praying through
Just for Today, Lord
“Help me to walk in the way of wisdom—trusting You no matter what happens in my life.” Jesus Listens, September 19 He was given the gift of one day. One sunset. One sunrise. Just one rotation of the planet before he left it. Unlike the average American, he wasn’t gifted with almost eighty years of life on this earth. No, he was given the gift of one day. However, the way Jude Samuel Shook unwrapped the divine gift of his one day gave us, his grandparents, a gift that has changed the way we now live every day. A little boy who lived on this earth for just a handful of hard-fought hours taught us how to live our years. Jude’s Story Our son Josh and his wife, Kelli, found out at their twenty-week pregnancy doctor’s visit that something was severely wrong with Jude’s kidneys. The doctor explai...
When People Hurt You, Do This
“Come to Me when you are hurting, and I will soothe your pain.”– Jesus Calling, October 26 When someone says something hurtful, intentional or not, you can feel it instantly in your body. There’s a reason they call it a gut punch. You’re hurt and confused. Then, little by little, anger starts to set in. And even though you know you shouldn’t do it, you start to plot. Reactions Lead to Actions Who should I talk to? Maybe a friend could pray with me. I can confide in my them and be perfectly frank about how this other person stomped on my heart with their actions and words. That’s okay, right? If I ask them to keep it confidential, that’s acceptable, right? Honestly? It’s a slippery slope. Ask Yourself Before you confide your hurt to someone else, you might want to think abo...
Have You Ever Found Yourself Worrying While Praying?
The following article first appeared on FoxNews.com on November 26, 2021. When our two children, Stephanie and Eric, were young teenagers, my husband and I let them travel alone from Nashville, Tennessee to Melbourne, Australia, where we were living and working as missionaries. This was a very long journey, requiring multiple changes in major airports. I was feeling quite anxious about their making this trip by themselves, and I was praying about it almost constantly. However, as I prayed, I was worrying much more than I was trusting God. Eventually, I realized this kind of praying was displeasing to God—and it certainly wasn’t relieving my anxiety. So one morning as I brought my concerns about this trip to Jesus, He helped me find a better way to pray. He showed me that if I kept on...
What Are You Praying For?
Whether your prayers are ones of gratitude or prayers for help and healing, Jesus is eagerly listening. He wants us to turn to Him in all aspects of our lives; during times of celebration and times of struggle. We asked several guests of The Jesus Calling Podcast to share their personal prayers with us. Watch the videos below to see the importance of prayer to a variety of guests. And then head over to our social handles and tell us, what are you praying for today? Superstar singer and entertainer Patti LaBelle shares her daily prayer of thanks. [embedded content] Pastor Louie Giglio discusses his prayers for guidance, discernment, and courage. [embedded content] Watch author and businesswoman Sarah Jakes Roberts talk about her greatest prayer right now. [embedded content] Join Our Telegra...
Living from the Outflow of a Thriving Prayer Life
I don’t want to be a better “pray-er.” Don’t get me wrong, I would love to pray “better,” but that’s not my end goal. My end goal isn’t a perfect fifteen minutes each morning sitting with the Lord. My end goal isn’t a really great formula that elevates my prayers. Prayer that affects your life My heart’s desire is to live from the outflow of a thriving prayer life. That nuance may seem small. Well, of course I don’t just want to pray better. I want prayer to actually affect my life. But those few words, “living from the outflow,” change the way I approach prayer. I no longer isolate my time of prayer to each morning but, instead, allow it to keep cropping up throughout my day. Prayer throughout your day This morning, I prayed the scriptures found in Ephesians 1:16–20 for several friends th...
Pushing Through Prayer Obstacles
When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results. Jesus Calling, January 11 I sat staring at my computer screen, trying to write a sermon for Sunday, and a full hour passed before I realized I had nothing to offer. The church my wife and I started from scratch was 4 years old and growing like crazy. I, however, was not. I was spiritually exhausted, defeated, and depleted. My only connection to God was tethered to the content I was struggling to create for others. Something had to change. I needed another way to connect with God and refuel my spiritual life. I needed prayer. Finding it hard to pray But the truth is at some point in our l...
Pushing Through Prayer Obstacles
When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results. Jesus Calling, January 11 I sat staring at my computer screen, trying to write a sermon for Sunday, and a full hour passed before I realized I had nothing to offer. The church my wife and I started from scratch was 4 years old and growing like crazy. I, however, was not. I was spiritually exhausted, defeated, and depleted. My only connection to God was tethered to the content I was struggling to create for others. Something had to change. I needed another way to connect with God and refuel my spiritual life. I needed prayer. Finding it hard to pray But the truth is at some point in our l...
