Make Prayer Beautiful

I did not … but I have a better sense now. (And a prayer for clear communication.)

On being shoeless in the desert, dancing at the back, meeting new friends, and God answering prayers.

On altar calls, prayer teams, uncertainty, and grace.

Continuing to learn to give my efficiency to the Lord.

A testimony of God's graciousness of connection. (I touched on this yesterday, now with a more extensive description.)

And the occasional moment of, "What on earth was that about?"

And the sense of renewed invitation: stay curious about the things around you, and be open to prayer.

A place to dance and worship; things to occupy the time; a new heart to pray.

Sticker books, Chipotle rice, walking, twinges of pain … covered and protected.

Lots of rest and not much else.

Staying in the post-op room, finding sustenance, and perfect timing.

Finishing out our first 24 hours away from home (and processing through the experience).

Who first experimented to figure out how to have better outcomes? (The amazing advances in medicine.)

A few hours of uncertainty about where we were in the process … but apparently not close to dead yet.

The initial, disorienting hours at the hospital.

We've had two broken bones and one need for stitches after hours, but our overall experience with intense medical needs has been quite minimal.

So thankful that the Lord draws us to himself.

The point of life is not to be free of drama.

Missionaries do so around the globe; we did so in central Virginia.

Books, audios, resolving boredom in productive ways.

A blessing for the challenges of decision-making.

And what does it say about people who listen to me, or read what I write?

What does this mean?

Then intuition and impressions might be enough … and a lot of asking for wisdom.

Reflecting on the nature of relationships.

Lack of hearing clearly, a sense of separation … what does it look like to walk with God when he seems distant?

Not just a service to benefit clients; not just donations … another, hidden benefit I hadn't considered.

I'm saying it and singing it, but do I believe it?

Dan Sullivan's plan to live to 156 … a bit tongue-in-cheek, but also a delightful thinking exercise.

A brand-new idea, and so satisfying!

Praying again for things we've prayed through already.

Recognizing the reality of proof-reading not as well as I would wish … and new solutions. (So thankful.)

Entering anew into the idea that God is the owner and I am the steward, and what came of that.

An idea that saved me untold frustrations down the road. (SO. THANKFUL.)

For many years, I didn't realize we had any other option in prayer other than using a list.

Arms raised, singing a new song … and a bit about some words being specific to you, and some being more for the body of Christ.

Yes, but … there might be some additional filters that might also be helpful.

We each have our own relationship with the Lord. (And, Lord, let us act always out of a healthy relationship with you.)

Importunity, hunger, conference tips, and more.

Beloved child, overly familiar … what does it look like to walk with God?

As a human, this one gets to me.

As a mom, this one gets to me.

This story went straight to my heart. So helpful, to hear a story that did not work out as desired … but the Lord is still good.

I love different people's experiences of how they hear God! A practical story. I resonate with this one very much.

Worship matters! (And a bit about being a steward.)

A reminder that our job is obedience … and that God often is working with a totally different set of metrics than we are.

An exercise that actually makes sense to me: not three unreachable days, but three possible days.

Not just once and done … the Lord gives gifts of doors opening again. (I feel this one more as a prophetic declaration.)

Pushing through a black mood with worship.And listen to one of Cortney's sets here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgo7_482-f4

Stirring from the Lord at the start of a fast.

With better perspective from an outside source.