Barbara and I have never met in person, but, through the internet, we have traded emails and encouragement. She publishes through Pelican Book Group, the same publisher that released my debut title, The Builder’s Reluctant Bride. It’s always a joy to welcome Barbara to the blog. Today, Barbara is writing about prayer. Welcome, Barbara!
The Bible tells us to pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:17). How is this possible when there is washing to be done, bills to be paid, and kid activities to coordinate? I have tried to be more intentional with prayer these past few years.
Memorize the Lord’s Prayer
Have you been asked to pray for a situation where you have no idea what to petition God for? In those situations, I recite the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught us to pray this prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. You can add a personal request to this prayer.
Turn off the Radio
I love to listen to the radio, but it takes up precious praying time. If I am going for a drive, I pray for at least half of my car time.
Conversational Prayers
Many times, I am on the phone with someone who asks for prayer. I tell them that I will pray for them, but I also try to pray right then. Why wait? If I text on social media that I will be praying for someone, I make sure to pray before I leave that post.
Thankfulness
Did something good happen to you today? Did you wake up? Hit every green light? Be intentional to praise the Lord for little blessings throughout the day.
Praying Continually
Prayer is a blessing for the believer. We can bring our fears, worries, wants, and praise to Jesus, Son of the Most High God. In my latest novel, you will see Emma pray while she is troubled, worried, stressed, and about relationship problems. Emma memorizes Scripture and recites her favorite verses to give herself comfort. Psalm 18:2a is Emma’s favorite verse: The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.
Of course, Emma is also thankful for her friendship with Samantha, which brings her to Whispering Creek.
How do you add more prayer time to your life?
In Escape to Whispering Creek, Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors’ money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend’s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up… until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart?
Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade’s accomplishments. Desperation, and physical setbacks, have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he’s come to love in danger.
September has always been a fun month in our homeschooling journey. But I’m a bit nerdy, and I’ve always loved unpacking the curriculum and making the agenda for the year. There’s something magical about the fresh start of a new school year—the uncracked spines of new books, the feel of crisp, blank pages. They represent so much more than an academic start. To me, they symbolize hope and possibility.
But as exciting as all that is, curriculum and schedules are not where my ultimate hope for my children lies. The anticipation of a new year can create a laser focus on getting everything right—choosing the perfect material, organizing a flawless calendar, and mentally preparing ourselves to meet every challenge. While these preparations are important, they’re not strong enough to hold our hope.
Our ultimate hope for our children’s future does not rest in our ability to choose the right math program or follow a classical education schedule. Because if it did, we would have the ability to derail our children’s lives, and the sovereignty of God says we don’t have that kind of power. God is the One who carries our children, who knows the plans He has for them, and who will guide their steps far beyond what we can imagine.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
As you plan and prepare, remember to seek God first and seek Him urgently. Ask Him for wisdom, direction, and strength as you lead your children. And remember, you do not hold the outcome in your hands—God does. He is the one who will bring about the results in His perfect timing and according to His perfect plan.
Moving forward, I encourage you to three tasks:
Release the Burden: Take a moment right now to release the burden of outcomes to God. What are your hopes and concerns for the year? Prayerfully hand them over to Him.
Seek God First: Before diving into your daily lessons and plans, spend time in prayer asking for God’s guidance and wisdom. Make this a daily habit.
Encourage Your Children: Encourage your children to do their best, but more importantly, to trust God with their journey. Their identity is not found in their student average. Their value is not dependent on making the grade. Just as your identity is not in being the teacher and your value is not tied to their success or failure. Their identity and our identity are rooted in Christ. Their value and our value comes from the Creator who has made us to be His image bearer in this world.
As you walk through the days ahead, keep your eyes on the One who holds all things together. In Him, you will find the strength and peace you need to guide your children through their education and beyond.
Jodie and I share a publishing house. My debut novel, The Builder’s Reluctant Bride, my second novel In Too Deep, along with my Christmas Series set in Mistletoe Meadows are all published by Pelican Book Group. It’s always a pleasure to give a shout out to my fellow PBG authors. I love what they stand for – clean, uplifting, faith-inspiring titles.
Jodie starts her guest post with one of my favourite bible verses, Isaiah 43:2. Welcome, Jodie!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
It’s easy to say you trust the Lord, but what about when you go through continual storms, fires, and struggles? Do you begin to doubt and wonder where the Lord is or perhaps feel like He’s abandoned you? This is the premise of my (Jodie Wolfe’s) new book, ConvincingLou. My heroine, Ellie Lou Williams has always had a deep faith in God. But when she’s hit with continual storms, one right after another, she starts to doubt. Have you ever been there?
During the time of my writing this book, the Lord took my husband and me through the most difficult storm we’ve ever encountered in our lives. In fact, we’re still walking through it. But through it all, the Lord has remained faithful. We may not know the future, but we know Who does.
It’s especially in those times of doubting, that I turn to God’s Word. I love this verse in Isaiah. It doesn’t say if you pass through rivers, fire, and flames but when! God knows our future. We can trust Him to work even when we don’t see a respite from the waves threatening to crash over us.
Look to Him when you’re in the midst of trials. He promises to be with you.
*To open Convincing Lou’s buy page click the photo cover.
How hard can it be to round up one delinquent groom?
Ellie Lou Williams will do just about anything to save her ranch, even going undercover as a man to round up a fella who is late to his own wedding. The reward will more than cover the money she owes the bank and solve all her problems.
Caleb Dawson agrees to one final job as a deputy US Marshal before he starts his new life away from the trail and tracking criminals. What he isn’t counting on is a mysterious bounty hunter who’s determined to undermine his every step.
Will one reach their goal first? Or will they learn to lean on God and work together?
Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW). She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Learn more at JodieWolfe.com.
My daughter and I were chatting about God and how He will do what He sets out to do every time. We talked about where human responsibility meets God’s sovereignty and the difference prayer or sacrifice makes.
I continued to think about our conversation long after the discussion was finished. My actions are less about motivating God and more about motivating my heart to keep in step with His. Prayer is not about changing God; it’s about changing me. Sure, He can and will accomplish His plans with or without me. He absolutely can work in spite of me, and in no way is He dependent on me. But how much joy could be waiting for me on the other side of submission and obedience? How much maturity could grow if I stopped passively waiting for Him to do as I asked and instead actively trusted Him as I walked in obedience?
God is fully capable of accomplishing His purposes without our help, but our eager participation in His plan might enrich our spiritual journey, multiply our joy, and increase our hope and awe of Him.
Lord, let my life be a testament to Your power and grace.
We put our oldest son on a plane and sent him up north for the summer. He has a job working at an outdoor camp and has been looking forward to this adventure for months. Thankfully, his local part-time employer gave him the summer off so he could take advantage of this opportunity.
I can’t help but think back to when we first adopted the boys. Our life became a whirlwind of noise and laughter. It was quite a shock moving from a family of three (parents + one daughter) to an instant family of five. The boys were two and three when they joined our family.
People said it would go fast. They said we would look back and long for those busy days with little ones. And I’d smile in return and nod, not fully understanding how correct those statements were/are. It has gone quickly. And this mini-send-off is the prequel to the bigger one not too far down the road. However, instead of looking back with longing, I want to be fully present now. The teen years have been a blast, and I have loved learning to enjoy our kids during this stage of life. I don’t want to miss right now because I’m too busy trying to reclaim what once was.
Because right now is pretty great.
So, however long we have with these amazing kids we’ve been blessed to raise, I’m all in. I can’t wait to hear all about his summer adventures when he returns. Here’s to cherishing each moment, embracing the present, and eagerly looking forward to the future. Life’s journey with them is a precious gift, and I intend to savour every second.
