I’ve never been much of a prayer warrior, but thankfully I am the daughter of one. My mom is the kind of woman who wakes before the sun in order to make sure her daughters are covered in prayer before their alarm clocks ever go off. I’ve always been humbled by my mom’s intercession but never really understood it…until now.

Two verses of Scripture are changing my thoughts about prayer and making me brazen before the throne of God. I John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” How ready God is to fill my life and home with good things! How certain are His blessings to those who simply ask!

It is revolutionizing my prayer life to learn that there are certain prayers God will always answer. If I ask anything, and it is accordingly to His will, God hears and moves to action. God’s Word is full of His dreams for His people. And, these verses promise if I want something God wants for me, it’s as good as done.

So, what I am asking God for? Just this week I’ve made an entire list, and I’m ready to start asking. I want to be a vessel of God’s goodness. I want to be humble, teachable, and growing. I want to love the Word of God. I want to be involved in supportive, transparent community. I want to be self-controlled, disciplined for godliness and not indulgent of the flesh. I want to be centered in and dependent on Christ.

James 4:2b states it plainly: “You have not because you do not ask.” I don’t want a life that is lacking simply for lack of asking. Now, I only have one lingering question…“Mom, were you praying for this?”

What are you expectantly asking God for? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

God, I have high expectations of what You can and will do for my family. I don’t want a life that is lacking simply for lack of asking. Make me confident, brazen, and notorious before Your throne.

A few weeks ago while reminiscing with two college friends, I was informed that there are two types of women in the world—those who are “steady Eddie’s” and those who are not. I fall into the latter category. While “steady Eddie” was a new term for me, I’m quite familiar with labels such as hypersensitive, high maintenance, and moody. Now, I prefer descriptors such as emotionally attuned, responsive, and tender- hearted. However, in my heart, I know these adjectives all mean the same thing—I wear my feelings on my sleeve.

When I look at Scripture, I’m drawn to melancholy characters like me. I can relate to Moses striking a rock, Elijah hiding in fear, and Jonah sulking about a plant.
Of late, I’ve been challenged by the story of Cain. Cain was a man who knew strong emotions, particularly jealousy and anger when God accepted his brother’s sacrifice and rejected his own. In Genesis 4:6, God confronts Cain about his emotional state. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?’” Then, in verse 7, God offers both a remedy and warning to the emotionally afflicted man. “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

When my emotions flare up, God’s words to Cain remind me:

1. Right actions lead to more positive emotions. In spite of how I feel, I have a choice about how I respond. I might need time to think about the situation at hand. However, in the moment, I can choose to “do well.” For me, “doing well” can mean reciting a memory verse (Ps. 119:50), going for a walk (I Tim. 4:8a), listing what I’m thankful for (I Thess. 5:18), or simply going to bed (Ps. 127:2b). All these responses are God honoring and countenance lifting.

2. Initial sinful reactions can lead to mastery by stronger sins. In the heat of the moment, it is easy to follow the momentum of my emotions, a catapult that often leads me straight into sin. God’s challenge is to put on the brakes. If I don’t, God warns that sinful strongholds await. Ever had your feelings hurt, chosen not to forgive, and then wondered how your heart became so hardened and bitter? Such is the nature of sin—a single indulgence can lead to a stronghold. Master sin quickly, and it will be easier to conquer. Let it linger, and it will master you.

God, today, I thank you that “…You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3). Give me the courage to do what is right even when it doesn’t feel right.

Has God created you to feel deeply? Can you think of a time you’ve responded biblically in spite of strong emotions? I’d like to hear your story.

Remember the childhood antics of hide and seek? Both the thrill of the search and the anticipation of being found produced hours of delight. In my relationship with God, it seems as if a similar dynamic exists. God pursues me, and I am commanded to seek Him. Of late, I have been reading the book of Proverbs and pondering how these concepts work together.

Scripture records story after story of God seeking out His people.
God calls out a shameful Adam and Eve, He finds a cowering Moses, and He pursues a wayward Israel. In the New Testament, it is Jesus who embodies this aspect of God’s character. In Luke 19:10, He says of Himself, “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

In Proverbs 1:20-21, Solomon describes God’s wisdom. Of her he says, “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of noisy streets, she cries out…” Clearly, in a loud voice and public places, wisdom makes herself known. God seeks His people’s attention and makes every effort to captivate it.

What should my response be to God’s pursuit? I am called to fear the Lord by posturing myself to hear and respond to God. But, what does such a response look like? Just a few verses later, Solomon identifies four practical ways to seek the Lord.

In Proverbs 2:1-5, he instructs young people with these words, “My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek for her as silver and search for her as hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord…”

I seek God when I value His word. I honor God’s word by reading it, meditating on it, and allowing it to be the ultimate authority on my beliefs, actions, and responses.

I seek God when I am teachable and listen to wise people. Fearing the Lord means living in community and spending time with more mature believers who can provide instruction in godly living.

I seek God when I pray for understanding and discernment. God promises wisdom to those who ask.

I seek God when I am persistent in pursuing wisdom. Gods asks His people to seek Him with a tenacious consistency. To those who seek with such diligent, disciplined regularity, He promises to be found.

In your life, how do you see God pursuing you? What disciplines/practices help you seek the Lord?

A few weeks ago my Sunday School class discussed the story of Jacob and Esau. The events were familiar enough…a stolen birthright, an estranged relationship, and ultimately reconciliation for this pair of twins. (See Genesis 27-33 for a complete recap.)

However, one verse in this passage seemed particularly fresh and applicable. After years of separation, Jacob and Esau reunite. Jacob fears Esau’s wrath for his past deception but instead finds mercy. Jacob then says to Esau, “…I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me” (Genesis 33:10b).

As I read this verse, my mind began to reflect on the people God has placed in my life to be the face of grace. My boss who told me during a tough season that I was more valuable than what I could produce. My creative writing professor who told me to have courage to create before I criticized my work. My best friend who knows all my quirks and still finds me delightful. My husband who says “I just want to be close to you” when we’ve had a disagreement.

It is indeed God’s kindness that brings us to repentance, and most often His people who have the privilege of reflecting it in physical form. “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in love…” (Ephesians 5:1-2a).

This week, I’m looking at my own countenance a little more closely and asking what my face says to others. Proverbs 19:11 has given me challenge and a bit of insight. “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” Why is it to my glory to overlook a transgression? It is because in that moment I have the sacred opportunity to reflect one of the most powerful aspects of God’s character, His grace.

Would you take a few minutes and share your story with me? Who has been the face of grace to you? How has their favor affected you?

Ten months ago, after a whirlwind eight month courtship, Andrew and I embarked on the journey of marriage. We marvel now at how much we thought we knew but how little we really did. We’ve been delightfully surprised and duly humbled in our first months of married life. During our engagement, we regularly invited the advice of family, friends, books, and marriage counselors. We were warned that sex, finances, and family relationships could be “hot topics” for newlyweds and advised to handle these issues with care.

In Genesis 3:16b, I find my Creator has a word of caution for new brides as well. After sin enters the world, God tells Eve, “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” In other words, Eve and her daughters will desire to be in control of their homes and husbands, even though God has not given them this authority.

I read this verse, and my sin is quite evident. I am well acquainted with control but hopefully beginning to catch glimpses of submission.

I control when I withdraw from my husband when I don’t get my way. I honor my husband when our home is a place of freedom, not fear. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” (I John 4:18a)

I control when I’m preoccupied with getting my point across and fail to respectfully listen to my husband’s view. I submit when I ask clarifying questions before I respond. “…everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak…” (James 1:19)

I control when I value any issue or decision above unity in our home. I honor God when I esteem oneness over personal preferences. “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:14)

Our loved ones gave us solid premarital counsel, but I must say God nailed it when He described a woman’s struggle in marriage.

I’m learning there is beauty and joy in submitting to my God and my husband. By God’s grace, I want to build my home, respect my husband, and honor my God.

“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1

My niece Hannah is a beautiful, brilliant, and strong-willed two-year-old. She lives and loves with a contagious fervor. As I watch her grow, I learn. Of late, what amazes me is how easily children resist what is good for them. For Hannah, a meal, a nap, or medicine can quickly become the enemy. Her parents’ discipline is often simply the means to help her accept what is in her best interest.

Today, I am grateful for God’s discipline. It does not surprise me that God calls me His child. Like most children, I’m insistent on flexing the muscles of my will, mostly to my own demise. As I walk with the Lord, I see a pattern in His character as well. God is a patient and consistent disciplinarian.

In recent days, I’ve heard God’s rebuke and felt His reprimand. “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live” (Isaiah 55:3). This is the request and the promise my Father has presented. It is as if God entices me away from sin and mediocrity, asking me to take an honest look at my life and evaluate if it is falling short of the abundance He offers. Often I don’t respond to His first call. Usually, I have to wear down and run out of excuses before I’m willing to listen.

When that point of brokenness comes, God directs me to four postures: repentance, rest, quietness, and trust. “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

Repentance…It is easy to confuse repentance with guilt. I’m learning repentance is not passive, retrospective regret; it is decisive, forward action. It is an acknowledgement that my sinful patterns of coping with life aren’t a long-term solution. It is a resolve to respond to life in new, biblical, God-honoring ways.

Rest… Rest is required if I am to repent. Sin festers in a hurried life. When life is rushed, I react, often according to the flesh. When I rest, I can hear the Spirit again. Rest creates an atmosphere for godly reflection and provides the energy necessary for change.

Quietness…I’m convinced I sound my most spiritual when I’m furthest from God. Words are such a clever cover for shallowness. With a quick turn of the tongue, I can protect my image and carefully steer the conversation away from anything that might reveal need in me. Quietness is a sign of humility and an invitation to vulnerability.

Trust…To trust God is to resume my rightful place. It is to surrender control of myself and others. It is to allow God to rule and to then enjoy the peace that results.

As a child of God who seems bent on learning her lessons the hard way, today I’m thankful that my Father’s love and discipline are more stubborn than my own will.