Praying the News

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I have subscribed to World Magazine for twenty years. Its motto is “Sound journalism grounded in facts and Biblical truth.” Believe me, it keeps that promise every month. The World and Everything in It is World’s Monday through Friday podcast. Steve and I appreciate keeping informed of news in a toned-down manner in just 30 to 40 minutes a day.  They present the daily headlines clearly and succinctly.  Some opinion pieces are shared as well as human interest stories such as the one to which I’ve included a link, about a mother’s journey from grief to purpose.  https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/https://www4.wng.org/Carrying-on-Cory%E2%80%99s-story.mp3

The Pour Over is an email that comes to my inbox Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It’s a short-but-sweet Christian news source, taking less than six minutes to read. I highly recommend it. I’ve included a link here: news@mail.thepourover.org

The best part of keeping informed about national and world news is that we may pray specifically about issues by being informed about what’s going on.  God cares about happenings in the world and in our lives, so let’s keep on interceding for everyone who needs prayer. The Bible tells us in Psalm 24, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” How may I pray for you today?

One Step at a Time

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Remember a time when you didn’t know what to do? Right now, I’m in that position related to our son. I’ll spare you the gritty details, but Ray has special needs and lives in a supported setting some 45 minutes away, just far enough to keep me from being a mother hen. I want what’s best for him, yet I see him continuing to struggle despite support systems being in place. Lord, I need Your direction.

My book, A Goldilocks Life: Not Perfect, but Just Right” is finally finished (praise the Lord!) and I’m preparing to submit it to a publisher. There are expected requirements, and I am trying to decide whether I should put all the information in the email I use to submit it, or if I may attach documents. Little things, but I don’t want to make anything but a great first impression. Father, show me Your way.

Today I read these comforting verses:

Philippians 2:5-7 “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Our Savior Jesus Christ chose an attitude of dependent humility in relation to His Father, to the point of dying on the cross. And so too must we submit ourselves, knowing that the Holy Spirit will show us God’s way, one humble step at a time.

It’s True!

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A friend admitted to feeling anxious and depressed, and I listened as she shared what she’s been facing. She couldn’t understand why or what to do. I promised to pray for her and asked if she had prayed about it. She confessed that believing in a God she cannot see is hard. I explained that we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). We plan to meet soon to talk about her concerns. Meanwhile, I keep praying for her.

Though I have faced hardship and loss since I’ve been a Christian, God has never let me down. When I call on the Lord in prayer, I sense His presence. The Bible has guided me through times of doubt and decisions, and though the answers have not always come right away, I’ve learned to wait. Pastor Voddie Baucham expressed it this way: “It’s not true because it works. It works because it’s true.”