerous details it takes to get safely moved
for all those houses that need to be found/rented/sold
for the learning curves of new jobs.
We pray for those retiring or leaving the military:
for Your peace
for Your direction in finding a new passion in life
for the family to find a new place to settle in.
We pray for the busy summer training times. Lord, help our warriors learn, strategize, progress.
We pray for our veterans. May they turn to You.
We pray for our nation and our leaders, including the Chief of Chaplains office.
We pray for our chapels and PWOCs and CWOCs, our youth and children's ministries--may they be affective sanctuaries.
Whatever it takes, Lord, teach us to trust in You.
click here to listen: Tis So Sweet
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me,
wilt be with me to the end.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for our soldiers
for our airmen
for our sailors.
Thank You for those sets of skills it takes to fly a helicopter, navigate the waters, maneuver a stryker.
Thank You for Your protection, Your courage, Your knowledge that You have given these people.
Please help them do their jobs today.
Thank You for our chaplains, our Christian commanders, our brothers and sisters in arms. Lord, help them do Your work. May they not grow weary in spirit. May their lights shine brightly for You.
Lord thank You that we can trust You.
Thank You for leading us through this military life so far--for the houses we've lived in, for the jobs completed, for the adventures, for the wonderful friendships.
We trust in You for the coming times of trials. We pray for ourselves and our friends:
for the unsettling of PCS moves
for our children and us having to say good byes
for the numerous details it takes to get safely moved
for all those houses that need to be found/rented/sold
for the learning curves of new jobs.
We pray for those retiring or leaving the military:
for Your peace
for Your direction in finding a new passion in life
for the family to find a new place to settle in.
We pray for the busy summer training times. Lord, help our warriors learn, strategize, progress.
We pray for our veterans. May they turn to You.
We pray for our nation and our leaders, including the Chief of Chaplains office.
We pray for our chapels and PWOCs and CWOCs, our youth and children's ministries--may they be affective sanctuaries.
Whatever it takes, Lord, teach us to trust in You.
click here to listen: Tis So Sweet
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me,
wilt be with me to the end.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
April 24, 2016
When I'm tired and it all really feels impossible
Lead me to the cross
When I'm angry and things really aren't fair
Lead me to the cross
When I just don't want to start over and reach out again
Lead me to the cross
When I deserve more respect
Lead me to the cross
When I'm overwhelmed and sick and can't get a break
Lead me to the cross
When the orders and the promotion lists don't say what I wanted
Lead me to the cross
When I'm scared because I can't see how it's going to end
Lead me to the cross
When I worry worry worry
Lead me to the cross
and for our children:
When the door closes and their dreams seem crushed
Lead them to the cross
When they're afraid to try
Lead them to the cross
When they're sick of being the youngest
Lead them to the cross
When they're trying to be the tough guy
Lead them to the cross
When they think they can do it all by themselves
Lead them to the cross
and for our husbands:
When they are unjustly treated
Lead them to the cross
When they are tempted
Lead them to the cross
When they are in dangerous situations
Lead them to the cross
When they have to make decisions
Lead them to the cross
When they are tempted to not care anymore
Lead them to the cross
When our veterans are tempted to despair, Lord,
Lead them to the cross
When we don't want to forgive
Lead us to the cross
When we need healing
Lead us to the cross
When our loved ones are far away
Lead us to the cross
When our leaders need to be strong and courageous
Lead them to the cross.
When our deployed are facing death
Lead them to the cross.
Lead us to the cross, lead us to Your Heart, and change us.
We pray for our wounded in Walter Reed and Sam Houston and Madigan and other places.
We pray for our soldiers and veterans' walk with You.
We pray for our ships, and planes, and tanks, and radios, and guns, and all the things our military needs to work.
We pray for our nation's leadership, and for the Chief of Chaplain's office.
Thank You Lord Jesus for going to the cross Yourself! Lead on--
click here to hear Hillsong's Lead Me to the Cross
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
Lead me to Your Heart...
Sunday, April 17, 2016
April 18, 2016
"Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord." --II Kings 19:14
Lord we spread out before You:
the promotion lists
the OER
the kids' test scores
the PCS maps
the deployment orders
the bank balance sheet
the rental lease and the closing papers
the lab results
the chapel bulletin
the Bible study catalog
the children's church lesson
the order of events for PWOC
the retirement plans
the newspapers, with their reports of war and rumors of war, the pictures of Your people being persecuted, the articles of soldiers in peril
the letters from family we love and can't get to
We give these things to You.
"Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, 'O Lord, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord and see....
Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God."--II Kings 19:15-19
We pray for our deployed
We pray for our military
We pray for our nation's leaders and the election
We pray for the Chief of Chaplains office
We pray for our hurting veterans--for those with broken limbs, broken heads, broken hearts--we ask for soul-deep healing
And we thank You that You see, You hear, You love, and You deliver.
Lord we spread out before You:
the promotion lists
the OER
the kids' test scores
the PCS maps
the deployment orders
the bank balance sheet
the rental lease and the closing papers
the lab results
the chapel bulletin
the Bible study catalog
the children's church lesson
the order of events for PWOC
the retirement plans
the newspapers, with their reports of war and rumors of war, the pictures of Your people being persecuted, the articles of soldiers in peril
the letters from family we love and can't get to
We give these things to You.
"Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, 'O Lord, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord and see....
Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God."--II Kings 19:15-19
We pray for our deployed
We pray for our military
We pray for our nation's leaders and the election
We pray for the Chief of Chaplains office
We pray for our hurting veterans--for those with broken limbs, broken heads, broken hearts--we ask for soul-deep healing
And we thank You that You see, You hear, You love, and You deliver.
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