Tag: prayer

  • Seek. Follow. Abide.

    Seek. Follow. Abide.

    Part 3 – Abide – Stay With Me

    “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” — John 15:4

    For the past two weeks, we’ve been walking together through one invitation from Jesus.

    First, we asked ourselves:

    What am I seeking?

    Then we asked:

    Will I follow where He leads?

    Now Jesus offers one final invitation—one that may be the most life-changing of all.

    Will you stay with Me?

    The word abide isn’t one we use very often. Depending on your Bible translation, it may also be translated as remain, continue, or simply stay.

    I love that word.

    Stay.

    There is something comforting about it. Something peaceful. Something deeply personal.

    Jesus isn’t inviting us into a destination. He’s inviting us into His presence.

    Our world loves movement.

    We celebrate promotions.

    New homes.

    New ministries.

    New adventures.

    Even in the church, we often applaud those who take bold steps of faith. We tell stories about missionaries who crossed oceans, believers who left successful careers to answer God’s call, and ordinary people who courageously stepped into the unknown.

    And we should.

    Those stories remind us that God still calls people to go.

    But I wonder…

    Do we celebrate the people who stay?

    The mother who faithfully loves her family every day.

    The caregiver who quietly serves without recognition.

    The believer who keeps praying long after others have given up.

    The friend who faithfully walks beside someone through a painful season.

    The person who continues to trust God even when nothing seems to be changing.

    Sometimes staying requires just as much faith as going.

    Sometimes it requires even more

    If we’re honest, many of us spend more time living in tomorrow than we do trusting God today.

    We wonder…

    What if this never changes?

    What if I fail?

    What if things get harder?

    Before we know it, we’ve carried tomorrow’s burdens into today’s heart.

    But Jesus gently calls us back.

    Stay with Me today.

    Stay another hour.

    Stay another day.

    God has never asked us to carry a lifetime of grace all at once. He gives us today’s grace for today’s needs.

    When tomorrow arrives, His grace will be there too.

    One of the things I love most about Jesus is that He never seemed to be in a hurry.

    He stayed long enough to heal those who came to Him.

    He stayed at a wedding and turned ordinary water into extraordinary wine.

    He stayed with children while others tried to send them away.

    He stayed with those society overlooked.

    He stayed long enough to forgive those who believed they had gone too far.

    He wasn’t rushing through life.

    He was fully present with every person the Father placed before Him.

    Love is never in a hurry.

    Neither is Jesus.

    One story has always challenged me.

    When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus.

    Surely He would come immediately.

    Instead, Scripture tells us that after hearing the news, Jesus remained where He was for two more days.

    To Mary and Martha, it must have felt like silence.

    Like delay.

    Like disappointment.

    But Jesus wasn’t absent.

    He wasn’t indifferent.

    He was trusting the Father’s perfect timing.

    Sometimes abiding means trusting God when we don’t understand His timing.

    Sometimes faith isn’t believing that God will hurry.

    It’s believing that He is never late.

    Jesus said,

    “I am the vine; you are the branches.”

    Branches don’t strain to produce fruit.

    They don’t anxiously compare themselves to other branches.

    They don’t worry about whether they’re doing enough.

    They simply stay connected to the vine.

    The life of the vine flows through the branch.

    The fruit is the natural result of the relationship.

    How often do we exhaust ourselves trying to produce what only Jesus can grow?

    Our culture tells us to try harder.

    Jesus tells us to stay closer.

    What a beautiful invitation.

    Over these past three weeks we’ve talked about seeking Jesus, following His call, and now abiding in His presence.

    I’ve come to realize something.

    Where you go isn’t nearly as important as where you stay.

    You may travel across the world or remain in your hometown.

    You may stand before thousands or quietly serve one person.

    You may be in a season of great joy or one of deep sorrow.

    Wherever life takes you, never leave the place where your soul finds life.

    Stay with Jesus.

    Remain in His Word.

    Rest in His love.

    Trust His timing.

    Walk closely with Him.

    Because the greatest adventure isn’t found in the places you’ll go.

    It’s found in the Savior you’ll never outgrow.

    Three weeks ago, we began with a question:

    What are you seeking?

    Then we learned that following Jesus often means trusting Him one obedient step at a time.

    Today we’ve discovered that the deepest joy isn’t found in reaching the destination.

    It’s found in remaining with Christ.

    We began by seeking Him.

    We learned to follow Him.

    Now let us abide in Him.

    Because joy isn’t found in the destination.

    Joy is found in the presence of Jesus.

    Prayer

    Lord, thank You for inviting me into a relationship with You. Teach me not to chase the next thing so quickly that I miss Your presence today. When life is uncertain, help me stay. When I am tempted to run, remind me that my strength comes from remaining connected to You. Grow in me the fruit that only Your Spirit can produce, and help me find my greatest joy in simply abiding with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    This Week’s Invitation

    Don’t rush to tomorrow.

    Don’t strive for what only Jesus can produce.

    Simply…

    Abide in Him.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • From Worry to Worship

    Philippians 4:6–7 — “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace…”

    Worry is often our first reaction when life feels uncertain. It creeps in quietly and quickly—through unanswered prayers, unexpected detours, or the weight of responsibilities that feel too heavy to carry. Yet in Philippians 4:6–7, Paul offers a different response.

    Instead of letting worry take the lead, he invites us to pray and praise.

    Worry drains our energy and clouds our vision, but worship redirects both. When we worship, our focus shifts from the size of our problem to the greatness of our God. Prayer becomes our release valve—where anxiety is exchanged for assurance.

    Gratitude becomes our weapon—reminding us of God’s past faithfulness and His unchanging nature.

    It’s not that our circumstances instantly change when we pray; it’s that we do. The peace of God doesn’t depend on the absence of trouble but on the presence of the One who calms the storm inside of us. His peace “guards our hearts and minds,” standing like a divine shield against fear, doubt, and despair.

    So, when worry starts whispering, let worship rise louder.
    When anxiety starts to spiral, lift it up in prayer.
    When your thoughts feel tangled, anchor them in gratitude.

    Because every time you turn your worry into worship, you remind your heart who’s really in control. And in that surrender, peace begins to flow—steady, quiet, and strong.

    Reflect:

    • What situation are you most worried about right now?
    • How can you turn that concern into a prayer of worship and thanksgiving today?

    Prayer:
    Father, thank You for inviting me to trade my worries for Your peace. When I’m tempted to fear, remind me to bring every burden to You in prayer. Help me choose worship over worry, and gratitude over anxiety. Let Your peace guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • Silent Prayer

    When I first began my career in coaching and training, I found it very hard to just sit in silence.

    The silence of waiting for someone to give a thought was palpable. It also arose when waiting for an answer to a question. Or even when asking for a volunteer. I had a need to fill the silence.

    Do you ever feel that way when you pray?

    My prayer often looks something like this…I pray for what I want. I thank. I want. I thank. I talk. I listen. And then I talk some more. I find myself so drawn to stay in conversation with Him.

    I get tired of repeating what I know He already heard. I also get tired of mentioning what I know He has already taken care of. I just don’t know the outcome yet.

    As a natural introvert, I get anxious going to events where I don’t know people. I stress over what to talk with people about. How to start a conversation without relying on weather talk. How to avoid offending them by asking what they may find to be a personal question.

    How to keep a conversation going in- order- to avoid that awkward silence and stand there with nothing to say.

    Can you relate? I am in awe of individuals who can immediately feel comfortable at those events and know just what to say.

    Communication is a two way street. It’s not all up to me to keep the conversation going. It is a joint effort and a combination of both talking and listening. Listening for those clues in the conversation that will spark other topics of conversation.

    I think prayer needs to be the same way. Not just one sided talking about what I want, need, and desire. It’s also about listening.

    Just being quiet in the silence to hear what is being said. We need to just Be.

    When I sit in the quiet and silence my mind. I realize I am being drawn not to keep talking to Him. Instead, I am drawn to “be” with Him. To just rest in His presence and know I am okay.

    He asks us to “be still and know that He is God.” We don’t have to work to fill the silence.

    I have been in a time of In-between lately. A time of no longer and not yet. This in between place is also a place that can feel very silent. A time of feeling very alone. A time when I am drawn to fill the silence with anything but that…silence.

    What God has had me doing doesn’t seem to be working. However, I am not yet in the fullness of God’s promise. It’s easy to feel stuck, uncertain, and restless. I have found in scripture that this in-between season is not without purpose.

    In 2 Corinthians 5:5, we’re told that we are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

    Even in the waiting, God is working in us and through us.

    I have found that the best things to do when in a season of in-between, is to:

    1. Pursue intimacy with God: I have used this season to deepen my relationship with the Lord. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and worship. As I have drawn near to Him, I’ve found comfort, guidance, and strength for the journey ahead.
    2. Reflect and learn: It has been a time to reflect on the season I may have to leave behind. What has God taught me? What can I carry forward into the new chapter? What are areas for growth? What do I need to surrender to God?
    3. Prepare for what’s next: I might not know exactly what God has in store. However, I can prepare my heart and mind. I can develop habits, skills, and character that will serve me well in the future.
    4. Serve others: I have looked for ways to serve and bless those around me. It has been a powerful way to shift my focus from my own waiting to being a blessing to others.
    5. Trust in God’s sovereignty: I am remembering that God is working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28). I trust that He has a plan, even when I can’t see the outcome.

    If you are navigating the in-between, hold fast to the promise of Jeremiah 29:11.

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

    My friend, I pray that you find peace, purpose, and joy in the in-between. Know that God is with you every step of the way.

    Trust Him enough to simply rest in His presence. To simply be…

    In the silence.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • Where is God in the Shadows?

    Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it. He came to fill it with His presence. ~Paul Claudel

    We have many questions when we face difficult and tragic situations. One of the biggest is: “Why do bad things happen to good people.”

    A natural response when bad things are happening, is why? If God is good and all powerful, why doesn’t He stop the pain and suffering?

    God sits with us in our sadness. Accompanies us through the valley of the shadows. Holds our hand in our moments of fear.

    Suffering will look different for every believer in Jesus Christ. However, the desired end result should look the same when following Christ. 1Peter 4:12-13 MSG says, 

    “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 

    When I choose to let Him, God fills me with His presence in my spirit. I can feel strong in the middle of that weakness.

    Emotionally, it’s called a pit of despair for a reason. A hole can be dug inside us so deep that it seems everything good has been excavated from our lives.

    We all experience it in different ways. You may have lost someone you love. Or you may have found yourself in situations you never dreamed you would be facing.

    A pit is dug. And despair is the first visitor that wants to knock at your door.

    It’s in those moments I pray for God to get me out of His way. It’s those moments when I start praying for Him to change my heart for what He wants. Pray that I can be aware of the opportunities He has planned for me.

    It’s taken me a while, but I realize, this life is not about me. It’s not about my wants and desires. It is about Him. It’s about me saying yes to what He can do through me.

    It requires me to trust Him completely. It doesn’t change the loss. It doesn’t improve my earthly situation.

    But it does change the suffering.

    It allows me to not answer the door to despair and instead invite His presence into the pit. The pit looks jagged and deep. It turns out to be a God-shaped hole in the center of our beings. A hole that is dug by circumstances and choices, and we can choose to fill it with His grace.

    We all live in a place of unknown realities. He has ensured that we don’t have to suffer.

    We get to choose whether to trust Him. Then, ask Him to show us how He wants to use us.

    Then, say yes.

    With love and joy,

    Laura

  • The Luck of the Irish: Finding Blessings Beyond the Blarney Stone

    As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, many of us will be donning green attire, searching for four-leaf clovers, and perhaps even kissing the Blarney Stone in hopes of securing a wee bit of good fortune. But as Christians, we know that our blessings come from a much higher source than a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

    While St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with all things Irish, it’s essential to remember the real story behind this beloved saint. Patrick, a humble Christian missionary, was instrumental in spreading the Gospel to the Emerald Isle. His unwavering faith and commitment to sharing God’s love with the Irish people had a profound impact on their lives and culture.

    As we reflect on the concept of “luck,” we’re reminded that our blessings come from God’s sovereign hand.

    Jeremiah 29:11, we’re told, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

    This promise reassures us that our lives are not governed by chance or fate, but by a loving God who desires to bless and prosper us.

    So, what does it mean to experience good fortune as a Christian? Is it merely a matter of chance or coincidence? Absolutely not!

    When we acknowledge God as the source of all blessings, we begin to see that every good thing in our lives is a direct result of His loving providence.

    In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Moses cautions the Israelites against attributing their success to their own strength or abilities, reminding them that it is God who gives them the power to prosper. This same principle applies to our lives today. When we recognize God’s hand in our blessings, we’re compelled to give thanks and glory to Him, rather than relying on luck or our own efforts.

    As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, let’s not get caught up in the notion of relying on luck or chance for our blessings. Instead, let’s fix our eyes on the One who is the source of all good things. May we, like St. Patrick, be faithful in sharing God’s love with others and trusting in His sovereign providence to guide our lives.

    How can you, like St. Patrick, share God’s love with others and trust in His sovereign providence to guide your life?

    With love and joy,

    Laura