A Spontaneous Prayer Meeting for Bloggers

Dear fellow, Christian bloggers:

In 2013, I  hosted seventeen weekly, prayer meetings in this space, and one week, my bloggy bestie Marlece filled in for me. The last two weeks I hosted, readership was incredibly low and no one commented, so without a word, I quit. To my recollection, no one's ever asked me about it. I don't feel badly about quitting (as if I walked away from a calling), but I do feel disappointed that it didn't work, and when I say that I'm not referring to numbers of participants or comments--which, whatever!--but to a spirit of community.

I've made friends in the blogosphere (real friends!), but I don't have the sense that my bloggy friends are friends with one another. Maybe some of them are, but if so, I'm not involved in those friendships. I'm trying to say that I don't feel like an intregal part of a group in the blogosphere, and that makes me feel sad, and sorry.

Do Christian bloggers gather over the Internet to pray? And if so, would someone kindly invite me to those virtual prayer meetings? Because this week's been hard on me, and I feel like my kindred are, at best, scattered (at worst, competitive and divisive). 

I long for us to come together to pray: to stop--for one moment!--directing our words outward and, instead, direct them upward and in one accord. Matthew 18:20 says: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I, in the midst of them" (KJV). I know you believe these words right along with me.

I can't think of a better time to gather and pray. I'm so overwhelmed in my spirit, right now, over the headlines, alone: Israel, Iraq, Syria, Ferguson, the Texas-Mexico border, Michael Brown, John Crawford III, Robin Williams, Ebola. I could keep going and probably should; I've inevitably neglected to list the crisis a precious someone holds most dear.

If you're like me, you feel as though you should be able to speak--if not write!--with intelligence and sensitivity about all of the above people/situations. The pressure feels intense, at times. You don't want to let anyone--the Lord, other people, or yourself!--down.

So I invite you to agree with me in prayer:

Heavenly Father, You have made us so different, and each of us has a special purpose; thank You. We ask You to direct our paths. We pray that You will give us wisdom during this difficult and overwhelming time. Help us to know what to say (or not say), and when. Help us to encourage, not discourage: to help, not hurt. Give us the will to seek Your face continuously; to submit to the leading of Your Spirit; and to work together to fulfill Your purposes. We are so thankful to have You in common and to have gathered in this strange but wonderful way. We love You, Lord, and we thank You for sending Your Son into this broken place to die for us. We know there's nothing we can do to repay You, but give us the desire to draw closer to You all the time so as to better absorb and reflect Your most holy light. In Your name we pray, amen.

Thank you so much for being here with me. Feel free to invite others to come as they will; everyone is welcome! And may God bless and keep each of you during these highly-charged moments.

With love, Brandee

Little Kids' Vacation 2014, Pt. 3

After a third night in Annapolis, Maryland we headed into New Jersey. We passed this guy on our way, and I asked Jim to pull over so I could take his photo.

Then...on to Storybook Land.

I'd been dreaming of a visit to Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township for years, and I'm so happy to report: it was even better and more than I'd hoped. Jim and I couldn't get over its pristine condition. I felt all warm and fuzzy over the love being poured into the maintenance of its vintage offerings, especially.

Many of the structures include buttons one can push in order to hear relevant nursery rhymes and fairy tales. I walked into the giant shoe, for example; looked through glass (or plexiglass) at the girl and the stork-smooched baby in the photos below; and pushed a button to hear the familiar rhyme. Not all of the characters are made from the same materials as the characters below; while I didn't get a clear photo of the wolf from Red Riding Hood, it was large and furry, and it moved during the telling of the fairy tale!

Listening to Snow White, Looking in at the Witch

Sleeping Beauty's Castle...and (inside) Sleeping Beauty and Her Prince

I loved the Alice in Wonderland part of Storybook Land. It includes a cut-out and characters on one side of a cave that empties, on the other side, into a "playing card" maze. The cave itself features black-light-responsive murals and scenes: just really magical.

The Chapel of Peace endeared Storybook Land to me, too. A sign inside explains that an eighteen-year-old man built the tiny structure on his parents' property in 1885. Benediction was held there until the property was sold, at which time the chapel was moved to a cemetery where it fell into disuse before being purchased by and moved to Storybook Land.

The little kids enjoyed the rides. Storybook Land offers at least fifteen, and Chip could ride most of them.

Don't miss Chip's little face against his daddy!

I should mention that Storybook Land includes a little splash park; it isn't much, but the kids appreciated the opportunity to cool off.

I look at these images and know they speak for themselves. In all the best ways, I was overstimulated by this fifty-nine-year-old, fairy-tale park. My heart was full; I've never loved a place more. I'm so glad we made the trip, and New Jersey wasn't done blessing us, yet.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (18)

Jumping right in, this week:

Heavenly Father, so many people I love are facing serious challenges this holiday season. I come thanking You for placing these people in my life: not because of who I am, but because of who they are. I recognize the heaviness in my spirit as the dark side of a blessing; I wouldn't feel so burdened if I didn't love these people so much. Help me know how to best pray and care for them, Father, and help me to trust that You're working even now on their behalf. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son Jesus into this broken world, and help us to keep Him (His birth, His death, His resurrection) forefront in our minds, this season. In His name I pray and ask these favors, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you for joining me, Friend. May God bless and keep.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (17)

A day late, a dollar short: this is so often me, but welcome to the seventeenth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere.

Today, I'm going to pray over the season:

Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for these past few days with my family. Help us to never take for granted those occasions when we can gather together. I missed my brother, this Thanksgiving, and ask Your hand upon him as he prepares for another surgery. Please, Lord, may it be the last of its kind and bring an end to his pain. Continue to watch over his wife and children, and help us to trust You and experience Your peace. Father, I lift up to You those for whom these holidays are difficult because of loss or pain or grief. May we cast a little light into their darkness, Lord; open our eyes to how we might bless. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

God love you, Friend. I hope to hear from you.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (16)

Welcome to the sixteenth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere. This week, I have a story to tell you.

My cousin-sister Andrea has a friend of nigh about thirty years named Strawberry. He lives in New Jersey but passes through Baltimore every so often, and when he does, she likes to drive up from Petersburg to visit him. She mentioned recently that she was about to make the trip to Baltimore and asked if the little kids and I would like to ride along and keep her company, and yes: I'm always up for an adventure, especially a cheapy one. I have plenty to tell you about the trip, but the part I want to tell you, now, has to do with the Prayer Stop in Silver Spring, Maryland. Here's a photo of it:

The Prayer Stop had been on my list of things to see for some time. As it turns out, Pastor Dennis--the very man who built the Prayer Stop--was there when we stopped. He isn't always, he explained, but he'd been painting and cleaning. I went inside, and he closed the door behind me and proceeded to share his testimony and the story of the Prayer Stop. 

He'd lost himself to alcoholism, his said, and then he lost his wife and job and freedom. In 1999, sitting in jail, he remembered the Lord's Prayer and prayed it from his heart, and shortly thereafter he got out of jail and accepted Christ. About two years later, the Lord gave him a vision for the Prayer Stop. Pastor Dennis had a hard time finding somewhere to build the Prayer Stop, but at last a Buddhist said he wouldn't mind having it in his front yard.

In the past decade or so, thousands of people have received salvation and healing while or after visiting the Prayer Stop. "There's no condemnation here," Pastor Dennis explained, "because I pretty much did it all before the Lord delivered me." I cried, listening to him, and then I filled out a card with my prayer requests. Pastor Dennis prayed with me, read scripture to me, and hugged me goodbye. The experience has inspired my prayer for this week's meeting:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a big God capable of working out of the smallest places. Help me remember Pastor Dennis and the ministry of the Prayer Stop. Help me not to get too big for my britches but, instead, to be concerned only with Your will for my life. Make of me--if nothing else--a willing vessel: a living Prayer Stop. I pray the same for my brothers and sisters reading here, and I ask Your continued blessings and protection over Pastor Dennis and all those who do Your great work in humble ways. Help us not to despise small beginnings, Lord. In Jesus's name I pray and ask these favors, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

May God bless and keep you until we meet again.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (15)

Every time I host a prayer meeting of the blogosphere, I wonder if it will be my last. I wonder often: who am I to host a prayer meeting? Because I know the truth, and the truth is that, as ever, I'm a hot piggy mess.

• I didn't make it out of my pajamas all day.
• I didn't comb my hair, either.
• I'm going to have to rewash what's in the washing machine.
• I can barely see the floor of the playroom.
• Or the floor of the girls' bedroom.
• I'm having at least one issue with 4/4 children, right now, including this one, who keeps climbing up on the dining booth:

Kitchen floor isn't looking so great, either.

But--insecurities and all--here I am. In the same "Chicks with Brains" pajama pants I've been wearing all day. And what I want you to know is this: I'm not concerned with my brains, or yours, but with our hearts. If you're here reading this, I want you to know: I love you. I may not agree with you, but I love you. And if you're a mama like I am, I want you to know that I know.

I know you're at a loss, sometimes, when it comes to your kid. I know you don't know how to persuade him or her to stay in bed, take a nap, sleep through the night, eat the healthy dinner, complete homework, step away from the screen, step away from the compromising situation (whatever it is).

I know you're worried about how this person--this person you grew into being--will turn out. Will (s)he be healthy in every respect? Safe? Morally sound? Jesus-loving? Well educated? Will (s)he find the right job? The right spouse? All the right answers?

You're wondering if you're appropriately engaged. You're wondering if you're overlooking something or over-thinking it. Are you dropping the ball? Are you too controlling? Are you taking enough time for yourself or not enough? You can hardly say.

I know. I know because you tell me, but I also know because I'm just like you. We need one another, and we need the Lord. We need Him to center and ground us: to direct and lead us. To fill us with His wisdom and love and patience and strength. I invite you to pray with me:

Heavenly Father, I need You. I'm overwhelmed by the responsibility of mothering this person whom I want to become his or her best self. Guide me. Open my eyes, hands, mind, and heart to the best way: to Your way, Father. I long for my husband and children to rise up and call me blessed and for my husband to praise me as in Proverbs 31. I can't see the way to there, from here, and I need Your help. I'm asking for it. Forgive me for my sins and shortcomings, Lord, and help me to be more and better, tomorrow: for my family and for every bit of Your kingdom. In Jesus's name I pray and ask these favors, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

I'm here for you, Friends.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (14)

Welcome to the fourteenth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere. Last week was crazy town for me, and I didn't post. Missed it. Missed you! How are you?

I feel like I've written about this before, but let's talk about those times we pray our hearts out, but God doesn't answer in the ways we hope. Let's talk about disappointment and how difficult it can be to trust God with concerns He doesn't handle the way we'd like.

I entered the prayer request of some friends, today, which is to say: I covered their request in prayer throughout the day. I felt very much with them: heavy, tired, even a little anxious. When the report came in at day's end, it wasn't as positive as I'd hoped. I feel disappointed and want to turn that feeling over to God.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for feeling disappointed when my prayers aren't answered in the way I hope. Help me trust in Your promise to work all things to the good of those who love You and have been called according to Your purpose. Help me to believe: Your ways are better than mine because You see the big picture in a way I can't even fathom. Give me peace, Father, regarding all the things I can't control. 

I pray this same peace for my brothers and sisters reading here. Thank You for them. I ask that each of them will feel Your presence in this little space. I thank You for it.

Help us navigate this life, Lord, with all its up and downs, ins and outs. And I pray a special prayer for those in my life who are battling cancer. You know who they are.

In Your Son's perfect name I pray and ask these favors, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you, Friends, and may God bless until we meet again.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (13)

Welcome to the thirteenth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere. I've had a good week: my small group finished a study of Romans; the children and I got through our regular activities without a hitch (Charleigh even earned a ribbon in gymnastics!); I had a great visit with Becky, yesterday; and my brother's surgery seems to have gone well. I hope you've had a good week, too!

We'll be setting our clocks back, soon, and jumping feet first into colder, darker months. I tend to feel sleepier, more languid, and less inspired this time of year, so I'm going to pray against that, this week:

Heavenly Father, thank You for a good week. Thank You for going with my brother. I ask Your healing hand upon him and just pray that he will be able to live life more fully and comfortably, going forward. I lift little Jaimie up to you, also Nathan and Zeb. I lift Jackson and Kendall up to You. Thank You for caring about what's in the best interest of all five of these children. Too, I lift my friend Jason up to you. 

Thank You for Your Son Jesus, the ultimate Creator. Thank You for seasons: so different one from another and each so beautiful in its own right. I know that even now, as I type this, it's springtime for my friend Julia in New Zealand. Thank You for my autumn and her spring. Thank You for the season of each person reading here. 

Wake us up, Father, and keep us awake. Breathe into us Your Spirit. Give us songs to sing, words to write, images to capture and create. Make us Your inspired people evermore. We love and thank You and pray in Jesus's name, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you, Friends, and may God bless and keep you this week.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (12)

Welcome to the twelfth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere. How are you? I've been sitting here taking inventory, trying to decide how I am, and I'm thinking that--if I'm undecided--I must not be doing all that badly. Ha!

(I used to have this friend at the adult home--Miss Iris, her name was--and every time someone asked her how she was doing, she'd say: "Pretty good, for an old lady." I feel happy, remembering.)

Before I go any further, I want to make a point of thanking you for being here on Fridays. Thank you for agreeing with me in prayer. Thank you for sharing your prayer requests with me.

I'm not going to lie: the prayer-meeting posts are my most unpopular, and I've been tempted to stop writing them. But you know what? This isn't a popularity contest: it's a fellowship of believers! I read back through my prayer-meeting posts, this evening, and several of my prayers have absolutely been answered! Too, these posts fall right in line with my central reason for blogging, which is to record life and faith for my children. Without further ado, then:

Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing us when we pray, and thank You for every answered prayer. You know all the mess I have on my heart; help me leave it at the foot of the cross so as not to let it affect my mood or outlook. I pray the same for my brothers and sisters reading here. Give us the gift of the "big picture." Help us to focus on our many blessings, Lord. You are so good, and we love You so much. In Jesus's name we pray, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

God bless you, Friends. I hope to see you next week, if not before.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (11)

Here we are: Week 11 of the old-fashioned meeting of the blogosphere. Welcome! How are you? 

Today, I'd like to offer a prayer for our government and the people of this country. 

Image Credit: Jif









Have I ever told you I was a political-science minor in college? I fulfilled the requirements (I was even president of the College Republicans for awhile!), but I'll be honest: whereas my English classes made every kind of sense to me, my political-science classes always felt just a little over my head, like something wasn't quite clicking.

The situation involving the government shutdown brings those feelings back. As much as I've listened, read, and watched, it all feels just a little over my head. I'm starting to think it makes very little sense to me because it makes very little sense, period. My prayer, then:

Heavenly Father: I lift up to you, first of all, the American people who are suffering because of the government shutdown. I lift up the families of fallen soldiers who have been further, negatively impacted by the government shutdown. I lift up our servicemen whose return home has been delayed, whose Military Commissary has been locked up tight, and whose Chaplains have been made unavailable. I lift up our veterans who've been denied access to memorials erected in their honor. I lift up the business owners who haven't been able to operate because the buildings they lease or the access areas to those buildings rest on government soil. I lift up all the employees losing wages because of this shutdown, including the fishermen who've been denied access to the ocean.

Father, I lift up President Obama. Your Word says there is no power but of You, that the powers that be are ordained of You. I trust, then, that You have a plan involving President Obama. I ask You to draw him ever closer to Your heart: to make him an instrument of Your will. I ask You to bless those of his efforts that line up with Your Word and will lead to the furtherance of Your work.

I lift up to You every, single Congress(wo)man in our Senate and House of Representatives. I know all of them are under a great deal of pressure, right now. I ask You to flood them with Your wisdom. Help them, along with President Obama, to work together and resolve their issues according to Your will for our country.

Father, I know: the wisest among us sees through a glass darkly. Our human minds cannot discern Your truth without the help of Your Holy Spirit. Send this help, then, Father. We love and trust You and pray in Jesus's name, amen.

Image Credit: Greg and Kathleen Michealson

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

God bless you, Friends. I hope to see you next week, if not before.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (10)

Hello, and welcome to the tenth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere. I can hardly believe it's Friday, again...or October! But I love the evidence of autumn: every slightly chilly morning, every ripe pumpkin, every brilliantly-colored leaf. I find myself wanting to roll down my window and drive an unfamiliar road. I did just that, the other day, and came upon this beautiful, old church with autumn wreaths on its doors:

Jim's and my small group has been studying Romans for some time. This past week, we looked at Romans 11-12, and the end of Chapter 12 really stood out to me. More specifically, it ministered to me.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:18-21, KJV).

I know I'm not alone in feeling at a loss, sometimes, regarding political and religious discussions. So often, I don't see issues as black and white. I can recognize good arguments on both sides. I don't believe that--just because someone doesn't agree with me--his or her profession of faith is insincere. (Hasn't every Christ follower been confused, misguided, or mistaken at one point or another?) I think very differently about certain things than I did ten or twenty years ago, and I'm not 100% sure when I was closer to the truth!

I'm comforted by the verses above because they remind me: God's got this. He's got this messy world with its complicated and opposing viewpoints. Vengeance is His. He calls me to live as peaceably as possible with others. My prayer for this week:

Father God, sometimes I feel exhausted by the bitter arguments of politics and religion. Help me to discern Your truth. Help me to know where to stand, and when, and how. Bless in the same respect those who read here. Draw us closer to Your heart; give us Your eyes. Grow us in patience toward one another, and help us to overcome evil with good. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you again for being here. It matters that you're here! I hope to see you next week, if not before.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (9)

Welcome to the ninth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere: the one in which I discuss the epic battle.

Dinosaur Land feels benign, happy--even at the points of King Kong and the giant shark--until one suddenly walks up on the epic battle. In this corner of Dino Land, beasts bare their teeth, chomp, puncture, bleed, die.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex wins over and over, it would seem, but it acts merely according to its nature. It can't help having a big appetite, sharp teeth, violent tendencies. And--against the Triceratops, at least--it doesn't come away unscathed.

This would be the point at which I confess: sometimes I feel involved in an epic battle of my own, and I'm not...at least not against my own kind. I'm not a meat-eating dinosaur. I'm not a dinosaur, at all. I am (or should be) in control of my actions and words. Whenever I'm not, others suffer. I suffer. Thus, my prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, help me remember: according to Your Word, I don't wrestle against flesh and blood. Help me take a deep breath. Help me remember to pray before confronting or criticizing anyone. Help me know when to walk away or how to best approach someone with whom I disagree. Make me better and more for Your kingdom, and I pray the same for my brothers and sisters reading here. Help us shine Your light and not hinder Your work by getting caught up in unnecessary conflict. In Your Son's perfect and holy name I pray, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you again for being here, and I hope to see you next week, if not before.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (8)

Hello, and welcome to the eighth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere. My sweet friend Marlece hosted, last week, and I loved making new friends in her space.

I'm moving a little slowly, this morning, having returned home late last night from a quick trip to Maryland (more on that, later). All three little kids have taken a dose of Tylenol, and the baby is still feverish and lying against me as I type. We'll rest, today.

I've struggled, these last few weeks, but my prayer is of gratitude:

Father, thank You. Just thank You. Thank You for sending Your perfect--Your only!--Son to this broken place to die for broken people. Thank You for loving us in spite of our sins and shortcomings. Thank You for forgiving repentant hearts: for being great enough to put it out of Your mind so it doesn't hinder relationships. Thank You for refusing stubbornly to leave or forsake Your children: for walking with us though our pains and struggles and despite our weaknesses and failures. You are so good. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and  will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you again for being here, and I hope to see you next week, if not before.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (7)

Friends, I've had another very hard week and just don't have it in me to host the prayer meeting. I believe in it with all my heart, though, so I asked my sweet friend Marlece to host, and she graciously agreed. You can attend the seventh, old-fashioned prayer meeting by clicking here and traveling to Marlece's blog. I'll meet you there, and we'll all be blessed.

I hope to see you here, next week, for the eighth, old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere.

Prayer Meeting of the Blogosphere (6)

Welcome to the sixth, old-fashioned prayer meeting in this space. I almost didn't write it. I feel like I hardly know how to pray for myself in this moment, let alone anyone else. I'd ask if you know what I mean if I didn't already know you do.

I don't think any of us is a stranger to discouragement.

My dad preached Sunday, which was a bit unusual, but among us, he was the best man for the job. He and Mom had left their camper and campground for our cabin and campground, and he opened his Bible. We opened our ears, and just like that, it was church.

Dad preached out of Job 38 (KJV), in which God--through a series of questions about nature--illuminates His power and Job's powerlessness, His wisdom and Job's ignorance. Dad challenged us to imagine God's creating treasures of the snow (v. 22) and making paths for lightning (v. 25). He talked about how Job 38 has given him peace about not only his theological differences with fellow Christians (because none of us has all the answers) but also about God's control over and understanding of who he (Dad) is in all of his intricacies.

We talked about distraction, and I shared: I feel like it's Satan's greatest weapon against the church. It's certainly Satan's greatest weapon against me, as part of the church. I have a lot to say about this and may expound, later, but for now I'll offer a prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come asking You to help me use my time and energy wisely. Help me to remember: my time and energy are gifts from You and important resources for Your Kingdom. Make me a force of and through priority. Help me not to become unnecessarily distracted by the pontificating of others, social media, unimportant tasks, perceived wrongs against me, or a failure to release concerns into Your capable hands. I ask the same on behalf of my brothers and sisters reading here. Thank You for going with all those for whom I pray regularly. Help me to trust You better and more. In Your Son's name, amen.

Now it's your turn! Would you like to participate in an old-fashioned prayer meeting of the blogosphere? Here are some ideas:

• You can pray about my prayer request.
• You can share a prayer request by means of a comment.
• You can share a prayer request on your personal blog and direct me to your post by means of a comment.
• You can pray about a participant's prayer request.
• You can write a prayer about my, your, or someone else's prayer request (in comments hither or yon, on your blog, etc.). If your prayer is somewhere other than this place, please direct me as you can and will.
• You can join in praying my or someone else's prayer.
• You can share an update regarding a prayer request you've made here, in the past. 

Thank you again for being here, and I hope to see you next week, if not before.