The Lord of Hosts will prepare a feast for all the peoples on this mountain – a feast of aged wine, choice meat, finely aged wine. On this mountain He will destroy the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet covering all the nations; He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and remove His people’s disgrace from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:6-8
My words…
Praise
One thing I know about feasts: preparing them is the hardest part. Great amounts of time, energy, and money go into preparing feasts. In other words, feasts require sacrifice. Isaiah prophesied You would serve choice meat and fine wine to Your people. You would destroy death so Your people could enjoy a never-ending meal with You. The sacrifice has been made. The Lamb was slaughtered. The feast is ready. Hallelujah!
Prayer for me
I don’t take this passage literally. The feast I have placed my hope in has nothing to do with food. My sustenance is found in Your nourishing Spirit within me. For years, I have been struggling with You in prayer about someone I love who is suffering, and nothing has changed. If I didn’t have the sustaining hope dished out by Your Spirit, I would have stumbled into despair long ago. But despair has no place at our table. I will wait on Your grace and mercy. Give me the desire to do so every day.
Prayer for others
I pray that You will open the hearts of those who have refused Your invitation. Your banquet table is set for all humankind. And like You, I would love to feast with everyone.
Thank You
In my lifetime, I have received many invitations to dine with friends and family. As much as I am happy to accept each of them, there is no other invitation more precious to me than Yours. It’s an invitation written with Christ’s blood, sealed with the Holy Spirit. And you sent it to me. I lay my most sincere gratitude at Your feet.
More praise
The last time I prepared a feast, I realized that the time it took to devour the feast was about one tenth of the time it took to prepare it. But not so Your feast! When You defeated death, You opened the banquet room for eternity. And if You are preparing literal choice meat and fine wine, then bring it on! I have already R.S.V.P.’d.
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
My words…
Praise
I recently read a paraphrase of Scripture by a scholar who used the word “favor” in place of “grace,” which compelled me to view grace in a different light. When I am in need of something, but I’m too lazy to get off the couch, I call out to the nearest family member, “Will you do me a favor?” Because I am loved, someone usually responds. I do nothing to deserve that favor; I just sit there and wait. The one who comes to my aid does all the work. All I do is say, “Thank you.” Now, here is the amazing part: You stretched out Your arms toward the world and opened Your heart and said, “I am going to do you all a favor.” Never has such a favor been given before or since. You sent Your only Son to earth to live away from Your presence, with fleshly limitations, on a mission to die. Then You gave me a part of Yourself to carry around in my inner temple, guiding me to live and grow like Your Son. I didn’t ask for this favor. I certainly didn’t earn it. I never could.
Prayer for me
I don’t share with others what I have experienced living in Your favor. The fact that I am no evangelist is a lame excuse. Anyone can share exciting, life-changing news with others. Then, why don’t I? Is someone fretful and worried? I can show them peace. Is someone desperate or discouraged? I can show them hope. Grant me the opportunity and the words. Give me the strength and courage to be a beacon on a mountain and not a candle under a basket.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I sin in the light of Your favor. Do you look on me with loving frustration? Probably. I’m sorry for that.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who have rejected Your favor. “Thanks, but no thanks,” they say. I pray something will happen to their spirits – a pricking, a searing, a longing for something beyond their own senses.
Thank You
From what I have learned about You through the decades, one trait stands out: You are delighted by gratitude. I could never repay You for the favor you have bestowed on me. It is a chasing after the wind. But I can thank you. I thank you with my words, with my actions, with my thoughts, with my motivations, and with my intentions. I thank you over and over again and will continue until my last breath. And then I will thank you into the hereafter.
More praise
There was a point in my life when I ask You, “Will You do me a favor? Will you save me?” I didn’t know at the time but I know now: Your answer was, “My precious child, I already have.”
He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
What-e’er I do, wher-e’er I be, still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
You lead me. When I dwell on those three words, my soul is comforted as if the words were whispered in my ear by angels. It doesn’t matter if I mess up. It doesn’t matter if I go where I shouldn’t. Your hand is open to lead me back where I belong. With You.
Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea – Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
There are days when I am weighed down by the darkness in the world. And there are days when I am strolling with You through the gardens of Eden. It’s as if I am on a boat, and storm clouds cover the sun. Waves beat against me, and I am afraid. But the storm passes, and the sea grows calm as does my spirit. In either situation, I look to Your hand as my light.
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine, Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see, Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
When I look to You, when I stretch out my hand and find Yours waiting, my soul swells with contentment. Why would I complain or fuss about anything? I know it is Your hand I clasp that leads me through whatever the world can throw at me.
And when my task on earth is done, When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
When my days of living as Your child on earth have come to an end, I will stand on the field of victory You bought and prepared for me. I won’t recoil at the thought of death because You, The Trinity, showing yourself to the world at the baptism of the Son in the Jordan, will lead me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me, By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follow’r I would be, For by His hand He leadeth me.
There is something personal and intimate between two people holding hands. But You and I are not just holding hands. You are leading me by Your hand, and I am more than content to follow Your lead. Blessed is the child being led by the hand of the eternal, loving Father!
Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:8-9
My words…
Praise
I live in a world of “I” and not “you” and “us” and not “them.” The people of my world are categorized and labeled within a hierarchy. The ground on which we stand is unlevel, and some have a harder time than others getting around. Since it’s always been that way, I guess that’s just the way it is. But You have a different idea. You use a different pronoun: We. It’s a “together on the same playing field” type of pronoun. It’s a “love your neighbor as yourself” pronoun. When I and someone else form a “we”, a bond is created. We have something in common, like a common goal. The hierarchy crumbles. We move forward together. Together with You.
Prayer for me
It’s easy for me to be a neighbor with people who are most like me. We already have commonalities. I shy away from being neighbors with those who will drag me out of my “I” bubble, the place where I control what I do and feel. My safe place. You didn’t stay in Your safe place. You left heaven and became a neighbor to all You met. You exemplified the perfect “we” way of life. Prostitutes, tax collectors, fishermen, slaves, scholars, children, lepers, foreigners, family – and You. You ignored manmade classifications. Help me to do the same.
Forgive me
Lord, please forgive me for selfishly turning my back on opportunities to be a neighbor. It only takes two people to form a “we.” Forgive me when I am not one of them.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who are forced to endure favoritism, prejudice, racism, sexism, discrimination, and others forms of injustice. You know their suffering. Cities are burning. Tempers are raging. Satan chuckles. You are the way to peace. You are the God of justice. Oh, that Your children would look to You and heed!
More praise
You are not a god who loves me because of what I look like or what I own. (Whew!) You do not love me more than the felon. You do not love me less than the martyr. To You, we are all precious children. I am grateful to be a part of that “we.” You and I, however, make up the most important “we” in my life.
When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. John 13:12-15
My words…
Praise
I praise You for being the unexpected Messiah. Those who knew the prophesies, who eagerly awaited Your arrival, were caught by surprise when You didn’t insist on being treated like royalty. You didn’t clamor for special treatment. You – the Son of Almighty God – chose to be a servant and not a tyrant. You chose menial instead of noble, humility instead of arrogance. You not only noticed the lowly and neglected, You cared for them with Your rough carpenter’s hands. If you hadn’t, The Way wouldn’t have worked like it did. Christianity wouldn’t have made it past the second century. The world had seen its fill of haughty, power-hungry rulers. But a genuine Servant-King? It turns out, servanthood is the highest calling, the way to fulfillment. Being a servant is like shouting, “I want to be like Jesus!”
Prayer for me
I’m a lousy servant. I have no one to blame but myself. You’ve provided the training manual full of examples. I’ve read the manual, but I’m not inclined to follow it. Being a servant is messy and sweaty and time-consuming. It’s a heart issue, I know. In truth, I don’t want to be a servant, but I need to be. Change my heart.
Forgive me
Forgive me for spending more time serving myself than others. You would never have done that. You still don’t. You asked Your apostles, “Do you know what I have done for you?” I know what You have done for me. Forgive me when I don’t answer that question with acts of service.
Prayer for others
There are super-servants in this world, laying aside their lives in order to emulate You. With hearts full of compassion and mercy, they are called to be Your hands and feet every day. They don’t see it as messy and sweaty and time-consuming. For them, it’s worship. Pour Your blessing on them today. Strengthen them, embolden them, protect them.
Thank You
I am grateful I serve a God who knelt before his followers and washed the dirt and grime from their feet. They were uncomfortable, ashamed maybe. If You were here today, I wouldn’t be surprised if you offered to scrub my floors or clean my toilet. I would be uncomfortable and definitely ashamed. But, You know how to give up what You have for me. You did it with Your life. And I am so thankful.
More praise
At one time, I was covered in dirt and grime, and You washed me as a servant would. You doused Yourself with my filth then washed it all away with Your blood. And when You were done, I was squeaky clean. A long time has passed, yet I remain clean like new-fallen snow. All because You are the perfect, selfless, gentle Servant Son of God.
When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them because Your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8
We do not know what to pray for as we should… Romans 8:26
My words…
A Prayer When I Don’t Know What to Pray
Just as there are innumerable combinations of musical notes to create songs, so there are innumerable combinations of thoughts to create prayers. So why am I struggling with the question, “What should I pray for today?” The Apostle Paul seemed to have the same issue. I write my prayers so they won’t be shallow, repetitious, molded. You’ve known me (just a little!) longer than I’ve known You. You know me better than I know myself. What I have forgotten, You have not. So, You know what I will ask before I ask it. You see the answers to prayers yet to be prayed. This truth is both confusing and magnificent. The confusion arises when I wonder why I am instructed to pray if You already know what I need. The magnificence is the awe and comfort that fills me when I pray for something You already know I need. So, if I don’t express it correctly, it’s okay. If I don’t realize the gravity of a situation, You do. If I pray for something I think I need, but You know differently, I trust You to do what’s best for me. It is vital that I pray. I am stronger when I pray. This prayer is a jumbled mess, but it’s time with You – Your Spirit in union with mine. You don’t expect eloquence of speech and clarity of thought every time we talk. Thank You for that. So, on a day like today, a day when I sound more like a child than a mature person, I turn over my mind and spirit to You. See my heart. Read my thoughts. And forgive me that I haven’t set at the foot of Your throne a gift of a million words of praise and gratitude, which You are worthy to receive.
Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets of Baal with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, “May the gods punish me if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!” Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. He went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life for I am no better than my fathers.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. 1 Kings 19:1-5
My words…
Praise
Oh, to see what the eyes of Elijah saw! Food brought by ravens. The contest between You and the misdirected prophets of Baal. Consuming fire from Heaven. A downpour to end a three-year famine. Outrunning a chariot! What a prophet! What a life! However…even the greatest of the prophets, the one present at Christ’s transfiguration, was not immune to falling into a slump. Jezebel zapped him of his courage, and he took refuge under a tree, begging You to end his life. What a contrast. He wasn’t the only one, right Abraham, Moses, David and Peter? Sometimes I am actually encouraged that these “greats” struggled with their faith. Other times, I’m sad there wasn’t one who could have held up the banner and not let it drop. Not once. You had to come and show us, knowing it would never be duplicated again.
Prayer for me
For me, “slump” is a baseball term. All of my favorite hitters have fallen into one. Some linger longer than others. I find it frustrating that these men who are being paid a lot of money would dare fall into a slump and not move the runners around the bases. It’s their job, after all. However frustrating, I have come to expect it. You know what I mean, that’s for sure. I can’t seem to keep my faith bolstered all the time. It slips and slumps. Early in my life, I thought it happened without warning or reason. Now I know better. There’s always a reason. For me, the reason is the same baseball coaches give their players: You’ve gotten away from the basics. I pray I will rely on You to keep me from believing there is something complicated and out-of-reach that will strengthen my faith. Keep me focused on the basics: time spent with you in prayer, absorbing Your words into my spirit, and seeking out good works. The proven method.
Prayer for others
Today I pray for others who are experiencing a faith slump. Some have struggled for years to claw their way back to the way things were. I hope and pray they will use the proven method and enjoy peace once again.
Thank you
Thank you for never losing faith in me. Your faithfulness never slumps!
More praise
Even after demonstrating Your might in front of Elijah, You knew he would waiver and take refuge under a broom tree. You listened to his moaning. I can’t help but feel You were disappointed. But You didn’t grant his wish and end his life. Instead, You sent an angel, twice, to refresh him. You didn’t give up on him although it seemed he had given up on You. And in the end, You brought him to heaven in a chariot of fire!
Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them. That disciple was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord – what about him?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.” John 21:20-22
For who in the skies can compare to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord? Psalm 89:6
My words…
Praise
One of Your many characteristics which I find comforting is that You are incomparable. I love to read the account of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. You vs. Baal. No contest. No comparison. I can boldly proclaim along with Elijah, “My God is the greatest and the only!” It’s as though I am on the winning team all the time. There is not a power or principality, seen or unseen, that can stand against You. They try and they fail, time and again.
Prayer for me
Humans practice the religion of comparison. Always have, always will. I am not the woman of Proverbs 31. I don’t possess the insight into scripture like my friends. I don’t have the writing skills of most published writers. And cooking? I don’t want to think about it. I relate to Peter when he questioned You about John. (“How do I stack up against that guy?”) Comparing myself to others is a trap. And even though I know it’s a trap, I still stumble into it more than I should. When I spring that trap, Satan smiles. So, I pray for singularity of spirit to remain focused on You and what You have done for me. Help me live for You and no one else.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I favorably compare myself to others: “I’m glad I’m not like that guy!” I’m the Pharisee turning away from the publican. Please pardon my lack of compassion.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who fall into the comparison trap and live there in constant shame and low self-worth. Each one is a precious soul, worthy of Your love and sacrifice. Pull them from the pit and set them on a path to You.
Thank You
There is so much to be thankful for! Blue sky and sunshine. Green grass and flower petals. Sweet corn and ripe tomatoes. Warm hugs. Children laughing. Time with You.
More praise
There is a place, not of this world, where I will live one day. In this place there will be no need for comparisons because everyone will be of one heart and one spirit. We will all be equal, not looking to each other but looking to You. I will be completely free of the things that I use to compare myself to others here on earth. And, thankfully, I won’t have to cook.
O Lord, You who dwells in my innermost place, I ask that I see everything there is to behold through Your eyes. Nothing on earth means more to me than the truth that You are ever before my eyes. The very best thought I had today was of You. Even when darkness creeps over my day, I know You are there. The brilliance of Your glory sends darkness scattering.
Be Thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father; thine own may I be.
Thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.
Lord, I pray Your wisdom be mine. Your words, whether written or spoken, are my true life guide. Through Your wisdom, I revel in the knowledge that You are with me now, and will be forever. You are my great, holy, selfless Father. I am not worthy to host You within me, but I do.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou and thou only first in my heart,
high King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
I don’t place any weight on being rich and famous. I am enjoying my heavenly inheritance every day, and I will continue to forever. My heart is filled with love for many, but I give You, King of Heaven, the first fruits of my heart. You are the priceless pearl that I would sell all to claim.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
It is because of You that I proclaim victory over death and will live forever under the radiance of heaven. What joy! I matters not what happens in this world; I will remain true to seeing through Your eyes. I know it is You who rules over everything that is known and unknown, seen and unseen.
The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity. Psalm 145:18
Lord, why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1
“I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also. John 14:2-3
My words…
Praise
Where are You? I’m sure You hear that question prayed a lot. I tend to want to “place” you somewhere. When I’m struggling, I want you close. When I’m doing something excessively selfish, I’d rather You not be around. But it doesn’t work like that, does it? You don’t work like that. Who am I to build a boundary around You who is boundless? Who am I to limit the One who is limitless? Just as You proclaimed, “I Am Who I Am,” so You Are Where You Are. Beyond the galaxy and in my backyard. Outside of time and space yet here now. In the heights and in the depths. There is nowhere I can go where You are not. There is nowhere I want to be where You are not.
Prayer for Me
I often get caught up in the falsehood that if I cannot feel your presence, then You are not around. You have made Yourself known to me in so many ways. And when it happens, I feel as if You are not next to me but inside me. My spirit jumps for joy! I pray for more of that. (selfish?) Help me not to see it as a sign that You are there. I shouldn’t need a sign. Help me not to use it as proof You are there. I don’t need proof. When You confirm Your presence, it’s a faith-builder. And my faith can always use building up.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I mold You into something more easily understood. As Dallas Willard said, “We have a weak imagination toward God.” If I could understand You fully, then You wouldn’t be God. You certainly wouldn’t be my God. Forgive me whenever I feel You are distant. It’s the Enemy’s lie.
Prayer for others
Lord, there is someone I care about who is in the clutches of despair. He feels as if You are far from him, and he is so alone. I can’t be God for him. Only You can. Place Your hand of comfort on him now, I pray! Lead him through his darkness and loneliness.
Thank You
Lord, I am so grateful that You are here, there, and everywhere. Thank You for being who You are – the God who is near all of us all the time.
More praise
There is a difference between You being with me and me being with You. In my life here on earth, You are with me. You created my world, and I am in it with You. What I long for is being with You in Your world – the heavens. Jesus, You promised that where You are, I will also be. No distance between us. I can hardly wait.
