Half Empty or Half Full?

Posted on by Dorci

Most of the last (almost) eleven months I’ve been in the furnace, I’ve felt the Son of God in the fire right next to me. Praise the Lord, I’ve been blessed with many people praying on my behalf, especially in the beginning and for the next several months, and that has made all the difference.

But there have been days I only feel the red hot, scorching, sweltering heat. On those days the Lord gently reminds me there’s another perspective. That I’m not in the fire to be hurt, but to be refined, to burn off the impurities so that my faith will come forth as pure gold.

There are so many good and godly perspectives to have when in the heat of a trial.

He even reminded me through a dear friend recently when she said, “Look how far you’ve come!” Oh, was she right.

The Lord continues to hold my hand, to coax me along, to encourage me on those hard, exhausting days when it’s all just so overwhelming, reminding me to lay down my flesh, my human perspective, and see through His eyes.

To punctuate that thought, He spoke to me through an amazing woman whose life I can’t even begin to imagine, but she’s living it with His grace, with His eyes, bringing Him glory.

Through Katherine Wolf’s story, the Lord reminded me that I don’t need to see my life as a cup that’s half empty or even half full, but that because of His love, “my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5b)

I hope you’re blessed by her story.

 


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2023 National Day of Prayer

Posted on by Dorci

 

Hello Friends. Well, today is our National Day of Prayer. It seems each year we need it a little more than the last. This year’s theme is Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much, taken from James 5:16b – “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

When we ourselves are walking uprightly in the Holy Spirit, not grieving Him, but being sensitive and obedient to His leading, and actively praying according to His will, our prayers will be powerful and we will see the Lord work mightily to move mountains.

You can find all the information on this year’s Day of Prayer, its history, events, livestream, and more, here.

Our Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today, exalting and praising the mighty name of Jesus the Christ, the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. LORD, we pray for ourselves first. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 23-24)

I repent of my sins and ask you to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I lay down those sinful deeds and thoughts and take up your righteousness, and with it your peace and joy. May my life be salt and light to those around me that you would be glorified in all I say and do. Fill me with your love and compassion for the lost and all those you put in my life.

We lift up our nation to you, LORD, its churches’ leaders, government leaders, schools’ leaders, and leaders at home. We pray for the pouring out of your Holy Spirit to open the eyes and hearts of those who’ve been blinded, to convict of sin and bring about a revival for the salvation for many, and revival among those who have known you but have been drawn into the world and become complacent.

We pray for your mercy, that you would bind the enemy and his lies and deception. We pray for the healing of those who would answer your call, believing on the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.

May we humble ourselves and turn back to you as a nation, looking to you in all we do. May you heal us that we would again be a light to the world of your goodness and faithfulness when a people put their trust in you and in your Holy Word.

Thank you for hearing our prayers, and we thank you in advance for what you’re going to do.

We pray it all in the name of our Lord Jesus, our Savior, amen.

Sunday Praise and a Prayer

Posted on by Dorci

 

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today and praise your mighty name. Even though we don’t always understand what you’re doing in our lives, maybe even rarely, we know you have a plan and you’re working everything together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purposes. You do everything well. 

Thank you for giving us a sense of humor to help lighten those heavy loads, to bring some cheerfulness to those dark days. Things can get pretty crazy, as you know, and you knew we’d need a way to bring a smile to our face. We’re so thankful for the amazingly thoughtful Father you are.

We praise You because we are fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, we know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Lord, help us to always remember and be grateful for the beautiful and complex way you’ve created us, and most of all, that you created us in your image. Only by your creative and thoughtful hand could that be accomplished, and we give you all the praise and honor and glory. 

In Jesus’ most holy and precious name we pray, amen.