Posted on by Loretta

What do you need today?

Since I returned from visiting friends at the end of August my head has been doing a real number on me.

Nuts of unconfidence, what if’s, if only’s and comparison bringing discouragement and unsettledness.

With a day off booked and some alone time. No excuses I wanted to start in prayer. As my head was wandering I put some worship songs on You Tube in the hope of focusing.

As I was praying the song at that came on was Shoulders (link at the bottom) by King and Country. I hadn’t heard it before.

In the song Shoulders they keep singing “my help comes from you” meaning God.

Yes! That is what I needed to hear, to be reminded off. I listened to the song 3 times and my head cleared and I wanted to continue and lean on prayer as I really need God’s help to just bring joy.

As I opened my prayer journal. The bible verse on the page I am on is from Psalm 121:2

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Psalm 121:2

Wow God really does give you what you need when you need it.

It is time to stop be still and let God administer. He has given me the word I need. I can’t ignore it. I have to lean in on it and I may not get the answers I want but I will get everything I need.

Today and always my strength comes from the Lord.

What do you need today. Take some quiet time out with God to let him provide and remind you of the answers you need.

Photo: page from my prayer journal. Prayer journal for women by Shannon Roberts.

Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

Not of this world

Something has shifted.

Something feels different

Peaceful

I felt everything move around me. I was still. God moved.

Joy that has been missing is back in my heart.

Situations stay the same, nothing’s changed except ….

God’s joy and peace is now reigning in my heart.

When the nuts of this world bring you down look to God’s spirit and fruit to restore your soul. 

We are called to be separate from the world 
Not complying or settling 
Always searching for more 
Under the shadow of the wings 
The heavenly father close by

Saved by his son 
The rugged cross in sight 
The grave is empty 
There is no fight 
For the victory is won

The spirit if we let him 
Completely abides and flows in us
We must not upset him 
Just let him flow 
And do his work in us

His armour protects us
The fruit is one
Flowing in love,Joy,peace
Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness
Gentleness and self control 

Let us stay humble in your presence
Keeping the nuts of the world at bay 
Living separately 
With your Holy Spirit inside
Joy leading our way
Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

Embrace the challenge

A few weeks ago I wrote about embracing life just where we are.

I have a friend that has been in hospital for over 6 weeks now. She is going through a tough and challenging time.

My friend’s mum is a Christian but she has never chosen that path. My friend hasn’t made a commitment to Christ, but she is on the verge of something.

I find it hard at times to openly approach people about my faith. If I am asked I can talk about it for hours. If I am not asked it isn’t so easy.

When I approach my faith with others I like to put it in action or in ways they can understand. I was praying how I can approach this with my friend when she is only allowed one nominated visitor, which is her daughter. COVID prevention rules. My friend is so unwell all communication has been through others or messaging.

I felt that God was telling me to make her some prayer cards. I am not an artist or artistically gifted. However I can be creative. So I decided to embrace the challenge.

I made prayer cards based on the fruit of the spirit. Writing the prayers was easy. How to make them look a wee bit pretty that I needed to embrace.

I used the little talent I do have and jazzed it up. I cut, stuck and glued with my own hand writing and adding some dots to it.

I bravely got the cards to my friend in hospital and she loves them. She has been showing them to the hospital Chaplin and others.

My prayer now is that she uses them and they open up conversations about Jesus and making a commitment.

So if you feel you are not gifted or challenged in doing something out of your comfort zone. Embrace the challenge and let the Holy Spirit lead. You may be surprised at the result.

These are a different set as my friends had butterflies on, but the prayers idea is the same
Posted on by Loretta

Jesus you bother with us

Light of the world shine 
Why Jesus do you bother with me
You never give up  
Or leave me alone
You stand by my side in every fight
Pick me up when I'm down
Send peace when I frown

My mental health is low today 
I love my imaginary pet
More than people 
We all deserve your wrath 
Yet patience rules within your heart

You bother with me and everyone
Because you love us so
So much so you died for us
conquered death and rose again

Please take this gloom 
And turn it round
Let your love and peace 
Rule in my heart
Let me step in time with your spirit
Sharing your love with all
Whether or not people believe in you.
Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

Step in time

In Mary Poppins while Bert is a Chimney sweep and on the roof with the children and Mary Poppins they sing the song step in time. I’m not suggesting that we need to flap like a birdie, climb on the railings or go round the chimney, although it would be amusing to watch!

I am thinking about how we step in time with God through the Holy Spirit. Do we keep perfect time with God or are we a beat ahead or behind? 

Lord Jesus
The beat of your spirit 
Is a fast changing tempo
Sometimes quick
Sometimes slow
Give us ears to hear your beat
Stay in time
And not fall behind

Open our hearts 
Let us dance to your rhythm 
Praising and praying
As we skip along
Let your peace and love 
Rule in our hearts
Keeping judgment and hating
Far away

As we go into our days
Our weeks 
And the rest of the year
Let us keep dancing
Marching and walking
In step with your Spirit 
Shining and sharing 
Your gift of the cross
Love,peace and eternity.

Posted on by Loretta

Prayer for joy and peace when discouragement lingers.

One lone sparrow.

So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Matthew 10:31 NLT

I am feeling discouraged already. I desparately need the fruit of God’s joy and peace already. There is no real reason why. However I can not let this define my day and must stamp on this attitude now.

If you are feeling discouraged or disheartened today, pray for God’s peace and joy and see what happens.

Dear Jesus,
Thank you that you love me,
And that I am worth so much to you. 
So much you died for me, taking my place so that I can live. 
Discouragement is lingering,
Trying to seep into my bones,
My inner being and Spirit disturbed. 
This is not what you want, 
And I cannot let this define my day. 
Please keep your armour on me and fill me with your peace. 
Let this day be filled with testimonies of your love, 
Laughter and pure joy. 
I don't know what my day holds,
But one thing I know is that 
Jesus, you will not leave my side. 
So through you spirit today. 
Keep me on your narrow path
Radiating your light to all that I pass.
Amen

Posted on by Loretta

A prayer not to just make it through Monday.

I constantly seem to wish my life away to the weekend. Monday I normally label “make it through Monday”. But life shouldn’t be about making it through the day. It should be about living, embracing life and dropping the labels. My Monday today isn’t defined by making it through the day. 

Dear Jesus,
I have already woken up feeling like I just need to make it through Monday. 
This is not right and I don't want to wish my life away. 
The news is doom and gloom,
My energy levels low. 
Before my day starts, let me take rest in you. 
Restore me,renew me, refresh me. 
Bless me with joy, 
Give me energy, passion,
And a heart for you. 
Let my day be led by you. 
Help me to share your love today,
Spread your joy and enjoy my day. 
Work,play and family time,
Let it all be to glorify you. 
Amen.
Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

Don’t let autumn steal your joy.

Whatever normal is, it still isn’t here. Stuck in a pandemic with a new season approaching. COVID has made the year go fast and it won’t stop the year changing seasons. So for people like me who love summer and can feel it slipping away here is a poem to help us cling to joy. 

It's only late summer,
August not quite ended. 
So why am I letting it bother me so?
Stealing my joy with autumn pending. 

The nights are getting longer,
The daylight hours shorter. 
Counting down to the shortest day,
Instead of making the most of the sun,
And all the fun it brings. 

Leaves are turning golden brown,
And falling all around.
The summer heat fading fast,
Faithful when in need. 

There is no reason I should feel this way,
Doom and depression,
try seeping into cracks. 

Seasons come and seasons go,
But my God remains the same. 
So faithful,providing joy,
My strength,my hope,my all. 

Whatever the season,
Jesus fill me with your joy. 
Let the dark fade to dust,
And light shine all around. 

Let the reds,golds and browns of autumn leaves sparkle,
Let them crack and snap as we snuggle and jump on them. 

May the crisp air bring the stars,
Lights leading us home,
As we countdown to Christmas,
Celebrating your birth. 

Summer,autumn,spring And winter,
Jesus your our only king,
With us every day, helping us find the way,
And providing limitless joy.
Posted on by Loretta · 20 Comments

A prayer for mercy in adversity

Today’s Five minute Friday prompt word is Mercy You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow.

mercy – noun – compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

I am not going lie or sugar coat things but being a Christian is hard. There are times when situations of the world take control and following God’s will is hard. But we need to lean on him in those times to keep our minds and hearts on track. God is full of mercy and we have to be too, however hard that is. 

Lord forgive me as I am not feeling merciful today,
This is wrong and not of you. 
I repent for my feelings but they are struggling to go away.
I am left feeling victimised, discriminated against. 
Give me a heart of love, 
Full of mercy and forgiveness,
To everyone around me no matter what their actions. 
Let my actions today be from you, mirroring yours on earth.
Let me stand firm in your teachings,
Filled with your Spirit knowing whatever is going on all around that is nothing compared to losing you. 
Keep me in your armour and fill me with the fruit of your spirit, 
And let me show mercy to others as you have shown to me,
Let your cross be the picture I carry today. 
Amen.


Posted on by Loretta

A prayer to start the day.

Dear Jesus,
We thank you that you never leave us alone. 
We thank you that your Holy Spirit is with us always.
Please take away everything within us that is not from you. 
May the fruit of the spirit be abundant in us and grow with each minute. 
Please let us be strong in you today and may we not grow faint. 
As your power in us grows stronger, may we become more sensitive to you. 
Pour out your wisdom and discernment,
Let us be your beacons of light. 
Help us to stand firm and strong on you, our rock. 
Lord Jesus, you have already won the war, let us live in your victory and freedom today and everyday. 
Amen