Category: Intimacy with God

Session 8: Jesus’ Model for Prayer

Did you learn the Lord’s Prayer as a child? Maybe, like me, you recited the words without understanding their meaning. Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV) There’s much to learn from this short but powerful model for prayer. 

First, by referring to God as our Father, Jesus shows us that He is accessible, intimate, and personal. At the same time, “hallowed be your name” illustrates the importance of approaching the Lord with reverence and awe. One commentary explains, “Too often we barge into God’s presence with presumptuous ‘to-do lists’ for Him, without being mindful of His holiness, His awesomeness, and the vast chasm that separates our nature from His. That we are even allowed to come before His throne is due only to His gracious, merciful love for His own (Hebrews 4:16). We must never take that grace for granted.”1

Our Heavenly Father is sovereign and deserves to be praised just because He’s God, not because of anything He’s done for us. This provides a humbling reminder that God doesn’t exist for us, we exist for Him. Acknowledging His holiness helps us to regain perspective when our needs seem urgent.

Next, praying “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” invites God to increase His kingdom on earth right now through each of us. As followers of Jesus, we are citizens of God’s kingdom, and we carry that citizenship with us wherever we go. We’re each marked by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Just like a passport identifies you as a citizen of a specific country, the Holy Spirit identifies you as God’s child. So, wherever you go, you have the opportunity to let the light of God’s love shine out from you, as Jesus describes when He says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Praying for God’s kingdom to come impacts how believers view their immediate circumstances. We recognize that God has empowered us to change the atmosphere of our surroundings and we invite Him to work in and through us. In the rest of the prayer, Jesus shows three ways we can pray personally that will expand the Lord’s rule and reign:

-Make Room for the Kingdom of God in Your Daily Life: We have the privilege of asking God to meet our needs for “daily bread.” Just as our bodies were made to need sustenance from food every day, our hearts were made to need daily connection with God. Going to Him consistently reminds us self-sufficiency is only an illusion. Everything we have, including our ability to earn a living, ultimately comes from God. Asking the Lord to meet our physical and spiritual needs daily keeps us humble, but also enables us to grow in our connection to Him and our dependence upon Him. So, commit to spending time in God’s Word and prayer consistently, even when the Extraordinary Prayer study comes to an end. Be intentional about creating space in your schedule to be quiet before the Lord. Ask your Heavenly Father to show you what distractions you can eliminate that will free you up to draw near to Him consistently. To read an expanded explanation on this portion of the prayer, see the link at the bottom.*

-Expand the Kingdom of God with Confession and Forgiveness: In the next part of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus illustrates the importance of identifying and confessing our sins.  “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12, NIV) We’ve become a society averse to accepting responsibility for our wrongdoing. But if we follow Jesus, we must be willing to confess when we’ve sinned and seek forgiveness from God and others we’ve hurt. Likewise, we expand God’s kingdom when we forgive others for the wrongs done to us. This is the only portion of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus expands on further: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15, NIV) Our willingness to ask for and offer forgiveness stands out in a world bent on sidestepping sin, nursing resentment, and seeking retaliation. For a deeper dive on these two topics, see the links at the bottom.*

-Spread the Kingdom of God by Praying Against Temptation and Evil: In the final portion of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus tells us to pray: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13, NIV) Our flesh and spirit battle continually; praying for the Lord not to lead us into temptation and to deliver us from evil demonstrates humble acknowledgement of this fact. It’s a request to keep sin from gaining a foothold in our lives. When we know our weaknesses and are aware of the areas where we’re likely to fall into sin, we can pray proactively, asking the Lord to guide and protect us. Relying on God’s strength to withstand temptation also encourages others who may be struggling in similar ways. Making the hard choice to uphold integrity and righteousness expands the Lord’s kingdom and inspire others to do the same. 

Increasing God’s dominion on earth starts in our hearts and minds. Let Rend Collective’s song “Build Your Kingdom Here” inspire your prayers today. 

*Interested in understanding more? Take a look at this post on daily bread by clicking here, this one on confession by clicking here or this one on forgiveness by clicking here.

1. Commentary quotation from:  https://www.gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html

Session 7: Mary’s Prayer

Do you remember setting up your family’s manger scene at Christmas time? I still recall how much I loved arranging each character in the nativity. Baby Jesus was always placed in His rightful position in the center, nestled in the manger. Next, I would put the Christ child’s parents flanking Him protectively. Fanning out on either side of Mary and Joseph, I’d arrange the shepherds with a few sheep and the wisemen with their camels, all looking on with reverence and awe. Finally, several barnyard animals and an angel affixed to the roof of the stable would complete the joyful scene.

I never gave Mary much thought as an individual—she was just one of the players in an incredible, dramatic story. Years later, after I had children of my own, I had a deeper appreciation for her and all that she must have experienced. As I’ve studied the few passages where Mary appears in Scripture, my esteem for her has only grown. I’ve been amazed to realize what a wise, godly woman she was in spite of her tender age. 

Consider, for example, Mary’s incredible knowledge of Scripture. During her pregnancy, a visit with her relative, Elizabeth, prompted her to sing a prayer of praise to the Lord that’s overflowing with quotes and allusions from the Old Testament. “Some scholars believe that Mary was so steeped in Scripture that the words just flowed from her.”1 Her song, called The Magnificat, begins by praising God and expressing gratitude at being chosen to bear the Messiah. Like many prayers we’ve studied, Mary focuses first on worship and adoration:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49, NIV)

Mary’s words echo praises to the Lord found in other portions of Scripture. Her prayer reveals her knowledge of words written by kings and prophets including David, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah and Moses. It also reveals considerable knowledge of God’s character and the history of His Chosen People. Every verse correlates with other portions of Scripture. 

We’ll never know on this side of heaven how Mary learned so much of the Old Testament at such a young age, but we can let her example inspire us to pursue God’s Word with passion and consistency. Maybe, like me, it was Mary’s mother who first taught her stories from Scripture. I can’t help but think of the dedication I wrote for my mom in the opening pages of Extraordinary Prayer. She was the first person to introduce me to Jesus and to show me the value of studying God’s Word. I still picture her poring over her enormous Bible at our kitchen table surrounded by papers and commentaries. It was her example that spurred me on to prioritize studying the Bible and teaching it to others. 

My mom has been on my mind a lot lately. Last year around this time, I was spending every day with her as cancer delivered its final blows to her broken body. In her lucid moments, we talked about what awaited her in heaven. I remember her smile of anticipation at the thought of seeing Jesus face to face and of reuniting with my dad. Despite her pain, she exuded peace. My mom believed so firmly in the hope of the gospel she’d studied for years that there was no need for fear. Knowing Scripture guided her in life and reassured her as she prepared for death. 

A few days after she passed away, I came across two passages that jumped off the pages of my Bible: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4, NIV) I realized this was exactly what my mom had done for me. She taught me about God’s faithfulness and helped me find reassurance in His Word whenever I needed it.

The second passage both comforted and surprised me: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did;” (Psalm 116:15-16a, NIV) It felt personal and affirming–as if God was telling me to continue the passion for Scripture my mom had modeled to me. Her time on hospice occurred as I was making final edits to the manuscript for Extraordinary Prayer. So, it seemed fitting to add those passages to the dedication I’d already included in the front of the book. To me, they’re a reminder to continue sharing what I’m learning in Scripture with others so that they can find hope, joy, and peace. 

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God’s Word is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12) My mom knew this, which is why she could believe promises written several thousand years ago applied to her personally. She knew her salvation was secure because of Jesus. My mom didn’t lose heart as her body began to fail because her eyes were fixed on what is unseen and eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Mary also knew she could trust the Scriptures. This enabled her to take words from prophets and kings and apply them to her personal circumstances. Instead of being fearful about her pregnancy and all of the unknowns she faced, she rejoiced knowing God chose her to be part of fulfilling prophecies she’d heard all her life.

These examples remind me that knowing the Bible should change how we interpret personal events. When we trust the goodness of God’s character, hardships become spiritual growth opportunities. So, let’s continue to pursue studying Scripture and applying it to our lives, following in the footsteps of these godly examples and many others like them. 

Listen to Jenn Johnson and Bethel Worship sing “Goodness of God” and imagine it from Mary’s perspective. Then, make the words your personal prayer today.

1. Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer, page 175

Session 4: David’s Confession

Digging my toes into the wet sand, I shook out my hand and kept writing in my journal. In two days, I’d be heading back to the “real world” after serving three life-changing weeks at a Christian camp. I’d already written several pages thanking God for the people and experiences He had used to transform me from a lukewarm Christian to a passionate follower of Jesus. Now, it was time to do the hard work of confronting the sins that I’d been avoiding for years. It felt awkward and embarrassing admitting them, even though God already knew. I feared that I’d fall right back into the same habits once I returned home. So, I told the Lord and asked Him to help me change. What I hadn’t expected was the relief and joy I would feel after coming clean before Him.

Without realizing it, I’d followed the example of David by offering up a heartfelt prayer of confession and repentance. Some scholars believe that David held out for a year before offering his prayer recorded in Psalm 51. He tried in vain to avoid admitting his wrongdoing after committing adultery with Bathsheba and ensuring her husband would be killed in battle. His confession provides a solid example for how to approach God with humility, admit sin, seek forgiveness, and repent.

It was only recently that I learned Psalm 51 has a follow up, also written by David. Scripture labels Psalm 32 as “a maskil of David”– a psalm intended to impart wisdom to others. In it, he emphasizes the importance of confessing sin and seeking God’s forgiveness. Let’s walk through this psalm and see what we can learn from David’s advice.

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” (Psalm 32:1-4, NIV)

David starts by describing the blessing of receiving the Lord’s forgiveness. He explains the agony he experiences by remaining silent and not taking ownership over his sin. After describing the oppressive feeling of unconfessed sin, he moves on to show the relief of coming clean: “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5, NIV)

The Lord demonstrates grace by forgiving David immediately once he confesses. The relief he experiences leads him to offer wisdom to others trapped in sin: “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Ps 32:6-7, NIV)

David encourages us to confess our sins and receive protection and security through having a right relationship with the Lord. Next, he shows us that confession paves the way for us to receive direction from the Lord:  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8, NIV)

Circling back near the end, David helps us to see the negative consequences of refusing to confess our sin: “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” (Psalm 32:9-10, NIV)

Using the example of a stubborn animal, David warns us not to hold out on God. Pastor John Piper explains, “When David acted like a mule God put the bridle of suffering on him and dragged him to the barn. A guilty conscience and all the agonies that go with it is a merciful gift to the unrepentant.”1

David concludes Psalm 32 reminding us of God’s great faithfulness. He describes the benefits of remaining within God’s circle of blessing and protection by walking in obedience to Him. Finally, David praises the Lord for His incredible goodness: “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:10-11, NIV)

God graciously convicts us of our sin through the Holy Spirit. He also uses the Bible to shine light on our transgressions so that we can confess them, be forgiven, and be restored to unhindered fellowship with Him. Here are a few “flashlight” passages you can explore: Exodus 20:1-17, Galatians 5:13-26, Ephesians 4:17-5:21 and Colossians 3:1-17.

Is it hard for you to admit your sins and ask God to forgive you? The Lord never stops loving us and remains faithful always, but unconfessed sin hinders our relationship with Him. Don’t let stubbornness or shame keep you from receiving God’s grace and accessing His power to transform you. Take David’s advice to heart and come clean before the Lord in prayer. Humble yourself so that you can be refreshed by restored fellowship with Him.

Let Lauren Daigle’s song “How Can It Be” inspire you to confess, repent, and celebrate God’s grace and forgiveness.

1. John Piper, “Go to God in Prayer,” www.desiringgod.org

Session 3: David’s Honest Prayers

If there’s one thing we learn from King David, it’s that we can be completely honest with the Lord about everything. Intimacy with God comes through authenticity. Once we’ve dropped our façades in prayer, our relationships with Him grow deeper. The Book of Psalms is filled with examples of this as David and other writers grapple with their frustrations in the presence of God.

One of my favorite invitations to be honest before the Lord is Psalm 62:8: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (NIV) Our honest laments are a significant part of extraordinary prayers.

My most vivid memory of pouring out my heart started with a seemingly “unspiritual” situation—a home remodel. God used that hard season in the life of my family to refine us and draw us near to Him in ways we’d never imagined. In fact, He taught us so much that I wrote a book manuscript about it (as yet, unpublished). Below is an excerpt that I hope will give you an idea of how it looks to approach God with raw and honest emotions and questions. This part begins just after my husband and I learned that the plans we’d so carefully designed had been rejected by the city. 

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The contractor left and my husband closed the door and disappeared into the office without saying a word. An overwhelming combination of disappointment, anger and defeat felt like a wave crashing down on me. Neither one of us seemed able to talk about how we were feeling without making things worse.

I retreated to our bedroom, closed the door and lay face down on the floor with my arms spread wide. The coarse carpet fibers pressed into my forehead and the faint smell of dusty shoes filled my nostrils. My emotions were so raw I could hardly formulate words to pray. The room was quiet and warm as rain drummed on the roof. I was too tense to let the tears flow. For the first few minutes, all I could do was breathe deeply. With each exhale I tried to release all of the negative things I was feeling. Bitterness. Anger. Confusion. Mistrust. With each inhale a different word would come to mind. Peace. Wisdom. Clarity. Direction. Eventually more words came and with my face to the floor, I wrestled silently with God in a one-sided conversation.

Why did you say ‘yes’ to the remodel and then allow this roadblock? Should we keep moving forward, or are you telling us to stop? Why did you let me get excited if this whole thing is going to fall apart like all the other times? What are we supposed to be learning from this?

Despite the physical discomfort, I remained face down in total surrender. Slowly I began to remember God’s faithfulness to us over the years. He usually didn’t do things the way we dictated, and they always ended up turning out better than we could have imagined. I thought of job searches, strained relationships, and challenging moments serving at church. God came through for us every single time. Fragments of different verses that had strengthened us through the hard times in the past came to mind.

I will never leave you or forsake you… I know the plans I have for you…You will find me when you seek me with all your heart…I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living…Be still and know that I am God.

As the promises flooded my mind, God gently pried open my tight fists of control and I held my hands palms up. I was ready to receive whatever the Lord wanted to give and trusted that He still had a plan. I knew there was a purpose for this setback, something we needed to work through before we could come out the other side. I got up from the floor and reached for my journal in the bedside table. Writing prayers had always been a way for me to connect with God.

God, I pray you would help us to trust in you even when things seem to make no sense. Please help us not to fret and to trust that you will make a way. I look forward with anticipation to how you will sort out this frustrating situation. God, please help us to conduct ourselves and treat others in a way that honors you through this process. Please give us wisdom, creativity and tenacity. I trust you even though I can’t see the way forward through this. God, please help us to keep a healthy perspective and to keep our eyes on you.

As I finished writing in my journal, inexplicable peace washed over me. I had no idea how this situation was going to work out, but I trusted that it would. God already knew the outcome and I could thank Him for that.

I emerged from the bedroom and found my husband sitting in our home office with his legs propped up on the desk and leaning back in his chair. His opened Bible rested on his lap. It was a relief to see that even though we retreated from each other, we’d both pursued God for wisdom and answers.  (From Our Mess to God’s Best manuscript).

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Looking back now, I see God knew our struggles and waited patiently until we were desperate enough to wrestle through our frustrations with Him. We had no idea He was preparing us to lean on Him for bigger challenges yet to unfold. Our growing dependence on the Lord was vital for giving us the strength we would need in the months and years that followed.

Through my experience with our disastrous remodel, I stopped asking God, “Why?” and started asking: “What do You want me to learn? How are You revealing Yourself to me?” When I relinquished my illusion of control and surrendered my sense of entitlement, God enabled me to find deeper intimacy with Him than I’d ever had before.

I pray you’ll find the same thing to be true as you pray with honesty and authenticity like David did. Instead of just seeking answers or solutions, pursue greater intimacy with Him. Regardless of how your circumstances unfold, you won’t be disappointed.

Casting Crowns’ “God of All My Days” beautifully captures my prayers and the idea of seeking God with honesty and authenticity. Click here to listen.

Come Near to God

Tugging on her father’s sleeve and looking up at him with pleading eyes, the little girl asked, “Can we have some Daddy-Daughter time now?” Smiling, he stood up without hesitation, excused himself, and left the circle of adults to tend to his girl. I always admired the close connection between this pair of family friends. The little daughter approached her loving father with boldness and confidence knowing he would gladly respond to her request. She knew when she needed him, and he gladly received her.

This is a beautiful picture of what God will do for each of us. He says in His Word: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

Throughout the Bible we see examples of the Lord in the role of a parent to His people: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a, NIV) Paul tells believers we can cry out to God using the name “Abba Father.” (Romans 8:15) Author and pastor Tim Keller explains, “We need to know the original language here. ‘Abba’ was an Aramaic term which is best translated ‘Daddy’—a term of the greatest intimacy. A child does not always (or even often) address his father as ‘Father’; likely, he has a different term for him that shows his loving, trusting familiarity with his father, such as ‘Dad’ or ‘Papa’ or ‘Daddy.’ And this is how Christians can approach the all-powerful Creator of the universe, who sustains every atom in existence moment by moment!”1

Despite this amazing truth, not all of us approach the Lord with such confidence and enthusiasm. For some of us, prayer feels like a chore. For others, it’s become stale and boring because we’re in a rut using the same words and praying for the same things. Others of us resort to prayer only when we’re really desperate, and some of us shy away from praying altogether, not knowing what to say or how to say it.

Maybe you recognize yourself somewhere on this spectrum. Even if you don’t, I bet that, like me, you have room to expand and deepen your prayer life. If you’re ready to dive in and grow in your connection with the Lord, I’d be thrilled to have you join me for the next few months doing my new study Extraordinary Prayer. We’ll use the Bible as our guide and will explore the prayers of people who cried out to God with authenticity and confidence. 

Opening your book each day will be your chance to tug your Heavenly Father on the sleeve and tell Him you’re in need of some Daddy Time. It’s your opportunity to steal away from the chaos of our world and connect with the One who made you and knows you best. 

Scripture tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  (James 4:8, NIV) Let’s learn more about how to do this together. Whether you’re participating in person at CPC Danville’s Focused Living or online through my blogs and teaching videos, I hope you’ll join me. In fact, why not grab a few friends and do it together? 

If you need a book, you can order one here. Each session includes group discussion questions. Teaching videos will be live streamed every Thursday morning starting on Sept. 9 and can be accessed any time after they’re recorded weekly on CPC Women’s Ministry YouTube channel. Click here to access teaching videos.

Let’s kick off the study by celebrating our loving Abba with Chris Tomlin’s “Good Good Father.”

  1. Tim Keller quoted from “3 Things You Can Learn from Tim Keller about Being a Child of God” on CrossWalk.com.

Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer: Using God’s Word to Expand Your Prayer Life, 2020.

The GOAT Part 11: Ask, Seek, Knock

Heading into our eleventh week of THE GOAT, the Greatest Sermon of All Time, Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God with bold prayers: 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11, NIV)

I love that Jesus invites us to pray boldly and persistently, but if I’m honest, waiting for God to act can get tiring. And sometimes the Lord’s answers look different than I expect or come more slowly than I want. Can you relate?

Author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer explains, “Whether God moves is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability.  What He does is His business.  Believing that He can is our business.”1 Praying expectantly is hard work when we try to do it on our own strength.  Below are a six keys I’ve learned over the years that will help you persevere:

1. Keep Your Eyes on God Instead of the Answer You Seek: It’s natural to fixate on the outcome we want. However, praising the Lord shouldn’t be dependent on our circumstances–He deserves our worship regardless. Focusing on all Jesus has done for you brings peace that isn’t dependent upon your situation or a particular answer you’re seeking.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV)

2. Maintain an Eternal Perspective: Sometimes we forget this world is not our permanent home. That’s why it’s helpful to take a step back and see your situation from a broader perspective when you’re feeling discouraged. As followers of Jesus, we’re just passing through here on our way to being with God forever. Take a look at the content of your prayers and ask yourself “In the light of eternity, how much does this really matter?” The answer to this question may change the focus of your requests.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

3. Remember that God Does Things His Way, Not Ours: It’s easy to focus so much on the outcome we want that we miss the ways God is already at work in our lives. Instead of praying for Him to perform according to our expectations, let’s remember God is sovereign and give Him room to work in the way He sees best. 

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.“  (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)

4. Focus on Gratitude: When we’re praying about a specific situation, we tend to forget all the things God has done or is doing in our lives.  It builds our faith and trust in the Lord to thank Him for what He’s already done. We can even thank God for how He is working behind the scenes while we wait.  In all circumstances, there is something for which we can thank God.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

5. Pray for Strength and Confidence as You Wait: It’s ok to be honest in prayer and admit that we’re struggling or weary. Instead of giving up, ask the Lord to restore your strength, confidence, and hope in Him. Beyond this, we can pray He’ll show us what He wants us to learn while we wait. 

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13-14, NIV)

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-4, NIV)

6. Let Others Encourage You: It’s easier to wait when we have company. Ask a trusted friend to pray with you. Inviting others to join us in prayer keeps us from getting bitter and helps us to stay hopeful.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25, NIV)

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. (Hebrews 3:12-14, NIV)

Which one of these keys would benefit you most right now? Is there someone else you know that could be encouraged by this post? How about sharing it? And if you’re looking for a place to get plugged in, I’ll be studying my new book Extraordinary Prayer with women at CPC Danville this fall. I’d love to see you there. Click here for more information.

Need some encouragement as you wait? Let Lauren Daigle’s song “Trust in You” help you regain your focus. Click here to watch.

1. Faithful, Abundant, True Bible Study, by Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer & Lori Looney, Lifeway Press, 2010, (p.94). 

This post complements Tyler Scott’s sermon “The GOAT Part 11” at CPC Danville. Click here to view.

The GOAT Part 9: Worry

A few years ago, my son started describing me as a “stressy” person. He’s always had a knack for making observations that are both funny and piercingly accurate. It’s true: I’m prone to worry and I like being in control. Ironically, I’ve written twenty-seven blogs about anxiety and fourteen about fear in the last several years. So, it’s not like I haven’t studied this topic in the Bible—I just have a hard time applying it to my daily life. Does anyone else relate?

As we continue our journey through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, I was treading a familiar path when I came to this portion:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 3If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34, NIV)

This passage reassures and reminds us that we don’t need to worry because the Lord will meet all our needs. That said, it’s challenging to live like we believe it’s true. So, when I discovered a sermon by pastor John Mark Comer called “Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence,” I wanted to share his practical, biblical wisdom with you.

Comer examines five key practices that create a sense of peace within us that affects those around us. After reading all five, consider exploring them further by clicking the links on each topic.

1. Slowing: Jesus’ pace of life was unhurried. He allowed plenty of margin for interruptions and used them as opportunities to bless and minister to others. The frantic pace of our lives is a significant factor contributing to our high levels of anxiety today. If packing your schedule and rushing from one thing to the next is your normal way of functioning, this may be making you anxious and creating a ripple effect on those around you. To read more on this topic, check out this post on the benefits of slowing down: Frenzy is Not Your Friend 

2. Sabbath Rest: Jesus had a regular rhythm of retreating from people to pray and rest and then returning to connect and serve. Luke’s gospel tells us He often withdrew to lonely places to be rejuvenated spending time with His Father (Luke 5:16). Comer explains that how well we rest determines how well we work. Taking time to stop, reconnect with the Father, and re-charge our souls is crucial for keeping anxiety at bay. To learn more about the importance of Sabbath rest, check out my blog “Under-Sabbathed.” 

3. Koininia: This Greek word describes a relational bond between people who are kindred spirits. It’s fellowship and community centered around pursuing Jesus together. We need deep, honest, authentic friendships rooted in Christ. Making time regularly to study God’s Word, pray, serve, and share life with others is an important element for maintaining a sense of peace and well-being. To read more about the importance of koininia, check out my post “Knit Together.”

4. Contemplative Prayer: Resting in the Father’s love and relaxing into His goodness help us to realign with what really matters. Prayer is about experiencing the presence of God. Going beyond learning about Him or hearing others talk about Him, it connects us to Him personally. Time with the Lord also grounds us so we become less overwhelmed, less reactive, and more thoughtful when we jump back into the fray. We engage people and situations with a different perspective after spending time in prayer. Want to learn more? Check out my post “Why Prayer Matters.” 

5. Indifference/ Freedom: There’s little in this life we can truly control. (Sorry, I know that isn’t a fun reminder.)  When we yield to God and trust Him with our lives, we experience the freedom to stop trying to force people and events to meet our expectations. Following Jesus and seeking Him first allows us to discover joy and peace that aren’t dependent upon circumstances going according to plan. We become indifferent to the outcomes of situations not because we don’t care, but because we know God is sovereign and trustworthy. This doesn’t guarantee a perfect or easy life, but it reassures us of the Lord’s presence and reminds us that He works all things for good according to His purposes, not ours (John 16:33 and Romans 8:28). Want to learn more? Check out my post “Stopping the Spiral of Anxiety.” 

I wish I could say I’ve mastered the art of being a non-anxious presence, but I’m a work in progress. Two of the five practices come easily for me. The others are a challenge. What about you? Will you join me in asking the Lord to help you grow where you need it? We may never achieve it fully on this side of heaven, but every day is another chance to ask the Holy Spirit to help us move forward on the journey of corralling our anxious thoughts and trusting Jesus instead.

Comer points out that when fear and anxiety are running our lives, love is repressed. Not being anxious improves our sense of well-being and allows us to express God’s love and grace to others more freely. And isn’t that what our world desperately needs right now?

The key to beating worry is seeking God’s kingdom first. Let Lauren Daigle’s song “First” reinforce this powerful truth. Click here to watch.

Content for this post came from John Mark Comer’s sermon “Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence.” Click here to watch.

You may also want to check out John Mark Comer’s fantastic book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Post inspired by the GOAT sermon series at CPC Danville. www.cpcdanville.org.

The GOAT Part 2b “Light”

Descending down the paved path, our kids skipped beside us, giddy with anticipation.   We were on vacation with two other families and the fourteen of us had decided to explore a cave we’d seen advertised on a roadside sign. As we neared the entrance, a park ranger stationed at a booth nearby called out to us, “Do you folks have some flashlights? The cave is a mile long and it gets mighty dark and cold in there.”

We held up a few puny flashlights we’d planned to share among the group. He smiled in a way that let us know how pathetic we were. “It’s up to you, but I’d suggest renting a few lanterns. You’re going to want to keep close tabs on those little ones.” He gestured to the gaggle of kids surrounding us. Pooling together all the cash we had, we rented three lanterns and walked toward the adventure awaiting us at the mouth of the cave.

Within minutes, our previously boisterous kids sidled close to the adults carrying the lanterns. We left the last rays of sunlight and moved into the depths of the darkness. Between the 42-degree air and the utter blackness all around us, no one wanted to stray far from the group or the light. Without the lanterns to guide our way, it would have been a frightening (and probably very short) trek into the cave.

Although this adventure happened many years ago, I remembered it vividly as I listened to the sermon at CPC Danville on Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Put simply, Jesus calls us to be lights that lead people towards Him in a world of spiritual darkness. Jesus says that our lights shine when we do good deeds, which in turn bring glory to God. While non-believers may not always affirm or recognize the light Christians bring into the world, they would definitely notice if it were absent.

It is important to keep in mind that our actions often speak more loudly than our words. We can’t always recall what others have said to us, but few of us forget how another person made us feel. Consistency of character shows over the long haul. The impression we leave on others opens or closes doors for future opportunities to share our faith.

It can take people a lot longer to recognize they are in spiritual darkness than physical darkness. Our world is full of distractions that comfort or anesthetize individuals into believing they don’t need God. Often it’s not until someone experiences deep pain or hardship that they begin to do some soul searching and seek spiritual wisdom. If you’ve been there for them all along, they may finally realize the value of the lifeline you’re offering through Jesus.

So how can you be a light today?

  1. Be intentional about connecting with Jesus and keeping Him in the forefront of your mind throughout the day. Apply His teaching from John 15:4-5: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
  2. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
  3. Invite the Lord to show you where you can shine the light of His love and grace. Sometimes it may involve words, other times it will only be through your actions. Maybe it’s as simple as smiling at someone or holding a door open for them. Perhaps it’s offering a word of encouragement or affirmation. Maybe it’s meeting a need, offering a listening ear, or speaking a kind word. Each interaction we have with others provides a chance to make their world a little better and to shine our lights a little brighter.

Let’s consider my story about the cave in the context of our spiritual lives: Imagine that upon accepting Christ, each new believer receives a lantern to carry out into the world where spiritual darkness prevails. When we love people with our actions it creates opportunities to share the truth of God’s Word. We are like the people in the cave holding the lantern. Those fumbling in the dark are drawn to the light and find comfort in its presence. Our world is struggling in spiritual darkness; we have the privilege of holding the lantern and leading them into the light every day, one step at a time.

Let Kari Jobe’s “We Are” inspire you to shine the light of Jesus today:

*Updated from my “Shining God’s Light in the Darkness” 2015 posts.

Daily Bread

Hungry children lined both sides of the long tables in the orphanage, their bellies growling with hunger. Brightening as their headmaster entered the room, they expected to see him carrying steaming trays of porridge. Instead, he walked in empty-handed. He spoke gently, “Children, will you bow your heads with me and thank the Lord for providing our morning meal?” 
 
Hiding their disappointment and confusion, the children joined George Müller as he prayed to their Heavenly Father, thanking Him for providing their daily bread, even though their pantry was bare. Before they’d said “amen,” a knock at the door interrupted them. It was a local baker offering enough fresh, warm bread to feed all the children. No sooner had the loaves been served than a clatter in the street interrupted them once again. They looked up in surprise as the milkman entered the room wringing his hands. He’d just broken the axel on his cart and, knowing the milk would spoil, he offered to give it to the orphans. A broad smile spread across George’s face; once again the Lord provided for their needs at just the right moment.
 
George Müller’s incredible faith and trust in God led to many amazing events like this one. He cared for 10,024 orphans during his lifetime and established 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000 in Bristol, England in the 1800’s. Through all of this, Müller never sought donations from specific individuals. Time and time again He turned to God to provide as he cared for thousands of orphans he found living in the streets. 
 
While I’ve never been in circumstances quite so dire, I’ve experienced the desperation of pleading with God to give me something I needed. I think many of us would agree that asking the Lord for what we want and need often takes center stage in our prayers. Thankfully, we have a good and loving Heavenly Father who invites us to make requests, as Jesus taught in the third statement of the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us today our daily bread.”  (Matthew 6:11, NIV)
 
Requesting daily bread isn’t only about physical provision. It can also refer to asking God to provide for our less-tangible needs. In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

The Lord’s Prayer uses bread as a symbol of God’s provision. This is profound when we consider Jesus’ words in the book of John: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:47-51, NIV)
 
Those listening to Jesus’ teaching would have noted the significance of daily bread by remembering the Father’s provision for His people in the book of Exodus. After fleeing from slavery in Egypt, God provided food for them as they wandered in the wilderness: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.'” (Exodus 16:4 NIV)
 
God’s provision in the wilderness saved the Jews from physical death during their 40 years of wandering. Similarly, the Father’s provision through Jesus saved us from spiritual death, meeting our greatest need for forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ, the Lord made a way for us to have a restored relationship with Him now and for eternity. (Colossians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; John 20:31). 
 
There’s one key word in the Lord’s Prayer we can’t overlook: “daily.” Just as our bodies were made to need sustenance from food every day, our hearts were made to need daily connection with God. Going to Him consistently reminds us self-sufficiency is only an illusion. Everything we have, including our ability to earn a living, ultimately comes from God. George Müller’s faith and trust in the Father provides an inspiring example for us. Asking the Lord to meet our needs daily keeps us humble, but also enables us to grow in our connection to Him and our dependence upon Him.
 
One commentary explains,“Yes, God sustains us physically and meets the less tangible needs of this life. More than that, He fulfills our spiritual needs. He is the bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger. He sustains our hearts. When we ask God for our daily bread, we are humbly acknowledging Him as the sole giver of all we need. We are living day by day, one step at a time. We are exercising simple faith in Him to provide just what we need, when we need it – for every area of life.”
 
If you want to become a person of extraordinary prayer, practice connecting with the Lord daily, just as you would with your closest family members or friends. Start by offering a word of praise and seeking His will. Then, bring your requests before Him humbly and watch expectantly for His answers. Ask the Lord to increase your awareness of His presence. Talk with Him throughout the day and notice where He provides answers to your prayers. Daily connection with God is one of the keys to cultivating a richer, deeper relationship with Him. Will you try it this week and see what happens?

If you’d like some tools to enhance your prayer life, check out my new book, Extraordinary Prayer. You’ll be inspired by the prayers of different biblical characters and can follow their examples using prompts incorporated into each session.


The best place to be is near our Heavenly Father. Let Jordan Feliz’ song “Next to Me” call you back to the Lord daily for prayer.
 

Commentary quotations from https://www.gotquestions.org/daily-bread.html
 
Learn more about George Müller and his extraordinary prayer life by clicking here: https://www.georgemuller.org
 

The Power of Saying “Yes”

We’ve been on a journey together learning about the adventure of trusting God and His plans for us. Megan Fate Marshman wraps up her Meant For Good study with this blessing: “May today mark the day you say ‘Yes!’ to God’s invitation to call upon Him, come and pray to Him, and seek to find Him with all your heart. May you learn to walk in step with His Spirit and obediently say ‘Yes’ to the adventure of trusting Him and the good plans He has for your life!” (page 110)

She emphasizes that every believer has a role to play in fulfilling the Great Commission: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV) With the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we’re called to let Him work through us to share the good news of Jesus with others. 

It all sounds so inspiring, doesn’t it? But truth be told, it’s a little overwhelming too. Keep in mind that saying “yes” to God starts with small choices every day. It begins by seeking Him in His Word and connecting with Him through prayer. It continues by plugging into a community of believers for spiritual growth. As we do that, He’ll reveal new opportunities for us to use our gifts and share the gospel with others. God often uses fellow believers to help us see the potential He’s given us and to show us where we can use it.

To give you a sense for how this works, I’ll share some specific examples from my life. Please bear in mind, the Lord uses us in varied ways and gives us distinct gifts. Our stories may be different, but they all have the same Author.

Fourteen years ago, an acquaintance from my kids’ school invited me to join a women’s Bible study called Focused Living. I’d been praying for God to lead me to more Christian women from my kids’ public school.  This seemed like the answer to my prayers, so I said, “Yes.  How do I sign up?”

A year later, one of the Bible study’s coordinators invited me to co-facilitate a small group.  I was flattered, but I didn’t consider myself the “women’s ministry” type. I had experience leading teens but wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable shepherding my peers.  However, I sensed God nudging me to branch out, so I said, “yes.”  Much to my surprise, facilitating women brought me great joy. It showed me that when we use God’s gifts to fulfill His call, it doesn’t feel like burdensome “work” to serve Him.

A few years into facilitating, I was asked by another acquaintance from my son’s school to serve as the Parent Education Representative for the PTA.  I’d never been involved at this level before, but after praying about it I felt prompted to say “yes.” Almost immediately, God gave me the idea to ask one of our pastors to adapt curriculum from our church’s men’s group into a parent education evening. A few months later, the pastor spoke to 150 men at an event titled: “Raising Boys to be Men of Character.” It was a huge success and taught me that every “yes” didn’t have to be at church. The Lord could use me to impact others in the wider community too.

After that PTA event, I was so excited that I shared about it during an open microphone time at Bible study.  This led to an interview with a reporter of a local news website, which led to an invitation to join her writers’ group. I said “yes,” despite feeling intimidated and fearful about sharing my writing with others. My involvement in that group opened the opportunity to say “yes” to writing two different series of blog posts for the same local news website. I’d never done anything like that before, but both blogs enabled me to share stories about the Lord’s transforming power on a secular website.  I was amazed to see how He used the blogs to touch lives.

Those writing projects prompted the Coordinator of Focused Living to ask me to start writing a regular blog that made the Bible relatable to every day life (which you’re currently reading). Although God had been preparing me, this newest “yes” felt daunting; I wasn’t technology savvy and felt overwhelmed about setting up my own website. It also meant I had to write something worthwhile on a consistent basis.  With trepidation, I said, “yes,” knowing I would have to rely on God every step of the way.

I’m now midway through my ninth year of writing weekly blog posts. Spending so much time studying the Bible and praying for the Lord’s inspiration has caused my own faith to grow exponentially. And in the years since then, God has continued to give me opportunities to say “yes”and expand my comfort zone. I’ve attended writer’s conferences, spoken in front of people at church, started a Bible study for seekers and young believers, and published two Bible studies. All of these adventures felt way beyond what I could handle. Saying “yes” to each one forced me to rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, confidence, and guidance.

Looking back, it’s clear how each affirmative answer prepared me for the next one.  In each instance, I was hesitant, worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle what was required of me. God never revealed more than I needed to know, He just asked me to trust Him enough to take one step at a time. And He always equipped me with what I needed. Through each experience I grew spiritually and felt a deep sense of joy and purpose.

Did you notice that every part of my journey included someone else inviting me to stretch in a different way? Often the people around us recognize spiritual gifts and potential within us that we don’t see in ourselves. So, how do you respond typically when someone invites you to serve outside your comfort zone? Don’t be too quick to say “no.” You could be missing out on an incredible opportunity to grow spiritually and impact others. Besides, how will you discover the adventure of trusting God’s plans for you if you’re never willing to try something new?

So, where do you need to step out in faith and say “yes”? Perhaps it’s time to start praying about that. Also, be sure to read my next post for some helpful tips. Until then, let Cade Thompson’s “Every Step of the Way” remind you that God walks with you and equips you for whatever He’s calling you to do.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You, Zondervan 2020.